Ch 65: Reborn to Raise My Husband

The next day, after breakfast, Qi Beinan went into the study.

When they had returned to the estate some days ago, he had taken the account books back with him. Yesterday had been occupied with hosting guests, so he had not yet found time to review them.

This morning, as he opened the book, the most recent entries were crude and the handwriting sloppy. Compared with the earlier pages, where the writing was neat and the accounts orderly and clear, it was like night and day.

The ledgers from the previous months had all been managed by Xiao Yuanbao. Once they moved into the city, the bookkeeping naturally fell to Xiao Hu.

It was no wonder the records were messy. Xiao Hu barely knew his characters; the fact he could write down the figures at all was already commendable. Fortunately, the numbers themselves were accurate—otherwise there would have been nothing legible to review.

With the two literate members of the family now in the city, the plan had been to train Tienan to manage the books. But he was not yet ready.

Thus, Qi Beinan had no choice but to shoulder the trouble, going through the accounts once every half a month or so.

He sorted out the few entries recorded by Xiao Hu, then reviewed the earlier pages.

Since the year when Xiao Yuanbao could calculate sums mentally, Qi Beinan had left the ledgers entirely in his hands. Xiao Yuanbao had managed allowances for the household and purchased supplies without fault.

Going over the books, Qi Beinan found no unclear or muddled accounts.

There were only three close family members, all trusting each other. With the ledgers kept openly, every major income and expense was written down.

Only some scattered small earnings were not recorded—after all, everyone needed a bit of private money.

Qi Beinan pulled out the abacus and made his calculations. At present, the family had one hundred and thirty guan of money in the accounts.

Two years ago, they had purchased five mu of thin farmland, and aside from that, there had been no other large expenses. This had allowed some savings to accumulate.

Originally, there had been over three hundred guan, but two hundred had been spent on the city residence.

Still, this year’s autumn harvest income had not yet been counted. Beyond the fields’ grain, the estate’s chickens, ducks, and rabbits were all plump and ready for sale.

The pigs raised since last winter could yield four head, and two sheep besides.

When autumn passed and families held many affairs in the cool clear season, these animals would sell well.

Qi Beinan quickly tallied—about one hundred guan could be expected.

Additionally, Tian Ken’s cultivated mushrooms had only just come into the market, yet already seven or eight city households had set orders. Not a single extra remained to be hawked at the marketplace.

Mushrooms had always been a delicacy without a steady supply. One jin could fetch seventy to eighty coins, and dried mushrooms surpassed a hundred.

The wealthy households who regularly bought produce from their estate knew the price was steep, yet still ordered ten jin at a time.

The reason was simple: mushrooms were rare. Buying them was not only for the taste, but also for gifting—packaged in boxes, they made impressive presents.

Just yesterday, when classmates had come to the house for wine, Qi Beinan had packed some for each of them to take home.

Already, demand exceeded supply—and that was with only a handful of connections opened. Word of mouth would only multiply the buyers.

Yet Tian Ken, though he had mastered the method of cultivation, was in his first season. Production was limited.

After selling two or three batches, the season suitable for mushroom growth would end, and only next year would there be more.

Thus, after fulfilling the current orders, the second crop would have to be sold at a higher price.

Next year, they could prepare earlier, cultivate in greater volume, and then lower the price again.

This year’s added income was wholly due to Tian Ken’s efforts.

Previously, Xiao Yuanbao had asked how they should reward Tian Ken, and Qi Beinan had seriously prepared a reward.

Silver was, of course, essential—ten guan were given to Tian Ken.

Beyond that, Qi Beinan had asked classmates, teachers, and bookshops, collecting four volumes on farming and cultivation, and presented them as well.

Books had always been precious. When Qi Beinan had first come to the village, even asking Zhao Lizheng for help to borrow a few volumes had been difficult. For common farmers, acquiring books was near impossible.

These agricultural texts had been acquired through personal connections—money alone could not have bought them.

For Tian Ken, perhaps they were not immediately useful, but if he learned more characters and could read them thoroughly, their worth would show.

Finishing the calculations, Qi Beinan leaned back in his chair.

Outside the window, osmanthus blossoms bloomed in clusters, fragrant and abundant.

Yet his mind turned to the thin household funds. Though one hundred and thirty guan was no small sum for ordinary families, it was still far from enough to achieve greater ambitions.

For households with weak foundations, hoping to rise within a single generation was a grueling task.

