Chapter 61: Absurdity
They didn't have to wait until evening. Qin Fangniang and Mrs. Gan returned from the county in the afternoon, looking visibly upset.
Sang Luo initially thought they hadn't sold all their goods, but seeing their empty carriers, she asked Qin Fangniang, "Auntie, what's wrong?"
Qin Fangniang, pale-faced, replied, "Leaving the city, we saw the yamen's runners posting a notice at the city gate about paying taxes. But we already paid our taxes early this spring. Why are they asking for it again?"
Feng Liuniang was still skeptical, "Could it be a mistake? Nobody there could read, and people were just passing along what they heard."
Qin Fangniang seemed distracted, "I hope it's a mistake. I need to hurry home and inform everyone. Later, I'll ask my father to inquire with the village chief."
Mrs. Gan, clearly anxious to return home, still confirmed her tofu order for the next day. Only then did Qin Fangniang and Feng Liuniang snap out of their daze, specifying their orders for the next day and saying they would bring the money later before hastily leaving.
Sang Luo, having just finished the two drying racks, lost the heart to continue working. She too decided to descend the mountain and head towards the Chen household.
…
"Paying taxes again?" Old Man Chen was as baffled as if he were hearing a fairy tale, shaking his head, "That can't be; we've already paid our taxes for this year. Was it a proclamation read by the yamen runners?"
Qin Fangniang shook her head, "We left the city late; the runners who posted the notice had already left. We heard it from people discussing it nearby and asked them. They said it was about paying taxes."
With the new grain still in the drying fields and not yet stored, hearing such news left Old Man Chen restless. He paced around before deciding, "I'll go to the Zhou family."
Just as he stepped out, he bumped into Shi Erlang and Old Man Lu, who had come together. On seeing Chen, Old Man Lu asked, "Heading to the Zhou family?"
Old Man Chen nodded, "Going to inquire about the situation."
The two men decided not to enter the Chen household and instead accompanied him to the Zhou family. They walked together in silence.
On days for drying grain, Zhou, the village chief, usually didn't need to be busy outside, so today he was unusually resting at home. Seeing Old Man Chen and the others arriving, he was initially surprised. Considering that these three families might have members setting up stalls in the county, he vaguely guessed the purpose of their visit, feeling an ominous premonition.
With this in mind, he stood up and stepped forward to greet them, "Uncle Chen, Uncle Lu, what brings you here together so unexpectedly?"
He also greeted Shi Erlang and invited the three men inside to sit.
Old Man Chen wasn't in the mood for pleasantries and directly shared what his daughter-in-law heard in the county, "We find it hard to believe. Didn't we already pay our taxes this spring? Why would we need to pay again? Maybe there was a misunderstanding since there was no one literate by the notice. We specifically came to ask if you've heard anything."
Zhou pondered for a moment, shaking his head, "I haven't received any news here. However, I vaguely heard that several states in the north suffered severe disasters this year, and the overall situation isn't good."
He speculated but wasn't sure, only suggesting, "Let's wait and see. If the notice is true, the village chiefs should notify us by this evening or at the latest by tomorrow."
Old Man Chen and the others couldn't wait until evening or the next day, every moment of delay was excruciating.
They had barely seen the end of a difficult half-year, and now they were being told to pay taxes again. It was too much to bear.
Just as they were unsure of what to do next, they heard three gongs ringing in the distance and someone shouting loudly, calling everyone to the village drying ground for an announcement.
A call to gather at the village drying ground usually meant an announcement from the village chief or village elders. With the village chief present here, who could be summoning people with the gong?
The gong sounds confirmed Zhou, the village chief's earlier prediction, causing a sinking feeling in all four people present, shattering their last bit of hope.
"Let's go and see."
Zhou asked Old Man Chen and Old Man Lu to lead the way, following closely behind.
From a distance, they saw the figures standing in the drying ground – none other than Zhou, the village chief, and two other community leaders.
The villagers were still arriving in groups. Zhou went straight to Zhou, the village chief, "Qi Ge, what's going on? Are we really being asked to pay taxes again?"
Zhou, the village chief, glanced at him, "You've heard?"
Zhou nodded, not divulging where he had heard it, just waiting for an answer.
Zhou, the village chief, however, waved his hand, "Wait then, I'll explain everything in a bit."
…
Sang Luo had arrived with Old Lady Chen. Coincidentally, she ran into Shen San and his wife, who had also come out upon hearing the gong.
Shen San gave Sang Luo a disdainful look and snorted through his nose, striding ahead of the group.
Sang Luo: …...
"What's his problem?"
Old Lady Chen patted Sang Luo's hand, saying, "Don't mind him. Let's go listen to what's happening. Surely they can't be asking us to pay taxes again? The government can't do this, can they?"
But Sang Luo's heart was heavy with concern. She hadn't forgotten that they had already paid taxes early this spring. Having done it once ahead of schedule meant it was not impossible for such a demand to be made again, shifting the baseline for a second time.
Gradually, the crowd gathered, filling the small area of the drying ground – men and women, old and young.
Zhou, the village chief, cleared his throat, finally ready to speak. He pulled out a proclamation and read it aloud.
Of course, the flowery language of the proclamation was hard for most people to understand. After he finished, he folded the proclamation and explained it in plain language.
Essentially, it said that there had been frequent natural disasters in various states over recent years, with the last year being particularly severe. The imperial court had provided relief in various forms, and now, facing difficulties, it was reluctantly asking everyone to pay next year's taxes in advance to help the court overcome the current crisis.
No matter how eloquently worded, the proclamation was still a harsh demand.
The crowd erupted in uproar.
"Paying next year's taxes in advance? That's unheard of. The crops in the fields won't grow next year's grain ahead of schedule for me."
"Paying taxes twice a year, how are we supposed to live? We haven't even tasted our new harvest, and now they want to take it away."
"The court's difficulties, the officials' hardships, does that mean we don't get to live?"
Someone cried out in despair, "This world is devouring us alive, devouring us."
The wails of adults frightened the innocent children, who also started crying. The air in the drying ground seemed to be filled with despair.
Standing next to Old Lady Chen, Sang Luo felt an overwhelming chill for the first time since her arrival in this era, a coldness seeping from head to toe.
It wasn't the fear of not being able to pay this tax, but a dread of this time and space, this era, this world, and the imperial court that held sway over the fate of its people.
In her original memory, she only knew of her small corner of the world, but the proclamation mentioned frequent natural disasters in various states, not just in her home state or county.
And the so-called relief efforts by the imperial court were nowhere to be found in her previous life's memories.
Wars, constant natural disasters, a do-nothing government, heavy taxes and labor – these were not the signs of a golden age. If this continued... Sang Luo felt a numbing cold, too scared to imagine further.
She had never experienced chaos, but knew well the adage, "Better to be a dog in times of peace than a human in times of chaos."
Zhou, the village chief, continued trying to convince everyone, saying that if they paid this year, they wouldn't have to next year. He reasoned with them and then threatened, conveying the imperial court's message: "The empire's land is under the emperor's rule. Refusing to pay taxes will lead to forced labor. You might leave with your life but may not return with it. Weigh your options."
He then handed a registry to the village chief, "This is the list of those who need to pay in your village. Let the grain dry for a few more days, work through the list. The yamen runners will visit our villages on the ninth, and we don't want a bunch of people delaying payment. After the seventh, you'll have to take the taxes to the county yourself."
"Everyone has just harvested their grain; no one should be unable to pay. Make it quick and decisive. Delaying does no good. The final tax payment deadline for our county this fall is September 15th. Missing this deadline is no joke; those refusing to pay will face the harshest labor. In case of war, you might be sent to the frontier as a soldier."
