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Chen Feng realized that with such a large quantity, and given the underdeveloped transportation in ancient times, securing a market for the produce would be crucial for fetching a good price.
Fortunately, the six acres of watermelon would pave the way, as selling these high-quality melons to prosperous areas would attract merchants who would seek out the produce.
In particular, Dingzhou was the transportation hub of the Dachun Dynasty. The Great Canal on the city’s outskirts connected to the northern endpoint, the capital, and the southern endpoint, the vital city of Wu Cheng in Jiangnan, while also connected to the local mother river, Changfu River, in this time and space. Despite the apparent abundance of watermelons, once the market was established, the powerful purchasing power along the Great Canal would create a demand that couldn’t be met.
Old Zeng had already arranged for the rental of ox carts and donkey carts from two nearby villages. Additionally, including the ox cart borrowed from Tangyuan, there were a total of eight carts, which would be sufficient to transport the entire harvest. Except for a thousand catties earmarked for Chen’s Grain Shop, the rest would be delivered to Dingzhou’s Fengyunlai, which would then distribute them via the canal to distant destinations. Since the melons hadn’t hit the market yet, combined with their large size and sweetness, they were sure to fetch a good price, Zeng Shuang, who had conducted a market survey, should know the appropriate price.
Furthermore, she planned to pick forty melons for household consumption and gifting. Fengyuan, Luyuan, and Tangyuan would each receive several, while two each would be sent to Master Wuzhi, Abbess Liao Chen, and the Chen’s main branch, and one each would be sent to friends in the village. Chen Shiying’s family and the old Marquis’s residence in the capital would each receive five.
On the 20th, everyone, including Dabao, took a day off. Except for Chu Hanyan, who preferred solitude and remained in Fengyuan, the old Marquis, Chu Lingxuan, along with Chu Lingzhi and Dabao, observed the excitement in the watermelon fields adjacent to Fengyuan. Even Mr. Liao, the kids tutor was present. Many residents from the village, as well as tenants from Tangyuan, and the children of the manor and Tangyuan, had also come to witness the spectacle.
The old Marquis, beaming with delight, thought about the future planting of rice, wheat, and corn, all crops for which Master Wuzhi had provided the seeds. If they were as productive and tasty as these watermelons, it would be a blessing for the people of the Dachun Dynasty.
Previously, he had been hesitant about his daughter-in-law’s enthusiasm for running a trading business and managing the farmland. He felt that their family didn’t lack money and that such endeavors could invite ridicule. However, upon reflection, he realized that it wasn’t about money, it was about ensuring that the people were well-fed, a matter of great concern for the emperor. He was now wholeheartedly in support.
“She truly is a fortunate person. My daughter-in-law has made an excellent choice!” The old Marquis was pleased.
Not considering himself an outsider, the old Marquis also had two melons picked and cut into small pieces to treat the onlookers.
Dabao observed Chu Lingxuan standing under a distant tree. He didn’t engage with the old farmers and just stood there. Unlike the old Marquis and Mr. Liao, who mingled with the villagers, discussing the weather and harvests, Chu Lingxuan remained indifferent.
Dabao approached Chu Lingxuan with a slice of watermelon and handed it to him, saying, “Father, have some watermelon. It’s very sweet.”
Chu Lingxuan was taken aback but happily accepted the watermelon, taking a bite and replying, “Yes, it’s very sweet.”
Dabao didn’t leave but stood beside him, saying, “These watermelons are sure to fetch a good price, and our family will make a lot of money. Mother also said that when she soaked the watermelon seeds, I helped, and she will pay me ten taels of silver for my efforts. This will be my first earnings, and I want to buy gifts to show respect to Mother, Grandmother, Grandfather, and you, Father. What kind of gift do you like?”
Chu Lingxuan didn’t understand why Dabao suddenly showed him kindness or why he referred to ten taels of silver as a “first bucket of gold.” Nevertheless, seeing such a sensible and grateful child made Chu Lingxuan’s heart soften. As he looked into those clear, bright eyes, he saw slyness, eagerness to please, caution, innocence, and clarity.
If he had grown up in the grand estate, the last two expressions would never have appeared in his eyes. Although life in the countryside had been tough, and he had lived cautiously before, the kind-hearted Chen family had still allowed him to grow up happily.
Thinking back to when his grandfather had brought the incredible news, Chu Lingxuan was both surprised and delighted. He had initially feared that Chen Feng’s background might pose an obstacle and had considered various strategies to counter family objections, even thinking it unlikely that he would be able to settle down in the coming years. However, he hadn’t expected his grandfather to agree so readily. Later, he learned that his grandfather had discovered a startling secret while discussing the matter with the other person. Only the emperor and that person knew about it, deceiving everyone… This was a heaven-sent opportunity, and next year, he would be able to marry the woman he loved. Although his responsibilities would increase, he was willing to shoulder them—for loyalty to the emperor and for Feng.
Seeing that Chu Lingxuan didn’t respond to his question, Dabao’s expression darkened, and he nervously fiddled with his fingers, saying, “Father, do you not like the gift I want to give you? Although it’s not worth much, it’s a token of my filial piety to you.”
Chen Dabao’s words broke Chu Lingxuan’s reverie, and he quickly smiled, “Thank you, Dabao. I’m comforted to see that you’ve earned money and still want to show respect to me. If you want to give me a gift, how about a pen? Whenever I write, I’ll think of Dabao.”
Dabao nodded happily, saying, “Alright, I’ll buy a good pen in the county.”
At the end of May, the watermelons in Wangshan Village began to be harvested. Although these watermelons were slightly inferior in taste, they were still sweeter and larger than those grown by modern farmers.
In early June, after the watermelons from the six-acre plot were harvested, Chen Feng had the land prepared for planting autumn corn.
This time, the watermelons from the six-acre plot sold at a higher price due to their early market entry, large size, and sweetness, earning a total of 420 taels of silver. After deducting transportation costs of over 80 taels, mainly for shipping, there was a surplus of over 300 taels of silver.
On the other hand, the watermelons from Wangshan Village would sell at a slightly lower price, but due to the larger quantity, the earnings would be much higher, totaling nearly 2,000 taels of silver. However, the sales might not be as favorable next year, as other farmers using the same variety of watermelon seeds would saturate the market, causing prices to decline.
Dabao finally received the ten taels of silver that his mother had promised him for his efforts.
On the 10th of June, he planned to buy gifts to show respect to his elders in the county.
Apart from Chu Lingxuan’s input, he also sought the opinions of others. He planned to buy a carved pine wood hair comb for Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang and a set of teacups for Chen Ming. Later, he realized that it was also important to buy gifts for the old Marquis, Mr. Liao, and grandma Chen, so he decided to purchase pens for the former two and a comb for the latter.
As Chen Feng was unable to accompany him, Xue Dagui was tasked with taking him. Two guards from Tangyuan were also sent, conveniently allowing for the delivery of five watermelons to the Yang family. If they could also bring the two young siblings from the Yang family, it would be even better.
Around midday, Fengyuan received some unexpected guests: Chen Shiying arrived with his three children, Chen Yulan, Chen Yuqing, and Chen Yuxia.