Little He Ran had played at home for a few days and then had to go to school. When leaving, he even shed a few golden beans (tears), making Qiu Yu feel sad too, but he didn’t show it in front of the child. After sending the child to the private school, he secretly hugged He Zifeng in the carriage for a long time.
He Zifeng held Qiu Yu and said: “Children will grow up sooner or later!”
Qiu Yu said: “I know.” Then he felt down for a while. Having just sent the child away, he was already looking forward to next month’s reunion.
Qiu Yu’s goods had sold out early. He Zifeng was now a small leader and didn’t need to report for duty every day. Seeing that Qiu Yu was in a bad mood, he wanted to accompany him for a while and temporarily left the horse in the small courtyard.
Fang Shi was selling woven baskets in the county for a while and told them to go stroll around first, then come back together when she was done. Fang Shi’s woven baskets were sold cheaply, only a few wen each. She had brought more than forty woven baskets in total, and in that short time had already sold more than twenty. She wanted to sell the remaining ten or so to save having to take them back and occupy space. She was very enthusiastic about this small business earning one or two wen.
He Zifeng took Qiu Yu to stroll around the county. Occasionally they encountered officers patrolling the streets, who not only greeted He Zifeng but also called out: “Sister-in-law.” This made Qiu Yu somewhat embarrassed.
He Zifeng said: “Your sister-in-law is thin-skinned.” He was actually protecting him, making the officers show knowing smiles, planning to go back and gossip. They all knew He Zifeng had a male spouse, but didn’t know he was so handsome.
He Zifeng said to Qiu Yu: “They’re just like that, very playful. Don’t take it to heart.”
Qiu Yu made an “mm” sound. There wasn’t much to see on this street in the county.
Qiu Yu planned to go to the pharmacy to get some Chinese medicinal herbs and spices used in braising liquid. After buying those, he needed to buy big bones and pork offal. He Zifeng happened to be free and went with Qiu Yu. He hadn’t brought the horse, so he could help carry things.
Several butcher shops selling meat were next to each other. They had discussed prices and every household sold at the same price. Qiu Yu needed large quantities, so they collected pork offal from every household to have enough. When he came before, they had everything prepared. They would even give some worthless scraps for free.
This time, as soon as Qiu Yu arrived, he heard the butcher he usually worked with say: “Sorry, we don’t have pork offal and big bones today.” Qiu Yu was stunned. He could clearly see them on the butcher’s block and said: “Isn’t that some right there?”
The butcher said: “Oh, that’s reserved for someone else.”
He Zifeng looked at the other nearby butchers and found that everyone was listening with pricked ears. When swept by He Zifeng’s gaze, they felt uncomfortable and all turned their faces away.
He Zifeng said: “Are your pork offal and big bones also all reserved?”
“Yes, they were reserved long ago.”
“Mine are also reserved.” Clearly the items were displayed on the butcher blocks, yet they said this.
He Zifeng changed his approach: “Are tomorrow’s also reserved?”
The butcher closest to him was somewhat speechless, then steeled himself and said: “Also reserved.” Then he said: “But… but they haven’t paid yet. If you want them, we can give you this batch of pork offal first. But it’s not the price we gave you before.”
This butcher started speaking hesitantly, but got smoother with time. He Zifeng said: “How much?”
The butcher said: “Big bones ten wen, pork offal thirty wen per jin.”
He Zifeng was amused by anger at his prices. Since when did bones cost the same as pure meat?
The other party said with certainty: “Other customers give us this price!” Acting like he absolutely wouldn’t go cheaper.
Qiu Yu said angrily: “We don’t want them anymore.” Then he left with He Zifeng. These butchers were determined to raise prices. Even when they left, none of them called them back.
After they walked far away, several butchers gathered together: “Is this approach okay?”
One who seemed to be the decision-maker said: “Of course it’s okay. Look at how much they buy every day – good heavens, they turn around and sell it for thirty times the price. They’re making all the money. If we unite to raise prices, everyone can earn a bit.”
They say even a skilled housewife can’t cook without rice. If they don’t sell to them, the ones who should be anxious are them. Thinking that worthless pig bones and pork offal could sell for this price made their hearts burn with excitement.
It was probably because Qiu Yu and the others had made a name with their braised goods that several scattered customers came every day asking if they had fresh ingredients. The previously unpopular pork offal had now become a hot commodity. Since it was a hot commodity, how could they still sell it at low prices?
…
When Qiu Yu and He Zifeng walked to the small courtyard, Qiu Yu said: “What should we do?” His business was going well. He had thought other competitors might want to do the same, and they would win with taste, but he hadn’t expected the first to make trouble would be the butchers selling meat.
He Zifeng said: “They must know our selling prices and are envious, wanting to make a profit too.”
Qiu Yu said: “Although we earn some money, cleaning, braising ingredients, firewood – everything costs money. And after cooking it doesn’t weigh as much. If we really go by the price he mentioned, we’d be working for nothing.”
