Chapter 79: Qiu’s Six Staples

Chapter 79: Qiu's Six Staples

As the red silk fell, the gilded characters on the black lacquered wooden plaque were clearly visible in the sunlight.

—"Qiu's Six Staples."

A Six Staples store refers to a general store, encompassing everything from daily essentials such as firewood, rice, oil, and salt, to snacks, condiments, and even household goods.

Qiu Huanian named the store this because he didn't plan to sell only oyster sauce.

Qiu's Six Staples is a general name; in the future, he will add new products and open more branches.

Currently, besides the most anticipated oyster sauce, the Six Staples store also sells Sorghum Candy, popcorn, premium spicy duck strips, and red fermented tofu from Zhu Jingwei's workshop.

The store was neatly arranged, with counters designed in the style of modern cake shops. Instead of glass, thin gauze was used for sliding cabinet doors, displaying the food directly to customers.

Prices in Xiangping Prefecture are higher than in the counties and townships. Qiu Huanian raised the prices of Sorghum Candy and popcorn. Sorghum Candy sells for two coins per strip, with a full pack of eight strips selling for fifteen coins. Popcorn costs fifteen coins per pack, and the premium spicy duck strips are also fifteen coins per pack.

Qiu Huanian specially ordered oil paper with the Qiu's Six Staples logo for uniform packaging.

Customers who eagerly rushed in for the oyster sauce couldn't help but stop and inquire about the prices when they saw these unique, visually appealing, and fragrant snacks.

Among them, Sorghum Candy and popcorn had been sold in Zhang County for a long time, and some in Xiangping Prefecture had tried to imitate them, but neither the look nor the smell could match those in Qiu's Six Staples store.

As for the premium spicy duck strips, Qiu Huanian had only made them at home before. When the store opened, he provided free samples, and the appeal of the spicy strips quickly won over many customers.

Before even seeing the oyster sauce, customers had already purchased several large bags of snacks.

Qiu Huanian hired experienced clerks to work in the store with Meng Yuanling. However, as he was now a Township Lord, he didn't need to handle the greetings and farewells, nor did anyone dare to ask him to. He only needed to sit inside the store and manage the overall operations.

On the first day of the store's opening, Qiu Huanian did not put the oyster sauce up for sale.

The production yield of oyster sauce is very low; one hundred pounds of shelled oysters only yield about one pound of oyster sauce. The cost is high, and it is labor-intensive, making large-scale production currently impossible.

Scarcity adds value, and Qiu Huanian intended to take this to the extreme.

He told everyone who inquired about the oyster sauce, "The oyster sauce is still being made, and we should have a batch in about three days, roughly twenty to thirty bottles."

"It's really labor-intensive and precious. From now on, the store will sell oyster sauce on the fifth and tenth days of every month, twenty bottles each time. Those who want to buy should come early; once it's gone, it's gone."

Timed and limited sales—get in line if you want to buy.

Most of those sent to buy the oyster sauce were servants from affluent and noble households. Hearing Qiu Huanian's explanation, they didn't feel displeased but rather thought it was only natural.

If it weren't so precious, why would their masters bother? The harder it is to obtain, the more it demonstrates their efficiency, right?

As for the price of one tael of silver for a small bottle, it was nothing. Those who wanted to try the oyster sauce could easily afford it.

Qiu Huanian had already ordered small porcelain bottles with the Qiu's Six Staples logo. Each bottle could hold about two taels of oyster sauce, which required twenty pounds of oyster raw materials.

In coastal areas, oysters are relatively inexpensive. Qiu Huanian and a merchant with a large fishing boat bought in bulk, driving down the price to ten coins per pound of shelled oysters, so twenty pounds cost two hundred coins.

Adding in labor costs, the cost of spices, packaging, and other miscellaneous expenses, the cost per bottle was about one hundred coins.

In total, a bottle of oyster sauce sold for one tael, with a cost of three mace of silver. If all twenty bottles sold each time, with six sales per month totaling one hundred and twenty bottles, the net profit would be eighty-four taels.

After calculating this, Qiu Huanian couldn't help but take a deep breath. Just from the oyster sauce alone, the monthly income was comparable to the annual harvest of a small estate.

