Chapter 8: Leaving Home to Engage in Commerce

Another long sigh escaped. Wu Wang comforted, "The medicine has been taken, and it will be good if Uncle's leg can move again. We will repay him once we earn some money; after all, we will repay a little as we earn a little. There will always be a time when we can pay it off completely"

"Aunt, do you think this is too little? My heartfelt intention, you must accept it. The piece of land behind the house can be rented out after paying the land tax, which can yield one or two taels of silver a year. With a little more added, the shop's rent will be covered. The remaining shelves and counters, as well as the materials needed in the kitchen, all require silver. If it really doesn't work out, I will have to ask my stepmother to advance my monthly allowance."

In a state of disarray, he placed the food on the table and murmured, "I have only been gone for a few days, how could I have joined the army already"

Regulations say, "Why?"

My distant cousin was doing well, but a few days ago, he unexpectedly passed away while taking a nap. He had no children, and his wife's family is also small, consisting only of daughters, so there was no one to assist with the funeral. They sought me out and recognized me as a son. Originally, I was in mourning attire, but I changed my clothes to come find Peige. I never expected he would leave us, and I still wanted to offer him some fruit

The matter was settled, and everyone was very happy. However, seeing that Uncle looked a bit tired, they said, "Let us all go out and allow Uncle to rest for a while"

How could one have ever seen such a delicate demeanor of a young girl! As Wen Jun entered the courtyard, he was momentarily dazed. Upon looking again at the person standing opposite her, a wave of sourness surged up, causing him to feel a tightness in his chest. He strolled over, examining the regulations from top to bottom, and leisurely remarked, "Cheng Ge'er, you have now climbed to a high branch, and your household registration has been linked. In the future, I will have to address you as Master Cheng!"

Wen Jun was quite awkward, sitting down in silence. Zhang Cheng sighed and said to Wu Wang, "I will first find a storefront. Once the deal is made, I will send someone to discuss it with you. We will choose an auspicious day to open the business."

Do not hesitate, "Brother Zhang, let them in. It's quite hot outside. Let's have a meal at home before they leave." Seeing Wenjun staring at her foolishly, she helplessly said, "Wenjun, you should eat here too."

Do not hope that at this moment I am also missing Depei, not knowing whether he is hungry outside, whether he has suffered grievances. When questioned by the regulations, I could not help but shed tears, choked with emotion, saying, "Peige has gone to the army with the people beside Prince Yan, and it has been two days since he left."

The regulations state, "Inviting you to open a shop in the city is also my selfish desire; being closer allows me to visit you more often"

Zhang said, "Nowadays, he is like a child, eating and then sleeping, with a bad temper, resembling the old Master Hong Er. " After saying this, he went out to prepare the medicine.

"Why does it have to be so much!" Zhang lamented, "The total left at home is still not enough. Is this Young Master Pei trying to take advantage of us? Since Chun Jie refuses to enter his residence, he is finding all sorts of ways to make things difficult for us. What are we to do about this!"

The three individuals listening were all drenched in cold sweat. Liu Hong was extremely angry, panting as he said, "Are you looking to prolong your life or what? How could you come up with such a thing! Absurd! If it means I have to commit a capital offense for your sake, I would rather die right now! Do not mention this again, do you hear me!"

Zhang's face was filled with despair as he helplessly said, "Is silver really that easy to earn? Is it just relying on those few pieces of embroidery? A single piece worth three taels of silver takes me half a month of waking early and working late to finish. How long will it take to repay that seventeen taels?"

Zhang Chengdao said, "Indeed, I originally intended to write a letter to refuse him, but coincidentally he passed away. Now my aunt is crying her eyes out, and I have no choice but to go. This situation has truly forced me into a corner." After a pause, he added, "I just heard you mention something about money. Has something happened?"

Do not expect to be entangled with the handkerchief, as I have lost my own idea. After all, it is such a large sum of money, and it would not be proper to not repay it. One's hand is short when taking from others; if one owes someone, it is akin to giving them leverage over oneself. If Pei Zhen becomes the creditor, it would not do to have Aunt Qi come to propose a match, as refusing would not be acceptable either.

