Chapter 7: Adversity Inspires Change

It turns out there was still some private savings. I remarked, how could that family be so poor! Zhang Qingteng calmly accepted the money and then said, "Shopkeeper, please name your price!"

First, I need to resolve the accommodation issue for tonight. Upon inquiring at the inn, I found that the cheapest single room costs 10 wen per night. I only have 15 wen left in total; how can I afford to stay?

Under the anger of Zhang Qingtian, the subsequent journey was much quicker, and soon they arrived at the market

Um... the old pawnshop owner hesitated a bit, "How long do you want to pawn it for?"

This market is not large, consisting of just two streets of shops. Even if Zhang Qingtian is unfamiliar with the area, it is easy to spot a large sign with the character "Dang" leisurely swaying in the air.

Zhang Qingtian strode forward in a fit of anger, cursing that young man countless times in his heart

Unlike Beian Country, the horse breeding industry is an important economic pillar for the court. Both officials and wealthy citizens engage in breeding, and one can see that more than half of the shops on this street are related to horses, which indicates the level of prosperity.

How much is this bun

Zhang Qingting suddenly began to understand the feelings of Zhang Qingting wanting to hang herself. Just like now, she really wanted to close her eyes and ignore everything, but the person behind her was like a shadow, not allowing her to find any peace.

Also rushing out was Zhang Xiaodie, but she did not forget to leave behind a remark, "Father is over there! Let's go confront him!"

Zhang Jinbao was carelessly making suggestions, "Eldest sister, the dormitory is cheap, only 2 cents per person. With our family of seven, we can occupy half a room, and we will leave the best part for you and the books."

Zhang Qingtian was quite speechless; she certainly did not want to squeeze in with this family again

The cavalry is the foremost of the armed forces and a great asset to the nation

Moreover, the elder sister is the same; previously, I only found her walking strange, but how is it that even her speech is now incomprehensible, just like that scholar's?

Sister! Suddenly, someone weakly called from behind. Turning around, I was surprised to see that it was Zhang Xiaodie, that girl, approaching with a smiling face. "I was afraid that my sister might need help, so I followed you here."

When the word "Dāng" was uttered, Zhang Qingteng slammed the sharp knife onto the high pawnshop counter, and he spoke only one word, "Dāng!"

Just as the words were spoken, he saw someone rush out

Now is not the time for complaints, but rather to think of ways to earn money, at the very least to solve one's own issues of food and shelter. The market, of course, best represents the economic and livelihood conditions of a place.

Zhang Jinbao did not dare to make a sound, following behind obediently, yet his heart was filled with constant suspicion

That young man speaks and acts in a very pretentious manner, clearly resembling the village's schoolteacher in character. Among the young people in this vicinity, only the sickly scholar from the Zhao family is of the right age. But isn't that person on the verge of death? How can he still be lively and energetic, setting out on the road early in the morning?

Steamed buns and mantou! Hot and steaming meat buns and mantou!

Zhang Qingtian rewarded her with a copper coin, while secretly calculating how to extract that old man's money later

The vigorous shouts of the vendor and the enticing aroma attracted Zhang Qingtian's attention. A total of only 18 copper coins, she was not so ambitious as to consider dining in a restaurant.

"Elder sister, where are we going?" Zhang Jinbao cautiously inquired, observing her expression.

Zhang Qingteng, though displeased, still handed over another copper coin. Zhang Jinbao joyfully took two large white steamed buns and happily began to munch on them

I heard that you are getting married. Will you still be in this line of work afterwards

Zhang Jinbao's face turned pale, as if his sister had made a firm decision not to work. He hurriedly fished out a few coins from his waistband, saying, "Sister, please don't worry, I still have some money here, our family can still get by today, don't be so harsh!"

"Death is certain!" replied Zhang Qingteng decisively.

The old shopkeeper squinted at this contract for quite a while, wondering how this girl could write such beautiful characters

A steamed bun costs one cent each, while a mantou costs two for one cent

She suddenly had an idea: perhaps it would actually work to take the whole family to catch rabbits

Suddenly, a loud shout came from behind, breaking the silence: "Stop! Don't run!"

Sister! Behind her, a sycophant exaggeratedly swallowed, and upon seeing Zhang Qingtian's cold gaze, hurriedly said: "I will just have steamed buns!"

Zhang Qingtian remained expressionless, completely ignoring everything. However, he was genuinely angry inside, thinking, what kind of people are these! As for this dragonfly, it has willingly fallen from grace, why must it resort to killing pigs! It is utterly disgraceful!

Zhang Qingting took the pen and, having just written the initial stroke of the characters for "Zhang" and "Tu Shu," suddenly felt something was amiss, so he changed it to the three characters "Zhang Qingting" instead.

How much is it worth? Zhang Qingtian was too lazy to waste words. After looking around the whole family, this knife is the only thing that is worth a little money. Without it, where would today's breakfast come from?

