The next day, the two woke up early.
Kang He held Fan Jing close, the bedding on the bed was light, but it was warm under the covers, lying there made one reluctant to get up.
Fan Jing urged Kang He to get up; if all went well, they could finish their business today and return.
Kang He said seriously, “We still have to stay one more night at least. Even if things go quickly today, it can’t be settled in just an hour or two. If we leave in the afternoon, we’d have to travel at night.”
Fan Jing was momentarily speechless.
To return, they had no choice but to set off early. Besides, people needed to be more cautious outside. The route was unfamiliar—not like returning from the county to the village, where traveling at night was normal.
Over the years, Fan Jing felt he was more cautious than before—not because his courage had diminished, but because he thought more about home and Dafu, and had become more careful in his actions.
“Even if we don’t leave today, we have to get up early.”
Since they had important matters to attend to, Kang He didn’t stall any longer. After lying in bed a while longer, he finally got up.
After washing up inside the room, the two went downstairs for breakfast.
They ate four meat buns, some salted duck with porridge, and two plates of fragrant stir-fried vegetables.
The buns were decent, the vegetables flavorful, but the salted duck wasn’t as good as the homemade kind they were used to.
After breakfast, Kang He first paid for another day’s lodging at the inn, spent two copper coins, and asked the clerk for an address.
The clerk pointed the way, and Kang He nodded, but instead of rushing straight to that place, he first went to the aquatic fish market in Fang County.
Fang County was truly as Old Meng had described—abundant in aquatic products. Even before entering the market, along the street, there were many fishermen selling their catch.
The perch sold in their county was expensive, but here it was at a common price.
Entering the fish market, there were rows of red tanks—large round containers holding aquatic produce—and many fishmongers gathered, offering a full variety.
This was what a fish market should be like, unlike in their Luán County, where three or five stalls clustered together were just called a fish market.
The two were dazzled, seeing all kinds of freshwater fish: green shrimp, crabs, frogs, softshell turtles, eels, loaches… and more.
The eels were thick and snake-like, and the loaches plump like fish.
There were many buyers at the market; once the fish or shrimp flipped over, their price would drop by nearly half.
Wealthier households sought fresh, lively produce and were willing to pay premium prices, while ordinary families who lived frugally preferred to buy cheaper produce that was just about to die.
Kang He inquired with several fishermen about prices for aquatic seedlings, roughly got a sense of the market, and then accompanied Fan Jing to find Old Meng’s cousin.
Old Meng’s cousin was surnamed Liu, named Liu Yuliang, living in a small alley on the edge of the county town.
“Ah, please come inside quickly. My brother Meng just wrote me a letter recently, saying he missed you, and what a coincidence that you’ve come now.”
Kang He and Fan Jing followed the directions, knocked on the door, and after the person inside heard their background, invited them in immediately.
They were polite, brought out stools and tea, and even offered fruit.
“We came in a hurry and didn’t bring any proper gifts—only some homemade produce and snacks from home. I hope Old Liu won’t mind.”
Seeing how warmly the Liu family treated them, Kang He and Fan Jing presented their gifts as well.
Since they had come to ask for help, the family had prepared two hams, a large box of dried smoked goods, and two jars of rapeseed oil in advance.
Liu was embarrassed by the many gifts and kept saying it was too polite.
When he heard that Kang He and Fan Jing wanted to raise softshell turtles and frogs and needed seedlings, he said he could help find some.
“My second son manages a pond for someone outside and knows many fishermen and fishmongers. He can usually find various seedlings on the market. The fish seedlings at my brother Meng’s house were found by him,” Liu said.
“But he’s working outside now and doesn’t know you’ve come. He’ll be back around noon; I’ll tell him, and if there’s something suitable, he’ll take you to have a look.”
Kang He and Fan Jing said they would come to Liu’s house in the afternoon; since they were asking for help, it was improper to eat at someone else’s house.
Liu insisted on keeping them for a meal, calling his wife to prepare several good dishes and sending his daughter out to buy fermented rice fish from a restaurant as a treat.
Kang He saw they wouldn’t take no for an answer and, appreciating their sincerity, stayed for lunch while waiting for Liu’s second son.
After chatting for a while, Liu saw it was getting late and went out to call his son from the ponds.
Usually, Liu’s second son would not return at noon unless specifically told to.
Liu found his son in a vast pond outside town.
When he arrived, Liu’s son was half-submerged in the pond, using a rake to dredge mud from the owner’s fish pond. From a distance, it looked chilling.
“My old man, even if you hadn’t come to call me, I would have gone home to eat.”
Seeing his father come to call him, he didn’t ask why but was secretly annoyed.
Liu asked, “What’s going on?”
Liu’s second son, like many laborers, ate simple meals: radish stew with cabbage, rarely a dish, and never willing to use much oil.
“That’s one thing, but the cooking is so poor, there are either hairs or big stones in the soup. Yesterday, I nearly broke a tooth.”
