The whole family traveled through ancient times to start a new business

Mrs. Su coaxed all the children back to their rooms to sleep, leaving only Dalang. In order not to appear abrupt, she asked Su Zhihao and Su Yuanyuan to go back to their rooms to rest as well.

Several adults started talking about business. Su An Dong talked about the bookstore and said, "If we don't rush to sell it, maybe we will meet a good person. Then we don't know how much we can sell it for."

"This is already very good. This is a one-time deal. Once the book is out, it must be sold immediately, otherwise our family will not be able to protect it, and it may even bring disaster. This is the best now. Besides, it is not easy to meet a mentor."

"Mom is right, I think so too. Although I feel it's a pity, it's good to be able to sell it safely. The price is not low."

The few people who didn't go to the capital were surprised to hear that the book was sold for 1,200 taels. Even so, Su An Dong still thought it was too little. They all advised: This price is too high, no matter how valuable it is, it's just a book. It's best to sell it quietly like this.

Then he began to praise Su Anton, saying that he would raise the price. If they went, they would probably be able to sell it for a hundred taels.

Su An Dong felt a little embarrassed by the compliment, so he changed the subject and said, "Let me tell you about the expenses of this trip. First of all, the round-trip travel expenses, food and accommodation expenses totaled two taels of silver; the clinic cost thirty-one taels; the bookstore cost three taels; Ruyifang cost five taels; and some oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and some miscellaneous items cost about one tael of silver. The total cost was forty-two taels."

"Then there was brown sugar. I bought 152 jin in total, 50 wen per jin, and spent a total of liang and qian of silver. The total cost of this trip was liang and qian of silver."

Su Anton handed the box that had just been on the table to Old Lady Su and said, "Mother, this is the remaining silver and the money from selling books."

Old Mrs. Su accepted the box without hesitation. There was really money in the box at this moment, but she was afraid that others would look through it out of curiosity. She would put it back into Su Yuanyuan's space later.

In fact, the money here was not enough for them to buy coarse salt privately. They left more than five catties of coarse salt at home, and they kept 52 catties, 35 wen per catty, a total of 1820 wen.

Old Lady Su said to everyone, "I bought so much brown sugar for a reason. Your third brother once saw a method of making white sugar in a book. I have tried it privately and it really can turn brown sugar into white sugar. You also know how expensive white sugar is."

Then Su An Dong explained to them the ins and outs of this matter in detail, and the interests involved. Finally, he concluded: "In order not to attract other people's attention, we can only sell it secretly. We can't sell too much. Otherwise, it will conflict with the interests of some nobleman, and this family is not able to bear it now.

Everyone knew the interests involved and agreed with Su Anton's approach, so the sugar issue was settled.

Old Lady Su said seriously, "Don't think that you will have no worries about food and clothing just because you got 1,200 taels from selling books. Money is needed for the third son's imperial examination, the children's education, and their marriages. I will keep all this money for now, and I will tell you about the future expenses, so don't worry."

Su Anping always obeyed his mother's orders and said, "Mom, you have the final say at home. We will do whatever you say."

Others also echoed the words.

Old Madam Su continued, "I think you all understand the principle of not showing off your wealth. You must be low-key in your daily life, otherwise others will think that our family is very rich. I still say the same thing, remember it, don't tell others about family matters."

Everyone agreed one by one.

"Also, the third brother knows more about this world than I do. Let him tell you."

Su An Dong continued his mother's words: "We are all family, so I will speak directly and not talk nonsense. Our Darong Dynasty has only been established for more than 30 years. More than ten years ago, the garrison troops in the southern border rebelled and proclaimed themselves the King of Zhennan. In recent years, there have been constant wars. Otherwise, my fourth brother would not have been conscripted. For so many years, there has been no real stability. Although there was a temporary truce after the war last year, there is no guarantee that there will be another fight one day. In addition, there is the weather. When I went to the city this time, I heard that there is a drought in our south. We didn't have good rain last year and the harvest was very poor. Fortunately, it looks like this year should be a good year. But I am still worried that if the drought in the south continues, I am afraid that there will be people fleeing from the famine. If the King of Zhennan sends troops again at this time, the consequences are unimaginable. Our family is moving here, and I believe everyone can understand what I mean."

When Li Hongmei heard the word "flee from famine", she immediately panicked. She was the one who fled from famine in the south, and she didn't dare to imagine how she survived.

After hearing Su Anton's words, no one in the room responded and it was very quiet.

Su An Dong looked at the quiet crowd and said, "Don't worry too much. It might rain in the south soon. It's uncertain when the King of Zhennan will start a war again. I just want to be prepared. We should store some food. If we have food in hand, we won't be worried."

Su Anping agreed and said, "Third brother is right. We should stock up on some food while we still have money."

Others echoed.

"I've already inquired about the grain prices in the prefecture. They are a bit more expensive than in the county. Also, it's not convenient to transport them back. We have to buy the grain in the county. Let's discuss how much grain to buy."

经过大家一番商量，苏家现在上下大小一共17口人，决定先囤1000斤大米、500斤白面、500斤玉米、500斤其他粗粮。

"We can't let others notice when we buy food, otherwise our family will become the target of public criticism."

Old Lady Su made a decision: "Old Third is right. It's best to bring the grain back before dark and quietly dig a cellar in our backyard to hide the grain."

Su Anton: "This cellar must be safe. The entrance to the cellar must be hidden well."

Su Anping said, "Don't worry, Third Brother. Leave this matter to me and your Second Brother. We will definitely fix this cellar and make sure no one else can see it."

Su Ankang also assured: "Third brother, don't worry."

After the cellar was settled, Su Anton said to Old Lady Su: "Mom, transporting grain is a big deal, and we also need livestock to help with farm work. Mom, let's buy a cow or a mule!"

Su Antong's proposal really spoke to Su Anping and Su Ankang's hearts. In previous years, they were the main force in farm work, and they were the most distressed when the cow was sold.

Old Lady Su readily agreed: "Okay, buy a cow and a mule. Just tell others what you want to pay for it."

Su An Dong suggested: "Just say that it was the jewelry that grandma passed down to mom, and mom pawned it all for 50 taels of silver."

Old Madam Su made the final decision, "Okay, let's put it this way. If anyone asks you about your fourth brother's condition, don't say anything nonsense. Don't mention how much the treatment cost, as if it would make our family look wealthy."

Everyone agreed one by one.

The villagers knew that their family had some assets, so it made sense that they pawned the jewelry.

But the villagers would never have thought that their family actually had such a valuable book. After all, their knowledge was limited. Even if they were asked to think about it themselves, they would never have imagined that a book could be so valuable.

Not only the villagers couldn't think of it, but also the Su family members except the few people who came here couldn't think of it. And they couldn't understand how a book could be so valuable. If it weren't for the facts in front of them, they probably wouldn't believe it if someone else told them.