The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

"Translator Chen, you've arrived just in time!" Tang Youyou quickly stood up to greet him, "I was just worrying about this. Come in and have a seat and a cup of hot tea."

Translator Chen followed Tang Youyou into the house. Tang Wan and Tang Jin also gathered around curiously. Only Tang Xiaoya was still holding her beloved stuffed tiger and playing by herself.

"Boss Hai mentioned at the banquet that he's very interested in Tang Dynasty silk and porcelain, but there's currently an oversupply of these goods on the market, and the prices are relatively transparent," Translator Chen said slowly, taking a sip of hot tea. "He also said that the locals value practicality more, and if we could offer some novel and practical products, perhaps we could boost sales."

"Novel and practical..." Tang Youyou pondered for a moment and asked, "Translator Chen, you are more familiar with the local situation. Do you have any good suggestions?"

Translator Chen thought for a moment and said, "From what I've observed, the locals really like coconuts. They use them for food, to extract oil, and even make various daily necessities from the shells. If we could introduce coconut processing technology to the Tang Dynasty, there might be good market prospects."

"Coconut processing technology..." Tang Youyou's eyes lit up. This was indeed a novel idea. "Translator Chen, can you introduce me to Boss Hai? I want to talk to him in detail."

"No problem, leave it to me." Translator Chen agreed readily.

Over the next few days, Tang Wan and Tang Jin, accompanied by translator Chen, walked the streets and conducted market research. They learned the local language, observed the local people's living habits, and worked hard to find business opportunities.

"Hello, how much is this?" Tang Wan pointed to a wooden sculpture on the stall and asked in the local language, which she was not very fluent in.

The stall owner was a kind old lady. She didn't understand what Tang Wan said, so she just smiled and waved her hand.

"Sister, let me try." Tang Jin squeezed to the front and imitated the pronunciation taught to him by translator Chen, stumbling over a sentence in the local language.

The old lady finally understood. She smiled and gestured a number, and Tang Jin immediately understood what she meant.

"Sister, she said it's only five copper coins." Tang Jin said excitedly, "The prices here are much cheaper than ours!"

Tang Wan looked at her brother with relief. Although they didn't speak the same language, they still tried hard to integrate into local life and look for a breakthrough.

As the sun set, Tang Youyou brought the children back to the inn, "Mom, guess what I saw at school today?" Tang Xiaoya excitedly threw herself into Tang Youyou's arms, "I saw..."

"Mom, guess what I saw at school today?" Tang Xiaoya excitedly threw herself into Tang Youyou's arms, "I saw them making toys out of coconut shells, they were so fun! And..."

Tang Xiaoya talked incessantly about what she had seen and heard at school, from the strange plants to the games of the local children, every detail was new to Tang Youyou.

"They can also use something called palm leaves to weave into various shapes, small animals, small hats, anything!" Tang Xiaoya said, imitating the weaving movements of local children.

Tang Youyou looked at her daughter's excited expression, and her heart moved. "Xiaoya, can you take me to see those woven products?"

The next day, Tang Youyou, led by Tang Xiaoya, came to a local handicraft workshop. Inside the workshop, several skilled women were weaving various exquisite items with palm leaves. Tang Youyou was deeply attracted by their dexterous craftsmanship and creative designs.

A bold idea emerged in Tang Youyou's mind: What kind of wonderful effect would be produced if the exquisite silk of the Tang Dynasty could be combined with the unique local palm leaf weaving craftsmanship?

She immediately found the person in charge of the workshop and expressed her idea. The person in charge was an elderly man. Although he was curious about Tang Youyou's idea, he was also full of doubts about this combination that had never been tried before.

"Your idea is very creative, Madam, but we have never tried to combine palm leaves with silk. I am worried..." The old man looked embarrassed.

"We can try it first. I believe that as long as we find the right combination, we will be able to create a unique and exquisite work." Tang Youyou said confidently.

At Tang Youyou's insistence, the old man agreed to try to cooperate. However, perfectly combining two completely different materials was much more difficult than imagined.

"Madam, silk is too soft and difficult to fix on the palm leaves..." After several attempts, the old man shook his head helplessly.

Tang Youyou did not give up. She encouraged the elders and craftsmen to try boldly and personally participated in the design and production.

"Perhaps we can try using a thinner thread..."

"Try cutting the silk into different shapes and wrapping them with palm leaves..."

