Starting with vegetable greenhouses in 1988

Chapter 46 Price Increase
Zhou Yongqiang neither fully believed nor questioned what Li Zhe said.

After the tractor entered Beijing, the road became much smoother. Li Zhe had gotten up early today but was feeling tired, so he closed his eyes to rest.

While the three weren't paying attention, Zhou Yongqiang lifted the quilt on the basket and saw that it was full of bright green cucumbers, with a fresh vegetable aroma.

"It really is a cucumber!" Zhou Yongqiang gasped, and his gaze toward Li Zhe and the others changed.

This guy is definitely a nouveau riche.

"Ahem..." Zhou Yongqiang took the initiative to speak, "Uncle Li, do you transport vegetables from the village to Beijing every day?"

“Vegetable production is still not up, and we’re only growing vegetables every other day.” These were the words of Li Zhe.

Zhou Yongqiang looked at Li Zhe, vaguely guessing that this was the one in charge. "Running around every other day must be tiring. Do you have a place to stay in Beijing?"

Li Zhe said, "I'm planning to rent a place, but I don't know anyone here and haven't found a suitable one yet."

“Brother Li, you’ve come to the right person. I know the Chongwenmen vegetable market area very well. I’ve been playing in that area since I was a kid. There’s not a single alley I don’t know. The people who have spare rooms there are all discerning. Without an introduction from an acquaintance, they won’t even let you take a look, let alone rent one.”

What kind of place are you looking to rent? I'll help you find out.

"Brother Zhou, thank you so much." Li Zhe had spent three days running around Beijing and personally experienced how difficult it was for out-of-towners without a job to find a place to stay. "I'm looking for a place near a vegetable market, with convenient transportation, and a house with two or three rooms, a kitchen, and a place to store vegetables."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye out for you. How will I let you know if there are any suitable ones?"

“I sell vegetables at stall number 3 in row 5 of the market. If I’m not here, please find someone named Sun Tao. We share a stall.”

"Alright, leave this to me. I guarantee you'll hear back in three to five days."

When the tractor reached the vicinity of Chongwenmen, the family of three got off. Zhou Yongqiang warmly invited Li Zhe to his home for lunch, but Li Zhe declined, citing his vegetable-selling duties.

After parking the tractor, the four men pushed the vegetables into the market. As soon as they reached the shed of their designated stall, they were surrounded by a group of stall owners.

"Uncle Li, you've finally arrived!"

"Hey, Brother Li is here today too."

"How many cucumbers did you pick today? Could you spare me twenty pounds?"

"I didn't get any last time, so I hope you can get some this time." Everyone chimed in, not giving Li Zhe a chance to speak.

Sun Tao pushed through the crowd, "Hey, what are you guys doing? At least let them unload the goods first, instead of blocking people in the aisle."

Sun Tao pushed aside several vendors to clear a path for Li Zhe and the others before carrying the cucumbers to the stall. When Li Zhe saw Sun Tao's mother there, he greeted her, "Auntie, you're here too."

Aunt Ma said, "I'm destined to run this stall. I feel restless if I don't come out every day."

Li Zhe lifted the quilt covering the basket, revealing lush green cucumbers. "Everyone, just tell me how many cucumbers you want, cash on delivery, no credit. We picked 150 jin today..."

Before Li Zhe could finish speaking, someone shouted, "I want twenty jin!"

"I'll take thirty jin."

Give me ten pounds.

Li Zhe gestured with his hands, "Everyone, I'm really sorry, the cucumbers have just ripened and the yield isn't that high yet. The yield will increase in a few days. Besides, I have to sell them myself, so I can only give you all eighty catties."

"Eighty pounds is too little, make it a little more."

"Yeah, with so many people, how can this be enough?" the vegetable vendor shouted again.

"One hundred jin, that's the most I can give." After saying that, Li Zhe distributed the vegetables to several vendors, giving each person about ten jin. "Everyone, I have something else to say. The weather is getting colder, and the cost of growing vegetables is also increasing. The vegetable growers are asking for price increases, and I can't sell at a loss, so I have to raise prices next time." As Li Zhe spoke, he kept a close eye on the crowd's reactions.

