Chapter Five, Prosperous Era (5)

"Aren't there two sheets? How come there are four?" Zhang Liu asked in surprise. Without waiting for Li Xu to explain, he clapped his hands and said, "Ha, this is just right. Yesterday, I visited Old Liu's family, who sells herbal medicine. They were worried about the government's collection of raw hides. I brought them some charcoal in the snow, and just happened to take the opportunity to deal him a blow, avenging the grudge from when your uncle asked for medicine in spring!"

"That sounds great, as I was just worried about not having enough ingredients. Autumn has already arrived; where can I find so many fresh items?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Liu inserted the sharp knife into the muddy ground beside him, jumped up, and quickly ran towards the mount that Li Xu had tied outside the door.

This is a fair transaction; go find someone else. At this price, he won't be able to buy it anywhere else. Who doesn't know that in recent days, the market has run out of raw hides!" Upon hearing her husband criticize her, Zhang Liu immediately intensified her beating. "Moreover, you were ill last year, and didn't the old Liu family take the opportunity to sell their ginseng at an exorbitant price? We are all in business; why should I concern myself with their difficulties!

Having escaped from his uncle's house, Li Xu finally realized that he had nowhere to go. Among the nearby villages, there were few boys of his age; those from more affluent families had long gone to school. Those from poorer backgrounds had to follow their elders to work in the fields as half laborers, or lower their status to become apprentices in shops to save a meal for their families. It was now morning, and apart from the rascals in the county town, no one had the luxury of time to waste or to pursue studies.

As soon as I arrived at the intersection, I saw you rushing out of Old Liu's house as if you were on fire. I called out to you several times, but you didn't hear me. I was quite puzzled at first. When I came back and heard the news, it turned out you had gone to rob them while they were in trouble!" Zhang Baosheng shot a glare at his wife, angrily reprimanding her. "Old Liu's family digs herbs to sell, and they barely earn a hundred or so coins a year. Now look, you've ruined them completely!"

Is one hundred and fifty pieces of meat good? And you don't want to pay with white money? Li Xu's eyes immediately widened, larger than an egg. His father was a traveling merchant, and he often helped his father calculate the accounts for various goods. According to the market conditions of the Sui Dynasty, three wen could be exchanged for half a dou of coarse rice. Even the new emperor's issued white money could not sell a single piece of raw hide for more than fifty wen. To exchange two pieces of raw hide for one hundred and fifty pieces of meat is a typical act of taking advantage of a crisis. Even the new emperor's issued white money could not sell a single piece of raw hide for more than fifty wen. To exchange two pieces of raw hide for one hundred and fifty pieces of meat is a typical act of taking advantage of a crisis. The phrase about helping others in their time of need is something that even the aunt should feel embarrassed to say.

"Leave twenty for you to spend on cosmetics, and return the rest to Xu Guan!" A cold voice came from the doorway, startling both Zhang Liu and Li Xu.

With a "puff," blood sprayed out, landing perfectly in a ceramic basin in front of Zhang Liu. In a moment, as the chicken's blood was fully drained, Zhang Liu tossed the rooster into a pit and reached for another bamboo cage beside her that contained more chickens. "Xu Guan, help yourself to some water, don’t be shy. Eighteen and the Yang family from the bookstore are hosting a birthday banquet, and your uncle is in charge of arranging the food and drinks. He left early this morning to gather fresh ingredients and should be back soon. Is there no class at school today, or has Old Master Yang gone out drinking again, leaving you all unattended..."

Zhang Liu realized the reason behind her nephew's changing expressions in an instant, and reluctantly untied the money pouch, mumbling in a voice as faint as a mosquito's: "Your father traveled a long distance to send goods beyond the frontier; logically, he should at least recover his capital. The furs from beyond the frontier are cheap, and they haven't been processed with saltpeter. They may look large, but they are actually not durable. I will give you twenty pieces of meat; I wonder if that will be enough or not"

No, uncle, that is not what I mean. My father said this is a gift for you, along with these dried mushrooms and dried meat. He usually drinks the wine you brew, so if you need anything, he should certainly do his best!" Li Xu hurried over and took the burden off his uncle's shoulder.

"Alas, you woman!" Zhang Baosheng scolded helplessly. He picked up the money pouch to find Li Xu, only to discover that his nephew had left at some point. Several blood-drained chickens, two baskets of dried mushrooms, a bundle of dried meat, and two pieces of raw hide were neatly stacked under the window. Bathed in the autumn sunlight, they exuded a warm and inviting glow.

There are four pieces of raw cowhide that have not been tanned. My father asked me to bring them to my uncle..." Li Xu said while untying the gifts from the back of the mount. The blue-patterned mule was startled by the smell of blood on Zhang Liu's hands, snorting loudly while desperately trying to shrink back.

