Chapter 104 Restless News
"Long time no see, Third Master had become more and more blessed." You Jin respectfully bowed to Third Master Huang when she saw him.
"Su Family’s lass, long time no see. You have grown up a lot." Third Master Huang had just returned from the capital and had just recovered from the fatigue of the journey when he heard Su Family’s lass came to look for him. He hurriedly asked the people below to bring her to the wing room on the second floor, "You are well informed. I have only been back for two days and you came knocking."
Needless to say, Third Master Huang knew that the owner’s family’s eldest and youngest young master were on good terms with Su Family’s lass. In addition, he personally witnessed Su Family make a fortune under the leadership of the little girl in front of him. He couldn't help but look highly upon Su Family’s lass.
You Jin sat at the lower end. With a slight smile on her face, she spoke: "Third Master's words make me embarrassed. The main reason I came to bother you today is because I know Third Master is well-informed from your travels. I want to inquire about some news with Third Master."
You Jin didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
Although Su Family mainly relied on snack shops for their livelihood, they still grew a lot of vegetables on most days. In winter, they had supply Yunweixuan with rare fresh vegetables: bean sprouts and bean seedlings. She had always maintained a good relationship with Third Master Huang. It wasn’t the first time that You Jin had asked him for information.
Third Master Huang put down his teacup, and replied: "I'm almost becoming a nosy parker. Tell me, what news do you want to inquire about this time?"
Although Su Family’s little girl liked to ask him for information, Third Master Huang didn't keep it private and told her everything he knew.
In fact, Third Master Huang had always admired this little girl. She dared to think and do. If he had a son in his family, he would marry in this little girl home as his daughter-in-law. With such a daughter-in-law, would he be afraid that their family will not be able to get better each generation? Thinking how he only had three daughters, Third Master Huang could only sigh silently.
"I heard a few days ago that the north is about to start a war?" You Jin had been anxious since hearing the news a few days ago. Although Luohe Prefecture wasn’t close to the border, if the northern border was broken through, the iron cavalry would be able to attack Luohe Prefecture in half a month. By that time, whether the dozens of members of her Su family would be able to keep their lives was another matter. You Jin was born in the army in her previous life, so she naturally knew how cruel war is.
Hearing Su Family’s lass bringing up such an explosive topic, Third Master Huang was a little startled and coughed a few times. Once his breathing eased up: "I just received the news not long ago too. It's not a large-scale one. The war is just a few small battles where guerrillas robbed supplies on the border. This year, there was a severe drought in the north in spring and summer. There weren’t many crops from the start as they were completely killed by the drought. Since winter, there have been continuous long snow falls. You know that the nomads in the north raise cattle, sheep and horses. Many of their animals died of freezing temperatures! Since there weren’t enough rations, they’ll naturally set their eyes on the people on the border of Dafeng."
Though he said that, Third Master Huang still looked worried. What was unspoken was that he was also afraid of a war breaking out. Luohe Prefecture was located in the north of Dafeng with abundant products and an important pass. It would naturally be one of the main targets of the enemy army.
What Third Master Huang thought of, You Jin naturally thought of it too. In the quiet wing room, one old and one young sat facing each other with their faces solemn.
After a long time, Third Master Huang broke the silence in the room: "Su Family’s lass, don't think too much. Our Dafeng is now considered a wealthy and powerful country. If we really fight, we may not lose."
Though this was said, if fighting in the north happens, Dafeng's army will definitely not have the advantage like the enemy in the north. Third Master Huang didn't know what to say, so he had to respond with a few meaningless words.
You Jin absent-mindedly listened. Then she asked some news about the capital. It had been a while since she had received any letters from Xiao Lin Yu and felt inexplicably disappointed. So she couldn't help inquiring.
"I didn't see Eldest Young Master on this trip to the capital. But I heard from the capital’s supervisor that Eldest Young Master seemed to have arranged a marriage. Youngest Young Master had also started to study in the official school in the capital. I'm afraid they won't be able to come to Luohe Prefecture for three-five years." Third Master Huang didn't know the key factor and assumed Su Family’s lass was on good terms with Youngest Young Master. That’s why, he mentioned a few more things about Youngest Young Master: "I was on Zhuque Street one day and saw Youngest Young Master riding a white horse through the street. The little misses in the capital secretly fluttered their eyes until it almost fell out!" Speaking of this, Third Master Huang couldn't help laughing.
