Prodigal Son of the Ming Dynasty

  Chapter 456 Huge profits at sea

   A pot of whale oil is boiled out.

   Soon everyone discovered a serious problem.

   Not enough buckets of oil.

  The sailors didn't care, and took out their washbasins and footbaths, but it was still far from enough.

  In line with the principle of absolutely no waste.

   Sailors began to go around to borrow barrels.

   Fortunately, Ningbo people are grateful for Beiwowei.

This catastrophe was able to survive all because of the large yellow croaker prepared by the Japanese guards. Everyone knows that even if this large yellow croaker sells for ten or twenty yuan, it still does not worry about sales. Save people.

   Many people survived because of it.

  People have a simple concept, you have saved me, you have done me a kindness, I may not be able to repay this kindness, but it is trivial to borrow a bucket.

  Many people rushed to bring their own footbasins, washbasins, bathtubs and buckets. On this beach, there are countless basins piled up like mountains.

   A pot of oil weighed nearly 100,000 catties. After heating and cooling, it was put into a basin and gradually began to solidify.

  Tang Yin took a few spoonfuls of oil according to his teacher's method, plugged in the wick, and then ordered someone to take a fire pocket and light it.

  Wen Yansheng is still reluctant to leave. In his life, ever since this Japanese guard came, he has become more and more knowledgeable.

  I thought the oil was for food.

  I couldn't help salivating a little, but when I saw Tang Yin using it as wax, I couldn't help being disappointed in my heart, and swallowed the saliva back, don't waste it.

  The wick was kindled and gave a bright light.

  The light is much brighter than ordinary candlelight.

  Wen Yansheng is a scholar. Scholars love to read at night. Seeing the light, he was amused: "This light is quite bright."

The two had already returned to the water village. Three taels of whale oil were just lit, and the room was brightly lit. The two chatted for a while, Wen Yansheng couldn't help looking at the oil, and couldn't help taking a breath: "This whale oil has been lighted for so long, and there is almost no trace of wear and tear with the naked eye."

  Ordinary candles, one hour, probably one is gone, and this whale oil...

   "This is a treasure." Wen Yansheng beamed and said, "It's almost 100,000 catties of oil, but I don't know how many candles can be made, and it can last for so long. I am a scholar, and I want to be a scholar at night. With this thing, I can get twice the result with half the effort."

   Tang Yin was also shocked.

Lighting is an extremely extravagant thing in this era. Scholars only light candles at night. Ordinary people, how can they be willing to do so at night? On the one hand, candles are expensive; Not bright enough.

   Now with this whale oil, who would use that ordinary candle.

   "One giant fish can boil so much oil. If so, if you catch more, how much can you produce every year? This is really a good thing."

  Wen Yansheng praised.

Tang Yin was also very shocked. Based on this calculation, two taels of oil can burn for five hours, which is enough for ordinary people to use for four or five days. 100,000 catties of oil is nearly a million candles, and this is just a whale. If you catch more in January, even if the candles only sell for one or two pennies, it is a terrible figure.

  Of course, Beiwowei doesn’t have to make wax himself, he can just sell the whale oil directly. I’m afraid some people are willing to make wax on his behalf. After a year, he will make countless profits.

  Now Beiwawei only has one ship, what if there are more?

  …

  Noon.

  Wen Yansheng was already busy.

   A load of whale meat was delivered directly to the shed.

  His happy first ordered someone to boil a piece, put a little salt, and after eating it, it tasted fishy. Wen Yansheng shook his head, but this whale meat was not like fish meat, but had a bit...the chewiness of beef.

  The long follower on the side looked at the prefect.

Wen Yansheng wanted to say that it was similar to beef, and just about to open his mouth, he swallowed it cautiously. Although beef can be slaughtered as long as there is a document from the government, but because cattle are good helpers in farming, people do not like eating beef. More or less disgusted, I am a dignified parent official, it is better not to mention beef.

"The meat is tender and has tendons. The quality of the meat is good, but it has a fishy smell. It's a pity." He smiled. In fact... he really misses the beef he ate a few years ago. It is really worth remembering The taste is really good, but unfortunately, even for him, it is a luxury to eat beef. He continued: "But if it can hide the fishy smell, it must be a delicacy, how about it..."

After thinking for a while, he turned the chopsticks in his hand, and with a confident and calm face, he said slowly: "This meat will not be steamed or stewed in the future, but dry-fried. Put hot oil first, wait for the hot oil to boil, and then add peppercorns." , sauces, green onion and ginger, etc. Of course, only a small amount is added in moderation. If you add too much, it will lose its flavor. Fry one or two, then put it in the pot, and go try it.”

  The cooks in the huts are all labor labor, usually recruited by the government, either to carry sedan chairs for officials, or to help in the kitchen, or to clear the way for them, and if they are worse, they are hard labor. Therefore, working in the kitchen is actually the most leisurely, eating well, and only responsible for the three meals of the officials, which is comfortable, but being a cook in the magistrate's yamen is unavoidable.

