Chapter 358 A Million Cotton Plants

Chapter 358: The Worth of a Million Cotton Plants

The sound of camel bells rang outside. Sui Yu looked at Xiao Zhai, who waved his hand and said, "Ma, go out and greet the caravan. I'll stay here and watch over my sister."

Sui Yu picked up the wooden basin of dirty diapers and stepped outside.

"Aunt Li, the basin’s here," Sui Yu called out.

The caravan drew closer, slowing down as it neared the cotton fields. The merchants studied the cotton seedlings planted in the fields.

Sui Yu walked under the jujube tree, where two large black dogs came bounding over happily. She reached out and rubbed their heads.

The plaque on the south wall glinted gold in the spring sunlight. The merchants shielded their brows with their hands, squinting to see the woman’s face under the tree.

Noticing that this group of merchants was unfamiliar, Sui Yu spoke up first, "First time in Dunhuang?"

"Is this the Changgui Inn? Is Jade Merchant Sui here?" asked the leader, Big Boss Yu.

"That’s me," Sui Yu replied with a slight smile. "First time in Dunhuang?"

"Yes, we heard Dunhuang produces cotton, so we came," the caravan halted, and the merchants dismounted from their camels. They muffled the copper bells with camel wool, and in an instant, the loud ringing faded, leaving only faint echoes in the wind.

Li Mutou approached, and Sui Yu gestured toward him, saying, "Once you’ve unloaded your goods, leave the camels with him. There are no other caravans staying at the inn right now, so the camels can graze freely in the pasture—no need to lock them in the livestock pens."

She guided the merchants to the inn, explaining, "You’ll stay in the first courtyard. Each room includes a storage space, and the rate is one hundred coins per night. By the way, your accents don’t sound like those from Chang'an or Longxi—more like southerners. Are you from Bashu?"

"You’re well-traveled, Jade Merchant. Yes, we’re from Bashu. We trade between the two Bashu counties and Chang'an, dealing in tea," Big Boss Yu replied. Seeing Sui Yu’s eyes light up at this, he grinned, pleased, and gestured for his clansmen to unload the goods.

Another group approached from the south. Sui Yu glanced over—it was Horse Agricultural Supervisor leading a group of government slaves carrying loads on shoulder poles.

As Horse Agricultural Supervisor drew near, the caravan finished unloading. Li Mutou and the merchants drove the camels toward the river for water.

"Ma’am, we’ve come to transplant the seedlings," Horse Agricultural Supervisor greeted.

Sui Yu nodded and asked, "How many people did Censor Hu assign for farming?"

"Six hundred thirty. Each tends three mu, so the uncultivated fields that farmers couldn’t manage have pretty much been divided up," Horse Agricultural Supervisor reported dutifully.

Zhao Xiping had taken four hundred cotton growers with him, while those remaining in Dunhuang had experience from the previous year. Most rented five mu of land, while a few in poorer health rented only three or four mu. These groups had fully utilized Dunhuang’s wasteland.

Huaniu and Aqiang stirred awake and rushed out.

"I was just about to call for you. Go with Horse Agricultural Supervisor and keep track of how many cotton seedlings are transplanted. Just tally it for now. I’ll need to check the accounts tonight," Sui Yu instructed. Turning back, she asked, "Horse Agricultural Supervisor, will these cotton seedlings be paid for with cotton seeds after autumn, or in cash?"

"No trade—cash only," Horse Agricultural Supervisor replied. "Just tally it for now. Once all the seedlings are planted, I’ll settle the bill."

Sui Yu agreed.

Horse Agricultural Supervisor led the six hundred slaves across the open ground in front of the inn. Huaniu and Aqiang carried chairs and sheepskin scrolls as they followed.

"May we go take a look?" Big Boss Yu asked.

"Of course," Sui Yu didn’t stop them. She pointed toward the kitchen courtyard opposite and said, "You haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Head to the kitchen courtyard and let them know what you’d like to eat."

With that, Sui Yu returned to the house to fetch copper locks and keys. The Yu caravan took six rooms, booked for half a month. She took ninety coins and left.

Xiao Hua and her brother lay asleep, heads touching. Sui Yu slipped in and covered the siblings, then quietly slipped back out.

"I’m going to the warehouse to take stock. Watch for Xiao Hua—if she wakes, call me," Sui Yu instructed the women washing linens by the river.