The other party knew they couldn’t do without these things, so they bit down hard on the price. Being controlled by others felt really bad. But they had just found a profitable business and already had repeat customers. It would be such a pity to stop now.
He Zifeng said: “I’ll go tell the escort agency and inn later that we’ll take a few days off.” These days, except for rain breaks, they had never rested. These few days would let him think. As for those butchers who raised prices arbitrarily, he didn’t want to cooperate with them anymore. If they raised prices now, who knew what they’d do in the future.
Qiu Yu said: “That’s all we can do.” Then the two went to explain to the escort agency and inn. People on both sides were shocked.
The inn’s braised bones had become famous. Many traveling merchants liked to order four jin of big bones to gnaw on, then stack the bones high, feeling both satisfied and accomplished. The inn’s cook had also spent his own money to buy bones and try cooking them, but no matter how he made them, the taste was bland, far inferior to the salty and flavorful ones made here.
When the inn’s manager heard this, he also cursed these butchers as cunning, unable to stand seeing others do well. As for the escort agency people, hearing this was like adding frost to snow – they loved eating braised foods. After buying them, they used them to stew cabbage, some stir-fried with peppers, and even the braising liquid could be used for noodles.
Several junior escorts had gone out on escort missions and written letters back saying they missed both the chili sauce and braised foods, waiting to come back for a big meal. Calculating the days, they should be back soon, but the braised foods were out of stock.
He Zifeng said: “We might make some other food.” But he hadn’t thought of what yet. Pig bones and pork offal were sourced from the butchers. When several people united, he really had no solution.
These people were all Qiu Yu’s customers. Although they didn’t know what they would do, they hoped they would resume their stall soon.
He Zifeng accompanied Qiu Yu back. Just then, Xie Rui ran over quickly and said: “Brother He, our county’s advisor wants to see you.”
When Qiu Yu heard He Zifeng had business, he quickly told him to handle official matters first. He Zifeng went with Xie Rui to the county office: “What does he want?”
Why would the advisor want to see such a small person as him? Xie Rui also frowned: “I guess it’s not good news.” Xie Rui belonged to Chief Zhu, and so did He Zifeng. Now Chief Zhu stood with the county magistrate. The county magistrate and the advisor didn’t get along, so seeking He Zifeng at this time had deep meaning.
He Zifeng couldn’t figure it out. He had just made merit – surely the advisor wouldn’t destroy him. He’d meet soldiers with generals and flood with earth – just take it step by step.
Soon he arrived at the government office. Officers like them usually rested outside and had never walked through the inner halls. Along the way, the flower halls and pavilions showed the county office was built quite well, with scenery at every step and even Taihu decorative rocks. It looked impressive, but he had no mind to appreciate it.
Before entering, Chief Zhu was already waiting outside and said: “The county magistrate is also inside.” This was to remind him to be careful.
He Zifeng nodded, then Xie Rui also stayed outside. Only He Zifeng knocked and entered alone.
The county magistrate had seen He Zifeng before and later heard Chief Zhu’s reports about this person. Feeling he had such talent under him, he wanted to promote him. He wanted to promote He Zifeng to deputy chief, but before he could say anything, the advisor found out.
The advisor didn’t get along with the county magistrate and was waiting here at this moment. After He Zifeng paid respects to the two officials, this was his first time seeing the advisor. The advisor was thin with a goatee and looked very scholarly. He heard the advisor was also a former imperial examination graduate, from the same year as the county magistrate. Now one became county magistrate and one became advisor – quite different fates.
At this moment, the advisor praised He Zifeng: “Truly a talent! You previously bravely killed the male and female villains, making great contributions to the county. I’ve always wanted to meet you. Seeing you today, you’re indeed extraordinary.”
The county magistrate also raised an eyebrow. The advisor opposed him on everything – how did they reach agreement on praising He Zifeng? Regardless, this was a good thing.
The county magistrate didn’t know what the advisor was up to and probed: “Just right, I want to promote him to deputy chief. What do you think?”
The advisor said: “Great minds think alike – I thought the same as you, sir. It’s just that He Zifeng has been here for a short time. If promoted too quickly, it might not convince everyone. But I’ve thought of a good solution. Lingshan Village hasn’t been assigned anyone to collect grain taxes this year yet. As long as he handles this matter well, I’ll personally write his appointment documents.”
The county magistrate stroked his beard: “The advisor thinks thoroughly.”
He Zifeng said: “Thank you for the promotion, sir and advisor.”
Seeing him so sensible, both waved him away. As soon as he left, Chief Zhu and Xie Rui, who were waiting in the courtyard, questioned him. He Zifeng told the truth.
Chief Zhu gasped: “Lingshan Village fails to pay taxes every year. Last year they even had armed conflict with our officers, and several people died.”
He Zifeng’s eyes flashed: “Oh?”
R : Oh ? Another dangerous mission for us ?? Hehehe
