Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

The tomatoes grown in the village are gradually ripening.

If you plant only a few, you worry that other people or children will pick them.

Now that every household grows it, they don't worry about this problem.

The tomatoes are ripe and ready to be picked and sold, so Zhang Jinhe is busy too.

The price of something that doesn't exist can be raised significantly.

The taste and other aspects are also good, and the wealthy people in Chang'an City still buy into it.

Soon, the first batch of tomatoes arrived in Chang'an.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Jinhe rushed to Xiao Ran's house immediately.

"Young master, tomatoes are selling for 100 coins a pound, and the supply can't keep up with the demand!" Zhang Jinhe exclaimed excitedly.

"So expensive?" Princess Yuzhang, standing beside her, was also surprised.

"It's normal for it to be expensive. It's rare now, and the tomatoes taste good too." Xiao Ran was also surprised. Although he knew that this kind of thing was rare, the price was indeed shocking.

Xiao Ran could never forget that a bushel of millet used to cost only three coins.

It cost five coins per dou when I bought it.

Tomatoes are not sold by the bushel, but by the pound.

I had already discussed it with the villagers, and they all agreed.

Zhang Jinhe helped sell them and took a 5% cut.

No matter how many are sold, it's the same.

It was also very troublesome for ordinary villagers to go to Chang'an to sell their goods.

Everyone accepts this commission rate.

Zhang Jinhe wasn't forcing anyone to buy it; they could choose to sell it themselves or sell it to someone else.

Empress Zhangsun and Empress Xiao, on the other side, also heard it.

"The arrival of the young master is a blessing for Kaolao Village. These tomatoes are worth much more than millet."

After listening, Empress Zhangsun smiled and nodded, "It's not just Kaolao Village that will benefit; many more people will benefit. It's a blessing for the Tang Dynasty."

Selling for 100 coins per pound certainly shocked everyone else.

This price has made it so expensive that people in the village can't even afford to eat tomatoes anymore.

They're paying more attention to weeding in the fields than ever before.

This money came too fast.

This kind of news couldn't be kept secret, and soon several neighboring villages heard about it as well.

Everyone was envious and they were all vying to plant tomatoes.

The next day, even more tomatoes were delivered from Kaolao Village, but the price did not drop; in fact, it soared to 200 wen.

Wealthy families and merchants scrambled to buy this novelty, and demand far exceeded supply.

Zhang Huaicai's grain store, which he was planning to close, suddenly became very popular, but unfortunately, it wasn't because it sold grain that it became popular.

As the morning light spilled over the field ridges of Kaolao Village, the news that "tomatoes have risen to 200 yuan a pound" spread like wildfire, drifting along the village roads into every household.

The man, who had just picked up his hoe and was about to go to the field, suddenly stopped. The hoe in his hand clattered against the stone slab, and his eyes instantly lit up like the setting sun.

The woman who was feeding chickens in the corner of the yard forgot to scatter the rice from her scoop when she heard the news. She straightened up and ran to the edge of the field, muttering, "Two hundred coins? Can it really sell for that much?"

A crowd quickly gathered on the ridge, all heading towards the tomato field.

Someone squatted by the seedbed, carefully touching the red berries hanging on the branches. Their fingertips brushed against the thin frost on the berries, and they even held their breath.

Yesterday I thought these fruits were beautifully red, but today they look more like silver coins hanging on the branches.

Before, people would chat for a bit while weeding, but now everyone keeps their heads down, carefully picking out weeds and pulling them out. They even take a second look at the insect holes on the leaves, afraid of ruining the appearance of the fruit.

Several elderly people simply moved small stools to sit on the edge of the field, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans, but their eyes never left the patch of red fruit, as if they were guarding their own treasured granary.

Even the old man at the village entrance, who usually disliked meddling in other people's business, sat down on a stool under the old locust tree, listening to others talk about "how much millet two hundred coins can buy." He even forgot to light his pipe, his eyes full of admiration: "The fruit that Young Master Xiao brought is truly a gold nugget!"

The commotion in the neighboring village was even more urgent.

Several young men carried hoes and walked around the field ridges of Kaolao Village.

Their eyes were fixed on the tomato patch, and they would occasionally exchange glances, their steps hesitant, as if they wanted to get closer but dared not.

A village head, accompanied by his men, carrying homemade pickled vegetables and dried goods, headed toward Zhang Mingde's house in Kaolao Village. Their tone was earnest as they inquired about the origin of tomato seeds and how to cultivate them.

Some women would pull up acquaintances from Kaolao Village and whisper, "Can you spare some seedlings?" or "What should we pay attention to when planting them?" They would also secretly slip a piece of candy into their hands, hoping to learn more about the process.

Some were even more impatient, heading straight towards Xiao Ran's house, lingering outside the gate, hoping to beg Xiao Ran for some seeds, their voices trembling slightly as they spoke.

