Chapter 32: Stockpiling Grain

After Lu Jinnian left, Wen Ruyu summoned the steward, Lu Cheng, to inquire about the household’s grain reserves.

According to Lu Cheng, the Lu family always kept enough food for a month. After all, with dozens of people in the household, buying groceries daily would be too troublesome.

A designated buyer would regularly procure supplies from a chosen vendor, ensuring a steady delivery of meat, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables each month. Easily stored items were kept in the cellar, while perishables were delivered multiple times a month.

If the master of the house found the food satisfactory, the buyer would continue ordering from the same vendor. If not, they would switch suppliers. Naturally, there were always kickbacks involved, making the position of buyer a lucrative one.

With so many servants in the household, Wen Ruyu and Zhao Shu couldn’t ensure that everyone was honest. As long as tasks were completed as instructed and the prices remained within reasonable limits, they wouldn’t go out of their way to monitor the buyer.

“The small garden in the estate, where flowers are currently planted, requires daily maintenance and labor. From now on, remove most of the flowers and use that land to grow easy-to-harvest vegetables. Assign someone to manage it each month—this way, we can save some money while enjoying a bit of farming pleasure.”

“Madam, the family already owns land in the village. Besides, our garden is small. Even if we plant it entirely with vegetables, it would be consumed in less than ten days by our household of dozens. It would be better to keep the flowers for appreciation,” Lu Cheng advised.

Wen Ruyu furrowed her brows and explained, “Two nights ago, I dreamed of the Old Master. He told me that troubled times were ahead and advised me to prepare in advance.

Just today, your Fourth Master told me that there was recent chaos in the capital. This has been on my mind, and I think it’s best to plan ahead. Growing food at home will bring some peace of mind. Even if nothing happens, we can always restore the garden later.”

At the mention of the “Old Master,” Lu Cheng fell silent.

The ancients were superstitious and believed that many things came with omens. Dreams of deceased ancestors were often taken seriously.

Moreover, since the mistress had made up her mind, the servants had only two choices: advise or obey. Defying orders was not an option.

Seeing Wen Ruyu’s insistence, Lu Cheng had no choice but to comply.

Although the Lu family owned land in Qinghe County, it was located outside the city. The harvested grain was brought back for household use, and any surplus was sold.

With two scholars in the Lu family, they were exempt from land taxes on their hundred-acre estate. This meant that their grain was tax-free and could be freely sold or used.

Wen Ruyu had never been particularly fond of flowers—she couldn’t even name many of them. Being a practical person, she saw no use in things that were beautiful but inedible.

Of course, some plants had medicinal value, but since there were no skilled herbalists in the household, it was more practical to buy medicine from the pharmacy when needed.

Hearing Lu Jinnian’s news about chaos in the capital and the emperor’s sudden death, Wen Ruyu couldn’t help but recall the warnings from the original soul in her dreams.

Though the original soul had assured her that disaster wouldn’t directly affect their family, the specifics were unclear.

If it simply meant that they would survive but suffer hardship, Wen Ruyu wasn’t willing to endure such a fate.

No matter what, it was always best to prepare in advance.

If disaster did strike, at least they would have a plan.

After all, ancient times were very different from modern times.

In the modern era, Wen Ruyu’s homeland never faced food shortages. Even during crises, basic necessities remained stable in supply and price.

But in ancient times, things were different. Any disaster would immediately cause food prices to skyrocket, triggering inflation and worsening the plight of the people.

Although there was a concept of “cheap grain purchases during poor harvests,” not all officials enforced such policies.

She continued, “From now on, our household should not just stockpile food for a month. We need to store enough grain, oil, and sugar for two years. As for poultry and meat, have the kitchen preserve them by air-drying, keeping a three-month supply at all times. Pickled vegetables should be stored similarly.”

Lu Cheng hesitated and said, “Old grain loses its taste over time. Right now, there’s no sign of trouble outside. If things start to deteriorate, we can prepare then. Besides, storing so much food at once will significantly increase our expenses.”

