Chapter 6

"Ke'er, Mr. Zhou has already instructed you to rest more and not to overthink things!"

Shen Shi and Xiao Xue supported Zhang Ke as they helped him sit by the kang, but just these few steps made the wound under his ribs burn, and his whole body ached.

"Second nephew, you should focus on recovering. We're still here for you, so you don't need to worry about the money!"

Zhang Ke, of course, knew these were words of comfort, but he was still deeply moved.

"Mother, Uncle Qiao, you don't need to worry. It's just twenty taels of silver. I have a plan, or I wouldn't have signed the agreement with Wan Baiquan."

"Oh? Second nephew, you really have a plan? I thought you were just being impulsive!" Qiao Tieshan scratched his head, embarrassed.

Shen Shi, supporting Zhang Ke's back, asked in surprise, "Ke'er, can you really do it?"

"Um!"

Zhang Ke nodded slightly. In fact, as soon as his body had recovered somewhat, he had been thinking about ways to make money, determined to improve his family's life. Wan Baiquan's trouble had only accelerated his thoughts.

"Uncle Qiao, have you heard of the Guangning horse market?"

"How could I not know? It's one of the three major horse markets in Liaodong. Many Tartars bring their warhorses to sell in Guangning, and it's very lively. What? Are you planning to make money in Guangning?"

Zhang Ke smiled slightly. "A couple of days ago, I overheard some merchants talking. They said that in Guangning, you can trade coarse cloth for fat sheep, and even worn-out clothes, if cleaned, can be exchanged for fur coats. It's only a month until the New Year, and every household will be buying New Year's goods. If we can trade for ten sheep, we can earn at least thirty to forty taels, and paying back the money won't be a problem."

Qiao Tieshan and the others had been discussing for a long time but couldn't come up with a plan. Zhang Ke's words made them see a glimmer of hope. This was a matter of perspective, and they all fell into deep thought.

Qiao Gui scratched his head, hesitantly saying, "Guangning seems quite far away. What if something goes wrong?"

"You're such a wimp!" Qiao Tieshan slapped his son hard. "I've been to Korea before. Guangning is only 150 li away, and it takes three to four days to walk there. If everything goes smoothly, a round trip will take no more than ten days. The plan Second Nephew proposed is indeed good, and I think it's feasible!"

Qiao Fu became excited and said, "Father, I've also heard that there are big merchants in Guangning who buy furs, and the price of a fur is 20% higher than in Yizhou. In the past, we were afraid of the trouble and didn't dare to go out. I think we should go with Ke'er and have a prosperous New Year!"

During the Ming Dynasty, there were three major horse markets in Liaodong: Fushun, Kaiyuan, and Guangning. These horse markets were places where the Ming Dynasty traded with the Jurchens and Mongols of Liaodong.

The Ming Dynasty had silk, porcelain, tea, and salt, while the Liaodong tribes had warhorses, cattle, sheep, ginseng, and furs. Both sides traded to meet their needs. Every year, a large number of merchants gathered in Guangning to buy specialties. Many ordinary people also traded with the Mongols, exchanging old clothes for fur coats and two pieces of coarse cloth for a sheep. A piece of coarse cloth cost only two to three cash in the inland areas, while a sheep was worth at least two to three taels of silver, making a profit of three to five times.

It was a clear opportunity, but why didn't Qiao Tieshan and the others think of it? First, it was a matter of business acumen. Second, most households were self-sufficient, with nothing to sell. Third, long-distance trade was risky, and most people's activities were limited to a fifty-li radius.

As the saying goes, when you're in dire straits, you think of change. If it weren't for the current situation, Qiao Tieshan and the others wouldn't have agreed so readily.

"Ke'er, what can we sell in Guangning?" Shen Shi asked worriedly. The family wasn't destitute, but they had nothing valuable.

"Mother, the coarse cloth you and Xiao Xue weave is fine and dense. I think it will do. Plus, the shoe soles and the old clothes at home can be tidied up."

"Are we going to sell everything? How will we live?"

"Ha ha ha." Zhang Ke couldn't help but laugh, which pulled at his wound, making him grimace.

