5 Chapter 5

◎Good people◎

After successfully getting his benefactor to stay for dinner, Jiang Jingyun went to the kitchen to heat up the reserved snails and rice, made a simple cucumber salad, and served them on the table.

"It's just a simple meal, just make do with it." Then, afraid that the guest would misunderstand it as leftovers, he explained, "These are specially left before use, and no one has eaten them."

"It's okay. I'm the one who bothered you." Xiao Muyan nodded.

At first, his movements were a little reserved, but that was probably because the food in the mountains was simple. After he had tasted a few bites and appreciated the flavor, his chopsticks began to dance rapidly, and the table was completely devoured. After clearing the food off the table, Xiao Muyan came back to his senses, looking slightly embarrassed, "Ahem, I never thought Brother Jiang had such cooking skills, sorry to make fun of me."

Jiang Jingyun smiled secretly, wondering why this cool guy seemed a little silly.

Xiao Muyan's ears turned red, and he suddenly remembered Jiang Jingyun's words at the beginning to keep the guest, and changed the subject: "I didn't have time to ask just now, I wonder what Brother Jiang wants to know?"

Jiang Jingyun was originally a nerd who turned a deaf ear to the world outside and devoted himself to reading books of sages. He knew nothing about business practices such as buying and selling, so he, who only had memories, had no understanding of the actual situation.

He briefly told Xiao Muyan about his plan to sell snails, and wanted to inquire about the situation at the market.

"Most of the food in town is concentrated in the west market. The stalls charge three to fifteen coins depending on their size. Agricultural products entering the city need to pay a tax of three coins. Merchants are charged based on the quantity, starting at a minimum of ten coins. The specific details depend on the regulations of the city guards."

The Dali Dynasty did not restrict the development of commerce, and the relevant management system was relatively complete. The public security in the town was also good. It was just that there were all kinds of people in the market, and I was afraid that this scholar would not be able to cope with it. Xiao Muyan thought about it and finally felt a little worried. "It just so happens that I need to go to the town tomorrow to sell the prey I brought back this time. Brother Jiang, why don't you go and take a look?"

"Really? Let's go together!" Jiang Jingyun's eyes sparkled, shining especially brightly in the dark night. "Brother Xiao, you are such a nice person."

Xiao Muyan laughed. The eldest son of the Jiang family used to be a modest gentleman and a scholar who was careful in his words and actions. After a serious illness, his temperament was different and he became more lively.

It's quite cute.

"Then I'll see you at the door tomorrow at 5 a.m."

"See you tomorrow."

——

The next morning, Jiang Jingyun got up as soon as it was light. After a simple wash, he cooked porridge for his brothers and sisters on the stove over a low fire. He ate a raw sweet potato to fill his stomach, and said a few words to his second brother who had woken up after hearing the noise. Then he carried the bamboo basket on his back and went out.

After Xiao Muyan returned home last night, he had a hard time coaxing his younger sister who was clamoring to go with him, and he also gave detailed instructions to his second and third brothers who stayed at home, otherwise they might not be able to get out today.

It was still cool in the morning before the sun rose. As soon as I opened the gate, I saw a straight figure in front of me.

Jiang Jingyun took two quick steps and said, "Good morning, Brother Xiao. Sorry for keeping you waiting."

"It's okay, I just went out too." Xiao Muyan saw him coming and picked up the bamboo basket on the ground and put it on his back, "Let's go, let's go into the city while it's cool."

Jiang Jingyun followed suit.

Xiao Muyan's bamboo basket was very big, and it was filled with three motionless gray rabbits, a wild deer with its limbs tied but still squealing, and two pheasants tied under the bamboo basket.

"Brother Xiao, you are so awesome to be able to catch so many preys." Jiang Jingyun looked at him with admiration. If he had this ability, would he still worry about going hungry?

"Lucky, I ran into it by chance."

Uh, boy, I can’t respond to your way of talking.

After all, even if the prey stood in front of me, I might not be able to catch it.

Jiang Jingyun looked at the heavy bamboo basket on his back and said, "Is it heavy? My bamboo basket is still empty. How about I get some for you?"