"I mean, her brother-in-law is in a big business, so why would he care about such small amounts of money! When are you coming back? I didn't hear any noise?" Zhang Liu said, hiding the money pouch behind her back, while patting her husband's back and smiling awkwardly.

Zhang Liu was killing chickens while asking questions. His hands and feet were quite nimble, and in no time, four corpses were already laid out in the pit.

As for adult relationships, that bow was something that even Lord Zhao from the county town couldn't sell for three taels of silver, yet you handed it over without a frown. It's your own relative; why complicate matters!" Zhang Liu deliberately raised her voice, putting on an act of valuing money over life.

"My father is back; let me send some mushrooms and dried beef over!" Li Xu could not bear to hear Jiannian continue to tarnish the reputation of the old master Yang, and interjected softly.

"How can this be? You are a scholar and should not be doing such rough work. If the heavens know, they will punish me. Let it go, let it go!" Zhang Liu shouted as he snatched the earthen pot. He sat down on the stool with his legs crossed, wiped his sweat with the corner of his clothing, and gasped, saying: "That damned Liu old hag, I delivered leather goods to her door, saving her entire family, and she still had the audacity to haggle with me. When I got angry and turned to leave, didn’t she come crying and shouting after me? Haha, one hundred and fifty pieces of meat from the bookstore, not a single cent will we take!"

As she spoke, tears had already begun to fall from the corners of her eyes, "Here, give as much as you love, just pretend I didn't see it"

"Be gentle, be gentle!" Zhang Baosheng winced from the blows, realizing that no matter how he argued, he could not win against his wife, so he had to abandon the topic. He glanced at Li Xu, who was carrying vegetables into the kitchen, and quietly discussed with his wife: "Traveling a long distance, when has my brother-in-law not worked hard for this business? Don't be so greedy; we have already received two pieces of raw hide from him, which puts us in his debt. If we also take the cost of the other two pieces of raw hide, even the God of Wealth would scold us for being ungrateful!"

"I know you blame me for not giving you a son!" Zhang Liu's wife huddled in the corner, speaking with a sense of grievance. After struggling for a long time, she ultimately could not resist her husband and reluctantly untied the money pouch hidden at her lower back. Peering into the pouch, she gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and handed over the money pouch, murmuring with a sobbing tone as she passed it: "He said he didn't want it himself; you heard that too. Besides, without me to negotiate, my brother-in-law wouldn't be able to sell it for this much money either!"

The two raised their heads upon hearing the sound and saw Zhang Baosheng leaning against the door, breathless, carrying a basket of watered vegetables and a basket of large blocks of tofu.

Having spoken, he wiped his bloodied hands on the dark apron a few times. He picked up two leather rolls and hurried away as if flying.

Having spoken, he unfastened a brand new burlap bag from his waist, weighing the books in his hand, which made a rustling sound.

Li Xu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and could only stay behind to clean up the mess left by his aunt. Just as he gathered the chickens from the pit and picked up the earthenware basin filled with chicken blood, preparing to take it into the kitchen, he heard a series of sharp, loud laughs from outside. His aunt had already returned after finishing her business.

After riding freely for a while, Li Xu had a good idea. He quickly ran back home, first leading the blue mule back to the livestock pen, and prepared some good fodder and clean water. Then he rushed to the kitchen and hastily found some dry food to fill his stomach. After that, he returned to his small room, took off his long gown, and changed into a set of hemp short clothes. He then picked up the bow gifted by his uncle yesterday and grabbed half a pot of arrows he usually practiced with, excitedly heading towards the Great Green Mountain outside the village.

After observing Li Xu's gradually angry expression, Zhang Liu's tone became increasingly cold: "How about this, I will raise it to thirty; if it gets any more expensive, we will lose face as relatives"

"You woman!" Zhang Baosheng, fearing that his wife’s words might be overheard by their nephew, quickly pulled her to the corner of the courtyard. Blocking the sunlight from outside with his body, he lowered his voice and scolded, "How can you speak like that? Over the years, has your brother-in-law ever returned without bringing us some dried goods from the frontier? Their family is so kind-hearted; we always benefit from them, and it would be too ungrateful not to say a word of thanks. Moreover, that child Xuguan, which month does he not come to help us? He treats us like his own parents. Among our relatives, there are many educated people, but who is as kind-hearted as he is? Their family is so kind-hearted; we always benefit from them, and it would be too ungrateful not to say a word of thanks. Moreover, that child Xuguan, which month does he not come to help us? He treats us like his own parents. Among our relatives, there are many educated people, but who is as kind-hearted as he is?"