Chapter 689 Entering Dongchang
The Chen family merchant ship quickly passed through Xuzhou, passed Pei County on the way, continued to sail north, and soon arrived at Luqiao Post in Shandong, and then stopped in Jining to load and unload cargo.
The Chen family merchant ship set out from Guangzhou, loaded with local specialty goods.
They sold goods as they went along, going in and out. Whenever they arrived at a prosperous commercial city or dock, the Chen family would trade goods and earn the difference.
Of course, the most valuable goods will only be sold in the largest cities.
The main target of the Chen family merchant ships is still the capital.
Chen Dongling told Sun Shan that they had bought a lot of new and good things from overseas, and when they arrived in Beijing, they sold them to dignitaries, which was their main profit.
As for how much money is earned, it is a commercial secret and I cannot disclose it.
Sun Shan had great admiration for this kind of big businessman who traveled far and wide.
Although there is always fraud in business, doing so also involves great risks, demonstrating that wealth and fame can only be achieved through risk.
Because the Chen family had connections in the imperial court, it was relatively easy for them to do business. In addition, Chen Dongling had a quick mind and was good at identifying goods, so the wealth he had accumulated over the years continued to rise.
Sun Shan could only envy this but did not dare to get involved.
It’s nothing, it’s just my personality.
He is not the kind of person who is good at speaking and is not suitable for doing business.
Sun Shan was good at coaxing people he knew, but not outsiders.
It is better to quietly pick up your books, take the imperial examinations, and quietly become an official. It would be best if you are an official in a remote place and do practical work quietly.
But it is too early to say these things now. When it comes to being an official, there is not even a stroke of the cross.
Jining Prefecture was a prefecture (county) under Yanzhou Prefecture.
Speaking of this, there is a story.
At first, Jining Prefecture was a prefecture that governed Yanzhou.
Since one of the previous emperor's sons was granted fiefdom in Yanzhou, Yanzhou became a prefecture and Jining became a state (county).
Such changes not only led to a major adjustment of the counties under the jurisdiction of prefectures and states, but also the "identities" of Yanzhou and Jining were "exchanged", and their jurisdictional relationship was completely reversed.
Even though Jining prospered because of the canal and its importance was higher than Yanzhou, its political status had not changed because the vassal king was in Yanzhou.
Sun Shan believed that the people of Jining must be very angry. They were clearly the boss and had the best economy, but due to political factors, they had to become the second in command and were even governed by the former second in command. It was really unfair.
Speaking of entering Shandong, Sun Shan thought of Lord Wei.
I knew the goodness of Lord Wei when I was young, and now I understand Lord Wei’s goodness even better.
It’s a pity that Lord Wei had to retire and return home due to his age and had to leave Huangyang County, and was replaced by a corrupt official, Lord Tang.
Every time he thought of this, Sun Shan could only sigh.
Sun Shan thought that he would have a chance to visit Lord Wei after the imperial examination.
“There is heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below, and after Jining, you will reach Dongchang.”
After passing Jining, you will arrive at Dongchangfu, known as the "Phoenix City".
Brother Chen San and his group went out to play with their friends, leaving Sun Shan alone in the yard, looking at the world from a well.
Before leaving, he said: "Ashan is the water city and canal capital of Jiangbei. If you don't go and take a look, you will be sorry for the hard work along the way."
He Shujun said with a smile: "Ashan, if you want to eat anything, I will bring it back for you. I heard that the smoked chicken in Dongchang is good."
After saying that, he smacked his lips and drooled.
Before Sun Shan could say anything, Gui Ge'er immediately stood up and said, "Brother-in-law, my brother Shan is not used to eating outside food, so he doesn't need it."
Everyone looked at Sun Shan helplessly, then at Gui Ge'er.
This is the case where the maid is older than the mistress.
Ashan is not good enough, he is too weak.
Sun Shan pursed his lips and shook his head helplessly.
But Gui Ge'er had the "imperial edict" in his possession and his family was backed by the Empress Dowager, so how could Sun Shan dare to say no?
After everyone left, Gui Ge'er took Sun Dingnan out to buy food and came back soon.
Gui Ge'er complained, "Brother Shan, the rice here is so expensive, much more expensive than in our hometown."
When Gui Ge'er went out to buy something, Sun Shan asked Sun Dingnan to write it down, and Sun Shan then wrote it in his diary.
He smiled and said, "A lot of people eat noodles here, so it's normal that rice is expensive."
Gui Ge'er suggested: "Brother Shan, noodles are cheap, how about I make you steamed buns?"
Every penny saved counts. Although Shan Ge is no longer a poor man, he still needs to maintain the good quality of diligence and thrift.
Save the money and leave it for your children and grandchildren.
Sun Shan looked at Gui Ge'er in confusion: "Gui Ge'er, you can make steamed buns? How come I don't know this?"
Huang and Su had also made steamed buns before, but the buns they made were like stones, the kind that could kill someone if thrown down.
I don’t know how they made it, but being able to make such hard buns is a unique skill.
Gui Ge'er said confidently: "Brother Shan, I can cook anything. My cooking skills are so good that I can be a chef."
Sun Shan didn't believe it, and then said, "No need to do it, I don't like eating steamed buns."
Sun Shan really didn't like eating steamed buns. After eating them he felt like he hadn't eaten a meal.
For a person like him who thought not eating rice for a day was like not having eaten for a day, he firmly opposed Guiger making steamed buns.
What's more, Sun Shan didn't believe in Gui Ge'er's cooking skills. Even though the food he made was so unpalatable, he had to eat it.
Sun Dingnan and Sun Dali stood on Sun Shan's side this time and said quickly, "Gui Ge'er, don't make steamed buns. We don't eat steamed buns. They are not delicious."
Gui Ge'er had no choice but to go to cook in a dejected manner.
Rice is expensive in Lu, and Gui Ge'er felt heart bleeding while doing it.
Then he thought about it and made a pot of rice for himself and Sun Shan, and another pot of porridge for Sun Dali and Sun Dingnan.
This will save a lot of copper.
Hehe, it’s normal for Sun Shan to eat rice, so why does Guiger also eat rice? It’s because he wants to try it.
Hehe, Sun Dali and Sun Dingnan don’t work, so just eat porridge. If that’s not enough, just add a few chopsticks of pickles.
After dinner, Brother Chen San and others came back, and it seemed that they had a great time.
Fellow villager Lu Yuming also brought back local Dongchang gourd carvings for Sun Shan.
Seeing the exquisite carving craftsmanship, Sun Shan couldn't help but praise it: "I heard that Dongchang is rich in gourds, but I didn't expect that gourd carvings can be so exquisite. The materials are exquisite, the carving is skillful, the lines are smooth, the patterns are rich, and the workmanship is excellent. Not bad, not bad. If this is not an imperial examination but a trip, I can bring it back as a gift."
Lu Yuming smiled and said, "I saw that many of the cargo ships at the dock were loaded with gourds, and many of them were exquisitely crafted, so I brought one back for you."
Sun Shan quickly expressed his gratitude.
Gourd, which sounds like “Fu Lu” in Chinese, symbolizes auspiciousness and happiness.
Dongchang people not only use gourds, but also love to appreciate them.
The materials used for Dongchang gourd carving are mainly "big gourd", "waist gourd" and "flat round gourd".
"Big gourd" is used to carve figures and landscapes.
"Yayao gourd" is mostly used to carve flowers, birds, fish, insects and animals.
The "flat round gourd" is usually dyed red, carved with patterns or hollowed out to hold katydids or crickets.
"Buying gourds from all over the world and selling gourds from all over the world" is one of the most important industries in Dongchang.