As he spoke, he wanted to extend his hand, but Xiao Muyan dodged him by leaning sideways. "No need." After saying that, he seemed to feel that his attitude was too cold, and explained, "To get to the town, you need to climb over the mountain in front. The mountain road is rugged, and it will be difficult for you to walk with a heavy load. I'm used to it, so it won't be a problem."

"Oh, okay." Jiang Jingyun touched his nose angrily and stopped talking.

The air was quiet for a moment and the atmosphere was a little awkward.

But soon Jiang Jingyun no longer had the energy to pay attention to these things.

Because this mountain road is really too difficult to walk on.

Not only was the mountain road narrow and steep, but there were also stones on the ground that hurt his feet even with his cloth shoes on. The weeds on both sides of the road also tripped him from time to time.

After walking silently for an hour, Jiang Jingyun could no longer walk.

He was sweating profusely and panting like a cow. His legs were shaking rhythmically like sieved bran, and his chest was heaving violently, pulling and pulling like a broken bellows.

Seeing this, Xiao Muyan led him to sit on a rock under the shade of a tree and handed him a water bag. "Take a break and drink some water. After we pass this col, we will go down the mountain. It will take another half an hour to get there."

After Jiang Jingyun heard this, everything went dark before his eyes: he didn’t feel comforted at all!

The two of them sat quietly and rested for a while. Xiao Muyan wanted to continue on his way. He lowered his head and was about to ask Jiang Jingyun if he could continue walking, but he saw him mumbling with a pale face: "It's hard to make money, it's hard to eat shit, it's hard to walk on the mountain road, it's hard for me to survive..."

Seeing him like this, Xiao Muyan felt a little embarrassed.

Normally, Xiao Muyan could carry Jiang Jingyun on his back, but it was a little inconvenient to carry the prey today... Just as he was thinking about persuading him to rest for a while, he saw Jiang Jingyun stand up and say, "Let's go!"

Xiao Muyan looked at the young man in front of him whose legs were still shaking with complicated eyes, "How about you don't go today, I'll take you next time?"

"No, I can do it!" Jiang Jingyun encouraged himself, "If I give up halfway, all my efforts will be in vain. I can't do such a disadvantageous thing!"

Leaning on a wooden stick he picked up, dragging his legs that felt like they were filled with lead, and running for an hour and a half with gritted teeth, Jiang Jingyun finally saw the ancient town.

The simple and solemn gray city wall stands tall and surrounds the entire city.

Walking into the city gate, you can see a long street extending into the distance. Green tiles and red doors are arranged in a staggered manner on both sides of the road. The signs of various teahouses, wine shops and pawnshops on the eaves are fluttering in the wind.

There are cars and horses everywhere, people are flowing like tides, and the shouts of vendors are heard one after another, creating a prosperous scene.

"This way," Xiao Muyan pulled the dazed Jiang Jingyun towards the West Market, "Come with me to the market to sell the prey first, and then I'll take you around the area, is that okay?"

"Okay, okay. I'll follow your instructions." Jiang Jingyun's eyes rolled around like a chicken pecking at rice.

The market in West City looks more messy than the main street. There are stalls of various sizes on both sides of the street, which are filled with all kinds of goods, mostly food or daily necessities.

Xiao Muyan led Jiang Jingyun to an open space, paid five cents for the stall, and then displayed the prey one by one.

Wild rabbits and pheasants are quite common in the market, and ordinary people can catch one if they are lucky, but wild deer are very rare. As soon as they were put on the market, even before anyone shouted, several people saw them and gathered around.

"This deer is good. How much is it?" asked a well-dressed, pot-bellied businessman who came over.

"A deer is six taels of silver, a rabbit is three hundred coins, and a pheasant is one hundred coins." Xiao Muyan quoted the price firmly and stopped talking, nor did he say anything nice to attract customers.

"Oh, it's so expensive." The wealthy businessman Li Dagui didn't care about the seller's attitude. As a country man, it was normal for him to behave a little roughly.