Zhang said, "Yes, we still have some at home, and it should be enough when we count it all."

Wen Jun chose a bench under the shade of a tree to sit down, brushed off the dust from his shoes, and smiled, "It really doesn't seem like someone in charge! What is there to be unaccustomed to? A servant is meant to serve the master; not stepping on their feet while getting on the horse is already a bargain."

Wen Jun snorted and said to Zhang Cheng, "What good food is there at home? There is a new lamb restaurant opened by a person from Qinghai three miles away. Let's go there to eat; I will treat you, consider it a celebration for you."

Liu Hong propped himself up and said, "What kind of business should I engage in? Now that I am in this state, those two women cannot be bullied by others."

Do not be surprised and ask, "Is that the cousin who wanted to adopt you last time?"

When he was in a state of despair with no way out, Zhang Cheng returned after three days, carrying two bags of fruit in his left hand and a bundle of oil cakes in his right. He rushed into the house and called out, "Pei Ge'er!" After looking around and not finding anyone, he asked Wu Wang, "Where has Pei Ge'er gone?"

Liu Hong felt uneasy in his heart, yet he could do nothing about it. He could only say, "For a man, it is also good to experience training in the military; perhaps in the future, he will become capable."

Fearing reprimand, Zhang Cheng quickly changed the subject and smiled, saying, "Uncle Liu, please don't be upset; be careful not to harm your health. We can discuss the business matters later. How about opening a pastry shop? Sister Chun is very skilled, and Aunt Liu makes delicious snacks. If we do something else, we might inevitably face more social obligations, but a pastry shop is good; it attracts many female customers and has fewer disputes."

The regulations were also unwilling, but there was no way to resist his strong pull, so I had no choice but to say, "Please wait a moment, let me speak with Sister Chun."

The two individuals were extremely awkward, and Zhang Cheng hurriedly excused himself and left on horseback.

Wen Jun chuckled to himself and said, "Do you know that the officials in the court celebrate as if it were a festival every day after the morning court session, congratulating each other?"

Neither Wu Wang nor the Zhang family found it reasonable; however, where could they seek a storefront? The town is small, lacking prominent households, and the common people are content as long as they have three meals a day. Why would they spend extra money on snacks? Going to the city is too far, and with no relatives or acquaintances, Liu Hong, who has difficulty walking, would have no one to care for him, fearing he might not even have water to drink.

Zhang asked, "Cheng Ge'er, where have you been these past few days? Why have you only just returned?"

Wu Wang looked up at Zhang Cheng, dressed like a young master, wearing fine fabric and adorned with a jade belt. Although Wen Jun beside him was not lacking, somehow, in comparison to Zhang Cheng, he seemed inferior. Oh dear, it was chilling! Wu Wang covered his mouth and chuckled again. Zhang Cheng, puzzled, asked, "What is wrong?"

Zhang said, "I understand your difficulties. It is already quite troublesome for you to help us find a shop. How can we ask you to invest, when we do not even know if it will be a loss or a profit!"

Do not expect to recount the events of the day before in their entirety to him. The regulations also seemed somewhat difficult, and after some thought, he said, "Why not engage in some business? Relying solely on your embroidery may not suffice."

Do not harbor resentment; who told you not to act like an elder brother! While bowing and making a gesture of respect, "Brother Wen, please forgive me, for I have treated Chun Jun unequally."

Zhang Cheng shook his head and said, "There is nothing left here; the land has been taken, the house has been mortgaged for rent, what is there to come back for"

Neither Wuwang nor Zhangcheng could help but laugh, proving that they are indeed like mud that cannot stick to the wall; this is the true essence of Wenjun!

The prince consort Ouyang Lun of Princess Anqing was just granted death, and it was due to the matter of privately selling tea leaves. The thought of such a thing truly frightened him greatly. He was puzzled, wondering whether this child was bold and meticulous like his brother or his sister-in-law. It is only to be blamed on having been born into the wrong family; had he been a son, he would surely have achieved great things.

