Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 22 - 21 Going to Market

Chapter 22: Chapter 21: Going to Market

Chapter 22 -21: Going to Market

After the recent division of the household, many daily necessities were lacking.

In the town, the fourth and tenth days were market days; these were smaller local markets.

The larger markets took place in the county on the second and eighth days.

Today was the eighth day of October, the big market day.

Early in the morning, Shen Chengyao harnessed the bullock cart and took his three little ones, who were eager to join him, to the county.

It was still dark and the October morning weather was quite chilly.

Perhaps it was due to the lack of pollution and absence of the greenhouse effect in this era, but Xiao’er found the weather at this time much colder than in her previous life.

The three children sat on the bullock cart, shivering in their weathered, worn-out cotton jackets.

Xiao’er decided to buy new cloth later on, whatever it took, to make down jackets.

Mrs.

Liu quickly brought out a cotton quilt and wrapped the three of them tightly.

“I didn’t want you to go, but since you insisted, wrap up well with the quilt; don’t catch a cold.

Once you get to the county, stay close to your father, don’t run around.

If you get lost and are abducted, you’ll never see your parents again.”

“Mother, we understand.

Please go back inside, it’s too cold out here.

I’ll take good care of my younger brother and sister.” Jingrui tightened the corners of the quilt and told Mrs.

Liu to go back inside.

“Don’t worry, kids.

We’re leaving now.” Shen Chengyao cracked his whip, and the bullock cart slowly set off.

By the time they reached the County Town, the sky was bright.

Many people were already queuing at the city gate.

Shen Chengyao paid two coins to drive his cart into the city directly.

Not driving the cart into the city was free, but it cost one coin to leave the ox and cart in a safeguarding area.

Given they had many things to buy and Xiao’er said it wasn’t as cold when they were wrapped up on the cart, Shen Chengyao drove the cart into the city.

First, they went to the iron shop as he planned to buy a few more sets of farming tools.

Apart from the two ploughs they got when dividing the household, Jingrui and Xiao’er were also able to help in the fields now, so he bought two extra sets for them to use.

They also bought two kitchen knives, an axe, and a firewood knife from the iron shop.

The shop also sold iron pots, which were cheaper than those at the grocery stores.

Xiao’er thought it would be a good idea to buy a large iron pot for boiling bathwater.

The water from pots used for cooking always had an oily layer—bathing with that kind of water felt like they hadn’t bathed at all, and they still felt greasy afterwards.

Shen Chengyao reluctantly agreed to Xiao’er pestering him and bought the pot for 200 coins, feeling a twinge of pain over the expense.

After finishing their purchases at the iron shop, they went to a general goods shop to buy some bowls and dishes.

At the entrance to the grocery store, Shen Chengyao told the three children to choose some bowls in the shop while he took the newly harvested grains from home to the mill for grinding.

Xiao’er looked at the bowls in the grocery store, then pointed to one of medium quality, asking “Uncle shopkeeper, how do you sell this bowl?”

The shopkeeper warmly greeted the three kids, “Are you looking to buy bowls, little girl?

This bowl here is three coins each.”

“Three coins are too expensive.

If we buy in large quantities, will it be cheaper?”

“If you buy in larger quantities, I can sell them for two and a half each.

The quality of these bowls is really good, and they keep heat well.

At the price of two and a half, I’m selling at cost.” The shopkeeper looked troubled, as if half a coin less was cutting off his flesh.

Xiao’er did not believe him.

“Shopkeeper, two and a half does not count as cheaper.

Let’s say two coins.”

“Two coins won’t work.

You can get this kind of bowl for two coins.” The shopkeeper pointed to a row of bowls on the side.

“So, two and a half, but give me ten spoons as a bonus?”

The shopkeeper thought, a spoon costs two-thirds of a coin, ten spoons only amount to four or five coins.

He gets them wholesale much cheaper, so he agreed.

Seeing the shopkeeper agree so readily, Xiao’er felt that two and a half coins for each bowl was still overpriced.

So, she pointed to bamboo chopsticks on the side and said, “Uncle shopkeeper, these chopsticks are made of bamboo.

They can’t cost much.

Give me two bunches of them too.” A bunch of chopsticks consisted of 10 pairs.

The shopkeeper couldn’t agree this time.

“A bunch of these chopsticks cost three coins.

I can’t give any more freebies.”

“Only six coins for two bunches.

If you don’t give me these gifts, I will buy them elsewhere and you’ll lose out.”

The shopkeeper saw that a child was actually bargaining like an adult.

Considering that he could earn an extra one and a half coins from each bowl, he agreed.

Plus, bamboo chopsticks weren’t very popular in the county.

Xiao’er took a stroll around the shop and noticed they also sold seeds: “Uncle Shopkeeper, what kinds of seeds do you have here?”

