The fish had sold out before sunset, so Li Long simply bought red paper, a writing brush, and ink at a shop on Old Street.
As he rode the horse cart home, he worked out the figures. The fish had sold for 161 yuan altogether. After the five yuan for Tao Daqiang, the shopping and meal expenses, and the fifty he still had to give his eldest brother-for catching the fish-he would have a hundred left.
He still had five hundred yuan from the previous fish sales, so this brought his total to six hundred.
He planned to visit Harimu's home in the mountains tomorrow. Li Long intended to get up early and buy enough rice, flour, and oil at the Black Market, then go to the Department Store for tea, sugar cubes, and salt.
Although Harimu's family certainly had enough tea and salt, the herders traded with one another, too. Using these goods for barter was the most convenient arrangement and the most satisfying for both sides.
Right, he also needed to bring enough bullets.
"Brother Long, are we catching fish again tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow... sure. But I won't be going. Ask my brother when the time comes. I need to make a trip into the mountains."
"Then, Brother Long, could I trade bullets for some meat at your place?"
"What do you mean, trade? I'll cut you three to five kilos." Li Long smiled. "Tell me, do you want pork belly, ribs, or leg meat?"
"Fat. I want to render some lard." Tao Daqiang shook his head. "I'd rather trade. I want more."
"All right."
"I also want to buy some coal..."
"Then I'll give you ten yuan first. Go buy coal from the team. Ten yuan will get you one or two hundred kilos. That should last a