Ye Yaodong drank duck soup to build up his strength while considering whether drying squid would be feasible.
The costs would be considerable, nothing like fish that cost a few cents. Fresh squid alone cost several tenths of a yuan per jin. Although it did not contain as much water as Bombay duck or toadfish, the dried product would still have to sell for one or two yuan per jin to turn a profit.
He could only try drying a few hundred jin when prices were low. If it sold well, he could buy up a large quantity and dry a big batch before the fishing season ended.
After experimenting this year, he would have experience next year. If it worked, he could do it every year.
He had no experience and knew nothing about it, so he could only feel his way along. Fortunately, he had some money on hand now and could afford to experiment. Even if he lost money, he could bear the loss.
The goods would still be there, after all. At worst, he would eat the loss himself or give them away as favors.
Thinking of it that way, he would not really lose out too badly.
Some people invested in a business and lost their money, and once it was gone, it was gone.
At least once he dried the squid, it would still be his, sitting there.
With that in mind, he made up his mind to give it a try toward the end of the coming squid fishing season. Prices would be high early on, so he could sell his catch fresh for the first few days.
Father Ye returned to find him staring straight ahead, holding his spoon without drinking any soup, lost in thought. He gave his shoulder a hard