Zhou, the village chief, clenched his jaw tightly as he took the registry from Zhou, the village official.
Zhou, the village official, noticing his grim expression, said, "That's enough. Matters like these aren't for us to influence. We just have to follow orders. You get busy; I need to visit other villages too."
Saying so, Zhou, the village official, called the other two community leaders, preparing to leave.
Zhou, the village chief, watched the villagers on the drying ground - some crying, wailing, or silently weeping in despair, including his own family, looking utterly bereft.
His heart was heavy, but he was powerless. There was no room for village farmers like them to question decisions made by the imperial court.
With this in mind, he opened the registry given by Zhou, the village official. After a few glances, he sensed something amiss and rapidly flipped through several pages, then hurriedly chased after the departing men.
Zhou, the village official, hadn't gone far when Zhou, the village chief, caught up with him, shouting, "Qi Ge, Qi Ge!"
Zhou, the village official, stopped and turned around. Zhou, the village chief, out of breath from running, managed to say, "Qi Ge, there's something wrong with this registry."
Some villagers had noticed Zhou, the village chief, shouting and running after Zhou, the village official, and were now watching.
Zhou, the village official, glanced at the villagers on the drying ground and then at his cousin, "What's wrong with it?"
"Shi Dalang, Chen Dashan," Zhou, the village chief, flipped open the registry, pointing to two names on the first page, and continued flipping, "And many others - Shen Lie, Lu's second son, Li's third son, and the dozen or so men conscripted from our village. All of them fell in battle. Why are they still on the tax registry?"
Villagers with keen hearing had already picked up on this and were approaching.
Zhou, the village chief, looked at his cousin, waiting for an answer.
Zhou, the village official, lowered his eyes and then looked up, asking Zhou, the village chief, "Who said they were killed in battle? Where is the death certificate? Is there one?"
Zhou, the village chief, was taken aback by the question. After a moment, he replied, "Qi Ge, for this group that went, the court hasn't issued any."
Zhou, the village official, let out a barely audible snort, "There you have it. Without a death certificate, how can you prove they died in battle?"
Zhou, the village chief, glared at him, "Qi Ge, the court hasn't issued them, you know that. Everyone inquired from village to village; you could have pleaded on their behalf."
"I don't know anything, what should I know?" Zhou, the village official, interrupted him: "I'm just the local official. I must follow the rules. What can the words of one or two veterans returning from the battlefield prove? How to plead their case?"
"Without a death certificate, it cannot be proven that they died in battle. That means they are still alive, still liable men, and they must pay their taxes." Zhou, the village official, said to his cousin, emphasizing each word: "That's the law, Lao Jiu."
He thrust the registry back into the hands of Zhou, the village chief, and walked away.
Old Man Chen, who was one of the first to notice Zhou, the village chief's commotion and among the few who vaguely heard the whole conversation, stared at the retreating figure of Zhou, the village official. He then turned to Zhou, the village chief, his face weathered and furrowed, his eyes suddenly unfocused and lost, a picture of utter absurdity.
No, it was surreal.
Old Man Chen turned his head, muttering, "Jiu Zhang nephew, what did he say? Did I just hear my son Dashan's name on the tax list?"
Chapter 62: Four Stones
Zhou, the village chief, opened and closed his mouth but couldn't find the words to respond.
How utterly ridiculous!
Their lives lost on the battlefield, yet just because it can't be proven they are dead, the remaining weak and elderly in the family still have to continue paying taxes.
How could he possibly voice such an absurdity?
The villagers who followed Old Man Chen were completely baffled, "What does this mean? Is Dashan nephew still alive?"
Old Man Chen sat down heavily on an unfinished stack of straw, belonging to who knows which family, slapping his thigh, tears streaming down, "It'd be great if he was alive. The man is gone, yet the taxes must still be paid. The man is gone, yet the taxes must still be paid! What kind of world is this? What kind of world?!"
Old Lady Chen, overwhelmed with fury, began to feel dizzy, swaying as if she might collapse backwards, but was promptly supported by both Sang Luo and Qin Fangniang.
The drying yard was in even greater chaos, a jumble of crying and cursing, more suffocating and desperate than before.
Zhou, the village chief, looked at the scene, his lips as if glued shut, struggling several times before he could finally speak.
But what to say? What could he say? What could he do?
Standing silently, engulfed by the cries and curses around him, Zhou closed his eyes for a moment.
"Folks, let's all head home for now. We'll talk about the tax payment tomorrow."
Yes, wait until tomorrow. He couldn't make any promises, only dared to say these seemingly futile words.
Clutching the registry in his hand, Zhou turned and strode towards the outskirts of the village.
His wife, seeing him, hurriedly followed: "Where are you going?"
Zhou shook his head: "Just out for a walk."
This walk lasted until the sky turned dark, and he hadn't returned. His family, frantic, went round and round in worry. His sons, in pairs, set out with torches to look for him.
Zhou Dalang and Zhou Sanlang, heading towards the county town, encountered their father walking back in the night. In his hand, he still held the registry from the afternoon.
Overjoyed, the brothers rushed to greet him: "Dad, where have you been all afternoon? Everyone's been so worried, searching everywhere for you."
Zhou, his mood subdued, nodded: "Let's go back."
Back at home, Zhou's wife reheated dinner and brought it to him, but he just shook his head, untouched.
Zhou's wife sighed, "What can you do? You're called the village chief, but what difference does it make from anyone else in our village? Come on, eat something."
But Zhou still shook his head: "I can't eat, just leave it for now."
Zhou's wife sighed, "Did you go to see Wang Liu this afternoon?"
Only then did Zhou look at her and nodded.
"What did he say? Did you meet Old Master Wang?"
"I did. Wang Liu took me to see him." He shook his head, "Old Master Wang said there's nothing he can do either. The demand for grain from above is very urgent. The quota is directly imposed. Our village's situation is not unique; many in the county face the same. The county magistrate won't relent on this."
"But this isn't the way to do things," Zhou's wife lamented, her shoulders slumping as she sat down. "At the beginning of the year, they said they would collect this autumn's taxes in advance. Many families in the village haven't had a proper meal in months. We've just harvested the grain, it's not even stored yet, and now they're demanding next year's taxes. Are we supposed to tighten our belts until next autumn?"
"If we'd known from the start that we'd be starving for a year and a half, it would be one thing. But everyone thought they could at least eat well for three months in the coming year. This sudden demand is unbearable for anyone."
"Moreover, having to pay taxes for the deceased… where is the justice in that?"
"This afternoon, the cries in the village haven't stopped."
Mourning for the sons who died at home.
Zhou remained silent for a long time, unable to utter that sentence.
He feared that next year would bring no relief.
If taxes can be collected six months in advance, or even a year in advance, what's stopping them from demanding two years ahead?
Zhou Jiuzhang felt the lamplight tonight was exceptionally dim. A solitary flame flickered in the wind, casting a wavering shadow on the wall, like the lamenting souls of the unreconciled dead. He stood at the doorway of the main hall, gazing into the oppressive night sky, feeling an overwhelming sense of unease.
…
The same unease was shared by Sangluo, who had been home for a while.
That afternoon, as they sat together discussing, and until Shen An arrived, Sangluo had made her way home. By then, the others who had set up stalls had regained their composure, finalizing the tofu quantities for the next day's sale. Contemplating her own tax dues, which included the share of the deceased Shen Lie, about eighty percent paid in cash and the rest in soybeans.
Chen Youtian had even revised the quantity he'd originally set for midday, reducing it to ten pieces of each tofu variety. Truth be told, no need for carrying burdens; Mrs. Chen could handle the amount with just a basket.