They were afraid that if they were a step too late, the deal for this "golden nugget" would be out of their reach.

As the sun slowly rose higher, the tomato fields in Kaolao Village became increasingly crowded with people, each with a joyful expression on their face. Even the sound of the wind rustling through the seedlings seemed to carry happiness.

Meanwhile, on the ridges of the fields in the neighboring village, the number of people lingering was not small either, their eyes filled with envy and eagerness, which grew stronger as the sun rose higher.

The price of 200 coins per kilogram for hawthorn fruit not only caused an uproar in Kaolao Village, but also made the surrounding villages eager and anxious.

Because of the tomato incident, things at the coal mine were suspended; everyone's attention was elsewhere.

Everyone wanted to go back and check on their own tomatoes, wishing they could stay in the fields all night watching over them.

They were afraid it would be stolen.

Human nature can no longer withstand the test of this value.

The printing workshop was in a similar situation. Seeing that everyone else was distracted, Li Tai and Wang Shen had no choice but to give them a temporary break.

The people of Kaolao Village did not make the decision to give the tomatoes to others without authorization, not even Zhang Mingde, the village head; instead, they consulted Xiao Ran.

People from several villages came and blocked the entrance to Xiao Ran's courtyard.

"Is everyone almost here?" Xiao Ran asked.

“Young master, almost everyone from the nearby villages has come,” Wang Shen said from the side.

He was the village head, and he knew better than anyone else.

If there are only a few people, Xiao Ran wouldn't mind inviting them to his home or the yard.

But there are just too many now.

The courtyard was too crowded.

Only outside.

Li Lizhi, Li Ke, Li Tai, and others followed Xiao Ran out of the courtyard.

As soon as Xiao Ran stepped onto the raised earthen slope outside the courtyard, the previously noisy crowd gradually quieted down, as if a switch had been flipped.

The wind blew past the hems of the crowd's clothes, carrying the earthy scent of the fields, and hundreds of eyes turned to him.

Some were eager, some were expectant, and some couldn't hide their nervousness.

Even those who had been whispering together just moments before instinctively held their breath.

"Young Master Xiao!" A man carrying a hoe in the front row couldn't help but speak first, his voice trembling slightly.

"We heard that you brought these tomatoes. Could you give us some seeds? We'd like to grow these golden nuggets too!"

As soon as he spoke, the people behind him immediately echoed his words.

"Yes, Young Master Xiao, our village wants to plant it too!"

"We're willing to buy seeds as long as they can be planted!"

The sounds rose and fell, but the previous impatience of those blocking the courtyard had vanished, replaced by a greater sense of trust in Xiao Ran. Xiao Ran raised his hand and pressed down, and the crowd instantly fell silent enough to hear the sound of water in the distant pool.

He looked at the expectant faces before him, a slight smile playing on his lips, his tone calm yet reassuringly steady:

"I understand what everyone is thinking—who doesn't want more income for their family and a better life for everyone?"

Upon hearing this, many people in the crowd nodded in agreement, and the urgency in their eyes softened a bit.

"But don't worry, everyone, these tomatoes don't belong to me alone, Xiao Ran, nor are they unique to Kaolao Village."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the people from each of the villages present.

"It is planted for the people of our Great Tang Dynasty. If you want to plant it, of course you can."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low cheer erupted from the crowd.

Someone couldn't help but clap their hands, then quickly withdrew them, afraid of interrupting him.

Xiao Ran smiled and continued, "It's just that I only have a limited number of seeds at home, not enough to share with so many villagers."

“But every household in Kaolao Village grows tomatoes. If you’re in a hurry to grow them, go to the village and discuss it with the villagers.”

“They’re all from the same village, and they have some surplus seeds. You can discuss and buy them together. The price will definitely be fair, and no one will be taken advantage of.”

"Then how do we plant it?"

Someone in the crowd asked, "We've never grown this rare plant before, we're afraid it will die!"

"There's even less to worry about."

Xiao Ran stepped aside, gesturing for Zhang Jinhe and several villagers from Kaolao Village behind him to come forward.

"The villagers of Kaolao Village have been growing these tomatoes for almost half a year. They know exactly when to water them, when to fertilize them, and even how to prevent pests."

"If you don't understand, just ask them. No matter which one, as long as you ask, they will definitely be happy to teach you."

"Later, I'll have the village find a few farmers who are good at farming to go and check out the fields in your villages and give them some pointers."

Zhang Jinhe immediately nodded and said loudly to the crowd, "Don't worry, everyone! Our Kaolao Village owes its good life today entirely to Young Master Xiao."

"If you want to plant, we'll definitely help! I'll go around asking everyone who has a lot of seeds, and I'll make a list for you all so you can find the right ones!"

