Chapter 102 Deciding to Stay [VIP]
The father and daughter came out of the bank, holding the three light silver bills in their arms. They always felt like they were dreaming and something was not real.
They actually sold out all the velvet flowers and half of the furs they brought from home.
The father and daughter really didn't expect that these things, which looked like small pieces, could be sold for thirty taels of silver at once. Together with the ten taels deposit paid by the group of customers who came later, the total was forty taels.
"Dad, let's go back to the inn and put down the tables and chairs first, and then come out to buy silk thread and tools for making velvet flowers." Tian Baozhu was full of energy at the moment, but there was no rush for this matter.
Tanaka Masaru was still carrying the folding tables and chairs. Although all the items were sold out, he was now even more worried.
The velvet flower work that his daughter L took on could not be completed overnight, and he could not help much, so his daughter L had to complete it alone, which meant that they would have to stay here for a long time.
This inn was where Chang Wei brought them to stay. The price was naturally the cheapest in the city, but even so, it cost sixty coins a day. Adding the food and drink expenses for the three people and the mule, it was only nearly a hundred coins a day.
Then all the money they earned here will probably be spent here.
"Baozhu, why don't we rent a house? This way we'll have a fixed residence, and we can cook our own meals and save a lot of money. We can also have our families deliver things to us. What do you think?" Tanaka was thinking that it would be more economical than staying in an inn for a long time.
Tian Baozhu felt that what her father said made sense. She also wanted the "rich and prosperous" signboard to have a place here, just like the Huangji Supply and Marketing Cooperative opened by her cousin. A fixed residence was essential.
"Dad, let's go shopping while we look for a place to stay."
The father and daughter returned to the inn excitedly, put down the folding tables and chairs, asked the innkeeper to leave a message for Huang Songbai, and then went out again.
Tian Baozhu found that buying silk thread here was really cheap, the silk quality was good, and the colors were also complete.
But it was difficult to get all the tools for making velvet flowers, and she needed to communicate with the carpenter on many details.
But the carpenters here either didn't know how to do it, or acted on their own and didn't follow her instructions. In the end, her father borrowed the carpenters' tools and materials to make her a velvet rack bracket, clips, a thread rolling board and some wooden hairpins.
Together with the bristle comb and tweezers, the iron pliers and copper wire, the total cost was nearly ten taels of silver.
Tian Baozhu saw her father counting on his fingers again.
So he closed the book in his hand, picked up the basket and put it on his shoulder: "Don't worry, Dad, I have recorded every penny I spent. I will definitely earn it back in the future."
"Baozhu, when you finish your work and write a letter home, remember to clearly state our expenses and how much money we earned along the way." When three companies cooperate in business, even brothers have to settle accounts clearly and not be careless at all. They must not hurt their feelings for money.
"Yeah, I understand, Dad." After this trip, Tian Baozhu was even more grateful for all the knowledge she had learned.
Without Wenying, Ayao, and Yang Jizong, she would not have had such good fortune. She would probably still be trapped in the small Shanghe Village, worrying about the crops in the fields and the taxes from the autumn harvest.
The father and daughter ran around the city looking for a place to live. When they saw a house for rent with a red sign, they went up and knocked on the door to ask.
When asked about the rent, both the father and daughter were shocked.
The monthly rent for a house in the city center is five taels, with a deposit of one and a half taels in rent. It's just a big house, but when you go in and take a look, you'll see mold in every corner. It's even worse than their supply and marketing cooperative, so how can anyone live there?
"How about we stay in an inn?" Tanaka was counting on his fingers and now he felt that staying in an inn would be cheaper.
"Dad, let's not worry, let's look for it a little longer." Tian Baozhu suddenly thought of Liang Ming, so she asked passers-by which way to go to the Fenshui Lake.
After following the guidance of passers-by and making many detours, and asking another passer-by on the way, the father and daughter were almost at the outskirts of the city, and finally saw the endless Fenshui Lake.