Starting tomorrow, business in the countryside would be tough.
Upon returning home, besides gathering fairy tree leaves, Sangluo dug up konjac. Already at the Chens', she had inquired about her household's tax situation.
According to the household registry established by the local authority, the Shen family, being of the lowest class, owed four dou of household tax;
Ninety-nine percent likely deceased but officially unaccounted for, Shen Lie, having reached adulthood, was liable for two shi of adult male tax;
As for her, Shen An, and Shen Ning, considered as one middle and two small taxable males, the cumulative adult male tax amounted to two shi.
Therefore, to avoid being sent off for hard labor, by September 15th, Sangluo needed to come up with four shi and four dou of taxes.
Four shi four dou, with a bushel of grain costing seventy wen, oh, I heard the price has increased, now it's seventy-seven wen per bushel in the grocery store of Sanli Village.
Four shi four dou equals three thousand three hundred and eighty-eight wen, assuming the grain price doesn't rise again before September 15th.
Over three thousand wen in less than half a month, Sangluo was bewildered. That afternoon, not daring to get distracted, she dug up konjac and then went to Mrs. Chen for some spices, returning home to get busy.
The nights in early September had turned cool in the mountains. Sangluo took advantage of the gaps while waiting for the konjac tofu to solidify to make fairy tofu.
But today, as she worked, her mind was elsewhere, partly over the daunting task of earning over three thousand wen in a few days, and partly, she glanced outside at the sky, fearing the weather might change.
Planning to prepare tofu at the break of dawn, she went to bed early but tossed and turned, unable to sleep. When she finally drifted off, she was caught in a nightmare of chaos and fleeing, trapped in the ordeal all night long.
Awakened by the crowing of the rooster outside, Sangluo sat up in bed, drenched in cold sweat.
Seeing it was still early, she breathed a sigh of relief, collected herself, and hurried to the kitchen to light the oil lamp and start grinding the beans.
Before she even got the stone mill moving, Shen An and Shen Ning were already up, quickly coming over to say, "Big sister, we'll grind the beans."
The siblings took turns grinding the beans.
Since last night, the two younger siblings had become exceptionally quiet, eagerly volunteering for every task, and today it was even more noticeable.
Sang Luo sighed as she looked at the siblings, remaining silent.
Shen An, always observant of Sang Luo's expressions, grew increasingly anxious upon seeing her like this. Biting his teeth unconsciously, his jaw ached slightly from the pressure as he kept his head down, focusing on his work.
Sang Luo washed the Zanthoxylum and prepared the ingredients to make chili oil for the vegetarian tripe and crystal candy, which she planned to take to the county for sale.
As she was preparing the ingredients, Shen Ning had already gone to fetch wood to help start the fire.
This kind of initiative left Sang Luo momentarily at a loss for words.
If she hadn't noticed their extra diligence and carefulness yesterday, perhaps she was preoccupied, but today, how could she not see that the siblings were more industrious and cautious than usual?
Sang Luo could guess what the children were thinking; they probably knew about the rent tax and felt they were a burden as siblings – actually, three siblings.
Sang Luo didn't know what to say. It wasn't out of frustration with the children – having taken them in, she was willing to pay their share of the one-stone tax.
What she hadn't anticipated was having to pay an additional two stones for someone who was no longer alive.
Indeed, one person counted as three.
Wasn't this absurd?
But she couldn't blame Shen Lie, the husband in name who died in battle. If these fallen soldiers had spirits, they'd probably rise from their graves to confront the current ruler and drag him to the underworld.
Reflecting on these thoughts and having had a series of nightmares the night before, Sang Luo was inevitably in a bad mood, thus feeling listless and disinclined to speak.
After preparing the tofu and vegetarian tripe, neatly packing them in ceramic pots, and finishing three jars of crystal fruit leather, the three sat down and had breakfast. Sangluo, keeping an eye on the time, removed the stones weighing down the tofu press, revealing perfectly formed tofu, which she efficiently cut into pieces.
The first light of day was breaking, no longer pitch-black to the point of being unable to see one's own hands.
Chen Youtian and Qin Fangniang came knocking, with Gan Shi and Feng Liuniang accompanying them. Sangluo handed over their orders, mentioning that she would join them on the trip to the county today.
After moving everything out and ready to leave, the younger siblings unexpectedly volunteered to carry a small jar each, following Sangluo down the mountain.
Chen Youtian was about to leave with the cart when Shen An couldn't hold back his anxiety anymore.
Following Sangluo closely, when she suggested they return home to get more sleep, Shen An and Shen Ning simultaneously grasped her sleeves.
He glanced around, perhaps mindful of Qin Fangniang and the others nearby, uncertain how to begin.
Seeing him like this, Sangluo asked Chen Youtian and the others to wait a moment, and walked the siblings back, reassuring them, "Don't overthink things. Didn't sleep well last night? Go back and get some rest."
The siblings simultaneously shook their heads in response.
Shen An spoke softly, "Big sister, I'm not tired. I've grown up now. I can make tofu, do household chores, forage in the mountains. I can help earn money for the family. Please don't leave me and my sister out."
Shen Ning also nodded, "Big sister, I can raise chickens and ducks. If you buy some geese, I can take care of them too. They can be exchanged for money over the year."
Hearing this, Sangluo smiled, her mood brightening as if illuminated by the first rays of dawn. She patted Shen Ning's head, "Okay, after we pay the taxes and have some money, I'll buy more ducks and geese for you to raise. Our family's eggs for eating and selling will all depend on you."
This promise about future arrangements seemed to give the siblings a measure of reassurance, both breaking into smiles. Shen Ning nodded vigorously, "Yes, I'll take good care of them!"
Sangluo smiled, "Go back, everyone is waiting. I won't walk you further. Be careful on your own."
After watching the siblings walk away, Sangluo turned back to rejoin Qin Fangniang and the others.
Qin Fangniang, with a soft voice, asked, "Did they find out about the tax payment?"
Sangluo nodded: "They're afraid I see them as a burden, so they kept working non-stop."
Actually, they probably also fear that she might abandon them.
Everyone sighed.
Among their four families, each had to pay a two-stone tax for a family member who went to war and never returned.
Two stones of grain – that's what the best land, tended with utmost care for a year, might yield, and only if the weather is kind. If the land was leased, a portion would first go to the landowner. What remains after paying the landowner is all one's own.
It's like tilling two acres for nothing, with all the produce going straight to the government.
And then there are the taxes for these deceased men. With several sons from each family lost to natural disasters, conscription, and war, and in the absence of enough labor and draft animals, people struggle to cultivate much land. How much could they possibly keep for themselves?
Gan Shi lamented, "These children are fortunate to have met you."
If they were still under Shen San and Li Shi's care, facing yesterday's predicament, their fate would be truly uncertain.
Driven to desperation, it wouldn't be surprising if they were abandoned or outright split up, since Daqian Dynasty's policies encourage splitting households to increase tax collection and discourage communal living.
Like Shi family's eldest and second branches, which are technically separate households in the registry, though they are united as brothers, and Shi Erlang's wife gladly follows Gan Shi's advice, they still live together in daily life.
So, had they not encountered the refugee Sangluo and if Li Shi hadn't seized the chance to pair the Shen siblings with Sangluo as a makeshift family, they might have been outright abandoned in the current crisis.
"The children are also very sensible," Sangluo admitted, feeling quite fortunate to have met them.
On the way, Feng Liuniang lamented, "You know about Zhou Laizi's family next door, right? They were all crying last night. They don't have much land but plenty of mouths to feed. I fear they can't afford this tax. Paying it might leave them unable to survive until next spring."