The atmosphere in the crowd completely relaxed, and the previous tension and eagerness turned into undisguised joy.

Some people have already started discussing with their fellow villagers, "Let's go ask Jinniang's family first. They have a lot of land, so they must have enough seeds!"

“I’ll go talk to my third grandfather and tell him that I helped him build his house last year. He’ll definitely be willing to teach me!”

The discussions shifted from urgent to lively planning, and even the wind seemed to carry a lighter hue.

Looking at the scene before him, Xiao Ran added:
"Don't rush when you plant them. Tomatoes are not picky about the soil. As long as you take good care of them, they will all bear fruit."

"If we encounter difficulties selling in the future, we can partner with Kaolao Village to deliver goods to Chang'an together—everyone being well off is truly good, isn't it?"

"Yes! Young Master Xiao is right!"

The crowd responded in unison, and some people couldn't wait to head towards Kaolao Village, their steps much lighter than when they came.

The wind was still blowing on the earthen slope, but it no longer carried the tension of before; instead, it was filled with the warmth and anticipation of the villagers.

On the other side, Li Yuan, Sun Simiao, Empress Xiao, and Empress Zhangsun were all watching from afar.

"That's good!" Sun Simiao nodded. "Everyone has something to look forward to."

With Xiao Ran's permission, the people of Kaolao Village taught others how to cultivate the seeds.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

“I guess some people won’t be willing to share,” Xiao Yu said from the side.

“It’s only natural that someone would want to monopolize something that makes money like this,” Princess Yuzhang nodded.

"The profits from tomatoes will last at least two or three years. Kaolao Village can't keep up with the profits, so we need to distribute them." Xiao Ran looked into the distance, at the busiest time Kaolao Village had ever been.

There have never been so many people.

“By distributing them like this, at least we don’t have to worry about other people causing trouble, or stealing things at night.” Li Lizhi agreed with Xiao Ran’s approach.

“Yes, such profits are enough to make people take risks.” Li Ke nodded.

"Young master, tomatoes are going to be a staple in every household in the future. Isn't this price a bit too high?" Li Tai knew tomatoes were delicious, but this price was truly outrageous.

One tomato plant produces many fruits.

"That doesn't matter."

"The current high price is not something we deliberately inflated."

"Because only our village is growing tomatoes now, both aristocratic families and wealthy merchants in Chang'an want to try this new thing."

"There are many people who want it, but few goods available for sale. When there aren't enough to go around, the price naturally goes up. That's just how it is."

Xiao Ran paused for a moment, then said, "After a while, when the surrounding villages have all planted them, and in another year or two, maybe even more distant places will follow suit."

"When there are more tomatoes available, people who want them won't have to fight for them, and the price will naturally come down without us having to say anything."

"It's expensive now because it's 'scarce,' and it will be cheaper later because it's 'more abundant.' It's not something we can decide; it's determined by the quantity of the produce. When more people grow it, ordinary people will be able to afford it, and that's when the fruit will truly become popular."

"It's good that it's a bit expensive now. As the first village to plant it, Kaolao Village should reap the benefits."

"Secondly, the high price and profitability will allow tomatoes to become more widely available, prompting everyone to rush to grow them."

Evening, there were still many people from other villages in the village.

Wang Shen is the village head, and he's always incredibly busy.

Many people from Kaolao Village brought tomatoes to Xiao Ran's house. Although they knew that Xiao Ran grew tomatoes, they wanted to give him some.

This is a way of expressing my gratitude.

It's not just one or two companies, but many.

However, Xiao Ran refused and did not accept it.

It is indeed expensive now, but Xiao Ran is not envious of this amount of money.

Now they are wealthy.

If Xiao Ran really wanted to earn this money, he wouldn't have given it to the villagers for nothing.

The tomato business wouldn't go to Zhang Jinhe's family either.

These things are meant to benefit more people; holding onto them to make money goes against the principles of education.

The happiest person is Wang Shen, who is the head of three nearby villages. He is reaping the benefits of tomatoes, and several villages are about to be lifted out of poverty.

This is an achievement, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he can be promoted.

Maybe I'll get a job at the county office next year.

Just thinking about it makes me excited!
After dinner, I sliced ​​a few plates of tomatoes and sprinkled some white sugar on them.

A group of people were sitting in the courtyard.

Empress Zhangsun and Consort Yang no longer want to go back.

"Young master, will there be any problems if we plant tomatoes on a large scale in the future?" Li Lizhi asked.

"Yes!" Xiao Ran answered directly.

"Tomatoes are not like millet or rice; they don't store well. This stuff can't be a staple food, and it will definitely be restricted in the future. We don't need to consider it for the next two years."

"It will be a matter for the imperial court in the future. Uncle knows that tomatoes spoil easily, so he can think of these things."

"We don't need to worry about that!" (End of Chapter)