Outside the city

Li Ji's soy sauce shop was now crowded with people, including not only local people but also merchants from other places.

Bags of pepper seeds wrapped in straw paper were placed in two large bamboo baskets, classified into different categories. There was a bag of twenty seeds and another bag of sixty seeds!

Although they are sold in large and small packages, the price is the same, one penny per pill!

The price is neither too high nor too cheap.

The reason why Li Yan set the price this way is that she took into account that the seeds were limited and it was impossible to sell them by kilogram. In this way, people who were relatively late in getting the news could also have the opportunity to buy them.

"Shopkeeper, I want all the chili seeds in that bamboo basket!" said a merchant dressed as someone from out of town.

Daya said calmly, "I'm sorry, sir, the chili seeds in our store are also limited in purchase. One person can only buy a large bag at most!"

The middle-aged man couldn't help but frown. "Since we're selling goods to make money, it doesn't matter who we sell to. Aren't you just wasting your time?"

At this time, the customer standing behind him was dissatisfied with his attitude and pushed the out-of-town merchant, "What's wrong with you? The store clearly stated the purchase limit, and you are still complaining. Don't you see that there are so many people waiting behind you?"

The foreign merchant was pushed and felt dissatisfied, and was about to fight back.

At this time, Li Yan came out from the back door and explained, "I'm really sorry, sir, but due to limited pepper seeds, I have no choice but to use this method to sell them!"

The man was still unwilling to give up and said, "Since you have limited stock, why bother with all this trouble? Just sell it to me! How many do you have? I want them all, and the price is negotiable!"

When the people behind heard this, they couldn't help but secretly curse this man for being so shameless!

Li Yan couldn't help but frowned and said, "Sorry, this is just my selfish desire. I hope that anyone who wants to buy it can buy it, instead of having it monopolized by one company!"

After hearing Li Yan's words, everyone couldn't help but applaud, she is worthy of being their county lord!

He's the one who donated all the high-yield crops he grew. How could he change his mind just for your little bit of money?

When the man heard Li Yan say this, he didn't insist anymore and bought a bag of chili seeds and left in a hurry!

After that person left helplessly, the people in the queue couldn't help but applaud and cheer for Li Yan!

Li Yan smiled and nodded to everyone, then she explained to her cousin and went back to the backyard to continue cooking the hot pot base!

Nowadays, all the restaurants and food stalls in Rongcheng have to order hot pot base from her, and the quantity they need is quite large.

In addition, the shops on both sides are very busy now, so Li Yan has to make the hot pot base herself!

Every morning, Li Yan asked Zhao Da to go to the meat market in the city to bring back the pork fat she had ordered.

I cut the base material that had solidified last night and wrapped it with oil paper! When the morning hour came, the waiters from each family would come to pick it up!

Due to the popularity of hot pot, in addition to boosting the business of restaurants and food stalls, the meat business has also improved a lot!

Normally, in winter, due to oversupply, a large amount of unsold mutton would appear in the north.

The sheep that they had raised with great effort for a year were sold at extremely low prices. The people, especially those who made a living by grazing, were heartbroken.

But there is no other way but to sell. When winter comes, the stored grass and feed will definitely not be enough. As the flock grows bigger, its appetite will also become bigger.

There is no way to graze in winter, and the cattle and sheep rely on the grass stored at home to survive. If they sell it, they may lose money. If they don’t sell it, the result will be that the livestock will run out of food before spring!

But this year, due to the emergence of hot pot, the demand for mutton in the north has skyrocketed.

Border areas such as Yanbei have reopened their trade markets, and the transaction prices of livestock such as cattle and sheep have reached historical highs!

The herdsmen were even more delighted.

With this money, they can buy more daily necessities, so that the family can get through this cold winter safely!

Among them were also brave foreign merchants, who came in groups of five or six, carrying exquisite furs and heading towards the prosperous capital!

_________

In the cramped little yellow mud house, a middle-aged man was sitting on the bed, sighing with a sad face. Although he was in the prime of his life, he looked like an old man with a face full of dejection.

A few days ago, a pregnant goat was lost from his family. He searched all over the mountain for a long time. Finally, he found the goat, but he broke his leg because he was in a hurry!

Although the bones were reconnected, the doctor asked him to stay in bed and rest!

Alas, Dalang is already quite old and his marriage can no longer be delayed. He had originally planned to sell some sheep to find a wife for his eldest son, but now his family has encountered such a thing again!

When the middle-aged man thought about these things, his forehead couldn't help but wrinkle into a shape of a "川"!

Seeing her husband's worried look, the woman said, "Don't worry too much, head of the family. Dalang and Erlang have already gone to the market to inquire. At most, we can just look for a few more houses!"

The man said helplessly: "This is the only way now!"

At this time, the two sons' surprised voices came from outside the yard: "Dad, Dad, I got good news!"

The woman was delighted to see her two sons, but she scolded them, "Speak properly! You're so grown up, why are you still so startled?"

The older boy stepped forward and said, "Dad, I heard from the butcher shop in the city today that the price of mutton in Rongcheng is two cents per pound higher than here! Wouldn't this one cost two more cents?"

The middle-aged man was delighted when he heard this, but then his expression darkened again. Their home was thirty miles away from Rongcheng!

If he were fine, it would be no problem for him to drive the sheep over, but now his leg was injured, what should he do?

Seeing his father's worried look, the boy spoke again, "Dad, I've already discussed this with my brother on the way back. Let's go sell it this time!"

The middle-aged man was a little hesitant. The two children had never traveled far away alone. Not to mention whether there would be any problems on the way, what would happen if they were deceived?

At this time, the woman said, "Dad, if you are worried about the two children, let them call their uncle!"

"Yes, Dad, my uncle goes from street to street carrying goods to sell. I heard that he often has to go to Rongcheng to make purchases. Please ask my uncle to accompany us, then Dad doesn't have to worry!" said the youngest son excitedly.

The middle-aged man then showed a relieved smile and nodded in agreement!