Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

As soon as Changyun finished speaking, he felt his mother pat him on the back. He turned around and looked at her, wanting to ask what was wrong. Before he could speak, he heard the voice of the pork stall owner: "Brother, here is one tael of silver and five strings of coins. Please count them." As he spoke, he handed Zhang Youtie a jiao of silver and some coins.

Zhang Youtie merely weighed the silver in his hand, didn't even check the amount of money, and handed it directly to his daughter. The butcher, seeing Zhang Youtie's actions, felt very pleased and thought Zhang Youtie was a good person.

Xia Yu was curious about why the pork stall owner carried so much money, but she didn't want to ask directly. So, she pretended to be innocent and said, "Uncle, your business is really good! You've already made so much money at this hour!"

"Oh, today just happens to be the day we deliver meat to the Shen family to pay for it. Otherwise, we wouldn't have made so much money before anyone even showed up!" The butcher didn't think it was something to hide and said it openly. However, apart from Changyun, the Zhang family members all discovered something of interest to them from his words.

Xia Yu picked up the watermelon she had just cut and left on her stall and handed it to the butcher. "Uncle, you're not busy right now. Sit here and have a couple more slices of watermelon." As she spoke, she handed him a small chair.

"Hehe, this melon is too expensive, I feel bad eating so much." Although she said she felt bad, she still took the melon that Xia Yu handed her.

"Uncle, we don't live in the county town. Is the Shen family an official family?" Xia Yu asked innocently.

"They can't be entirely just housekeepers. Their family is the richest in our county, running a huge business. Master Shen is a well-known philanthropist in this area. Whenever we suffer a disaster, Master Shen leads the wealthy families in our county to donate money and supplies. Master Shen and Madam Shen have two sons. The eldest son went to the capital to take the imperial examination and was personally selected by the emperor as a third-place scholar. I heard he's now in the Hanlin Academy. The second son doesn't like studying; he prefers business. These past few years, he's been running around helping Master Shen manage the business. Now, Master Shen has handed over most of the family business to him. I've been delivering pork to them for several years, thirty catties a day, settling accounts every three days, and they've never owed me any money." Xia Yu only asked one question, and he poured out a whole bunch of information. But the whole family enjoyed listening.

The pork stall owner, having said so much in one breath, couldn't help but feel his mouth getting dry. He finished the melon in his hand in a few bites, wiped his mouth, and continued, "Their family lives on the second street in the north of the city, and most of the street is their yard."

As he spoke, he took the melon Xia Yu handed him and took a bite. "Hey," the butcher suddenly thought of something, "brother, you can sell the melons to the Shen family. They'll definitely want them. Even if they can't finish them themselves, they can still transport them out to sell. Why don't you go ask the Shen family? It's better than you selling them one by one at this market."

Hearing this, Zhang Youtie's face lit up with surprise and excitement. "Big brother, do you really think the Shen family would even look at my watermelons?"

"How could I not like it? I've been selling pork at this market for many years. I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I'm still more knowledgeable than the average person. This watermelon is something I've never heard of or seen before." As he spoke, he took another slice of watermelon from Xia Yu.

"Brother, you've had dealings with the Shen family for many years. Could you please help me make a connection? If you can help me sell these melons, I will definitely repay you handsomely." Zhang Youtie clasped his hands together, looking at the pork stall owner with sincere emotion.

"Hey, no need for thanks. It's fate that we met. Besides, I think you're a very honest person. How about this, when the market is almost over, you take a few watermelons and come with me to the Shen residence. I'll introduce you to the head of purchasing in their kitchen. But I can't guarantee it will work out." The pork stall owner didn't dare to make any promises, afraid that if it didn't work out, he would lose face.

"Then thank you very much, brother. I thank you in advance. Whether this matter succeeds or not, I will remember your kindness in helping me." As he spoke, Zhang Youtie was about to clasp his hands and bow to the pork stall owner, but the pork stall owner quickly supported Zhang Youtie's arms and helped him up.

