"How could it be sudden? A few days ago, Aunt Guixiang, who was working in their house, told me that the Ji children are really capable. They’ve gradually grown their small business, and have made quite a bit of money. Do you think they didn’t make much just because they are selling on the streets every day? It’s just that they are low-key and don’t show off."
"Exactly, if they weren’t capable, how could they have a connection with Guilinju? Speaking of which, when the people from Guilinju visited their house and took away those three jars of wine, what kind of wine was that? Could it be very valuable?"
A man suddenly slapped his thigh: "My God! No way!"
"What do you mean no way? Don’t keep us in suspense, hurry up and tell us!" Everyone was anxious and rushed to ask him.
That man finally said with a shudder, "I just heard that Guilinju acquired a rare wine called grape wine which sells for more than a dozen silver taels per catty! This... this... could it be...?"
The villagers broke into a lively discussion: "What kind of wine is grape wine?"
"Hey! In any case, it’s a rare wine. If it really came from the Ji family, that’s quite something! They must have made a fortune. Wow, those Ji kids are really impressive."
The whole Yangluo Bay was stirred up, and many people came to Ji Xinhe’s house every day, all asking about her business.
Ji Xinhe just gave them vague answers, not wanting to offend anyone, and naturally couldn’t say too much.
However, many people had heard that they were building a new house and came to help with the work. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Ji Xinhe said, "My brother is in charge of building the new house. We discussed it yesterday. We are all villagers and it’s not right for you to help for free. Aunt Guixiang and others helping me make pickles are paid sixty copper coins a day. The house-building is heavy work, so we’ll add another ten cash, making it seventy cash a day. What do you think?"
The crowd was in an uproar, and some honest ones hurriedly declined, "We’re all fellow villagers, and we always help each other out. There’s no need for a wage when helping to build a house."
Ji Xinhe smiled awkwardly, "In principle, as villagers helping each other, there is no need to pay, providing meals would suffice. However, we have been busy with things at home lately, preparing to open a shop in town, and running the pickle business, so we don’t have time to cook for everyone. Therefore, we’ll follow the town’s rules and pay directly."
"But seventy cash is indeed a bit too much..."
Ji Xinhe laughed, "It’s not too much. We’re all fellow villagers, so we should take care of each other more. If I asked craftsmen from town today, I’d definitely be stingier."
At this remark, everyone laughed and no one said anything more.
"However, Xinhe, since your family is planning to open a shop, are you going to make more pickles in the future? It’s winter now, and there’s no work in the fields. My wife is bored at home. If you need workers later, let her come."
Ji Xinhe smiled, "Of course! Once our shop opens, Hong Qin and the others won’t be able to handle it all by themselves; we’ll need more people."
Compared to the bustling atmosphere at Ji Xinhe’s, the upper room in the same courtyard seemed cold and desolate.
Lady Ding counted the money in her purse over and over again, looking at the few remaining pieces of silver and a dozen copper coins. She slammed the money onto the table and yelled at Ji Dashan.
"This is all the money we’ve got left. How are we supposed to get through the winter with this? You’re such a loser! You don’t even think of ways to make money, just sitting there like a useless sack all day long. Do you want to starve us to death?!"
Ji Dashan lowered his head slightly, "Haven’t I been working in town these days to make money?"
Lady Ding was so angry that she picked up a pillow and threw it at him, "Earning forty cash a day is considered making money?!"
Ji Dashan’s head dropped even lower. Although it was only forty cash, it was still hard-earned through backbreaking labor; manual labor was always undervalued.
Lady Ding cried out her grievances to the heavens, "I must have been out of luck for hundreds of generations to have married such a useless loser like you! There’s not even three taels of silver left in our family! We can’t even get through one winter with this – God must want to starve us to death!"
Initially, selling the land had brought in fourteen taels of silver, but within a month, Lady Ding and her children had squandered most of it, leaving only three taels. Even if Ji Dashan worked himself to death in town, how could he support such a spendthrift wife?
But these words, Ji Dashan dared only say in his heart.
Laughter came from the outside, from Ji Xinhe’s room.
She was aware of the gossip in the village, and the more she knew, the more it irked her.
Lady Ding cursed angrily, "Look at how your kids are better at making money than you! They made a fortune and didn’t care to help their own father! They are a bunch of ungrateful wolves! It’s my misfortune to have met such a family!"
In her bitter and resentful appearance, it seemed as if she had really been wronged.
Ji Dashan struggled to say, "They hate me anyway, and wouldn’t want to take care of me. Chinese New Year is coming, and winter still has a month to go. We should be more frugal with our money... "
Lady Ding sprang to her feet and pointed her finger at Ji Dashan’s nose, "That’s great! So now you’re complaining about me spending too much, huh? You can’t bear even the bit of money I spent? I didn’t do it for myself; I bought good food and clothes for your son. You know how hard it is to please him!
Moreover, Xiulan is already sixteen; we need to find her a good marriage. Without nice clothes and jewelry, how can we make a rich young master notice her? Otherwise, she’ll end up marrying a loser like you who’s good for nothing but farming! If that happens, our family would be poor for generations!"
Ji Dashan sighed helplessly, not knowing what to say. Lady Ding’s constant nagging had made him unable to bear it, so he simply remained silent.
After sulking for quite a while, Lady Ding glared at Ji Dashan and said, "Working in town only pays forty cash a day, it’s better to work for them and earn seventy cash a day. When the time comes, just ask for more. It’s better than what you’re doing now! If it works out, send Xiulan to help make pickles; that’s sixty cash a day!"
Ji Xiulan wrinkled her face, "I don’t want to do that kind of work!"
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