Jiang Yue didn't know what standards the bookstore used to classify the books, so she had to tell the clerk what kind of books she wanted and asked him to take them out. Then she asked for a dry cloth to wipe her hands, opened the books, and selected them one by one.
The shopkeeper was even happier to see that the other person was a book lover. Although he hadn't passed the imperial examination, he had been a bookworm since childhood and couldn't bear to see books being wasted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have closed up his entire shop when oilcloth was so expensive.
Jiang Yue didn't know what the shopkeeper was thinking. She selected a few books herself and showed them to Jiang Nian. She didn't know whether he understood them or not, but he nodded anyway.
She chose a picture book for elementary school, a book on exercise and health similar to Ba Duan Jin, and a miscellaneous book on fashion. She even found a medical book, thicker and more comprehensive than the one the clinic had given her before. Just these few books cost her five taels of silver, three of which went to the medical book.
It is true that books are for rich people.
Jiangjia Village couldn't even afford a primary school, and only the village chief's children knew a few simple words. Even so, they were still respected and admired by the villagers.
Don't the family of Scholar Wang next door boast about their scholar status all the time? The imperial examinations are so difficult.
Jiang Nian certainly wouldn't be able to pass the imperial examination, so he just needed to learn to read and write. To learn to write, one must have a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
"No wolf hair! Just rabbit hair, horse hair, or anything else!" Jiang Yue saw the clerk take out several high-quality wolf hair brushes. The big guy behind him was agitated and seemed to be about to riot. Fearing that the bookstore would be demolished, she quickly waved her hand and asked for something else.
The waiter thought the customer thought it was too expensive, so he didn't say anything and just changed it with a smile.
In the end, Jiang Yue chose the cheapest set of pens, ink, paper and inkstone, and only spent two dollars more on the paper.
If poor students have a lot of stationery, they are definitely not poor students. Even if they don't study well, it can't be blamed on the stationery, right?
Before settling the bill, she saw an inkstone on the highest shelf. "What is that?"
When the shopkeeper saw that she was actually interested in the inkstone, he asked the clerk to take it down.
"This inkstone was left by the previous owner. I can't tell what kind of inkstone it is. It's lost its luster over time. If you like it, I'll give it to you."
The shopkeeper had no use for the things left behind by others, but he felt it would be inappropriate to throw them away. What if it was something very important to the original owner? In the end, he had to put it away.
Jiang Yue picked up the inkstone. It had a dark brown matte feel and looked a bit worn, but she just wanted it inexplicably.
"Thank you very much, boss. How would you like to exchange it? We have white rice, white flour, green vegetables, cabbage and radish."
The total value of all the things she bought was thirteen taels of silver. The exchange price was naturally based on the current prices of grain and vegetable shops, so she could not exchange much.
The shopkeeper calculated with an abacus, "I need 8 dou of refined rice and flour, 20 jin of green vegetables, and 20 jin of cabbage."
"Okay, the food is in the car."
The shopkeeper was surprised that they would leave such precious food in the cart without anyone watching. He quickly invited them to the back door and asked his servants to help unload the food.
Jiang Yue's estimate of the quantity was accurate; she only took out two pounds more grain, and the vegetables were about the same. She didn't ask for them back, and instead asked the shopkeeper to give her two cheap brushes.
The shopkeeper happily saw the guests off and looked at their elegant backs with emotion. He wondered when two such people appeared in the city. He hoped that they would come to his bookstore often in the future.
Oh, forget it. Those vegetables are so crisp and fresh looking. I quickly asked the cook to stir-fry them so I could have a meal myself. Lately, I've been giving all the vegetables to the elderly and children, and I've been going to the restroom less often. It's so frustrating...
After this trade, Jiang Yue didn't plan to trade for anything else. These books, brushes, inkstones, and paper were all she needed now, to pass the time. As for the rest, she could wait until food prices were higher and trade them for more.
After returning home, the two took a hot bath and drank ginger soup. Compared to the bitter medicine, Jiang Nian actually didn't dislike the spicy ginger soup.
Although Jiang Yue didn't feel the medicine was bitter or the ginger soup was spicy, it was probably because the wolf's senses were too sensitive.
Speaking of bathing, Jiang Yue recalled the time when they first moved into their new home. She said she wanted to bathe, and Jiang Nian quickly stripped off all his clothes. He thought they were still bathing in the house, just like when they first arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Even when Jiang Yue drove him to the bathroom and told him to wash himself, he was still unwilling.
But would Jiang Yue listen to him? You can spoil a child in some ways, but not in others. Especially, casually taking off clothes in public is unacceptable!
The first time, she was waiting outside while talking to him, saying that he couldn't sleep with her unless he took a shower himself, so he had no choice but to take a shower.
The second time, she talked for a few minutes and then walked away.
The third time, she simply asked him to go wash, and he went automatically.
In less than 21 days, good habits have been formed.
The books that Jiang Yue exchanged are all useful.
She must strengthen her exercise to ensure good physical fitness. When the next stage comes, she will look for books on sword fighting training.
The clothing book had illustrations, so she had to make a few more sets of clothes while she had time.
The herbs in the space were growing, but there were only a few varieties. She needed to learn more about medicinal herbs and also learn basic medical knowledge. If she couldn't understand it in a month or two, would she be able to understand it thoroughly in a year or two, or three or five years?
Knowing medical skills can really save lives.
As for Jiang Nian and Jiang Dazai, he cannot be left idle. He must learn to read and write and cannot be an illiterate child.
Speaking of this, Jiang Yue was looking through the things she bought today on the table.
The bookstore was not far away, and to conceal her presence, she asked the clerk to wrap the book in oil paper and put it in the car. Perhaps because she had given the other party a good gift, the clerk generously wrapped the book in two layers of oilcloth from the store.
Very good, I rubbed off a large piece of oilcloth.
She took out the old inkstone and studied it by candlelight - but she didn't find anything.
Well, she used to be a nerd who only knew how to take exams, and spent her free time working to earn money. Being poor, she had no chance to develop refined hobbies.
This was the first time she had come across something as elegant as an inkstone.
Compare this with another inkstone, both of which have never been used. The new inkstone is engraved with bamboo patterns, so it should look better.
But even this bare old inkstone has an ancient texture that appears more and more the more you look at it, which is exactly what she likes.
She put the old inkstone into the space.
Suddenly, the inkstone disappeared!
Then, a number appeared on the white wall: 02:00:00
Um?!
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