Ferdinand did not stay in Vlatsa for long, and set out again the next day.

The village of Koinare, Vlaca Oblast, is now just an ordinary mountain village, poor and backward, without a trace of the first Bulgarian village in later generations.

Ferdinand hid his identity and quietly arrived with a few guards. It was already noon, and Ferdinand arrived at the only restaurant in the village, which also worked as a grocery store and tavern.

By chatting with people, Ferdinand learned that the boss's name was Carter Delov, a middle-aged man in his forties. You can see that he is optimistic, although the business of the small shop is not very good.

Ferdinand ordered the guards to order their own food, and he ordered a yogurt, a loaf of bread, and a local salad, made of onions, green peppers, celery, spring shoots, etc., which was considered lunch.

Taste, don't talk about it! Ferdinand could only barely swallow, the only flavoring was salt and jam, and he didn't find a trace of the taste of the food except that it was guaranteed to be raw.

After barely eating a few bites and padding his stomach, Ferdinand couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Carter, is there nothing else here?" ”

Carter-Dilove heard Ferdinand's questioning and hurriedly said, "Oh God! Dear guests, of course, you see these snacks were brought back from Vlatsa by my son! What's the point? There are hams, sausages, canned food, and fries..."

Ferdinand asked suspiciously, "Wait, Carter, you have so many goods, why don't you take them out and sell them?" It's just a matter of writing a few more names on the board, it's easy! ”

Boss Carter immediately replied, "Oh, sorry! Dear guests, you are well-informed, you must know that some time ago, the whole of Bulgaria carried out a strict crackdown on food safety, and now the price of these goods has increased! ”

"Our village of Koinare is just a small place, everyone is a group of poor people, and few people could afford it originally, and now everyone can't afford it."

"I only came in more than three months ago, and when I explained to them that prices were rising, they didn't believe it, saying that I was lying, and in a fit of anger, I took them off the shelves!"

"Carter, you're lying again, how can prices double at once, I went to Vlatsa when I was young. There are poor ghosts in the city, and their lives are not much better than ours, and they will all starve to death at your price! An old man in his sixties spoke among the guests

The old man was very energetic, and his clothes were a little old, but they were clean and tidy without patches. Ferdinand could see that his life should be good.

Boss Carter said with a look of wrongedness: "You know, Master Frank, when did I Carter lie!" It's supposed to be this price, don't believe you ask this gentleman! ”

The old man, named Frank, rolled his eyes and said, "Of course I know who you used to be, but now it's different!" Ever since you started your business, there are a few businessmen who don't lie! ”

Seeing that Frank didn't believe it, Boss Carter was so anxious that he jumped to his feet, Ferdinand understood the cause and effect, he took a canned beef, looked at the production date, and immediately understood.

Ferdinand smiled and said, "Mr. Frank, you have indeed wronged Boss Carter this time!" ”

Frank looked at Ferdinand blankly, he was helping him, how could he say that he was wrong.

Ferdinand continued: "Judging by the production date above, it was produced half a year ago. If Boss Carter had bought it three months ago, it would have been worth the price. At that time, many inferior goods in the market were seized and out of stock everywhere, so the prices were a little high. ”

Frank still asked with some doubts: "Sir, according to what you say, the prices outside have really risen so much now?" ”

Ferdinand calmly said, "No! I said three months ago, and now that the market has returned to normal, the overall price increase should not exceed 10%! ”

Boss Carter said excitedly: "Master Frank, now you should believe it, I really didn't lie to you!" ”

Frank twitched his head and said, "Oh God! Carter, you're such an idiot! Didn't you hear this gentleman? That was three months ago and now it's back to normal! You're still selling at the price you were selling at the time, doesn't that tell? ”

Boss Carter said excitedly: "However, my purchase price is so high!" If the price is reduced, I will pay for it! ”

Frank smiled and said, "That's your business, isn't it normal to lose money in business?" By the way, you better find a way to sell it quickly, or keep it for yourself, otherwise it will be bad if it expires! ”

…

Seeing the conversation between the two men, Ferdinand understood that Frank had no problem with Carter, but simply hated businessmen. Although the words were not good, he still reminded Carter to sell the goods quickly.