Indeed, the money of the wealthy and noble families is easier to earn.

If it weren’t for the fortunate early grant of the title of Township Lord, he wouldn’t have been able to expand his business to such a scale.

Qiu Huanian no longer personally makes snacks such as Sorghum Candy and popcorn. Production has been relocated to a newly bought small courtyard, where he hires workers to complete the basic steps. He only steps in for the most secretive part of the recipe, or lets Meng Yuanling handle it.

Qiu Huanian is no longer afraid of his recipes being stolen. Even if someone replicates his snacks exactly, they lack a store like Qiu's Six Staples, which enjoys a large customer base.

The servants from noble households who line up every five days to buy oyster sauce at the storefront are the best advertisement for Qiu's Six Staples.

If one can’t afford the oyster sauce from Qiu’s, buying some affordable, quality snacks from Qiu’s is also trendy.

The distinctively designed wrapping paper can also be used as home decoration, showing off that one uses Qiu’s products.

On the first day of the store’s opening, all the prepared snacks sold out quickly. Qiu Huanian and Meng Yuanling returned home to tally the day’s earnings using the ledger.

"Sorghum Candy sold the least, but still in significant quantities. The premium roast duck was sold out early, and the popcorn was a bit slower. Costs are higher in the prefectural city compared to the village, but the day’s net profit was over two taels of silver."

Under Qiu Huanian’s guidance, Meng Yuanling has learned a more streamlined, modern accounting method.

Qiu Huanian nodded as he reviewed, "Residents of the prefectural city aren’t as keen on sugar; more savory, salty items sell better. The store’s business is thriving initially, but it will stabilize and probably decrease slightly. The snacks might earn about thirty to forty taels a month."

"Including the oyster sauce, that would total over one hundred and twenty taels a month!"

Meng Yuanling exclaimed excitedly, his eyes filled with joy, without a hint of jealousy.

Qiu Huanian laughed, "I noticed you were quite articulate in the store today. How about I hire you as the store manager?"

"Ah? Brother Hua, I can’t do that," Meng Yuanling waved his hands repeatedly.

"Why not? You’re educated, can manage accounts, have been helping run your family’s tofu shop since you were young, and are good at dealing with people and doing business. Many managers outside aren’t as good as you. And I trust you more than I would trust an outsider."

As a hired manager, with Jin San at the forefront, Meng Yuanling isn’t considered a merchant. Otherwise, those impoverished scholars who can only work as accountants would be completely out of luck.

Meng Yuanling flushed deeply at Qiu Huanian’s words. He has always admired Qiu Huanian, and being acknowledged by his idol filled him with joy.

"Then I’ll give it a try. If I don’t understand something, Brother Hua, you’ll have to teach me."

"Don’t worry, I won’t completely step back. I’m just afraid I might be too busy."

In addition to Qiu’s Six Staples, Qiu Huanian is also occupied with his cotton estate and his mathematics book. He also needs to review manuscripts for Su Xinbai’s Qimin Bookstore, so he can’t manage the store and workshop full-time.

Qiu Huanian compared Meng Yuanling’s salary to that of the top managers in Xiangping Prefecture and offered him three taels of silver a month. Eager and determined, Meng Yuanling vowed to manage Qiu’s Six Staples effectively.

After moving from Qingfu Town to the prefectural city, leaving behind familiar surroundings and friends, with Yun Cheng often absent and no proper work to do, Meng Yuanling had been feeling somewhat out of place.

Qiu Huanian noticed all this and finally found a place where Meng Yuanling could shine.

When Yun Cheng returned for a break, Meng Yuanling happily took his lover’s hand and chattered like a lark about managing the store.

Yun Cheng listened seriously, then kissed the red mole on Meng Yuanling’s forehead. Meng Yuanling, covering his forehead, quickly looked around, relieved to find no one noticed, his round face turning a deep red.

...

Wei Li’s health improved after resting for about ten days.

Knowing that Zhao Tianyu’s family had been confiscated and that no one would threaten him anymore, he let go of his biggest worry.

But sometimes, in the middle of the night, he would still recall the painful memories of his wandering days, his lost home, and his heartless parents.

While Qiu Huanian was organizing the nearly completed draft of his mathematics book in the study, Wei Li came to him on his own initiative.

