Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Raise the Price
Translator: 549690339
Qiao Xiaomai gave it serious thought and said, “Well… let’s increase the price to ten copper coins per pound.”
Given the limited quantity and Jingwei Ju’s intention to monopolize the supply, it is inevitable that ordinary people will not be able to enjoy this delicious tofu for the time being.
So, let’s take the high-end route for now.
When the quantity produced increases, the price can be lowered again.
With this in mind, Qiao Xiaomai extended his ten fingers towards Shopkeeper He, “Ten copper coins per pound.”
Shopkeeper He,”…”
The price has increased by four cash all at once, that’s enough for a serving of cold stirred glass noodles. Who just claimed to be an honest man?
Seeing Shopkeeper He’s speechless, Qiao Xiaomai explained, “Anyway, 1 can only produce so much every day. You can just sell to those wealthy people.”
Bailu Town was originally just a field, but twenty years ago, Emperor’s tutor, Zhang Wenjian, had grown tired of the hustle and bustle of the Imperial City. Therefore, the Emperor took out the map of Daqi to choose a peaceful place for him to retire.
After much consideration, Bailu Town was chosen to be the place.
When Bailu Academy was established, the Emperor himself advertised it, attracting scholars from all over Daqi to come here.
Since the scholars were far away from their homes, the wealthy among them bought land and built houses in Bailu Town, sending servants to take care of their sons who were studying there.
Thus, Bailu Town, which was originally a field, was established in this way. After twenty years of development, it has grown to the scale of a county town.
Due to the presence of students from Bailu Academy, there are many wealthy people in the town, as Qiao Xiaomai had mentioned.
Shopkeeper He said, “Even the rich are not fools. The soybeans are so cheap, if we sell a serving of tofu for over twenty coins, who would buy it?”
“You can package it, like in the case of the Jadeite Soup. Use this tofu along with some green vegetables to cook the soup. As long as it tastes good, people would be willing to buy it, even if you charge thirty coins.” To persuade Shopkeeper He, Qiao Xiaomai gave him a recipe.
Shopkeeper He,
He twitched the corners of his mouth, looking at Qiao Xiaomai with even more surprise in his eyes.
“Shall we settle it like this?” Qiao Xiaomai looked at Shopkeeper He with her sparkling eyes, her small face full of expectation.
Shopkeeper He stroked his beard, hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “Alright.”
As Qiao Xiaomai said, what is rare is valuable. Moreover, the tofu tastes good, and he is confident that it can be sold after packaging.
“Let’s write down an agreement.”
“Let’s not do that for now. 1 can’t read.” Qiao Xiaomai shook her head, “From tomorrow, 1 will bring it to you every morning.”
Shopkeeper He, “…Are you worried 1’11 write nonsense and trick you?”
“No.” Qiao Xiaomai immediately explained her family’s situation. For them, making tofu was too slow with their small millstone. She couldn’t guarantee how much they could make each day.
The production tool wasn’t efficient enough, and if people from the old courtyard come to make trouble, that would make it even more uncertain how much they could make each day.
So, it would be better to deliver as much as they can produce each day.
After listening to her explanation, the eyes of Shopkeeper He rolled a bit and he suggested, “How about you tell me a few more recipes and I’ll give you a big millstone as a reward?”
Qiao Xiaomai was taken aback, not expecting Shopkeeper He to say such a thing.
Her black eyes spun, and she declined, “But my dad is crippled, and my family doesn’t have a donkey. We can’t push the big millstone.”
Shopkeeper He,”… Then I’ll lend you a donkey for the time being.”
Qiao Xiaomai fluttered her long eyelashes, somewhat puzzled, “Shopkeeper, what is rare is precious. If there is too much tofu, it won’t fetch a high price.”
“I’ll deliver it to Jingwei Ju nearby.”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaomai responded with an “Oh”, nodding, “Alright, thank you, Shopkeeper He..”