MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 21

Early in the fourth month.

 

Over half a month had passed since Qiao Chengfu’s funeral. Qiao Suiman spent his days helping Qin Yu tend to the vegetable plots. During the market day at the beginning of the month, he had earned quite a few copper coins. After deducting expenses for food and drink, he now had six mace and sixty-six wen to his name, in which four mace were in broken silver and the rest in copper coins.

 

Qin Yu’s vegetable plots had begun yielding bountiful harvests. Aside from selling them at the market, they occasionally asked Qiao Ruifeng to sell some on his way to work in town, sparing them the need to trouble Chen Ping every time.

 

Since the mourning period had not yet passed a month, Qiao Suiman avoided visiting the Chen household, and Chen Xuesheng couldn’t come to his home either. The two could only chat outside or arrange to gather wild vegetables in the mountains together.

 

Chen Xuesheng was constantly nagged by Zhou Shuifen to sew his wedding robes, and every time he met with Qiao Suiman, he had endless complaints, either about pricking his fingers or stitching crooked lines, which never failed to make Qiao Suiman stifle laughter.

 

Qiao Ruifeng tended to the paddy fields, while the wheat in the dry fields grew vigorously, the grains plump and full. By the end of the month, they would harvest fresh wheat. They had already discussed keeping some of it to grind into fine flour for the Dragon Boat Festival.[mfn]端午节 – A traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, featuring dragon boat races and zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).[/mfn]

 

Everything was moving in a positive direction, and life was becoming more hopeful with each passing day. The only regret was that they still didn’t have much silver.

 

Though his drinks still sold well at the market, he only earned thirty to fifty wen each time. To earn back the original one tael, it would take quite a while.

 

Lu Dongqing’s toy bamboo hairpins sold exceptionally well. Qiao Suiman had noticed during market days that even the previously unsold brush hangers had been bought by a few scholars who leisurely browsed the stalls.

 

A vague idea had taken root in his mind, though it wasn’t fully formed yet. Lately, he had been mulling it over whenever he had free time.

 

A few days after the wheat harvest would be the Dragon Boat Festival. Shuijing Town was close to the Qinglong River, and every year, dragon boat races were held in villages along the riverbank. The year before last, it was held in Xiahe Village, and this year, it would be Hexi Village’s turn.

 

The county magistrate enjoyed such events where officials mingled with the common folk. He was open-minded and had organized wealthy merchants from the town to sponsor the event. Each village formed a team to participate, and the winning team would receive one tael of silver per person. The others would also receive smaller rewards like food or goods, ensuring everyone left happy.

 

When the races had been held in Xiahe Village the year before last, Qiao Suiman and Qin Yu had taken the opportunity to sell drinks. Though they sold out, the wealthy masters, madams, fulang, young masters, and ge’r from town had found their drinks too cheap and the bamboo tubes too crude. Only the nearby villagers were willing to buy.

 

Thus, he planned to use his savings to buy some sugar. The peach tree in the backyard was blooming, so he could make several different types of drinks and raise the prices accordingly. He would also prepare some without sugar so the villagers could still afford them.

 

As for the bamboo tubes, after much deliberation, he could only think of one solution.

 

Partner with Lu Dongqing.

 

He had seen the bamboo tubes Lu Dongqing carved. They were exquisite and more refined. If they could be engraved with Dragon Boat Festival-themed patterns, they would undoubtedly sell well.

 

With so many spectators from town coming to watch the races, Qiao Suiman was confident in his drinks. Paired with such finely crafted bamboo tubes, they would surely attract many customers, making it easy to earn back that one tael of silver.

 

Yet, at this thought, his face fell again. Would Lu Dongqing… even be willing to work with him?

 

When Qin Yu returned, he found Qiao Suiman’s face scrunched up like a steamed bun and couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s got you so worried?” He even pinched that bun-like cheek for good measure.

 

Qiao Suiman pouted, unsure how to explain. Many details were still unclear in his mind, so he simply shook his head. “Nothing much. Just thinking about making money.”

 

“No need to rush,” Qin Yu said, gazing into the distance and taking a deep breath. He lifted his head slightly. This past half-month had been the most comfortable time he could remember. “Money will come. Our lives will only get better.”

 

“It’s a shame there aren’t many mushrooms left in the mountains, or we could’ve earned a bit more,” Qiao Suiman lamented, his tone tinged with regret.

