The next day, Kang He and Fan Jing finished their midday meal. With some free time, Kang He went next door and asked He Xiao Qiu for a piece of braised meat, then set off with Fan Jing to find Third Brother Bao.
He Xiao Qiu mentioned that their former long-term laborer had left, and they needed to find a replacement. No one explained why he left, but He Xiao Qiu hadn’t pressed for answers.
Seeing the two set out together to look for Third Brother Bao, he chuckled and said, “Fan Jing over there hardly ever speaks a word, so it’s good you’re both going together. You two really are close.”
“Could you help keep an eye on the shop? We’ll be quick,” Kang He said.
He Xiao Qiu smiled, “There aren’t many customers at noon anyway. I’m just here guarding the place, mostly dozing off. You two just go ahead.”
After Kang He and Fan Jing left, He Xiao Qiu boiled some hot water and washed a basin of warm water, then wrung out a cloth and wiped down the counter.
The stew of goose and meat on the stove steamed hot, and over time, oil and grease would congeal on the counter. Since he liked cleanliness, whenever he had time, he’d wipe it down. Customers buying braised goods always commented on how clean their shop was.
While he was busy, someone walked in. He Xiao Qiu habitually called out, “Looking to buy something?”
“Hey, why is no one over at the neighbor’s? Where did they go?”
He Xiao Qiu straightened up and turned, realizing it was Zhang Shili.
The man looked as if he had just come down from the mountains, draped in a piece of beast skin tied tightly at the waist with a hemp rope.
He recognized Zhang Shili. This man often came looking for Kang He to hang out, but each time he seemed uneasy and never spoke to him.
Zhang Shili was burly and strong, having lived in the mountains for years. He had a wild aura that made people wary, with thick brows and large eyes. Even if people weren’t afraid of him because of past events, most young men and women from ordinary families still felt a bit intimidated.
“He, they went out on some errand,” He Xiao Qiu replied.
Zhang Shili said, “That couple, always sticking together like they’re from the same mountain. When do they ever leave the shop unattended?”
He Xiao Qiu held his cloth tightly and avoided looking directly at Zhang Shili. Politely, he asked, “Is it important that you’re looking for them?”
“Nothing much. I just came down from the mountain to sell some work and brought a mountain chicken for them to eat.” Zhang Shili tossed a sack into the shop, and the chicken inside flapped around.
He Xiao Qiu said, “They should be back soon. You wait here in the shop, have a seat on that stool.”
Zhang Shili responded with a grunt and slipped into the neighboring shop.
He Xiao Qiu exhaled and went to dump the dirty water from wiping the counter. Before long, Zhang Shili returned carrying a bowl of sweet soup.
“Have some,” he offered.
He Xiao Qiu was about to decline, but Zhang Shili set the bowl down and went back next door.
Looking at the rice wine balls and a stack of flower cakes, He Xiao Qiu finally understood why Kang He spoke so highly of this friend who was generous with money.
He Xiao Qiu peeked quietly through the railing and saw Zhang Shili drinking freshly brewed rice wine.
After a moment’s hesitation, he cut some braised goose giblets into a plate and brought it over, considering it a thank-you for the sweet soup.
Zhang Shili was surprised by the braised meat, then smiled. “Why so thoughtful?”
“Thank you for the sweet soup,” He Xiao Qiu replied.
Zhang Shili said, “No need to thank me. I saw you looking downcast not long ago and thought something was troubling you. But now, you seem alright.”
He Xiao Qiu was startled. When had this man noticed he was unhappy? If at all, it must have been around the beginning of the year when he talked about marriage arrangements. He hadn’t shown much reaction then but didn’t expect this man had seen through him.
“N-Nothing’s wrong,” he stammered.
Zhang Shili laughed, “Good if that’s the case. If anyone bullies you, tell me. I’ll handle them.”
He Xiao Qiu pressed his lips together but said nothing more, returning to his shop.
Kang He and Fan Jing found Third Brother Bao and told him they wanted to find a suitable person to help out at home.
Third Brother Bao asked what kind of person they needed.
Kang He explained they wanted someone hardworking from the countryside.
Third Brother Bao made a note and said he’d call them over once he found someone suitable.
When the two returned, they saw Zhang Shili swaggering in the shop, already having downed two cups of wine.
Kang He looked at the few pieces of uneaten goose giblets and said Zhang Shili knew how to be well taken care of.
Since Zhang Shili had brought a mountain chicken, Kang He decided to slaughter it. He Xiao Qiu’s shop had a stove for cooking, so Kang He stewed half of it and stir-fried the other half. The chicken blood was used to make fresh vegetable soup.
They also grabbed some pork from the shop and made two other dishes, and the group had an early dinner together in the shop.
After two or three days, Third Brother Bao got back to Kang He.
“You told me you needed workers, so I told you when I found the right ones. Nowadays, with no disasters or wars, it’s hard to find labor. Most want to avoid hard work in the countryside, crying at their mother’s skirts to not be sold to such homes.
“Whether they go to poor or rich families, they only think about earning money. Seeing this, honestly, it’s best not to delay either side.”
