stingy landlady

Chapter 40 Buying a Carriage

That evening, Old Man Zhou said to Zhou Mingzhi:

"Tomorrow you take Xiaoxing, Xiaoyun, and Xiaoqiong to the field to water the wheat. Xiaoqiong can't carry water, but she can water it. More people will get the job done faster!"

"Tomorrow morning, go tell the master that I'll come along when they come to measure the wasteland. Secretly slip a couple of strings of copper coins to the bailiffs; the size of this wasteland measurement could be quite large!"

The next morning, Zhou Mingzhi was waiting outside the gate, and Dazhu saw him as soon as he opened the door.

He found it strange and asked, "Xiao Zhou, why are you up so early? Did something happen at home?"

Zhou Mingzhi quickly said, "Sir! There's nothing wrong at home."

This is because I'm afraid the master won't be home when I come to measure the wasteland today.

Today we're watering the wheat. My dad said he'll come along when they're surveying the wasteland. This wasteland surveying is a big or small matter; it's best to bribe the officials with some money."

Dazhu nodded: "Uncle Zhou is so thoughtful. I really didn't expect you to come inside first. I'll take it to Uncle Zhou later."

She continued, "I'm not sure when they'll arrive. If they do, they'll definitely look for my dad, and they'll go to the east side first. I'll talk to my dad about it."

Zhou Mingzhi said, "Master! I saw that the old master and the fourth master went to water the fields early! I won't go in! I'll go and call Xiaoyun to water the wheat together!"

"Xiao Zhou! You don't need to go. Xiao Yun has to ride a horse to buy a carriage today! You'll have to work hard to water the wheat."

Dazhu suddenly remembered something and slapped his thigh:

"Oh dear, Xiaoyun definitely can't drive the carriage! My dad will have to drive it. With so many people, how can we even divide the manpower among ourselves?"

Dazhu said with annoyance.

"The key is that we don't know when the yamen runners will arrive. If they are sure they will arrive today, it will be easy, and we can buy the carriage tomorrow. But if they arrive tomorrow, it will delay our plans."

After Guizhi got up and washed, she heard voices at the door. So she went out and listened for a while.

Guizhi thought for a moment and said, "Father! The village chief will be at the yamen for a while, and it will take time for him to find someone there. Even if he comes back by carriage, it will probably be noon by the time he arrives."

“We won’t travel together today. You and Xiaoyun will ride horses to buy a carriage first. Then you two can drive the carriage back, so it won’t delay us. My grandfather will drive an oxcart with us to town today.”

Dazhu and Zhou Mingzhi were worried about the manpower problem, but they didn't expect this little girl to be so clever and solve the problem easily.

Zhou Mingzhi nodded in approval: "Third Miss is so clever!"

Dazhu was also very proud. "My daughter is truly extraordinary! Haha!"

Zhou Mingzhi went back to water the fields, and Dazhu hurried to find Lin Xiaoyun to explain. Lin Xiaoyun was at the old house, helping the old lady clean.

As Dazhu entered, Lin Xiaoyun called out, "Uncle Wang!"

Dazhu responded.

"Xiaoyun! You go and herd the horses first, then we'll ride off to buy a carriage. Uncle can't ride a horse! Can you take me with you?"

Lin Xiaoyun was in a dilemma, "Uncle, I've never led anyone before. I don't know!"

The two looked at each other.

The old lady asked from the inner room:

"What's wrong, Dazhu? Why did you let Xiaoyun ride a horse with you? How old are you? How old is he? You're always coming up with terrible ideas!"

Dazhu said, "Mother! There's no other way! We don't have enough manpower, and we're afraid we won't have enough time!"

The old lady said, "What happened? Explain yourself!"

Dazhu quickly explained, "Mother, we arranged with the village chief yesterday to come and measure the wasteland in the next couple of days. But we're not sure about the exact time; the government doesn't let us decide what to do."

I was planning to buy a horse-drawn carriage today, but then I realized Xiaoyun is too young to drive one. We need someone to drive it. Mother! My business also needs someone to drive the oxcart. A few little girls can't possibly go to town by themselves.

"Oh! Someone still needs to be at home. If the village chief and his men come, someone will have to entertain them. With only two servants, the village chief might complain later that we don't value him."

The old lady thought for a moment, then said, "Let the fourth son go with you. He'll help you drive the oxcart, and you can all ride in it. When you come back, you and Xiaoyun will drive the horse-drawn cart."

However, there's one thing: you all have to help the fourth brother water the wheat!

Dazhu thought about it and thought, "It actually works!"

