Qi Jiao also smiled and greeted Aunt Zhu.
Pei Xia unloaded the bags of grain from the cart one by one. Meanwhile, Tang Guiniang first negotiated the price with Aunt Zhu.
During the Chinese New Year, there was no shortage of rice, flour, and grains, so the purchase price wasn't very high.
Aunt Zhu knew that her cousin had taken Qi Jiao as her adopted daughter. In terms of seniority, she could be considered Qi Jiao's aunt. Moreover, the Pei family was Qi Jiao's husband's family.
Besides, Qi Jiao had helped make her family's full - moon banquet a great success last time. So Aunt Zhu readily bought all the grain, only offering a price 10% lower than the market price.
Tang Guiniang thanked her profusely, with wrinkles showing at the corners of her eyes from smiling.
After selling the grain, Qi Jiao then explained her purpose.
She also gave Aunt Zhu a gift box of oyster sauce and salted duck eggs, and put several baby recipes inside.
Aunt Zhu thought Qi Jiao was very considerate. Just by tasting the oyster sauce, she had an idea. She asked, "How much do you plan to sell this oyster sauce for? And the salted duck eggs?"
Qi Jiao made a gesture with her hand and said, "The bottled oyster sauce has a smaller volume than the canned one. It's 18 wen per bottle, and the porcelain - canned one is a bit more expensive, 28 wen per bottle. As for the salted duck eggs, they're 5 wen each."
It was different from modern times. There was no way to get the lowest price.
This was the relatively cheap and profitable price she calculated after deducting the labor cost.
Aunt Zhu didn't say a word, as if she was considering.
Qi Jiao said, "Aunt Zhu, don't have any concerns. We can discuss the price further. After all, these things rely on small profits but quick turnover."
Aunt Zhu had been running a business for many years and was very discerning.
People all liked rare things. No matter what it was, it would lose its value if there was too much of it.
The oyster sauce was a new product made by Jiao Niang. If it sold well, it would be an additional source of income for their shop.
Thinking of this, Aunt Zhu said, "In that case, I'll take all the goods you brought."
Qi Jiao originally thought Aunt Zhu would refuse, but unexpectedly, she agreed immediately.
A look of joy flashed across Qi Jiao's face. She took Aunt Zhu's hand and said, "Aunt, you can rest assured. If it doesn't sell well or there are any leftovers, you can return them to me."
Aunt Zhu patted her hand. Her shrewd eyes showed confidence. "As long as your products are good, there will be no shortage of customers. Although our area isn't very wealthy, during the Chinese New Year, every family will go to the market to treat themselves, so they won't mind spending a few extra wen."
Qi Jiao smiled and said, "Aunt is really insightful. No wonder your shop makes so much money."
Since Aunt Zhu bought all the products they made, Qi Jiao offered a discount out of kindness. In the end, they got a total of four taels of silver.
As for how Aunt Zhu would sell the products and at what price, it wasn't Qi Jiao's concern.
Anyway, Aunt Zhu, who was well - versed in business, wouldn't lose money or set the price too high.
After they finished dealing with the matter, many customers came.
Aunt Zhu was busy entertaining them, so Qi Jiao and the others politely took their leave.
After going out, Qi Jiao turned to look at the prosperous Zhu's shop. Her determination to open her own shop became even stronger.
The weather was nice that day. After finishing her tasks, Qi Jiao went out to sea with Pei Xia.
It had been half a year since Qi Jiao came to the Pei family, and this was the first time she went out to sea with Pei Xia.
This time, Pei Xia was going to a sea area farther than Yinggehai. It would take at least three days for a round - trip.
It was a long time, and Qi Jiao was worried, so she wanted to go with him.
Pei Xia had no choice but to let her come along. But when no one was looking, he couldn't help but smile happily.
Tang Guiniang prepared pancakes and fresh water for them.
Pei Jin changed the bedding on the boat, washed it, and dried it in the sun.
Pei Li walked around the boat and found there was nothing to do, so he went to the Sea God Temple to get two amulets for them.
Qi Jiao also made a lot of preparations. She knew less than Pei Xia about how to live better at sea.