Aunt Li responded with an "Ah," hanging the freshly washed diapers on the clothesline. This girl was truly fortunate—cotton fabric even merchant caravans couldn’t afford was now being cut into diapers.

After the winter caravan left, the doors and windows of the warehouse were locked. When flung open suddenly, the wind rushed in, causing the hemp cloth hanging on the walls to ripple like waves on a river.

To keep out dust, the ceiling was draped with beige hemp cloth, and the walls were similarly wrapped in the same material. When the large wooden windows on the walls were pushed open, bright spring light poured in, flooding the room with light.

The floor was covered with a yellow-and-white woven carpet. Sui Yu took off her shoes and stepped onto it, first tossing the fallen blankets back onto the wooden shelves.

The warehouse was lined with tiered wooden racks, each shelf holding blankets and fabrics. Behind the racks were stacked wooden crates containing rolls and bundles of blankets and fabrics.

Someone knocked on the door. Sui Yu looked over and asked, "Is Xiao Hua awake?"

"No, some kids came to buy mulberry leaves. They asked if Sui Liang is still buying cocoons this year," Aunt Li said, standing at the doorway and peering into the warehouse. The rows of colorful fabrics and blankets overwhelmed her eyes. If she’d had any money, she would have loved to go in and browse.

"Tell them we're still buying. They can bring the cocoons once the silkworms spin them," Sui Yu said. "A’shui should still be inside. Go find her and have her handle the payment."

Last year, Sui Liang bought over ten thousand cocoons and resold them to the Brocade Weaving Workshop, earning a surprising 315 coins—equivalent to the yield of an acre of wheat.

After Aunt Li left, Sui Yu continued taking stock. Finishing the wool section, she entered a small hut made of wheat-straw mats, where medicinal herbs were stored. The mats, woven from wheat straw, were light yet blocked sunlight. The lingering grassy scent of the straw also helped contain the smell of the herbs.

Bending down, Sui Yu checked the wooden crates to ensure no mice had gnawed at the herbs inside. Satisfied, she lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Five faces popped up at the eastern window, startling her.

"Did we scare you? Our apologies," said a merchant with a mole on his forehead, explaining sheepishly, "We passed by and saw the doors and windows open but no one inside, so we took a look from outside."

"Come on in. This is my warehouse. The goods here were bought from caravans both inside and outside the pass. You can also sell your goods to me or buy from my stock," Sui Yu explained. "There are clean straw sandals at the entrance—find a pair that fits."

As soon as they took off their shoes, the reek of feet filled the air.

"We—we'll come back later. I'll go fetch our Big Boss," the merchants said, embarrassed. They quickly put their boots back on and bolted off.

"Mom, Xiao Hua is crying from hunger," the little boy called out, running barefoot.

"Coming," Sui Yu replied, hurrying out. "Kid, come over here and sit in the warehouse for a bit."

"Let me put on my shoes first."

Before even entering, Sui Yu heard loud crying. She rushed inside, calling, "Coming, coming! Mom's here, don't cry."

The little boy ran off after putting on his shoes. Sui Yu closed the door, and the crying stopped right away.

After feeding the baby, washing her bottom, changing her diaper, and carrying her outside, Sui Yu found the Yu merchant caravan browsing the warehouse.

"You have a baby still on the breast too? Are boChapter 358: The Worth of a Million Cotton Plants

The sound of camel bells rang outside. Sui Yu looked at Xiao Zhai, who waved his hand and said, "Ma, go out and greet the caravan. I'll stay here and watch over my sister."

Sui Yu picked up the wooden basin of dirty diapers and stepped outside.

"Aunt Li, the basin’s here," Sui Yu called out.

The caravan drew closer, slowing down as it neared the cotton fields. The merchants studied the cotton seedlings planted in the fields.

Sui Yu walked under the jujube tree, where two large black dogs came bounding over happily. She reached out and rubbed their heads.

The plaque on the south wall glinted gold in the spring sunlight. The merchants shielded their brows with their hands, squinting to see the woman’s face under the tree.

Noticing that this group of merchants was unfamiliar, Sui Yu spoke up first, "First time in Dunhuang?"

"Is this the Changgui Inn? Is Jade Merchant Sui here?" asked the leader, Big Boss Yu.

"That’s me," Sui Yu replied with a slight smile. "First time in Dunhuang?"