Actually, he did want to befriend them. Zhang Youtie had brought rare items with him on both of his visits, and he felt that this family had connections and might become rich someday. Although he hadn't received much education, he knew that helping someone in need was better than adding to someone's success.

By this time, it was already broad daylight, and the market was gradually getting busier. The pork stall owner awkwardly accepted the last few pieces of melon that Xia Yu handed him and returned to his pork stall.

Ms. Wu, the fishmonger she had met last time, hadn't come to the market, which made Liu feel a little disappointed; it seemed she wouldn't be able to run into her today. Seeing more and more people coming to buy things at the market, Xia Yu cut another watermelon from the crack and placed it on the table. She and Chang Yun stood at the stall and began calling out, "Watermelon! Watermelon, as sweet as honey! Free samples! Delicious watermelon, free samples!" Liu was responsible for giving each person a slice of watermelon to try for free.

Xia Yu and Chang Yun's "free tasting" attracted many people; they had never seen anything like it before. Most of those who tried the watermelon wanted to buy some, but the price of fifty coins per pound scared many away. Buying a pound wasn't unaffordable, but watermelons are different from apples and peaches. A watermelon weighs over ten pounds, so buying one would cost several hundred coins, which most people couldn't afford.

This time, not a single person was bargaining. Those who couldn't bear to buy it after hearing the price simply left, while some were still hesitating. Xia Yu understood why no one was bargaining. Even if you cut the price per jin (500 grams) in half, it would still be 25 wen, and a single watermelon would still cost over 300 wen, still very expensive. It's like buying a car nowadays; even if a million-yuan car is discounted by 200,000 or 300,000 yuan, many people still can't afford it. However, Xia Yu felt that comparing it to buying a car was somewhat inappropriate. These watermelons costing a few hundred wen were still affordable, but most people wouldn't be willing to spend that much.

While thinking about these things, he still enthusiastically shouted, "Watermelon, delicious watermelon, sweeter than sugar water, free samples available."

As they were calling out, Xia Yu spotted the steward of the official's house who had bought shrimp before. Xia Yu quickly patted his father on the shoulder, and Zhang Youtie looked up and saw them too. He greeted them warmly, "Brother Steward Wang, you're here to buy again. Come and try some of the watermelons I grow."

Xia Yu thought to himself, "Heh, his dad probably found out everyone's names when he went out to deliver shrimp last time."

Manager Wang recognized Zhang Youtie; after all, no one else had delivered the prawns to him, so it was easy to remember him. "You're here to sell again? Aren't you selling prawns today?" he said, taking the watermelon Zhang Youtie handed him curiously. "What kind of food is this?"

"Brother in charge, this is a fruit called watermelon. You should try it, it's very sweet." As he spoke, he picked up a slice and took a bite in front of the other person.

The steward had already smelled the aroma of the watermelon, and seeing Zhang Youtie eating it, he took a bite as well.

"Hmm? It really is delicious, so juicy and sweet." The sample melon wasn't big; he finished it in two or three bites. He pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped his hands, and asked, "How much are these melons?"

"Brother, this is fifty coins a pound." Zhang Youtie quoted the price, and the man picked one up and weighed it in his hands. "This one is not small, it must weigh more than ten pounds."

After saying that, he asked Zhang Youtie, "How many days can this be stored?"

This question stumped Zhang Youtie; he didn't know the answer. Xia Yu, standing beside him, quickly answered on behalf of her father, "Uncle, if this melon is cut open, it should be eaten on the same day. However, if it's not opened, it can be stored for seven days without any problem, but the skin must not be damaged."

"Okay, then give me five first. I'll go home and let the masters try them. I need to report this price to the mistress and see what she thinks." To be the purchasing manager in the manor, loyalty is one thing, but the most important thing is to be smart. There are some things you can't decide on your own.

"Alright, brother, I'll weigh it over here. Please sit down and rest for a while before you eat a couple more pieces." Zhang Youtie placed a small chair next to the steward, his expression very respectful.