Fisherman

After Zhuang Youcheng came to the market, Zhuang Qingran didn't dare to make trouble anymore, Zhao Qian arranged an inn for the government officials to stay overnight.

That night, Zhuang Youcheng called Zhao Qian to the inn.

"I've thought about what you said seriously. Is there really a way to save time and effort?"

Zhao Qian smiled. It was expected that Zhuang Youcheng would be shaken. He made some tea and poured Zhuang Youcheng a cup: "My lord, I don't dare to say enough, you can try it first. If your lord is satisfied then, We'll talk about the rest later."

Zhuang Youcheng rubbed his chin. Now that his son has been found, he let go of the big knot in his heart. The things arranged by the court cannot be completed in a day or two, but he is not in a hurry. I think what Zhao Qian said is right. In just one day, the care was thoughtful, and he felt that Zhao Qian could accomplish something big.

"Okay, then according to what you said, when the matter is done, your benefits will be indispensable." As he spoke, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, and hearty laughter from the two of them resounded in the room.

Zhao Qian wanted to use the method of sun-drying salt, but it is already autumn, and the intensity of the sun is not as strong as in summer, but fortunately, the sun is not small along the coast, and the weather is relatively hot. If you grab the tail of the autumn tiger, there will still be Not a small success.

Sun-drying salt generally has to go through seven sets of processes: beach building, beach rectification, tide collection, brine making, brine measurement, crystallization, and salt removal. It takes a lot of firewood to boil the salt.

He found a barren stall along the coast and built a beach. At that time, he often went out to sea to fish, and he saw stretches of salt stalls on the coast. It is very grand, and he also specially went to learn about the craft of sun-drying salt. Now, according to the steps in memory, he is making the pool ridge and the pool gate.

The people who followed had never seen such a method of making salt, so they could only blindly accept his instructions, loosen the soil in the built beach pool, dry it, put it in the sea water and then put it in the pool with bare feet. Step on it evenly, scrape the bottom pool with a scraper, then drain the sea water in the pool to dry, and compact it with a stone polished into a cylindrical shape.

To put it simply, sun-dried salt is to enclose some seawater and expose it to the sun to allow the water to evaporate and gradually crystallize to form solid salt.Among them, he handed over the tedious process to others, and he needed to master the technology the most.

Zhuang Youcheng originally disliked running too far back and forth to the sea, and was tired from bumping around in a carriage all day, but he wanted to see what Zhao Qian was up to, so he had no choice but to get up early and wait until late at night. , but after arriving at the beach, in order to show the appearance of the people's parents and officials, he insisted on not letting the master hold an umbrella to cover the sun, and the result turned out to be like a greasy fat pig.

Watching Zhao Qian messing around on the beach several times, he didn't understand at all, but he lost a few pounds due to the tortuous and exhausting work. Zhuang Qingran felt sorry for his father, and sent him the fresh wine and food every day.

Because the technology was backward, Zhao Qian was not particularly familiar with this craft, and took some detours in the middle. The salt that could be dried in two to three days was forced to be dried on the fifth day.

When Zhuang Youcheng got the news, he was lying on the grand master's chair and eating grapes. Hearing that the salt came out, he immediately drove the carriage to the beach again.

The salt that has just been dried has many impurities, and it is coarse salt with large particles, but the quality of the salt at this time is very average. Zhuang Youcheng is already jumping happily when he sees the salt that has just been shoveled up from the beach and piled up.

There was no need to set up a large pot, nor cut firewood to cook, but he really got the salt out. Through the salt, he seemed to have seen the court's praise for him: "If it spreads all over the seas of the world, then we Do you still worry about salt!"

Seeing Zhuang Youcheng who was already smiling from ear to ear, Zhao Qian poured a basin of cold water over in time: "My lord, although this method can make some salt, it still has to be according to the unique weather conditions, not every day Even a piece of sea area can produce salt, but if the weather is bad, it cannot be implemented.”

Zhuang Youcheng's smile decreased a bit, but the joy in his heart did not diminish. This area of ​​the imperial court was entrusted to him to manage, and the money earned from this side was already enough for pockets.

He is not stupid, knowing that Zhao Qian is grasping the skill of making salt now, and greeted him with a smile: "I am very satisfied with making salt in this way, I wonder how Boss Zhao will be satisfied?"

Zhao Qian smiled, and it was not in vain that he hadn't been back to the market for several days: "The salt workers here can only use people from Shangyu Village, isn't it difficult for adults?"

Zhuang Youcheng raised his eyebrows: "Is it that simple?"

"Of course, the salt field has to bear my name." Zhao Qian said in a low voice.

Zhuang Youcheng narrowed his eyes: "You dare to earn money from the imperial court?"

"My lord, each other." At the time when there was a shipwreck in Shangyu Village, he didn't believe that Zhuang Youcheng would not know the news, but if any disaster happened, he would definitely report it to the imperial court. No matter how slow it was, the upper management should allocate funds, but the village has been rebuilt so far. I have paid for it, but I have not received any news, presumably the money has already fallen into the hands of the magistrate.

He originally only wanted to do a good job for the villagers in the village, and he didn't want to ask for any benefits, but considering that after drying salt instead of boiling salt, the savings in expenses and the increase in profits must be a lot of money. After the sea salt is transported to the inland, the price is much higher than that along the coast. Zhuang Youcheng is not necessarily a clean official, so rather than letting him be greedy for money, it is better to get a share of the pie.

