Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Hearing the sound of wheels behind him, Xu Qier turned around and saw Pei Yan and Gu Lanshi approaching. He stopped and said, "Brother Pei Yan, Brother Lan Shi, you're heading to town this early?"

Everyone in the village knew they were in the vegetable-selling business. At this early hour, their cart was loaded with baskets of vegetables, clearly destined for Ning Shui Town.

"Yes," Pei Yan replied simply.

Gu Lanshi asked curiously, "When did you return? I came by here yesterday evening, but I didn't see you."

Xu Qier explained, "I came back yesterday afternoon. I bought some flour and made steamed buns and wild vegetable cakes for Rui'er at home. By the time I finished, it was late, so I didn't go out."

"Where are you headed now?" Gu Lanshi inquired further.

Xu Qier answered, "To Quanshan Village. I need to get there early and start working right away."

Gu Lanshi smiled and offered, "Perfect timing. We're going to town and will pass by that area. Hop on, we'll give you a ride, saving you some walking."

Xu Qier didn't hesitate. Getting to Quanshan Village sooner was ideal. After climbing aboard and sitting at the back of the cart, he kept a respectful distance from Gu Lanshi.

The donkey pulled the cart forward as Pei Yan, seated up front, instructed, "We won't take the village road; we'll turn onto the main road soon. It's faster. When we reach Quanshan Village, enter from the other side of the village. It's a bit longer, but the main road isn't far from that entrance either."

Grateful for the ride, Xu Qier didn't dare complain. This was much quicker than walking. He quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, I understand, Brother Pei Yan."

Seeing his reserved demeanor, Gu Lanshi changed the subject with a smile, "Are you coming back for the harvest?"

In about ten days or half a month, the rice would be ripe.

During the summer, Xu Qier's family had found him work in Quanshan Village, working as a long-term laborer for a family surnamed Qian. At least he could earn a monthly wage, have his meals and accommodation covered, and enjoy more stability than doing odd jobs elsewhere. As a result, only Xu Rui'er remained at home.

Xu Qier said, "Our family has only one mu of paddy field, and the soil is thin. When I returned yesterday, I checked the fields before going home. The soybeans are fine, but the rice yield will be average. Although Rui'er is young, he's quite diligent. The two crops mature at different times, so it's manageable. I've also asked him, and he says he can handle things alone."

He smiled, a rare sight, and added, "Since I'm taking their money and living there, I should prioritize their harvest."

"Indeed," Gu Lanshi nodded, unable to resist asking, "How is it over there? Are your meals and accommodations satisfactory?"

Xu Qier felt genuine gratitude towards them and held nothing back as he spoke, "Uncle Qian is kind-hearted. He took me in and never beats or scolds me. Aunt Zhao is a bit hasty and often hears her scolding others, but she doesn't have ill intentions. I get three meals a day. Breakfast is simple, just a coarse bun or something similar. In cold weather, there's hot tea to drink. The main meals aren't neglected; there's always a dish cooked, no matter how simple. I share a room with Brother Chen. When I first arrived in summer, we repaired the roof and replaced the thatch, so it's not drafty or leaky. We take turns cleaning the house and sometimes do miscellaneous tasks like sweeping the yard, feeding the pigs, or gathering grass."

Hearing no signs of mistreatment or hardship in his words, Gu Lanshi felt reassured. He had heard that when the Xu family sought work for Xu Qier, they approached not only the Qians in Quanshan Village but also several other wealthy families nearby. However, none of them were willing to hire Xu Qier due to his small stature.

People hired long-term laborers to do hard work, providing meals and accommodation in exchange for a strong worker. In May and June, they cut wheat, and in August and September, they harvested rice. They rushed to finish these tasks before bad weather, relying on physical strength.

As for the Qian family, they already had a long-term laborer, but as their fortunes improved and they purchased more land, they needed another worker.

The details of how the Xu family negotiated the terms with the Qians weren't entirely clear to outsiders, but the fact that the Qians hired Xu Qier despite his slight build demonstrated their kindness.

"Yesterday, when I returned, Aunt Zhao secretly gave me two pastries," Xu Qier couldn't help but reveal.

For the past two months, he had been working for the Qians, returning home only once every half a month to check on his brother. This time, he stayed overnight, whereas last time, he left shortly after arriving. Rarely did he have someone to confide in about such matters.

Encountering Gu Lanshi and Pei Yan was fortuitous. His life had become somewhat smoother, and he remembered the kindness of the Qians, feeling grateful. Thus, he spoke more freely.

Gu Lanshi smiled and said, "I've also heard that the Qians are good people."

Xu Qier wholeheartedly agreed, nodding and saying, "Yes, all the brothers in the Qian family are straightforward and rarely criticize."

The donkey cart turned east at the crossroads and continued down the road. After traveling a short distance, it directly joined the main road.

Pei Yan, seated up front, instructed, "Cover your mouth and nose well."

Once on the main road, the path became flat, and the donkey ran faster. Gu Lanshi pulled up his neck warmer to cover his mouth and nose, securing the earflaps of his hat under his chin. With his legs tightly gripping the egg basket in front of him, the wind grew stronger as the donkey picked up speed, whistling past his ears.

Turning to look at Xu Qier, he noticed that although the latter had somehow obtained a broken hat to protect his head and ears, he lacked a neck warmer. In a muffled voice, Gu Lanshi advised, "Bend your head down and bury your mouth and nose in your collar. Don't raise your head to speak; it's uncomfortable when the cold wind rushes in."

"Okay," Xu Qier followed his instructions and fell silent.

Upon reaching the vicinity of Quanshan Village, Pei Yan gently tugged on the reins, slowing the donkey down. When they reached the entrance to Quanshan Village, he stopped the donkey completely.

