Little Ger, Slow Life in Another World

Eight taels!

If it were the usual vegetables, Treasurer Jin might not care too much about people earning some money from it. As long as the teahouse considered the price of purchase reasonable, it was their business to know how the middlemen discussed matters with the farmers and how to get back on the farmland themselves, too. 

But not this time!

Even Elder Qu, who was behind the teahouse business, showed up to try the dishes himself and noticed their tastiness. Whatever the case may be, they wouldn’t stop until they found the family who truly grew the vegetables! Otherwise, if they let greedy Wu Mian know the vegetable source in the future then he would hold it as a bargaining chip that the teahouse relied on. There was a high possibility he would threaten them with an inflated price every single time.

Shopkeeper Jin narrowed his eyes. “This Brother Wu, what you said, wasn’t very interesting. As a person who runs the teahouse, how could we not investigate the farmers who produce and supply the vegetables? If the quality goes wrong, could we still find you? How do you take responsibility?”

Wu Mian was unafraid. He worked in the Liang mansion and knew some doorways to get information. “That said, Shopkeeper Jin, but I see the vegetables satisfied you that you even rushed here to ask me. If you still have doubts about the vegetables, if worse comes to worst, just don’t purchase it, right? Hehe, to be honest, that box of vegetables was the neatest and most beautiful I have ever seen. It’s really hard to come by, ah.”

Not to mention, a box of those was equivalent to over three silvers. Almost the price of two chickens!

Food that could be exchanged for chicken—he never knew such valuable vegetables existed!

Shopkeeper Jin held back the anger bubbling within. The only sign of his anger was the twitching of his eyelids. He said, “How about you tell me where the farmhouse is and this teahouse will give you three taels of silver right now?”

But as long as Wu Mian thought only about the endless supply of silvers in the future, he was confident they would never press him for the vegetable source. He shook his head, unfazed. “A few silvers won’t do! Shopkeeper Jin, would you give up the long-term benefits for the small profit in front of you?”

Shopkeeper Jin’s face became twisted. “Don’t you think we can’t find out?!”

Wu Mian shrugged with a not-so-humble smile on his face. He thought, ‘Of course, they wouldn’t find out.’ He still needed to ask the second chef later. However, if the teahouse ordered someone to go to Liang’s mansion to ask, perhaps he could only get an answer from the second chef and his uncle’s family. After all, when Wu Mian carried it out, it looked conspicuous. And that box, he speculated the second chef unwelcomed anyone from discovering he withdrew such vegetables. Hence, the airtight box he used for it. So, from the genuine source, it was probably only the second chef knew. 

Shopkeeper Jin flicked his sleeves. “Eight taels!”

Eight taels could get a girl betrothed to. Which was about the same as the number of silver townspeople could earn for two years of work!

Wu Mian’s expression was resolute. “Even if you give me ten taels, I will never yield. Shopkeeper JIn, you’d better go back and consider my small proposal.”

Within the teahouse, Shopkeeper Jin was quite a scenic figure. Arranging reservations for social gatherings of nobilities and frequent contacts with officials was the flattering dreams of many in town. This was the very first time he experienced being handled by a nobody. His complexion turned green now. 

“Okay. I’ll return and think about it!”

The worldly-wise and sly Shopkeeper Jin endured uttering every malicious word in the end. After departing with this no-choice declaration, the first thing he did was to ask the Liang family!

Wu Mian, on this end, neither felt hurried nor anxious. He merely waited for people to ask the second chef. He knew for sure the second chef would never tell the truth. After they asked him, Wu Mian would head to the second chef to find out the source. The advantages of the teahouse were blindingly large. Yet, this would also refrain the second chef from working with Shopkeeper Jin for profit once he threatened himself before the shopkeeper!

Wu Mian’s wishful thinking went like this. But he did not know that even if Shopkeeper Jin was so kind to assume such a significant position of being a shopkeeper, the latter’s wrist should be absolutely full of cards. It was known that he usually beat his back and hands to receive and see off guests, and his interpersonal relationships were flourishing and beautiful to a certain extent. Even the Liang Residence was on the list of his regular contacts.

Therefore, Shopkeeper Jin never pulled the concierges to ask in private. He simply handed a greeting note. A few days later, before he could crumble in the presence of Liang Yuanwai, he asked straightforward who brought the box of vegetables shipped out from Liang’s Mansion on that certain day of the month. After all, it was the task assigned by Elder Qu, and he must ensure to not make any mistakes at all.

“Vegetables? What about these vegetables? How come I haven’t heard of it?” Liang Yuanwai was certain he neither heard nor eaten such a thing. 

Shopkeeper Jin swiftly chopped the nail and sliced the iron. “It’s unlikely for it to be wrong. Your young worker also delivered the vegetables. Earlier, I inspected the box. The surrounding nail holes were carved out intricately and waterproof as well. Isn’t the box exclusive to the Liang family? Today, I also deliberately asked someone to bring the box over. I believe they’re outside the gates now. Can the landlord look outside?”

Besides his raising suspicions, it also piqued Liang Yuanwai’s curiosity. It must be unusual for the shopkeeper to chase down such vegetables to the point of trepidation. He nodded. “Ask someone to bring it over.”

Upon seeing it, ‘Isn’t this the sole box sent to Younger Brother Yang’s family before?’

The reason he felt certain was that apart from the special nail holes, there was also the red color his wife especially suggested as the lacquer. Otherwise, they usually used black lacquered boxes. The furen thought the color was not festive for the recuperation of an injured person, so she changed it on purpose. 

There were even more questions for Liang Yuanwai’s.

But knowing the origin of this box made it easy to trace it. He skipped the second chef and Wu Main, saying he knew nothing of the roles of those two people in this matter. Instead, he confronted the concierge on duty that day and asked when the box was sent to Liang’s mansion.

