Chapter 89
Fish is cheap and can be a delicious dish when cooked, but it requires a lot of ingredients and is not cheap.
The price of loose fish in the city is five to ten cents per pound. If you pay the purchase price, you can only get about five cents.
However, compared to bringing the fish all the way to the city to sell, spending money on travel expenses, selling the dead and stale fish at a low price in the city, and spending money on renting a stall, it is obviously much more cost-effective to sell a lot of them to restaurants at one time.
Ordinary people would do the math. Who wouldn't want to have an old boss who could deliver rice, grain, fruits and vegetables directly to the shop? The money earned would be much more than hawking goods.
It’s a pity that everything in the city is based on connections. If you are not a relative or friend, people will definitely not see you. They will only come to you when they need something, and no one will do business with you if you take the initiative to find them.
Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He spent three to five days visiting almost all the restaurants and hotels in the city. They easily talked to those they knew, and also visited those they didn't know by mentioning the names of their shops and bringing gifts. Hard work paid off, and they finally managed to get more than ten restaurants and hotels.
In the past few days, many people wanted to come to the village to see the live fish and the fish in the pond, so he informed the village chief of the news first.
When the villagers heard that a boss from the city was coming to the village, they went to Tuan to wait for him early in the morning before Zhang's door opened. There was a lot of noise and noise, and those who had not previously joined in the mulberry planting and silkworm breeding went to watch the fun and were laughed at.
"I said before that we shouldn't do anything fancy with these business owners and landlords. Now everyone is panicking. Before, people who didn't raise fish and silkworms were much freer. They were poorer with a few acres of land, but no one starved to death."
"I'm so obsessed with getting rich that I can't sleep. I'm just creating something to bother people so that they don't have to think about it anymore. What's the point?"
Seeing the fish grow up and the mulberry trees flourish, there are not many tourists coming to the village. I was already worried because I didn't make much money. Now I finally have some signs of making money, but I heard people talking without any pain in their backs. I immediately got angry: "When collecting taxes, you had to run around to borrow money. It would be better if it is not like this next year."
"Tsk, I can afford to pay the taxes and I don't want to do this if I have spare money."
"The less you do, the less hope there is."
"I'm afraid the more I mess around, the less money I'll have."
The villagers had an unpleasant quarrel and those who came to watch the fun were driven out.
Zhang Fangyuan naturally heard the noise outside, and the family finished their breakfast in the house before letting Wu Zi come out to open the door.
As soon as the gate of the courtyard house opened, the villagers swarmed in: "Zhang Fangyuan, when will the boss from the city arrive?"
"We've already caught the fish and put them away, so don't try to trick us."
"How much can you sell it for? If it's only three or two cents, it's not very interesting."
Ruili, who was in the room, covered his ears and screamed, "It's so noisy, so noisy!"
Xu He picked up the child and said, "Then go back to the room with Brother Dabao and play for a while."
"Fourth uncle sent me a little wooden horse the other day. Isn't Erbao's favorite to ride on it?"
"Okay."
Xu He sent the two children into the house, asked Xiao'e and Wenzi, who had a day off and did not go to school, to look after the children for a while, and then went out to deal with the villagers.
"They will definitely come. Don't worry, but we have to be polite to the boss from the city."
"That's for sure."
Zhang Fangyuan added: "The village chief has explained it clearly to everyone. I think everyone knows it."
The villagers were silent, with a somewhat reluctant expression on their faces, similar to the expression they had when they were urged to pay taxes by the imperial court.
Zhang Fangyuan stood under the eaves with his hands on his hips, and said slowly, "I have been running around with He Ge'er these days. Everyone needs to eat. If someone has other ways to get in, they don't have to go through me. But if you want to go through me, then don't argue when the time comes."
His words were quite straightforward, but the villagers had received training from the village chief in advance, so they knew what he meant.
The merchant from this city was invited by Zhang Fangyuan through his connections and gifts. It was a lot of effort and gifts, so it was impossible for him to work in vain. He had to pay 10% of the sales volume to the guide.
The village chief said so.