Two years of taxes collected in one year would crush families already struggling.
Recalling what Zhou Lizheng read yesterday, Feng Liuniang asked Sangluo, "Did the government provide disaster relief in your hometown, Sister-in-law A'lie?"
Sangluo had memories of her original self on this matter and shook her head, "I don't know about other places, but there was no relief where I'm from. We never even saw a bowl of watery rice soup. Otherwise, why would so many people flee southward? Even my well-off family, I don't know how many of us survived."
Sangluo hadn't spoken much about her family, but Qin Fangniang and others knew a bit. Her family had ancestral recipes, she was literate, and they lived with considerable refinement, even paving a flower path in the courtyard, likely no less distinguished than the local Wang family.
Everyone fell silent.
The government claimed it was struggling due to disaster relief costs, necessitating the early tax collection. While Gan Shi, Qin Fangniang, and the others didn't grasp national affairs, they weren't foolish either. Didn't the continuous wars require money and grain? And what about the costs of maintaining imperial palaces and estates?
Where all these levies and grains ended up was something everyone wondered about.
From pitch darkness to dawn, Qi Yang County Gate loomed ahead. Regulars who visited the city recognized some familiar faces; the same people with added despair and numbness.
Seeing everyone's demeanor, Sangluo realized if she continued to worry, she might end up no different from them. She briskly cheered up.
Worrying wouldn't conjure up three thousand coins. She needed to smile and find a good buyer for her products.
Chapter 63: Door-to-door Sales
Unlike Shi Li Village's gloom and devastation, the streets of Qi Yang County didn't show much impact of the early tax collection, except for some outsiders setting up stalls.
Perhaps it existed, but it was limited to a few, at least for now, it wasn't apparent on the main streets of the county.
Needing money, Sangluo brought all her goods, including a few pieces of each type of tofu.
Of course, she brought mostly sour date cakes, or what she called crystal fruits.
Thus, Sangluo's first target was the confectionery shops.
She strolled up and down the main street twice, noting three confectionery shops in total. One appeared more upscale in its decor, while the other two seemed more affordably priced.
After some thought, Sangluo mustered her courage and entered the most expensive-looking one. Although she felt such a shop was unlikely to sell items made outside, it was worth a try. If successful, she could sell at a higher price; if not, there was no loss.
Carrying an assortment of goods and dressed in old, coarse clothes, her appearance starkly contrasted with the shop's setting.
The shopkeeper, a round-faced woman, did not show any displeasure at Sangluo's appearance, maintaining a perfect balance of friendliness and enthusiasm, not too much and not too little.
"What would you like to purchase, ma'am?"
Setting down her carrying basket in a corner of the shop, Sangluo quickly glanced at the array of exquisite confectionery displayed in the cabinets.
There was a wide variety of items, some recognizable with an apparent method of preparation, while others were intricately designed, resembling flowers and buds, beyond Sangluo's skill to discern their crafting.
After this brief look, Sangluo turned back to the shopkeeper and, following the manners of an educated woman of the Daqian dynasty from her original self's memory, greeted gracefully, "Excuse me, shopkeeper, I have made a special treat from a family recipe. I wonder if it's possible for your shop to sell it on my behalf?"
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow: "Consign for sale?"
She smiled and shook her head: "Our Yongfengzhai is an established brand; we don't sell food made externally."
Sangluo, having anticipated this response, wasn't disappointed. She unveiled a jar from her basket, took out a piece of sour jujube cake, and handed it over with a smile: "Even if you don't sell on behalf, it's still fate that I entered your esteemed store. Shopkeeper, please try this crystal fruit preserve."
The shopkeeper's eyes landed on the piece of dessert named 'crystal fruit preserve' passed by Sangluo. It was translucent and visually appealing, befitting its name.
After examining the sweet, her gaze naturally drifted to the hand that offered it. Unlike most farmers, this young lady had slender, well-proportioned fingers, not ones accustomed to rough work. Her nails were neatly trimmed and appeared well cared for, rounded and clean.
The shopkeeper said cheerfully, "Then I thank the lady for her kind gesture."
She took the piece of crystal fruit preserve from Sangluo. It was slightly soft to the touch. Although beautiful in color, its appearance was not particularly striking. Tearing it open, the inside revealed even more appealing colors, not immediately discernible what it was made from, but very appetizing.
Upon tasting a small piece, the burst of sweet and sour flavor instantly stimulated the shopkeeper's salivation.
"This must stimulate the appetite, right?"
Sangluo nodded with a smile: "Indeed, it not only stimulates appetite and strengthens the spleen but also nourishes the heart and calms the mind. Of course, it's just a delicacy. Its taste is primary, and its benefits are just an added bonus."
The shopkeeper raised her eyebrows, recognizing the educated manner of speech.
To her knowledge, some prestigious families pass down recipes to their descendants. She observed Sangluo, wondering if she might be a scion of a once-prominent family that had fallen on hard times.
Of course, that was just a fleeting thought. As she savored the taste, trying to decipher the ingredients, she couldn't figure it out. However, she found the delicacy genuinely impressive, suitable for all ages. Stumbling upon such a gem and letting it slip away would indeed be a pity.
"Young lady, our shop indeed doesn't sell external products, but would you be willing to sell us the recipe?"
Sangluo's eyebrows twitched slightly. While curious about the offer she might receive for the recipe, she had no intention of making a one-time deal that would block her future prospects.
Thus, she shook her head: "The recipe is a treasured family secret and not for sale. However, if your esteemed store is interested in collaborating, I can ensure the crystal fruit preserve is made more uniformly, guaranteeing its appeal."
The shopkeeper hesitated before shaking her head.
Sangluo smiled, not insisting further. She thanked the shopkeeper and was about to leave, turning back to her carrying basket.
Her decisive departure left the shopkeeper feeling somewhat unsettled.
She glanced at the contents of Sangluo's basket. There were three jars of the same type from which the crystal fruit preserve was taken.
Seeing that Sangluo was evidently seeking a seller for her product in town, the shopkeeper's mind started to turn.
Yongfengzhai had maintained its leading position in Qiyang County for years, being the preferred choice for desserts among the reputable families. Their success hinged on surpassing competitors in variety, craftsmanship, taste, packaging, and service.
Having tasted the crystal fruit preserve, she was convinced it would be popular. If Sangluo sold it to one of the other dessert shops, her Yongfengzhai wouldn't be able to produce something of the same category to surpass it.
Realizing this, she hurriedly called Sangluo back: "Miss, although we don't sell items on behalf, would you sell these to us? I'll let the owner taste them when he returns. We can discuss further then. How about that?"
Sang Luo: These? ?
"Is this even feasible?" she thought, perplexed.
Smiling, she turned around and said, "Of course, it's possible. Not to hide from you, sister, I've sold this in the county once before, at three coins for five pieces. But I wasn't quite satisfied with the price, which is why I'm considering consignment in a shop to get a higher price. So, sister, are you taking all of these?"
Hearing the possibility of a sale, the shopkeeper instantly became 'sister.'
The female shopkeeper chuckled: "I'll take them all. Tell me what price you think is appropriate."
Sang Luo pondered and replied, "There are over six hundred pieces in these three jars. If sister takes them all, I'll charge six hundred in total, at the wholesale price of one coin per piece. Whether you eat them yourself or resell them, sister, you can set your own price."
The price hike was nearly half, and Sang Luo was satisfied with it.
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Alright, leave all three jars here."
She then reached behind the counter, pulled out six strings of coins, placed them on the counter, and pushed them towards Sang Luo.