“We work hard outside but don’t get enough to eat. When the owner sees us working slowly, he scolds us hard.”
Liu’s second son threw some mud on the ground with his rake and complained bitterly to his father.
Liu was shocked to hear the poor meals from the owner were worse than home and felt sorry for his son.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? If the owner’s home is that harsh, shouldn’t you at least get a good meal once in a few days?”
“My goodness, no. Yesterday, the kitchen staff fought with the owner after learning he lost money on a deal and was tightening the belt. When the cook went to buy supplies, the owner barely gave him money, and the cooks cursed him.”
“My son says the owner deliberately treats people poorly so that we won’t endure and will quit, either going out to open our own kitchens or going home to eat, saving the owner meal expenses. He even threatened to stop feeding us.”
“Just this morning, after eight years of work, the seventh cook resigned. Despite years of friendship and even two bonus payments, the owner didn’t say a word to keep him. It’s heartbreaking to watch.”
Liu’s son ranted as he continued dredging mud.
Liu shook his head, “Son, luckily you stick with managing the ponds and buying and selling fish and shrimp.”
He then asked, “Your uncle Meng in Luán County said two fellow villagers came to buy seedlings. We had them for lunch here; should I introduce them to the owner now?”
Liu’s son spat and said, “I’m a fool to introduce anyone to that guy. Every time I bring him business, he rewards me only when he’s happy; when he’s not, I get nothing and am blamed for not bringing enough buyers.”
“I’ll just buy from elsewhere and not bring him any more business. The less he gets, the better!”
The two father and son chatted outside for a while. Near noon, they headed home.
Upon entering, Liu’s son quickly composed himself and listened as his father spoke of the guests and their gifts. Though the owner was unpleasant, he didn’t show it to their guests.
“If I’d known guests were coming today, I’d have come back last night.”
Liu’s son warmly greeted Kang He and Fan Jing.
“It’s our fault for not notifying you beforehand and causing trouble.”
Kang He noticed Liu’s son resembled his father with a large face but was sunburned and weathered from working outdoors, despite the approaching winter.
“No trouble at all. We’re happy to have guests.”
“I’ll take you to look at the seedlings this afternoon.”
Kang He thought Liu’s father meant Liu’s son was busy with work and worried about delaying his tasks, so he said later was fine.
But Liu’s son waved him off, “I’ve been working non-stop for two months and wanted a break anyway. Having guests is a good excuse to ask the owner for time off; otherwise, it’s hard to get permission.”
After lunch, Liu’s son led Kang He and Fan Jing out of town toward the countryside.
He told them that the city had few seedlings, mostly fish fry, while the ones they wanted were mostly found in the villages.
The villages beneath Fang County all followed the river; the terrain was quite flat, and ponds were indeed plentiful—one village next to another.
Liu’s son took them to visit three families in different villages that had the seedlings they wanted.
The sellers spoke extravagantly, but Liu was blunt: “Don’t bother with nonsense. If you don’t like the seedlings, I wouldn’t have brought relatives here to see them. Just say your price, and we’ll see if it’s acceptable.”
“Brother Liu, you brought relatives here to look at my place, so I won’t beat around the bush. I’ll be honest: for a softshell turtle weighing around three taels, five copper coins each; a larger one over three taels, eight copper coins. Is that acceptable?”
Liu replied, “My relatives came from another county and spent a lot getting here. You should give a better price.”
“That’s already close to the skin price. Outsiders might be fooled, but you, Brother Liu? I won’t fool you.”
Liu waved his hand, “Fine, I’ll let my relatives think it over and decide. One mu of pond needs at least a hundred softshell turtles. It’s not a small sum; no rushing.”
“Of course. I only consider our family; other places really don’t have such prices.”
Kang He, usually talkative, grew quieter on unfamiliar ground, mostly letting Liu negotiate.
He listened with Fan Jing and examined the seedlings.
Honestly, it was their first time handling such a business, and they weren’t familiar with it, though they had wandered around the city in the morning.
Seedlings were indeed better in the countryside than the city. The price for softshell turtles under three taels ranged from seven to ten copper coins each.
Kang He intended to buy a large number—not just a few—so even with higher prices, it was reasonable.
Compared with that, the seedlings Liu’s son showed them were good quality at good prices.
“The three families quoted similar prices, the highest about a copper coin more, the lowest no less than five copper coins. When raised large, a single softshell turtle in our county sells for tens of copper coins; in Luán County, it could be near a hundred.”
Kang He said, “That’s normal. It’s hard to buy many because people usually catch three or so from fish ponds to sell as a rarity. When prices are high, they can go for over a hundred copper coins.”
Liu’s son said to Kang He, “Uncle Meng said you took over his pond and are raising aquatic animals for the first time. If I may advise, start with one species first. If it goes well, add more later. If not, losses won’t be too severe.”
