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Jiang Mixia scratched her head for a moment and then retrieved the money box. She showed the money to Song Jingyun, “A mooncake probably costs around six or seven wen. Let’s assume it’s seven wen each. This string here is one hundred wen, which can buy fourteen or fifteen mooncakes. We have over a dozen strings of money here, which could buy about 170 to 180 mooncakes.”
She continued, “In addition to this silver, we’ve saved over twenty taels. If we were to buy mooncakes, we could afford over three thousand of them. Even if you eat one per day, it would last you for over ten years!”
“I’m telling you all this to show that our financial situation is quite stable. We’ve been steadily earning money, and we can afford the food we want. Our needs are mostly covered, so there’s no need to work tirelessly day and night, exhausting yourself. It’s not worth it.”
“Furthermore…”
“Furthermore, there are many ways to make money. Weaving baskets might be a way to earn, but it’s the most basic and the most tiring. If you truly want to make more money to buy more delicious things, we need to think of other methods. We should find easier ways to make more money, instead of exhausting all our energy on basic tasks.”
Jiang Mixia patted Song Jingyun’s shoulder and said, “You don’t know much about this place yet, and you’re not familiar with many ways to make money. You can follow my plan for now, and when you find better ways, you can try those too.”
“In short, you shouldn’t work day and night like this. If you exhaust yourself, you won’t be able to enjoy good food. Instead, you might have to eat unpleasant medicine and follow dietary restrictions, which could be troublesome. It might even affect your lifespan. If you live a shorter life, you won’t have enough time to enjoy more delicious things, and that’s not worth it.”
“Can you understand what I’m saying?”
After listening, Song Jingyun pondered for a moment and then nodded, “I understand.”
He then looked at Jiang Mixia and solemnly said, “I will listen to my wife.”
Jiang Mixia had said a lot, and he only understood some parts, while others seemed to be a bit unclear. However, one thing was clear: he must listen to his wife. That couldn’t go wrong!
Jiang Mixia: “…”
Alright, after talking for such a long time and analyzing so much, he only remembered that last sentence. So, this diligent husband, who seems to have an eidetic memory for work, only has a seven-second memory for reasoning?
However, if he can remember that one line, at least he won’t be so stubbornly working day and night for the next few days.
“Alright, it’s already this time. It’s not appropriate to go back to sleep now. Let’s tidy up and sweep the yard. Later, we can help Dad and Mom prepare breakfast.”
Upon hearing Jiang Mixia’s words, Song Jingyun no longer insisted on weaving baskets. He tidied up the bamboo pieces and strips, then fetched a large broom to sweep the yard with Jiang Mixia.
Today, being the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the meals were quite sumptuous from breakfast onwards.
There were layers of meat pie with rich meat filling, red date and rice congee, fermented soybeans, Sichuan-style green beans, and garlic eggplant.
Lunch consisted of fragrant steamed rice and braised lamb made from the leg brought back.
In the evening, at Jiang Mixia’s suggestion, they had a barbecue in the yard.
Using readily available bamboo, they made skewers with lamb, pork belly, eggplant, potatoes, and wrapped vegetables in tofu skin, all grilled on a small charcoal stove. They brushed them with sauce, sprinkled cumin and chili powder. Each item was crispy on the outside and tender inside, incredibly delicious.
Song Jingyun squinted happily.
Just as I said, listening to your wife, you can’t go wrong.
—
The water held in the double-layered bamboo basket remained leak-free for a full two days.
Jiang Mixia was very satisfied. Together with Jiang Youcheng and Song Jingyun, they began making these bamboo baskets.
To ensure quality, each basket had to undergo a waterproofing test to guarantee its reliability.
Jiang Youcheng marveled as he worked, “In the past, they used to say ‘a bamboo basket for fetching water ends up empty,’ but now, the bamboo baskets we make can hold water. It’s quite remarkable.”
“These wooden buckets are thick and heavy. It’s often hard to carry them. Making these leak-proof bamboo baskets, they’re lighter and more convenient than wooden buckets and tubs, especially when it comes to carrying water or other things,” he added.
“However, making these isn’t easy, and they can’t be sold for cheap. It might be hard to sell them in town,” he continued, referring to the example of Jiang Chunshi’s wooden puppets.
Even though people liked the novelty and appearance of the items, if their pockets weren’t deep enough, they couldn’t afford to buy them.
Some families were willing to endure a bit of hardship rather than spend extra money on such items.
“So, we should go to the county town to sell them,” Jiang Mixia responded with a smile. “In the county town, the land plots are smaller, and everyone’s busy earning money. Many people prefer lightweight and practical items, especially in various shops. Buying these things might even save them some labor costs, making it more cost-effective.”
“True,” Jiang Youcheng nodded.
“Coincidentally, I need to go to see Manager Zheng to hand in some patterns and clay figurines. We might as well take a cart to bring these things to the county town and try to sell them,” Jiang Mixia suggested.
“Alright, I’ll talk to Third Uncle this afternoon about using the cart,” Jiang Youcheng said.
As they spoke, Jiang Youcheng’s pace of weaving the bamboo baskets quickened.
After making around ten leak-proof bamboo baskets, and with Jiang Mixia’s clay figurines mostly dried, the three of them boarded Jiang San’s ox cart and set off for the county town.
They first went to the Qiu’s shop.
Madam Zheng was coincidentally in the store.
Upon seeing the patterns drawn by Jiang Mixia and the clay figurines she had made, Madam Zheng’s eyes lit up.
A complete set of little tiger figures, some lying down, some sitting, some half-asleep, some with a pleasant smile, and some roaring in anger…
Each had a different form, but all of them were playful and lovely, making them irresistible to look at.
Madam Zheng examined this one, touched that one, and found that she loved each one of them.
Initially, she thought that the patterns drawn by Jiang Mixia would be similar to the wooden puppets she had purchased from Jiang Chunshi last time. However, she was surprised to find that this time, the patterns and clay figurines were so stunning.
She realized that Jiang Chunshi’s skills were limited and could only produce rough models, unable to capture the expressions depicted in the patterns. However, the clay figurines made by Jiang Mixia truly brought out every detail.
She had really struck gold!
Madam Zheng did not hide her joy and amazement. She nodded repeatedly in appreciation, “The patterns and the items are both excellent. This is a set of ten, and the design of the tiger is great. Let’s calculate it at 2.5 taels of silver for one pattern.”
As a result, the ten patterns amounted to 25 taels of silver.
It seemed fair compensation for her month-long hard work.
Jiang Mixia was quite satisfied and said, “Let’s do as Madam Zheng suggested.”
After Jiang Mixia’s agreement, Madam Zheng led them to the accounting office to settle the payment.
Once they received the money, Jiang Mixia and Jiang Youcheng inquired about visiting Jiang Chunshi.
On the 15th of the eighth lunar month, Jiang Chunshi had returned home for a visit and had also stopped by Jiang Youcheng’s home. He mentioned that everything was fine at the Qiu’s shop, and his living conditions were good. His master was also approachable and willing to teach.