Ch 17: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

The next day, Zhao Ru and Jiang Xia went to town to sell the clothes, and Jiang Ji went along. He planned to check the local prices for seeds, buy a book for Jiang Yan, and look for materials he could use to improve the latrine.

He really couldn’t stand that latrine anymore—but it wasn’t exactly proper for him to keep slipping off to the woods either.

Over the past two days, he had finished organizing the cultivation methods for most of the crops suited to this region. Through this process, he realized why ancient grain yields were so low: first, the seeds themselves were poor and had low germination rates; second, the planting techniques were unscientific; third, pest and disease control was lacking; and fourth, there simply wasn’t enough fertilizer.

Fertilizer was crucial. In this era without chemical fertilizers, all manure was an essential resource—the basic material for composting and enriching the fields.

As the saying went, “Don’t let good fertilizer flow into another’s fields.” Jiang Ji couldn’t let any potential fertilizer go to waste in the woods.

On the road, Zhao Ru was still nervously rehearsing how to negotiate the sale. She had never done anything like this before.

Jiang Ji reassured her, “It’s normal to be nervous, but you don’t need to be afraid. Think about it—we’re going to do business. You and the shopkeeper are equals, just like when you sell vegetables. Treat it that way and you’ll be fine. Or… should I go talk instead?”

Zhao Ru quickly shook her head. “No, no, this is women’s clothing. You’re a young unmarried man—it wouldn’t be proper. I’ll go myself.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Ji went over the talking points with her, and they rehearsed a few times, adjusting her phrasing and tone until it sounded more confident.

“Xiao Ji,” Zhao Ru asked, “how much should we sell each set for?”

Jiang Ji thought about it. “One tael of silver.”

Jiang Xia’s eyes widened. “That expensive? Will anyone buy it?”

“Let’s try,” Jiang Ji shrugged. “If no one bites, we can lower the price. Always leave room for haggling.”

When they reached the town, they split up.

“Mother, are you sure you don’t need me to go with you?”

“No need. You take care of your errands. If your sister and I can’t manage to sell them, then you can step in.”

“Alright.”

Zhao Ru handed him two taels of silver. Jiang Ji headed straight for the market to check the seed prices—he needed that information to set fair prices for the seeds he planned to sell later.

After walking around the market for a while, he recorded everything neatly in his notebook, then headed for the lumber, stone, and brick shops.

He wanted to build a simple flush-style toilet, but since there was no cement here, he considered making a trough from wood or stone instead. If he used wood, it would have to be coated with paint—otherwise, it would rot quickly.

He found a shop that sold paint and asked for the price, only to be stunned.

“What? Two taels of silver for such a small bottle?” Jiang Ji stared wide-eyed at the fist-sized jar. Was this daylight robbery?

“Heh, young man, you clearly don’t know the trade. That’s already the cheap kind. The one over there costs even more,” the shopkeeper replied with a grin.

“How much is that one?”

The shopkeeper raised a hand. “Five taels.”

Jiang Ji: “…”

He put the bottle back down and excused himself politely.

Paint was available in the system’s exchange store too—but it cost ten points.

With spring plowing just around the corner, Jiang Ji didn’t want to waste his points on things he could buy with silver. After all, points could easily be converted into money, but money could never buy points.

He wanted to save them for seeds or other items that this world didn’t have.

He checked two more shops—same prices. Paint here was practically worth its weight in gold.

So he went to the stone merchant. A stone trough wouldn’t need paint, at least.

But stone troughs were expensive too, and having a craftsman carve one to his specifications would take ages.

Feeling the few bits of silver in his sleeve, Jiang Ji thought for a moment, then walked off.

Everything was so expensive!

He hadn’t even started making money yet. Better to just chop down a tree and carve one himself for now. Once he was wealthier and living in a proper house, he could make a better one.

The once-spendthrift Young Master Jiang had now learned thrift.

When he went to buy a book, he happened to run into Zhao Ru and Jiang Xia at the east end of the main street.

“Mother, Xia’er, how did it go?”

Jiang Xia sighed. “We’ve already been to three clothing shops and three fabric stores. No one wanted to buy. They’re all afraid it won’t sell—didn’t even ask the price.”

She couldn’t understand why none of the shopkeepers were interested in such a good thing.