"Mother, once we open this path, we'll have money. We'll buy everything new."

Little sister Zhang Hui poked her head out from the door frame, her small head peeking out. Hearing about new things, she was the happiest.

"I want a flower ribbon! A red one, just like the one next door's Cuifeng has! Just one, and I'll use it carefully."

Seeing the little girl's serious expression, Zhang Ke felt a pang of sadness and said boldly, "Don't just talk about ribbons. When we have money, I'll make sure to dress you up like a fairy!"

"Really? Second Brother is so nice!" The little girl jumped with joy.

Shen Shi's frown eased. "Ah, if we can get through this safely, I'll be happy."

Qiao Fu also smiled. "Ke'er, we have quite a few furs at home. Do you want to take them with us?"

"Of course." Zhang Ke smiled. "But they must be good. Don't think the furs in the horse market are expensive. The Tartars have more and better furs, and the shrewd merchants from the Central Plains will definitely try to lower the price. Bringing junk will just waste effort."

"Right, Ke'er is right! But we don't have many good furs. What should we do?"

"That's easy. Take the old furs and exchange them for coarse cloth, old clothes, or even pots and pans, as long as they are sturdy and useful. I think they will sell for a good price."

Zhang Ke wasn't just talking off the top of his head. He had carefully calculated. In the horse market trade, the merchants from the Central Plains had the upper hand, and the Tartars were at a disadvantage. The trade structure was similar to that between industrial and agricultural countries in later times. The silk and porcelain of the Ming Dynasty were high-tech products, and the Tartars were at a disadvantage.

As long as the goods were genuine and the price was slightly lower, it would be easy to sell them to the Tartars. In the face of real money, although Zhang Ke had some prejudice against the Tartars, he couldn't afford to be picky, especially since most of the traders in Guan Ning were Mongols.

Zhang Ke explained the logic to Qiao Tieshan and his sons, and they nodded frequently.

Qiao Tieshan patted his thigh and said, "It makes sense when you explain it, but we would never have thought of it. It seems we need to read more and understand more. You two should be more thoughtful."

Qiao Gui and Qiao Fu were convinced and nodded obediently.

Qiao Tieshan stood up. "Sister-in-law, it's been a while. Let Second Nephew rest more. We'll go and organize things and exchange the furs."

Zhang Ke also said, "Uncle Qiao, move quickly. We'll set off in three days."

"Three days? Will your injury be okay?"

Zhang Ke smiled bitterly. "It has to be. It's our first time, and we don't know what troubles we might encounter. If we can't return on time, Wan Baiquan will take advantage of the situation!"

"Right, that makes sense. Let's go!"

The three of them turned and left. Xiao Xue had already prepared the medicine, and Zhang Ke was extremely tired. He drank the medicine and fell into a deep sleep.

...

Cock-a-doodle-doo... Cock-a-doodle-doo...

The rooster crowed loudly, and Xiao Xue rubbed her sleepy eyes. The girl suddenly felt something was amiss. She turned over and saw that someone was still sleeping on the other side of the pillow, snoring softly and rhythmically—it was Zhang Ke!

"Ahh!"

The girl sat up in shock. How did she end up in Ke'er's room, sleeping with him? A flush spread from her cheeks to her neck, and her heart raced. She vaguely remembered hearing something about...

She quickly looked down and saw that her floral cotton jacket was off, revealing her tender shoulders and even her red undershirt.

Seeing the disarray, the girl couldn't hold back her tears. The more she thought about it, the more she felt wronged. Without a flower sedan, without wedding clothes, without drums and gongs, nothing at all—how embarrassing!

After feeling wronged for a while, she also felt a strange sensation. Since the day she was bought, she knew that this boy, who was about her age, would be her sky, her protector, and her... She quietly turned her head, and driven by some unknown force, she grabbed Zhang Ke's big hand.

"Ke'er, I'm yours now. You must cherish Xiao Xue!"

"Um, don't worry, I will."

Xiao Xue smiled dreamily, muttering to herself, "Ke'er, you're so nice. Even in your sleep, you know what I want..."

