Chapter 170 The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish! (asking for monthly tickets)
Li Xiang pushed through the crowd and walked to the front.

When he looked up, he saw that Old Man Wei's boat was full of fish, and there was no place to even step.

It is conceivable that the harvest this time will be huge.

"Old Feng." Li Xiang reached out and patted Feng Qing, who was still craning his neck to look at the harvest: "How much did Old Man Wei's boat harvest this time?"

Feng Qing turned around and saw that it was Li Xiang. He quickly greeted him and said, "My Lord, I am still considering it."

"Yeah." Li Xiang nodded. Even if he didn't count, he could see that this harvest would definitely arouse the envy of others.

How can you not be tempted when you see others making a fortune in the industry?

Soon, the statisticians calculated the old man Wei's harvest this time.

"Reporting to the Chief, the total amount of fish on the fishing boat is over 3,400 kilograms."

"Sir, sir," Old Man Wei reminded, "There's still some in the trawl behind the boat."

The word "guanren" did not change its meaning until the Song Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, it was only used by common people to address officials.

Hearing what Old Man Wei said, the statisticians pulled up the trawl net with force, which was full of lively fish and shrimps.

After a little effort, the net bag contained more than 100 kilograms.

Although the fish in the Tang Dynasty are cheap, the amount caught in one go is too large.

The price of fish is the cheapest at the seaside, with each pound of fresh fish costing only about ten cents.

In an era when the daily wage was less than ten cents, ten cents per pound of fish was really not cheap.

The purchasing power of Kaiyuan Tongbao coins during the Zhenguan period was much stronger than that of later days.

At least on this day, there is no inflation.

Old man Wei was laughing so hard that his eyebrows and eyes could not be seen. He kept sighing and complaining in a Versailles manner, saying things like "the boat is too small, and the net is too small, they can't hold all the fish in one trip. There are so many fish in the sea, just one cast of the net will get a full load of fish."

If someone had said this before, no one would have believed it.

But now we have the living example of Old Man Wei, who would not believe it?

But some people also doubt whether so many fish can be sold after being caught.
Although he is not very educated, he still has basic common sense.

Generally speaking, during the peak fishing season, there are more fish on the market, so the fish is cheap; during the fishing moratorium, the fish is expensive; and when the wind and waves are stronger at sea, the fish will be more expensive.

Soon someone raised their concerns: "If everyone goes out to sea, won't there be too many fish? It's like when there's a bumper harvest, but the fish can't be sold at a high price, or even no one comes to buy them. So we can only wait for the fish to rot?"

"Then just ship it to the mainland and sell it." Someone suddenly said.

"It's easy for you to say. It's so hot now. The fish will go bad before we even leave Dengzhou!" the person before replied.

As a result, the enthusiasm of those who were eager to rent or buy a boat was immediately extinguished.

Li Xiang had originally planned to ask someone to explain it, but now that the people have figured it out themselves, it is his turn to take action.

After receiving the signal, Feng Qing knew it was time for him to step forward, so he stepped forward and said, "Fellow villagers, elders!"

Li Xiang: …

I'm really afraid that you will say that an advertisement will be broadcast below!

Feng Qing continued, "I am the Chief of the Dengzhou Governor's Office. Please don't worry about the fish catch."

"The eldest grandson of the current emperor, the Prince of Hengshan, is right beside me. Let the Prince and fellow villagers explain."

After Li Xiang's identity was introduced, the people all looked at each other in surprise.

Prince! This is a very high position!

Or the grandson of the current emperor? Or the eldest grandson of the emperor? !

With him around, we have nothing to fear!

Li Xiang stood up, cleared his throat and said, "Dear fellow villagers, please don't worry. Last year, the court formed an official caravan. Now, it is under the charge of my aunt, Princess Gaoyang of the current dynasty—"

"She told me that if you go out to sea in the future, no matter how many fish you catch, you can pickle and salt the fish yourself after you return, and then buy them at the price of five cents per pound."

This price is already very reasonable. During the peak season for fishing, although not many fish can be caught, the price of fresh fish in Dengzhou can be as low as less than six or seven cents per catty.

What's more, now we go out to sea for two or three days and come back to catch more than three thousand kilograms of fish. If there are too many people, I'm afraid these ten kilograms of fish may not even be sold for a penny!

As for salted fish, people in coastal areas all pickle it. Usually, one hundred kilograms of fish only need about four or five kilograms of salt, so you don't spend much money on salt.

