"Father, how much silver have you saved this month?" Han Xiaozhou asked, sitting cross-legged. "I've saved over six hundred coins. If it weren't for the four hundred coins I had to pay back the magistrate for his medicine, I should have been able to save one or two taels of silver. I should be able to save one or two taels of silver next month," Han Feng said with a smile.
"Finally, I've paid back the magistrate's money!" Han Xiaozhou said with a sigh of relief.
Han Feng nodded. Although he knew the magistrate didn't care about that little bit of money, owing that money always made him uneasy.
Han Xiaozhou swung his legs and said, "Although we have to hand over some of the fish for free, it seems like we're earning more than before!"
"yes!"
Han Feng used to earn only seven or eight hundred coins a month, but this month he actually earned one or two taels of silver.
When fishing, you always catch some fish that are hard to sell. But now there's no worry about finding a market for these fish. The price difference from these fish is almost enough to offset the fish that have to be handed over to the authorities.
Just two days ago, he was assigned to go out to sea on a large ship. Going out to sea on a large ship allows them to go further and catch more fish. No wonder it's a fishing boat built with a lot of money by the county magistrate! It's very stable when you're on board.
The magistrate seems to be very interested in squid, and the price he's been paying for it lately is quite high.
Han Feng thought to himself: It seems that I've earned more since joining the fleet. It seems that this is not only the case for him, but also for others.
During this period, everyone seemed to be in a good mood, and those who caught the strange fish were even happier, as a single strange fish could sell for several hundred coins.
The weather is getting colder and colder, but there's always free hot soup available in the kitchen every night, which is a nice perk!
Han Xiaozhou rested his chin on his hand and said, "Sir, you are truly a good person."
Han Feng nodded and said, "Yes! This magistrate is much better than the previous one. His brother-in-law is also quite good. The previous magistrate had several brothers-in-law, none of whom were kind."
One of the brothers-in-law was an idle fellow who liked to bully the fishermen. However, he never went too far. He would just buy a big fish from whoever caught it, never paying for it, only saying he owed it. One or two fish wasn't a big deal, and everyone could only tolerate it because of the magistrate.
After the new magistrate took office, the former magistrate's brother-in-law, who had been bullying others, was beaten. The brother-in-law who liked to come and take fish for free probably realized that the wind was blowing and stopped coming.
Compared to the brother-in-law of the previous magistrate, Chen Xiaocai's image in the hearts of the fishermen was very lofty and glorious.
After Chen Xiaocai arrived, more and more seafood restaurants opened up in Yucang County.
People from surrounding towns and villages come to Yucang County, and after eating the seafood there, they love it so much that many of them take some dried seafood back with them.
The seafood from Yucang County is becoming increasingly famous.
Similar seafood restaurants have also opened in the surrounding counties. People from these counties usually come to Yucang County to get their seafood, which makes the seafood in Yucang County even more popular.
A few months later, a vacant lot in front of the fishermen's dormitory was covered with dried squid.
Grilled squid from Shaxian County has become a signature dish. However, live squid is difficult to transport, so Lu Lin had his fishermen process the squid into dried squid.
Making dried squid is very simple.
Cut the squid open from the abdomen, remove the internal organs, spine, eyes, and teeth-like structures, clean the squid tentacles, and then hang it to dry for about two days.
Dried squid can be stored for a long time, can be transported to other places, and there is no need to worry about it spoiling.
If you want to eat dried squid, you can soak it in water for a few hours in advance, steam it for about 20 minutes, and then shred it and use it directly, such as for stir-frying.
After dried squid appeared, it became a specialty of Yucang County. Travelers passing through Yucang County liked to take some squid with them when they left.
"Captain Qin, this batch of squid is all dried," Jiang Qian said.
Qin Ming nodded and said, "Then let's pack them up. It seems like we've had a lot of orders for dried squid lately, especially from Kyoto alone."
A while ago, Lu Lin sent two large boxes of dried squid to Chen Xiaomai in Kyoto, along with instructions on how to eat the dried squid. For some reason, he started receiving more and more orders for dried squid from Kyoto.
Jiang Qian nodded and said, "Okay."
Jiang Qian thought to herself: Lord Lu is really capable! Before Lord Lu came, squid was incredibly cheap, but after he arrived, the price started to skyrocket. Now it's becoming more and more popular. It's said that many nobles in the capital are very interested in it.
The fishermen's dormitories are now home to many of their relatives. In the past, when fishermen didn't have boats to live on, they would bring their wives and children with them when they went out to fish. Now it's different; when fishermen go out to fish, they leave their wives and children in the dormitories.
Several fishermen's families are responsible for cooking and drying fish here. Some of the families have also fenced off a piece of land near the dormitory to raise a flock of ducklings. Some small fish and shrimp that they don't need are used to feed the ducklings.
Lu Lin built two dormitories for fishermen, which are now full of people.
As more and more fishermen joined, Lu Lin was planning to build another one.
Kyoto.
Chen Xiaomai cupped her face in her hands and hummed a song happily.
Seeing Ji Yun'an enter, Chen Xiaomai stood up and ran happily towards him. Although Ji Yun'an was prepared, he still stumbled when Chen Xiaomai tackled him.