Zhuang Youcheng looked distressed, as if he was thinking about it, but Zhao Qian was not afraid that he would not agree, after all the technology was still in his hands.

"This matter can't be let to a third person." Seeing that he kept silent and kept steady, Zhuang Youcheng couldn't stand still.

"make a deal!"

After the pre-negotiation, the people in the village were selected as salt workers. Zhao Qian still needed to divide the work for everyone and work in different procedures. The villagers cheered after receiving the notice.

After the people of Xiayu Village got the news, they chased after Zhuang Youcheng: "My lord, didn't you promise to let the people in our village be salt workers? Zensheng?"

"When did this officer promise you? At the beginning, what I said was to observe and investigate. I will know who is more suitable at that time."

The people of Xiayu Village said anxiously: "What is not suitable for our village, it is more suitable than that of Shangyu Village!"

"The ones in Shangyu Village are closer to this side." After Zhuang Youcheng prevaricated, he gave the master a wink, and happily got into the sedan chair.

"My lord! My lord!"

The master called the arresters to stop the people in Xiayu Village: "My lord is too tired these days, don't pester your lord, just do whatever you need to do, if you really feel too free, go to the prison and stay there."

The people of Xiayu Village immediately shut their mouths, and when the county magistrate's sedan chair was out of sight, the head of Xiayu Village approached Zhao Qian: "Okay! Zhao Qian, you really have the ability to give your lord Lied to go!"

"Hey, what are you talking about? I am doing it for your own good. Since you want to fish so much, I will give you the sea area. Our village has repeatedly backed down. The village chief should stop bullying people too much. !"

"You!" The village head of Xiayu Village jumped angrily.

"Folks! Time to work!"

Zhuang Youcheng had stayed at the market long enough, he left behind a few experienced police officers to supervise the salt workers to dry the salt, and brought Zhuang Qingran back to the county seat.Zhao Qian was in a hurry to teach the experience of drying salt to the villagers in the village. He had already been to the salt field for half a month, and when everything was on track, he had time to return to the market.

These days, people were exposed to the sun by the sea, and people were two degrees darker. Two days ago, he sent a message back, telling Brother Zhou to go back today. When it was almost time for daily fresh food, he was still surprised when he saw the empty store door. Strange, the young man didn't come to wait for him outside today, it's been half a month since we saw him, could it be that he stayed home with Zhuang Qingran?

He entered the shop with doubts, and after looking around, he didn't see anyone in the restaurant. He was about to ask where he was, but when Huang Er saw him coming back, he said before him: "Shopkeeper, You are back, brother Zhou fainted!"

"What's going on! Where is he! Where is he now!" Zhao Qian grabbed Huang Er's collar.

"Don't worry, it has already been sent to the hospital, and Sun Xiong is watching over it!"

As soon as the words fell, he watched Zhao Qian rush out.

When Zhao Qian arrived at the hospital, he hurriedly found someone. The young man had already woken up. The doctor was explaining something, so he rushed in, startling the people in the room.

Brother Zhou's complexion was a little pale, with surprise in his eyes, he called out, "Brother Zhao!"

"What's going on?" Zhao Qian took his hand, and was relieved to see that the person was still fine, why did he end up like this after not seeing him for half a month.

On the other hand, Sun Xiong smiled and said, "Brother Zhou can't be allowed to continue working at Ririxian in the future. The doctor said he was tired."

Zhao Qian stroked the young man's hair: "How do you do so much work and make yourself tired?"

Brother Zhou lowered his head, as if a little embarrassed: "I didn't do much, yes, it was the doctor who said I had a baby."

"Baby?" His eyes lit up, and then a smile spread all over his face: "Really? Really?"

Brother Zhou couldn't help laughing, it was the first time he saw the calm and calm Brother Zhao stuttering.

The doctor on the side touched his beard: "Okay, someone will come and prescribe some medicine."

Sun Xiong immediately said: "Doctor, I will go with you."

There were only two people left in the room for a while, Zhao Qian hugged Zhou Ge'er into his arms, Zhou Ge'er put his chin on his shoulder, smelling the dust all over his body, the joy in his heart could not be concealed: "Zhao Qian Brother, do you like boys or girls? What if you are a brother like me?"

Zhao Qian smiled: "What can I do, it's great to be as good as you, as long as it's born by you, no matter if it's a boy, a girl, or a little brother, I like it all."

"Don't do anything in the future, just stay at home and take care of your baby."

Speaking of home, Brother Zhou raised his eyes and looked at him: "Did you say it was in the village?"

Zhao Qian was stunned for a moment, and then blamed himself a bit. After coming to the market for so long, although there are several places to rest, they are just a shop, not a home. I am afraid that in Zhou Geer's heart, there is only the pure one in the village. It is used for cooking and sleeping, and a place where no outsiders come is called home.

He has been busy with business, but put the most important thing of settling down on hold.

"Stay at the market."

"Then do you still want to go to the village to dry salt? I, I want to stay with you in the village."

"I won't stay in the village for so long. Now that things have been arranged over there, I can stay with you every day until the child is born."