Modern pickled salted fish only costs two to four ounces of salt for every ten pounds of fish. How could the ancients be willing to add so much salt?
In addition, there are salt fields everywhere nowadays, so the people in Dengzhou use salt very cheaply...it doesn't cost much to use a can or throw it away, since it's all produced by themselves anyway.

"Since the prince and the princess have guaranteed it, we common people will believe it!" everyone said.

Li Xiang waved to Li Shu, and Li Shu walked to his side holding an umbrella.

Living by the sea all year round, how could the common people have ever seen such a beautiful lady? For a moment, they did not dare to look directly at the princess, lest they offend the noble.

Li Su said loudly: "What the Prince of Hengshan said just now is what I mean, but it is all up to you to decide voluntarily. If you don't want to sell it to the caravan, I won't force you."

Although she was a princess, she could also call herself "this palace", after all, the palace given to her by Li Shimin had not been taken back yet...

Old Man Wei said without hesitation: "If the princess can accept all of these and continue to buy them at five cents a pound in the future, I will sell them to the princess!"

After all, this is not a one-time deal, but a long-term business, and Old Man Wei has certainly weighed this clearly.

"I hereby assure you that in the future, I will purchase all the fish after pickling at the price of five cents per pound!" Li Shu said loudly.

"Good!" everyone cheered.

After being marinated and the internal organs and moisture removed, these more than 3,000 kilograms of fish would still weigh more than 1,000 kilograms. If we calculate it at five cents per kilogram, we can still sell it for seven or eight strings of cash!
Seven or eight strings of cash, this is no small amount of money!
You should know that the fishing boat under your feet costs only thirty strings of cash.

In Chang'an City, the daily wage for carrying sacks was only eight to ten cents.

Old Man Wei's money was pooled together by three families. Even if the three families divided it equally, after two or three days of sailing, each family would get more than a few strings of cash. That's too much profit!
All of a sudden, everyone present turned red in the face.

The Prince is the eldest grandson of the Emperor. Who is the eldest grandson of the Emperor?

That was the future emperor! When he spoke, his words were as firm as gold.
They say that the words spoken are true, but what are they? This is it!
"In addition, I have one more thing to add." Feng Qing spoke again: "The rent for renting a fishing boat is 30% of the catch. I have detailed accounts here. People who have rented a fishing boat can use the past rental certificate to buy a boat at a 50% discount at the Governor's Office!"

"Good! Mr. Feng has a conscience!" Everyone cheered.

In fact, Feng Qing's policy is indeed very conscientious in this era.

The exploitation of tenant farmers by the big households was much more cruel than this...

In comparison, the Governor's Office is simply doing charity.

This was also the plan that Li Xiang and Li Su came up with after consultation. After all, they were not doing charity. Whether it was a caravan or a shipyard, they still had to make a profit.

And it’s not just about making a profit, transportation also has costs. In ancient times, transportation costs accounted for the vast majority of the cost. For example, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, the Taiping Guangji recorded: “In the first year of the Longshuo period of the Tang Dynasty, someone from Huaizhou went to Luzhou to buy pigs and sold them in Huaizhou. There was a special pig that cost 300 coins in Luzhou. He bought it in Huaizhou and sold it to a butcher for 600 coins.”

From Changzhi to Jiaozuo, the distance of 140 kilometers can double...

If we purchase the fish at a high price, it would be equivalent to using the entire Tang Dynasty to support Dengzhou... That is really not necessary.

The entire Tang Dynasty can digest this salted fish market. Even if the Tang Dynasty cannot handle it, doesn’t it still have the grassland?
Fish are really rare on the grassland, especially salted fish.

After a hasty registration, the families of Old Man Wei took money from the people brought by Li Shu and continued to sail out to sea.

I have no intention of staying on shore any longer. Going out one day earlier means more money!
With Old Man Wei as an example, other people also became more enthusiastic.

Except for the salt farmers who already had salt fields and could not leave, others began to take action and prepared to join the ranks of going out to sea to fish.

Fishing is good, it makes you rich.

Before the people from the Governor's Office could take away the fish and shrimp, the people over there surrounded Feng Qing.

Nothing else, just to rent a fishing boat.

There were also some people who had a little bit of money, such as the residents in the county, who were jealous of how much money fishing could make. After thinking it over, they also decided to go fishing to earn some money to supplement their family income.