"Yes, we heard Dunhuang produces cotton, so we came," the caravan halted, and the merchants dismounted from their camels. They muffled the copper bells with camel wool, and in an instant, the loud ringing faded, leaving only faint echoes in the wind.

Li Mutou approached, and Sui Yu gestured toward him, saying, "Once you’ve unloaded your goods, leave the camels with him. There are no other caravans staying at the inn right now, so the camels can graze freely in the pasture—no need to lock them in the livestock pens."

She guided the merchants to the inn, explaining, "You’ll stay in the first courtyard. Each room includes a storage space, and the rate is one hundred coins per night. By the way, your accents don’t sound like those from Chang'an or Longxi—more like southerners. Are you from Bashu?"

"You’re well-traveled, Jade Merchant. Yes, we’re from Bashu. We trade between the two Bashu counties and Chang'an, dealing in tea," Big Boss Yu replied. Seeing Sui Yu’s eyes light up at this, he grinned, pleased, and gestured for his clansmen to unload the goods.

Another group approached from the south. Sui Yu glanced over—it was Horse Agricultural Supervisor leading a group of government slaves carrying loads on shoulder poles.

As Horse Agricultural Supervisor drew near, the caravan finished unloading. Li Mutou and the merchants drove the camels toward the river for water.

"Ma’am, we’ve come to transplant the seedlings," Horse Agricultural Supervisor greeted.

Sui Yu nodded and asked, "How many people did Censor Hu assign for farming?"

"Six hundred thirty. Each tends three mu, so the uncultivated fields that farmers couldn’t manage have pretty much been divided up," Horse Agricultural Supervisor reported dutifully.

Zhao Xiping had taken four hundred cotton growers with him, while those remaining in Dunhuang had experience from the previous year. Most rented five mu of land, while a few in poorer health rented only three or four mu. These groups had fully utilized Dunhuang’s wasteland.

Huaniu and Aqiang stirred awake and rushed out.

"I was just about to call for you. Go with Horse Agricultural Supervisor and keep track of how many cotton seedlings are transplanted. Just tally it for now. I’ll need to check the accounts tonight," Sui Yu instructed. Turning back, she asked, "Horse Agricultural Supervisor, will these cotton seedlings be paid for with cotton seeds after autumn, or in cash?"

"No trade—cash only," Horse Agricultural Supervisor replied. "Just tally it for now. Once all the seedlings are planted, I’ll settle the bill."

Sui Yu agreed.

Horse Agricultural Supervisor led the six hundred slaves across the open ground in front of the inn. Huaniu and Aqiang carried chairs and sheepskin scrolls as they followed.

"May we go take a look?" Big Boss Yu asked.

"Of course," Sui Yu didn’t stop them. She pointed toward the kitchen courtyard opposite and said, "You haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Head to the kitchen courtyard and let them know what you’d like to eat."

With that, Sui Yu returned to the house to fetch copper locks and keys. The Yu caravan took six rooms, booked for half a month. She took ninety coins and left.

Xiao Hua and her brother lay asleep, heads touching. Sui Yu slipped in and covered the siblings, then quietly slipped back out.

"I’m going to the warehouse to take stock. Watch for Xiao Hua—if she wakes, call me," Sui Yu instructed the women washing linens by the river.

Aunt Li responded with an "Ah," hanging the freshly washed diapers on the clothesline. This girl was truly fortunate—cotton fabric even merchant caravans couldn’t afford was now being cut into diapers.

After the winter caravan left, the doors and windows of the warehouse were locked. When flung open suddenly, the wind rushed in, causing the hemp cloth hanging on the walls to ripple like waves on a river.

To keep out dust, the ceiling was draped with beige hemp cloth, and the walls were similarly wrapped in the same material. When the large wooden windows on the walls were pushed open, bright spring light poured in, flooding the room with light.

The floor was covered with a yellow-and-white woven carpet. Sui Yu took off her shoes and stepped onto it, first tossing the fallen blankets back onto the wooden shelves.

The warehouse was lined with tiered wooden racks, each shelf holding blankets and fabrics. Behind the racks were stacked wooden crates containing rolls and bundles of blankets and fabrics.

Someone knocked on the door. Sui Yu looked over and asked, "Is Xiao Hua awake?"

"No, some kids came to buy mulberry leaves. They asked if Sui Liang is still buying cocoons this year," Aunt Li said, standing at the doorway and peering into the warehouse. The rows of colorful fabrics and blankets overwhelmed her eyes. If she’d had any money, she would have loved to go in and browse.

