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Chapter 9.2 Making Money
Weighing the pouch in her hand, Wanqing’s face lit up with satisfaction.
“Manager, if my family catches more wild rabbits, should we bring them here?” She was eager to maintain a good relationship with Manager He.
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I want them?”
“That’s great. Also…” Wanqing hesitated for a moment before asking, “Manager, which is the best medical clinic in Qingxian County?”
“The best? That would be Baohetang, without a doubt.” Realizing that Wanqing might need to visit the clinic, he helpfully pointed the way. “Just cross this street, take a turn, and you’ll find it. Doctor Su from Baohetang is a friend of mine.”
“Thank you, Manager. We’ll go check it out. Goodbye.”
Zhiwen was still in a daze.
He couldn’t wrap his head around it—since when did his little sister know how to do business? Since when did she know how to cook?
And… they had just earned 350 wen.
That was 350 wen!
Is this a dream?
It wasn’t until Wanqing pulled him onto the bustling street that he snapped out of it.
She looked at her brother with a knowing smile—he needed time to process everything. She had been a bit too capable today, and it had clearly shocked him.
“Brother, let’s take a stroll through the market.”
“…Okay.” Zhiwen responded like a puppet, obeying his sister without question.
Since they rarely came to the county town, the siblings took their time wandering the streets, marveling at the sights.
After making a turn, they spotted the signboard for Baohetang.
Wanqing stopped at the entrance.
Zhiwen, noticing this, asked, “Sister, why are we at the clinic?”
“Brother, let’s go inside and ask if there’s any medicine that can help Mother. The county doctors must be better than the ones in our village.”
Zhiwen thought his sister made sense. Before, they had no money, but now that they did—and since they were already in town—it was only right to seek better medical advice.
Together, they stepped into the clinic.
The clinic was busy, with the staff bustling about, too occupied to notice the two children.
Wanqing spotted an elderly man behind the counter, bent over as he organized some herbs. She decided to approach him.
Just as she took a step forward—
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”
A clinic assistant suddenly appeared and spoke sharply near her ear.
Wanqing turned to him calmly. “Big Brother, I’d like to ask if Doctor Su is here. Manager He from Fumanlou sent me.”
“Manager He sent you?” The assistant glanced skeptically at the two siblings in their ragged clothes.
Still, he bowed slightly toward the elderly man behind the counter. “Master, they claim Manager He sent them.”
The old man lifted his head slightly.
Seizing the moment, Wanqing stepped forward and respectfully bowed. “Sir, I’m looking for Doctor Su. Manager He recommended I come here.”
“What’s the matter?” the old man asked, not looking up.
Wanqing explained, “Sir, my mother is in poor health. The village doctor said she needs ginseng to recover, but we can’t afford it. I wanted to ask if there’s a more affordable alternative, like Huangqi (Astragalus). Would that work?”
At this, the elderly man finally raised his head and studied Wanqing. She was just a malnourished village girl.
“You know about medicinal herbs?”
“Not really,” Wanqing admitted. “I only know that Huangqi replenishes qi.”
It was just something she had picked up from modern health tips.
The old man let out an “Oh.”
“Medicine shouldn’t be taken recklessly.”
“I understand. I just want to make nourishing soup for my mother—using Huangqi with chicken.”
For someone so young, she was surprisingly knowledgeable. The elderly man regarded her with newfound respect.
Reaching for some herbs, he wrapped a portion in paper and handed it to Wanqing. “Here. This is Huangqi. Just add a few slices when making soup.”
Wanqing took the package gratefully. “Thank you, sir. How much do I owe you?”
“No need. It’s not worth much.”
Touched by his generosity, she hesitated before asking, “Sir, do you also sell hongzao (red dates)?”
The old man gestured to his assistant, who packed half a jin of red dates for her.
Wanqing reached for her money pouch, but the old man shook his head. “No charge.”
Wanqing once again thanked the old man, while Zhiwen stood there, dumbfounded.
Since when did my sister get such thick skin?
Still in a daze, he followed her out of the clinic. Only after stepping onto the bustling street did he snap back to reality. With a serious expression, he said, “Sister, how can we just take things for free?”
Wanqing replied nonchalantly, “Brother, we already took the Huangqi, so a few red dates won’t make a difference. We’ll return the favor when we get the chance.”
Zhiwen felt uneasy about owing a favor. “What chance?”
Wanqing glanced at her simple-minded brother. Even though he was already fifteen, he had little experience with the ways of the world. But that was okay—he would learn over time by following her lead.
She believed that relationships were built on mutual exchanges. Once you visit someone twice, they become familiar with you. In an era where medicine was scarce, getting acquainted with a doctor was always beneficial.
As for the favor she owed today, she would find a way to repay it in the future.
With 350 wen in hand, Wanqing shifted into shopping mode.
She pulled Zhiwen along as they browsed several stores, getting a general sense of the prices in this era.
Eventually, they entered a grain shop, where she bought:
Total cost: 170 wen.
Zhiwen’s heart ached with every coin spent.
But Wanqing reassured him, “Mother needs white rice and flour to recover. We’re buying this for her health.”
From the grain shop, they moved on to a general store, where Wanqing picked up:
After leaving the store, the midday sun blazed overhead, and their stomachs began rumbling.
Wanqing stopped in front of a bun shop, torn between buying meat buns or vegetable buns.
She turned to Zhiwen. “Brother, do you want a meat bun?”
Zhiwen quickly shook his head. “No.”
They had already spent too much money today.
Although she also wanted a meat bun, considering their limited funds, she decided to be frugal.
Wanqing spent 10 wen to buy 10 vegetable buns—one for Zhiwen, one for herself, and the rest neatly packed in her basket for later.
As they retraced their steps homeward, they passed through the market again and stopped by a butcher’s stall.
The selection was sparse, but Wanqing spotted a large pig intestine and asked for the price.
The butcher gave her a sidelong glance and said gruffly, “2 wen.”
Without hesitation, Wanqing retrieved 2 wen from her pouch and handed it over. Seeing her decisive payment, the butcher’s mood improved. He passed the pig intestine to her and casually asked, “Anything else you need?”
Wanqing’s eyes landed on a large bone nearby. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Is this bone for sale?”
The butcher scratched his head. “This? Eh… there’s barely any meat left. Might as well get rid of it. Take it—it’s on the house.”
Wanqing beamed at him. “Thank you, boss! I’ll be sure to come back here for meat in the future!”
Her bright, sincere smile left a good impression on the butcher.
Zhiwen, however, was bewildered.
Why is she so happy over a bone?
And more importantly… why did she buy pig intestines?
They smell awful and taste bad!
Reaching the city gates, Wanqing suddenly refused to take another step.
“Brother, there’s no way I’m walking all the way home with all this stuff. My legs will give out.”
Zhiwen had no choice but to look for a ride.
He found an ox cart heading toward Xiushui Town, where they lived. The fare was 3 wen per person, so he paid 6 wen for both of them.
As soon as the coins changed hands, Wanqing perked up. She scrambled onto the cart and settled in comfortably.
Zhiwen sighed and climbed up beside her.
At last, they were on their way home.