Chapter 405

Qin Dasao was in a great mood, pointing at her own fruit trees and chattering nonstop.

"Before you go to the capital, haven't our several families' orchards all bloomed?"

"Gouwa comes every day after school to have a look, and he asks me, 'When will it bear fruit? What does the Pinpo fruit look like? What does it taste like? Sweet or sour, soft or hard?'"

"I said, 'How would I know? I haven't eaten or seen it either, just like him.'"

Gu Xixi laughed, "This is my fault; last year, after I finally remembered to write to An Qinghe, the Yunling Seedling Merchants Association's fruit had already been sold to the capital and various prefectural cities, leaving none locally."

Because in modern times, our country is the world's largest apple producer.

It's familiar to ordinary folks, to the point that sayings like "Apples are the most boring fruit" and "If there's any other fruit at home, we definitely won't eat apples" have arisen.

So Gu Xixi, out of habit, momentarily forgot to consider that these fruit-tree farming households themselves haven't even seen the Pinpo fruit yet.

In Qing Tian County, this isn't sold anywhere, and last year's planned autumn trip to Yunling County kept getting delayed, causing a hold-up.

As a result, she never even thought of having someone specially obtain a few Pinpo fruits for her.

"Autumn," Gu Xixi said, "we'll wait for this autumn's Pinpo fruit harvest in Yunling County."

"This time I've already told An Qinghe in advance to set aside two baskets of the best fruit to bring over."

"Then let Gouwa find the answers himself."

Qin Dasao, after all, isn't a child; besides being happy, she has another concern.

"Yunling County is so far away—how can its fruit possibly be sold elsewhere?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "The Yunling Seedling Merchants Association has been operating for years and has long since opened its own trade routes."

"Every year, as harvest season approaches, merchants come early to inspect the orchards."

"They decide the price based on that year's appearance and flavor."

Qin Dasao exclaimed in amazement, "Merchants coming to them voluntarily shows that this big household of the association is truly different from us small-time scattered growers."

Gu Xixi said, "That's natural; Yunling alone has over a hundred mu of Pinpo fruit orchards."

"They also run a fruit-seedling business; other places have nurseries specializing in raising fruit-tree saplings."

"The association's fruit trees have been sold to the capital for several years already."

Regarding agricultural industrialization, these Hu people of Yunling County are already far ahead of their time.

This is also one of the reasons Gu Xixi, after her on-site investigation, was willing to cooperate with them.

Qin Dasao and Lv Jing both broadened their horizons; they listened attentively and even took the initiative to ask questions.

Qin Dasao said, "Is the Pinpo fruit really that popular outside? How does it sell out so quickly?"

"And it's in big places like the capital and various prefectural cities!"

Qin Dasao has never ventured far; in her mind, people in those big places have seen many more good things.

She turned to Lv Jing and asked, "Have you ever eaten it?"

Lv Jing shook her head, "I've never even seen it."

Gu Xixi said, "The Pinpo fruit is still in a phase where supply falls short of demand."

"Rarity makes value; consequently, the chance to see it in the market is naturally very slim."

"Last year, Yunling's fruit was already fully pre-ordered by merchants before it even came off the trees."

She smiled at Qin Dasao and said, "The price is even higher than in previous years."

Qin Dasao exclaimed delightedly, "Really?"

"One doesn't need to worry about how to sell the goods, and can even fetch a high price."

"One can tell at a glance what a great deal this is."

Gu Xixi nodded, "Within our realm of Da Ye, aside from the Yunling Seedling Merchants Association's orchards, our Flower Pool Ford Village ranks second, and for now we have no rival in the trade."

"Actually, getting the fruit sold is quite easy."

"So our goal is premium quality—how to make the Pinpo fruit's appearance better and its taste superior."

"That way, while selling at a high price, we can spread the reputation of Flower Pool Ford Village's Pinpo fruit."

Lv Jing said, "I know about that reputation!"

Every year, each region selects the best items to present as tribute.

"Like tribute tea, tribute porcelain, tribute fruit, tribute silk, and so on."

"Whoever happens to be chosen gains great fame and rises rapidly."

"Not only does one gain the name and status of a merchant to the imperial court, but the price of one's own products also rises with the tide."

Qin Dasao's heart surged, "Tribute fruit? Is it meant for the imperial palace's ladies to eat?"

Lv Jing, in fact, only knew from hearsay, "The emperor, the consorts, the princes and princesses."

"It is also bestowed upon princes and princesses, meritorious officials, and the like."

Qin Dasao clicked her tongue in wonder.

Afterwards she excitedly asked, "Xixi, look—our fruit trees have all bloomed this year."

"Is there really no chance to bear fruit this year?"

Gu Xixi said, "There is still a chance."

"It blooms in the first year after grafting, showing that Yunling County's Pinpo fruit seedlings belong to an originally early-maturing type."

"After grafting, development is further promoted."

"But..."

Gu Xixi changed the tone of her speech and frankly said, "This year, the nutrients haven't yet been fully distributed throughout the whole tree."

"Sister-in-law, you also saw that the flowers bloomed sparsely this spring."

"Although I just saw some flower buds showing signs of fruiting, they may not necessarily grow successfully."

"Even if a few luckily manage to mature, their quality won't be very good."

Qin Dasao was not disappointed; instead, she was excited and elated, "This is a good thing!"

Gu Xixi was taken aback.

Qin Dasao said, "We all originally thought we'd have to wait three to five years,"

"Who would have thought this year we'd have a chance to bear fruit!"

"In the future, won't it get stronger year after year?"

Gu Xixi also laughed, "That makes sense."

Seeing hope, Qin Dasao seemed to have endless vigor.

"You're headed to Old Zhou's Home next—I'll go with you!"

"Regardless of whether we can eat our own fruit this year, we must go tell them this good news!"

Gu Xixi quickly stopped Qin Dasao, "We can go ourselves."

"You're not feeling well; you've been standing for so long, you should rest a bit."

Qin Dasao waved her hand boldly, "It's fine!"

"There's no elder to help at home; Gouwa's father has to go work in the fields, and when I gave birth to Gouwa I even fetched water and cooked by myself."

Gu Xixi wanted to speak but held back; unable to oppose Qin Dasao, she had to follow her closely.

"Take it slow, don't rush."

Lv Jing saw this and also supported Qin Dasao from the other side.

Qin Dasao thought Gu Xixi was just being overly nervous, and said, "You're an unmarried young lady, that's why you're so cautious."

"I've given birth before; I'm not as delicate as you imagine."

Gu Xixi laughed, "Being careful is never wrong."

We visited several orchards in turn.

Each household's intercropping pattern has already stabilized, no need to elaborate.

Pinpo fruit trees also grew extremely well.

Qin Dasao inevitably had to spread the good news she had just heard from Gu Xixi and Lv Jing to everyone.

After this trip, everyone's spirits were lifted.

On the way home in the evening, Gu Xixi felt a bit down.

Lv Jing thought for a moment and said, "Regarding the orchard matter, if you can say six or seven out of ten, you must already have nearly full confidence."

Next year it will bear fruit and show profit, already exceeding expectations.

Why are you still not happy?