Farming for Three Meals a Day [Farming Life] 89

Chapter 89

When Lin Jiangshan returned, Ye Xi was steaming buns in the kitchen, the aroma of wheat filling the air.

“Having steamed buns tonight?”

Ye Xi, startled, smiled. “Steamed buns made with new flour, and also stir-fried bracken ferns with cured meat, a filling meal.”

Lin Jiangshan nodded, changing his muddy shoes and placing them under the eaves to dry. “What were you thinking about? You seemed lost in thought.”

Ye Xi went to lift the lid of the steamer, revealing the white, fluffy buns. He sprinkled some cold water on them and checked, they were ready.

“The price of grain in town has increased a lot, there might be a famine.”

Lin Jiangshan had anticipated this. “We and your brother’s family have grain stored from winter, don’t worry, we won’t starve. And we also have that cellar full of sweet potatoes and potatoes.”

Ye Xi nodded. “How are the seedlings in the fields?”

Lin Jiangshan broke a bun in half, added pickled vegetables and chili oil, and said, “The fields are dry, the riverbed is empty, we can’t even irrigate the fields, the villagers have been carrying water from the mountains, but it’s a long journey, and most of the water spills on the way, a lot of effort for little effect.”

Ye Xi asked, “What about my brother’s fishpond?”

The fishpond was the only source of water now, and he was worried the villagers would steal water.

Lin Jiangshan and Ye Shan had already thought of that, and Lin Jiangshan said, “We went to see the village chief this afternoon and discussed it with him, we’re willing to drain the pond early and sell the water to the villagers, at a low price, just enough to cover the loss from selling the fish early.”

They couldn’t guard the fishpond alone in this situation, it was better to discuss it with the village and even earn some money.

His husband and brother-in-law were always so thoughtful and capable, and Ye Xi was relieved.

After eating a bun, Lin Jiangshan said, “We only have enough grain to last until the summer harvest next year, I’m thinking of selling half of the sweet potatoes and potatoes in the cellar while the price is high, we can save a lot of money, enough to buy more land next year.”

Ye Xi naturally agreed, if they kept them all, they would sprout and rot eventually, a waste of food.

“You’re the one who built our family’s foundation, husband. You decided to plant sweet potatoes and potatoes on our new land, those high-yield crops, and you didn’t let us sell the winter wheat, that’s why we have enough food stored now, not only do we not have to worry about going hungry, but we can even sell half of it.”

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “When I married you, I promised I wouldn’t let you suffer or starve, I have to keep my promise.”

Ye Xi chewed on the soft and fluffy steamed bun, feeling content and secure, a full granary brought peace of mind.

After discussing with the village chief, they agreed to drain the Ye family’s fishpond two months early, using the water to irrigate the fields. Saving the crops was the priority now.

But they couldn’t let the Ye family suffer losses, so each family that needed water had to pay thirty wen to compensate them.

Having water for irrigation was a blessing, but although the Ye family’s fishpond was large and deep, the water was only enough for each family to irrigate once.

It would last for a while, maybe it would rain soon.

As it was getting dark, the village chief came and said that twenty or thirty families had paid for the water.

Ye Shan took the bag of copper coins and nodded. “Alright, I’ll listen to the village chief, we’ll choose a day to drain the pond.”

Village Chief Zhou gave them a few more instructions, he was also very worried. If the crops died from drought, they would still have to pay the imperial tax, and if the villagers couldn’t pay the tax in grain, the government would collect it in silver, and there would be penalties, and he, as the village chief, would be questioned.

The water would bring in over one or two taels of silver, not as much as the fish would be worth after the autumn harvest, but at this time, they couldn’t be concerned about that anymore, it was a good deed for the villagers, and everyone would remember their kindness.

They quickly chose a day to drain the fishpond.

Ye Shan and Lin Jiangshan watched as the water flowed out of the pond through the opening, using bamboo strips to block the opening and prevent the fish from escaping.

“The fish are quite big, I just saw a few jump, their tails are broad,” Lin Jiangshan said, holding a rake.

Ye Shan smiled. “I fed them well, grass, wheat bran, corn kernels, every day. Although we’re draining the pond two months early, they’re still quite big.”

Lin Jiangshan said, “With the drought, prices have increased, and fish are four or five wen more expensive than usual, Brother Ye, you’ll definitely make a profit from this fishpond.”

