A tragic journey through ancient times, trying to make money

By the time Grandpa Zhang and the others were packing up the bamboo weavings to sell tomorrow, it was already dark.

Everyone was still sitting in the yard enjoying the cool air and chatting.

Zhang's mother told Zhang's father that they would buy some salt tomorrow. There was only a little salt left at home, and it was estimated that it would be gone after it was used up tomorrow.

I also asked Zhang's father to buy some more lard. The lard tank was almost empty. People usually ate less meat. They usually only bought some meat during festivals or when relatives and friends came over.

So lard is a substitute at this time, at least it can make the family dinner table have some oily meat.

Eating vegetable oil alone is not enough.

Seeing that it was almost time, Grandpa Zhang asked everyone to go to bed early.

Everyone has to get up early tomorrow, especially the two younger ones, Zhang Xingfeng and Zhang Yunxue.

Zhang Xingfeng and Zhang Yunxue listened to their grandfather's words and ran to wash up first. Then they went back to their room to sleep immediately after cleaning up, for fear that they would not be able to get up the next day.

The others also finished washing up, returned to their rooms, lay down on their beds, and fell asleep to the sound of cicadas in the countryside at night.

The next day at 6: AM

Almost everyone in the Zhang family had gotten up, and the two younger ones, Zhang Xingfeng and Zhang Yunxue, also got up. They were chattering in the yard, discussing what the town was like.

Zhang's mother and Zhu were making breakfast for everyone in the kitchen. It was still porridge and egg pancakes. Zhang's mother also packed some egg pancakes for herself, and Zhu filled two pots of water for everyone. After all, several people were going to the town, and if they all ate in the town, it would cost a lot of money.

After the meal, Grandpa Zhang and Father Zhang carried the bundled bamboo weavings, Zhang Xinghao and Zhang Yunyue also carried some bamboo weavings in backpacks, and Zhang Xinghao carried the egg pancakes and water as well.

For Zhang Xingfeng and Zhang Yunxue, it would be good enough as long as they can walk to the town and back safely.

Old Zhang's family lives at the end of the village. Fortunately, there is a small path next to their house that leads directly to the official road without passing through the village.

Along the way, everything was new to Zhang Xingfeng and Zhang Yunxue, who had never been to the town. They pointed at this mountain and asked what Grandpa Zhang's name was, then pointed at that mountain and asked what Father Zhang's name was.

Because of the interruption of the two siblings, everyone suddenly felt that the way to town didn't seem far.

As the two siblings were discussing along the way, more and more people appeared on the road. They were all farmers going to the town to sell or buy things.

Zhang Yunyue looked at the city wall that appeared in front of him and knew that they had arrived at the town. The closer he got to the city wall, the more sounds he heard, such as the sound of horse hooves and the cries of hawkers.

"Fresh vegetables, come and have a look."

"Delicious buns and steamed buns. Delicious buns and steamed buns."

"Come on, brother, please make way for me."

"Boss, two meat buns please."

Various sounds came and went.

After entering the town, Grandpa Zhang took them to West Street.

There are all kinds of restaurants and inns on the East Street, while the West Street is mostly populated by common people and the things sold there are relatively cheap. The South Street is where rich people or wealthy landlords live, while the North Street is mostly populated by common people.

Arriving at West Street, Grandpa Zhang brought them to the place where he usually set up his stall. After paying two cents for the stall fee, he quickly placed the bamboo weavings on the ground. Zhang Yunyue and his siblings then found a few stones to sit on at the back.

There are all kinds of bamboo weavings, big and small: backpacks, bamboo baskets, winnowing baskets, scoops, bamboo bowls, chopsticks, etc.

As soon as I put it on the table, someone came to ask, "Boss, how much is this bamboo basket?"

Father Zhang: "This small one is only five cents. You can take it in your hand and see that it is strong and durable. We have made the edges very clean, without any burrs. Feel it."

The visitor touched it and said, "It feels fine. Give me this."

And gave five cents to Zhang's father.

It was already mid-morning and more and more people were shopping.

There are food stalls around the stalls, some selling chickens and ducks, some selling vegetables, some selling small purses, etc.

Several waves of customers came to Grandpa Zhang's bamboo weaving stall again.

Another mother-in-law came and took the winnowing basket on the ground, turning it over and over in her hands, looking at it again and again.

"Boss, how much is this dustpan?"

"Old man, this dustpan in your hand costs 15 cents."

Old woman: “Oh, it’s so expensive.”

"Old man, you can see that we have woven them very tightly. The one you have is the largest. Feel it with your hands."

Father Zhang demonstrated to the old woman the various advantages of the winnowing basket.

The old woman: "Can you make it cheaper? I will come to you again next time when I need it."

"How about this, old man? How about I give you two more bamboo bowls? The price is still 15 cents, and my bamboo bowls are still one cent each."

"Okay, here you go." The old woman handed Zhang's father 15 cents, took the dustpan and bowl and left.

Zhang Yunyue looked at Zhang's father and felt that he was very business-savvy, and gave him a thumbs up.

"Dad, you are awesome."

"Hey, there's nothing great about it. You just have to sell things for a long time and you'll slowly learn it."

Zhang Yunyue looked at it for a while and said to Zhang's father:

"Dad, I want to go shopping"

Zhang Xingfeng and Zhang Yunxue listened and said, "I want to go too."

Father Zhang: "Okay, you all go. Xiaohao, you just look after them. We'll be back soon."

Zhang Xinghao: "I understand, uncle. I will look after my brothers and sisters."

"Oh, by the way, I bought some salt while I was shopping, and also bought two pounds of pork fat. I'm afraid they'll be sold out when I go back later."

Father Zhang suddenly remembered his wife's instructions last night and gave Zhang Xingfeng 70 cents.

Zhang Xinghao: "Let's go, Xiaofeng, hold my sleeve and walk together, Xiaoxue, hold Yueyue's sleeve and don't let go. Yueyue, you two walk in front and we will walk behind."

Zhang Yunyue: "Okay, second brother."

Zhang Yunyue walked in front and looked at the shops on both sides of the road to see what they were selling. Most of the food on West Street was steamed buns and noodles. There were shops selling food, but they were relatively few and not big. The cloth shops mostly sold cloth that ordinary people commonly wore.

Suddenly he saw a grocery store, turned to look at Zhang Xinghao, and pointed at the grocery store.

"Brother, the grocery store is over there. We'll walk back later to buy some salt."

"Row"

As we walked, we came to East Street. "Brother, let's go for a walk along this street."

Entering East Street, the scene you see is completely different from that of West Street. East Street is more prosperous, and the shops on both sides are much taller than those on West Street. The furnishings in rouge shops, clothing shops, etc. are also more prosperous.

Although Sanhe Town is a town, it is not far from the county seat, so it is more lively than other towns under the jurisdiction of the county seat.

After strolling around East Street for a while, Zhang Yunyue had some understanding of East Street, so he returned to West Street with Zhang Xinghao and others.

Walking back to the grocery store entrance, Zhang Yunyue and the other two followed Zhang Xinghao into the grocery store.

Zhang Xinghao: "Boss, please weigh a pound of salt for me."

Grocery store owner: "Okay, I'll be right there, sir."