Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

The men from both families had left, leaving only Liu with her child and Pork Dragon's wife at their respective stalls. The market was nearly empty by then. Liu invited Pork Dragon's wife to sit and chat at her stall. It was midday, and their stall was shady under a large tree. Pork Dragon's wife readily agreed, bringing her money bag with her.

The two women chatted about needlework, children, and their respective businesses. Through their conversation, Xia Yu and the others learned that Pork Dragon's surname was also Zhang, and his given name was Zhang Dalong. Because he had been selling pork there for over ten years, people who knew him nicknamed him "Pork Dragon." Surprisingly, he wasn't offended; instead, he found the nickname powerful and catchy, and sometimes even referred to himself as Pork Dragon. The woman's surname was Li, and everyone who knew her called her Sister-in-law Zhang. Liu Shi, seeing that she was older than her, also called her Sister-in-law Zhang. While the two women chatted enthusiastically, Zhang Youtie and Pork Dragon were also having a very pleasant conversation on the cart shaft. Both were eager to become friends, and after learning they were from the same clan, they were preparing to become sworn brothers.

Arriving at a small gate of the Shen residence, Pork Dragon knocked a few times. The door opened quickly, and an old woman peeked out. Seeing it was Pork Dragon, she asked with some surprise, "Pork Dragon, why are you here again? Didn't you deliver meat this morning?"

"Grandma Qian, I've come to see Steward Ding. I have some new food here, and I'd like to see if he'd like to buy some for the household." As she spoke, she stuffed a bag of melon seeds that she had bought on the way into Grandma Qian's hand.

"Wait a moment, I'll go call it for you," he said, then slammed the door shut.

Pork Dragon came over to Zhang Youtie and said, "Wait a moment, brother. Since she went to call for someone, Steward Ding must be in the mansion." As he spoke, he sat down on the shaft of the oxcart.

The two waited for less than fifteen minutes when the small door opened again, and Steward Ding hurriedly came out. Seeing Pork Dragon and the others, he only said, "Please wait for your business. I need to go to the market to buy some things." Then he told the servant who was following him to hurry up and check if the carriage was ready.

"Steward Ding, is there something important you need to buy? I just came from the market; perhaps I know if they still have what you need," Pork Dragon said solicitously.

"How could I forget about you? Wasn't there a watermelon vendor at the market today? Has he left yet?"

"Watermelon seller, do you want to buy a watermelon?" Pork Dragon asked incredulously. What a coincidence!

"Yes, do they know or not? Someone important is coming home today, and the young master heard about watermelons somewhere and started clamoring for some. Madam ordered me to buy them by any means necessary," Steward Ding said, sounding both anxious and helpless. Actually, he was anxious because at this hour, the market was practically over, and he wasn't sure he could buy a watermelon today.

"Yes, yes, yes, this is the brother who sells watermelons. I brought them to you." Seeing that he was in a hurry, Pork Dragon quickly said what he wanted to say, afraid that if he was too slow, Steward Ding would get on the carriage and run away.

As he spoke, Pork Dragon looked at Zhang Youtie, who was standing to the side: "Brother, hurry up and bring the watermelon out for Manager Ding."

Zhang Youtie was excited when he heard Steward Ding mention watermelons. Knowing he had come to the right place, and hearing Pork Dragon's words, he quickly took a large watermelon from the basket and presented it to Steward Ding.

"Manager Ding, this is a watermelon. After cutting it open, the red flesh inside is the edible part, but you have to spit out the black seeds." Zhang Youtie also told him how to eat it very efficiently.

Looking at the bright green round ball in front of him, Manager Ding was a little stunned. He was anxious to buy a watermelon, and before he even left the door, the watermelon had appeared right in front of him!

However, his reaction was only momentary. He took the watermelon and asked Zhang Youtie, "How many did you bring?"

"There are five more in the car, making a total of six including the one you have."

"Alright, alright, hurry up, you two carry the baskets and come inside with me." With that, he picked up the watermelon and walked inside.

Zhang Youtie tied the oxcart to the nearby post, and Pork Dragon smiled at Granny Qian, who was guarding the gate, and said, "Granny Qian, please watch the oxcart for my brother. I'll bring you some melon seeds next time I come."

"Okay, okay, you guys hurry up and follow Steward Ding inside. I'll keep an eye on things for you."

Zhang Youtie and Zhu Roulong carried a large basket of watermelons, following behind Steward Ding, and delivered the watermelons into the Shen family's main kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen, Steward Ding waved to a woman in her forties or fifties, saying, "Aunt Niu, cut this melon open."

"Manager Ding, what is this?" Aunt Niu asked curiously.

"Stop asking questions, cut it open first, let me see," Steward Ding instructed.

Zhang Youtie gestured with his hands to show how to cut it, and Aunt Niu took the knife and cut it according to Zhang Youtie's instructions. Like all the melons before, the skin was thin and brittle, and the melon split open as soon as Aunt Niu applied force.

Looking at the bright red flesh inside, the delicate fragrance wafting to his nose pleased Steward Ding. Aunt Niu cut the watermelon into chunks, and Steward Ding reached out and took a piece to taste. "Hmm, not bad, this should be what the young master wanted. Aunt Niu, quickly get two white porcelain plates and bring them up with me."

Then he said to Pork Dragon and Zhang Youtie, "You two wait for me at the side gate for a while, I'll settle the bill for you."

After saying that, he asked Aunt Niu to carry a tray with two plates of watermelon on it, and then he helped her serve it to the guests.

This wasn't the first time Pork Dragon had come to the Shen family's kitchen. It was right next to the side gate, and after hearing what Steward Ding said, he led Zhang Youtie out of the Shen family's house by the same route.

"Hey, Pork Dragon, you've really done Steward Ding a big favor today. Maybe Madam will even reward you." Granny Qian from the side gate chatted with Pork Dragon and the others while cracking melon seeds. After speaking, she looked at Zhang Youtie and said, "This brother is also lucky. If my lady takes a fancy to the melons you grow, you won't have to go to the market to sell them little by little anymore. Our Shen family can buy them all for you."

"Thank you for lending me the money, madam. I hope you'll take a liking to our watermelons," Zhang Youtie said politely to the old woman in front of him.