"Tell them we're still buying. They can bring the cocoons once the silkworms spin them," Sui Yu said. "A’shui should still be inside. Go find her and have her handle the payment."

Last year, Sui Liang bought over ten thousand cocoons and resold them to the Brocade Weaving Workshop, earning a surprising 315 coins—equivalent to the yield of an acre of wheat.

After Aunt Li left, Sui Yu continued taking stock. Finishing the wool section, she entered a small hut made of wheat-straw mats, where medicinal herbs were stored. The mats, woven from wheat straw, were light yet blocked sunlight. The lingering grassy scent of the straw also helped contain the smell of the herbs.

Bending down, Sui Yu checked the wooden crates to ensure no mice had gnawed at the herbs inside. Satisfied, she lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Five faces popped up at the eastern window, startling her.

"Did we scare you? Our apologies," said a merchant with a mole on his forehead, explaining sheepishly, "We passed by and saw the doors and windows open but no one inside, so we took a look from outside."

"Come on in. This is my warehouse. The goods here were bought from caravans both inside and outside the pass. You can also sell your goods to me or buy from my stock," Sui Yu explained. "There are clean straw sandals at the entrance—find a pair that fits."

As soon as they took off their shoes, the reek of feet filled the air.

"We—we'll come back later. I'll go fetch our Big Boss," the merchants said, embarrassed. They quickly put their boots back on and bolted off.

"Mom, Xiao Hua is crying from hunger," the little boy called out, running barefoot.

"Coming," Sui Yu replied, hurrying out. "Kid, come over here and sit in the warehouse for a bit."

"Let me put on my shoes first."

Before even entering, Sui Yu heard loud crying. She rushed inside, calling, "Coming, coming! Mom's here, don't cry."

The little boy ran off after putting on his shoes. Sui Yu closed the door, and the crying stopped right away.

After feeding the baby, washing her bottom, changing her diaper, and carrying her outside, Sui Yu found the Yu merchant caravan browsing the warehouse.

"You have a baby still on the breast too? Are both children yours?" a merchant examining sheepskins asked.

"Yes, just these two—a son and a daughter," Sui Yu replied with a smile. "So, what do you think? Do any of my goods interest you?"

"Jade Merchant, you're too modest. These furs are no worse than those in Chang'an's West Market," one merchant said. Being traders themselves, they knew quality when they saw it and wouldn’t call a thoroughbred a nag. To do honest business, one couldn’t act like a swindler.

"Are these sheepskins from Wusun?"

"Yes. Wusun sheep are large with long wool, so their pelts and fleece are better than what we raise here. I bought these from *Hu-Shang*," Sui Yu explained. "For fifty or more, each sheepskin costs 120 coins. Fewer than fifty, and it's 140 coins per skin."

The merchants' eyes widened in shock. In Chang'an, the lowest price for sheepskins was 230 coins each—yet here in Dunhuang, they could get one for just 120?

"We’ll take 200. Do you have that many?" the Big Boss asked.

Sui Yu nodded. "I’ve got another 200 in stock. Take a look at the wolf pelts too—also from Wusun, at 180 coins each. Further back, against the wall, there's wine. Only thirty-some jars left now, but if you can wait, a new batch will arrive from beyond the pass by July at the latest. Over here are medicinal herbs from Dayuan. Most were bought by caravans entering the pass, leaving only about twenty. These red pottery pieces are from Loulan, also known as Shanshan. The wooden sign next to them lists the prices—take a look."

"We'll take a look around first," said Big Boss Yu.

"Alright," Sui Yu replied, holding the child as she stepped away, watching from a distance.

The little tyke ran off with the town kids to pick mulberry leaves. With him keeping an eye out, A’shui came over.

"Is Xiao Hua asleep?"

Sui Yu nodded. "Do you want to hold her?"

A’shui nodded eagerly. "I’ll hold her for a bit. That little boss rules like a tyrant—wherever he is, others can only touch his sister’s fingers."

Sui Yu chuckled.

To the west, enslaved laborers hauling cotton seedlings passed by, kicking up dust on the road. Sui Yu walked over, stepped onto a wooden stool, and untied the silk fabric curtain hanging over the window, tucking its corners into the linen-bound crevices in the wall. Now, she didn’t have to worry about dust blowing in.