 

“With the way things are now, the grains and vegetables we grow ourselves are enough to get by. Don’t push yourself too hard about making money, alright?”

 

“Mm, I know.”

 

Qiao Suiman agreed but continued pondering how to bring up the partnership with Lu Dongqing. If all the earnings from the bamboo tubes went to Lu Dongqing, and he only used them to promote his drinks, while the drinks could also boost sales of the bamboo tubes, it would benefit both sides. Surely, he wouldn’t refuse.

 

Next, he needed to decide what drinks to make. And what patterns should be carved on the bamboo tubes? Questions piled up one after another, and Qiao Suiman sank deep into thought again. Qin Yu shook his head with a soft laugh, choosing not to interrupt, and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

 

——

 

That night.

 

Qiao Suiman tossed and turned in bed, his mind still occupied with selling drinks at the dragon boat races. Thinking about this inevitably led him to think of Lu Dongqing, which made it even harder to sleep. He didn’t understand why he felt this way, assuming that once they agreed on the partnership, these thoughts would settle.

 

After lying awake until the early hours of the morning, he finally made up his mind and drifted off to sleep.

 

——

 

“You want to order bamboo tubes from him?”

 

Faced with the equally astonished expressions of Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu, Qiao Suiman nodded firmly.

 

After careful consideration, he realized that no matter how confident he was, Lu Dongqing might not agree to a mere partnership. Bamboo tubes might not sell as well as hairpins or other trinkets. Asking someone to spend time on an uncertain venture was unlikely to yield an easy agreement. That was why he decided to place an order first.

 

He had also settled on the designs and they didn’t need to be as intricate as the ones Lu Dongqing made for personal use. A simple, eye-catching pattern would suffice. For some reason, Qiao Suiman felt that even a simple design would look beautiful in Lu Dongqing’s hands.

 

At ten wen per tube, he could afford to order forty at most, spending four hundred wen. Even if they didn’t all sell, he could use the remaining ones for future market days.

 

After listening to Qiao Suiman’s detailed explanation, Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu both thought it is feasible, especially Qin Yu, who had seen Lu Dongqing’s craftsmanship firsthand. His skill was undeniable, and even selling the tubes alone wouldn’t be a problem. Qiao Suiman’s drinks were delicious, so together, they could attract business from the wealthy young ladies and madams in town.

 

“I don’t know how long it takes him to carve those things, so we should discuss it with him soon,” Qiao Suiman said, looking hopefully at his brother. “Ge, take me to the Lu family this afternoon.”

 

Going alone was out of the question, but since Lu Dongqing had helped a great deal during Qiao Chengfu’s funeral, the two families had occasionally exchanged visits and they were always through Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu. Bringing his brother along would ensure no gossip even if others saw them.

 

“Alright. I think he’ll agree.”

 

“Why? I haven’t even talked to him yet. Does he already have plans to make bamboo tubes?”

 

Qiao Suiman was puzzled. How did his brother know Lu Dongqing would agree? He was still worried about being turned down.

 

Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu exchanged a glance. Well, he still hadn’t caught on.

 

——

 

West of the Village.

 

Qiao Ruifeng lightly knocked on the Lu family’s gate. Their courtyard walls and gate were made of bamboo fencing. This was Qiao Suiman’s first time coming here, and he curiously glanced around.

 

This area was close to another mountain, so it was usually quiet, with only a few people passing by.

 

Before long, the bamboo gate opened from the inside, revealing a woman. She’s likely Lu Dongqing’s mother. Qiao Ruifeng and Qiao Suiman greeted her in turn, “Aunt Miao.”

 

Miao Lianhua was momentarily surprised. She remembered Qiao Ruifeng, but this little ge’r wasn’t the one who had come with him to express thanks last time. That meant this must be…

 

“Aunt Miao, is Dongqing-xiongdi[mfn]兄弟 – younger brother ; an affectionate term for men younger than oneself[/mfn] home? This is my younger brother, Xiao Man. He would like to place an order for bamboo tubes.”

 

So this was the Qiao family’s Man-ge’r. She had heard a bit about him. About twenty days ago, he had gone to the Chen family to buy seeds and ended up caught in that mess with Lin Xiuhua. She didn’t go to gawk at the commotion, but she knew he was a pitiable child.