But she was most proficient in cooking.
There was no shortage of fish and seafood on the boat, but green vegetables and vitamins were scarce.
Qi Jiao directly went to the field to pick two heads of fresh Chinese cabbages, pulled a basket of red - skinned radishes, and made spicy roasted pepper sauce.
There was a reason for this. Chili was delicious and had the highest vitamin C content.
In this era, chili had already been popularized locally, but people didn't eat it as heavily as those in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.
People called the chili that came from the sea route "sea pepper".
Qi Jiao selected several fresh Erjingtiao chilies, purple - skinned garlic with tender white flesh, and bright - colored rapeseed oil.
She carefully peeled the skin of the Erjingtiao chilies, then fried the chili flesh in the pan, constantly pressing it with a spoon. She could hear the sizzling sound. Soon, the chilies turned into a tiger - skin shape.
Qi Jiao poured the oil three or four times to better stimulate the aroma of the garlic and chili.
Finally, she mashed the tiger - skin chilies and the garlic seasoning together. The wonderful aromas blended and could be smelled from miles away.
Pei Li and Pei Jin, standing outside the kitchen, both swallowed their saliva.
Qi Jiao made a lot of spicy roasted pepper sauce. There was not only enough for them to take on the boat but also enough to last at home for a long time.
She immediately picked up a plate and handed it to her younger brother and sister. "Here, go and see if there's any rice left in the pot. This spicy roasted pepper sauce goes really well with rice!"
Pei Li ate with tears in his eyes. "It smells so good! You two must come back soon."
Pei Jin also said the same, "Mother said she'll kill the New - Year pig when you come back."
Qi Jiao and Pei Xia each carried a bag on their backs, waved goodbye to their family, and boarded the small fishing boat.
The fishing boat was bought by Pei Xia after he made some money. It was neither new nor old. Although it couldn't compare with the large fishing boats coming and going, it looked strong and sturdy. Its lower side was as sharp as a knife, suitable for long - distance sea voyages.
Stepping on the deck, Qi Jiao looked around. The small fishing boat was fully equipped.
Besides the cabin for steering, there was also a cabin for people to rest. There were tables, chairs, and a charcoal stove in the corner.
After the fishing boat set sail steadily, Pei Xia steered the boat, while Qi Jiao lay on the ship's railing. She watched as the scenery on the shore got farther and farther away, and the flag at the bow fluttered in the wind.
They were out to sea.
As the last ray of orange light on the horizon sank into the sea level, Pei Xia cast the net once.
Looking at the catch on the deck, he squinted his eyes slightly. He had really good luck today.
"Jiao Niang, come and take a look!"
Qi Jiao was sitting on a small stool cooking. Hearing this, she wiped her hands and came over.
There were two lively coral trouts on the deck, looking red and strange in the twilight. They looked very valuable.
Qi Jiao picked up a deep wooden basin and said with a smile, "These two coral trouts are really big!"
Pei Xia said they would kill one for dinner.
But Qi Jiao waved her hand. "Such good coral trouts are rare. We'd better save them to sell when we get ashore."
Pei Xia thought for a while and nodded. He released all the small fish struggling in the fishing net back into the sea and put the mature seafood in the wooden barrel to keep them alive.
For dinner, there was millet porridge, vinegar - flavored Chinese cabbage, and egg pancakes.
The moon was bright in the sky, the boat was swaying, but the sea breeze was cold.
The two boiled some hot water, washed up simply, and then got into the warm cabin.
The cabin was originally for Pei Xia alone. Sometimes when the sea - going task was heavy, he would also bring two or three helpers with him.
So there were two narrow beds inside.
Pei Xia picked up a thick blanket and wrapped Qi Jiao tightly, leaving only her head outside.
The lamp was like a tiny bean.
Qi Jiao lay on the bed on her back, her long black hair spread out behind her head. Her lips were as moist as the moonlight. She looked at Pei Xia with a smiling gaze.
Pei Xia felt a sudden rush of heat in his body, which slowly started to burn.
In this situation, on the vast sea, there were only the two of them.