I am so furious! I am so furious!

"Elder sister, what are you trying to do?" Zhang Jinbao's expression changed; although he was not very understanding, he knew that no matter how poor one was, one could not resort to becoming a tool for eating.

Looking at the meat bun, which was about the size of four or five small steamed buns from home, Zhang Qingteng only bought one

You are no longer young; instead of nagging in my ear during this time, why not go out on the street to find some work

Zhang Xiaodie imitated others and bought a large meat bun to nibble on, but she could not replicate her elder sister's current grace and elegance. In just a few bites, she devoured it completely, wiping the grease from the corner of her mouth. Feeling somewhat unsatisfied, she secretly regretted that she should have bought two large steamed buns instead.

This problem is too complex for his mind to comprehend, so it is better not to think about it

The old pawnshop owner poked his gray head out from a small window and exclaimed, "Ah! It is the eldest daughter of the Zhang family. Why have you even pawned this knife?"

"Really not!" Zhang Xiaodie repeatedly waved her hands, then flatteringly added, "However, father still has two coins hidden away!"

Zhang Qingteng was surprised to see only the inkstone and asked, "Where is the brush?"

Making money? He certainly does not possess the capabilities of his elder sister. As long as she is around, they will never go hungry.

Having some money on her, Zhang Qingtian felt much better. She thought she should first get something to eat, and then find an inn to stay at. Once was enough for the experience of dining outdoors on the ground; she did not want to go through that again.

The old shopkeeper, without further ado, took out fifteen copper coins and handed them over along with the contract

However, the pressing issue at hand is how to resolve the accommodation and meal situation for tonight. Even if the money she has is only enough for herself, it can at most support her for one night. Alas! This truly causes her great distress.

"Zhang Jia's eldest daughter, which family's pig are we slaughtering today?"

This time it was the old shopkeeper's turn to be astonished; this young lady from the Zhang family can actually write

Zhang Qingtian, full of enthusiasm for shopping, leisurely surveyed the small market accompanied by two followers

This is the father of Zhang Qingtian, which is also a phrase often mentioned by Zhang Zhizhi, the Minister of the Third Rank of the Taipu Temple in the Kingdom of Nankang. His official position is responsible for the management of horse affairs throughout the country

Ordinary farmers, like the Zhang family before, primarily engaged in farming and vegetable cultivation, as well as raising pigs and chickens. Families with modest assets might keep a few cows and sheep, while only a small number of truly wealthy families could afford to operate ranches and raise horses

Zhang Xiaodie understood and said, "Sister, rest assured, I was very careful when I came out, and no one is following me now"

Nankang has fertile land, primarily focused on agriculture. The scale of horse breeding is not large, mostly managed by the government, and is mainly used for military preparations and by royal relatives. A small number of inferior horses are sold to the public for plowing and transportation

Zhang Qingteng was just about to throw a coin to her when he suddenly remembered the private savings that Zhang Jinbao had been secretly hoarding, which made him somewhat distressed. "Don't you have any money on you?"

Ah! Why has she become shy after the engagement and is no longer paying attention to me? Haha! Is she going to act like a scholar's wife now, and must she also pretend to be a young lady?

Zhang Qingteng only felt a blur before two figures dashed out more than ten steps away. This truly is as swift as a rabbit!

Zhang Jinbao was scolded into silence, lowering his head and pretending to be deaf and mute

The famous "Pig-killing Girl" top scholar has returned, and the neighbors are greeting her warmly

... ...

To put it plainly, he is just a stable manager! However, only the matriarch dares to make a few jokes about it in private. Nevertheless, the whole family, being exposed to it, has some understanding of this horse business.

Zhang Qingtian felt quite emotional; if her father were to serve as an official in the Northern An Kingdom, he probably would not have to constantly complain about not being valued by the court

The old shopkeeper, seeing that she had made up her mind, picked up the knife to examine it closely. It was a good knife, well cared for by its owner. Although it was somewhat old, it had not a single chip. The market price for such a knife was thirty wen each, and since they were old acquaintances, the shopkeeper did not inflate the price, stating, "Dead price fifteen wen, living price seven wen"

"Dead end." Zhang Qingteng repeated impatiently.

They don't come out early or late, but as soon as there's food, they jump out. Are they a family of locusts? Zhang Qingteng cast a displeased glance behind her, thinking that if they want to come out, they should do so all at once, rather than hopping out one by one.

After all, Miss Zhang Daqian comes from a distinguished family. In everything, she not only emphasizes a calm and steady demeanor but also understands the bigger picture, recognizing what is of primary and secondary importance.

We definitely have to do it, otherwise who will we find to slaughter pigs next time at our home

Beian Country primarily relies on animal husbandry, and the Zhalan Fortress area is rich in water and grass, making it a relatively prosperous region within Beian Country