Qiu Huanian was surprised to see him outside, hesitated briefly, and then invited Wei Li to sit down.

"Qiu Xiangjun, we've been imposing on your household for several days, and it's hard to feel comfortable. Tomorrow, I will return to the estate with my aunt."

Wei Dexing had invested considerable effort in grooming Wei Li to advance socially. After overcoming his personal struggles, Wei Li's upbringing naturally reflected in his speech and demeanor.

Qiu Huanian set aside the draft he was holding, "Have you thought about your future plans?"

Wei Li nodded, "Compared to being cooped up in a grand mansion, I prefer the freedom and grounding of working the land on the estate. Though my aunt and I aren't blood relatives, we are already as close as family. I'll take good care of my aunt on the estate from now on."

"If it's Qiu Xiangjun's estate, I'm not worried about anyone bullying me."

After all these events, Wei Li has matured and is no longer as timid and weak as he used to be.

Qiu Huanian felt relieved, "As it happens, I need to visit the estate tomorrow to check on the craftsmen. You can ride in my carriage with me."

The next day, both Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng's schools were on vacation, and the two children, who hadn't had a chance to play outside in a while, begged Qiu Huanian to take them along.

In the end, including Jiu Jiu's maid Shanhu, six people were heading to the estate. Fortunately, the family's carriage was spacious enough and not crowded.

The two skilled craftsmen sent by the emperor arrived two days ago. Seeing them weary from travel, Qiu Huanian had Jin San take them to the estate to settle in and rest before discussing anything else.

These two skilled craftsmen were both registered palace servants, not free individuals. If they hadn't been sent out, they would have spent their lives isolated in the palace's workshop.

Although they could only take orders from Qiu Huanian, being able to leave the palace was already a great fortune for them.

Upon arriving at the estate, Qiu Huanian first had Wei Li and Granny Wei rest in their quarters, made sure they were safe, then let Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng go play, and finally called the two craftsmen for a talk.

These two craftsmen were brothers in their late twenties, originally surnamed Mu. Over a decade ago, their grandfather and uncle failed in border defense, resulting in the confiscation of their family's property and the enslavement of their relatives. They were under twelve at the time and weren't sent to the border, but were still taken into palace servitude.

Fortunately, both were clever and skilled from a young age and were taken in by the palace workshop, sparing them further hardship.

Once in the palace, they could no longer use their original names and were given new names based on their apprenticeship ranking: Mu Bing Qi and Mu Bing Ba.

Bing Qi and Bing Ba did not elaborate on their past misfortunes, and Qiu Huanian did not pry into their painful memories.

Both brothers were experienced, each with their own strengths. Bing Qi was skilled in designing various mechanical devices, while Bing Ba excelled in hands-on work, especially carving and drilling.

After a few questions, Qiu Huanian was convinced that the brothers were of good character, with no deceitful tendencies.

"You are bestowed by the emperor, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, you will be with me for life. I won't restrict you. As long as you complete the tasks I assign and do not leak any drawings or secrets, you can cultivate a few acres of land on the estate. If you wish to marry and have children, I won't stop you."

Bing Qi and Bing Ba exchanged glances, seeing surprise and relief in each other's eyes.

Both expressed that they would definitely follow Qiu Huanian's instructions.

Qiu Huanian took out the half-finished blueprint of a single-handled plow for the brothers to examine closely.

After some consideration, Bing Qi had some ideas about the problem that Qiu Huanian had been unable to solve.

Qiu Huanian encouraged them to work hard, promising rewards if they could indeed succeed.

After arranging for the craftsmen, Qiu Huanian went out for a walk in the fields.

More than half of the thirty acres of cotton had already been transplanted, with the rest being rushed. The emerald green cotton seedlings were lined up in rows, stretching as far as the eye could see.

After the recovery period, these cotton seedlings would grow robustly, through three seasons of watering, fertilizing, controlling growth, and pest prevention, eventually turning into clusters of pure white cotton.

Qiu Huanian walked for a while and suddenly saw Chun Sheng running towards him from a distance.

The little boy, now taller and stronger, pouted, clearly upset.

Qiu Huanian intercepted him, "Weren’t you playing with your sister? What’s wrong?"