Zhang Cheng blushed and said, "I am not accustomed to them following me, so I asked them to wait outside"

Do not expect to laugh and say, "It is commendable that you have thought this through, you seem like a born businessman! You do not need to pay a monthly allowance, yet your son, having not worked a single day, already reaches out for money, what does that make others think!"

Do not hastily shake your head in refusal, reluctantly say, "There are many rules in wealthy families, you must be careful, do not handle the accounts of silver alone, to avoid misunderstandings."

Wen Jun tapped his palm with a fan, showing off, "How fortunate to have lived another day. The current emperor, truly, tsk tsk... it is better to not hold an official position and live longer." He then asked Zhang Cheng, "Will he come back this time?"

Without looking down, he slowly exhaled and said again, "Have you heard of the tea-horse trade? It is close to Duoyi, and I have heard that tea merchants are looking for people to transport tea leaves..."

Zhang Chengdao said, "I will spare you, but you should also be cautious. If that Young Master Pei comes again, you must remember to avoid him and let your aunt handle everything with him."

Upon hearing this, Zhang was immediately filled with anguish and exclaimed, "Do not even think about such methods; as a young girl, you should not entertain such nonsensical ideas!"

Wen Jun furrowed his brows and exclaimed, "He is 'Brother Zhang from the Zhang family,' and I am 'Wen Jun'! How could you have such a heart? Why must it be so severe!"

Wen Jun scoffed, "This time I finished the exam at dusk. As for my performance, it really wasn't great. I never was cut out for studying. My father always said that all professions are inferior, and only studying is superior. I had no choice in the matter. If I could make my own decisions, I would open a pigeon breeding farm, where I could both eat and have fun."

Do not expect a hint of red on the face, yet the graceful figure resembles the spring breeze of March, gently blowing into the heart of the regulations

It is indeed a deep and profound affection, difficult to part with. Wen Jun smirked and said, "Are you leaving or not? If we keep talking, the sun will set! You two are acting as if you are parting for life and death; if you truly do not see each other again in the future, then you can speak your minds!"

These two individuals have always been at odds with each other; whenever they meet, they engage in a quarrel. Zhang Cheng has grown accustomed to his sarcastic remarks and does not take them to heart. He merely asks in a slow and casual manner, "How did you do on this exam? Did you once again exhaust three candles and have someone carry you out?"

Caught in a dilemma, he said, "Today I will go to my uncle's house to settle down. His residence is two miles east of the city. I will take care of the matters regarding the entrance, and then head into the city. It is better for me to be closer to you for support." After saying this, he took a purse from his waist and handed it to Zhang, saying, "Aunt, this is the two taels of silver I have saved up, consider it as an investment. I have just been adopted by that family. Although they do have some property, I cannot be of much help to you at the moment. There are too many eyes watching, and not even a single copper coin can be moved."

Liu Hong, Zhang Shi, and Wu Wang stared at a pile of medicine on the table, each wearing a worried expression. Liu Hong said, "Seventeen taels and two qian, it truly cannot be settled now."

Do not interrupt, "Let me finish speaking before you make a decision!"

Without expecting it, she saw her uncle, who had gained weight and looked very healthy. This brought her great comfort. She lowered the bamboo curtain at the window and stepped outside. Zhang Cheng was standing under the tree, smiling brightly as he waited for her. Upon seeing him, even though they were a few steps apart, she couldn't help but smile.

Liu Hong sighed, "I am truly of no use; I feel fatigued after just sitting for a short while"

Wen Jun said, "Are the two young servants outside brought by you"

Zhang Cheng and Liu Hong looked at her with pale faces, and Liu Hong said tremulously, "What do you want to say?"

One cannot help but admire Wen Jun's remarkable skills, knowing full well that she does not eat lamb, yet insists on taking Zhang Cheng to a lamb restaurant. What else can this person do besides causing trouble

After a moment of contemplation, he cautiously suggested, "I know a way to make money, but it involves a head that needs to be chopped off."