The villagers cursed and swore, saying that they were so rich yet still wanted to take other people's money. They all hated the rich, but after having enough of the verbal swearing, they finally came to their senses.
I don't have the ability to find a boss, so I have to rely on others.
"As long as the fish can be sold today, everything else is fine."
Xu He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that. He was afraid that the villagers would make trouble again. The villagers didn't want to suffer losses, but his family was not the kind of sucker who would let others suffer losses. If they were treated as a soft persimmon once, they would want to bully them in the future.
At the end of the Chen hour, the sound of wheels was heard on the village road, and dust was flying everywhere. The villagers were very excited. They quickly threw away their palm-leaf fans, ran out of Zhang's house and ran to the village road to greet people.
As a result, the carriages did not stop on the road, but went straight to the Zhang family mansion.
The villagers chased the carriage back.
Five merchants came from the city together, and the villagers stood in the yard staring at them in shock. The richest families in the village were Zhang Fangyuan's family and the landlord's family, but both families dressed very down-to-earth. They never wore patched clothes, and most of the materials were ordinary.
The merchants in the city were truly eye-opening. They wore beaded gauze hats, silk and brocade clothes, and soft gold belts around their waists, looking extremely wealthy.
He was accompanied by three or two strong men. The villagers didn't even want to approach him to talk. If they looked at him a few more times, they would be glared back fiercely by the men who were eyeing him covetously.
The villagers shrank their necks, and only then did they realize how easy Zhang Fangyuan was to talk to.
Seeing Zhang Fangyuan greeting these merchants with ease, saying a lot of polite words, and inviting them in for tea, the merchants were all anxious to see the fresh fish, so they agreed to meet again in the city.
The villagers were very excited and were afraid that they would not talk enough.
"I also came here to hang out when the Tangjiaba winter melon garden opened earlier. I looked around the land but never came to Jijiu Village. I didn't know the village had its own unique charm."
"This pond surrounded by green mulberry trees is really interesting. It is a pleasure to fish here."
"You are all very welcome to visit us often."
Several merchants did not leave their cars, toured the village, and went to see Zhang Fangyuan's poultry shed.
Chickens lay eggs and eggs lay chickens. In just two years, the dozens of chickens and ducks have become hundreds.
It was almost noon when several merchants finally took their chickens, ducks and fish back home. Zhang Fangyuan also gave a few people some Tujia dishes and politely invited them to have dinner at the teahouse. Although the merchants were well-intentioned, they were afraid that the newly bought fish would die and be no longer fresh, so they cooked something else.
Several carts of freshly caught fish were pulled out of the village. Adults and children in the village gathered on the roadside to watch the fun. Looking at the villagers who were selling fish and counting the money, their mouths were almost grinning from ear to ear. It would be a lie to say that they were not jealous.
"It's only five cents, Boss Zhang. You're still good at talking about business."
The fishmonger felt relieved after receiving the money. His previous brutal look changed immediately and his attitude towards Zhang Fangyuan changed drastically. He spoke politely and tried to please him.
"I'll have to rely on Boss Zhang in the future."
After saying that, everyone took the initiative to give 10% of the money to Zhang Fangyuan.
Each family can earn a few dozen coins, which is nothing more than a small profit for the Zhang family's business. However, Zhang Fangyuan has been doing business for so many years, so he naturally knows that even the smallest profit counts for a lot of money, and when accumulated, it can be a huge profit.
"That's easy. As long as everyone works hard, we can make money in the future."
The villagers were cheerful. They were not like the Zhang family who had seen the world. They had tens or even hundreds of taels of silver flowing through their hands. When they got a few hundred coins the next time, their hands were already soft. They just kept saying, "Yeah, yes, I'll do as you say."
After the fish were sold, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He clapped their hands. After going through something, the couple prepared to go back.
"Boss Zhang."
The couple listened to the cautious and tentative voice, and turned around to see that there were still a few villagers who had not left: "Why aren't you guys going back yet?"
"The villagers who sold fish today have returned. They can see that they can make money by running fish ponds, but when will we who only grow mulberry trees and raise silkworms make money?"