As the sun dipped westward, the light inside dimmed. The traders had combed through all the goods in the warehouse and emerged satisfied, inviting Sui Yu to come see the goods they had brought the next day if she had time.

That night, Sui Yu took care of the baby alone, wearing her out without Zhao Xiping to share the burden.

At dawn the next day, Sui Yu sent Er'hei to the government office—the construction of the large estate in Hexi could resume.

Three rooms in the main house weren’t enough. Now, she couldn’t even arrange for a maidservant to sleep next door to help care for the child, so she had to pick one who didn’t snore to lay bedding on the floor beside the bed to keep watch.

The Yu merchant group hailed from the two prefectures of Ba and Shu. Their goods included brightly colored Shu brocade, fine yellow and smooth cloth—a specialty of Ba and Shu, woven from high-quality hemp, soft and light, folding up no thicker than a handkerchief; bronzeware with local characteristics, their shapes and patterns reflecting the rustic simplicity of the ancient Ba and Shu kingdoms, distinct from the refinement of Chang'an bronzes or the ruggedness of Dunhuang’s; felt hat stands and brush holders made from deer antlers; and lacquered screens crafted from ox horn.

Finally, Big Boss Yu brought out five crates of tea and asked, "What’ll these five tea crates get us in cotton quilts?"

"I don’t have any cotton quilts here, and the weaving workshop is out too. Last winter, we could’ve sold quilts till the cows came home," Sui Yu shook her head helplessly. "If you can stay until July, I can arrange to sell you the first batch of cotton quilts and cotton-padded jackets."

"That’s too late. We can’t cross the Qinling Mountains before winter. Got any ideas? Don’t you have any extra quilts? Give me thirty, and aside from the Shu brocade, the rest is yours for the taking."

"The merchant groups staying here are all on good terms with me. If I had any, they would’ve already asked for them." Sui Yu truly had no extra quilts. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Let me ask around. If I dig any up, I’ll trade with you. If not, there’s nothing I can do."

Big Boss Yu thanked her and handed Sui Yu a deer antler brush holder and a small pink felt hat. "For your two children," he said.

Sui Yu accepted them. Afterward, she had Er'hei ask around the farms to see if any still had cotton fluff.

Then she went to see Master Du, who scrounged up twelve new cotton quilts and sixty-eight catties of cotton fluff from his clan.

Ten days later, Er'hei had visited thirty-seven farming households and, after sweet-talking them, bought five cotton quilts and thirty-six catties of cotton fluff.

"These five quilts are meant for five brides’ trousseaus. Their weddings are all after the autumn harvest. They didn’t want to sell at first, but I promised to return five thick quilts, so they agreed," Er'hei explained.

Each quilt weighed about six or seven catties—good for mild weather but too thin for winter.

Sui Yu said, "After the cotton harvest, we’ll make twelve-catty quilts to return to them."

Er'hei nodded in acknowledgment.

Sui Yu took out thirty catties of cotton fluff from her own stock. Combined with what Master Du provided and what Er'hei had bought from the farmers, it totaled one hundred thirty-four catties. She instructed him to turn four catties into cotton thread and make thirteen ten-catty quilts.

In early May, the Yu merchant group left Dunhuang with thirty cotton quilts, two hundred sheepskins, and one hundred wolf pelts, along with thirty camels bought from Song Congzu.

The group had barely left when town merchants showed up by midday, bringing money chests on camels and selecting the goods the Yu group had left behind.

Tea was dirt-cheap in Dunhuang, so Sui Yu held it to sell to winter caravans.

With the spring planting season over and the cotton in the ground, Horse Supervisor Ma finally freed up to see Sui Yu.

After being tanned from working under the sun for most of last year and another three months in the fields this year, he was blackened like soot from a furnace.

Sui Yu thought of Zhao Xiping and couldn’t help but smile.

She brewed him a cup of mild tea and said, “You’ve all worked hard for the spring planting.”

“With His Majesty’s trust, no hardship is too great,” Horse Agricultural Supervisor replied, taking a sip. “This tea is quite fragrant.”

“It was brought by a merchant convoy from Ba-Shu. If you like it, I’ll pack a pouch for you later.” Sui Yu was still mindful of the child inside and got right to business. “What brings you here?”