You Jin’s serious expression withdrew and a slight smile appeared. She replied: "I never thought that the people in the capital are so open. I will definitely go to see it if I have the opportunity in the future."
The two of them tacitly diverted the matter of the northern border. After talking for a while, You Jin got up and bidded goodbye: "I have bothered you today. Thank you, Third Master."
"It's nothing. It's winter now, I have nothing to do and just chatted to you in my free time. It's good to pass the time." Third Master Huang sent her to the stairs and the two exchanged a few more pleasantries. After leaving Yunweixuan, she finally made way to Sujiaxiang snack shop.
Sujiaxiang's business was booming now. When You Jin stepped into the door of her shop, none of the seven or eight little lasses who served the guests was free. Everyone had warm smiles on their faces and chirping like orioles and swallows. The customers who came to buy snacks were coaxed into merry mood. No wonder Sujiaxiang's business was getting better and better.
The manager noticed You Jin. She hurriedly finished the business at hand and greeted her: "Eldest Miss have time to come over today? Second Missl is upstairs!"
Eldest Miss didn’t come to the shop on most days. If there is any problem, Second and Third Miss can discuss and deal with it. If they can't solve it, they will trouble Eldest Miss then. So when the manager saw Eldest Miss, he thought something had happened. Though the expression on his face remained the same, he felt a little uneasy inside.
"It's nothing. I happened to pass by after some meetings and came in to take a look. You go and do your work." You Jin dismissed the manager and went straight to the wing room reserved for Su Family on the second floor. She looked through the window. Watching people coming in and out of the shop, she talked with You Yin for a while.
Now Sujiaxiang's shop was big enough, You Jin had opened up elegant suite on the second floor. It provided a good choice for meeting friends or a shopping rest spot for the female family members of rich and noble families who had the condition and wanted to.
There were twelve elegant suites on the second floor of Sujiaxiang. There was a minimum consumption of one liang silver requirement. One liang silver wasn’t worth anything in the eyes of the female members of rich families. In addition, several of Sujiaxiang's freshly produced snacks were only delicious when they were still steaming. Therefore, many female members of rich families came out to go shopping would always choose Sujiaxiang snack shop for rest break.
Therefore, these twelve elegant suites brought in a profit of nearly one hundred liang a month. You Yin, who was a little hesitant at first, was once again convinced by the decision made by Eldest Sister. As soon as You Yin saw Eldest Sister coming, she hurriedly put down the work in her hands and went up to her: "Why did Eldest Sister come here? Aren't you going to discuss business?"
Touching You Yin's shiny black hair, You Jin smilingly responded: "After I finished those meetings. Seeing that it’s still early, I came to check up on you. How's business going?"
Hearing Eldest Sister's question, You Yin held the account book to Eldest Sister: "This month’s consumption, two #dou and eight #buckets of fine flour, more than three hundred eggs, one dou each for red beans, mung beans and other beans. Expenses is two hundred and nineteen liang. The income was eight hundred and twenty-three liang."
It was only the middle of this month and Su Family snack shop had already made more than six hundred liang. It can be said that the business was blazing hot.
"Now you can do the accounts more and more clearly." You Jin nodded with satisfaction: "You should discuss things with the manager and You Zhu more often about the shop. If you aren’t sure about something, tell me right away."
Right now, Sujiaxiang was under the care of the magistrate's wife and had many wealthy families in Luohe Prefecture as their loyal customers. Naturally, there will be no blind people who dared to come to blackmail or pick a fight like the beginning. Still, when it came to running a shop, there were many trivial matters. You Yin's temperament was still soft. You Jin had the heart to change her temperament. So even when there was no shortage of people in the family, she wanted You Yin to manage Sujiaxiang's business affairs from behind the scenes.
"Don't worry, Eldest Sister, I know." You Yin was delighted to receive Eldest Sister’s confirmation. Knowing that Eldest Sister's words weren’t malicious, she accepted the guidance.
Putting down the account book, You Jin took a sip of hot tea and asked, "How many raw materials are there in the storeroom now?"
The snack shop had its own storeroom. There were regular suppliers who delivered the goods to the door regularly. So there was no over accumulation of raw materials. At most about one month's worth of raw materials.