At one hundred coins per bundle, Sang Luo had counted enough money to have a rough estimate of the store's scale. Yes, a store of this size wouldn't deceive her over trifles. She confidently filled her purse with the money, leaving with one empty purse, now packed full.
Sang Luo's face lit up with joy, her eyebrows and lips curling into a smile. Although it was just jujube cake saved over several days, she had now made an income of 600 wen, plus the 400 wen saved from selling tofu at home, making a significant step towards the 3,388 wen goal.
She was pleased, and the female shopkeeper was quite happy too. After delivering it to the master's family, and once the master had tasted it, the idea of either negotiating with this young woman to buy the recipe or allowing the pastry chefs to research what it was made of seemed like a good plan.
Could Sang Luo guess that the female shopkeeper had such a plan?
After receiving the money, the female shopkeeper didn't inquire about Sangluo's next visit or how to contact her. Sangluo realized this and raised an eyebrow but didn't mind.
"Let them figure it out. If they manage to replicate it, that's the prowess of this established confectionery. I'm not overly ambitious, nor do I believe my creations are irreplicable. If I make money from jujube cakes by chance, others earning from their skills is also fate."
"Leave it to fate. As long as the recipe isn't leaked from me, there's nothing to be uneasy about."
Sangluo felt content with this thought and, with the heavy purse of six hundred coins in hand, felt quite pleased.
Carrying out the three jars, she smiled, "Sister, could you find something to pack these in? These crude clay jars are so rough they make the crystal cakes seem cheap."
In fact, those three crude clay jars had cost her nearly a hundred coins. She needed to take them back.
The shopkeeper, experienced in dealing with all sorts, understood immediately. She couldn't help but smile wryly; the purchase was for the cakes, not the jars.
Thinking of delivering them to the owner's house, where many ladies and young misses would see them, she called for someone to bring twelve exquisite porcelain jars. The staff carefully transferred the contents, fifty pieces per jar, and after filling twelve jars, six pieces were left over.
The shopkeeper joked about getting a bargain from Sangluo, who playfully responded, "Sister, please keep me in mind for future business."
After her empty jars were packed, Sangluo left the Yongfeng Residence.
…
Next, Sangluo headed to the largest restaurant in Qiyang County.
Unfortunately, this visit wasn't as smooth as the confectionery. At the back door, she was quickly dismissed by a chef after asking just one question.
"Bringing some exotic wild delicacies might be fine, but bringing in ready-made food? If anyone can sell their food here, what's the point of me being a chef?"
Sangluo: …
"Such confidence from this chef."
"Alright, I won't insist. I'll just head over to the back door of another restaurant across the street."
"If I'm not welcomed here, there's always another place. If I hadn't just seen that even Yongfeng Residence didn't sell snacks other than confectionery, I would have suggested my vegetarian tripe. Isn't it also considered a snack in modern times?"
"Just think how popular konjac jelly snacks are."
"Although the eras differ, the essence of a food lover remains the same."
"I believe, with some persuasion and proper packaging, my product could be sold in confectioneries."
"Well, just a thought. It would be best to sell at restaurants."
Lost in her thoughts, Sangluo reached the kitchen of the restaurant. There, a boy about fifteen or sixteen was sitting, washing a large basin of dishes. Seeing Sangluo, he stood up, looked at her, and even smiled at her, leaving the boy somewhat puzzled. "Who are you?"
Learning from her previous encounter, Sangluo set down her load and uncovered the clay pot of konjac jelly covered with lotus leaves. She took a pair of chopsticks and a leaf, placed two pieces of konjac jelly on the leaf, and handed it to the boy. "Young man, give this a try. I have something to ask."
Initially wary, the boy relaxed upon hearing she just had a question. Curious about the food in his hand, he asked, "What's this?"
After tasting it, his eyes lit up, and he gave a thumbs-up. "This is delicious! Since I've accepted your treat, ask away. I'll tell you whatever I know."
Sangluo smiled: "I'm wondering if this new type of food I've made could be sold in your restaurant."
The boy: "..."
Chapter 64: Contractual Supply Agreement
While it's true that accepting treats can make one more agreeable, the boy modestly pointed out, "Ma'am, I'm just a junior apprentice here, in charge of washing dishes and other menial tasks."
Sangluo curved her eyes, took a clean lotus leaf from the basket, and swiftly used her chopsticks to pick out several pieces from the clay pot. The vegetarian tripe, now appealingly seasoned, looked even more tantalizing against the green backdrop of the lotus leaf.
She prepared about half a bowl's worth before setting the chopsticks down, wrapping it all in the leaf, and handing it to the boy. "You don't need to do anything else, just pass a message to your manager for me. Just let me meet him, and all of this is yours as a token of my gratitude. How does that sound?"
How does it sound?
Of course, it's very tempting.
The flavor from the bite earlier was too good, and sadly there were only two pieces. He hadn't had nearly enough.
Wiping his hands, the boy accepted the leaf-wrapped package. "Okay, wait here."
The restaurant also served breakfast, but it was relatively quiet in the morning. The boy peeked into the kitchen, noticed the head chef's back turned, and quickly slipped in and out, then headed to the main hall.
He stood by a red column, eyeing the hall and staircase, and when he spotted a waiter coming down from the second floor, he beckoned him over with a 'hey'.
The waiter approached, a bit puzzled. "Why are you out here instead of the kitchen?"
"Brother, can you take me to the manager to deliver a message?"
The waiter scoffed, "You're delivering a message to the manager now? Moving up in the world."
Frowning, the waiter dismissed him, "Our manager is busy. Not just anyone can approach him. Go back to your work."
As the waiter started to leave, the boy quickly pulled him back. "No, brother, it's something important. A young lady outside the kitchen brought some homemade food and asked if the manager might be interested. I tried it, and it's really delicious. This could be a hit on our menu."
As he started to show the leaf-wrapped package to his brother, his ear was promptly pinched. "You're bold, bringing homemade food to the manager, bypassing the kitchen. Aren't you afraid of the head chef giving you trouble?"
The boy grimaced, protecting his ear, and the waiter chuckled, "Stop pretending; I'm not pulling that hard."
The boy laughed, "I'm not learning cooking under him. I just wash dishes in the kitchen. Getting noticed by the manager might get me a spot in the front hall. Why fear the head chef?"
"And this really tastes good. Brother, try a piece. Our restaurant doesn't have this kind of snack."
Finally, he opened the lotus leaf wrap and showed it to his brother, picking up a piece and putting it towards his brother's mouth, then eagerly watched him, "Taste it and see if I'm lying."
The waiter chewed thoughtfully, impressed, "Hey, this is actually really good."
Glancing down at it, he realized it was a snack he had never seen before. He examined it from different angles, unsure, "Kind of resembles beef tripe?"
Yet, it tasted distinct.
The boy nodded, "Exactly, but it feels fresher and more delicious."
The waiter became serious now, realizing the potential of this food. "If it's something like this, then perhaps I should indeed take you to the manager. These days, cows can't be slaughtered easily, and even our restaurant, with its supply channels, rarely gets beef, let alone tripe."
With that realization, he chuckled, "Smart move, kid. You've done something right this time."
This could definitely leave a good impression with the manager.
"Let's go. Bring this lotus leaf package. I'll take you there. Be smart when you talk to the manager."
The boy nodded eagerly and both brothers headed towards the front counter.
The older youth, evidently a long-time employee at Dongfu Restaurant, seemed quite familiar with the manager. He whispered something to the manager and gestured towards his brother. The manager looked over and nodded, prompting the elder to call his brother over.
The lotus leaf package was presented again, and the manager examined it closely. The elder brother quickly fetched chopsticks and handed them over. The manager tasted a piece, raised his eyebrows in approval, put down the chopsticks, and asked, "Is the person outside the back kitchen?"
