I secretly sold grain at age 60

Chapter 10 Black Market Route

Gao Huaiyi had been traveling around for most of the day, asking around for directions, but after wandering around for a long time, he still couldn't find a suitable way. Seeing that he had no clue whatsoever, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. After all that effort, he hadn't gained anything, so he decided not to linger any longer and set off to return to the village.

Before he knew it, it was already around three in the afternoon. With less than half an hour's walk to the village, the sun was already starting to set, but it was still hot enough to make one feel slightly hot. Gao Huaiyi started walking towards his village. When he was about twenty minutes away from the village entrance, he stopped unintentionally, looked around, and immediately sensed something was wrong.

Villagers from several neighboring villages were seen walking in twos and threes, all looking hurried. Some carried bulging, heavy cloth bags on their backs, clearly filled with many things; others carried empty cloth bags and empty tin buckets, all hurrying towards the town.

This strange scene immediately piqued Gao Huaiyi's curiosity. Why weren't they resting and eating at home at midday? It was unusual for so many people to be heading to town all at once. He couldn't help but wonder what they were rushing off to do.

Filled with doubt, Gao Huaiyi quickly stepped forward and stopped a middle-aged man with a kind face who was carrying a cloth bag and hurrying along. He asked politely, "Brother, wait a minute. I see so many of you are all rushing towards the town. What are you all planning to do there?"

Before the words were even finished, the middle-aged man froze, a look of panic and wariness instantly appearing on his face. His eyes darted away, and he didn't dare to look Gao Huaiyi in the eye. He instinctively shrank back to the side, quickly shook his head, and refused to say another word.

Seeing this, Gao Huaiyi looked at the women walking alongside him and asked again, "Ladies, are you all carrying empty bags and buckets? Are you also going to town with everyone? Is there a market in town today, or are there any rare things to buy?"

Upon hearing the question, the women also looked flustered. They exchanged glances and fell silent, shaking their heads hastily and quickening their pace, wanting only to get away from him as quickly as possible and unwilling to exchange another word.

Some people were even afraid of being questioned by others, so they didn't bother to pay attention to them. They kept their heads down and hurried forward, passing by Gao Huaiyi in a hurry without saying a word.

He asked several people in succession, but not a single one was willing to utter a word. They were all evasive and flustered. The more they concealed their true intentions and refused to say more, the more intense Gao Huaiyi's curiosity became. He was increasingly certain that this group of people were definitely not simply going to the market for a stroll; there must be a secret hidden behind them.

Gao Huaiyi had an idea. He didn't go forward to ask any more questions or disturb them, nor did he turn around and go home immediately. He slowed down his pace without making a sound, following the group of villagers from the neighboring village at a distance that was neither too close nor too far. He deliberately kept a safe distance so that they wouldn't easily notice him, but he could still clearly see the direction they were heading, and quietly followed them all the way.

The villagers, focused solely on their journey and their destination, paid no attention to the stranger following behind them. They walked on for over an hour, nearly an hour's journey, and though they were nearing the outskirts of the town, they didn't head towards the bustling main street.

Just then, the group of people leading the way suddenly turned around and led a large group of villagers into a secluded and deserted path on the other side of the town, away from the main road and crowded areas.

Gao Huaiyi's heart stirred, and he quickly and carefully followed, walking along the path until they arrived at a secluded grove of trees about a mile or two away from the town.

This grove of trees is secluded, surrounded by weeds and dense trees that obscure the view. Few people would deliberately come here on weekdays. It is quiet and hidden, making it difficult for passing officials and patrol personnel to discover it.

The villagers who arrived did not rush in. Instead, they cautiously dispersed and circled the perimeter of the grove several times, looking around carefully to see if any strangers were passing by or if any patrols were lying in ambush. Only after repeatedly confirming that the surrounding area was safe and there was nothing unusual did they feel relieved.

Just as everyone was observing the surrounding movements, several figures suddenly peeked out from behind a thick tree deep in the woods.

The other person was equally cautious, lowering their voice to an extremely low level, as if afraid that if they spoke even slightly louder, they would be heard by people in the distance.

The person hiding in the shadows asked in a low voice, "Are all the people coming from outside our own side? Were you followed on the way? Did you run into any of the commune's inspection cadres? They've been cracking down on speculation and profiteering lately, so we can't afford to make any mistakes."

The villagers who had rushed over quickly stepped closer and whispered back, "Don't worry, don't worry, we were extra careful the whole way. We took the back roads and avoided crowded places. We weren't watched by anyone or encountered any patrols. It's very safe. We heard that you can exchange goods and food here privately, so we brought our extra belongings to try our luck."

The figure behind the tree nodded slightly, then cautioned, "Everyone behave yourselves when you come in. No loud talking, no looking around or asking questions. Once you've finished your transaction, leave as quickly as possible. Don't linger in groups. If we make a scene and attract attention, we'll all be in trouble. Nobody will escape!" Also, everyone needs to pay a dime to enter, understand? Both sellers and buyers have to pay.

The villagers who came quickly responded, "We understand, we understand. We all know the rules. We will not say anything and will not cause any trouble. We just hope to get the urgently needed food supplies smoothly."

After a brief, hushed exchange, the person behind the tree quietly moved aside, revealing a secluded path, and waved for everyone to hurry in. A group of villagers, carrying bundles and empty buckets and bags, bent low and carefully made their way into the deep grove. When they passed the last person, no one took out five cents to give to them before disappearing deeper into the woods.

Gao Huaiyi, who was hiding in the shadows and observing quietly, suddenly understood everything when he saw what was happening before him.

No wonder everyone looked flustered and kept quiet about their whereabouts along the way, and deliberately avoided and dodged when strangers asked them questions. So that's what happened.

This seemingly ordinary, secluded, and deserted grove of trees is not a place for casual strolling or relaxation. Instead, it is an underground black market around this town, where villagers secretly trade, barter, and buy and sell food and supplies.

In these extraordinary times, resources are extremely scarce, and food is a precious commodity that every household is desperately looking for. Strict controls are in place, and private buying and selling of food or exchanging goods is strictly prohibited. Anyone daring to engage in unauthorized transactions or resell goods will be arrested on charges of speculation and profiteering.

It is precisely because of the fear of being caught and the terrifying consequences that every villager who wants to try their luck at the black market and secretly exchange goods for food is constantly on edge, filled with fear and anxiety. They dare not make a sound when they go out, dare not talk while traveling, and are even more wary and flustered when they meet strangers, for fear that saying one more word or taking one wrong step will cause them great trouble.

Gao Huaiyi stood at a distance, watching people steadily slip into the woods' black market, his heart filled with unease. He never imagined that what he had stumbled upon by chance would lead him to the most secretive, clandestine black market in the area.

Others were hesitant and afraid of being caught, daring only to sneak in. But Gao Huaiyi knew that with his spatial advantage, he had no worries about food or supplies. Discovering this hidden black market was a perilous place for others, but for him, it was an excellent, unknown place to quietly stockpile goods, make money, and quietly improve his life.

He stood quietly by the roadside, gazing at the grove of trees that held secrets, already harboring other ideas in his mind.