Sure enough, You Yin replied: "There is still about half a month's amount. Shopkeeper Song will send new raw materials over in two days."
"I'll ask someone to send a message to Shopkeeper Song in a while. This time, we will stock up raw materials for a few more months." You Jin pondered and decided to take precautions. In case of a real war, there would be at least some food to support the family to overcome the difficulties: "You should do a stock take for the storeroom when the time comes. Also, you must safeguard the keys to the storeroom."
"I know. Only You Zhu and I have the key to the storeroom. I hadn’t even let the manager touch the key." You Yin nodded in response. She naturally knew the importance of their family storeroom. She always kept the key on her: "Eldest Sister, why are you want to prepare more food?"
"I heard people say that there is a snowstorm in the north. I'm afraid that the price of grain will fluctuate. It's fine to accumulate it first. Anyway, it’s grain. It won't spoil in a year or two." You Jin glanced at the confused You Yin and smilingly explained with a smile. Since her expression was calm, You Yin accepted and didn't ask any more questions.
Although You Jin had no confidence, there was an 80% chance that it was true since the news of the turmoil in the north came from Third Master Huang. Even if she knew it was true, You Jin didn’t dare to tell her family about it. She could only start to secretly prepare. If the war really starts, she has to pave the way for the whole family to survive.
The storerooms of Su Family in Wuliqiao and Sujiaxiang's shop in the city were full of grain. You Jin was also buying cotton and hide. Then she had someone kill two pigs from the pig farm on Houjiawan Mountain and smoked them all. Make bacon for the rainy days. Everyone in Su Family only thought that she was preparing for the New Year. No one knew that she was quietly preparing for the war.
It was only a few days after Su Family finished buying grain, the news of the war in the north spread quietly in Luohe Prefecture like a cold wind everywhere. As expected, everyone panicked for a while. Grain, oil, and cloth, which were necessary materials in wartime, began to rise in price one after another.
Even homebody Mrs. Su heard the news of the war in the north. She became quite worried, as if the nomadic cavalry from the north would break through the city gate of Luohe Prefecture at dawn tomorrow.
"Long time no see, Third Master had become more and more blessed." You Jin respectfully bowed to Third Master Huang when she saw him.
"Su Family’s lass, long time no see. You have grown up a lot." Third Master Huang had just returned from the capital and had just recovered from the fatigue of the journey when he heard Su Family’s lass came to look for him. He hurriedly asked the people below to bring her to the wing room on the second floor, "You are well informed. I have only been back for two days and you came knocking."
Needless to say, Third Master Huang knew that the owner’s family’s eldest and youngest young master were on good terms with Su Family’s lass. In addition, he personally witnessed Su Family make a fortune under the leadership of the little girl in front of him. He couldn't help but look highly upon Su Family’s lass.
You Jin sat at the lower end. With a slight smile on her face, she spoke: "Third Master's words make me embarrassed. The main reason I came to bother you today is because I know Third Master is well-informed from your travels. I want to inquire about some news with Third Master."
You Jin didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
Although Su Family mainly relied on snack shops for their livelihood, they still grew a lot of vegetables on most days. In winter, they had supply Yunweixuan with rare fresh vegetables: bean sprouts and bean seedlings. She had always maintained a good relationship with Third Master Huang. It wasn’t the first time that You Jin had asked him for information.
Third Master Huang put down his teacup, and replied: "I'm almost becoming a nosy parker. Tell me, what news do you want to inquire about this time?"
Although Su Family’s little girl liked to ask him for information, Third Master Huang didn't keep it private and told her everything he knew.
In fact, Third Master Huang had always admired this little girl. She dared to think and do. If he had a son in his family, he would marry in this little girl home as his daughter-in-law. With such a daughter-in-law, would he be afraid that their family will not be able to get better each generation? Thinking how he only had three daughters, Third Master Huang could only sigh silently.
"I heard a few days ago that the north is about to start a war?" You Jin had been anxious since hearing the news a few days ago. Although Luohe Prefecture wasn’t close to the border, if the northern border was broken through, the iron cavalry would be able to attack Luohe Prefecture in half a month. By that time, whether the dozens of members of her Su family would be able to keep their lives was another matter. You Jin was born in the army in her previous life, so she naturally knew how cruel war is.