Chun Sheng had been too absorbed in his brooding to notice Qiu Huanian. When he noticed Qiu Huanian, his expression shifted, and he stammered, unable to speak.

Qiu Huanian smiled and shook his head, "If you don’t spill it now, I’ll just ask Jiu Jiu later."

"Spill the beans, and you’ll be fine. Keep it to yourself, and you’ll regret it."

Qiu Huanian took Chun Sheng to a big banyan tree by the road, sat on a clean stone, and got ready for a serious chat.

At home, Jiu Jiu had always been easygoing, and Chun Sheng had matured a lot since starting private school. It had been a while since Qiu Huanian dealt with the kids’ growing pains, and he almost missed it.

Chun Sheng sat at Qiu Huanian’s feet, chin in hands, his cute face scrunched up as he sighed like a little adult.

"Brother Hua, do you think I’ll never have friends?"

"Hmm, what makes you think that?"

"Earlier, I saw some kids from the estate playing with tops and wanted to join."

"They gave me the best top and let me win every time. I could tell, but I didn’t want that. I just wanted to play fair, I—"

Chun Sheng hung his head in frustration.

"My sister said they’re scared of me because you’re the master, and I’m your brother. They don’t want to upset me and cause trouble for their families."

"At private school, I had no friends to play with, just studying. Now, at the estate, it’s the same."

"I want to go back to Du Village. I really miss Yun Kang."

Tears filled Chun Sheng’s eyes as he spoke. He wiped them angrily with his sleeve, hiding his face from Qiu Huanian.

Chun Sheng had just turned seven, the age of a first-grader today—still just a little kid.

Qiu Huanian ruffled his round, tiger-cub-like head.

"What kind of friends are you looking for, Chun Sheng?"

"Friends who’ll play with me honestly, not let me win, and who I can see all the time."

Qiu Huanian asked gently, "You had a great friend in Yun Kang, but now he’s far away, and you’re feeling lonely, aren’t you?"

Chun Sheng sniffled and nodded repeatedly.

"Everyone grows up, and each stage brings new friends. You have to say goodbye to make room for new ones."

"Your sister was best friends with Cun Lan in the village, but now she’s made new friends like Zhu Xian in the city. You can do the same."

"But where can I find them?"

"Chun Sheng, did you like any of your classmates at private school?"

Chun Sheng shook his head.

"What about anyone who stood out?"

Chun Sheng thought carefully and hesitantly said, "There’s this annoying classmate who always tattles when I don’t do my homework. But last time, when I messed up my notes, he lent me his to copy."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "Do you really think he's annoying?"

Chun Sheng pouted, kicking small stones on the ground with his toes, and stayed silent.

"Here's an idea: I know some of Jiu Jiu's classmates, but I haven't met yours yet. Next time your school has a break, I'll give you some blank invitations. You can invite some classmates over to our house to play."

Qiu Huanian teased with a smile, "Let me see what this classmate you find so annoying is like."

Chun Sheng opened his mouth several times but couldn't resist Qiu Huanian's insistence, so he had to agree.

...

At lunchtime, Jiu Jiu came back with Coral, both carrying a basket full of fresh wild vegetables.

Qiu Huanian's eyes lit up upon seeing them, "Where did you find these?"

"There are many on the mountain next to the farm. We didn't dare go too far in, just picked some at the foot of the slope. Coral can climb trees and picked some toon leaves. I knew Brother Hua would want to eat them."

Last spring, when the family was impoverished, they lived on tender wild vegetables for a long time.

Not having eaten them for a while, Qiu Huanian was really craving them.

He told the farm folks to take the wild vegetables, stir-fry the toon leaves with eggs, and blanch the other veggies, chop them up, and mix them with vinegar, salt, and chili for a cold dish. For lunch, they would also have a porridge with cured meat.

The farm was a self-sufficient agricultural base, and as the farm owner, Qiu Huanian could have whatever he wanted.

Having grown used to fine dishes, an occasional meal of wild vegetables was even more delicious. A big plate of stir-fried toon leaves with eggs was quickly devoured, and the cold mixed veggies were disappearing fast with each chopstickful.

The farm uncle who came to bring more dishes saw them enjoying the wild veggies so much and couldn't help but shake his head secretly.

