Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Observations in the Wholesale Market
Thinking this, Lin Yun hastily said, "Well then, let's not talk any more about this. I need to get these vegetables to the county, to find Gangzi..."
As he spoke, Lin Yun hurriedly lifted the handle of the cart and set off, pulling the cart full of vegetables.
This time, once again, he didn't encounter anyone.
Lin Yun pulled the cart loaded with vegetables towards the county.
Though he was pulling vegetables, Lin Yun was not idle. He was using the footwork he had learned from the Cosmic Trading System, getting more acquainted with it bit by bit.
It must be said, the martial techniques sold on the Cosmic Trading System were extraordinary. Lin Yun had learned some footwork before, but compared with this method, those paled in comparison.
In combat, footwork is crucial. A good footwork technique can help the outnumbered overpower the majority, turn weakness into strength.
Lin Yun was practicing the footwork method and pulling the cart at the same time, resulting in a somewhat odd spectacle, drawing the attention of many passersby.
"Ah, it's really a pity, such good tricycles are not allowed to operate, forcing these vegetable farmers to manually pull carts..."
"It's like we're going back to primitive times..."
"I haven't seen such a primitive cart for many years, I must take a photo..."
"There are no buses, tricycles are not allowed to operate, taxis are charging exorbitant prices, life is really hard..."
"It's impossible to go to the county town..."
People began shaking their heads, whispering amongst themselves.
Tricycles were a major mode of transportation in Immortal Origin County. The complete ban affected more than a handful of people and resulted in considerable resentment.
Lin Yun's hearing was sharp. He could hear subtle conversations from afar. Listening to these people's discussions, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
He didn't know why the leaders of Immortal Origin County would decide to ban all tricycles. Still, the policy was undoubtedly causing much discontent among the people.
Thereupon, he quickened his pace, rapidly making his way towards the county.
With so many people discussing, he felt embarrassed to walk slowly, and he didn't want to be the topic of conversation along the way.
Even though he walked fast, it still took Lin Yun about 40 to 50 minutes to reach the wholesale market.
The further he walked, the more sombre his expression became.
Even at his speed, it still took 40 to 50 minutes to get there.
How long would it take his father to make the journey?
If it was just one round trip in a day, he would spend two to three hours just for the transportation.
If it were two round trips, nearly half a day would be spent pulling vegetables.
His family had several acres of vegetable fields. If he had to transport the vegetables this way, how tiring would it be, and how much could he haul?
Leave aside the fact that there were no customers now, even if there were, the speed of hauling vegetables probably would not keep up.
He knew that vegetables should ideally be delivered to customers in the morning... Even for restaurants, it would be best to prepare in the morning so they could be used at noon and in the afternoon. If they were delivered in the afternoon, the other party might only be able to use them the following day, by which time they wouldn't be fresh.
As for the vegetable market, needless to say, business is mostly conducted in the morning. There's hardly any business in the afternoon.
"Please, don't take away our tricycle, I didn't know tricycles were not allowed in the city, I came here to buy vegetables... Because I bought too many, my electric bicycle can't carry it all... Next time, I will definitely not come to the city... Please..." Just as Lin Yun was processing this, he heard a tide of commotion from not too far away.
Lin Yun looked up to see several law enforcement officers pulling an old man's tricycle away.
"Let go! Let go of me! This is our job, if you have something to say, go talk to the county leaders, we didn't make this policy!" A plump law enforcement officer shouted loudly.
"Little Li, get the vegetables off the cart. Little Wang, drive the tow truck over. Let's tow this tricycle away!" Then, the plump law enforcement officer looked up at his two colleagues and ordered.
"Okay!" Following the plump law enforcement officer's order, the two law enforcement officers immediately began to act. One was brushing vegetables off the cart while the other went to drive the tow truck over.
Upon witnessing this, the old man seemed even more emotional, tears streaming down his face as he clutched onto his tricycle and pleaded, "Please, please, I won't come again, I won't come again..."
Many people around them were pointing and whispering, some even began to scold the law enforcement officers.
But this only made the officers more angry. The old man was no match for them. They forcefully removed his hands from the tricycle. One officer held the old man back, another expertly drove the tricycle onto the tow truck, and another officer dropped off a ticket, coldly saying, "Keep this receipt, deal with it at the parking lot in a month's time, have the money ready!"
"I'm begging you, I'm begging you, don't take away our tricycle..." Just as this happened, the old man suddenly knelt down and kowtowed to the officers, traces of tears streaking down his face.
However, the officers didn't pay him any heed and drove away.
What was left were vegetables strewn about and the old man kneeling on the ground, his face showing utter despair.
Watching this spectacle, Lin Yun's face darkened.
No matter what the hidden intentions of the leaders of Immortal Origin County were behind this policy, he did not have any favourable feelings towards it.
A moment ago, the behavior of those law enforcement officers was no better than that of beasts.
Thinking back to a while ago, when his father was carrying vegetables into the city at around 3 or 4 in the early morning and his tricycle got confiscated and the vegetables were dumped all over, a spark of anger burst forth in his heart.
Was his father's mood back then similar to the old man's now?
Even then, he dared not think about it.
"Sir, please get up. It's cold on the ground. Here's some money for you..."
Lin Yun left his cart of vegetables, walked over, and quietly said.
He pulled out three thousand yuan from his pocket and handed it to the old man.
He didn't have the time or opportunity to prevent the officers' actions earlier. This was the only thing he could do now.
After saying this, he turned to leave.
Such things, they weren't isolated incidents.
The wholesale market was easily accessible for tricycles. Not far away, another tricycle was being confiscated, but the owner, a middle-aged woman, didn't react as violently as the old man. Lin Yun didn't step in.
These incidents weren't limited to the one or two he witnessed. It was happening throughout Immortal Origin County. How could he take on all of them?
In the middle of the wholesale market, Lin Yun found Gangzi's stall.
Even though it had been five years, Lin Yun still recognized his old buddy at first glance.
Under a simple-large-size tent, in a not too big or small stall, Gangzi was busy talking with a customer.
"One yuan per pound, selling by box, this is the cheapest price this year. The apples this year are generally expensive. However, our apples are of very good quality. You can't find apples like ours in three other stores in the entire market, you can taste it... Alright, if you buy two boxes, I will give you two pounds, if you buy three boxes, I will give you four pounds.
A box of apples only weigh about twelve pounds, four pounds is almost half a box..." The buzz-cut Gangzi was smiling and talking to a customer.
Lin Yun stood off to the side and watched with a gentle smile. He didn't interrupt.
However, what does Gangzi do?
He's a businessman; how could he not notice someone nearby?
"Lin Yun!!! You're back!!!" Gangzi looked up, saw Lin Yun, was taken aback for a moment, and then excitedly called out.
He quickly put down the apple in his hand and walked quickly towards Lin Yun.
Halfway there, he suddenly remembered the customer he left behind. He quickly looked back, laughed heartily, and said, "My bro is back today, and I'm in a good mood. If you buy a box of apples, I will give you an extra two pounds. If you buy three boxes, I'll give you a whole extra box. If you want to buy, just pick whichever ones you want!"