Chapter 19: Entering Beijiang

Although Xu Yaozu didn’t understand why his daughter was buying so many cotton-padded jackets, he still nodded at the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper was pleased but still reminded them, “Once you purchase these, we do not accept returns.”

Xu Nian smiled slightly. “Of course. However, shopkeeper, you should offer us a fair price.”

“Since you seem sincere about buying, I’ll make it 450 wen per jacket.”

“150 wen.”

“Are you joking with me, girl? No one haggles like that! 400 wen—no lower.”

“200 wen.”

“Sigh~ Are we just counting numbers here? 380 wen is my final offer.”

“250 wen is my final offer.”

“250 wen doesn’t even cover my costs!”

“Shopkeeper, if you keep hesitating, even this 250 wen might be off the table.”

“350 wen—take it or leave it.”

“300 wen, but you have to deliver the goods outside the city for us.”

The shopkeeper, who prided himself on his patience, was now fuming, his mustache bristling in frustration.

Seeing that the shopkeeper remained silent, Xu Nian pulled her father and turned to leave. In the end, it was the shopkeeper who called them back.

“320 wen, little girl. At least let me make some profit.”

“300 wen,” Xu Nian insisted. “Shopkeeper, think of it this way—at 300 wen, you’re making a clean profit.”

The shopkeeper was so exasperated that he actually laughed. “I’ve never seen a girl haggle like you. Fine, 300 wen it is.”

In the end, the assistant counted a total of 125 cotton-padded jackets from the storage room, plus the two on display, making it 127 in total.

“Shopkeeper, why don’t we round it to 38 taels even? Consider that extra 100 wen a gesture of friendship.”

The shopkeeper waved his hand dismissively—whatever she said, let it be. He might as well take that 100 wen as payment for a good mood.

After giving instructions on where to deliver the goods, Xu Nian and Xu Yaozu left the clothing shop.

Xu Yaozu, still in awe of his daughter’s bargaining skills, hadn’t fully recovered when she pulled him along.

“Nian’er, where are we going next?”

“Father, to the pharmacy. Let’s buy some ginger and make ginger tea for everyone to ward off the cold. Otherwise, if anyone falls sick, it’ll be another major expense.”

Xu Yaozu wholeheartedly agreed. Thankfully, his second brother’s two sons had stayed healthy during this journey, and so far, no one in the Xu family had linked their improved health to the jujubes Xu Nian had given them.

After buying the ginger, they left the county town.

As soon as the group saw them returning, they excitedly gathered around.

“Yaozu, why did you buy so many jackets?”

“I told you, I should’ve gone instead! Big Brother and Da Ya don’t know how to shop—they must have been tricked!”

“Second sister-in-law, maybe say a little less?”

“…”

With everyone talking over each other, Xu Yaozu couldn’t even get a word in.

It was Xu Nian who finally came to her poor father’s rescue.

“I bought them all. I’ll explain later. For now, everyone put on a jacket to warm up. I also bought some ginger.”

“Mother, could you boil some ginger tea for everyone?”

“Oh dear, no need for your mother to do that—I’ll handle it!”

The village head’s second daughter-in-law took the ginger and went off to prepare it. Right now, everything they ate and used was provided by the Xu family, so how could they let Xu Yaozu’s wife do all the work?

Besides, once they reached Beijiang, Xu Yaozu’s wife would be an official’s wife. They would all rely on the Xu family in the future.

After everyone put on their jackets and drank the ginger tea, they felt much warmer. They loaded the remaining jackets onto the cart and continued their journey.

For the rest of the trip, apart from the necessary breaks for the mules and donkeys, they were constantly on the move, reducing their meals to just one per day.

As the weather grew colder, sleeping outdoors became impossible, so they had to stay in inns at night—another significant expense.

Even though they stayed in the cheapest communal dormitories, each night still cost 80 wen.

Finally, at the end of November, they arrived in Beijiang. Seeing the towering city walls, even the most hardened men had reddened eyes.

The village head wiped his face and called out,

“We’ve finally made it. Dry your tears, everyone. Let’s enter the city and get settled as soon as possible.”

Everyone hurriedly gathered their belongings and drove their carts toward this unfamiliar yet long-awaited city.

Unlike other cities, the gate of Beijiang was not guarded by ordinary soldiers but by military officers. As the group arrived at the city gate, the officers meticulously inspected each cart, carefully checking the goods and verifying the identities of every individual.

When they learned that these dozens of people had come all the way from Qingyun City in the south, they were momentarily surprised.

The village chief, having inquired about the exact location of Lingshan County, then led the group into the city.

Xu Nian curiously observed this northernmost city. Unlike the refined and delicate architecture of the south, the buildings here were simpler yet grander in style.

Pedestrians walked the streets in small groups, undeterred by the harsh cold.

What delighted Xu Nian the most was that many of the street vendors were women with their hair neatly tied up, indicating that the local customs were more open and that women were not restricted from doing business in public.

The people on the carts also looked around with curiosity as the six wagons swayed eastward.

The village chief had asked the gate guards for directions and learned that Lingshan County was just 60 kilometers to the east.

Sure enough, after two hours of travel, the group finally saw the boundary marker of Lingshan County.

Following directions along the way, they soon arrived at the county office.

Xu Yaozu and the village chief took their letters and went inside, while the others waited outside.

By this time, the county yamen officers had already noticed the approaching group. Seeing two men step forward, they curiously glanced at them.

The village chief cupped his hands in greeting. “We commoners have urgent matters to discuss with the magistrate. We kindly request that you inform him of our presence.”

The officer did not move immediately but instead asked, “What is the matter?”

“We have fled from Qingyun City and seek to settle in Lingshan County. This is a letter from the Chief Historian addressed to the magistrate.”

The officer was startled upon hearing this. Not daring to delay, he quickly took the letter and rushed to the inner court.

Lingshan County’s magistrate, Wu Zhiji, was in the back hall reviewing documents when the officer hurried in.

Upon hearing the report, Magistrate Wu was equally surprised. He took the letter and skimmed through it quickly. But when his eyes fell upon the Chief Historian’s official seal at the bottom, he could no longer remain calm.

“Bring them in at once.”

When Xu Yaozu and the village chief entered the hall and paid their respects, Magistrate Wu first glanced at Xu Yaozu. His attention was caught by the difference in their greetings—the village chief had performed a full kneeling bow, while Xu Yaozu had only cupped his hands in a scholar’s salute.

After finishing his greeting, Xu Yaozu presented a letter and explained, “I am a scholar who passed the imperial exam this year. This is my recommendation letter.”

Magistrate Wu nodded in understanding and took the letter handed over by his advisor. By now, seeing the Chief Historian’s seal again did not faze him as much.

Though he did not know the exact connection between these people and the Chief Historian, he knew he had to arrange their settlement properly.

Especially this Xu scholar—how did the Chief Historian know that the position of Registrar in the county office was currently vacant? Could there be royal spies within his yamen?

The thought sent a cold sweat down Magistrate Wu’s back. He anxiously reviewed his conduct in office over the past few weeks, fearing that he had made any mistakes in his official duties. It took him the time of a burning incense stick to calm himself down.

Meanwhile, Xu Yaozu and the village chief, standing below, were left waiting anxiously, wondering if something had gone wrong with their letters.