Ye Shan knew he would earn a good amount this year, he had just hoped to break even for the first year, but with the drought, they would be making a profit.

“Yes, after selling the fish, I’ll buy a silver lock for my son and a pair of silver earrings for your sister-in-law!” He was always thinking about his wife and child.

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “I’ll sell the sweet potatoes and potatoes in the cellar and buy a silver hairpin for my husband, it will look good on him.”

The two doting husbands stood by the fishpond, smiling, their teeth gleaming white.

It took two days to drain the fishpond completely, revealing the mud at the bottom and the stranded fish, still alive and plump.

The Ye family’s fishpond was the only one in Shanxiu Village, and the villagers, who rarely ate fish, usually bought it from town. With the drought this year, the price of fish in town had increased, and they were reluctant to make the trip, so when the Ye family drained their pond today, everyone came with basins and baskets to buy fresh fish, cheaper than in town, a bustling scene, even more lively than the New Year’s market.

They greeted each other as they waited.

“Are you here to buy fish too?”

“Yes, my family hasn’t had fish in months, and the price of pork has increased, it’s not worth it, I might as well buy a few fish, pickle them, and they’ll last for half a year, good for stir-frying or soup, and if we add more salt, they’ll last even longer.”

“I bought five, look, they’re still alive, and they’re so fatty, my husband loves them.”

“I heard it’s cheaper than in town? That’s why I came. Life is hard this year, we have to be frugal, who knows what will happen in the second half of the year.”

“Seven wen per catty, two wen more expensive than earlier this year, but everything is expensive now, fish is eight wen in town, saving one wen is still good. With this drought, if we don’t buy some now, there won’t be any fish later.”

“The Ye family is being generous with the price, we save some money, and they save the effort of transporting them to town, it’s convenient for everyone.”

“I’m going to buy fish, my daughter-in-law needs crucian carp soup to help with her milk production.”

People kept coming to buy fish, and the Ye family worked tirelessly until nightfall.

Exhausted after a long day of work, their legs were weak, but their hearts were full.

They were too tired to cook a proper dinner, so Ye Xi simply steamed some sweet potatoes and roasted a few ciba and ate them with chili sauce.

The family gathered in the main room, poured the money they earned today onto the table, and checked the account book.

The piles of copper coins made Father Ye and Liu Xiufeng smile, forgetting their exhaustion.

Li Ran played with the baby, dangling a string of cash in front of him.

Ye Xi carefully checked the account book. “We harvested over fifteen hundred fish today, about three hundred dead ones, which we sold for four wen per catty, and the live ones for seven wen, a total of seven taels and eighty wen.”

Ye Shan said happily, “I estimated about six taels, but it’s almost eight, more than we expected!”

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “Brother Ye, your hard work paid off, the fish are healthy and plump, naturally, they sold for a good price.”

Liu Xiufeng and Father Ye were also overjoyed, their annual income from farming was only about two taels of silver, and now, the fishpond had not only paid for itself but also brought in so much profit. Their family’s fortune was growing.

Liu Xiufeng smiled. “We bought over five acres of land for the fishpond this year, and Xi-ge’er’s family also bought land and a cow, and now we’ve earned almost eight taels, we can buy another paddy field next year.”

Ye Xi said happily, “This is all thanks to Brother and Sister-in-law, their hard work and planning, they bought the fishpond, and our life is improving.”

Ye Shan took out two taels of silver and handed them to Lin Jiangshan. “You lent us the money for the fish fry, and now, after selling the fish and the water, we have over eight taels, enough to repay you. Our families are doing better and better because we support each other.”

Lin Jiangshan didn’t refuse, took the money, and smiled. “It’s all thanks to Brother marrying such a capable and virtuous wife, you’ve built a good life for your family, not only a new baby, but also more land next year, we’re all doing well.”

Li Ran, holding the baby, her face flushed, smiled and said, “Brother-in-law is so sweet-talking, always praising me. Xi-ge’er is just as capable, managing the household so well, and you’ll be having a baby by the end of the year!”

Lin Jiangshan looked at his husband, his gentle eyes, his slightly rounded belly, yes, his husband was carrying his child, they had a home, land, and more food than they could eat!

Under the warm lamplight, the family enjoyed the joy of a bountiful harvest.