From their village estate and farmlands, to the residence in town, each step forward had required draining nearly every coin they had.

Fortunately, the past few years had been smooth, without great upheavals—otherwise, how could they now have nearly a hundred guan in annual income?

Had this year’s provincial exam not been postponed, and Qi Beinan sat as scheduled, he would have earned exemption from autumn taxes. That alone would have freed thirty guan more.

With peace in the realm and the people settled, the population had visibly grown.

In recent years, Linzhou had demolished two old, crumbling neighborhoods from decades past. With their collapsed walls and broken tiles, many families had already moved out.

Now that the state treasury was flush, the prefecture planned to rebuild those lands, opening many new storefronts.

Soon, the court would issue new laws: curfews would be lifted, and trade permitted all night long.

With the court easing restrictions on merchants, commerce would inevitably flourish.

As more people turned to trade, shopfronts would naturally become more valuable.

If they could purchase shops ahead of time, even if the family did not run businesses themselves or had no need for so many, simply leasing them out would bring considerable income.

Collecting rent was in fact faster and easier than managing enterprises.

The condition, however, was having the silver to buy those shops in advance.

At present, newly built shops in Linzhou were still cheap. For one, the demolished neighborhoods were not in the city’s busiest districts; for another, merchants did not yet know that the court would lift the curfew.

Even so, cheap as they were, the prices of shops in a prefectural city could never match those in small counties.

With the household’s current accounts, they could only afford two small shops, each about the size of a village inner room.

But if they bought before the construction was completed, the price would drop further—ten guan less per shop was not unusual.

When Qi Beinan had taken office in Linzhou, the shops had already been finished, and the laws issued.

That newly built district had become a lively night market, and shop prices had risen two or threefold.

Reviewing records of past prefects, Qi Beinan noted this project listed among their achievements.

Thus, he not only knew the affairs of his own term, but also major works from before.

Qi Beinan wished to ride this new wave, to lay down more foundation for the household’s future.

Serving as an official was prestigious, yes, but without abuse of power or family wealth behind him, daily life could still be meager.

He remembered well that after first entering officialdom, his purse had been thin.

His father’s and his own savings had long been consumed through years of travel and study.

Only after he passed the licentiate exam had he managed to build a few modest sources of income, enough that money no longer flowed out without replenishment.

Later, when he became a juren, stipends followed, and his income grew.

Those were better days, when a little savings began to build.

But then came higher examinations, and afterward taking Xiao Yuanbao into his household, the marriage…

That had cost a great sum, leaving little left over.

After the wedding, when he first took office in Linzhou, he was not a prefectural official and thus had no right to a government residence.

Technically, he could have lived in one of the court-owned houses, but the prefect had denied him, treating him unfairly.

So he had been forced to rent lodgings outside. Though the court gave small subsidies, much still came from his own pocket.

And as an official, appearances mattered; he had needed to keep two servants to tend the household, to receive and serve guests.

Even without paying land tax, monthly expenses piled high. Without family estates or supplemental income, the stipend alone had made their lives tight.

At that time, Qi Beinan had been overwhelmed by official duties, with no time to manage business.

Xiao Yuanbao, unable to read much, had even less understanding of trade.

The household had lived in hardship for several years, until he rose steadily, with higher stipends and greater rewards, easing their life at last.

In those days, he too had carried the pride of a scholar—believing that as long as they ate and clothed themselves, there was no need to pursue wealth or status.

But he had not known how hard it was for Xiao Yuanbao, who managed the household.

Gifts could not be refused outright, yet accepting them meant returning something of equal or greater value.

With their limited stores, Xiao Yuanbao had lacked the means to reciprocate with finer gifts, nor had the cleverness to compensate with thoughtful tokens suited to people’s tastes.

He had feared socializing—every meeting led to obligations they could not afford.

Over time, the wives of other officials had come to see him as small-minded, overly aloof, and had ceased including him.

Thus cut off from those circles, gossip followed.

After years at court, Qi Beinan had seen too many such stories: men of humble birth who, lacking wealth, were lured by profit, committed errors, broke the law.

Some faced demotion, others exile.

Life could grow so tight that families ate nothing but cabbage and radish, had no ice in summer, no coal in winter.

And seeing colleagues dining on meat served in silver dishes—how many could hold fast to their integrity?

This time, reborn, Qi Beinan did not wish to face such trials again.