"Mom! Let's go help Dad water the fields now, we'll come back for dinner later, and then we'll continue watering in the afternoon! Come on, Xiaoyun! Let's do some work now, and then we'll go to town after we eat!"

As they stepped outside, Dazhu asked Lin Xiaoyun:

"Xiaoyun! Coming to your uncle's house means you have to do chores. Aren't you afraid of hard work?"

Lin Xiaoyun said, "Uncle! I'm not afraid of hardship. I'm so grateful that you've allowed me to stay!"

"Good boy!"

"Osmanthus branch! Osmanthus branch!"

Guizhi heard him being called and ran out. "You and Xiaoqiong go herd the cattle and horses! Xiaoyun and I will go water the fields for your grandfather! More people means more work!"

Your fourth uncle will come to town with us later. Dad and Xiaoyun will be back after buying the carriage! It won't cause any delays!

Guizhi understood. "Dad! You mean you're switching jobs with my fourth uncle, right?"

Dazhu retorted angrily, "What do you mean by 'exchanging jobs'? Your words are unpleasant to hear! Brothers should help each other!"

Guizhi went to the cowshed with a smile: "I know! Whatever Dad says goes! Haha!"

Things are all arranged, get back to work!

But when they reached the east end, Old Man Zhou led a few children to water the fields.

Zhou Mingzhi thought Lin Xiaoyun would go to release the horses, but he didn't lead the horses out.

Guizhi neither knew nor dared to lead both the ox and the horse at the same time.

First, lead the cattle to their usual grazing area and tie them to a large tree, letting them graze slowly. Then lead the horses back to the same spot, and only then do you release the reins and let them graze separately.

Luckily, it's not far from home.

At breakfast, the old man said again that Dazhu should be relieved of his duties and that Dazhu should stay home and wait for the village chief and the yamen runners. He and the fourth brother would drive the oxcart to town, leaving the money for buying a horse-drawn cart with the old man. The whole family was mobilized!

When Guizhi arrived at Xiangmanlou, she went into the inner hall and found Manager Qu: "Uncle Manager, pick the first batch of small green vegetables tomorrow morning. Bring them over together then."

Manager Qu knew in his heart that this was the first batch of vegetables his employer was going to send to the county town.

He asked Guizhi, "Didn't your father come today?"

Guizhi said, "My father had something to do, so my fourth uncle came with him."

Shopkeeper Qu asked, "Guizhi! Do you have a lot of shepherd's purse at home? Send another fifty catties tomorrow, and twenty catties of small garlic."

Guizhi asked, "Uncle shopkeeper, is it a total of 110 catties of shepherd's purse and 30 catties of wild garlic?"

"Yes! Guizhi is quite quick at calculating accounts," Manager Qu confirmed.

"Uncle Shopkeeper! Is tomorrow the only option?"

Shopkeeper Qu said, "That's right! Guizhi is absolutely right. I'll send some shepherd's purse and wild garlic to Xiangmanlou in the county town tomorrow to try."

Guizhi understood, and then wondered if it would be profitable for her family if the products sold well in the county town.

"Uncle shopkeeper, my family has pickled quite a lot of wild garlic. I'll bring it to you to try in a while."

"Great! If it tastes good and the customers like it, you'll have another source of income. Isn't that right, Guizhi?"

"Hehe! Nothing can be hidden from Uncle Shopkeeper! I'm heading out now!"

"Go ahead and get busy! Come over early tomorrow!"

"Alright! Uncle Shopkeeper!" Guizhi said goodbye to Shopkeeper Qu.

The old man and Lin Xiaoyun went to the car market to buy a carriage. Now that they knew the price, they still browsed around the market.

Two-wheeled carriages vary in price depending on their design, materials, size, and functions.

This four-wheeled luxury carriage truly lives up to its name. High-grade wood, metal, and leather make it sturdy and durable. Exquisite carvings, inlays, and decorations further enhance its beauty.

The interior is like a small, portable room. There are seats and lounge areas, tea rooms, and even a small heater!

Of course, the price is also quite attractive.

Finally, they arrived at the cheapest carriage and asked the price: twenty taels, no bargaining. Men generally don't like haggling; if they feel the price is right, they buy it.

The shopkeeper at the carriage market was very enthusiastic and helpful. He helped the old man hitch up the carriage and gave him a brief explanation of driving techniques. He even let the old man test drive it before he felt comfortable letting the old man drive and take Lin Xiaoyun home.

On the way back, Lin Xiaoyun repeatedly begged to learn how to drive a horse-drawn carriage. After much consideration, the old man finally let him try. Aside from the fact that the carriage kept veering towards ditches, wobbling, or turning around in circles, the old man, despite his anxiety, finally made it home safely.