Several villagers followed Zhang Fangyuan with worried looks. Now that they saw their fellow villagers making money, they dared not make trouble and offend Zhang Fangyuan, for fear that they would lose everything.
Although I don't dare to do it again as before, it's still okay to ask.
Zhang Fangyuan said: "I will definitely bring this matter to everyone's attention, not only for everyone but also for myself."
"My silkworms are now able to produce silk. It would be great if we could find a merchant soon. Then Boss Zhang can take 20% of the profits."
"Let's collect the silk first. It will be easier to find merchants when there is more silk. We have to plan for the long term."
Although they were unable to get a definite answer, the villagers were still relieved. No one is happy about paying money, but from this point of view, the interests are tied together and it makes people feel comfortable.
After that, guys from the city would come to the village to buy fish and poultry every now and then, and the villagers secretly raised more chickens and ducks. Everyone was very polite to the Zhang family and sent them gifts from time to time.
Zhang Fangyuan's status in the village was greatly improved because of this.
“Lots of ducks.”
"Brother, don't go. You'll bite people."
I have some free time these days, and merchants from the city often bring a few chickens and ducks when they come to buy fish.
Xu He thought that since he had opened up the sales channel, he might as well take good care of the poultry. This way he could sell eggs as well as poultry, which would be an additional source of income.
A shed has been built in the yard at this end of the old house. No one lives here anymore, and the entire house has become a place for chickens and ducks. Unlike before when someone lived there and cleaned the house at all times, now there are more chickens and ducks and they are not kept under constant supervision, so there is feces everywhere.
Xu He wanted to clean up the mess, so he picked up a shovel and gathered the manure together to ferment it for fertilizer for the mulberry trees. He also brought his two children with him.
It was the first time the little guy saw his own chickens and ducks after he was able to walk. The big house was clean and they didn’t raise these. Even the stables were built outside.
I was very happy to see the flocks of poultry. I chased them and tried to touch them, but I was surrounded by a group of ducks, which quacked.
Ruili immediately became scared and didn't dare to chase him anymore. He even called Ruijin to come to his side.
"The ducks aren't mean, they're just hungry and want to eat."
Ruili hugged Xu He's legs, not daring to move: "But there's so much poop."
Xu He picked up the child helplessly: "Forget it, let's ask two people to take care of it."
It is easy to hire one or two people to do the work in the village if you are willing to spend some money. You may not be able to find a strong man for twenty or so coins, but there are plenty of women and young men.
Besides, hatching eggs, collecting egg whites, and counting chickens and ducks are all tedious tasks that should be done by women and men.
Before Xu He spread the news, her second sister came to the house first. She did not ask her mother Liu Xianglan to bring a message, but came in person.
"If we need to do some work..." Xu He glanced at Xu Shaochun, who looked unhappy. He wanted to say that the poultry shed needed someone to take care of it, but when he got to the point, he said, "We can add another person to help in the tea shed and guest house. Also, someone needs to take care of the poultry in the old house."
If it were in the past, Xu He would not have given Xu Shaochun the opportunity to come to his house to work, but in the past two years, his second sister has indeed changed, and she can take care of crops and farm work, and can handle any work.
After all, we are still a family, so there is no need to go to extremes.
"You can see for yourself where Second Sister wants to go."
"In that case... I will stay in this village."
Xu He was surprised when he heard that. He thought without a second thought that Xu Shaochun was going to the guest house. Although his salary was about the same, it was cleaner there and more comfortable than cooking chickens and ducks.
Xu Shaochun seemed to see through his confusion and explained, "The child is still young. Although he is the only child in the family, he still needs his mother to take care of him. I can go back to see the child after I finish my work here. We are close."
Xu He's brows twitched slightly. She had never thought that her second sister would be more thoughtful after becoming a mother.
"Second sister, make up your mind. The monthly salary is 600 wen." After discussing the job and salary, Xu He still said something extra: "Is the Fei family willing to let you out?"
Xu Shaochun sighed slightly.
"Why not? I just gave birth to a son and my husband took a concubine, who was of humble origin. Although my mother-in-law was protecting Fei Lian, she loved her grandson and felt a little guilty towards me. She agreed to everything I asked."