If they could secure assets early, they could spare themselves endless troubles. The family would live easier, and he too could breathe more freely.

“Something wrong with the accounts?”

Xiao Yuanbao entered the study, carrying four crabs, and found Qi Beinan leaning in thought against his chair.

Qi Beinan gathered himself. “No, everything is already in order.”

Xiao Yuanbao set the crabs before him, along with a dish of fragrant vinegar.

“These crabs that Xin Ge’er brought are so fat. I shelled two for you. I couldn’t manage the eight tools well, and the three I tried came out a mess, so I ate them myself.

Even so, the taste doesn’t change—it’s truly delicious. No wonder they sell outside for nearly the price of gold.”

Qi Beinan chuckled and accepted one. The roe was rich, the meat tender.

“Looking at the accounts, I was just thinking how to bring in more income.”

Xiao Yuanbao raised a brow. “Doesn’t the family now earn a hundred guan each year? Brother still thinks that’s not enough?”

“In the village, that would make us one of the top households. But I’ve heard news that Linzhou has fine new shopfronts. I mean to buy a few.”

Qi Beinan did not hide anything from Xiao Yuanbao, and told him directly what was on his mind.

“There are still many empty shops in our county town.”

Xiao Yuanbao asked, “Brother, when you buy shops, do you mean to run businesses ourselves, or only to lease them out for rent? If the former, that is fine. But if the latter, judging from Yiling County’s situation, steady rent may not be so certain.”

A faint smile rose in Qi Beinan’s eyes. “The fact that you can think of this shows you’ve been carefully observing the conditions in the county.”

“But the prefectural city is not the same as the county. And what I have is solid news—leasing money will surely be collected.”

Xiao Yuanbao hesitated. Since Brother spoke so firmly, it surely would not be wrong. Besides, he himself had never been to the prefectural city and did not know what things were like there.

But hearing of a way to earn money, his eyes still lit up. “If it’s really so, then we must save some silver to buy a few shops.”

Qi Beinan chuckled and called him a little money-grubber.

Two days later, Qi Beinan went to a tea room in the marketplace and summoned a runner, one of those so-called “know-it-all errand men.”

Before speaking, Qi Beinan first rewarded him with ten coins and ordered a cup of tea.

The man was a young fellow, just past twenty, with a small black mole on the tip of his nose. His eyes flickered when he saw Qi Beinan, and he quickly gave thanks for the reward.

“Sir, whatever you wish to ask, please do. Not only for the reward, but out of old acquaintance—I will speak openly.”

Qi Beinan laughed. “Old acquaintance?”

The runner replied, “I do not mean to presume, sir, but perhaps you do not remember me. Yet I truly have met you once before.”

Qi Beinan grew interested. “Then tell me. What old acquaintance is this?”

The runner said, “Years ago, when I was still young, I once showed you the way in the bustling Four Directions Street market. You had a young ge’er with you, and you were looking for Baichun Hall. When the matter was done, you even gave me two coins as thanks. Does sir recall this?”

Qi Beinan smiled. He had not expected it, but indeed there had been such an encounter. That had been nine years ago, when he took Xiao Bao to Baichun Hall for a consultation.

“To remember a single meeting after so many years—that is quite a memory.”

The runner bowed. “It is not that I have such memory, sir. Rather, your appearance is so fine and clear. Even though nearly a decade has passed, your bearing has only grown.”

Qi Beinan thought that the man must be diligent and persistent indeed, to labor at the same trade for ten years and rise from a common runner to a trusted “know-it-all.”

“Since we are old acquaintances, I shall speak plainly. Has the city recently seen merchants traveling out of town?”

“There have,” the man replied. “There are two large merchant caravans and three smaller ones. As for peddlers in groups of three to five, they are too many to count.”

“And what trade do these five caravans deal in?”

The runner explained: “The large caravans—one belongs to Master Ming’s household, dealing in timber. The other belongs to the Mu family, dealing in silks, cloth, tea, and other luxury goods.

“As for the three small caravans—those are run by the Xiong, Du, and Liang families. They have no set specialty. Mostly, they stockpile the best fresh goods from the county and carry them to other regions to sell; on the return, they bring back edibles and necessities from outside.

“If sir wishes to have things carried back by caravans, both large and small will take such work. They keep special boxes to hold such items.

“The large caravans are steady and reliable, but their price is high. The small caravans are riskier, but cheaper.”

