Chapter 717: Chapter 717: The Unaffordable Soybean
It was already late, and although the deal was done, it was clear that there was no time to transport the goods or give the silver today. Shopkeeper He stayed a while longer, then left with a pot of tofu pudding.
The sun had set, it was time to light the lamps.
The workday for Miao Dali’s engineering team had ended. Here, there’s no such thing as an eight-hour shift; when it gets dark, that’s when work ends.
Before Miao Dali left, he came to see Qiao Xiaomai once, wanting to buy some soybeans.
Half a year had passed since Qiao Xiaomai developed soy milk, tofu, and tofu pudding.
At first, tofu and tofu pudding were made for the wealthy, hence the high price, which ordinary people could not afford.
But the price of soybeans never rose, remaining at three wen per catty, making tofu and tofu pudding extremely profitable.
And since only the wealthy could afford to eat this, the consumption of soybeans was limited.
So Emperor Yong’an stepped in, requiring the Extremely Tasty Restaurant and the Zuixian Building to lower the prices of tofu and tofu pudding.
Following the Emperor’s command, the two establishments did as instructed, lowering the prices of tofu to three wen per catty, and tofu pudding to two wen per bowl, prices even peasants could afford (steemav).
Now that even the villagers could afford it, more people bought it, naturally leading to a greater consumption of soybeans.
Because of this, the cultivated area for soybeans was significantly expanded after this year’s spring harvest.
However, the recipes for tofu and tofu pudding were still held by the Extremely Tasty Restaurant and Zuixian Building. If ordinary people wanted to taste these two things, they still had to go to the restaurant or the inn.
But soy milk was a different story.
Soy milk was too simple to make. There was no technological content involved. Why would the yellow soybeans turn into white water?
They must have been crushed first.
After some investigation, the common people quickly mastered the method of making soy milk.
Miao Dali knew how to make soy milk too. After tasting the soy milk Qiao Changshun had sent this afternoon, he was immediately interested in buying some soybeans. Read full story at NoveI~Fire.net
After hearing Miao Dali’s intentions, Qiao Xiaomai smiled.
Although Miao Dali was the leader of the engineering team, his economic status was only a bit better than that of rural peasants, incomparable to the wealthy in town.
Soybeans for 600 wen per catty, when even pork was only 12 or 13 wen per catty. Trading 50 catties of pork for one catty of soybeans, the difference was too great.
“Uncle Miao, to be honest, apart from a better taste, my soybeans are no different from others. How about this, I’ll give you twenty catties for free. Just don’t spread the word and quietly make soy milk at home,” Qiao Xiaomai said.
Her Spiritual Spring could not justify the “spirit” in its name; apart from a better taste, it had no practical use. She didn’t care about selling it to the wealthy for 600 wen, but when it came to ordinary people, she felt it was unfair.
The products she grew were not meant for ordinary people; her market was targeted at the affluent in the Capital City.
Miao Dali had been reliable and honest these past days.
Moreover, she and Tong Sanlang were about to travel to Prefecture City. Qiao Changshun was lame, Zhuang Luhe was timid, and Qiao Dami, Little Qiao Zhaodi, and Qiao Yindi were simple-minded. She was not confident in leaving these people behind.
Fortunately, the engineering team was around, with people available both day and night. Therefore, by gifting these soybeans, she also hoped that Miao Dali would take good care of Qiao Changshun and the others.
However, Miao Dali did not know her intentions, and upon hearing her offer, he shook his head and replied, “No need to give them to me, I’ll buy them.”
He could afford to buy a bit of soybeans.
Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaomai gave a helpless smile, “Uncle Miao, Shopkeeper He from the Extremely Tasty Restaurant in town just came by. The price I gave him was 600 wen per catty.”
Miao Dali was left speechless…