Kang He nodded. “Though it’s a transaction, people aren’t like livestock or goods.”
“Today’s people willing to do hard work depend on you, brother, whether it works out.”
At the pawnshop, Third Brother Bao had already arranged things. As soon as Kang He arrived, the pawnbroker brought out two young men.
Their appearances were average, looking about fifteen or sixteen years old. They had solid builds but were thin.
Those who ended up in pawnshops were often desperate, though these two likely weren’t from wealthy families. They looked better off than ordinary villagers.
“Since they’re your brothers, I won’t hide it,” the pawnbroker said. “These two are from out of town. Nothing much except one is deaf and the other mute.”
“Many rich families want clever workers, so they won’t take two who can’t talk. But since Third Brother Bao said you need help in the countryside, they might not mind those issues.”
Kang He knew it was tough to find strong laborers. He didn’t mind their shortcomings but worried about communication problems causing trouble later.
He didn’t know sign language, so he just mimed clumsy digging and carrying gestures, which was somewhat comical.
Surprisingly, they understood his meaning and nodded that they would work in the countryside, even demonstrating the tasks they could do.
Kang He felt communication was easier than expected. He looked at Fan Jing and asked his opinion.
Fan Jing had no objections.
“Then let’s settle on them.”
The pawnbroker was pleased at Kang He’s decisiveness. “Brother Kang, if you want one, it’s better to get two. Since they’re from out of town, if you split them up, it’ll be hard to find them again.
“It’s like having two sets of bowls and chopsticks. These brothers can work well together. Your shop’s business is good. Within a year or two, you’ll save some money and can buy land. Once you have land, you’ll still need workers. It’s easier to have them both than to complicate things.”
Kang He laughed and told Third Brother Bao, “Your friend’s words are clever and convincing.”
He was financially comfortable enough now and had planned to buy some land. Once the land was secured, he’d need help working it.
Though he could hire long-term laborers or tenant farmers, separating the brothers would be difficult. It made his heart ache.
After discussing with Fan Jing, they agreed to take them both.
After some haggling, they paid fifty guan total.
The deaf and mute brothers were delighted to be going together and wanted to kowtow to Kang He and Fan Jing, but Kang He told them to stop.
Not knowing their names, he gave the elder one the name Yihuan and the younger Erxi.
They first took the men to the shop to get familiar, then brought them home.
Chen Sanfang saw two new men brought back and pulled Kang He aside. “Why did you bring two at once?”
“I originally wanted just one, but since they’re brothers, I decided to take both. Also, I plan to buy some land to farm, so I need help.”
Kang He knew Chen Sanfang worried and said, “We can’t distrust people just because we once met someone untrustworthy. How else can we support such a big family?”
Chen Sanfang said, “I’m just worried about the money.”
The two strong men cost a full fifty guan. Because of their disabilities, Kang He got a discount; otherwise, men like Dou Yicang would have cost thirty guan or more.
“If you don’t buy workers, you have to rent them, which also costs. We’ll watch the shop carefully and they’ll be back soon.”
Kang He comforted Chen Sanfang. If he hadn’t recently sold a prescription and had about three hundred guan in cash, he wouldn’t have spent so freely.
Indeed, this year had cost a lot: nearly ten guan to buy two fine sheep for Dafu, another ten guan on visiting relatives and gifts for two big occasions.
After paying thirty percent tax on shop earnings, they hadn’t saved much. Daily expenses, renting or buying labor, buying livestock, house repairs—it all went out.
Without that prescription money, such spending would have made it impossible to handle affairs confidently.
Kang He and Fan Jing tallied the costs. Their family seemed ordinary, but expenses were already so high.
Compared to wealthy families like the Xu household, which only had two servants, but after marriage fearing to tire out Yuan, they rented two more workers.
When they visited, they often saw two and a half tables full of meat, fruits, cakes, and tea, never lacking.
By such reckoning, just daily expenses might cost three to five guan monthly, and if they started any projects, ten guan could be spent easily.
Their family was still frugal, eating mostly leftover meat from the shop and rarely buying extra meat.
Daily expenses didn’t reach one guan; only projects required extra spending.
Fan Jing held Dafu, sucking his lips to play with him.
The little one had big, round eyes and smiled with crescent-shaped eyes whenever he looked at Fan Jing. If the cub weren’t so young, Fan Jing thought about taking him to the city.
The family said the cub was growing fast, eating milk obediently in the country—always full and then sleeping soundly. Good eating and sleeping helped him grow strong.
Though heavy to hold, Fan Jing felt him light.
“It’s not that you said our family was poor; we have to buy things, and that’s where the expenses come from,” Fan Jing teased Kang He as he did the accounting.
“The Xu family was as poor as us back when Old Master Xu was still alive. A few generations ago, they weren’t extravagant but had enough money.”
Kang He replied, “That’s exactly the point.”
He only sighed a little when tallying. He was satisfied with their current life; everything was moving in a good direction.
“Come, let me hold you.”
After a whole day of work outside, the only time he could hold the child was when he came home in the afternoon.
“Tonight, just hold the child and sleep in bed. Dafu won’t disturb anyone at night.”