The shopkeeper came over and introduced her to a selection of common vegetable seeds, ones they also had left for planting at home.

Seeing Xiao’er uninterested, he pointed to another row of seeds stored on the shelf: “Those are seeds brought back from overseas.

Our suppliers have ships that sail abroad.

These are new seeds they brought back this year.

Ever since trade with foreign lands was opened in these past years, a lot of seeds have been introducted and although many have been successfully grown, such as sweet potatoes and corn, still, many people do not dare to plant them.

Some who do, don’t know how to eat or utilize them.

Plus, they are expensive, which makes them difficult to sell.

However, many large families have tried growing them.”

From the memories of her former self, Xiao’er knew that the land she currently lived on belonged to a nation called Minze.

Based on the little knowledge she acquired from her former self, she surmised that this nation was established to end the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, following the Northern Song Dynasty.

The founder of Minze was named Shangguan Aomin, and the current emperor was the second emperor since the nation’s founding, under the regnal name of Hao.

But she also knew that it was during the Ming Dynasty, not the Song Dynasty, when sweet potatoes and corn were introduced to China.

Something had gone wrong with history because corn and sweet potatoes were now available here.

This, however, was not important because as someone whose soul was from thousands of years in the future, she recognized things that others didn’t.

Looking at these seeds, it is true that Xiao’er couldn’t quite make out what they were, except for tomatoes and potatoes.

But she decided to buy a small pack of each and plant them in her space back home to see what they are.

“Actually, there’s some risk in planting these seeds, but once they grow and prove useful, they can become quite valuable.

When the time comes, selling them would certainly earn you a good profit.”

“Then I’ll take your word for it, Shopkeeper.” Xiao’er also thought the shopkeeper made sense since many people would want to try new things.

Xiao’er also bought some salt, sugar, soy sauce, rapeseed oil and eight wooden basins, and eight wooden barrels.

Upon seeing this, Jingrui and Jinghao tried to stop her: “Why do you need so many barrels and basins?

One is enough. novelbuddy.cσ๓

We have some at home.”

“One for each person to wash their face and bathe with.

Sharing them isn’t hygienic.”

At checkout, the shopkeeper seemed perplexed as Xiao’er only picked out 20 bowls: “Miss, I thought you said you were going to buy a lot?”

“Yes, and isn’t 20 bowls already a lot?

There are only six people in my home.”

The shopkeeper was speechless.

All he could think of was a swarm of crows passing him by, and he repeatedly sighed, “I’ve lost, oh, how I’ve lost.”

However, since they had already agreed on the price, he wasn’t about to renege on his agreement.

He always maintained honesty in business.

The shopkeeper calculated the total, and it came to 1,490 coins, just ten coins shy of 200.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er casually picked up a 25-pound jar and generously told the shopkeeper: “Uncle, you don’t need to return those ten coins.

Add this jar, and it’ll be 1.5 taels.”

The shopkeeper was left speechless.

That jar was priced at 15 coins, but he found Xiao’er much more clever and lively than children her age.

He liked her, so he waved his hand and let it go.

When Shen Chengyao came back after having the grain milled, he was stunned to see all the non-essential things Xiao’er had bought.

“What are all these wooden barrels and basins for?”

“Each person gets one basin to wash their face and one barrel for bathing.

The extra two are for washing vegetables and holding water, just enough and not too many.”

Listening to this, Shen Chengyao gave a wry smile: “A single one for washing face and bathing would have sufficed.”

Seizing the opportunity, Jinghao said, “Father, sister said that sharing bathing utensils isn’t hygienic and it affects health.”

Jingrui also added, “I said there was too much too, but Xiao’er said that she heard Doctor Luo saying that these objects are better if used separately.

In case someone has a skin disease or something similar, there’s no risk of spreading it to others.”

Hearing this, Shen Chengyao let it be.

After all, the purchase had been made: “If that’s the case, then let’s start using them separately, health is more important.

Our Xiao’er really knows a lot.” In fear that Xiao’er might think he was criticizing her for buying so much, he made sure to praise her for reassurance.

Xiao’er was clearly grateful in her heart, and she playfully responded, “Of course.

In the future, you all have to listen to me.” Everyone broke into laughter.

Shen Chengyao was planning to go buy some fat pork to render into oil, so he headed back home.

Noticing that everyone’s winter clothes were worn and not very warm, Xiao’er suggested, “Father, let’s go to the cloth shop and buy some cloth.

The snow is going to fall soon, and our clothes and quilts aren’t warm enough.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Chengyao felt a pang of heartache.

Every winter, he’d see his children’s hands and feet turning cherry red from the cold, and every time, his first thought would be to buy new cotton clothes and trousers for them as soon as he had the money.

Now, he had ten taels of silver, and despite the numerous forthcoming expenses ahead, he agreed without any hesitation.