56 Starting to Earn Money
It was especially true for parents with younger children. The townsfolk wanted to bring some delicious food home for their children.
However, the candied chestnuts cost ten coins per pound, which was a little expensive. The townsfolk would consider buying some if they could be cheaper.
Su Binglan knew one could not be too rigid in business and had to be flexible, so she said smilingly, “I put quite a bit of sugar into these chestnuts to get that sweet flavor. I’m sure you all know how expensive sugar is, so I hope you can all understand that we must consider the cost of making these candied chestnuts. How about I give you some extra as a gift? I can give you two and a half pounds.”
The townsfolk knew it was more cost-effective that way. It would be a bargain to receive some extra as a gift, the equivalent of saving five coins.
“Okay, I’ll take two pounds of these delicious candied chestnuts for now.”
“All right, one moment. I’ll weigh the chestnuts right away.”
Su Binglan used her hands to load the chestnuts onto the scale until they weighed two and a half pounds. She would accurately load the scale with precisely two and a half pounds of chestnuts.
Meanwhile, Liu Yinyin was shocked as she watched from the sidelines. ‘How is Binglan doing that?!’
If Liu Yinyin were to weigh the chestnuts, she would have to adjust as she went. She would have to remove some if they were too much and add some if they were too little.
However, Su Binglan did not need to do that. She could store two and a half pounds of chestnuts without adjusting the ratio, saving time.
Su Binglan talked to the townsfolk as she packed the chestnuts. Then she would tell Liu Yinyin to collect the money. Su Binglan decided to let Liu Yinyin collect the money because she knew Liu Yinyin was meticulous in her accounting and would not make mistakes.
After that, Su Binglan taught Liu Yinyin a modern accounting method.
When night fell, more people came to the night market. Su Binglan and Liu Yinyin sold two large baskets of chestnuts very quickly. The duo sold more than fifty pounds of candied chestnuts, making four hundred yuan.
Liu Yinyin held the money bag in her hand, which felt heavy. She was excited because she knew they could earn almost eight hundred yuan if they sold another basket of candied chestnuts.
They still had some chestnuts at home, and if they sold them tomorrow, they could earn more than one tael of silver.
The people of that era might not even earn one tael of silver a year even if they planted crops.
Liu Yinyin was so excited that her eyes shone as she looked at Su Binglan admiringly. She felt her sister-in-law was genuinely incredible and even had a way with words.
Several townsfolk didn’t want to buy the chestnuts because they were too expensive, but they changed their minds when Su Binglan persuaded them. Liu Yinyin longed for that sense of eloquence but wouldn’t say it.
Meanwhile, Su Binglan was thrilled with what she did because she found it novel. Moreover, earning money through her labor was an exciting and meaningful thing. She felt accomplished.
Then Su Binglan said, “Just watch and learn for now, okay, Sister-in-law? When Big Brother returns soon, you can help him set up this stall and sell whatever you want to earn money. Your days will get better once you make a fixed income.”
Liu Yinyin choked up. She never dared to think about these things in the past. But she became more courageous and excited about the future when she heard Su Binglan’s words.
“T-Thank you, Binglan.”
“You don’t have to say thank you, Sister-in-law. Our family will only improve if we work together!” Su Binglan said, arms akimbo.
…
Su Binglan was about to continue speaking when she heard someone speaking.
“A-Are you Su Binglan?”
Su Binglan heard a woman’s voice and raised her head to look. She saw a young girl wearing orange clothes before her.
The young girl stared at Su Binglan with widened eyes and a shocked expression. The young girl was in disbelief.
Su Binglan looked at the young girl and did not recognize who she was for a moment. Su Binglan asked frowningly, “H-How do you know me?”