The banks of Fenshui Lake are shaded by green willows, and the sunset glows on the river surface, making it look like fire. Large lotus flowers are blooming in the lake. Boatmen are rowing their boats in the middle of the lake to pick lotus flowers and leaves. As the breeze blows, the willow leaves on the shore sway freely in the wind.
Tian Baozhu counted the alleys and found Liang Ming's home. Before she could go up and knock on the door, she happened to meet the man who had just returned from the market.
"Miss Tian, you came at the right time." Liang Ming sold two paintings and calligraphy in the afternoon, so he took out a purse from his sleeve and was about to give her the money for the hibiscus hairpin.
"Brother Liang, I didn't come to you specifically to ask for money, but because I'm in trouble and want you to help me." Tian Baozhu smiled shyly and took the silver and money he handed over.
Liang Ming looked at the father and daughter in front of him, knocked on the door and shouted inside: "Furong, I'm back."
As he shouted, footsteps were heard from inside.
The door opened, revealing a very gentle-looking woman in a light yellow skirt, with her hair tied up in a bun with a cloth. She smiled at Liang Ming and said, "My husband, you're back."
Liang Ming nodded and introduced the father and daughter outside the door to his wife.
Furong welcomed the guest into the house with a smile. Before she could pour tea for the guest, she saw her husband take out a piece of tea from his sleeve.
Liang Ming gave the hibiscus hairpin he bought to his wife.
Furong's eyes brightened after she got the Furong hairpin. She held it in her hands and looked at her husband with some embarrassment: "Such a beautiful hairpin must cost a lot of money. Why did you spend money to buy this for me?"
"Miss Tian gave a good price. It didn't cost much money. If you like, put it back inside and signal. No need to be so polite.
Furong held the hairpin and nodded, then put it away and turned to pour tea for the guests: "Miss Tian,
Tian Baozhu put the backpack on the ground and sat down with her father. She picked up the teacup on the table, drank from it, and exchanged greetings with the couple, explaining the purpose of her visit.
When Liang Ming learned that they were father and daughter and wanted to rent the place for a short period of time, he really didn't know where to find a suitable place.
Tian Baozhu's face darkened slightly when she heard this, but she quickly regained her composure and stood up to say goodbye to the couple. "It's alright, we'll go look for it ourselves. I'm sorry to bother you with my sudden visit today, Mr. Liang."
"It's okay. We can't help you. You've made a wasted trip." Liang Ming stood up and prepared to see the guests off.
Furong followed her husband and saw the father and daughter carrying heavy baskets out of the alley. Then she closed the door, took off the hair scarf on her head, and put on a hibiscus flower hairpin.
"Husband, where are Miss Tian and the others from? Their accents don't sound like they're from here. Is she also setting up a stall at the market?"
Liang Ming glanced at the hibiscus flowers in his wife's hair and handed her the purse. "They are from Xiahe Village in Fang County. The journey is quite long. They must have encountered some difficulties at home. They have come all the way here to do business. It's not easy for them."
"But today, thanks to Miss Tian setting up her stall next to mine, it was bustling with people, and many people asked about my calligraphy and paintings. In the end, I sold two pieces, which is enough for our expenses for three months."
Furong took the heavy purse, raised her eyebrows, pulled her husband into the room and whispered to him.
"My husband, do you think my method is feasible?"
Mrs. Xie next door is lonely and poor. She lost her husband and son in her old age, and is deaf and blind. Now she lives alone in an empty house and doesn't even have anyone to talk to. She is so pitiful.
If she rented the two empty rooms in her yard to Tian Baozhu and others.
This not only solves Miss Tian's difficulties, but also provides Mrs. Xie with temporary care. Isn't it a win-win situation?
Liang Ming knew that his wife was kind-hearted, but the old lady next door, Mrs. Xie, was used to living alone and had a strange temper. Would she agree?
Even if she agreed, how should she talk to Miss Tian?
Liang Ming felt that this matter was somewhat inappropriate. If good things didn't get done, it would only bring trouble to his family.
"Don't worry, my husband. I'll make dinner and send some to Mrs. Xie. I'll also talk to her about this. If she doesn't agree, I won't mention it again." Furong had already made up her mind.