Ferdinand smiled and asked, "Mr. Frank, how was last year's harvest in your village?" ”

Frank smiled and said, "Guest, you're laughing!" It's not the same as it used to be, so let's get by! ”

Ferdinand asked suspiciously: "Isn't it promoting new agricultural technology, why hasn't it increased production?" ”

Boss Carter was the first to say: "Why didn't you increase production, just to find some people to make trouble, and didn't go to learn, so ~~"

Frank seemed to be trampled on a sore foot, "Go, Carter has nothing to do with you here!" ”

"The guest smiled, you know that agricultural technological innovation is not overnight, old man, I am timid, and the technician sent from above has not explained clearly, so I plan to wait and see!"

Ferdinand smiled and said, "Understand, you are an old man!" By the way, I took a look at the lack of irrigation channels on your side, how to solve the problem of agricultural water? ”

After listening to Ferdinand's question, Frank said helplessly: "What else can I do?" God willing, we've had a lot of weather here in the last few years! The ditch you said is not so simple! Don't look at our conditions this time, but to solve the water problem, the amount of work alone is not something we can afford! ”

Ferdinand nodded cautiously and continued to ask, "If the government comes forward to organize, are you willing to participate?" ”

Frank smiled and said, "The guest said it was funny, if the government is willing to come forward, how can we refuse?" I don't know about other places, but if our village solves the problem of agricultural water, at least one-third of it can be reclaimed! ”

Ferdinand nodded with satisfaction, since the people are willing to support, then the water conservancy project plan can be started.

Frank's face suddenly changed, and he asked in surprise: "Guest, is it someone from the government?" ”

"What? Isn't it like? Ferdinand asked rhetorically

Frank hurriedly said, "Like! So? There are rumors that the government is going to organize the construction of water conservancy projects, is this true? ”

Ferdinand nodded and said, "There is indeed a plan!" ”

Frank overjoyed and asked, "God forbid, can we start on our side?" ”

"What's the matter, old man, aren't you timid? Don't wait and see this time? Ferdinand said with a chuckle

Frank exclaimed, "Oh, no! What are the risks of building water conservancy projects? We won't suffer anyway! ”

"Besides, in the last year or two, our days have been much better! His Excellency the Grand Duke has done a really good job, the tax is much lighter than before, and we used to build the railway, and we had to send laborers, but then it was canceled and turned into a recruitment of workers, and everyone's pressure is naturally much less! ”

Ferdinand smiled and said that he knew, but he was very useful in his heart, and thought: "This is all formulated by Lao Tzu, of course it is clear!" You think I don't want to use free labor, it's not because there are water conservancy projects in the back! Anyway, you have to employ workers, and it is better to let you participate voluntarily than to forcibly conscript! ”

Ferdinand teased, "But Frank won't be able to run away this time." The principle of this water conservancy project is that the government will provide explosives and some machinery, and the rest of the labor will have to rely on your own efforts! ”

Frank's face froze, and he laughed casually, and said: "There is no problem with this, the water conservancy project in the whole of Bulgaria requires an astronomical amount of labor, and I can't think of any other way than to go into battle together!" ”

"Yes, the Ministry of Agriculture estimates that hundreds of millions of workers are needed to complete the country's water conservancy projects. In this regard, there is not much that the government can do except your own efforts! Ferdinand said cautiously

"So much?" Carter exclaimed

Frank glared at Carter and said, "What a fuss! We're good here, but if everything goes well, it's estimated that it will take a year or two to fix it. If the conditions are bad, it is not surprising to repair it for ten or eight years! ”

…

After the chat, Ferdinand declined Frank's invitation and left.

To some extent, Bulgaria and Chinese are somewhat similar, both are a bit homesick, and they also value the land very much.

Until the next generation, if they were not forced to be helpless, they would not have left their hometown to work.

After the merchants made their fortunes, many people loved to return to their hometowns to buy land, and Frank was the epitome of the small Bulgarian landowners and rich peasants.