Qi Beinan asked, “And among these, which ones are most reputable and trustworthy?”

The runner answered, “The Ming and Mu families are among the county’s foremost merchants. Their reputations have always been solid. Among the smaller caravans, the Xiong and Liang families often return with lawsuits—though resolved, their names are not so clean. The Du family, however, is considered reputable.”

Qi Beinan nodded in understanding.

He further asked about the routes of the Ming, Mu, and Du caravans, and after hearing them, had a clear sense of matters.

“Go privately to the Mu and Du families’ caravans for me.”

Qi Beinan leaned in and spoke a few quiet instructions, then gave the runner half a tael of silver.

The man readily agreed. “Rest assured, sir, I will see this matter well done.”

Leaving the tea house, Qi Beinan did not go home, but made a trip to the Ming family.

This was not a matter of any grand or profound business. It was simply a matter of knowing some news in advance—knowing where good things could be found.

He intended to partner with the caravans, to sell them information, and from this earn profit.

If he had his own caravan, the earnings could be even greater.

But that was like the matter of hoarding ice—without the capital, manpower, or resources, there was no way to enter such trade.

Moreover, caravan work was not easy. Routes, dealings with both the underworld and the authorities, connections in foreign markets—none of it simple.

Without courage, wealth, and generations of experience, common men who tried this trade found only death.

So attaching himself to existing caravans for small profits was far safer than striking out alone.

Still, though the plan was sound, he had no ties to these merchant families. How would they so easily agree to cooperate?

His official standing gave him some credibility, but he could not openly use it.

Thus, he had little hope for the Mu or Du families.

The Ming family, however—through old ties, and from years of understanding Ming Da’s character—there, Qi Beinan felt he could speak directly.

Indeed, the Ming family seemed the most likely to come to an agreement.

“It has been some days since I last saw Qi Langjun. No doubt you have been occupied with studies, for next year you must sit the provincial examination.”

Ming Da was busy with preparations for his merchant caravan’s departure, yet upon hearing that Qi Beinan had come, he still made time to see him.

Qi Beinan exchanged a few polite words, but knowing Ming Da was busy, he quickly came to the point. “I hear Master Ming’s caravan is soon to set out.”

“Exactly so. This time we head north and then west, making a wide circuit before returning. We will pass through three prefectures. If there is anything Qi Langjun wishes brought back, I shall order the caravan to fetch it for you.”

Qi Beinan said, “Master Ming is most generous. I recently came upon a lead in timber trade and at once thought of you, hence I came today.”

Ming Da brightened, asking what business it was.

Qi Beinan revealed some of the information. There was a remote place where the forest was not thick, yet the coffin-timber was excellent, and the price very cheap. Nowadays, in many regions the cost of such timber rose year after year; if this place’s coffin-timber could be resold, it would surely bring great profit.

When Ming Da heard this, his eyes showed surprise, though not delight. He said, “Qi Langjun, do you mean Linghua Ridge to the west? Our caravan is already bound for that very place.”

Qi Beinan’s heart gave a slight jolt. Truly, the Ming family’s information on timber was remarkably sharp. Linghua Ridge was a remote frontier district, known to very few. The coffin-timber trade there had only just begun. Yet Ming Da already knew.

“So it seems I was only showing off,” Qi Beinan laughed. “Master Ming’s information is truly superior.”

Ming Da waved a hand. “Not at all. I only learned of it recently myself. My forebears worked in this trade for many years and built up much connection. Thus my news is sometimes a little faster. But for you to know of timber trade in such detail—that is rare indeed.”

He spoke frankly, and his respect for Qi Beinan deepened.

“Though this business may not work out, our caravan this year is not limited to timber alone. We also trade in tea, silk, and porcelain. To speak plainly, our family’s ventures beyond timber have never flourished, and I am worried. Qi Langjun, with your information, should you have any leads, there is surely business to be made.”

Qi Beinan bowed. “If I obtain such leads, I shall surely make business with Master Ming.”

He stayed only long enough for a cup of tea, then left the Ming residence.

That the easiest business to pursue had not come through surprised Qi Beinan, though he also considered it a path kept in reserve.

If negotiations with the other two caravans failed, he could still sell the silk trade he knew of to the Ming family.

The errand-runner was quick in his work. Early the next morning, he returned with news.

˙✧˖°🎓 ༘⋆｡ ˚