In the workshop, Tang Youyou and the craftsmen kept trying various methods, failing again and again, but they never gave up.

Late at night, the light in Tang Youyou's room was still on. She carefully studied the sample in her hand, her brows furrowed, "Where exactly is the problem..."

Tang Youyou, with dark circles under her eyes, handed the newly revised pattern to the old man, "Do you think this is okay? Cut the silk into thin threads and weave them into palm leaves. This way, you can show the softness of the silk while ensuring the strength of the work." The old man looked at it carefully, and a glimmer of light shone through his cloudy eyes. "Okay, let's try it according to your idea!"

After several attempts, the first handicraft combining silk and palm leaves was finally born. With its unique shape and bright colors, it retains the original charm of palm leaves while adding the luxurious temperament of silk, which is eye-catching.

Tang Youyou brought samples and began visiting local shops. However, most merchants were hesitant about this novel handicraft. "This thing looks good, but it's too expensive. Who would buy it?" Boss Hai, the largest local handicraft merchant, looked at the samples Tang Youyou brought with disdain.

Faced with the doubts, Tang Youyou remained neither humble nor overbearing. "Boss Hai, the value of my work lies in its quality and innovation. Look at this silk, it's all top-quality goods, and the weaving craftsmanship is truly ingenious. I believe that those who know the goods will appreciate its value." Tang Youyou's confident smile and sincere explanation gradually impressed Boss Hai. He decided to try importing some to see the market reaction.

Tang Youyou didn't stop there. She keenly realized that the local area was about to usher in an important festival. This was a great opportunity for publicity! She decided to hold a large-scale handicraft exhibition to promote this new type of handicraft that combined exotic styles to a wider market.

"Mom, are you really going to hold an exhibition?" Tang Wan looked at her excited mother, her eyes filled with worry. "But we're unfamiliar with this place. How can we hold a successful exhibition?"

Tang Youyou patted her daughter's head and said, "Don't worry, there are always more solutions than problems! I have found a suitable venue..."

Before Tang Youyou finished speaking, there was a sudden and urgent knock on the door, "Mrs. Tang, something bad has happened!"

Translator Chen rushed in, sweating and breathless. "Mrs. Tang, this is bad! The venue we rented has been... taken away by someone!"

"What?!" Tang Youyou's face changed and the teacup in her hand almost fell to the ground.

It turned out that a local wealthy businessman had taken a fancy to the venue that Tang Youyou had rented, and he took advantage of his power to forcefully demand the lease. The venue manager, intimidated by the wealthy businessman's power, had no choice but to sublet the venue Tang Youyou had reserved.

"This is outrageous! We have clearly signed an agreement!" Tang Wan was filled with anger, her delicate face full of rage.

Tang Youyou took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, "Translator Chen, let's go to the venue now and find out what happened."

When they arrived at the venue, they saw that a high platform had been built in the originally empty space, and a group of craftsmen were busy setting up decorations, creating a scene of bustling activity.

"Who are you? Who allowed you to work here?" Although Tang Jin was young, he could see that something was wrong and asked with his chest puffed out.

A fat, big-eared man walked over and sized up Tang Youyou and the others with his squinting eyes. "Who are you? Do you know whose territory this is?"

Translator Chen quickly stepped forward to explain, "This is Mrs. Tang. We've already rented this venue..."

"Rented? How come I didn't know?" The obese man interrupted Chen the translator with disdain. "I've rented this place now. You guys should leave quickly and don't delay me!"

"You..." Tang Wan was so angry that she couldn't speak.

Tang Youyou held her daughter and said calmly to the obese man, "Sir, we have indeed signed a lease agreement. If you need to use the venue, we can negotiate, but you can't just occupy it by force, right?"

"Negotiate? What's there to negotiate with you?" The fat man sneered. "I'm telling you, today, you have to use this place, whether you want to or not! Get out of here now, if you know what's good for you, before I send someone to kick you out!"

Tang Youyou looked at the rude and unreasonable man in front of her, her heart filled with a sense of powerlessness. In this unfamiliar place, unable to speak the language, and without any relatives, she felt for the first time a deep sense of loneliness and helplessness.

What should I do? Should I just give up?

Tang Youyou tightly grasped the blueprint in her hand, a glimmer of determination flashing in her eyes. No, she couldn't just give up like this, she had to find a solution!

At this moment, Tang Youyou suddenly thought of someone...