Chapter 146: Chapter 146: The Tofu Skin and Bean Sprouts are Ready
Translator: 549690339
Eight taels of silver, this was more than Qiao Xiaomai had expected.
The total of copper coins and chunks of silver in her hands did not even amount to forty taels, and she was about to spend eight taels of silver on a sheep that was only to be used for milking…
She was somewhat hesitant.
In recent days, they had been living with an abundance of fish and meat, owning three hundred acres of farmland, and even claiming to be the wealthiest in Anping Village.
But now, she was even reluctant to buy a sheep worth eight taels of silver…
Once again, Qiao Xiaomai had a deep realization of her poverty, and the previous sense of urgency returned.
“WelL.let’s wait until we have harvested our wheat to buy it?” She asked Qiao Changshun for his opinion.
They had three hundred acres of wheat, after paying taxes and saving enough for the family, they could sell the rest.
“Alright.” Qiao Changshun had no objections. He could estimate the amount of silver Qiao Xiaomai had on hand, and spending eight taels of silver on a sheep was also a reluctance for him.
If both of them were hesitant, then naturally they did not buy it.
Qiao Xiaomai explained this to Qiao Dami, who nodded in understanding, “Well buy it later!”
It seemed like they wouldn’t be eating Milk Steamed Buns for a while, but it didn’t matter. They would definitely be able to eat them in the future!
So, the family of three left Bailu Town. Once back home, Qiao Changshun took Qiao Dami to walk around the wheat field, while Qiao Xiaomai stayed at home to make tofu skin.
She had soaked soybeans the day before, so she could use them now.
First, she ground the soybeans, then poured them into the pot to start cooking. When the soy milk was about to boil, she turned off the heat. After a while, the soy milk in the pot gradually solidified, with a layer of skin appearing on top.
She took the skin out, let it dry in the sun, and then it became tofu skin.
It was a complex task. After she solidified a layer of soybean skin, she had to heat the soy milk, turn off the heat, wait for it to congeal, dry the skin in the sun, and then continue to add heat until the soy milk in the pot was used up.
This job did not require much expertise, but it was indeed cumbersome.
Because of this, tofu skin had always been priced high, especially the handmade ones, which could sell for dozens of yuan per catty in the future.
For three consecutive days, Qiao Xiaomai was busy making tofu skin. The tofu skin had to be dried after being made, so on the day she had to collect chicken claws from Zuixian Building, she could only bring the three catties of tofu skin she made on the first day.
However, her bean sprouts were finally ready to be sold.
During these days, her room and Qiao Changshun’s room were filled with boxes of bean sprouts. This time when she went to town, she brought a total of one hundred catties.
The rest, she planned to sell in the village.
Upon reaching the town, Qiao Xiaomai still went straight to Zuixian Building.
Having collected over five hundred chicken claws and ten chickens and ducks, Qiao Xiaomai laid out the tofu skin and fifty catties of bean sprouts.
“Shopkeeper, these bean sprouts cost two wen per catty, you can let the chef stir-fry them.”
“This is tofu skin, one tael of silver per catty, it needs to be soaked in water first, but the taste is very good.”
Shopkeeper Zhou stroked his beard, his eyes revolving around the two food items.
One was two wen per catty.
The other was one tael of silver per catty.
This difference was too much.
“Why… Why is there such a big price difference?” Shopkeeper Zhou asked.
“Because one is easy, the other is troublesome.”
Moreover, neither of the two required any special skills.
Ordinary people might not have the patience to investigate it, but places like Zuixian Building would definitely be interested in researching it.
Especially with tofu skin, which is simple to make. If someone at the Zuixian Building or other establishments accidentally figured out how to make it, she wouldn’t be able to sell it for much anymore.
Therefore, while she could still sell these as exclusive items, she would try to earn as much as she could..