In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

Wang Xingguo chuckled and said, "That's because you don't know how to cook it. My braised eel is especially good with alcohol. How about I teach you how to make it?"

Surprisingly, everyone in the room was quite interested. Master Niu then asked the people preparing to deliver the second batch of goods to leave some eels behind, about six or seven pounds.

Wang Xingguo then explained to them how to kill eels and remove their slime. Since there was no shortage of oil here, he also taught them how to make braised eels.

Actually, eels are quite suitable for braising, which can better cover up their earthy taste. At least when Wang Xingguo cooked them, everyone thought they were delicious.

Wang Xingguo is working so hard so that everyone can eat eels; otherwise, how can he sell those eels in his space for a high price?

Old Niu chuckled and said, "Damn it, so this stuff is actually edible? My friend offered to cook it for me several times, but I refused. After all, who in Beijing eats this stuff? Looks like I missed out."

Everyone agreed, saying it wasn't their fault; it was all the result of word-of-mouth transmission from their elders. The elders said it was a snake and that it was poisonous and would make you sick if you ate it. So who would be so foolish as to try it?

Wang Xingguo listened to everyone discussing where to get some back, so that he could have another item for his black market.

Wang Xingguo suggested that they could arrange for someone to help process the eels, so that people who buy eels can cook them directly, instead of buying them and not knowing how to process them.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt that as long as it could make money, sending someone to help process the eels was no big deal. After all, it was for making money, and there was nothing shameful about it!

Old Niu chuckled and said, "You all say eel is such a perfect accompaniment to alcohol, how much would be a reasonable price per serving if you ate it here?"

Er Gouzi laughed and said, "Brother Niu, you're really something, you've already set your sights on us."

Old Niu said smugly, "There's no other way. With so many people to support, I can't even afford to eat if I don't make money. Er Gouzi, you have to understand Old Niu's difficulties."

Liu Dadan curled his lip and said, "Brother Niu, you pump so much water every day, do you really need a few measly coins?"

Old Niu glared and said, "How can you say you're not short of money? How dare you say that? You eat and drink here every day, but you don't give me a single penny. What about firewood, rice, oil, and salt? They all cost money!"

Liu Dadan laughed and said, "Hehe, come on, Uncle Niu, you still have the nerve to talk back? You drink my wine all day long, but I paid for that wine, didn't I?"

Actually, these people just eat and drink together, and there's really no one taking advantage of anyone else.

So don't be fooled by their rambling; nobody really takes it seriously. They're just being silly and having fun.

Niu Ye looked at Wang Xingguo and asked, "Wang Er, quite a few people come here to drink and eat every day. What do you think would be a good way to sell eels and other meats along with the dishes?"

Wang Xingguo pointed his chopsticks at the plate of eels and said with a smile, "Uncle Niu, you're too honest. It's not easy to get a meat dish these days. I think you should sell it for five yuan a serving of eels per pound. Take it or leave it. You're processing it, providing a place to eat and drink, and giving them a chance to improve their meals. If the price is too low, it's better not to sell it at all."

After saying that, Wang Xingguo gestured with his chin towards the cricket fighters in front of him and said, "These guys aren't short of money. If it's too cheap, it'll lower their standards, won't it?"

Old Niu chuckled and said, "That makes sense. Wang Er is the most thoughtful. Since someone has to prepare meals for them every day, I might as well take care of selling the meals as well. After all, the cooks are already available."

Er Gouzi asked, "Wang Er, can you still get some eels? I'd like to get some to try selling at my private restaurant back home."

Er Gouzi's words piqued everyone's interest. Don't think that their black market business only involved selling goods; in fact, many of them received commissions from private restaurants, which is why they were so interested in buying Wang Xingguo's live fish.

Do you really think they can't get fish?

It's not that they can't get fish, but that they can't get enough live fish to raise. The weather is so hot now, and the frozen fish from those cold storage facilities are actually not easy to store. If they can't sell them, they can only eat them themselves.

But live fish are different; they can be kept in tanks and sold slowly. That's why they keep an eye on the live fish that Wang Xingguo delivers, and are even willing to buy them at black market retail prices.

For private restaurants like this that only cater to acquaintances, reputation is crucial, and the ingredients must be of high quality. If anything goes wrong, the business that relies on word-of-mouth recommendations from acquaintances will fail.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Xingguo hesitated, then said with some difficulty, "It's not that I can't get them; even if you wanted them now, I could get several dozen kilograms. It's just that I don't know how to set the price. You all know the prices at Master Niu's place..."

Chen Laosan, the most aggressive fishmonger, slapped his thigh and said, "Hey, Wang Er, you're looking down on us by saying that. We've seen how much Niu Ye gives you three yuan a pound. Do you think we can't afford that price? Get it for me now, and I'll give you three yuan too. It just so happens that an old gourmand has booked a few tables for his birthday banquet tomorrow. I'd like to see if he wants to try this stuff."

Wang Xingguo naturally had no objection, and immediately raised his glass and stood up, saying, "Alright, I'll toast everyone, and I'll go get you some eels right away."

After downing the wine in one gulp, Wang Xingguo excitedly pushed his tricycle out the door.

They can get these things themselves for a very low price, but those who run private restaurants are basically competitors.

To put it simply, they'll introduce these dishes first, and people who eat there for the first time will come back to them.

Logically speaking, Huaiyang cuisine restaurants sell dishes made with eel, so they should have known about it long ago.

Actually, that's not the case, because chefs from all the major cuisines in Beijing are very competitive!

Chefs from other cuisines are unwilling to cook Huaiyang cuisine dishes to promote Huaiyang restaurants, as they rely on their own culinary skills to gain business, fame, and reputation.

This was the old practice, but the situation is different now. Resources are really scarce now, and many ingredients are hard to come by, so they think there's potential in eels.

This stuff isn't abundant in urban areas, but it's also plentiful in suburban areas with many rice paddies.

Moreover, although it is September now, it will soon cool down, and by the end of October, the eels will basically burrow deep to hibernate.

In reality, they don't have much time left.

If they can't get enough eels to keep indoors, the food supply will be cut off again when winter comes. For them, the key to making money is a stable supply of food so that they can have repeat customers.

As for Wang Xingguo, he couldn't be happier that all these private restaurants sold eels, so that all the eels in his space could maximize their profits.

Wang Xingguo thought for a moment, and originally brought 40 or 50 jin of eels, but he added some more, making it 70 or 80 jin.

Since they all want them, I should take this opportunity to sell as many as possible and try to recoup the cost of the eels.

As for the price, it will definitely drop later, since if they send people to the countryside to buy it, the price will be dirt cheap...