Chapter 66: Something Amiss

“The esteemed guest may not be aware that Madam Jiang has a wide range of skills. The madam buys her puppet patterns from Madam Jiang…”

—

This time, there was an order for fifteen Satchels.

With the limited number of students at Wen De Academy, and even fewer who would be taking the imperial examination next year, the quantity of the baskets was nearing saturation.

However, these two or three orders had brought in over ten taels of silver, making the compensation quite substantial.

During this period, it was the peak season for harvesting autumn tea. Because the weather was not as dry as in the summer, the tea leaves took longer to dry, so the tea garden also ordered twenty large bamboo baskets.

Additionally, they also ordered some simple patterned mats to prepare for adding a layer to the roof before winter.

Using thin bamboo poles tied into five-inch squares, they planned to lay the mats in a manner similar to a contemporary simple ceiling.

By doing this, in winter, the heat from charcoal fires wouldn’t rise to the high ceiling, and in summer, the heat could be contained at the roof, achieving the effect of warmth in winter and coolness in summer.

The delivery for the baskets and the bamboo baskets for the tea garden was set for half a month later, but due to recent busyness, the ceiling work and the mats could be delayed by another half a month.

This arrangement helped to manage the workload effectively.

“It’s fortunate that we listened to Xia and set up this workshop at home. Otherwise, I’m afraid we wouldn’t have been able to manage these orders. We wouldn’t just miss out on earnings, but it might also affect the tea garden’s business,” Jiang Youcheng remarked, reflecting as he worked.

“They do say you should listen to your daughter,” Liu Shi said as she poured a cup of hot tea, smiling and adding a comment.

Song Jingyun, who was busy nearby, raised his eyebrows slightly and smirked. He had long known that one should heed his wife’s words, but it seemed his parents were only realizing it now.

It appeared that his parents weren’t as clever as he was…

As others were occupied, Jiang Mixia also kept busy, beginning to draw a new set of puppet patterns.

This time, she was drawing a puppy.

Next year would be the Year of the Dog, and with winter approaching, if Qiu’s store could rush the production, they could start selling the puppets right at the beginning of winter, which would be an auspicious start.

After a few busy days, it was time to plant winter wheat.

The family gathered to discuss how to manage the five acres of land at home for this matter.

The workshop was bustling. Jiang Youcheng and Song Jingyun, the two strong laborers, had their hands full, while Jiang Mixia was busy creating patterns for clay figurines. Liu Shi, on the other hand, had to manage the family’s meals and clothing. Almost everyone was occupied.

Ultimately, the decision was made to lease out the five acres of land. Apart from the annual taxes to be paid for the land, they would collect only twenty percent of the rent, which could be paid after the harvest, rather than in advance.

This news quickly spread through the Jiang village, and many people expressed interest in renting the land. After all, the rent was reasonable, and the land was of good quality.

However, Jiang Zhengxin also weighed in on the matter. According to him, at Jiang Youcheng’s request, the responsibility for managing the land lease was entrusted to him as the village head. His intention was to prioritize renting the land to families in need of land and struggling financially within the village.

This statement received unanimous approval from the entire Jiang village. It made sense to prioritize those in need, as they were all part of the same village and the same family.

Consequently, the family members who were financially tight gradually approached Jiang Zhengxin, inquiring about the possibility of leasing the five acres of land. Even Jiang Datou went to inquire.

He wanted to work the land well. If he could have more land, he could earn extra money to buy medicine for his mother.

However, as he was on his way to Jiang Zhengxin’s house, he noticed from a distance that Jiang Dashuang had already entered the house.

During the recent autumn harvest, Jiang Dashuang’s father stumbled and fell while cutting bamboo poles, with the sickle piercing his thigh, causing him to lose a lot of blood. It was a near-fatal incident. In order to afford his father’s treatment, Jiang Dashuang and his mother sold several acres of their land to raise the medical expenses. Thankfully, his father’s life was saved, but due to tendon damage, he could only walk with a limp and couldn’t do heavy work.

The family had spent most of their savings and had borrowed a substantial amount from neighbors.

As a result of this incident, Jiang Zhengxin had made the decision to subsidize Jiang Dashuang’s family with several bags of bamboo poles to ensure they had food to eat. However, Jiang Dashuang was only fourteen, with an eight-year-old brother and a six-year-old sister at home, and elderly grandparents. With only four acres of land, although they could manage to eat for now, their situation would become uncertain by the end of the year.

It was only natural that he wanted to lease some land for farming.

Seeing this, Jiang Datou felt hesitant.

Jiang Dashuang’s family was currently facing even greater difficulties than his own.

After pacing back and forth in front of Jiang Zhengxin’s house for a while, Jiang Datou eventually gritted his teeth and prepared to return home.

His family still had about ten acres of land, so although they were tight on medicine expenses, at least they wouldn’t go hungry.

As it happened, Jiang Zhengxin coincidentally escorted Jiang Dashuang out and, seeing Jiang Datou hastily leaving, called out, “Datou?”

Jiang Datou paused. “Uncle Zheng.”

“Do you need something from me?” Jiang Zhengxin asked.

“No, no… I just came out for a walk, that’s all. I have to go back home to cook now. I’ll take my leave,” Jiang Datou scratched his head and hurried off almost in a flash.

Jiang Zhengxin shook his head.

In this short while, to think he would go home to cook. That honest kid really couldn’t lie.

The younger generation in the Jiang village were all quite good.

Smiling to himself, Jiang Zhengxin returned home.

In the end, Jiang Mixia’s family leased the five acres of land to Jiang Dashuang’s family. Jiang Dashuang was very grateful and wanted to express his gratitude with something, but his family currently had nothing to offer. Instead, he helped out at Jiang Mixia’s house, carrying water from the river for several days.

It wasn’t until Jiang Mixia and Jiang Youcheng’s attempts to dissuade him turned into a continuous scolding that Jiang Dashuang finally relented.

In the deep autumn, even with the midday sun, it didn’t feel hot. However, as soon as the afternoon passed, a noticeable chill set in.

Liu Shi had already started making winter clothes. She took the rabbit fur that Song Jingyun and Jiang Mixia had stripped from the rabbits, cut it into wide strips, and prepared to sew them into neck collars for Song Jingyun and Jiang Mixia.

The fur would block the wind and keep them warm, especially around the neck. The fur was a beautiful gray, complementing various colors of clothing.

The remaining fur was prepared to make two sets of arm warmers, which would be convenient for Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun to use in winter.

Seeing this, Jiang Youcheng murmured, “…”

Something felt off.

It seemed like his wife completely forgot to make something for him?

After seriously contemplating it for two days, Jiang Youcheng thought it might be because there wasn’t enough rabbit fur. After all, when resources are scarce, it’s natural to prioritize the children.

So, Jiang Youcheng bought several intact rabbit furs from the hunters in the neighboring village and handed them to Liu Shi.

Liu Shi was overjoyed to see the rabbit fur. “I was just thinking about whether we should buy more rabbit fur, and you’ve brought some back just in time.”

“Of course, who else would I be?” Jiang Youcheng proudly boasted. “I knew you’d definitely want these, so I hurried to buy them.”

On Monday, the feeling of going to work is always a bit heavy…