1980: I have a spiritual spring

Chapter 20 Seven Star Black Fish
Three days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Cenhe finally received a heavy rain.

The heavy rain lasted for more than three hours, and very successfully filled the ditch at the Qiao family's house with rainwater.

After the rain stopped, Qiao Erhe looked at the nearly 150-meter-long trench and smiled with satisfaction.

Qiao Sihai said happily, "Second Brother, the trench is full of water now, we can raise fish in it."

With a smile on his face, Qiao Erhe said, "It's definitely time to raise fish. The water is full now, and the water channel we dug earlier can be temporarily abandoned."

Qiao Sihai picked up a shovel from the side and said, "I'll go fill in those water channels right now."

Qiao Erhe said, "We don't need to fill it all in. As long as it can temporarily isolate the rainwater, it will be fine. When the water level in the trench drops, we will need these water troughs to bring water over!"

"Okay, I know."

After the fourth brother left in a hurry, Qiao Dajiang asked, "Second brother, what kind of fish do you plan to raise in this trench?"

Qiao Erhe thought for a moment and said, "I plan to raise seven-star blackfish."

Qiao Dajiang asked in confusion, "Second brother, why do you want to raise snakehead fish? These things can't grow very big. It's better to raise grass carp, common carp, or black carp. These fish can easily grow to more than ten pounds, which is much more cost-effective than raising snakehead fish."

"Brother, the bigger the fish, the more valuable it is. The meat of this Seven Star Blackfish is famous for its excellent quality and high nutritional value, which is incomparable to grass carp or common carp."

Qiao Erhe said with a smile, "Although the current market price of Seven-Star Snakehead is not much more expensive than other fish, I believe that as there are more and more wealthy people in society, people will become more and more particular about what they eat. The price of Seven-Star Snakehead will definitely increase year by year. Raising Seven-Star Snakehead will definitely earn more than raising grass carp or common carp."

This is not just a casual remark. This seven-star blackfish is called the moon goby, a unique and endangered fish species in the Cenhe River area, and has high economic value.

In the 1990s, villagers in Group 2 of Donghu Village would raise the goby they caught in the pond behind their houses, and sell them at the end of the year for more than 2700 yuan.

The following year, the villager followed the same method and carefully raised the animals, earning an income of over 7000 yuan.

The news of how to get rich spread quickly, causing a huge sensation throughout the town.

In just three or four years, the number of farmers who followed suit in raising snakehead fish reached 650, with a production of 234 tons and an economic income of 1204 million yuan.

To this day, Qiao Erhe still remembers that in 1993, a villager in their Hongshan administrative village followed the trend of raising snakehead fish and earned over 10,000 yuan a year. So, during the Spring Festival, he posted the following couplet:
First line: Eight mu of contracted farmland ensures food and clothing.

Second line: A few moonlit ponds lead to a well-off life.

Horizontal scroll: Testing the waters of special care

Special breeding refers to specialized breeding.

This shows just how profitable it was to raise snakehead fish in the 1990s; it truly enabled many farmers to achieve a comfortable standard of living.

At that time, just entering the 1980s, the price of the seven-star black carp had not yet risen, and it was not much more expensive than grass carp or similar fish.

However, in a few years, the price of snakehead fish will gradually start to rise. This is still because the sales channels have not been opened up. If the sales channels can be opened up in advance, the price will definitely rise rapidly, easily leaving grass carp and common carp far behind.

Qiao Dajiang nodded and said, "Alright, if you want to raise snakehead fish, then raise snakehead fish. Go to the aquatic product company tomorrow and ask about snakehead fish fry. See how many fish we can put in this ditch and how much it will cost to buy fry."

Qiao Erhe said, "No need to ask, the Seven-Star Blackfish is already an endangered species here, and the aquatic product company certainly won't have any fry for sale."

Qiao Dajiang asked in astonishment, "If we don't have any fish fry to sell, how are we going to raise snakehead fish?"