 

“He’s here, in the backyard,” Miao Lianhua said, stepping aside to let them in. She called toward the back, “Eldest, you have visitors!”

 

As soon as she finished speaking, she ushered the two into the main hall. They had just sat down when Lu Dongqing arrived, still covered in wood and bamboo shavings. They’re likely from working on something.

 

He didn’t expect Qiao Suiman to be here and froze for a moment before hurriedly brushing off the debris. “You were looking for me?”

 

“Yes,” Qiao Suiman said, rubbing his hands together nervously. “I’d like to order forty bamboo tubes. I saw the beautiful patterns you carved last time. Next month is the Dragon Boat Festival. Could you make some like that, with different designs? I’ll be selling drinks, and prettier bamboo tubes will attract customers.”

 

Lu Dongqing never imagined Qiao Suiman would seek him out for business, let alone propose a partnership. He knew about Shuijing Town’s annual dragon boat races and had already agreed to join Xiahe Village’s team this year at Yu Ping’s invitation.

 

With only a month left, training would start on the tenth. The winter wheat planted last year would also need harvesting by month’s end. Though the yield wasn’t great, he couldn’t leave all the work to his mother and younger brother. Taking on this commission would leave little time for other carvings, but…

 

“Alright, I’ll do it,” Lu Dongqing agreed without further hesitation.

 

“Ah.”

 

Now it was Qiao Suiman’s turn to be stunned. He hadn’t even mentioned the price or designs yet, and had prepared a whole speech to persuade him. How could he agree so easily?

 

“What designs would you like?” Lu Dongqing asked.

 

Getting back to business, Qiao Suiman straightened. “Zongzi[mfn]粽子 – sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival[/mfn] and dragon boats. Since you know characters, could you also carve ‘Duanwu Ankang’[mfn]端午安康 – a traditional greeting during the Dragon Boat Festival, wishing good health and peace[/mfn] beside them? They don’t need to be as detailed as yours. Ten wen per tube, how does that sound?”

 

“Are you hoping to build a reputation from this?” Lu Dongqing asked. Such a well-thought-out plan couldn’t have been conceived on the spot. Putting so much effort into it meant he wasn’t just after money. He wanted to establish his name.

 

Qiao Suiman’s eyes lit up. This was exactly what he wanted. Not just to earn back that one tael but to make people remember his craft, his drinks!

 

Neither his brother nor Qin Yu had picked up on this, yet Lu Dongqing had seen through it at a glance. Qiao Suiman was both surprised and excited. “Yes! If we can attract customers from town this time, whether at the market or peddling along the streets in the future, it’ll be much better than now.”

 

“And your bamboo tubes… your craftsmanship is excellent. People will remember you, too.”

 

Qiao Suiman wasn’t content with only selling drinks on market days twice a month. Days when work was light were also opportunities. Whether at the docks or peddling along the streets, as long as people recognized them, they could earn more than before.

 

“With so many people attending, forty tubes might not be enough,” Lu Dongqing mused.

 

He was right. In previous years, the event was packed. But Qiao Suiman lowered his voice. “I only have four hundred wen left.”

 

Just as Qiao Ruifeng was about to speak, Lu Dongqing beat him to it. “The designs are simple, so ten wen is too much. Since you’re doing this to build a reputation, it benefits me too. Six wen per tube is enough. But I’ll carve a ‘Lu’ character at the bottom, is that alright?”

 

He was well-practiced at polishing bamboo tubes, so it wouldn’t take much time. As for carving the designs, it wasn’t difficult either. During his apprenticeship, he had spent entire days carving, so his speed was well-honed. Ten wen truly wasn’t necessary. Besides, this was the first time that Qiao Suiman approached him directly to be a business partner, and he has to leave a good impression no matter what.

 

“Of course!” Not only had the deal been struck, but the quantity far exceeded his expectations. With just twenty more wen, he could get sixty bamboo tubes!

 

“Then I’ll make two first and bring them to you. If they meet your expectations, we can discuss the rest.” Lu Dongqing gazed at Qiao Suiman, his tone gentle.

 

“Mm, okay.”

 

Under such a gaze, Qiao Suiman’s face inexplicably grew warm. It wasn’t until he and Qiao Ruifeng had left West Village that he finally calmed down.

 

 

---