Xu He was not a person who liked to meddle in other people's affairs, so she did not ask in detail about the relationship between Xu Shaochun and Fei Lian. But when she heard that she kept calling Fei Lian's name, she knew that the relationship between them was not as good as before.
He felt sad, but didn't know how to comfort her, so he said, "If you have any difficulties, tell mother, she will definitely find a way for you."
Liu Xianglan would definitely bring up any issues with the Zhang family to discuss, and he would know everything by then, and could offer some assistance if he could.
Although he was spoiled by his parents in the past, Xu Shaochun was not a fool and knew what Xu He meant.
She knew that because of what happened in Xu He's past at home, or because of his own personality, he couldn't say anything direct and warm. But it was these roundabout words that made her feel warm in her heart and she had mixed feelings.
"That's how I am. Fortunately, I have a son. I'll just have to make do with it." Xu Shaochun paused and said, "I hope you can keep a close eye on me and don't follow my old path. It's getting late. I should go back."
Xu He stood up to see him off. Two short kids were playing in the yard. They watched Xu Shaochun leave and got off the wooden horse: "Goodbye, auntie."
Xu Shaochun listened to the soft voice and his eyes curved slightly: "Okay."
She felt relieved that her children would grow up and become lovely one day. If she didn't have children, she didn't know if she could have survived these things.
"Sister is back?"
Xu Shaochun had just returned to the Fei family, and the one who was brought in was calling her in the yard.
"Have you washed the dishes for dinner?"
"My husband said that I am pregnant and I don't have to do any heavy work."
Xu Shaochun glanced at him coldly: "Washing and picking vegetables is too heavy, so why not just skip the meal?"
"Sister, why do you say such harsh words? I just came to this family and I just did everything according to my husband's words."
Xu Shaochun felt disgusted when he saw the man acting like a brothel owner, but Fei Lian just fell for it.
Thinking back to when she was pregnant but still taking care of the family, Fei Lian kept praising her for being virtuous and good at housekeeping. She thought her husband really liked virtuous and filial women, but she didn't expect that was not always the case.
How could she not feel heartbroken after being treated like this? Ever since this guy came into the house, her husband would go to his room every now and then. How much affection could there be between the two of them?
Xu Shaochun was very angry for a while, but as time went by, he gradually calmed down. When she got married, she had to do everything. She was looked down upon and bullied by her mother-in-law every day, but she still managed to bear it. If she gets sick from anger now, it would be a loss. The child is still so young and needs to rely on her as a mother to support him.
She thought about it and decided that instead of enduring the humiliation in the house, it would be better to go out and earn some money to support herself so that she could support her son in the future.
"You can use chicken feathers as your command."
Xu Shaochun didn't even bother to argue with the man and went straight into the house to breastfeed the baby.
The young man also found it boring, so he went back to his chair and tore off a few vegetable leaves and threw them into the basin.
"By the way, didn't you act cute and go to deliver lunch to the school? I'll be busy from now on, so you can go instead."
The young man's face lit up when he heard this: "Brother Feng will follow my sister's arrangements."
At night, Xu Shaochun told the family that he was going to work as a helper. Fei Lian immediately put down his chopsticks and said, "It's not like the family can't afford food, why should I go out to work as a helper?"
"When there are more people in the family, some people even think picking vegetables is too much work. If we don't go out and find something to do, how can we live?"
Fei Lian was very unhappy to hear such words, but he was in the wrong after all, so his tone was not so harsh: "Feng Ge'er is pregnant, so I asked him to do less work. Why are you talking like this? I have never seen you so mean before."
"The sages' books say that women need to be generous. You are making a fool of yourself by acting like this."
Xu Shaochun said bluntly: "What jokes in our family have not been seen by others?"
Seeing that the atmosphere was getting worse, Mother Fei interrupted, "Eat, everyone. Shaochun can go if she wants to. Feng'er, you will be the one to cook for the family from now on. Shaochun did this when she was pregnant. Besides, concubines in the city are not allowed to sit at the table when eating. They can only stand aside and serve. We country folk don't have these rules, but you can't be lazy!"