After getting off the cart, Xu Qier felt a bit embarrassed about having taken advantage of the ride. He said, "Brother Lan Shi, Brother Pei Yan, thank you."

Gu Lanshi laughed and said, "Don't mention it. We were passing by anyway. We'll be on our way now."

The donkey galloped off again. At this hour, a few people were already out and about on the road, either walking or driving carts. Seeing other figures provided some comfort.

Xu Qier watched as they quickly disappeared into the distance before rubbing his hands together and exhaling warm breath as he walked toward Quanshan Village.

For him, although the daily work for his employer was tiring, it provided stability. No longer did he have to wander around doing odd jobs or burden his third uncle and other relatives, who had to put on a smiling face and speak kindly on his behalf. He finally had a goal to strive for.

Due to his frail appearance, his monthly wage was only 120 wén. Generally, new long-term laborers earned around 150 wén per month. The Qians were kind-hearted, but they weren't foolish. After all, they also provided meals and accommodation. For rural households, offering 150 wén was considered generous. If a worker performed well over the years, the employer might raise their pay slightly.

Chen Ge, who worked alongside him, had been with the Qians for several years. Being honest and reliable, his wage was undoubtedly higher than Xu Qier's. However, Xu Qier didn't pry into the exact amount, as doing so would invite annoyance.

At the Qians', Xu Qier focused solely on his work. Cooking and heating water were handled by Aunt Zhao and her two daughters-in-law, sparing him those chores and saving a portion of food for the household. His monthly wage was pure profit.

However, his brother at home had to cook, wash clothes, dig for wild vegetables, and manage the fields alone.

They had considered selling their two mu of poor-quality land before, but to farmers, being without land to cultivate was akin to losing their roots.

Although Xu Rui'er was a bit slow, he understood that if they didn't farm, he and his brother would have to spend money on everything they ate and drank throughout the year. Where could they earn enough money to cover those expenses?

By farming, they could produce grain. Even if the yield was low, they could trade new rice and grain for coarser varieties. While the quality might be inferior, the quantity would be greater, barely enough for a year's worth of food. In the worst-case scenario, they could dilute it with water to avoid starvation. Therefore, they were reluctant to sell the land.

New rice hadn't been harvested yet, so they didn't have anything to trade for coarser rice.

The reason Xu Qier returned yesterday was that he had received his wages for the past two months. Seeing that there wasn't much work in the afternoon, he took leave from his employer. With 240 wén tucked into his chest, he first went to Baishui Village to buy some coarse flour. Upon returning, he indeed found his brother eating porridge made from flour.

Although they still had some coarse flour at home, Xu Rui'er didn't know where his next full meal would come from, so he dared not indulge in large portions. Each meal was eaten sparingly.

Receiving his first wage, Xu Qier was delighted. He steamed two baskets of buns and one basket of wild vegetable cakes. Before leaving, he specifically instructed Xu Rui'er to eat a hearty meal every few days and not to remain perpetually half-starved.

Previously, when he worked at the docks, on days when luck was on his side, he could earn around forty to fifty copper coins. Over a month, this actually amounted to more than being a regular laborer would pay, but expenses for food and drink at the docks were out of his own pocket. To him, it was ultimately better to be a permanent worker.

He had to save up his wages, scraping by with whatever he could manage. Meat and eggs were luxuries he couldn't afford, but a few coarse steamed buns were within his means.

Before dawn, with mist shrouding the surroundings, Xu Qier quickened his pace.

*

Upon entering Ning Shui Town, Pei Yan directed his donkey straight towards the tavern they had visited previously.

The cart slowed down, but the eastern horizon was only just beginning to brighten, still bitterly cold. Gu Lanshi didn't remove the scarf covering his mouth and nose. With his legs holding the bamboo basket in place, he endured the jolts of the journey, unsure how the eggs inside fared.

Shops along the streets were gradually opening their doors, and stalls selling breakfast appeared fresh, pots boiling over with steam rising from them.

It was early, and few people were out buying groceries. Pedestrians were scarce, except for farmers like them who had arrived early to sell their goods. Some rushed to secure good spots at the morning market, while others carried their loads, calling out their wares as they walked the streets.

Arriving at the tavern on the western edge of town, a waiter, yawning and bleary-eyed, opened the door. Pei Yan pulled down the cloth covering his face and said, "Waiter, is Old Ma here? She asked us to come today to deliver some eggs."

A gust of cold wind blew in, instantly waking the waiter up. He looked up, recognizing Pei Yan, and rubbed his hands together as he smiled. "I remember. Old Ma mentioned it a few days ago. Conveniently, the chef was saying last night that we should buy some eggs since there are only a few left."

Hearing this, Gu Lanshi thought that their trip wasn't in vain, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes.

The waiter continued, "Standing at the main entrance will block customers once they start arriving. Go around to the back door; I'll open it for you."

"Alright," Pei Yan agreed, leading the donkey towards the alleyway.

After walking for a bit, Gu Lanshi said, "I should get down and carry the basket on my back."

The bamboo basket contained roughly a hundred eggs, plus the straw inside, weighing about ten pounds. Pei Yan turned to look at him and said, "We're close, no need to worry about these few steps. I'll walk slower; you just make sure the egg basket is steady."

Indeed, the back alley was not far. Gu Lanshi didn't say anything else, holding the bamboo basket firmly with both hands.

The waiter had already opened the door. Seeing them approach, he called out to the backyard before heading to the main hall to wipe tables and set up benches.

The donkey cart stopped at the back door. As soon as Gu Lanshi stepped off the cart, he saw a short, stout man emerge from inside. Instinctively, he knew this was the tavern's chef.