“Aquatic animals aren’t like chickens or ducks on land; anyone in the countryside can raise one kind.”
“Liu brother speaks honestly. I’ve opened my eyes coming here, and we have similar plans.”
Kang He said, “My husband and I decided to try raising softshell turtles first. But we won’t get seedlings immediately; we want to find the right family first, then wait until spring when the weather warms to stock the ponds.”
“That’s the right approach. Good talk.”
After half a day, Kang He selected a family surnamed Bai for seedlings, ordering 800 softshell turtles under three taels and 200 larger ones over three taels.
The total was nearly six guan qian.
The seedlings weren’t expensive, but there would be losses in transit and other costs. The whole trip cost quite a bit.
More importantly, they didn’t know how many would grow large; what seemed inexpensive at first was not cheap in reality.
Raising them was a matter for later; for now, this task was settled.
In the evening, Kang He and Fan Jing invited Liu’s son for a meal.
Since he was busy attending to things, it would have been rude not to thank him properly.
They thought that since the inn managed three meals, and they’d already wasted a meal at noon with expensive dishes, it would be a shame not to eat dinner there.
So they invited Liu’s son to the inn to eat, which only meant one extra meal charge—much cheaper than dining elsewhere.
Besides, the Longting Inn was quite famous in the county, making the invitation more dignified.
Liu’s son was happy to hear they stayed at the Longting Inn and invited him out to eat.
He was straightforward and said that although he had heard of the Longting Inn in Fang County, he’d never had the chance to visit. Today he was fortunate.
Kang He didn’t want to show off, saying he was new and didn’t know the quality of inns in town. He pointed to one nearby, having heard it was a good place for stopping horses.
When requesting a room, he discovered it was expensive but had no choice and stayed.
Liu’s son laughed, saying Kang He was too timid.
At the inn, Kang He ordered two signature dishes and a few vegetable dishes. Fan Jing ordered a bowl of boiled green shrimp since he had enjoyed them the previous night.
The shrimp from Fang County were plump and fresh, their flavor clean and sweet.
When it was Liu’s turn to order, he was polite and not wanting to disappoint, so he asked for a plate of marinated duck pieces.
With the evening’s affairs concluded, Kang He felt relieved and opened a bottle of good wine.
After several cups, conversation became livelier.
Fan Jing didn’t drink and spoke little, instead peeling shrimp and listening. Occasionally, he peeled a large shrimp and placed it on Kang He’s plate.
“Brother Liu, you’re capable. If you didn’t already have work, I’d shamelessly ask you to come to my place to help manage the pond,” Kang He said, raising a toast.
Liu replied, “I don’t have the skills to take care of it. Once the seedlings are settled, we’d still need to ask someone skilled.”
Liu didn’t drink much; normally he drank weak wine. Two bowls of strong liquor at the inn reddened his cheeks further.
Hearing Kang He, he laughed and asked, “If I came to your place to manage the pond, how much would you pay me?”
Kang He laughed, “Brother Liu is a capable man; how could I treat you badly? You say how much you want, and that’s what you get!”
Liu didn’t know Kang He’s family background; Old Meng hadn’t gone into details in his letters.
Judging by appearances, Liu thought Kang He and Fan Jing didn’t seem wealthy. Their clothes were plain but their builds were good—looking like tough men not easily bullied.
After some drinks, they treated it all as joking.
Liu said, “The owner I’m with now fooled me. He promised a steady monthly wage, but after I started, he found excuses to withhold pay, so I only get seven or eight hundred copper coins a month.”
“If I went to Brother Kang’s place, I’d ask for a thousand two hundred copper coins. If he deducts anything, I’d still get a thousand.”
Kang He laughed, “No good daughter-in-law, and he still fooled you in. Looks like Brother Liu has a soft spot. Once you get married, it’ll be different.”
They laughed and clinked glasses.
After dinner, Kang He and Fan Jing walked Liu’s son home as he was somewhat tipsy.
Once Liu entered his alley, Kang He and Fan Jing watched him go inside before returning to the inn.
After washing up, Kang He still felt the buzz of the wine. Lying in bed with Fan Jing, he said, “Two guan qian for the inn—yesterday was worth it. Today we’re doing nothing but sleeping and resting, and I still feel a bit cheated.”
Fan Jing gave Kang He some warm water for his dry mouth and said, “It’s an easy task. You can get up and repeat yesterday’s work.”
Hearing this, Kang He leaned close to Fan Jing’s ear and said, “I think you’re a bit bad, tricking me when I’m drunk, saying those words to provoke me.”
Fan Jing smiled, pushed him back onto the bed, pulled the covers over him, and said, “Go to sleep quickly. Tomorrow we have to get up early and hit the road.”
Kang He reached out and pulled Fan Jing onto the bed. Lifting his head to rest on Fan Jing’s shoulder, he said, “I’m listening to you.”