Chapter 55.1

Translated by Aviana

(3/4)

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Once the two left the Man Fu House’s doors, Yao-shi excitedly said: “Second sao, I never expected they would be sold for such a high price. When I was in front of the waiter and the manager, I couldn’t even bring myself to utter a word.”

Lin Qingwan patted her hand with a smile, but soon her she fell into contemplation.

After a few steps of walk, she asked Yao-shi, “Third dimei, do you know where the third younger brother is working?”

弟妹 (dìmèi): younger sibling / younger brother’s wife

With Yang Tiegen having been leaving early in the morning and returning late in the nights, Lin Qingwan had seen him very seldomly. Thus, she wasn’t aware of Yang Tiegen’s present situation.

Yao-shi was momentarily caught off guard, but she nevertheless nodded her head.

“Yes, I heard husband saying that he wasn’t able to get any temporary jobs these days and has been waiting by the rental carriage plaza for any work because their patrons would usually require the laborers to transport their goods.”

“Then you take me to where third younger brother is waiting. I want him to help me with something.”

Yao-shi consented, nodded, and led Lin Qingwan to the north of Luoyun Town.

The rental carriage plaza that Yao-shi said was in actuality spread across one entire street. Since this street usually houses several rental carriage storefronts, people began calling the whole street rental carriage plaza.

It was currently nearing noon; however, there weren’t many mule carts in the entire plaza. Lin Qingwan could see few men, seemingly laborers, squatting in the corner, waiting for work.

Both of them were dressed rather rustically, with a cloth wrapped around their heads, and weren’t conspicuous. They didn’t garner any attention as they walked further into the street. As they walked a bit further in, not long after, they came across Yang Tiegen, squatting by side while waiting for work, like everyone else.

Yao-shi strode towards him while calling his name. Yang Tiegen glanced up, only to find his wife striding towards him. He quickly stood up, speculating something might have happened at home.

“What’s the matter? Did something happen at home?”

Yao-shi shook his head before turning around and glancing at Lin Qingwan.

“Second sao wants your help for some matter.”

Only then did Yang Tiegen realize that second sao was also standing at the side. He was just about to ask how can he help her when Lin Qingwan interjected, “It’s inconvenient to talk here. It now just happens to be lunchtime, should we all look for a place to eat. We can speak slowly after that.”

Embarrassment filled Yang Tiegen’s face, “Second sao, I am fine, I have dry food with me.”

Lin Qingwan was acutely aware that it wasn’t that he didn’t want to help her; rather, he didn’t want to spend money. Lin Qingwan pulled Yao-shi and began walking onward without allowing him to say anything further. Yang Tiegen had no choice but to catch up with them.

Near the rental carriage plaza, there were few food stalls. Many laborers don’t usually go back for lunch. If the conditions are optimal, a few of them buy a bowl of noodles for lunch. And those like Yang Tiegen, who want to save, would bring some dry food from home.

Lin Qingwan preferred not to eat dry food in this chilly and windy weather if possible. After this, she also had something she wanted to buy before going home.

The three found a noodle stall and ordered a bowl of noodles each before taking seats.

Lin Qingwan then began briefing the situation to Yang Tiegen in a low voice before requesting him to visit Man Fu House after a few days to inquire.

She then asked him to buy pork when returning, emphasizing that sufficient quantities of pig’s small intestines should be bought.

Yes, it is precisely how it seems. Lin Qingwan was intending to make another batch of lap cheong to store at home.

It wasn’t much of a deal, even if the manager refused to buy anymore. They could just eat them at home. Unlike other food, lap cheong could be stored safely till the sixth month of the next year. In the event that they could be sold, it’s even better. This day she had sold about 10 jin, leaving only about seven to eight jin at home, which would be in no way be sufficient to sell. Moreover, lap cheong is also not something that could be made instantaneously on the spot; it must be air-dried for a couple of days.

Be that as it may, Lin Qingwan strongly believed that preparedness averts peril.

Yang Tiegen asked in what quantities does she want him to buy the pork and small intestines. The pork was easy to buy, but getting a pig’s small intestine wasn’t easy. Most pork sellers discard these small intestines. Only a few sellers sell small intestines, which people usually buy to feed their dogs or cats.

In case they needed to buy it in large quantities, Yang Tiegen thought, he would have to speak with the pork seller and order it in advance.

After pondering for a while, Lin Qingwan replied she needed fifty jin of pork, and as for the small intestines, the more they are, the better. She was aware that they weren’t easy to get hold of. In any case, they aren’t worth much. Even if they were bought in excess, they could be stored in water. In this cold weather, they won’t go bad.

When Yang Tiegen heard his second sao say 50 jin, he was slightly stunned. Although the second sao had sold ten jin, would it be okay to buy 50 jin at once? Isn’t she afraid that they might go to waste?

Looking at Yang Tiegen’s hesitation, Lin Qingwan knew what he was thinking about. Thus, she elaborated her intention to him.

After listening, Yang Tiegen felt it was reasonable, but it takes up a lot of silver——

On average, currently, the pork costs somewhere around 12 wen per jin. In that case, 50 jin would cost about more than a tael. What if it all goes to waste?

A string of 1000 wen is equivalent to one silver tael. 50 jin pork costs approximately 600 wen, more than half a tael.

By nature, Yang Tiegen was simple and honest. Though he had difficulty in expressing his concern, he would be inwardly worried. Furthermore, he had kept in mind all the goodwill his second brother and second sao and showed to their family. Although he wasn’t good with words, he still expressed his concern whilst stuttering.

With a gentle smile, Lin Qingwan appeased him that it would be alright, for to achieve something, one would have to gamble. And moreover, even if they were unable to sell them, they could eat them.

Seeing that he couldn’t persuade her against it, Yang Tiegen wasn’t able to say anything.

Once the three of them were done eating the noodles, Lin Qingwan paid the bill. Then she handed Yang Tiegen the bag of copper coins that the manager had given to her. After thinking for a short while, she gave him another piece of a silver tael. That piece of silver tael should be roughly equivalent to half a silver tael. This much would be sufficient to buy enough amount of pork.

After giving the money to silver, Lin Qingwan planned to leave. Yao-shi once again asked her husband to be careful and not overwork himself before leaving.

Lin Qingwan had barely taken a step when she suddenly remembered something. She turned around and asked Yang Tiegen to deliver the pork to Eldest gu Yang-shi’s place instead of Yang jia.

姑 (gū): father’s oldest sister

After a moment of thought, Yang Tiegen understood what second sao’s intention. Taking fifty jin of pork to home would be indeed eye-catching. Although their two families have separated from the main family, it would be better to avoid, considering the temperaments of their mother’s, He-shi, and eldest sao, Wang-shi.

Before going back, Lin Qingwan led Yao-shi to the medical center where Yang Tiezhu was treated and bought a few herbs for the thirteen-spice. Yao-shi merely thought she was buying medicine for Yang Tiezhu and didn’t delve much into it.

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