"Yun'an, your elder brother has brought some things over."
"You've sent something again! You're too kind, brother."
Chen Xiaomai was in Kyoto, and Chen Xiaomi always seemed a little afraid that her younger brother would be wronged, so she would often send him things. Sometimes it was various kinds of chili sauce and seafood sauce, sometimes it was various kinds of thirteen-spice seasoning, and sometimes it was some dried goods from Yucang County.
A while ago, Lu Lin sent over some dried shrimp. Although the shrimp are small, adding some to soup makes it taste very fresh.
Prince Cheng seemed very interested in what Chen Xiaomi had sent.
Every time Chen Xiaomi delivered something, Prince Cheng would often come over to check on it. With so many such coincidences, Ji Yun'an couldn't help but suspect that Prince Cheng had planted a spy in his residence.
The seafood sauce from Uotsang County tastes amazing; it's delicious when mixed with noodles.
On one occasion, Lu Lin delivered ten bottles, and when the prince arrived, he took half of them.
When the last batch of small shrimp was delivered, the prince happened to be there. As soon as the package arrived, the prince urged everyone to open it. It turned out to be a box full of tiny shrimp. The prince saw that the shrimp were so small that he didn't want them. He even muttered to himself, "What's wrong with Lu Lin this time? Why is he sending such small shrimp? Did Lu Lin spend too much money in Yucang County and run out of money?" It has to be said that the prince's thoughts were exactly the same as Yuanbao's. The prince sympathized with Lu Lin and the next day generously sent two large baskets of fresh shrimp to Ji Yun'an and Chen Xiaomai, leaving Ji Yun'an speechless.
A few days later, when the prince came to freeload a meal, he drank shrimp soup and ate shrimp dumplings, only to discover that dried shrimp was also quite delicious. So, disregarding what he had said before, the prince shamelessly asked Ji Yun'an for a large bag of dried shrimp.
"Big brother, what did you send this time?" Ji Yun'an asked.
“Dried squid! There’s plenty,” Chen Xiaomai said.
Ji Yun'an said with some delight, "Big brother, that's wonderful!"
Chen Xiaomai nodded and said, "Yes! It seems that the Prince also sent a portion, so we don't have to worry about him trying to take it from us."
Ji Yun'an: "..." Although the prince is the biggest, there are other people besides the prince!
Ji Yun'an hid half a box of dried squid, deciding to keep it for himself.
Dried squid has recently become a new favorite among many people in Kyoto, and if you're not quick enough, you might not be able to order it.
Many people are keeping an eye on him. Many in Kyoto know his relationship with Lu Lin and that he can get the latest goods from him. Chen Xiaomi probably knows this too, so she always delivers larger quantities so Lu Lin can use some to do favors.
People in Kyoto value face, so when they come to him for something, they'll usually give him double the amount in return. It's a win-win situation for them; they also gain a lot of goodwill, which is very valuable in Kyoto.
Recently, more and more people have become interested in the goods that Lu Lin has sent over. Some people must have already heard about these things arriving. If they don't keep quiet about it, they might not even get a share.
Prince Sei's Mansion in Kyoto.
"Your Highness, the goods have arrived."
Prince Cheng couldn't help but say excitedly, "Really? The goods have arrived. Let's go take a look."
Two boxes of squid were carried into the Prince's mansion. Prince Cheng took a look and said, "Not bad, not bad. Have the kitchen prepare these for lunch today."
Stir-fried squid with pickled mustard greens is a rare delicacy. The squid is very chewy and has little fishy smell after being processed. It has a satisfying crunch.
Prince Cheng stroked his beard and said with some regret, "This squid is delicious, but it's a pity it's dead. I've heard it tastes even better when it's alive."
The marriage between Chen Xiaomai and Ji Yun'an was arranged by Prince Cheng. Because of this relationship, Prince Cheng often went to Ji Yun'an to freeload.
The Prince's mansion wasn't without cooks, but Prince Cheng always felt that the food at Ji Yun'an's mansion was better, even the wine was more fragrant and mellow.
Prince Cheng's interest in squid stemmed from the fact that he had eaten a dish of stir-fried squid at Chen Xiaomai's residence.
Prince Cheng had naturally seen squid before, but that was all. This fish was originally very cheap, and only the common people of Kyoto ate it. Prince Cheng never expected that squid could be made into all sorts of different delicacies. Recently, squid has really made a comeback in Kyoto.
After Prince Cheng ate the dish at Chen Xiaomai's place, he wrote a letter to Lu Lin, asking him to send some fish to Chen Xiaomai next time he delivered fish to him. Upon receiving the letter, Lu Lin didn't dare wait until next time and immediately sent two boxes to Prince Cheng.
Prince Cheng stroked his chin and said, "Lu Lin is really capable! Wherever he goes, a lot of delicious food appears."
Prince Cheng felt that Lu Lin's abilities were wasted on being a county magistrate. Such a talent should be a royal chef! The royal chefs in the capital were all good-for-nothings. If Lu Lin entered the imperial kitchen, he should have no problem becoming the chief royal chef.
If Lu Lin knew that Prince Cheng thought so highly of him, he would probably be shocked. In fact, Lu Lin was only good at eating, and his cooking skills were just average.
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