Horse Agricultural Supervisor gave a bitter smile and pulled out his calculations. “I underestimated before. I thought buying these cotton seedlings would cost at most a hundred or two hundred thousand coins. Who knew that what seemed like a small number would accumulate to millions of seedlings by the end? Even at one coin per seedling, it would still be four hundred and twenty thousand coins.”

Sui Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise. “One coin per seedling? No, I’ve always said twenty coins per seedling.”

Horse Agricultural Supervisor shook his head. “The court can’t afford that much.”

“You’re mistaken. Cotton can bring the court tens of millions in revenue. Just in the three Hexi counties alone, seven or eight thousand acres of cotton have been planted this year. The cotton tax will be at least six hundred and forty thousand catties. Subtracting the cottonseed portion, even selling just the cotton floss at twenty coins per catty would still be six million four hundred thousand coins.” Sui Yu laid out the numbers. “And that’s just the cotton tax from the three Hexi counties. In the central provinces, at least five thousand acresth children yours?" a merchant examining sheepskins asked.

"Yes, just these two—a son and a daughter," Sui Yu replied with a smile. "So, what do you think? Do any of my goods interest you?"

"Jade Merchant, you're too modest. These furs are no worse than those in Chang'an's West Market," one merchant said. Being traders themselves, they knew quality when they saw it and wouldn’t call a thoroughbred a nag. To do honest business, one couldn’t act like a swindler.

"Are these sheepskins from Wusun?"

"Yes. Wusun sheep are large with long wool, so their pelts and fleece are better than what we raise here. I bought these from *Hu-Shang*," Sui Yu explained. "For fifty or more, each sheepskin costs 120 coins. Fewer than fifty, and it's 140 coins per skin."

The merchants' eyes widened in shock. In Chang'an, the lowest price for sheepskins was 230 coins each—yet here in Dunhuang, they could get one for just 120?

"We’ll take 200. Do you have that many?" the Big Boss asked.

Sui Yu nodded. "I’ve got another 200 in stock. Take a look at the wolf pelts too—also from Wusun, at 180 coins each. Further back, against the wall, there's wine. Only thirty-some jars left now, but if you can wait, a new batch will arrive from beyond the pass by July at the latest. Over here are medicinal herbs from Dayuan. Most were bought by caravans entering the pass, leaving only about twenty. These red pottery pieces are from Loulan, also known as Shanshan. The wooden sign next to them lists the prices—take a look."

"We'll take a look around first," said Big Boss Yu.

"Alright," Sui Yu replied, holding the child as she stepped away, watching from a distance.

The little tyke ran off with the town kids to pick mulberry leaves. With him keeping an eye out, A’shui came over.

"Is Xiao Hua asleep?"

Sui Yu nodded. "Do you want to hold her?"

A’shui nodded eagerly. "I’ll hold her for a bit. That little boss rules like a tyrant—wherever he is, others can only touch his sister’s fingers."

Sui Yu chuckled.

To the west, enslaved laborers hauling cotton seedlings passed by, kicking up dust on the road. Sui Yu walked over, stepped onto a wooden stool, and untied the silk fabric curtain hanging over the window, tucking its corners into the linen-bound crevices in the wall. Now, she didn’t have to worry about dust blowing in.

As the sun dipped westward, the light inside dimmed. The traders had combed through all the goods in the warehouse and emerged satisfied, inviting Sui Yu to come see the goods they had brought the next day if she had time.

That night, Sui Yu took care of the baby alone, wearing her out without Zhao Xiping to share the burden.

At dawn the next day, Sui Yu sent Er'hei to the government office—the construction of the large estate in Hexi could resume.

Three rooms in the main house weren’t enough. Now, she couldn’t even arrange for a maidservant to sleep next door to help care for the child, so she had to pick one who didn’t snore to lay bedding on the floor beside the bed to keep watch.

The Yu merchant group hailed from the two prefectures of Ba and Shu. Their goods included brightly colored Shu brocade, fine yellow and smooth cloth—a specialty of Ba and Shu, woven from high-quality hemp, soft and light, folding up no thicker than a handkerchief; bronzeware with local characteristics, their shapes and patterns reflecting the rustic simplicity of the ancient Ba and Shu kingdoms, distinct from the refinement of Chang'an bronzes or the ruggedness of Dunhuang’s; felt hat stands and brush holders made from deer antlers; and lacquered screens crafted from ox horn.

Finally, Big Boss Yu brought out five crates of tea and asked, "What’ll these five tea crates get us in cotton quilts?"