It's not that she is meddling in other people's business, but her husband is indeed earning more money today than before. If she can really invite Tian Baozhu to live next door, then can her husband's stall continue to be set up with her so that they can take care of each other?
Not to mention making money every day, just getting some popularity and allowing my husband to chat with guests and introduce calligraphy and paintings can relieve his day's worries.
The more Furong thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. When she prepared dinner, she deliberately cooked the rice until it was softer, and made a few dishes suitable for the elderly. She brought them to the next room and told Mrs. Xie about it.
On the other side, on the way back to the inn, Tanaka Zheng bought several steamed buns for dinner. When the father and daughter arrived at the entrance of the alley, they saw Huang Songbai squatting at the intersection with his hands in his sleeves waiting for them.
"Brother-in-law, Baozhu." Huang Songbai stood up and took Tian Baozhu's backpack. When he saw what was inside, he couldn't help but ask, "Baozhu, are these the tools you bought to make velvet flowers?"
"Uncle, let's go back and talk about it."
The three of them entered the inn room. Tanaka was closing the door. Tian Baozhu saw the remaining furs on the table and understood.
Huang Songbai sighed and said, "Why don't we just sell the remaining furs to those fur collectors? Even though the price is a bit low, they want a lot of furs, so any profit is better than taking them back home."
"Uncle, no, if we really sell it to them, we won't make any money at all. Don't forget, we spent a lot of money on car fare along the way, and there are also wages for the workers in the rabbit house. Manager Xu has to take a cut from it." Tian Baozhu took out the steamed buns and handed them to the two elders to eat.
Huang Songbai took the steamed bun and sighed deeply: "Baozhu is right. I will go look around again tomorrow. Maybe someone knows the value of it and is willing to buy it at a high price."
Tian Baozhu took out three ten-liang silver notes and placed them in front of her uncle and father: "Uncle, Dad, instead of waiting for others to collect them, we might as well sell them ourselves."
Tian Baozhu has already tasted the sweetness of setting up a stall.
Huang Songbai touched the three silver notes, somewhat incredulous: "Baozhu, you really sold all the stuff, and someone is buying our half of the furs?"
Tian Baozhu nodded and told her uncle how to go to the government office to set up a stall, get a license plate, pay taxes, and where to set up the stall.
Huang Songbai gave her a thumbs up and said, "That's amazing, Baozhu. So, shall we continue selling it ourselves tomorrow? After we finish selling, we'll go back."
"Third brother, I'm afraid I can't go back for a while." Tanaka Zheng took a bite of the steamed bun and told Huang Songbai about the velvet flower order that his daughter L had received.
Huang Songbai glanced at the silk threads and tools in the backpack and said, "But we can't afford to waste time here. We have to go back for the autumn harvest!"
As Huang Songbai finished speaking, Tian Zhong dropped a half-eaten steamed bun on the table: "Yes, Baozhu, we still have to go back to collect grain before the autumn harvest."
It seems that he had been away from home for too long and had forgotten something as important as the autumn harvest.
Tian Baozhu took out her book and the money she had earned on the road and placed it in front of her uncle and father. She told them frankly: "I don't plan to go back. I want to stay here and sell goods for a while."
"What are you talking about, kid? Your father and I can't rest assured if you stay here alone. Your father has to stay with you." Huang Songbai pushed ten taels of silver over and said, "Keep this for Qian Baozhu. Whatever you earn in the future, keep it for yourself. I'll take the remaining forty taels of silver back with me."
"Your uncle is right. No, third brother, why did you let me stay?" Tanaka Zheng picked up his steamed bun and held it in his hand. After he came to his senses, he thought he had misheard.
"Brother-in-law, Baozhu has already received the deposit, so she must stay and continue selling velvet flowers. We can't break our promise to her. You are her father, so you stay with her. If I can't find a vendor to cooperate with tomorrow, I will help you settle down and go back first."
"No, that won't work." Tanaka's head was shaking like a rattle.