The boy responded with a smile.
The manager then said with a smile, "Let's go, lead me to them and invite them in."
He was going to personally invite the guest.
…
Manager Xu of Dongfu Restaurant, in his early forties, had light eyebrows and small eyes, a square face with a wide mouth; his features weren't particularly attractive. When Sang Luo first saw him, the phrase 'kind and benevolent' came to mind.
The boy introduced Sang Luo, and under the watchful eyes of the kitchen staff, she was invited into a private room of Dongfu Restaurant, along with the head chef.
A plate of her vegetarian tripe was served on the table in the private room. Manager Xu invited the head chef to taste it as well and then inquired, "Madam Sang, what is this dish called?"
What he really wanted to know was, what was this dish made of?
Of course, realizing that neither they as restaurant owners nor their chefs could recognize it, he opted for a different way of asking.
"You can just call it 'vegetarian tripe'," Sang Luo suggested to Manager Xu.
Chef Yu had been scrutinizing the dish, tasting three pieces already. Hearing this name, he nodded in agreement, "The texture and appearance resemble tripe due to the slicing technique, and the taste is quite similar too. 'Vegetarian tripe' is indeed an apt name."
As he spoke, he tried to deduce the original form of the ingredient in his mind. Although the cutting technique was identifiable, he couldn't discern what the primary ingredient was.
He exchanged a glance with Manager Xu and silently shook his head.
Manager Xu understood, smiling at Sang Luo, "I shouldn't inquire about the ingredients, but as restaurant operators, food safety is our top priority. This dish of yours poses no such concerns, right?"
Sang Luo promptly assured, "Of course, I wouldn't dare to sell anything inedible. I can't bear such a responsibility."
Manager Xu nodded with a smile, "That's reassuring to hear."
He then asked with a smile, "May I know how much you charge for this vegetarian tripe?"
Sang Luo, hiding her nervousness, confidently faced the smiling manager, "How about selling it by weight? I won't ask for much, just 18 wen per jin. What do you think?"
She had initially intended to sell it in jars at pastry shops, but after observing the pastry shops in the county and noticing they all sold traditional pastries, she realized her vegetarian tripe would be out of place and might not sell well, prompting her to consider the restaurant.
Since she was bringing it to a restaurant, jar packaging was unnecessary, but Sang Luo was desperately in need of money, hence her bold pricing, almost equating it to premium pork.
Manager Xu chuckled, aware that people often claim they're not asking for much right before quoting a steep price. He observed Sang Luo, "The price for your vegetarian tripe matches that of high-quality pork."
Sang Luo kept smiling, "Meat has its own flavor, and this vegetarian tripe has its charm. Each has its merits, don't they? Besides, pork is readily available in any butcher shop, but not this vegetarian tripe."
Furthermore, those who can afford to dine in this restaurant are less likely to eat pork and more apt to eat lamb, as it fits their status.
Indeed, in this time and space, the wealthy rarely prefer pork, similar to ancient China, where pigs were not castrated, leaving the meat with an unavoidable and difficult-to-remove odor or sour taste. Skilled chefs could mitigate this through certain cooking techniques and seasonings, but most people either didn't know how or didn't have the means.
Hence, it was mostly the poor who consumed pork.
Therefore, pricing this vegetarian tripe at the same level as high-quality pork was actually not overly expensive.
Manager Xu's interest, however, lay in the last point. Being a businessman, he understood seizing opportunities well, "Would Miss Sang grant me exclusive rights to sell it?"
Sang Luo neither agreed nor denied outright, pondering for a moment before saying, "It depends on the quantity. After all, I rely on this for a living, right? A daily exclusive supply of three to five jin wouldn't suffice for my household's needs."
In truth, the amount Sang Luo had quoted, even three to five jin a day, would be a considerable sum for a small rural farmer – earning between 54 to 90 wen a day, if not a fortune, then what is?
How could one possibly earn that much from farming alone?
Yet, for Manager Xu, who ran a restaurant in the county, asking for an exclusive deal for just a few dozen wen a day seemed audacious.
Hence, Manager Xu also laughed, exchanging glances with Chef Yu before turning back to Sang Luo, "We can't promise much at the beginning, as it's just one dish. Let's start with no less than ten jin per day and restrict sales to our restaurant only. How about that? We can adjust later based on sales."
Ten jin.
That's 180 wen a day, and in ten days, it would amount to 1,800 wen.
With the money earned from selling tofu, Sang Luo should be able to pay the taxes within twelve days without any issue.
She wasn't greedy, as producing more than she could handle would be impractical, considering the time and effort required to make konjac tofu. Earning money wasn't as easy as it seemed.
Moreover, while konjac was abundant in the mountains, it wasn't limitless. The plants near the village had already been harvested, and she would have to venture deeper for more. Even with snake repellent, the deeper parts of the mountains posed too many dangers, which she dared not confront.
Thankfully, konjac's water-absorbing quality was remarkable; one jin of konjac could produce eight jin of konjac tofu. Providing ten jin per day to Dong Fu Restaurant seemed manageable for Sang Luo at present.
So, she nodded, "Alright, a verbal agreement won't suffice. Shall we draft a contract?"
Creating a contract in business was familiar to Manager Xu, but he was surprised by Sang Luo's proposal, wondering if she could read and write, which would be uncommon for someone of her apparent background.
Manager Xu refrained from asking directly and summoned a clerk to draft the contract. The clerk prepared ink and paper, and they began formulating the contract terms.
A contract was a safeguard for both parties. Manager Xu desired exclusive selling rights, while Sang Luo sought a guaranteed daily sales volume. She made sure not to restrict herself, clarifying that the daily ten jin was a guarantee from Manager Xu, but she only committed to exclusive selling rights during the contract term, without promising a minimum daily supply.
This requirement needed to be clearly stated in the contract.
Manager Xu was taken aback by her request.
Sang Luo explained with a smile, "One can't always predict human limitations. This contract secures your exclusive selling rights and the sales volume you must achieve while I grant you these rights. As for other conditions, I can't impose too many restrictions on myself."
Would she be liable for compensation if she couldn't supply the goods?
Sang Luo wasn't willing to make such a commitment for mountain goods.
She reassured Manager Xu, "If I can't supply the goods, I'll inform you a day in advance, and you can then remove the dish from the menu."
Manager Xu realized that Sang Luo was not only literate but also quite shrewd in setting up the contract, preemptively pointing out and avoiding potential risks.
He instructed the clerk to write down the contract as discussed, finalizing other details. Near the end, Sang Luo requested to add a six-month duration to the exclusive selling contract.
"No ulterior motive, just that every collaboration should have a timeframe. If it works, we continue; if not, we part ways. This adds security for both parties, right? If it's a pleasant cooperation, we can renew it after expiration."
Manager Xu, the clerk, and the observing chef: "…"
It's said that buyers can never outwit sellers. Manager Xu, though benevolent in appearance, has been a shrewd businessman for twenty years. Today, he met his match in this young lady.
Despite her youth, she handled matters with exceptional experience and acumen.
Manager Xu, amused, agreed: "Absolutely, Miss Sang's points are valid. Let's make it six months, and I'm confident we can renew it afterward."
Manager Xu was confident in his ability to maintain relationships. He believed that after six months, under similar conditions, Sang Luo would naturally choose to continue collaborating with him. As for other homes offering higher prices, it was Sang Luo's safeguard and nothing to fuss about. They would renegotiate then.
He instructed the clerk to add the duration clause.
Manager Xu then suggested to Sang Luo: "Just one thing, you can prepare the konjac tofu as a semi-finished product. Our chefs will handle the final steps, whether it's served cold or stir-fried, potentially increasing sales. With this, could you consider lowering the price a bit?"
