Chapter 264 Everything is for Survival

After everyone was seated properly in the main hall, Li San Niang saw Li Kui take out a large cloth bag from his bosom. Li Kui held the bag, smiled at Li San Niang, and said, "It's all thanks to San Niang's good ideas that we made a lot of money during the Emperor's birthday celebration."

This is fifty percent of the money we've earned; we hope you'll accept it, my wife.

Seeing this, Brother Li thought to himself that this big man was indeed reliable.

This morning, Li San Niang left home early because she was going to pay her respects to Doctor Guo.

Therefore, when Li Kui and Wang Gui arrived with the four gifts, they naturally did not see Li San Niang.

A guest is a guest, especially one who has brought four gifts with him.

After Li's father, mother, and second brother invited Li Kui and Wang Gui to sit down in the main hall, they quickly learned in just a few words that this was the source of the basket of red fruits that Li San Niang had brought back earlier.

The reason why Brother Li said that Li Kui was reliable was that before Li San Niang returned, Li Kui had never been willing to reach into his pocket and take out the share of the money.

It was only after seeing that Li San Niang herself had returned that it was taken out.

This is the reliable way.

Brother Li and his companions certainly wouldn't embezzle the share of money they were supposed to give to Sister Li, but firstly, they didn't know if Sister Li wanted to accept the money, and secondly, since it involved money, it was best to hand it over in person.

If someone were to harbor ulterior motives and the family were not of one mind, the silver that Li Kui took out might be secretly hidden away and not given to Li San Niang the very next day.

"I only came up with an idea, it was just a matter of a few words, why should I ask for this amount of money?"

These fruits were picked from the mountains by you after a lot of hard work, and then you had to arrange them carefully before you could sell them.

"You guys put in the effort to run around selling these things; I didn't do anything. I really can't accept this money."

Li San Niang's words were sincere and reflected her true feelings.

After all, she really only used her mouth; she didn't exert any physical effort.

Before Li Kui could reply, Wang Gui, who was usually tongue-tied, became impatient.

"How could you say such a thing, Third Sister?"

If it weren't for your help, even if we guarded all these old fruits and had all that hard labor, we still wouldn't have earned a single penny.

Besides, we want to continue doing this business in the future, so please accept it, Third Sister.

Li San Niang realized that this person had come to thank her on one hand, and on the other hand, wanted to buy out the method.

"What's wrong with that?"

Just keep doing it this way from now on. In another month or so, it will be cold enough to snow. At that time, your business will be even easier.

"When it gets cold, the sugar coating on the fruit won't melt off as easily, so wouldn't it be cheaper to sell it?"

Finally, after much persuasion, Li Kui and Wang Gui insisted that Li San Niang accept the money.

After much refusal, Li Sanniang only took one-tenth of the profits: "Since that's the case, I'll take this one-tenth of the profits, and I'll give you full authority over this method."

You can use it next time; there's no need to split the bill again.

After saying that, Li San Niang recalled the target that the people selling candied hawthorns carried when she went to the market with her grandmother during the winter festival when she lived in the village as a child.

So he got up, took paper and pen, and drew it.

"If you can make this, you can stick candies on it and sell it. It will be both attractive and convenient."

It doesn't cost much, just a sapling that hasn't grown out yet and a few handfuls of grass.

Li Kui and Wang Gui took a look, and remembering what Li San Niang had said, their eyes widened, realizing that this was indeed a good thing.

"You've gone off-topic again, Third Sister. Thank you, Third Sister."

The Li family originally wanted to invite Li Kui and Wang Gui to stay for dinner, but the two waved their hands and refused to eat no matter what. So they said a few words and then saw them out the door.

Brother Li glanced at the fifty-tael silver ingot on the table, which looked to be of good quality; it was clearly something he had specially exchanged at a money exchange shop.

"They've really made a lot of money from this little business. Third Aunt's idea is quite good."

"That's because they didn't factor in the cost. These fruits grow in the mountains, so they don't cost money; they just need to put in some effort to pick them."

They didn't include the labor costs in the calculations, Second Brother. Think about it: picking the fruit, washing the fruit, drying it, removing the pits, boiling the sugar, stringing it, coating it with sugar, freezing it overnight, and then carrying it in a shoulder pole to sell it in various parts of Chang'an.

If you factor in all that, you're only making a pittance.

Not to mention, there's also the commercial tax to pay. Wang Gui's point was that since dozens of households in the entire village had worked, the last family would be lucky to get a dozen or so taels of silver.

At this moment, Li's mother spoke up: "You child, you can earn more than ten taels of silver in just a few days. This is something that people in the village can't even imagine. It's just a bit troublesome and takes a bit of effort. What's wrong with that?"

After lunch, Li San Niang held Lu Zhu'er and couldn't help but laugh at how sleepy she was, yet she insisted on staying awake.

When Li's mother saw that Li San Niang was making fun of the child again, she was furious.

He stepped forward and carefully took Lu Zhu'er from Li San Niang's arms, patted her back, and murmured, "Grandma's good Lu Zhu'er, Grandma's darling, sleep, sleep."

The dewdrop smelled the familiar scent, finally felt relieved, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

After Lu Zhu'er had fallen asleep, Li's mother placed her on a low couch in the side hall. There was already a basket on it, and Xiao Wulang was sleeping inside.

Kogoro is almost six months old. The baby is growing so fast that the basket is already starting to overflow.

"Wulang is good-looking. I'll have your sister-in-law find our big basket and have her use it."

Seeing that it looked like it was going to rain again, Li Erxiong dragged the little yellow doghouse that was under the tree in the yard to the eaves of the main hall.

Little Yellow is very intelligent and retains the excellent qualities of its mother well after shedding its cub form.

For example, they don't bark randomly, they aren't picky eaters, they obey commands, and they protect their owners.

Seeing its home being dragged away by Brother Li, it could only wag its tail and follow at Brother Li's feet.

"This year's weather is a bit unusual. I remember that in previous years, even if it rained around this time, it never rained for several days in a row."

And it always drizzles for hours on end, making the room feel damp.

Mr. Li picked up a green grape and put it in his mouth. He felt the juice burst out in his mouth after he bit into it, producing a sweet and sour taste. He didn't spit out the seeds, chewed them, and swallowed them directly.

"When the times change, it becomes difficult for those who own land to come."

Erlang, it's been a while since you took Lanniang back to the Wu family. Why don't you go back tomorrow?

"If the weather is nice tomorrow, you can take Wulang back to see him. If he's not feeling well, then leave him at home; your mother and I will take care of him."