It's hard for my elder sister. I rely on the mountains to farm and pay off my debts.

The queue outside the city gate looked long, but it moved very quickly.

After their household registration was checked at the city gate, the three siblings were quickly allowed into the city.

As usual, Song Zhi first took her younger brother and sister-in-law to the pastry shop.

Seeing Song Zhi enter the shop, Shopkeeper Zhou immediately put down his work and went to greet her, "Madam Song, I've finally waited for you."

Song Zhi handed over the basket in her hand and asked in confusion, "What's the matter, shopkeeper?"

Shopkeeper Zhou took the basket of cakes and handed it to the waiter beside him, saying with a smile, "It's good news for my wife."

"Well, I'd like to discuss with Madam Song whether we can change the daily delivery of the Golden Jade Cake to three pounds, plus an additional two pounds for tomorrow's order, for a total of five pounds. Does Madam Song have any questions?"

Song Zhi really didn't expect that in just two days, the pastries would bring her a surprise.

In this way, her plan to repay the debt can be put back on the agenda.

Song Zhi roughly calculated the time in her mind and thought she should be able to do it, so she nodded in agreement.

When Manager Zhou saw that he agreed, he finally let go of his slightly tense heart.

He happily turned around and took out the money to pay for today's goods, and at the same time bought five pieces of jelly with Song Zhi.

In addition to sending it to the young master of the county government, he also wanted to keep two pieces for himself to try.

After finishing the transaction at the pastry shop, Song Zhi took the two children away.

As soon as they left the shop, Song Huan couldn't help but pull Song Zhi's sleeve and said excitedly, "Sister, we can make more money!"

Song An also looked at Song Zhi with bright eyes and said, "That's great. Mother will definitely be very happy when she knows."

Song Zhi couldn't help but smile.

She led her younger brother and sister-in-law to the street where they had set up their stall yesterday. From a distance, they could see that the straw hut that was still being set up yesterday was now completely completed.

The bamboo and wooden frame is covered with thatch, which provides shade and shelter from the rain. Although simple, it provides a place to stay for those who come to the city to make a living.

At this time, there were already people selling their wares at the stalls.

On the other side, at the entrance of Caoshi, a constable was issuing tickets to the people entering Caoshi.

Song Zhi led her younger brother and sister-in-law and took a few quick steps until they arrived at the entrance of Caoshi.

The people in front of them paid a penny and were allowed to enter the market to set up stalls with their bamboo signs.

When it was Song Zhi's turn, she followed the example of the people before her, handed over a penny, then took the bamboo sign and entered the grass market.

Many people come from outside the city to the county town to sell their own vegetables, but in order to save a penny, some of them choose to sell them from door to door.

The remaining people who need to set up stalls will be divided into three parts: the east, west and south of the city.

In addition, the news of canceling the entrance fee has not yet spread widely, so there is no shortage of space in Caoshi today.

As usual, Song Zhi placed the food in the same spot as yesterday. Before the guests arrived, Song Zhi said to the two children, "You guys clean up first. I'll deliver the jelly that the neighbor ordered."

After saying that, Song Zhi picked up a basket and walked next door.

When she walked out of the straw hut, Song Zhi saw the Ma couple discussing something with the young man.

Song Zhi paused slightly, wondering whether she should go back first?

Just as she hesitated, the young man in narrow-sleeved Hu clothing bowed to the Ma couple, then turned and left with a smile on his face.

Song Zhi recognized the young man as the traveling merchant who had come to her to buy jelly yesterday.

She felt a little moved and was just wondering how to start a conversation with these people, when now the opportunity came.

After seeing the person leave, Song Zhi walked over with the jelly in her hand.

She asked with a smile: "Aunt is busy?"

Seeing it was Song Zhi, Ma quickly waved her hand and said, "This is a merchant from Shuo City. He brought some livestock and wanted to know if we would accept them."

"How can the livestock from Shuocheng be sent to us for sale? Wouldn't it be closer to Yuncheng?"

"Alas, you don't know that those two places are close to the border. Wars are frequent, the roads are often blocked, and it is difficult for caravans to pass safely."

"Although Yuncheng is close, I've heard that bandits often roam the roads. Furthermore, to prevent spies from infiltrating, the government strictly checks merchants and travelers passing through. The procedures are complicated and time-consuming."

"Although the journey here is a little far, it is safer. Moreover, the county magistrate has been quite kind to foreign merchants over the past year, so transactions are naturally smoother."

"These merchants who travel all year round hear that our business taxes are low and prices are fair, so even if they take a detour to come here, they won't lose anything."

Song Zhi pretended to ask, "Then we walked all this way just to sell some livestock. Will we not even make back our money?"

Ma thought she was just inexperienced, so she led Song Zhi to her shop while explaining with a smile, "How could that be? No one can do business without talent. He sold livestock to us, and then bought tea, salt, and herbs from us. It's just a matter of how much profit he makes."

Song Zhi stopped and asked, "Do they also collect herbs?"

"Then please help me connect with someone and ask if they're willing to buy herbs. My family picked some herbs in the mountains a few days ago, but we haven't found a suitable buyer yet. If we can successfully sell them, I'll give you two cents as a reward."

Although Ma was tempted when she heard this, she reluctantly refused considering that her family still had to get jelly from the other party.

She waved her hand. "It's not a big deal. When he comes to give me the sheep, I'll ask him for you."

Seeing that the other party did not accept the money, Song Zhi did not refuse and said, "Thank you very much, Auntie!"

She thought that if the matter was successful, she could give the other party some jelly as a reward.

While talking, Ma put away the jelly sent by Song Zhi, and the two sides settled the payment and goods.

When Song Zhi put away the money and was about to leave, she thought of something else.

She paused, thought for a moment, and then reminded him, "Oh, I forgot. Herbs are different from other herbs. If they have any concerns, just tell them that the herbs have been certified by doctors and are of no worse quality than those sold in pharmacies."

"Or I'm at the market, and you can just let me know."

Seeing that Song Zhi was concerned about this matter, Ma, who was already interested in making friends with her, nodded repeatedly and said, "Don't worry, as long as they accept it, I will definitely introduce someone to you."

"Even if they don't buy it, I can find you a merchant who does. Just wait and see!"

Song Zhi smiled, thanked him and left.

In fact, Song Zhi really wanted to take action against these people. Judging from their behavior today, they did not sell the livestock immediately when they arrived, but took the trouble to exchange them with merchants.

It's obvious that this person doesn't have a fixed buyer.

It’s good not to have fixed buyers. Song Zhi can put in the effort to buy these people without being an eyesore to the pharmacy.

She is still very weak now and doesn't want to become a thorn in the eyes or a thorn in the flesh of others.

Song Zhi knew clearly that this era was not a country with a sound legal system like the modern era.

No matter whether she met aristocratic families or powerful landlords, they would make her life difficult. Therefore, before she grew up, Song Zhi did not want to compete with them.