Only after talking with Niu Dajun did Li Long learn that in the Fourth Team alone, at least seven or eight people like him had saved rabbit skins to exchange for money at the Purchasing Station.
There were some in the Third Team too, though fewer. That was mainly because the Third Team had less wasteland, and naturally fewer rabbits.
By contrast, the area to the north, close to the Gurbantünggüt Desert, had plenty of rabbits, hedgehogs, foxes, and everything else.
Li Long had already told Niu Dajun that he had opened a Purchasing Station, and Niu Dajun's eyes lit up.
"When I haul my hundred-odd sheepskins to the Leather Factory, I'll take all your rabbit skins along, and we'll go have a look together. If they'll buy them, we'll sell them. If not, we'll think of something else."
Li Long's words put Niu Dajun at ease, and he hurriedly said:
"All right. After lunch today, I'll take the hides to Old Ma's Place and leave them with Lao Luo. That'll save you another trip."
Niu Dajun had complete confidence in Li Long and Lao Luo. He felt that once he handed over the hides, he could stop worrying.
There was an element of laziness in it too. Leaving things to someone capable while saying, "I trust you. Whatever price you get is fine," was really just passing the problems and difficulties on to someone else.
Still, they were fellow villagers, there was no bad blood between them, and it was on Li Long's way anyway.
Once that was settled, the hot water was ready too. They could slaughter the pigs.
Li Jianguo did not even need to call for help. Several young men jumped into the pigpen. Two drove the pigs forward, one herded the other pig into the