Hearing Su Family’s lass bringing up such an explosive topic, Third Master Huang was a little startled and coughed a few times. Once his breathing eased up: "I just received the news not long ago too. It's not a large-scale one. The war is just a few small battles where guerrillas robbed supplies on the border. This year, there was a severe drought in the north in spring and summer. There weren’t many crops from the start as they were completely killed by the drought. Since winter, there have been continuous long snow falls. You know that the nomads in the north raise cattle, sheep and horses. Many of their animals died of freezing temperatures! Since there weren’t enough rations, they’ll naturally set their eyes on the people on the border of Dafeng."
Though he said that, Third Master Huang still looked worried. What was unspoken was that he was also afraid of a war breaking out. Luohe Prefecture was located in the north of Dafeng with abundant products and an important pass. It would naturally be one of the main targets of the enemy army.
What Third Master Huang thought of, You Jin naturally thought of it too. In the quiet wing room, one old and one young sat facing each other with their faces solemn.
After a long time, Third Master Huang broke the silence in the room: "Su Family’s lass, don't think too much. Our Dafeng is now considered a wealthy and powerful country. If we really fight, we may not lose."
Though this was said, if fighting in the north happens, Dafeng's army will definitely not have the advantage like the enemy in the north. Third Master Huang didn't know what to say, so he had to respond with a few meaningless words.
You Jin absent-mindedly listened. Then she asked some news about the capital. It had been a while since she had received any letters from Xiao Lin Yu and felt inexplicably disappointed. So she couldn't help inquiring.
"I didn't see Eldest Young Master on this trip to the capital. But I heard from the capital’s supervisor that Eldest Young Master seemed to have arranged a marriage. Youngest Young Master had also started to study in the official school in the capital. I'm afraid they won't be able to come to Luohe Prefecture for three-five years." Third Master Huang didn't know the key factor and assumed Su Family’s lass was on good terms with Youngest Young Master. That’s why, he mentioned a few more things about Youngest Young Master: "I was on Zhuque Street one day and saw Youngest Young Master riding a white horse through the street. The little misses in the capital secretly fluttered their eyes until it almost fell out!" Speaking of this, Third Master Huang couldn't help laughing.
You Jin’s serious expression withdrew and a slight smile appeared. She replied: "I never thought that the people in the capital are so open. I will definitely go to see it if I have the opportunity in the future."
The two of them tacitly diverted the matter of the northern border. After talking for a while, You Jin got up and bidded goodbye: "I have bothered you today. Thank you, Third Master."
"It's nothing. It's winter now, I have nothing to do and just chatted to you in my free time. It's good to pass the time." Third Master Huang sent her to the stairs and the two exchanged a few more pleasantries. After leaving Yunweixuan, she finally made way to Sujiaxiang snack shop.
Sujiaxiang's business was booming now. When You Jin stepped into the door of her shop, none of the seven or eight little lasses who served the guests was free. Everyone had warm smiles on their faces and chirping like orioles and swallows. The customers who came to buy snacks were coaxed into merry mood. No wonder Sujiaxiang's business was getting better and better.
The manager noticed You Jin. She hurriedly finished the business at hand and greeted her: "Eldest Miss have time to come over today? Second Missl is upstairs!"
Eldest Miss didn’t come to the shop on most days. If there is any problem, Second and Third Miss can discuss and deal with it. If they can't solve it, they will trouble Eldest Miss then. So when the manager saw Eldest Miss, he thought something had happened. Though the expression on his face remained the same, he felt a little uneasy inside.
"It's nothing. I happened to pass by after some meetings and came in to take a look. You go and do your work." You Jin dismissed the manager and went straight to the wing room reserved for Su Family on the second floor. She looked through the window. Watching people coming in and out of the shop, she talked with You Yin for a while.
Now Sujiaxiang's shop was big enough, You Jin had opened up elegant suite on the second floor. It provided a good choice for meeting friends or a shopping rest spot for the female family members of rich and noble families who had the condition and wanted to.
There were twelve elegant suites on the second floor of Sujiaxiang. There was a minimum consumption of one liang silver requirement. One liang silver wasn’t worth anything in the eyes of the female members of rich families. In addition, several of Sujiaxiang's freshly produced snacks were only delicious when they were still steaming. Therefore, many female members of rich families came out to go shopping would always choose Sujiaxiang snack shop for rest break.