"Brother-in-law, can you let Baozhu stay here alone?" Huang Songbai's question completely stumped Tanaka Zheng.
How could he leave his daughter L alone in this strange place?
"Dad, please stay. We have to let everyone here know about our velvet flowers and furs. That way, even if we don't cooperate with outsiders in the future, we will have our own brand of wealth and glory." Tian Baozhu pleaded.
"Brother-in-law, don't worry about the crops in the fields. I will help Baolai harvest them when we get back. Besides, we have a mule at home, so we can definitely handle it." Huang Songbai also supported Baozhu.
Having said that, Tanaka Masaru knew he had to stay. "Third brother, I'm worried about you going back alone. It's better for you to go with Team Leader Chang. You can have someone to look after you along the way."
"Okay, I'll listen to you, brother-in-law. Let's take a break after we finish eating. Tomorrow, Baozhu will take the remaining goods out to sell, and I'll just take a few pieces."
"Well, Third Brother, you have to keep an eye on the house for us tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll keep an eye on it."
After the three of them discussed things and ate steamed buns, Tian Baozhu went to sleep next door.
But she couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, and her mind was filled with the beautiful scenery of the city and the gorgeous clothes of the people in the city.
Why is Jiangnan so prosperous, while the villages under the jurisdiction of Fang County are so poor? They are clearly working very hard to cultivate the land.
With these questions in mind, Tian Baozhu fell asleep in a daze.
The next day, Tian Baozhu asked the innkeeper to borrow the kitchen and cooked three pancakes for breakfast. After eating, she and her uncle went their separate ways.
When the father and daughter arrived at the market, they found that the place where they had set up their stall yesterday had been occupied by someone selling handkerchiefs. Tanaka was carrying a folding table and chairs and looking at his daughter L, not knowing what to do.
Tian Baozhu didn't mind, so she just placed it opposite. As soon as the table was opened, she put the sign and furs on it, then took out the silk thread and started making velvet lace while selling furs.
Just then, Liang Ming came over with his calligraphy and paintings, and he saw that the stall that was originally placed next to his calligraphy and painting stall had quite a few customers even though it had been moved to the opposite side.
And these customers all came here because of the reputation. The girls who bought velvet flowers yesterday spread the word, and now all the good people are looking for the products.
Tian Baozhu apologized to the guests, "I'm so sorry, but if you're not in a hurry, you can wait a little longer. We'll be sending a batch of new styles by the end of September. Would you all like to take a look at these furs?"
"What is this?" The little girl with double buns asked, pointing at the cross-body bag on the stall.
Tian Baozhu put on the furry messenger bag and showed it to everyone. "This is a messenger bag made of rabbit fur. It can be used to carry books, food, and other things. It can be used inside and outside. It's made of rabbit skin and rabbit fur. You can touch it."
The girl didn't touch it. After listening to Tian Baozhu's introduction, her eyes lit up, so she asked the price. After learning that it was five taels of silver, she immediately ran out of the crowd.
Tian Baozhu was startled by her running away, and thought that her price was too high, but the book bags and book baskets sold at a higher price than hers and people still bought them.
Tian Baozhu felt a little regretful for losing a customer, and turned to introduce the furs on the stall to other customers.
Tanaka was standing aside and tugging at his daughter L's clothes, when he saw the little girl who had just run away bringing a very serious old woman over.
"Give me five of your bags. If you have anything else that's suitable for the gentlemen to use for their studies, take it all out and let me see it." The old woman stretched out her hand and acted in a domineering manner, shocking the onlookers.
"Take another look at these gloves." Tian Baozhu thought the old woman was here to cause trouble for them, but she didn't expect her to be a big customer. After handing over the gloves, she asked her father to quickly take out the cross-body bag from the backpack.
Tanaka Masaru uttered a sigh and turned around excitedly, almost tripping over a chair. Fortunately, he managed to keep his composure and sorted out the five cross-body bags and handed them over.
The old woman didn't take it and continued to look at the gloves. Instead, the girl who asked the price earlier took it with a smile.