Qiao Erhe said, "I know where there are seven-star blackfish. When I have time, I will go fishing and put all the seven-star blackfish I catch into the trench to raise them. Let them reproduce slowly here. After raising them for two or three years, I won't have to worry about not having seven-star blackfish."

Qiao Dajiang was already convinced of his second son's fishing skills, and nodded, saying, "Alright, then I'll leave the fish fry to you. I won't worry about it anymore."

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "Don't worry!"

in the afternoon.

winery.

Looking at his clever and eager-to-learn "apprentice" in front of him, Xiao Fengliang said with a smile, "Brother Qiao, I have taught you almost everything I need to. What you need to do next is to practice. Just brew a few more rounds of wine and you will be able to master what I have taught you."

Qiao Erhe put away his notebook, which was filled with writing, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Master Xiao. You've gone to a lot of trouble these past few days."

Xiao Fengliang smiled and said, "You're welcome. I've already charged you tuition. If you encounter any problems during actual practice, you can come and ask me anytime."

Qiao Erhe nodded and said, "Okay, I've got it."

Xiao Fengliang checked the time and said, "Let's go. We've been master and disciple for a while now. I'll treat you to a meal before I leave."

Qiao Erhe quickly said, "Master Xiao, I should be the one treating you to dinner."

Xiao Fengliang waved his hand and said, "Don't argue with me about this meal. You can treat me another time!"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Erhe stopped refusing and said with a smile, "Alright, then I'll gladly accept your offer."

Xiao Fengliang took out a small jar of wine from his office and said with great pride, "Today, please taste this jar of wine. It is the best wine I have made in more than ten years. You are in for a treat."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Erhe knew that Xiao Fengliang had already considered him a friend. In their previous life, the two had been good friends and often sat together drinking. Back then, Qiao Erhe had often heard Xiao Fengliang boast about how he had brewed a batch of exceptionally delicious wines.

Unfortunately, Xiao Fengliang himself didn't keep many of them. In just a few years, after giving some to relatives and friends, he drank the rest himself.

Now, he finally has the chance to taste the delicacy Xiao Fengliang described. He wants to see if it's really as delicious as Xiao Fengliang boasted in his previous life.

Soon, the two left the winery side by side and arrived at the state-run restaurant.

This was also Xiao Fengliang's idea; in his words, only state-run restaurants were worthy of his drinks.

After entering the state-run restaurant and ordering the dishes, Xiao Fengliang opened the seal on the wine jar.

Immediately, a strong aroma of alcohol wafted over, and Qiao Erhe couldn't help but perk up, exclaiming, "It really is good wine!"

Xiao Fengliang laughed smugly, "Of course, even I can't brew this kind of wine anymore. I don't keep much of it. Now, every jar we drink is one less jar left."

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "Master Xiao, don't worry. When I brew my finest wine next year, I will definitely send you a few jars so you can keep them and drink them slowly."

Xiao Fengliang laughed and said, "You're just talking big. How could we possibly brew such a fine wine? This jar of wine I have is already very rare. Not only does it taste good, but it won't make you drunk no matter how much you drink. Even the leaders of our supply and marketing cooperative said it was good."

Qiao Erhe was also a little tempted when he heard this. Just then, the waiter brought over the bowls and chopsticks, so he handed the bowl over.

Xiao Fengliang carefully poured the wine, then gestured to him, "Try it and see."

Qiao Erhe didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up the bowl and took a big gulp. He found the wine to be smooth and easy to swallow, with a sweet aftertaste. It was indeed a very good liquor. He couldn't help but praise it: "This wine is indeed a rare delicacy. No wonder the leaders of your supply and marketing cooperative all say it's good."

Hearing his "apprentice's" praise, Xiao Fengliang couldn't help but smile.

Next, the two, master and apprentice, chatted and sipped wine while waiting for the food to be served, and their conversation revolved around wine.

(End of this chapter)