Therefore, these twelve elegant suites brought in a profit of nearly one hundred liang a month. You Yin, who was a little hesitant at first, was once again convinced by the decision made by Eldest Sister. As soon as You Yin saw Eldest Sister coming, she hurriedly put down the work in her hands and went up to her: "Why did Eldest Sister come here? Aren't you going to discuss business?"
Touching You Yin's shiny black hair, You Jin smilingly responded: "After I finished those meetings. Seeing that it’s still early, I came to check up on you. How's business going?"
Hearing Eldest Sister's question, You Yin held the account book to Eldest Sister: "This month’s consumption, two #dou and eight #buckets of fine flour, more than three hundred eggs, one dou each for red beans, mung beans and other beans. Expenses is two hundred and nineteen liang. The income was eight hundred and twenty-three liang."
It was only the middle of this month and Su Family snack shop had already made more than six hundred liang. It can be said that the business was blazing hot.
"Now you can do the accounts more and more clearly." You Jin nodded with satisfaction: "You should discuss things with the manager and You Zhu more often about the shop. If you aren’t sure about something, tell me right away."
Right now, Sujiaxiang was under the care of the magistrate's wife and had many wealthy families in Luohe Prefecture as their loyal customers. Naturally, there will be no blind people who dared to come to blackmail or pick a fight like the beginning. Still, when it came to running a shop, there were many trivial matters. You Yin's temperament was still soft. You Jin had the heart to change her temperament. So even when there was no shortage of people in the family, she wanted You Yin to manage Sujiaxiang's business affairs from behind the scenes.
"Don't worry, Eldest Sister, I know." You Yin was delighted to receive Eldest Sister’s confirmation. Knowing that Eldest Sister's words weren’t malicious, she accepted the guidance.
Putting down the account book, You Jin took a sip of hot tea and asked, "How many raw materials are there in the storeroom now?"
The snack shop had its own storeroom. There were regular suppliers who delivered the goods to the door regularly. So there was no over accumulation of raw materials. At most about one month's worth of raw materials.
Sure enough, You Yin replied: "There is still about half a month's amount. Shopkeeper Song will send new raw materials over in two days."
"I'll ask someone to send a message to Shopkeeper Song in a while. This time, we will stock up raw materials for a few more months." You Jin pondered and decided to take precautions. In case of a real war, there would be at least some food to support the family to overcome the difficulties: "You should do a stock take for the storeroom when the time comes. Also, you must safeguard the keys to the storeroom."
"I know. Only You Zhu and I have the key to the storeroom. I hadn’t even let the manager touch the key." You Yin nodded in response. She naturally knew the importance of their family storeroom. She always kept the key on her: "Eldest Sister, why are you want to prepare more food?"
"I heard people say that there is a snowstorm in the north. I'm afraid that the price of grain will fluctuate. It's fine to accumulate it first. Anyway, it’s grain. It won't spoil in a year or two." You Jin glanced at the confused You Yin and smilingly explained with a smile. Since her expression was calm, You Yin accepted and didn't ask any more questions.
Although You Jin had no confidence, there was an 80% chance that it was true since the news of the turmoil in the north came from Third Master Huang. Even if she knew it was true, You Jin didn’t dare to tell her family about it. She could only start to secretly prepare. If the war really starts, she has to pave the way for the whole family to survive.
The storerooms of Su Family in Wuliqiao and Sujiaxiang's shop in the city were full of grain. You Jin was also buying cotton and hide. Then she had someone kill two pigs from the pig farm on Houjiawan Mountain and smoked them all. Make bacon for the rainy days. Everyone in Su Family only thought that she was preparing for the New Year. No one knew that she was quietly preparing for the war.
It was only a few days after Su Family finished buying grain, the news of the war in the north spread quietly in Luohe Prefecture like a cold wind everywhere. As expected, everyone panicked for a while. Grain, oil, and cloth, which were necessary materials in wartime, began to rise in price one after another.
Even homebody Mrs. Su heard the news of the war in the north. She became quite worried, as if the nomadic cavalry from the north would break through the city gate of Luohe Prefecture at dawn tomorrow.
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