Making money, taking exams and supporting the family

chapter 77: The Dark Secrets of the Couple

The shrimp and crabs from the Dongyun River next to Nanyang Town were very famous in the area, but due to ancient transportation issues, they could not be transported in large quantities outside.

Therefore, people relied on the mountains for food and the water for sustenance. The village of Heba was only about a hundred li (50km, 31 miles) away from the Dongyun River, so the fish, shrimp, and crabs here were very cheap.

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, there were several boats from the Dongyun River at the dock, full of fat and tender fish, shrimp, and crabs for people to choose from.

When Lin Ze and the others arrived, the entire dock was already packed with people. Eating crabs during the Mid-Autumn Festival was a local custom, so everyone rushed to buy things early.

The combat effectiveness of the villagers in Heba Village was also not to be underestimated. They sprinted a hundred meters into the crowd at high speed with their sleeves rolled up, and in minutes, they squeezed in front of the vendors, started picking and bargaining, and everyone was arguing with great enthusiasm.

Lin Ze, on the other hand, was not in a hurry. Although the fish, shrimp, and crabs brought by the boats from the Dongyun River were cheap, there was still a difference in quality. The larger, more delicious shrimp and crabs were still selling for seven or eight wen each.

At such prices, few villagers bought them. The villagers rushed to buy the very cheap ones. Their goal was large shrimp and crabs. These stalls were not too crowded, so they could take their time picking.

However, Lin Ze was very happy to see the lively scene of bargaining at the bridge pier, and he was very interested.

After parking the cart, Lin Ze and Zhang Xiu went to pick fish, shrimp, and crabs.

Zhang Xiu had been here many times and was very familiar with the dock. The villagers from Dongyun River who came here to sell shrimp and crabs each year basically had fixed positions, so he just needed to find familiar people according to his usual habits.

“Boss, how much are shrimp and crabs this year?”

Zhang Xiu pulled Lin Ze to a stall and asked directly.

The shrimp and crab prices were indeed cheap, but depending on the annual output of Dongyun River, the prices would fluctuate up or down by a few wen.

Even now that they were not short of money at home, every wen counted. Money was hard-earned, and even a few wen should not be wasted. When one had silver, they tended not to treat copper coins as money.

Lin Ze let his wife take charge. He loved to see Zhang Xiu acting like a steward. What was the point of running a family if his wife dis not manage it?

Compared to how to manage the money at home, he was more concerned about the fish, shrimp, and crabs in front of the vendors now.

“This crab is so big and only costs seven wen, so cheap?!”

Lin Ze was shocked to catch a crab the size of a small basin. As a businessman, he made a rookie shopping mistake by praising the vendor’s goods.

This made the vendor very happy. He thought to himself, ‘I’ve encountered a rich fool today. Seven wen is just the starting price, and we haven’t even started bargaining yet. This gentleman is asking for a good deal. I should hurry up and take his money.’

The vendor smiled broadly, actively soliciting business.

“Sir, you’re right. The shrimp and crabs from Dongyun River are big and cheap. Buy them on Mid-Autumn Festival. Once this day is over, there won’t be this store anymore. Seven wen each, good quality and affordable. My stall sells the most affordable ones on the entire dock…”