"These gloves come in fingerless and non-fingerless versions. You'd better let someone at home try them on. Of course, if they don't fit you can always come and exchange them." Tian Baozhu handed the fingerless version to her to see.
The old woman glanced at Tian Baozhu, then at the gloves. "How much?"
"Exposing your fingers costs eighty-five coins, and not exposing your fingers costs one hundred coins."
"I want these two pairs, and give me five of these small pendants." After looking around the stall again, the old woman waved her hand, and the father and daughter were so happy that they immediately took the goods for her.
The old woman held the purse in her hand and frowned slightly at what the maid was holding. "Don't you have any leather bags to wrap up these fur goods?"
Tian Baozhu was speechless for a moment. She had not really considered this situation, but the old woman's words also reminded her.
Since there is a problem, we must find a way to solve it. "Please wait a moment, I will be back soon."
Tian Baozhu asked her father to stay and watch the stall while she trotted over to the cloth shop, bought a foot of cloth, and packed up all the goods she had bought for her mother-in-law. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
The old woman was slightly satisfied with this and snorted coldly, "How much silver is this worth in total?"
Five cross-body bags cost twenty-five taels, five fox pendants cost one thousand five hundred wen, five rabbit pendants cost one thousand wen, five Bulbasaur pendants cost five hundred wen, five monkey picking peach pendants cost two thousand five hundred wen, plus a pair of fingerless and fingerless gloves, the total cost is thirty taels, six hundred and eighty-five wen.
"Just give me thirty taels and six hundred and eighty coins." Tian Baozhu kindly wiped off a few coins for the old woman.
But the old woman didn't take it seriously. She looked at people with her chin raised in a haughty manner, took out thirty-two taels of silver from her purse and threw it on the table: "Don't worry about the change. I heard you still sell velvet flowers. The rest is the money for the order of one velvet flower from you."
Tian Baozhu picked up the silver that had been thrown on the table. She knew that the visitor looked down on her, but she would not go against the money. "I wonder what kind of velvet flower you want? You can pick one from the brochure."
When Tian Baozhu handed the booklet to the old woman, she was visibly stunned by the handwriting on it: "Can you read?"
"My family knows some of them." Tian Baozhu smiled slightly.
The old woman looked a little embarrassed and threw the booklet into the hands of the maid beside her. "Why are you still standing there? Take it and let the young lady choose."
Before Tian Baozhu could stop her, she saw the little girl running out with her booklet in hand. She then came back breathlessly, pointing at a line of small words on the booklet, "Our girl wants this."
Tian Baozhu took back her booklet, turned to the back, took out a charcoal pencil and asked, "I wonder what your girls' names are so I can write them down. You can come to my stall to pick up the goods in ten days."
"Our girl is——"
"You're so talkative!" the old woman scolded, shutting up the maid. "Just remember, my last name is Ma."
Tian Baozhu took note of it and watched them leave.
As soon as the big customer left, the crowd of onlookers gathered around again, talking about which wealthy family the servants came from.
Tian Baozhu gave the silver to her father for safekeeping, and while dealing with the guests she also listened carefully to their conversation.
The remaining furs were not selling as well as yesterday. Most of the customers came for the velvet flowers, but when they learned that the production period was scheduled until the end of this month, those who wanted to buy would have to wait a little longer.
At noon, the father and daughter packed up their stall and prepared to go have lunch and find a place to stay.
Seeing them about to leave, Liang Ming hurried forward to stop them, "Miss Tian, Uncle Tian, I have something important to tell you. Why don't you come to my house and have a seat?"
Tanaka was standing in front of his daughter L, looking at the newcomer with a bit of caution, "What's the matter that can't be discussed here?"
Liang Ming bowed to Tian Zhongzheng and said, "It's about the house next door being rented out. I can't explain it in a short time. Why don't you go over and take a look in person?"
Tian Baozhu was about to agree when her father grabbed her wrist and told Liang Ming, "We have something else to do. We'll come to your house to find you this afternoon."
Liang Ming looked at the backs of the father and daughter without thinking much and went back to guard his stall.
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