"I don’t have any cotton quilts here, and the weaving workshop is out too. Last winter, we could’ve sold quilts till the cows came home," Sui Yu shook her head helplessly. "If you can stay until July, I can arrange to sell you the first batch of cotton quilts and cotton-padded jackets."

"That’s too late. We can’t cross the Qinling Mountains before winter. Got any ideas? Don’t you have any extra quilts? Give me thirty, and aside from the Shu brocade, the rest is yours for the taking."

"The merchant groups staying here are all on good terms with me. If I had any, they would’ve already asked for them." Sui Yu truly had no extra quilts. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Let me ask around. If I dig any up, I’ll trade with you. If not, there’s nothing I can do."

Big Boss Yu thanked her and handed Sui Yu a deer antler brush holder and a small pink felt hat. "For your two children," he said.

Sui Yu accepted them. Afterward, she had Er'hei ask around the farms to see if any still had cotton fluff.

Then she went to see Master Du, who scrounged up twelve new cotton quilts and sixty-eight catties of cotton fluff from his clan.

Ten days later, Er'hei had visited thirty-seven farming households and, after sweet-talking them, bought five cotton quilts and thirty-six catties of cotton fluff.

"These five quilts are meant for five brides’ trousseaus. Their weddings are all after the autumn harvest. They didn’t want to sell at first, but I promised to return five thick quilts, so they agreed," Er'hei explained.

Each quilt weighed about six or seven catties—good for mild weather but too thin for winter.

Sui Yu said, "After the cotton harvest, we’ll make twelve-catty quilts to return to them."

Er'hei nodded in acknowledgment.

Sui Yu took out thirty catties of cotton fluff from her own stock. Combined with what Master Du provided and what Er'hei had bought from the farmers, it totaled one hundred thirty-four catties. She instructed him to turn four catties into cotton thread and make thirteen ten-catty quilts.

In early May, the Yu merchant group left Dunhuang with thirty cotton quilts, two hundred sheepskins, and one hundred wolf pelts, along with thirty camels bought from Song Congzu.

The group had barely left when town merchants showed up by midday, bringing money chests on camels and selecting the goods the Yu group had left behind.

Tea was dirt-cheap in Dunhuang, so Sui Yu held it to sell to winter caravans.

With the spring planting season over and the cotton in the ground, Horse Supervisor Ma finally freed up to see Sui Yu.

After being tanned from working under the sun for most of last year and another three months in the fields this year, he was blackened like soot from a furnace.

Sui Yu thought of Zhao Xiping and couldn’t help but smile.

She brewed him a cup of mild tea and said, “You’ve all worked hard for the spring planting.”

“With His Majesty’s trust, no hardship is too great,” Horse Agricultural Supervisor replied, taking a sip. “This tea is quite fragrant.”

“It was brought by a merchant convoy from Ba-Shu. If you like it, I’ll pack a pouch for you later.” Sui Yu was still mindful of the child inside and got right to business. “What brings you here?”

Horse Agricultural Supervisor gave a bitter smile and pulled out his calculations. “I underestimated before. I thought buying these cotton seedlings would cost at most a hundred or two hundred thousand coins. Who knew that what seemed like a small number would accumulate to millions of seedlings by the end? Even at one coin per seedling, it would still be four hundred and twenty thousand coins.”

Sui Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise. “One coin per seedling? No, I’ve always said twenty coins per seedling.”

Horse Agricultural Supervisor shook his head. “The court can’t afford that much.”

“You’re mistaken. Cotton can bring the court tens of millions in revenue. Just in the three Hexi counties alone, seven or eight thousand acres of cotton have been planted this year. The cotton tax will be at least six hundred and forty thousand catties. Subtracting the cottonseed portion, even selling just the cotton floss at twenty coins per catty would still be six million four hundred thousand coins.” Sui Yu laid out the numbers. “And that’s just the cotton tax from the three Hexi counties. In the central provinces, at least five thousand acres of cotton must have been planted, right? The cottonseeds were distributed by the government, with a minimum tax of one hundred and twenty catties per acre—another six hundred thousand catties. How could the court lack money? And this is the cheapest estimate. The court would never sell pure cotton floss. If it’s made into quilts, even at one thousand coins per quilt, just calculate how much that would be.”

Horse Agricultural Supervisor was left speechless.