There were only five ready-made clothing shops in the whole town anyway; most people bought fabric to sew their own clothes. Even Zhao Ru herself had never set foot in a clothing shop before—only fabric stores.

Some fabric shops displayed sample garments, but selling cloth remained their main business.

Zhao Ru patted her daughter’s head gently. “It’s alright. There are two more shops left. We’ll keep trying.”

Jiang Ji added, “Right, don’t give up yet.”

He went with them to the fourth clothing shop, but just as he was about to step inside, Zhao Ru stopped him. “Xiao Ji, wait outside.”

After all, it was women’s undergarments—they couldn’t bring a man along.

“Alright.” Jiang Ji stayed outside to wait.

Zhao Ru and Jiang Xia entered. The shop was run by a woman, and even the attendants were all young women. Several female customers were browsing the racks.

Zhao Ru’s eyes brightened. The previous shops had all been run by men, and she’d felt awkward talking to them about such things.

“Please, have a look around,” one of the attendants greeted them with a warm smile. “We’ve just released some new designs—they’re quite lovely.”

Zhao Ru shook her head. “We’re here to speak with the shopkeeper about a business matter.”

The girl blinked, then led them to the counter. “Shopkeeper Sun, this madam would like to discuss a business deal with you.”

Shopkeeper Sun was a woman in her thirties, tallying accounts at the counter. Hearing that, she looked up, surprise flashing briefly across her face before she smiled politely. “Madam, what kind of business did you have in mind?”

Zhao Ru placed the bundle she carried on the counter, untied it, and took out a red undergarment set.

“Please, take a look.”

“This is…?” Shopkeeper Sun didn’t recognize it at first, but once Zhao Ru laid out the brassiere and panties properly, realization struck her.

Undergarments.

She looked up, astonished. “Madam, did you make these yourselves?”

“Yes,” Zhao Ru nodded. “Would you be willing to take them?”

Shopkeeper Sun examined the small garments closely. Even with her experience, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. “How did you ever think of making something like this? It’s quite bold.”

“It just came to us,” Zhao Ru said vaguely. “So, will you buy them?”

Shopkeeper Sun hesitated. “Madam, I’ll be honest with you—please don’t take offense.”

“Go ahead.”

“They’re very nice, but… they’ll be hard to sell,” she explained. “Such intimate clothing isn’t something women buy in shops. We’ve even tried selling dudou before, but…”

She shook her head—failure.

Zhao Ru bit her lip, unwilling to give up. Since the shopkeeper was also a woman, she decided to take a chance. “Shopkeeper, I’m actually wearing one of the brassieres right now. How about I take off my coat and show you?”

Shopkeeper Sun, curious about how it looked when worn, agreed. “Alright, come with me.”

“Okay.” Zhao Ru turned to Jiang Xia. “Xia’er, wait here.”

Jiang Xia nodded, and Zhao Ru followed the shopkeeper into the back room.

Outside, Jiang Ji was looking at a small stall near the clothing shop—it sold hair ornaments. As he browsed, two women passed by talking quietly. One was dressed in elegant lake-green silk; the other was her plainly dressed matron.

“Madam, you’re too soft-hearted. That little vixen keeps taking advantage of you, bewitching the master till he’s lost his wits—he hardly remembers who you are.”

“What can I do? He only visits me once a month.”

“Ah, you stick too much to propriety, madam. This won’t do. The master’s here today, isn’t he? Say some sweet words—flatter him a little.”

“I’ve tried. He’s completely enchanted by that fox.”

Jiang Ji: …

Watching them enter the clothing shop, he leaned over and whispered a few words to Jiang Xia.

“Got it?”

Jiang Xia widened her eyes as she watched the two women who had just passed, then nodded firmly and turned back into the clothing shop. She walked straight over to the lady in the lake-green gown.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered, “Madam, I have… something you might need—something that can help you keep your husband’s heart firmly in your hands.”

The woman looked at the young girl in surprise, a hint of irritation flashing across her face. “You little thing, what nonsense are you talking about at your age?”

Jiang Xia ignored her tone, keeping her gaze steady. “It’s right here at the counter. It’s clothing. Come take a look and you’ll see.”

“Clothing?” The lady blinked, puzzled—she had thought the girl was trying to sell something improper.

“Yes, clothing.” Jiang Xia gestured for her to follow. “Please, this way.”