Since Fei's mother had spoken and Fei Lian did not refute, the family had nothing to say.
However, after dinner, Fei Lian secretly went to Feng Ge'er's room, using the excuse that his child's crying at night disturbed his sleep and he would not have the energy to teach the next day.
Xu Shaochun gritted his teeth and bolted the bedroom door.
After the dog days of summer, the weather has been cooler for a few days, but the autumn heat is still there and it hasn't cooled down completely.
Song Yong will come to pick up the goods in autumn. Zhang Fangyuan has been running to the city these days. On the one hand, he goes to supervise and urge the restaurant to prepare the incense chips, and on the other hand, he contacts the merchants in the city to sell fish and poultry.
He felt that running away was not a good idea, and these few days he had the idea of opening another shop in the city, where he could sell chickens, duck eggs, poultry, and fresh fish.
It doesn't matter how much the shop sells. What matters is that it has a storefront. Merchants in the city can place their orders directly at the shop without having to go to Linglong Shop. It's not a good look to mix two completely different businesses.
Moreover, with a storefront, city residents who need chickens, ducks, and fish for family gatherings or banquets can come to the shop to place orders, so that sales can be wider.
However, he has not made up his mind yet and plans to discuss it with Xu He first.
Xu He knew that he had been very tired these days, so he said he would make some braised pork elbow for him in the evening.
After the pork elbow was ready, he found that there was no sauce at home. He thought that since he had already promised someone, he should not regret it, so he said to Wenzi, "Go to the guest house to get some sauce and bring it home. And ask the second aunt to come back early for dinner."
"Okay."
Wenzi came out from under the stove, untied the collar around his waist and went out.
The tea stall is not far away and you can get there quickly if you walk quickly.
Wenzi spends most of his time taking care of household chores at the Zhang family's house, unlike Wuzi who works in the shop. He comes to the tea stall only a few times.
He came over and saw that there were still quite a few people staying in the hotel, and they were still busy. He squatted and went into the teahouse to find Zhang Shiyue: "Second Aunt, there is no more sauce at home. My husband asked me to bring some home."
As soon as the words fell, Zhang Shiyue did not respond, but a middle-aged man stuck his head out first, as if he heard a familiar voice, and looked straight at the person who spoke.
Wenzi was also startled when she saw her husband, and then she said incredulously: "Little Dad!"
Zhang Shiyue came out and looked at the tearful little brother, and asked in surprise: "Wenzi, is this your little dad?"
Wenzi wiped her eyes and nodded: "Yeah."
Zhang Shiyue looked at the middle-aged man and found that he looked very similar to Wenzi. It was not easy for a person who had been sold to see his family again. She softened her heart and said, "I'll go get some help. It's not easy to see your little dad. You two can have a good chat."
Wen Zi thanked Zhang Shiyue and quickly pulled his little father to a corner. He was about to pour some water for his little father when a pot of tea came onto the table.
"Drink it."
It was Wu Zi who brought it, and Wen Zi looked at him with gratitude.
"You're working around here now? I thought you were sold to another place and I'd never see you again in this life."
The middle-aged man touched Wenzi's head, feeling sad.
"It's in Jijiu Village ahead. He's a good host. The tea sheds and guesthouses here are all his properties."
"I was wondering how a village family could afford slaves. Now you know you must be quite wealthy." Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man looked around at the guy.
"Little Dad, why are you here?"
"I came here to buy some lamp oil and candles. I heard that the fish here is cheap, so I want to buy one to make soup. Your sister-in-law is pregnant."
Wenzi's face darkened a little: "Really? Then life at home has gotten much better."
"Oh, you've been busy talking about your family. Now that you've gone to a good family, tell me what kind of family it is and what kind of property it has."
Wen Zi explained in detail, and the two of them talked for a long time. Although Zhang Shiyue never came to disturb them, Wen Zi was also alert as a servant and knew that she could not delay for too long. Although she was reluctant to leave her father, she still said goodbye and walked back with the soy sauce.
I couldn't help wiping my eyes along the way.
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