Chapter 4: Expensive rice and cheap meat
Aji looked left and right, and could not find the rope to tie this deer. In desperation he returned to the village and tried to find some straw and returned to the forest to start weaving straw ropes near his prey. By the way, not many people know how to make straw ropes, even in future rural areas. Because the next generation was too developed, various types of ropes were sold in local shops, which were of higher quality and cheaper than straw ropes. Therefore, many people directly buy ropes that have been made by the factory.
Aji was lucky in the past because he was taught how to make a straw craft by his neighbor who is an acute 'Otaku', Aji was taught how to make straw ropes and straw shoes. Unlike most 'Otaku' who often see anime, bought t-shirts with his favorite 'waifu' image and imagined marrying ZeroTwo (Anime Character). Even though he likes Cosplay but her neighbors prefer Cosplay Samurai. He often makes cosplay kits that he uses as authentic as possible. And Aji used to help his neighbors to make cosplay equipment. Then, it's useful for today ...
Aji tied the neck of the deer with a braided straw rope, and then tied the deer forelegs and pulled the deer out of the trap. Next, Aji tied the rope to his right hand and his left hand held the horse. Then Aji dragged the deer towards the nearest town ...
The city closest to Aji at this time was Mojo Duchy City which was under the control of the Kalinyamat vassal Kingdom, which was currently led by an old grandfather who had long served as regent in the area. It took a long time for Aji to pull deer out of the forest. But when he got to the gate, he was stopped by the guardian ...
It turned out that because of the tension and chaos that occurred throughout the Majapahit Kingdom. Entering the city is subject to city tax. The entry tax is not high, only 5 Kepeng (Majapahit traditional money). The problem now is that Aji has no money!
In desperation, Aji was forced to ask about the location of the market that was outside the city and walked towards the market that was outside the city. You know, the income of the poor today is only about 8 Kepeng per day. to save on this entry fee, some people set up a stall somewhere outside the city.
Of course the officials weren't stupid. People setting up stall outside the city still have to pay stall tax, the same as those in the city. As for buyers, they don't have to pay taxes. However, if your business is growing and you want to set up a stall outside the city to avoid taxes. So, the tax officer would take the soldiers and cause the merchant to be in trouble.
In general, the stalls outside the city sell some cheap materials needed by rural people. For example, agricultural tools, coarse cloth, cooking tools and so on. Meanwhile, expensive materials such as salt and ceramics are not allowed to sell in markets outside the city. Because it will affect their tax income.
Aji came to a simple market outside the city, of course not to sell the deer he had caught. Because there are no big buyers outside the city. He's here to earn money, so he can pay taxes to enter the city.
After thinking about it, Aji saw that Abu intended to sell it. But as if it understood its master's feelings, the horse drew closer to Aji and rubbed his head on Aji. This made Aji feel discouraged and eventually discouraged him from selling his horse. Aji felt that he should not sell his horse or armor.
"I think about it, only the bronze bracelet on my arm can be sold". In fact, Aji was reluctant to sell the bronze bracelet his mother had given him. But Aji is feeling hungry now. After eating Grassroots for two days, he saw that some people were selling rice, he decided to quickly get the tax money into the city, and then sell the deer he caught and could eat normally.
In his heart, "This bronze bracelet is of good quality, besides there are simple carvings on this bracelet". But now Aji can't sell at a good price. So he can only sell bronze bracelets that cost 60 Kepeng (3 silver) for only 20 Kepeng (1 silver)
Nb (1 gold = 60 Kepeng, 1 silver = 20 Kepeng)
With Aji getting the fee to enter the city, Aji happily brought his horse and deer into the city. But what made him depressed was the tax that had to be paid of 10 Kepeng. The reason was that the deer he was carrying were merchandise which had to be taxed.
Even if it wasn't because Aji was a knight, the warriors in the city would probably charge higher taxes or even all the money. In addition, an ordinary person was not allowed to hunt the big beasts of the area without the permission of the local ruler, he could have been executed by the leader of the area.
Fortunately, there is only Aji as a knight in the area. Because knights are a group of people who dare to kill to defend their lives. Their martial arts were so strong that ordinary masters did not dare to disturb them. In addition, many knights have friends or relatives who have important positions in their regions. Whereas the warriors defending the city were only military waib troops recruited from the village people, how dare they offend the knights.
Finally Aji passed through the gate, and he hurried toward the city. After all this time, finally Aji found a restaurant that was willing to buy this deer. But the price made Aji so frustrated that he wanted to cry.
"Why are you only paying this much?". The restaurant owner only pays 4 kepeng for one pound of deer meat he catches. What's more, the restaurant owner only pays 50%. In other words, the restaurant owner is only willing to pay 300 Kepeng. Apart from that he can get a very complete deer skin and by-products such as horns, the bones of the deer can also be boiled for use as a broth. So he promised to pay another 200 Kepeng. In other words, this large deer can only be sold for 500 Kepeng ...
According to Aji Pangestu's memory, every pound of rice is currently worth 8 Kepeng. Even the price of 1 pound of deer meat only costs 5 Kepeng. Aji who is from the next generation is really tough ...
You know, in modern times a pound of rice costs only about 1/10 the price of meat. This is still regular beef, if not deer meat, it can be dozens of times. In other words, the price of venison in modern times can be tens of times the price of rice.
Even in this middle era, Java was only inhabited by 10-15 million people. This is very different from modern Java which is occupied by up to 180 million people. With an area of the island of Java about 130,000 square kilometers. Therefore, the current Java region is still relatively large and sparsely populated. As in Pati and the area around Mount Muria, currently there are still many forests. In the forest, wild deer, mouse deer, rabbits, partridge and even the Javanese Eagle (Indonesia Symbol) are still easy to find.
Not only the Java region, at present, all regions of the archipelago and even Asia still have a sparse population and still a lot of wildlife. At the same time agriculture in the Java area itself is actually quite good. With the help of volcanic ash from the mountains that make Java strong, even though without good agricultural equipment and fertilizers. But due to the war between the princes of the Majapahit kingdom and many subordinate countries who wanted to liberate themselves, it caused chaos, making rice prices soar. But the more reason is because they do not know how to fertilize and plow which is still very simple which is made of wood only, which causes the land to be plowed is not deep enough.
No fertilizer use and shallow tillage. This resulted in lower agricultural production in Java compared to the Ming Empire. Especially at this time in the archipelago a power struggle was taking place. Thus, rice as a staple food was used as a supply for war. On the other hand, because there are many animals in the wild, the source of meat is very rich which causes the price of meat to be cheap.
"Well, looks like I have to find a way to grow rice to become rich!". After all, Aji is a country boy who is no stranger to farming. But the problem is, Aji must have the land first !. In this era of Feudal rulers, even if you have money. You may not be able to buy land suitable for agriculture. Even if you can find land suitable for agriculture and produce bountiful crops. The king may be jealous and come to rob you for various reasons.
Because of that, after thinking about it, Aji felt that it is better for now he sided with King Brawijaya V first. Fight for the King, then fight for victory and for victory, then get his own territory. And then when Aji found his own territory, he could recruit slaves, his own army, \ use modern technological knowledge and become this medieval tyrant ...
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hanif_Achmad
Hanif_Achmad it so much word in this capter. huft
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