Fan Jing said, “You might accidentally roll over and crush him. Better to have Dawei hold him to bed.”
Kang He had no choice and kissed the little one.
Turning into May, with two extra workers, the housework was much lighter.
At the end of April, a village stove worker named Li Zaoren came by to ask if they had found a stove man for the upcoming hundred-day banquet. He was a well-known cook in ten miles around and had even hosted banquets in the city.
Usually, he was selective about his jobs. Not everyone could hire him, even with money.
When Fan’s father saw him come to request the job himself, he felt honored and immediately agreed.
Not only did Li Zaoren have qualifications, but his cooking was truly good.
By mid-May, guests had been invited, and on the eighteenth day, Kang He and Fan Jing bought a live pig, which Fan Jing slaughtered.
The feast was on the nineteenth, but just preparing by killing the pig and cooking dishes on the eighteenth was already lively. They set up four tables for dinner.
Early the next day, the Fan household steamed with activity. The temporary boilers were already boiling meat.
The whole family dressed neatly, with Dafu wearing a cool red outfit embroidered with a large “Fu” (Fortune) character on his belly in yellow thread. His soft, round hat matched perfectly.
As midday approached, Kang He and Fan Jing brought out the little one to greet guests.
The chubby cub had cheeks as soft as dough, making everyone who saw him adore him.
Men and women all gathered around to amuse him.
“Dafu looks just like Kang He; his eyebrows and eyes are carved from the same mold.”
“He looks like Sanlang but has Da Jing’s quiet temperament.”
Among the guests was Xiang Xiu, who had come back with her husband to celebrate. Married now, she looked healthier and had rarely visited the shop in the city before. Sometimes she brought things.
“Your mother told me Dafu is so obedient. Seeing him today, he really is.”
Xiang Xiu held Dafu and played with him a while, then put a small silver bracelet on his arm.
“Oh, Xiang Xiu, how could you give such a big gift?” Chen Sanfang exclaimed when she saw the bracelet.
“The child is good. How could I not give a gift as his aunt? It looks perfect on him.”
Chen Sanfang nodded happily and praised Xiang Xiu’s good taste.
Just then, as they entertained guests, someone outside called, “Sanfang sister!”
Chen Sanfang looked and saw it was Yun Biao Jie.
When she had gone to town earlier, she visited Yun Biao Jie’s home a couple of times and brought fresh meat, mentioning the hundred-day banquet. She hadn’t expected her to really come.
Feeling honored, Chen Sanfang happily welcomed her in, warmly greeting her, then brought Kang He and Fan Jing to meet her.
Seeing Zhen’er helping serve water and fruit, she called the two girls, Qiao’er and Zhen’er, over as well.
Yun Biao Jie looked at the children and took Chen Sanfang’s hand. “You’ve made such a lively celebration. Look at the children—so handsome and pretty. You’re truly fortunate.”
Chen Sanfang smiled inwardly but said modestly, “The countryside is not like the city. If it doesn’t turn out well, don’t laugh at us.”
The villagers didn’t know Yun Biao Jie but saw her fine attire and guessed she was a city guest, making them think the Fan family was quite impressive.
Kang He knew Yun Biao Jie had visited at New Year and was friendly with Chen Sanfang but was not close to her. He exchanged a few polite words.
He caught Fan Xin sneaking glances toward He Xiao Qiu, who sat eating fruit at the table, unable to find anyone to talk to.
Noticing someone watching him, He Xiao Qiu looked away, realizing it was Fan Xin and lowering his head to avoid interaction.
Kang He signaled Fan Jing, who frowned deeply and went over to accompany He Xiao Qiu.
“Come inside and sit. I’ll ask Zhen’er to keep you company.”
He Xiao Qiu was glad to see Fan Jing and nodded happily. “Bring Dafu here so I can hold him. He’s so soft, like a fragrant cake.”
Fan Jing replied, “I’ll have him meet the guests first. When he gets tired, I’ll bring him to you.”
Fan Xin finally gathered courage and started toward He Xiao Qiu, but when he looked again, the other was gone.
Instead, Zhang Jinguai came over and pulled him back. “Son, when will your mother finally get to hold a grandchild?”
Seeing the lively scene and Dafu’s adorable face, she was envious and more eager for grandchildren.
Fan Xin lost his nerve and ignored Zhang Jinguai.
Kang He saw this and went off to entertain guests.
Xu Yang came that day carrying a box of gifts. Kang He thought maybe he had arranged some special event.
Opening the box, he found strings of firecrackers, lit one after another, bursting with loud bangs that must have announced to all nearby villages the grand banquet underway.
The Fan family planned to set up eighteen tables, fearing too many guests would come, they prepared two extra just in case.
Unexpectedly, they ended up with twenty tables, plus two more for late arrivals. Many unanticipated guests showed up, throwing the Fan family into a flurry.
Fortunately, they had enough food prepared, and with Li Zaoren’s skill, two extra tables of dishes were made on the spot, handled smoothly.
They also boiled red eggs, and although the last two tables had some different dishes from the main feast, at least everyone had food to eat.
This banquet was truly lively and prosperous.
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