Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

The melon-selling line was slowly growing longer when, at some point, an argument broke out at the end of the line. The noise grew louder and louder, and Zhang Youtie, Old Master Zhang, and the village chief, who were talking inside the house, all heard it.

"What's going on here?" Just as the group got up to go out and check, Zhao Mancang came running in.

"Mancang, what's all the noise outside?" Zhang Youtie asked.

"Sir, at the back of the line, there are a few people who took away watermelons yesterday and came back to sell them today. They're arguing with the villagers."

Hearing Zhao Mancang's words, the people in the room were puzzled and looked at each other, not knowing why.

"Why?" the three of them asked Zhao Mancang in unison.

"I just heard that man say that the melon buyers in town only buy melons weighing eight jin or more; they won't take the smaller ones. So those people sell all the big melons to out-of-town buyers, and bring the smaller melons that the buyers don't want here." After saying this, seeing the incredulous looks on the faces of the people around him, he continued...

"A few people from our village who were queuing behind heard them say that and thought it was shameless, so an argument broke out. But now, the villagers have pulled them apart. Uncle Ma sent me over to ask the master what he meant."

Hearing Zhao Mancang's words, Old Master Zhang was so angry that the veins on his forehead throbbed. He felt those people were bullying him too much. However, he couldn't speak up right now. He didn't know what kind of agreement his son had signed with the Shen family, and he was worried that if they didn't get enough watermelons, it would affect the Shen family's business. In that case, the Shen family would blame his son's family.

The village chief stood by, saying nothing. He looked at Zhang Youtie, waiting for him to make a decision.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Youtie said, "Let them line up first. I reckon Steward Qin will be here soon. After all, these watermelons were purchased with money from the Shen family. Whether these people want their watermelons or not is up to the Shen family." Only then did he realize that his earlier act of returning the watermelons without permission was inappropriate; he should have consulted the Shen family first and let them make the decision. He secretly regretted his inappropriate actions.

Zhang Youtie didn't have to wait long before Manager Qin arrived with an oxcart. Seeing the long line of people selling melons, he was quite surprised.

After parking the convoy behind the melon-selling team, Xiao Qin had already brought people to find Zhang Youtie.

"Brother Zhang, what's going on outside? Why are there so many people selling melons?"

Zhang Youtie looked at the noisy crowd outside and replied.

"Among them are some brothers from the village. They came over last night. They learned that you were coming to pick up watermelons today, but only about 4,000 jin were left in the yard after others had already taken them yesterday. They were worried that it would affect the Shen family's business, so they went to their own fields early this morning to pick all the ripe watermelons and brought them over. The price will still be the same as the price set by the Shen family."

After pausing, he continued, "Some of them were from watermelons we sold in town yesterday. We learned that the merchants there only accept watermelons weighing eight jin or more, and not those under eight jin. So they sold all the large watermelons to the merchants in town, and brought the smaller ones here. I was just about to tell you about this when Manager Qin arrives. Do you think we should still accept these watermelons?"

After listening to Zhang Youtie's words, Manager Qin only frowned slightly before speaking.

“Brother Zhang, I reported what happened here to Madam yesterday. Madam’s idea is that it doesn’t matter if there are more or less watermelons, as long as we collect enough of the ones sent to the palace. We can collect as many as we can of the others, but we won’t insist. In addition, Madam also said something…” Steward Qin looked up at the village chief and Old Master Zhang standing in the room before continuing.

"Madam said that the Shen family will no longer cooperate with those who came to return watermelons yesterday or demand additional payment. We need Brother Zhang to provide a list of the villagers who voluntarily delivered watermelons today. After all, the watermelons from our Zhangjia Village are tribute watermelons personally designated by the Emperor. The quality of these watermelons must be controlled, and the character of the watermelon growers is also very important."

After hearing what Manager Qin said, Old Master Zhang and the village chief in the room were dumbfounded. What had they just heard? Had they misheard?

"Manager Qin, you just said that the melons from our Zhangjia Village are tribute items? Is that true?" The village chief asked excitedly, grabbing Manager Qin's arm.

"You heard me right, sir! Do you think I'd just say that? My master sent word that the nobles in the palace really love our melons. The Emperor has ordered the Shen family to handle the annual shipment of watermelons to the palace, and he specifically requested melons from Zhangjia Village. Uncle Village Chief, congratulations!" He then looked at the people queuing outside and addressed the group inside.

"Only a few of us know about this right now, and I hope everyone will keep quiet about it. I'd like to put on a play later to see how many honest people there are in our village."

“Alright, alright, we definitely won’t tell anyone. But I wonder what kind of show Manager Qin is going to put on?” Old Master Zhang assured him first.

Manager Qin simply smiled and didn't explain what he would do. Zhangjia Village wasn't small, and countless people remembered the kindness the Zhang family had shown them. If the Zhang family were in trouble, countless people would be willing to come out and help. This could be seen as another opportunity given to the other villagers by the Shen family.

Manager Qin didn't bring many people this time, but they would still have lunch here, knowing that people would be coming today. After breakfast, Aunt Ma and her people started preparing the meal. The lunch was as plentiful as the previous times.

With Manager Qin's words, Zhang Youtie, Old Master Zhang, the village chief, and the others felt much more at ease. The thought of their watermelons becoming tribute items filled them with undisguised joy.

The number of people selling watermelons outside is constantly increasing, including not only those from other villages but also those from our own village. Uncle Ma neither said he would accept their offerings nor refused them. This was because it wasn't a decision the Zhang family could make; it required the approval of Steward Qin from the Shen family. However, Steward Qin was currently busy and didn't have time to deal with such matters; you just need to wait.

The villagers were alright; they took turns queuing up for lunch. But the people from other villages were suffering. They thought they could go back soon, but they waited here all morning, and the Shen family still hadn't said whether they would accept them or not.

While eating, they saw the coachmen and servants from the Qin family, each carrying a bowl and a few steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and water, their bowls brimming with meat and vegetables. After eating, there was watermelon to cool them down. Those standing in the sun felt even thirstier and hungrier, their stomachs rumbling. Some were so hungry they wanted to open a watermelon, but remembering that even the smallest one would cost several tens of coins, they reluctantly picked it up and put it back down.

However, they didn't go hungry for long. Soon, someone from Zhangjia Village came selling flatbreads with a basket. A flatbread made from two kinds of flour cost three coins, which was quite expensive. In town, a large meat bun only cost three coins, and it contained meat filling and was made from wheat flour. Now, a flatbread made from two kinds of flour cost three coins, which could buy a pound of cornmeal.

Many people were dissatisfied, complaining that it was too expensive and asking for a discount. Li Xiaomiao, carrying her basket, ignored them and continued hawking her wares. She said hers contained sesame oil pastries, which smelled wonderful.

Soon, some people couldn't bear the hunger any longer, stopped Li Xiaomiao, and took out three coins to buy a pancake. Every beginning is difficult, but with the first person taking the lead, selling the rest became much easier. In no time, the thirty pancakes Li Xiaomiao had brought were sold out, and even so, some people still hadn't bought any.