Chapter 399: Opening a Fish Pond

Chapter 399: Opening a Fish Pond
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
So, Jiang Xia came up with an idea to let Xiao Wu take on the contract for the fish pond, with Jiang Chuan providing the funding.
As the saying goes, ‘the rich lead the way to wealth for others.’ Once Xiao Wu made money, he could also help others in the village prosper.
Apart from this, Jiang Chuan also thought that they should not just focus on the fish pond. They needed to develop a breeding farm and a medicinal herb field as well.
He still remembered the old scholar’s words; not just Pushan Village, but this entire era needed a medicinal herb field.
Jiang Chuan thought of Qin Ming, who had experience raising chickens and ducks. Starting a breeding farm would not be difficult for him. Now, with just some livestock, Qin Ming alone could make the farm thrive, and when the time came to hire workers, it would also provide employment opportunities for Pushan Village.
After discussing with her father, Jiang Xia immediately put this plan into action. They approached Xiao Wu to inquire if he was interested in starting a fish pond.
Xiao Wu was initially stunned by the proposal and hesitantly said, “Brother Jiang, it’s not that I’m unwilling, but as you know, we’ve just had a few rains. Although there’s some standing water, it’s hard to guarantee it won’t dry up again in a few days. If we stock the pond with fry and it dries up again, it will all go to waste!”
Jiang Chuan responded, “I have concerns about this too, so initially I don’t plan to have you buy a lot of fry, but rather mature fish that can reproduce. This way, even if a drought happens again, these fish can be sold in time, avoiding major losses. And since this was my idea, I’ll rent the fish pond as an investment.”
Xiao Wu, not understanding, asked, “Brother Jiang, what do you mean by ‘investment’?”
Jiang Chuan explained, “It means you have to share a part of your earnings with me.”
Xiao Wu generously replied, “Sharing money? That’s no big deal. If you want, half the money is yours, or you can take it all!”
Jiang Chuan hastily said, “How can I take it all? You’re putting in the labor, and earning money is your main goal. Besides, I trust your character. If you can become one of the first in the village to prosper, you’ll surely drive the development of the village.”
Xiao Wu said, “You flatter me, Brother Jiang. The idea is feasible, but where will these fish come from?”
Jiang Xia immediately interjected, “Uncle Xiao Wu, don’t worry. We came to you because we found where the fish are, which is why we’re discussing this with you.”
Xiao Wu asked, “Where are the fish?”
Jiang Xia explained, “When we went up the mountain these past few days, we found that the snow had melted and the stream’s water level was rising. Many fish, many of them mature, were gathering in the stream, enough to support a fish pond.”
Jiang Chuan added, “This winter, our family made some money by selling pickles, and I’ve been doing business in town. We’ve saved up some money and can allocate a part of it to help you start the fish pond. Our initial plan is to introduce a hundred fish into the pond. Your wife is busy taking care of your child and can’t spare the effort, so you can hire someone to help you. My suggestion is to ask Xiao Li.”
After saying this, Jiang Chuan paused and added, “But Xiao Li also made some money selling pickles this winter, so I’m not sure if he wants to join you in starting the fish pond or has other plans.”
Xiao Wu thought for a moment, “Let’s go ask him first.”
Xiao Wu and Jiang Chuan then went to find Xiao Li, who had collaborated with Zhou Lan to sell pickles over the winter, exchanging them for various goods and coal.
That winter, after the first snowfall about a month and a half later, there was a heavy snowstorm. The crops were covered in thick snow, making it one of the coldest winters in recent years.
Xiao Li seized the opportunity to sell all the charcoal he had and made a tidy sum of money. However, he himself endured the cold at home, and after suffering for three days, he caught a cold. If not for being timely discovered by Jiang Chuan and Zhou Lan, he might have frozen to death this winter.
After hearing the plan from Jiang Chuan and Xiao Wu, Xiao Li was somewhat troubled.
He said, “Brother Jiang, I of course understand that this is for the good of the villagers and can also promote the development of our village. I really hope to join in, but as you know, I don’t have much money at hand right now. I have an idea to open a supply and marketing cooperative in our village, so that the villagers won’t have to travel all the way to the town to exchange grain. It would be convenient for everyone. But I really don’t have the extra money or energy to help Xiao Wu..”