The vegetable vendors had different expressions, but they were all worldly-wise and did not immediately jump out to object.

After a while, Li Jinxia, ​​a market vendor, said, "Brother Li, we have no objection to you raising prices, but five yuan a pound is not cheap. If it goes any higher, we're afraid customers won't buy it."

Seeing someone speak up, others chimed in, "We're just making a living by running errands. If you raise the price, we'll not only not make money, we'll actually lose money."

"Yes, you eat meat, but you have to let us have some soup too."

Li Zhe didn't believe a word of their nonsense. If there was no profit to be made, why would they be so enthusiastic? Seeing him, they were happier than his own father. "Gentlemen," they said, "I understand you. Not only are you worried about losing money after raising prices, but I am too. But the chef wants to raise prices, and there's nothing I can do."

Actually, the chef was going to raise prices today, but I managed to keep it down. All I could do was inform everyone in advance: if you can make a profit, buy it; if not, that's fine too. We can still be friends even if we don't end up doing business together.”

Li Jinxia, ​​settling for second best, asked, "Brother Li, how much will it go up?"

The others also showed concern.

Li Zhe sighed, "I don't know either. It's up to the chefs. I'm just like you guys, earning a meager living through hard work."

That's all I have to say. Everyone, go ahead and get back to your work.

Sun Tao waved his hand, "Alright, everyone, let's go. Don't stand here and delay other people's business."

After everyone left, Li Zhe said to Sun Tao, who was standing next to him, "Brother Sun, how about we each take twenty-five jin?"

"Brother Li, thank you so much." Sun Tao bowed with his hands clasped. Although he had five pounds less than yesterday, he was still the first among the other stall owners.

"Brother Sun, I need your help with something."

"If you say so, I will definitely help if I can."

"I'd like to rent a place nearby. I've asked a friend to help me find one. That friend might come to the market to look for me. If I'm not there, could you please pass on a message?"

"No problem, it's just a matter of a word. Don't worry, even if I'm not here, my mother will be here, and the stall won't be empty." Sun Tao patted his chest to assure him, and then asked, "Brother Li, what kind of place do you want to rent? I know this area well, I can ask around for you."

Li Zhe stated his requirements for renting a room.

"Okay, I've got it. I'll take a stroll around the neighborhood when I have some free time tomorrow."

"Thank you for your trouble. I'll treat you to dinner once I find a suitable place."

“Brother Li, you’re being too polite. You’ve always been the one supporting my business, so if anyone’s going to treat me to a meal, it should be me.” After saying that, Sun Tao said with some difficulty, “Brother Li, could you give me a heads-up? How much will cucumbers go up next time? I’ll tell the customers in advance.”

"It's hard to say for sure. You have no idea how stubborn the old man who grows vegetables is," Li Zhe said, feigning difficulty. "All I can do is try to lower the price as much as possible. Sigh, I'm caught in the middle, it's tough for me too. Speaking of which, brother, give me a honest answer, how much can your customers accept?"

Li Zhe came to the vegetable market to sell cucumbers in order to find out the price of cucumbers in winter. These stall owners each have their own sales channels, making it easier for them to reflect the true price of cucumbers.

Sun Tao frowned; he couldn't figure out whether Li Zhe had grown the vegetables himself or harvested them.

But he knew that his answer would determine Li Zhe's attitude. After thinking for a while, he said, "Brother Li, let me be honest with you. Six yuan a pound is the limit I can accept. Any higher, I really don't dare to accept."

Li Zhe continued, "What price can you sell cucumbers for at the end of the year?"

"Cucumbers can still grow at the end of the year! It was much colder back then." Sun Tao looked surprised and swallowed hard. "Back then, cucumbers could sell for at least eight or nine yuan, maybe even more."

Li Zhe nodded. Sun Tao's words were close to his own speculation and had a certain degree of credibility. "Brother, I'll be honest with you. The price is uncertain, but I'll reserve thirty catties of cucumbers for you."

(End of this chapter)