“That’s not an issue,” Wen Ruyu replied. “The shops are generating profits, so the cost won’t be a major burden. If the stored grain becomes too old, we can distribute porridge to the poor every few months. This way, we do good deeds while avoiding waste.”

“Madam is truly benevolent,” Lu Cheng praised.

Another way to manage surplus grain was to sell the older stock, minimizing financial losses.

However, given the current income from their businesses, the Lu family was not in dire need of selling rice or pickled vegetables.

Meanwhile, the poor and beggars on the streets were in desperate need.

The poverty of this time was vastly different from what Wen Ruyu had known in modern society.

Modern poverty was about financial insecurity, the struggle for housing, cars, and money.

But here, poverty meant struggling for a meal, owning a single garment to cover one’s body, and barely surviving the winter.

Modern poverty was often a mental burden, but in this era, it was a visible and cruel reality.

“The matter is settled, then. You may go prepare,” Wen Ruyu instructed.

“Yes, Madam.”

After Lu Cheng left, Zhao Shu’s maid, Shiliu, entered.

“Madam, the wife of Merchant Song has come to visit. She’s asking if you’d like to play cards.”

Wen Ruyu recalled who Merchant Song was.

Many people were referred to as “merchants” despite lacking official titles. They were simply wealthy landowners or businesspeople who earned the respect of the locals.

The Song family was one such household. Though they had no official rank, they owned fields, land, and several shops.

Their social status was below the Lu family, but their wealth was certainly greater.

The Song family lived nearby on Osmanthus Alley.

Madam Song loved playing mahjong. Though not particularly skilled, she maintained a good temperament, never showing strong emotions regardless of winning or losing.

This made her a pleasant gaming companion, so both Wen Ruyu and Zhao Shu enjoyed her company.

Recently, she had taken her children to visit their hometown for the New Year. Upon returning, she had even sent pastries to the Lu family.

Now that she had handled her family affairs, her gambling itch had returned, and she had come looking for a game.

Wen Ruyu had never played mahjong, but with the original soul’s memories, she figured she could manage.

Since she had no pressing matters at the moment, she decided to join in.

She originally wanted to invite Lu Mingzhu, but the girl was still studying with her tutor.

“Tell your mistress I’ll join them,” Wen Ruyu said.

Shiliu acknowledged the order and left.

Just then, Madam Zhou entered and reported, “Madam, Tiechui has returned. He says Second Master has something to discuss with you.”

Wen Ruyu remembered that she had sent Tiechui to keep an eye on Lu Bainian.

If Tiechui had news, something must have happened.

“Let him in,” she instructed.

“Yes, Madam.”

Madam Zhou waddled to the door and signaled Tiechui to enter.

Tiechui greeted Wen Ruyu and immediately reported, “Second Master’s acquaintance, Zheng Qiao, visited the village yesterday. That same evening, Second Master hosted a feast with roast chicken, roast duck, and even a jug of Daughter’s Red wine. It seems Zheng Qiao gave him some silver, though I don’t know how much. Second Master has also neglected his farmland for two days.”

Wen Ruyu’s expression remained unchanged.

She had anticipated that Lu Bainian wouldn’t endure rural life for long.

It wasn’t just about clothes—having lived with luxury for so long, how could he tolerate a diet of coarse food with no oil?

“I see. You may rest for a day and resume your duties tomorrow.”

After Tiechui left, Wen Ruyu turned to Qingxue.

“Summon Le’er, Second Master’s former servant.”

“Yes, Madam.”

When Le’er arrived, Wen Ruyu ordered, “Tell him to go to Second Master and remind him of our agreement. If he refuses to farm properly, he might as well come home instead of borrowing money and begging for grain like a child.”

After Qingxue left to deliver the message, Zhao Shu and Madam Song arrived, laughing and chatting, ready for their game.