Sang Luo certainly didn't think her culinary skills surpassed the restaurant's chefs. Moreover, her ingredients were no match for Dong Fu Restaurant's quality and variety. Aware of her limitations, she found Manager Xu's suggestion reasonable.
After a brief thought, she replied, "Let's make it seventeen wen per jin. The cost of spices isn't much for me, so this one wen difference can be an extra concession for Manager Xu."
Manager Xu laughed heartily: "Agreed. Let's officially start the supply in three days. On that day, deliver ten jin of konjac tofu to our kitchen and settle the account with our clerk."
Looking at the pottery basin Sang Luo brought, he added, "Of course, we'll also purchase what you've brought today."
Hearing that the supply would start in three days, Sang Luo calculated this meant losing 510 wen in potential earnings.
Sang Luo understood that for a restaurant, it's natural to be cautious with an unfamiliar dish. Buying her offerings today and waiting three days for new supplies allowed the restaurant staff, and perhaps even some small animals, to test the food first.
If all went well, the new dish would be introduced in three days.
Sang Luo readily agreed. Missing out on a few hundred wen was not going to stop her from gathering the needed 3,388 wen. Besides selling tofu, she had other income sources like sour jujube cakes, so she wasn't worried.
After finalizing the deal, her food was taken for weighing. It amounted to 23.5 jin, all purchased by Manager Xu at 18 wen per jin, amounting to 423 wen in total.
Two copies of the newly drafted contract were prepared, and both Sang Luo and Manager Xu signed and sealed them. Once the ink dried, each kept a copy.
When the money arrived, Sang Luo's purse was already full.
As she awkwardly tried to stuff the money into her sleeves, Manager Xu noticed and had the clerk fetch a sturdier money bag, which he handed to Sang Luo.
The new money bag was far superior to Sang Luo's own, sturdier to withstand the weight of the coins.
Impressed, Sang Luo remarked, "This is much more refined than mine. As a token of gratitude, let me gift you something in return."
She then rummaged through her carrying basket.
Inside her seemingly small basket, neatly organized, was another pottery basin underneath a square board, containing a few pieces of tofu she had brought specially.
Manager Xu, recognizing the tofu, smiled, "Is this the tofu and immortal tofu sold in the eastern market? You sell these as well, Miss Sang?"
Chapter 65: A Reluctant Request
As a restaurateur familiar with various ingredients, Manager Xu occasionally explored markets. About a week ago, he discovered immortal tofu in the eastern market and brought some back for experimentation.
Planning to introduce a new dish, he returned the next day to find the tofu vendor absent. Despite his inquiries in the western market and being informed the vendor had been selling for a while, there had been no recent sightings.
Assuming the vendor's absence was due to farming season, Manager Xu patiently waited, hoping for their return, only to discover not just immortal tofu but another new white tofu variety as well.
Manager Xu had previously purchased ten pieces of immortal tofu, preparing them as a cold dish appetizer to test their reception, and also brought a few pieces of tofu back for Head Chef Yu to experiment with.
Today, he initially planned to buy more, but coincidentally encountered Sang Luo selling her vegetarian tripe.
Sang Luo smiled, "This is part of my family's business. I used to sell these in the western market, but now several aunts from my village are selling them in the county. Have you purchased from them, Manager Xu?"
Manager Xu shared the backstory, "I was planning to go and check it out today, but fortunately, I found it here with you, Miss Sang."
Sang Luo raised an eyebrow, guessing Manager Xu might have intended to negotiate a deal with Qin Fangniang, but didn't mention it, smiling instead, "That's a pleasant coincidence."
She then inquired with Head Chef Yu, "I wonder how Chef Yu has cooked this dish?"
Chef Yu shared his thoughts on several cooking methods he had devised. Sang Luo laughed upon hearing them, "As expected of a restaurant head chef – so resourceful with just the ingredients at hand."
After praising Chef Yu, she turned to Manager Xu, "With a chef like Chef Yu, I really have no place showing off. However, my family's tofu recipe includes several methods well-suited for restaurant preparation. It's serendipitous to conduct business with your Dongfu Restaurant, Manager Xu. I'd like to gift you a few recipes as my gratitude for your future patronage."
Manager Xu was overjoyed upon hearing this, and Chef Yu's eyes also sparkled with excitement.
What matters most in running a restaurant is constant innovation, especially when the culinary skills are already top-notch!
Sang Luo, without hesitation, shared several tofu recipes she knew, such as "Pocket Tofu," "Sauce Tofu," "Steamed Tofu," "Two-tone Tofu," and "Stuffed Tofu." Manager Xu and Head Chef Yu's eyes shone brighter with each recipe.
Initially only mildly interested, Head Chef Yu now leaned in eagerly, pushing Manager Xu aside and asking Sang Luo for clarifications on any unclear points.
The more he asked, the more intrigued he became. For the complex-shaped "Pocket Tofu," he even had Sang Luo join him in the kitchen with the tofu she brought, guiding him as he tried making it.
The "Pocket Tofu," with its golden pouch made from white tofu filled with seasoned stuffing and tied at the top with green onions, then garnished with sauce, was a visual delight. Manager Xu was thoroughly impressed, exclaiming, "This could definitely become a signature dish of our restaurant!"
Excited, he asked Sang Luo, "Miss Sang, you still make these tofu dishes, right?"
"Certainly, I supply several tofu stalls in the county," Sang Luo replied. Then pausing, she added with a smile, "If Manager Xu wishes to order tofu, it might be more convenient to order directly from the stall you previously purchased from in the eastern market. They can deliver the goods to you before setting up their stall, which would be more convenient than buying from me. I'll also have the vegetarian tripe delivered through them. As for long-term orders and pricing, tofu doesn't yield high profits, and it's mostly hard-earned money. You can negotiate the details directly with them."
Manager Xu raised an eyebrow, understanding that Sang Luo was honoring the business relationship he had established with the tofu stall in the eastern market, instead of intercepting the deal herself.
He respected her integrity.
As for the price of two coins per piece of tofu, he found it reasonable and didn't bother to haggle, saying with a smile, "That works, I'll make another trip to the eastern market then."
Sang Luo smiled and suggested to Head Chef Yu, "Chef Yu, you might also want to explore various fish and tofu combinations. Fish head stewed with tofu, for example, gives a rich and creamy soup, very savory. And red-braised with different types of fish would also be excellent."
Head Chef Yu felt as if a new culinary world had opened up to him: "Tofu really goes with everything. Starting tomorrow with the new supply of tofu, I need to come up with a new dish every day."
Sang Luo smiled with her eyes curved, thinking it would be ideal if Dongfu Restaurant could host a tofu banquet. With daily tofu orders from Dongfu, even though initially from Aunt Tian, ultimately they were sourced from her. And with Dongfu innovating various dishes, it would likely spark a trend, benefiting other tofu stalls in the county.
As they left the kitchen, Manager Xu was noticeably more enthusiastic, busily arranging for fresh tea and snacks in the private room.
Sang Luo declined politely, "Manager Xu, there's no need. I have urgent matters to attend to and must leave now."
She didn't plan to take today's earnings back to the village but intended to buy grain in the county and transport it back using Qin Fangniang's cart, a plan she had already discussed with Qin Fangniang earlier.
Focused solely on the tax payment, she couldn't afford to be distracted by anything else.
With the current increase in grain prices, it was better to purchase early for peace of mind. She had initially planned to trade tofu for grain with three families in the village and accumulate slowly. But now, with the tax demand, which families would have surplus grain to sell? Neither the Chen, Shi, nor Lu families would likely have excess grain to exchange for tofu.