“Is this just your own idea?” Sui Yu asked. When he remained silent, she dismissed him. “Present a petition to His Majesty. As the emperor of the Han Dynasty, a million coins is a trivial sum to him. If the court doesn’t want to pay, they can owe me and settle the debt with cottonseeds at harvest, which I’ll sell to merchant convoys. You don’t have the connections for that, but I do.”

Her tone was so bold that Horse Agricultural Supervisor was stunned.

The child inside began to cry, and Sui Yu hastily excused herself to go nurse the baby.

When she returned, Horse Agricultural Supervisor was no longer under the tree.

The mansion in Hexi was now roofed, and laborers inside were packing down the floor, the rhythmic thumping drawing Xiao Hua’s fixed gaze.

“We’ll be moving soon—into the big mansion. What does Xiao Hua like? Bright rooms? A big bed? An ornate folding screen? A soft carpet? Mama will get them all for you.” Sui Yu kissed her plump-cheeked daughter, who grinned in response. Turning, she pointed east with the little girl’s hand. “Your father will be back soon, and so will your uncle. It’s a shame you’re still breastfeeding, or we could wait at the city gates with your brother.”

At the word “brother,” Xiao Hua looked toward the direction of the school.

“Your brother isn’t at school. He misses his father and uncle and is waiting for them at the city gates.” Sui Yu gently straightened her head. Just then, Golden-coated Wheat appeared by the riverbank. Sui Yu whistled, and the golden-coated horse trotted over.

“Whose horse is this? Is it Xiao Zai’s? Who is Xiao Zai?” Sui Yu guided the little girl’s hand to touch the horse’s head, watching her expression. Xiao Hua’s eyes widened in obvious fear, but her lips pursed tightly—she neither cried nor made a sound.

Once her hand touched the horse’s head, Sui Yu let go, and the little hand immediately withdrew. A few moments later, she reached out again, this time trying to pinch the horse’s ear.

“My brave little girl,” Sui Yu laughed. “When you grow up, Mama will give you a magnificent steed too.”

of cotton must have been planted, right? The cottonseeds were distributed by the government, with a minimum tax of one hundred and twenty catties per acre—another six hundred thousand catties. How could the court lack money? And this is the cheapest estimate. The court would never sell pure cotton floss. If it’s made into quilts, even at one thousand coins per quilt, just calculate how much that would be.”

Horse Agricultural Supervisor was left speechless.

“Is this just your own idea?” Sui Yu asked. When he remained silent, she dismissed him. “Present a petition to His Majesty. As the emperor of the Han Dynasty, a million coins is a trivial sum to him. If the court doesn’t want to pay, they can owe me and settle the debt with cottonseeds at harvest, which I’ll sell to merchant convoys. You don’t have the connections for that, but I do.”

Her tone was so bold that Horse Agricultural Supervisor was stunned.

The child inside began to cry, and Sui Yu hastily excused herself to go nurse the baby.

When she returned, Horse Agricultural Supervisor was no longer under the tree.

The mansion in Hexi was now roofed, and laborers inside were packing down the floor, the rhythmic thumping drawing Xiao Hua’s fixed gaze.

“We’ll be moving soon—into the big mansion. What does Xiao Hua like? Bright rooms? A big bed? An ornate folding screen? A soft carpet? Mama will get them all for you.” Sui Yu kissed her plump-cheeked daughter, who grinned in response. Turning, she pointed east with the little girl’s hand. “Your father will be back soon, and so will your uncle. It’s a shame you’re still breastfeeding, or we could wait at the city gates with your brother.”

At the word “brother,” Xiao Hua looked toward the direction of the school.

“Your brother isn’t at school. He misses his father and uncle and is waiting for them at the city gates.” Sui Yu gently straightened her head. Just then, Golden-coated Wheat appeared by the riverbank. Sui Yu whistled, and the golden-coated horse trotted over.

“Whose horse is this? Is it Xiao Zai’s? Who is Xiao Zai?” Sui Yu guided the little girl’s hand to touch the horse’s head, watching her expression. Xiao Hua’s eyes widened in obvious fear, but her lips pursed tightly—she neither cried nor made a sound.

Once her hand touched the horse’s head, Sui Yu let go, and the little hand immediately withdrew. A few moments later, she reached out again, this time trying to pinch the horse’s ear.

“My brave little girl,” Sui Yu laughed. “When you grow up, Mama will give you a magnificent steed too.”