The lady exchanged a glance with her maidservant. The maid said quietly, “No harm in taking a look.”

The two walked to the counter. Jiang Xia untied the bundle and took out one of the small garments.

“This is clothing?” Both women stared at it in confusion.

Jiang Xia simply held up one of the bras and gestured over her chest. “A brassiere.”

The two women were stunned. It only took a moment for them to imagine how it would look when worn. The lady blinked, her cheeks reddening. “Little girl… you made this?”

“My mother and I made it,” Jiang Xia said.

Just then, Zhao Ru and Shopkeeper Sun came out from the back room. Jiang Xia pointed to Zhao Ru. “That’s my mother.”

Shopkeeper Sun noticed the lady in green and exclaimed, “Madam Qian! You’re here to browse?”

Madam Qian nodded, then discreetly picked up one of the brassieres and asked in a low voice, “Shopkeeper, is this something your store sells?”

Shopkeeper Sun glanced at Zhao Ru and gave her a quick wink before replying, “Yes, we just received these.”

Zhao Ru said nothing. Earlier, Shopkeeper Sun had seen the effect when Zhao Ru tried one on. Though she’d said the shop wouldn’t stock them, she personally wanted to buy a set and had asked the price. Zhao Ru had quoted one tael per set.

Shopkeeper Sun asked Madam Qian, “Is Madam interested in purchasing?”

Madam Qian exchanged another look with her maid. The maid gave a small nod. After a moment’s hesitation, Madam Qian bit her lip and decided.

“I’ll take it.”

Zhao Ru’s heart leapt with joy. Then Madam Qian asked, “How much for one set?”

Zhao Ru looked to Shopkeeper Sun—who calmly held up three fingers. “Three taels.”

Zhao Ru’s eyelid twitched, but she said nothing. She only felt Jiang Xia clutching at her sleeve, so she reached back to pat her hand reassuringly.

“I’ll take two sets,” Madam Qian said without hesitation, signaling her maid to pay. “Do you have any that will fit me?”

Shopkeeper Sun smiled. “You can try them on. We have different sizes and colors. Madam may go to the back room and see which suits best.”

“Then I shall.”

They went inside to try on the garments and returned a short while later. Madam Qian left the shop satisfied, carrying her new purchases.

Once she was gone, Shopkeeper Sun invited Zhao Ru to the back room.

She already knew a bit about Madam Qian’s family situation, and seeing how decisively she had bought the garments sparked an idea in her mind.

“Madam,” said Shopkeeper Sun, “I’ll buy the remaining six sets. Two taels per set. How does that sound?”

Zhao Ru blinked in surprise. She had only asked one tael before. “Shopkeeper, you…”

Shopkeeper Sun seemed to know what she meant. She patted Zhao Ru’s hand and said warmly, “Of course, I have a condition.”

“Please, speak.”

“From now on, any undergarments you make must be supplied exclusively to me,” she said briskly. “If you come up with new styles, even better. Oh, and if you can make a batch with silk, I’ll pay three taels a set. What do you think?”

Zhao Ru hesitated, a little worried. “You’re giving me that much—won’t you barely make a profit?”

Shopkeeper Sun laughed. “You’re an honest woman, so I’ll be honest too. Three taels is the top price here in this county. But our company has branches in the prefectural and provincial capitals. They’ll sell even better there, for much higher prices.”

Zhao Ru understood but still cautioned her, “Once word spreads, others will copy the design soon.”

Shopkeeper Sun chuckled. “That’s fine. We’ll make as much as we can before that happens. And we can always keep creating new designs.”

Once the market opened, competition and innovation would naturally follow.

Seeing the shopkeeper already had a plan in mind, Zhao Ru relaxed. “Then we’ll bring them over as soon as we finish another batch?”

“Yes. Start with the silk ones first.”

Zhao Ru nodded quickly. “Alright.”

“Then it’s settled,” said Shopkeeper Sun, pleased.

After settling the payment, Zhao Ru left the shop with Jiang Xia, happily clutching sixteen taels of silver.

Seeing the smiles on their faces, Jiang Ji knew at once that they had sold everything.

“Mother, how much did you make?”

“We sold it all—sixteen taels in total! And they’ll keep buying whatever we make next!” Jiang Xia said excitedly.

Jiang Ji blinked in surprise. That was double the price he had suggested to his mother!

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