SLH | Chapter 23

Digging Herbs to Earn Money

“You all know about it, Xia Ge’er and Huzi want to find some work to do. What do you two from the eldest family think?” Ruan Xiulian asked, holding Xia Ge’er.

Liu Meng said, “I don’t have any objections, but the family is tight on money. I’m afraid we can’t come up with enough silver to start a business.”

Song Tingzhu said, “It’s not possible right now, maybe after we save up some money, we can start something.”

“Alright, you and Huzi go ahead and do it. The family has me.”

“Alright, alright.” Tang Chunxing elbowed her husband.

Xia Ge’er was wronged over at the west courtyard, and the brother-in-law got sick for a while trying to get justice for him. She was grateful for that and willingly took care of her brother-in-law, but doing business was a different matter. If they made money, that would be great, but if they lost, how would the second brother’s family pay it back? Wouldn’t the whole family have to help repay the debt?

She took the sleepy Xia Ge’er into her arms and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, “The family already has enough debts. The brother-in-law is still taking medicine, and summer harvest is approaching. Our family has few men, and it will be just me and mother. How can we manage?”

“My husband and I have discussed it. We won’t start until late autumn, so it won’t interfere with the busy farming season.”

Tang Chunxing felt even more uncertain after hearing that.

What kind of work would take so long to start? It wasn’t like other businesses that started right away. Why was it that only Zhu Ge’er had to wait several months?

Liu Xiaomei, upon hearing that her brother-in-law wanted to do business, raised her hands in support.

“Brother-in-law, I support you. I went to the back mountain today to dig wild vegetables. I followed the drawings you made and dug up quite a few herbs. Later, you can check if I got them right.”

Xia Ge’er rubbed his eyes and said in his childish voice, “Xia Ge’er also supports Uncle.”

Liu Dasheng sat silently to the side, waiting for the whole family to express their opinions before he spoke.

“I disagree.”

Song Tingzhu was a bit shocked. A few days ago, he had hinted about doing business, and at that time, his father didn’t say anything, so he assumed it was agreed upon. He thought he only needed to convince his mother-in-law, but today, things took a turn.

Liu Dasheng supported his knees, his sun-darkened face covered with a shadow.

“What business does a farming family have to do? If you take care of the land, won’t you have enough to eat and drink? Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants; although our Sheng Country values merchants and doesn’t restrict them from taking the imperial exams, being in the merchant class is still considered lower. I think it’s better for you and Huzi to have a couple of kids, send them to the academy to study, and maybe become a scholar or a candidate. Isn’t that better than doing business?”

Song Tingzhu lowered his eyes upon hearing this.

His body probably couldn’t have children anymore.

Ruan Xiulian saw her son-in-law’s pale face and thought he was hitting a sore spot. She glared at Liu Dasheng and said irritably, “What are you talking about? Why can’t we do business? Back then, you were too proud and offended people without realizing it, which is why someone played dirty tricks and broke your leg. Zhu Ge’er is meticulous, and with Huzi by his side, nothing will go wrong.”

Liu Dasheng said sternly, “It’s still not as good as studying. Even if you only become a scholar, others will look up to us. No matter how big the business is, when you see someone with a title, don’t you still have to nod and bow, trying to please them?”

“How can it be useless!” Ruan Xiulian also got angry, raising her voice suddenly. “It can make sure the family has enough to eat and wear, pay taxes in summer, and have coal for warmth in winter. Isn’t that what people live for, to not worry about food and drink? Like over at the west courtyard, to gather money for Yushu’s studies, the whole family eats bran and swallows vegetables, not seeing meat for months. Who knows when that kind of life will end!”

“Mom…” Xia Ge’er shrank into Tang Chunxing’s arms, a bit scared.

Ruan Xiulian softened her expression seeing this and spoke gently, “It’s not that I’m favoring Huzi and Zhu Ge’er. The family is already like this, so why not try doing some business? Maybe it can improve things a bit. Xia Ge’er is four this year, and Chunxing, you and Mengzi should have another one next year. Don’t make it so you can’t even afford to raise a child.

Don’t worry too much, my husband. Today, I went back to my family, and Zhu Ge’er got my two brothers to join in. You know Daniu and Erniu, they’re strong men. Plus, with Huzi, even if someone wants to mess with us, they’ll have to think twice.”

Liu Dasheng sat silently on the doorstep, while Tang Chunxing patted Xia Ge’er and asked casually, “What if we lose?”

Song Tingzhu said, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. If we lose, it’s on me and Huzi. It won’t affect the family.”

Tang Chunxing was someone who wore her emotions on her sleeve. With Song Tingzhu’s assurance, all her worries vanished, though she still liked to save face and said insincerely, “We’re all family. Saying that makes it seem like we’re strangers.”

“Alright, it’s settled then.”

Ruan Xiulian brought up another matter, “In a few days, Zhu Ge’er will teach Xiaomei and Xia Ge’er to read. At that time, Ning Ge’er will bring Wen Ping over to learn together.”

“Mom, is that true?” Tang Chunxing’s face was full of disbelief.

Ruan Xiulian gave her eldest daughter-in-law a look, “Would I lie in front of Zhu Ge’er?”

Tang Chunxing was overjoyed at this, “That’s great! Our Xia Ge’er is going to learn to read too!”

She didn’t think it was useless for girls and young men to learn to read. Back in Tangjia Village, there was a boy who could read. He didn’t marry until he was eighteen, and the village said he was too picky and would end up unwanted, but he turned around and married into the town, becoming the shopkeeper’s husband at a tavern. Now, he’s helping with accounting there, one of the few accountants in town!

Liu Xiaomei’s cheeks were red, clearly excited too.

Seeing his mother and aunt so happy, Xia Ge’er also grinned.

After washing up that night and returning to the west room, Song Tingzhu took out the purse he kept under the pillow and carefully counted the silver and copper coins.

“One tael and seventy wen. After giving two hundred wen to mom and dad this month, there’s still eight hundred seventy wen left.”

“I have some too.” Liu Hu took out a heavy string of copper coins from his pocket and placed it in front of his wife. “I caught a wild chicken with the trap a few days ago and sold it in town this morning.”

Song Tingzhu roughly counted and was surprised, “Over a hundred wen? Wild game is worth that much?”

“There aren’t many hunters in Lianxi Town. The wealthy in town want to eat wild game but can’t find it. When someone catches some, they rush to buy it. They’re afraid someone else will get it first, so the price naturally goes up.”

Song Tingzhu nodded, “I see.”

After putting away the money, the couple lay down to sleep.

The next day was bright and clear, a beautiful day. Song Tingzhu brought a small stool and sat under the courtyard wall, ready to process the herbs Liu Xiaomei dug up yesterday.

Drying herbs is an art. Those who don’t know think it’s just about leaving them in the sun to dry out, but that’s not the case. Sun exposure can affect the herbs’ properties, making them less valuable. Each type of herb has different characteristics, so the processing methods vary slightly.

Besides the drying method, picking also has its nuances. However, for these common herbs, the processing isn’t as strict. Just clean them and let them dry in a ventilated area.

Liu Xiaomei brought back more herbs today, and Song Tingzhu processed them as well.

In a few days, the Liu family’s small courtyard was filled with baskets of herbs drying under the sun. Knowing they were to be sold in town for money, everyone helped dig up more.

In no time, the plantain in the mountains was all picked clean. Liu Xiaomei returned with an empty basket, not only failing to dig up any herbs but also with a few scratches on her face.

Author’s Note:

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