Seeing this, Qiu Huanian laughed, "What's wrong, Uncle?"

The uncle replied, "After all, the gentry are different from us. We all say meat is delicious, but why do the gentry of the Township Lord's family prefer wild vegetables that are everywhere on the mountains?"

"Wild veggies have their own kind of deliciousness. Our family also came from the soil; there's no fancy refinement here."

"In the future, when we come to the farm, everyone should act as usual, no need to deliberately give way, otherwise it will make the children uncomfortable."

Qiu Huanian hinted slightly and didn't say more.

The uncle got Qiu Huanian's meaning and after going out, called the farm kids to settle a few words.

Chun Sheng felt relieved and happily grabbed another big chopstickful of wild veggies.

...

Qiu Huanian's family stayed until after dinner before heading back to the city. As the sky darkened, the tenant farmers finished their work and went home to rest.

In a corner of the tenant farmers' settlement, a three-room thatched cottage had new windows and doors, the ground was leveled, and the fence was half fixed. It looked like it would be completed in the next few days.

Bing Ba carried a bundle of firewood inside, and Bing Qi handed him half a bun. He ate it with a few sips of water from a clay bowl and wiped his mouth.

"Helped repair a few carts on the farm, got several days' worth of food. Having been in the palace for so long, I almost forgot how people outside make a living."

Bing Qi laughed, "Before we entered the palace, we didn't have to make a living either."

"..."

The two brothers fell silent and quietly went out to sit in the yard, gazing at the moon in the sky.

After a long while, Bing Qi sighed, "We're pretty lucky. Right after we entered the palace, we got picked for the crafts workshop. Even though the workshop is way out in the boonies of the imperial city, and we can't visit the harem or meet any nobles, and there's no real future, at least we didn't become eunuchs or accidentally offend someone and lose our lives."

Bing Ba scratched the back of his head, "I just suddenly got out of the palace, feeling kinda..."

"Don't sweat it. Later, we'll each rent an acre of land, do the tasks assigned by Qiu Xiang well, save some money for a couple of years, and maybe even find a wife."

"But all we've done in the palace are fancy trinkets. We've never made farming tools or tilled the land. We really gotta put in the effort to learn."

Bing Ba kinda nodded, his face showing hesitation, "Brother, what do you think of Qiu Xiang..."

"I know what you're thinking," Bing Qi shook his head, "In this world, there are millions of people, and there are always some who look alike. Like that noble in the palace, born in the countryside, with ancestors from far away, no relation at all, yet looks so much like the late empress, now just a step away from the throne. It's all destiny."

Even the craftsmen way out in the palace's far corners knew about Consort Kang's legendary story.

"I know, except for one, all of our maternal grandfather's family died out in Fengshan County. Just thinking about it makes me..."

They fell silent again for a while.

"Before we left the palace, the one we saw briefly at the door of the crafts workshop that evening, was it Shuge?"

"...Probably, he must have been taken into the palace too. It's a shame we haven't heard a peep about him all these years."

"If it really is Shuge, why didn't he come to greet us, and we don't even know what he's called now..." Bing Ba's nose twitched, all emotional.

Bing Qi looked up at the moon, his hand on his forehead, his firm and deep features bathed in silver frost.

"Judging by Shuge's getup and vibe, his life these years must've been anything but simple. There must be a reason he didn't acknowledge us, his useless cousins. Shuge arranged for us to be sent out, so let's live well outside the palace. Maybe one day, we'll meet again."

"Brother, what do you mean?"

Bing Qi irritably slapped the back of his brother's neck, "If no one helped, could such a good thing as leaving the palace fall on us, the disgraced officials with no money or backing?"

"We saw Shuge at the door of the crafts workshop, and then the quota to leave the palace was set on us. You didn't even think about it."

Bing Ba wiped his face, feeling more worried and heartbroken than moved.

"When our grandfather was still alive, Shuge was the most mischievous and beloved grandson among our families. We still have each other these years, but he... when I think of him now, I..."

Bing Ba's words choked in his throat, silent sobs, Bing Qi patted his shoulder firmly, looking up at the sky.

In the endless night, a full moon shone brightly over ten thousand miles.