If I make a lot of money, can I go to Chang'an to start a business?
Li Xiang left Feng Qing behind and took his men back to the Governor's Mansion.

Among the fish caught by Old Man Wei and his gang were quite a few yellow croakers, and Li Xiang was craving for some deep-fried yellow croakers.

After the people's going out to sea were settled, Dengzhou's industrial chain was officially formed by more than half.

The fish viscera left after processing these fish can form an industrial chain of feeding chickens and ducks or making fertilizer in the downstream.

He told Li Shu about his idea, and Li Shu stared at him for a long time.

"What the hell is wrong with your little head?"

"It's natural." Li Xiang stood with his hands behind his back, looking like a lonely master.

"You little elephant." Li Shu smiled and nodded at Li Xiang. After a pause, he asked, "What if the cost of salting fish for the common people is too high? Will it make them suffer too much?"

Li Xiang looked at Li Su as if he was looking at a new continent. How could this princess who usually lived a life of luxury and wealth have such awareness?

It really makes people look at it with admiration!

Li Su was a little annoyed by Li Xiang's look and asked in a bad tone, "What's that expression on your face?"

"It's nothing, I just think my aunt is very aware." Li Xiang said with a smile.

Li Su snorted and said, "You are the grandson of Yeye, but I am not the daughter of Yeye? I also understand the principle that the king is the boat and the people are the water!"

Li Xiang gave Li Su two thumbs up and said with a smile: "In fact, the reason is very simple. Nowadays, people have no shortage of salt at home. There are salt fields everywhere. In the future, when the salt drying area around Bohai Sea is developed, the salt will only be cheaper."

"The same is true for fish. We have to pay for transportation. Inland fish are expensive, but once the fish hits the market, the price of inland fish will become cheaper."

"Our transportation costs on the road are also quite high. This is a long-term business, not a one-day or two-day business. We must not only take care of the interests of the people of Dengzhou, but also take care of the people in the inland areas. At the same time, we cannot make a loss."

"If we also suffer losses, this business will not last long. If the price of this fish remains high, don't you think that the entire Tang Dynasty will be used to support Dengzhou? Such a thing is not what a qualified king would do."

"I understand." Li Su nodded.

"As more and more fish are caught, the price of fish will only get lower and lower." Li Xiang continued, "Instead of lowering the price then, it is better to do it now."

"Our goal is not only to make Dengzhou rich, but also to bring fish into every household in Datang, so that everyone can afford to eat fish."

"Of course, if the price of the fish is too low, we can also take some of it out and sell it on the grassland. Fish on the grassland are rare. Moreover, this fish is not only rich in nutrients and protein... but also rich in salt. The taste is also relatively fresh for them, which is exactly what the grassland people need."

Halfway through his speech, Li Xiang stopped talking about protein in time and changed it to meat quality.

"Yeah." Li Shu nodded, indicating that he understood Li Xiang's overall view.

"Aunt is teachable." Li Xiang shook his head to express his affirmation of Li Su's intelligence.

Li Shu puffed up his cheeks and turned around and said, "Xueqing, look, is there a nephew like him?"

Pei Xueqing covered her lips with her hand, smiled gently and did not answer.

Li Shu rolled his eyes and said, "Now that the purchase of sun-dried salt and salted fish is over, I will prepare to return to Chang'an, Xueqing--"

"Hmm?" Pei Xueqing raised her head and looked at Li Shu in confusion.

"Do you want to stay here or go back with me?" Li Shu looked at Pei Xueqing and then at Li Xiang with a smile.

Pei Xueqing knew very well what Li Su meant. It was obvious that she was teasing her because she had not joined her in denouncing Li Xiang.

In fact, before coming here, Pei Xueqing had no plan to stay here for long. He would go back with Princess Gaoyang after she finished her work.

But when she came here and met Feng Yingying, she suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

She smiled gently and said calmly, "My brother is still in Dengzhou, so I will naturally stay in Dengzhou."

"Is that so?" Li Shu snorted, looked at Li Xiang, then at Pei Xueqing, but did not point it out.

She knew it all but didn't say it. Besides, Li Xiang's identity was sensitive, so she couldn't ask him directly. She could only help Pei Xueqing indirectly.

If Li Xiang is set up, it will be difficult to end well.

As the versatile Princess Gaoyang, she has really mastered the emotional intelligence in this aspect.

(Second update has been sent, there will be more later)
(End of this chapter)