So, she had to buy in the county. Besides, grain merchants wouldn't raise prices without reason. The external situation must be dire, though Sang Luo didn't know to what extent. Her priority was to stockpile grain, preparing for a further increase in prices.
She wasn't sure if the merchants raised prices because they knew about the government's tax collection in advance. If not, this sudden tax collection could disrupt their grain purchasing plans, potentially driving prices even higher.
Thinking this, she asked Manager Xu about the reason behind the rising grain prices.
Manager Xu sighed upon her inquiry, "You might not know, but recent floods have affected several provinces."
He lowered his voice, "It's said that without government relief, the conditions in those provinces are dire, with tragedies of parents swapping children for food. Last month, I vaguely heard that the most severely affected areas even saw outbreaks of disease. Have you noticed, there seem to be no more refugees coming this way recently?"
Reflecting on it, Sang Luo realized this was true. Although the original owner of her body rarely left the village, Sang Luo herself frequently visited the county and indeed hadn't seen any more refugees lately.
Shopkeeper Xu shook his head: "It's over now."
Hearing this, Sang Luo felt a chill all over.
"Had the original body escaped a bit later, what kind of scene would she have found herself in upon her transmigration?"
"Would she have been among those who starved to death or were consumed? And then there's the plague – truly, that would have been hell."
"Unaware that Sang Luo was originally a refugee who fled from the south, Xu, the shopkeeper, upon hearing her inquire about grain prices, asked, 'Are you looking to buy grain?'"
"Sang Luo nodded in affirmation."
"Xu, the shopkeeper, then advised, 'You should act quickly. Ever since the announcement of advanced taxation was made yesterday, the grain prices in the county have already risen to eighty-two wen per dou this very morning.'"
Sang Luo's expression changed slightly: "The price rose again?"
Shopkeeper Xu nodded: "Indeed, many people are still unaware. The grain store's owner seems eager to collect grain without making it public. We only know because we frequently deal with them, but it can't be kept secret. People are buying grain, and residents in the county need to pay taxes too. Those who are prompt might start buying today, and once the word of the price hike spreads, there'll likely be long queues at the grain store."
Hearing this, Sang Luo felt a tingling in her scalp and didn't dare delay any longer. She quickly bid farewell to Shopkeeper Xu and headed to the grain store.
Seeing her urgency, Shopkeeper Xu called out: "Madam Sang, don't worry. How much grain do you need to buy? If it's for paying taxes, don't join the queue. I have some connections with the grain store. I can send someone to arrange a direct delivery to your home."
Sang Luo hesitated, then decided to be forthright: "I do need it for tax payment, four bushels and four pecks in total. I won't hide it from you, I'm a recent settler from the north, just built my house here. I barely have a thousand coins for buying grain, earning and buying as I go. With such a sudden spike in grain prices, I fear it might rise even further. I have a request, Shopkeeper Xu."
Before she could finish, Shopkeeper Xu interrupted: "I understand. Tell me how much money you need, I'll lend you some so you can buy the necessary grain first. You can offset it later with the money from the sale of vegetarian tripe."
Sang Luo let out a sigh of relief and, adopting the manner of a man, bowed her hands in thanks: "I am grateful for Manager Xu's willingness to help. My family has no grain stored, and if Manager Xu trusts me…"
She quickly calculated in her mind: "I have one thousand coins on me today. May I ask Manager Xu to lend me four thousand coins? I plan to buy six shi of grain and transport it back."
As she spoke, she took out her identification and handed it to Manager Xu: "This is my identification. Please take a look; it details my family situation and the location of my house and land."
Manager Xu pushed it back: "Miss Sang, there's no need for this. I, Old Xu, am somewhat skilled in judging character and I trust you. I estimate that you need to pay four shi four dou in taxes and can roughly guess the number of people in your household. Buying six shi of grain won't be enough. With the grain prices likely to rise for a while, it's hard to say how much. You don't need to feel uneasy about borrowing money from me. I suggest, let me lend you six taels of silver so you can buy nine shi of grain. After paying the tax, you'll have four shi six dou left, which should last until next spring and summer when the famine is likely to be over and the new harvest arrives. The grain prices won't stay like they are now."
Sang Luo quickly calculated in her mind: Nine shi of grain would cost seven thousand three hundred eighty wen.
If she borrowed six taels of silver from Manager Xu, which equates to seven thousand two hundred wen, she would have over eight hundred wen left after buying the grain, plus the four hundred wen at home, making it over twelve hundred wen in total, enough to repay a tael of silver. With the income from tofu, vegetarian tripe, and crystal cake in the future, she wouldn't have to owe the debt for too long.
Having calculated this, Sang Luo was reassured. She bowed: "Then I thank Manager Xu very much."
Manager Xu smiled: "No need to thank me. Consider it my thanks for the recipes you gifted. Please have a seat, and I'll have a clerk go buy the grain."
Seeing Sang Luo about to thank him again, he stopped her: "Miss Sang, no need for more thanks."
He raised his voice to order tea and snacks again and instructed a clerk to go to the grain store to buy grain on Sang Luo's behalf.
After arranging everything, Manager Xu, worried that Sang Luo wouldn't rest comfortably in his presence, smiled and said to her: "I have some matters to attend to in the tavern. Miss Sang, please rest here. The grain will be delivered directly to the back door shortly. You need not worry about transportation; I'll arrange for a carriage to help you take it home."
Sang Luo thanked him again, and Manager Xu, after a few words reassuring her to relax, left the private room.
Shortly after, the clerk who had helped draft the contract came in, holding two silver ingots, one large and one small, and placed them on the table beside Sang Luo, smiling: "Miss Sang, here are the six taels of silver Manager Xu asked me to deliver. Please keep them safe."
It was Sang Luo's first time seeing silver in this world, but sadly, she had to spend it immediately. Yet, knowing she would have some grain left over, she felt much more at ease.
She rose to her feet and gave a respectful bow: "Thank you for your assistance, sir."
The accountant smiled: "No trouble at all, Miss Sang. Please relax, I'll return to my duties now."
Saying this, he bowed and then left the room.
Sang Luo gazed at the two silver ingots, feeling a mix of emotions.
Initially, she needed money urgently and worried about the tofu sales due to the unexpected tax levy by the government. Hoping to expand her tofu's market, coupled with the fact that Manager Xu was quite straightforward and she had earned a good amount from her crystal cake sale earlier, she ended up receiving a fine money bag from Manager Xu.
For several reasons, she gifted a few tofu recipes, not expecting that it would quickly earn Manager Xu's favor and prompt a swift repayment.
Life's encounters truly are unpredictable. When she left home this morning, she was concerned about securing enough grain for the tax within twelve days. Yet, in just a couple of hours, not only had she nearly gathered the grain for the tax, but she also had enough for her and the two children to last till next year's harvest.
Manager Xu's estimation was under the assumption that her household had at least one able-bodied worker who could eat well.
In reality, there was no such laborer in her family. With just her and the two kids, nine shi of grain, after paying taxes, would indeed be enough to last them until next autumn.
Although she owed six taels of silver, a daunting sum for anyone in the village, Sang Luo felt it was manageable. Compared to the uncertain future grain prices, borrowing the money from Manager Xu to buy the grain seemed like a much better option.
Working hard for a while, she could manage several businesses simultaneously, and she believed the debt could be repaid soon.
Thinking about the dire situation in several northern provinces mentioned by Manager Xu, Sang Luo's shoulders sagged. The Daqian dynasty was only a few decades old, yet so troubled. At this rate, she feared she wouldn't live a peaceful life until natural death.