Suddenly, she realized something was wrong and looked up to see a pair of bright black eyes staring at her. Her face turned red, and she almost fainted!

"Xiao Xue, what were you just saying?"

"Nothing, nothing, I'll go make breakfast!" The girl hurriedly tried to get out of bed.

Zhang Ke grabbed her small hand and smiled. "Why the rush? Mother and the others are still sleeping. Come, lie down next to me, and let's talk!"

The girl's face turned red, and she buried her head in her chest.

Zhang Ke, seeing her innocent look, couldn't help but laugh. "Xiao Xue, were you thinking about something naughty just now?"

"No, no!"

"Ha ha ha, you little girl, you're so mischievous. Do you know your face is so hot it could fry an egg!"

The girl, frightened, tried to pull her hand away. Her face was indeed burning, and she almost cried again.

"Ha ha, Xiao Xue, don't worry. Nothing happened yesterday."

"Really?"

Zhang Ke smiled helplessly. "I'm currently powerless."

The girl finally calmed down and recalled, "Yesterday, Mother and I were tidying up old clothes, washing them, and drying them on the kang. We were busy until late at night, and I was so tired that I... I fell asleep here!"

Zhang Ke nodded. "When I woke up, you were lying next to me like a little cat. I put you in the bed, and you were quite restless. You first grabbed my blanket, and then, because you were hot, you took off your jacket."

"Don't say it, it's so embarrassing!"

"I won't stop. Xiao Xue, you're mine now. Don't worry, soon I'll ride a high horse and bring you home, and you'll be a happy noble lady."

The girl was already lost in thought, and hearing Zhang Ke's words, she lay on his chest, her softness pressing against his.

"Ke'er, you're so nice to me!" The girl suddenly remembered something and said, "Brother, I'll go make the medicine. Get better soon, I... I'm waiting!"

The girl, blushing, walked out of the room, and Zhang Ke closed his eyes, thinking of her every smile, and continued to sleep.

...

"Sister-in-law, open the door, it's me, Old Liu."

Shen Shi was busy cooking and quickly opened the door. Outside stood a hunched man in his fifties, with a red, pockmarked face and a red nose, wearing a tattered cotton jacket.

It was the blacksmith Liu, and his sudden visit surprised Shen Shi, but she quickly smiled and said, "Brother Liu, come in quickly, it's too cold outside!"

After letting Liu the blacksmith in, Shen Shi smiled apologetically. "We don't have much to eat, but if you don't mind, you can have breakfast with us. Hui'er, add another set of bowls and chopsticks!"

"Sister-in-law, don't bother. I just need to say a few words and go." Liu the blacksmith fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a few pieces of silver.

"Yesterday, I heard that Wan Baiquan was causing trouble. Last night, a few farmers came to pay for the hoes, and I collected a total of 3.5 taels. I don't have any other skills, and I can't give more. Sister-in-law, don't think it's too little!"

The Zhangs and the Lius didn't interact much, and for Liu the blacksmith to bring silver was unexpected. Shen Shi was stunned.

"Brother Liu, how can we accept your money? Everyone is struggling, and it's almost the New Year. Keep it for your children. We have a plan for the money..."

"Sister-in-law, don't say that." Liu the blacksmith's eyes reddened, and his voice choked. "It's been over twenty years. When we had a disaster, my family was almost starving to death. Brother Zhang gave us two dou of rice. Without that rice, I would have been food for wild dogs. I haven't said it, but I've always remembered it! This is all I can do, but please give me a chance to repay you!"

Liu the blacksmith pressed the silver into Shen Shi's hand, refused to take it back, and turned to leave.

In times of crisis, to lend a helping hand is true manliness!

Zhang Ke, hearing Liu the blacksmith's words, felt a deep sense of gratitude. Suddenly, he thought of something and called out, "Uncle Liu, wait, I need to talk to you!"

...

*Hanjing is now complete, with two updates per day. If you have any votes or support, please give them. Thank you to Nagen Geng Zou Tianxia for your support, an old friend...*

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