stingy landlady

Chapter 232 Gui Xiang's New Life (4)

Manager Han didn't want to say too much about Gui Xiang's marriage and remained noncommittal.

Gui Xiang asked:

"Brother Han, what are we going to do about our meals? Should we cook for ourselves?"

Manager Han blushed, rubbed his hands, and said embarrassedly:

"Gui Xiang! We don't usually cook; we just buy a steamed bun to tide us over."

Gui Xiang searched everywhere:

"How can we not cook? There are so many of us! Do we have firewood? Let's go buy some rice and meat, and we'll cook for ourselves from now on!"

"Oh! That's great! We have firewood ready, and we'll be heating the kang tonight. We also have pots and pans on the stove. We just don't know how to cook, and we're lazy. Guixiang, go in first and see what we're missing. I'll go with you to get it."

Gui Xiang walked towards the stove as she spoke:

"It's just the bowls, chopsticks, and basins we use every day! Utensils for eating, oh! By the way, Brother Han! Shouldn't we buy some bedding?"

No need to buy ready-made ones, it's a waste of money! Just buy two bolts of cloth and some cotton, and you can make a quilt quickly! You can make a quilt in no time, saving you the extra cost of labor!

"Brother Han, if you have any clothes or bedding that need mending, you don't need to ask anyone else. Just bring them over, and we'll help you sew them!"

Manager Han saw Gui Xiang acting like the lady of the house, but smiled without saying a word. Inwardly, however, he was overjoyed!

When Aunt An came to find Guixiang, she also brought a few bunches of sweet potato leaves.

“Gui Xiang! I’ve always heard Gui Zhi say that sweet potato leaves can be sold for money, so I’ve made a few bunches to try! If they sell well, many people in our village grow sweet potatoes, so it’ll be an extra source of income for them.”

Gui Xiang nodded in agreement, "Alright! She's never eaten sweet potato leaves before!"

"Aunt Jiang! Have you ever eaten sweet potato leaves?"

Aunt Jiang paused for a moment, then shook her head and said:

"No! These are for selling, who would want to eat them! Growing a row of small green vegetables would be enough to feed us. These sweet potato leaves should be sold to rich people!"

Gui Xiang thought to herself that if Aunt Jiang's sweet potato leaves didn't sell, she would buy a bunch to try.

An, the peddler at the village entrance, also came looking for Guixiang.

"Guixiang! Uncle also wants to go to the county town to sell vegetables with you. I just don't know if there are any issues with that."

Gui Xiang glanced at Steward Han, who nodded. Gui Xiang then said:

“Uncle An! We welcome any of you who want to do business! After all, we are happy when the people in our village make money! It’s just that you will have to take care of your own food and lodging.”

The peddler nodded repeatedly:

"Of course, of course! Gui Xiang! You just got home and don't know, I've been selling vegetables lately too! Hehe!"

I don't sell much going door-to-door; I only sell vegetables grown in our own garden. I thought that with so many people in the county town, business would be better!

So I thought I'd try my luck in the county town! And having someone I know guide me would be much better than going off on my own, clueless!

That evening, the peddler An and Aunt Jiang found their own lodgings and met up at Guixiang Wholesale Vegetable Market the next morning. They each took a few kinds of vegetables, carried their loads, and went off in different directions to sell them.

An Xiao Chuanlang was experienced in selling goods. He finished selling his vegetables early and came over to chat with Manager Han and Guixiang.

"Manager Han, when are you going home?"

Manager Han said:

"We usually go home after we finish selling our vegetables! Since you and Aunt Jiang came to the county town today, Gui Xiang and I will wait for you! So you don't have to spend extra money on transportation!"

The peddler An cupped his hands and said:

"No wonder everyone says Brother Dazhu is kind and righteous. Guixiang and Manager Han are also really honest! I sold over a hundred catties of vegetables today and earned one tael of silver."

I can sell dozens of kilograms more than I could by walking around the streets and alleys of our village, and the profit is naturally different. I usually only make a few dozen coins selling needles and thread! I still have to cover my own costs, and sometimes I even lose money!

Gui Xiang! Next time you come to the county town, I'll come with you again! I'll leave my needles and thread with my mother to sell; I won't be buying any more for now! I'll sell vegetables with you from now on!

My family only has one vegetable garden, which can't grow many vegetables, and I don't own any land. My father borrowed a lot of money for medical treatment back then, and we had no choice but to use all our land to pay off the debt.

I just don't know how long we can keep selling vegetables. If we can keep selling vegetables, I think we can still save some money!

I'll buy some land then, otherwise we'll have to rely entirely on buying grain, and we'll have to tighten our belts to make ends meet!

Gui Xiang asked curiously:

"Uncle An! Did you sleep at your relative's house last night?"

An Xiaopang smiled:

"I don't have any relatives! It's summer, so it's not cold. I'm a grown man, I can easily spend the night anywhere. There are just a lot of mosquitoes!"

As we were chatting, Aunt An returned with an empty basket, beaming with joy.

"Hey! Brother An! You're quick! I thought I was the first one back! Turns out I ran into a rich family who bought out all the last of my dishes."

I'm actually quite happy! Are you guys waiting for me? Haven't you eaten yet? Should I go buy some steamed buns to eat on the way?

Gui Xiang shook her head and said:

"No need to buy it! It's not easy for you to come out and earn money, leaving your families behind. Keep the money and use it wisely!"

"Gui Xiang! I sold the vegetables at the price you quoted today and made this much money! And those sweet potato leaves, fresh vegetables, no one has ever seen them before."

I said it would be so delicious if we stir-fried it with some lard! And it was all gone in a flash! Hahaha!

Gui Xiang understood; she could earn at least one tael of silver. Still puzzled, she asked:

"Aunt Jiang! Haven't you ever eaten sweet potato leaves before? Do you know how to cook them deliciously?"

Aunt Jiang's smile was mysterious:

"Gui Xiang! Selling vegetables requires a good talking skills! Even if you haven't eaten pork knuckle, you've seen pigs run! Sweet potato leaves are also green vegetables. If you stir-fry any vegetable with more lard, it will definitely taste good! Hahaha!"

Gui Xiang laughed along with her.

"Then Aunt Jiang can continue to sell vegetables. After a few years, she can build a big house for your children to live in."

Aunt Jiang was troubled upon hearing this:

“Gui Xiang! Making money is a good thing, but it's too far from home and too inconvenient! I stayed at a relative's house last night and even gave them ten eggs!”

I squeezed in a job all night, but this can't go on for long! I definitely can't do it with my relatives, and besides, we women are easily embarrassed. If they complain, I can't stand it!

Manager Han reminded him:

"Actually, you could rent a house! In the future, there might be more than just the two of you doing business in the village. Rent a house, and everyone can share the profits!"

Alternatively, you could charge by the day, similar to an inn, based on who stays, how many people stay, and how much it costs per night! It would just be cheaper than an inn, charging less.

This way you can do business in the county town for a long time without having to travel back every day. It's also more convenient!

Gui Xiang added, "If we stay in a shared dormitory at the inn, there might be too many people and our money might not be safe. If we stay in a private room, the little money we earn won't even cover the accommodation!"