  The magistrate has too many tricks, every now and then a new dish is added, and the words are clear and the tricks are refurbished, which makes the cook feel that his brain is not enough.

After the dry fried whale meat was cooked according to Wen Yansheng's method, Wen Yansheng took a taste of it with chopsticks, and immediately smiled: "This is a delicacy, it is tender and chewy, it is very refreshing, good, good, from now on French cooking."

Today, this dry fried whale meat is served with rice, and it tastes surprisingly good. I patted my belly comfortably and asked someone to pour a sip of fragrant tea: "In the future, everyone in Ningbo will have a good taste. Meat for three to five yuan a catty, Where can I find fish worth a penny and a catty?

   "Master, you said, if you caught such a big fish, if at this time, the master played and reported auspiciousness, wouldn't it be another great achievement?"

Wen Yansheng was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "This credit has nothing to do with the old man, it is someone else's credit, whether it is to repay auspiciousness or offer treasures, it is all written by Tang Xiu, the old man is only responsible for eating, this credit does not have to Go to Lan, he is a young man, different from the old man, the old man is getting old, the heart of fame and fortune has long faded, he can be an official, as a parent official, he will not be greedy or take possession, and he can barely do something for the people Lord, if you can change your pattern every day and eat so many delicacies from mountains and seas, you will be satisfied.

  Speaking happily, he hummed a little song.

  ...

  After learning that whale oil can be used to make candles, and that it is the best candle, almost all whale oil was quickly snapped up.

   The silver for selling meat and oil was as much as eight thousand taels at a time.

   What a terrifying number this is, it’s only a round trip.

  Tang Yin had never seen so much money, and he scared himself to death. He ordered the craftsmen to improve the fishing bows and crossbows for the giant fish this time.

  The rest of the silver is naturally rewarding officers and soldiers directly.

The sailors got the silver, all of them were smiling and more energetic, and they all cried out to go whaling. This time, everyone got seven or eight taels of silver, which was more lucrative than the reward for catching yellow croakers. How many more fish were caught in a month? , Dozens of taels of silver are in hand.

   These guys who are not afraid of death dare to do anything as long as they have money.

  Tang Yinze closed the door, compiled a memorial and a letter, together with the skeleton of the giant whale, ordered people to transport it quickly.

   To transport goods from Ningbo to the capital, if you first use a sea boat to take a section of the sea, send it to Hangzhou, and then send it to Beijing from the canal by Hangzhou water transport, if it is faster, you can arrive in more than 20 days.

  This Beiwawei has begun to gradually get on the right track.

  What is most lacking now is the ship. If there is no new ship, there is no way to expand the army, but it takes a lot of time to build the ship. This is what Tang Yin is most worried about.

  ...

  A defeat against the Japanese made the Ministry of War unable to hold its head up.

  Ma Wensheng has not been jumping around recently.

But at this time, His Royal Highness the Prince continued to play the memorial. Of course, this memorial was played together by Fang Jifan. Pat the case: "Yes, according to what the Sanbao **** wrote in the original letter."

   "What, do you still recognize the Sanbao eunuch?" Zhu Houzhao lay on the desk.

Fang Jifan despised him, and then remembered the words that Zheng He, the **** of Sanbao, wrote angrily when Emperor Renzong ascended the throne after the death of Emperor Wen and wanted to stop voyages to the West: "If you want the country to be rich and strong, you must not ignore the ocean. Wealth is taken from the sea, which is dangerous." It also comes from the sea... Once the king of another country wins the Western Ocean, China will be in danger. Our fleet is invincible, and we can use it to expand business and subdue foreign lands so that they dare not covet the Southern Ocean.”

   "Sanbao **** said these words?" Zhu Houzhao lay down on the copybook and began to copy.

  Fang Jifan said: "I said so."

"Oh."

Fang Jifan added another sentence: "On the ocean, there are countless fish. This is meat, and there is inexhaustible food. If fishing is carried out, it will not only relieve the embarrassment of the imperial court's lack of food, but also satisfy the people's desire for food. This kills two birds with one stone." .”

  Zhu Houzhao nodded again: "Very well said, but..."

  Zhu Houzhao stopped writing: "Old Fang, in order to **** the remaining ships from the Ministry of War to our Zhenguo Mansion, aren't we going to do everything we can, why don't I just ask my father for it?"

  Fang Jifan glanced at Zhu Houzhao with a half-smile.

  Zhu Houzhao felt that his self-esteem had been stimulated: "Why don't you come soon, I am the son of the emperor, my dear."

  Fang Jifan waved his hand: "I know that this is the biggest problem. Because he is his own son, His Highness can still live until now, otherwise..."

   "Otherwise what?"

  Fang Jifan raised his head and looked at Fang Liang: "Otherwise, you are not your majesty's son, and you have no brain problems. Although your majesty is generous, you may have died a hundred times. Your words are a bit straightforward, don't mind."

  (end of this chapter)