The rich businessman took a closer look at the wild deer tied to the ground. The deer was about one year old, and its meat was tender and delicious. What was even more rare was that it was a living deer. Li Dagui had been craving for this deer for a long time. Today, he happened to encounter it. He was secretly delighted, but he didn't show it on his face. "Little brother, your deer is too small and not very chewy. Do you think you can sell it for four taels and five cents of silver?"

“Not for sale.” He said this and tried to put the deer that had been moved in front of the other person back into the middle of the stall.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't be anxious, the price is negotiable!"

Jiang Jingyun looked at his savior's poor speaking skills and guessed that he was not cut out for business. He gently pushed Xiao Muyan aside, took a step forward and greeted with a smile: "Boss, this price is already very affordable. Look at the wild deer meat, it is tender, fresh and alive. If it is bigger, it will be tough. If you buy it back and stew or grill it, it will taste great. If you pair it with good wine, wouldn't it be a delight? It's just that we are in a hurry to sell it today. Otherwise, we can sell it to restaurants and hotels for seven or eight taels of silver. If you miss this one, it will be gone."

"You are a very eloquent boy. I want this deer." Wild deer are indeed rare, and he has the money in his pocket, but it is business nature for him to get a bargain.

"Okay, would you like some wild rabbits or pheasants? Those grown in the wild are different from those raised at home and have a different flavor."

"Okay, then let's have one each." Li Dagui waved his hand.

"Boss, you are so generous. Thank you for your patronage. The total is six taels and four cents." Jiang Jingyun took the money from Li Dagui swiftly, counted the amount and handed it to Xiao Muyan. He waved to the big customer with a smile and said, "Welcome to come again next time."

I saw someone buy most of them at once, and there were many people around who had plenty of money. You bought one and I took one. Soon, all the harvest was sold out.

Jiang Jingyun was extremely envious.

Sure enough, people with a skill can live a comfortable life anywhere.

Xiao Muyan looked at Jiang Jingyun's eager eyes, thought for a moment, took out half a string of money and put it in his hand, "Here, this is your reward for today."

"Hmm?" Jiang Jingyun looked at the copper coin in his palm and pushed it back. "I can't take it. It's just a small favor. Besides, I still owe you money, Brother Xiao. How can I ask for it again?"

Xiao Muyan frowned, seemingly puzzled: If you really want it, why refuse?

"I just admire Brother Xiao for his ability, nothing else." Jiang Jingyun smiled, turned around and looked around, then changed the subject, "Since they're all sold out, why don't we go shopping around?"

After simply packing up his things, Xiao Muyan said, "Let's go."

Xiao Muyan first went to the bun stall and spent sixteen cents to buy two vegetarian buns and two meat buns, and then took Jiang Jingyun to stroll around the West Market.

The two of them ate buns while walking around. Jiang Jingyun took a closer look at each stall as they passed by, secretly noting down the approximate prices of various items.

When passing by a meat stall, Jiang Jingyun spent five cents to buy a few pork shanks. This thing is shaved clean by the butcher, without any minced meat, but it is cheap. You can buy it and make soup to nourish everyone. Even without the meat, the bone marrow is still very fragrant and can also supplement calcium.

The most surprising thing is that the pig offal that no one wants is only one hundred coins.

The cooking methods at that time were relatively simple, and the most commonly used ones were steaming, boiling, frying and baking. Most of the spices commonly used today were used as medicinal ingredients in ancient times. People think that offal is dirty and smelly and difficult to handle, and the taste of the cooked food is fishy and difficult to swallow, so basically no one will buy it and the price is very low.

When Jiang Jingyun saw this, his hair stood up with excitement.

He can do what others can’t, and the cost is so low. The road to wealth is beckoning him!

He quickly packed up the two sets of pig offal from the meat stall and set off to the drugstore in a high-spirited manner to buy spices such as cinnamon, bay leaves, and angelica.

Then, he became listless.

It’s too expensive, it’s really too expensive!

Wow, it turns out that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

If it really falls, either you lose money or your life.

Today is also a day for groundhogs who are struggling to make money.

Ying.