He also talked to the steward one-on-one, and soon things became clear. To his surprise, it was actually from the ger of Younger Brother Yang’s family who asked Ji Guang from the hospital to guide him to deliver the food!

Liang Yuanwai promptly became happy. His eyes were bright and could not contain the giddiness in them. “Brother Jin, since Younger Brother Yang’s ger gave the vegetables to my tiger’s head, you can’t take it all away. If the tiger’s head likes it, you shall save some for the Liang family, don’t you think?”

Shopkeeper Jin shed tears inside as he finally saw the glimmer of hope in a dark village. Just now, he was overflowing with happiness. But now he faced something troublesome, his mouth turned bitter, and he had no choice but to agree. “Only the share of the young master, naturally.” Nothing else more. Ha! 

Liang Yuanwai, who was oblivious to what he had missed, beamed with a smile. “That’s good. I’m also ecstatic to pull this line for Younger Brother Yang in return. It’s not good to let this auspicious day pass too. If Brother Jin is free today, how about we take a trip to Miaojia Village?”

Shopkeeper Jin, at last, returned his smile earlier. He said, “Very well! Why not? Thanks to Elder Brother Liang’s great help in this matter!”

Without further ado, Liang Yuanwai beckoned someone to prepare a carriage and traveled to Yang Dalang’s house with Shopkeeper Jin. 

Miao He finally overcame his shyness and could now have a normal conversation with Yang Dalang. He was preparing today’s lunch—a pot of fragrant cabbage stew. The cabbage was mixed in with dried shrimps, shiitake mushrooms, and dried flatfish which were all given by the Liang family. It also stewed with shredded pork, minced garlic, and cabbage Miao He planted in the living soil. 

For the sake of Yang Dalang’s injury, Miao He deliberately peeled the pigskin and boiled them into the same pot to increase the collagen. The stew exuded a strong, well-cooked smell, soft and fragrant which grew even more and permeated the air once the lid was opened, that even the distinguished guests outside their door could even smell it. 

Before calling on the door, Shopkeeper Jin’s eyes sparkled with interest. “What smells so good?! Cabbage?! It must be stewed cabbage! If there are cabbages to eat this time, it must have been frozen last winter!”

Only then did Liang Yuanwai feel embarrassed. He was so happy that he had forgotten the time. His wife always complained about him being so impatient, and now he made a mistake due to it again. “We ran here during people’s mealtime. How about we return and come back later?” As his wife and son’s lips salivated, he considered Yang Dalang as a close peer, and he refused to appear rude to them. 

However, the goal was only a few steps away from reach. Shopkeeper Jin could not endure any longer. He said, “Although it is rude, we don’t intend to ask for a meal here. We’ll leave when the matter is said. Besides, I came here on behalf of the teahouse and was full of sincerity. Presumably, Brother Yang could forgive us.”

Before Liang Yuanwai could give onto the persuasion, the door opened. The movement of the carriage coming by stirred up quite the noise and Miao He, who just finished with the lunch, noticed it. He thought it strange that no one called the arrival of the people. Miao He wiped his hands and went outside to have a look since they were the only family nearby. 

He greeted the distinguished guests and walked into the central room of their house, leading them. It was indeed lunchtime, and Yang Dalang had already taken a place at the table from the recliner. A big pot of steamy stewed cabbage and two bowls of rice were present on the table. And at the foot of the table, a small black cat was busy eating with its tail flicking back and forth. 

Seeing the people coming in, Yang Dalang stood up to greet the guests, but Liang Yuanwai waved his hands instead. The two exchanged pleasantries and soon all of them sat at the table. 

“As luck would have it, we’re just about to have our meal. Have you eaten? Come join if you haven’t yet.” Miao He warmly invited. Liang Yuanwai visited to look for him, but it just meant he took a liking to his vegetables!

Liang Yuanwai hurriedly said, “Don’t bother. It’s our rudeness to come here and disturb the two of you.”

Shopkeeper Jin forwent any cordiality as he stared at the cabbage stew with such intensity radiating in his eyes. He was a glutton, but this was a new ingredient worthy to be examined. If he confirmed its quality, then he must inform Elder Qu about it, right? Based on courtesy, he did not immediately agree, but refused neither. 

Miao He smiled. “Please don’t! It’s just adding another two bowls of rice! I cooked a big pot, so it must be enough.”

Before anyone could refuse, Miao He disappeared into the kitchen and came out with two bowls of rice and pairs of chopsticks. Yang Dalang also encouraged the two guests to feel at home. 

Liang Yuanwai wavered. He came full at first, but now he heard rumbling from his stomach. The pot of cabbage stew on the tables smelled fantastic! After a few more insincere refusals, Liang Yuanwai ended up receiving and handing the rice bowls and chopsticks to everyone. Once they’re all settled, the guests complied with the hosts. 

Even if the cabbage stew had not been eaten yet, one could tell that the whole leaf could be easily separated with chopsticks. Liang Yuanwai’s mouth watered and he could not help swallowing it. Not until the luscious greens infiltrated the mouth. With the soft, floss-like texture that seemed to melt with just a single squeeze, the sweetness of the cabbage blooming afterward, and the just-right combination of seasonings and ingredients. Liang Yuanwai grasped why Shopkeeper Jin went to such great pains just to find the vegetables.

The latter also had his eyes closed as he savored the dish. Perfectly satisfied. 

‘This is it! Old Qu’s vision is as sharp and accurate as ever!’

The two originally planned to eat their fill briefly so they could discuss the matter forthright. After the first bite, they all became conscientious as they took a mouthful after mouthful. Miao He also headed back to the kitchen to get a second pot of cabbage stew. 

Liang Yuanwai truly felt the rising temperature in his face. He merely ate half of the entire meal, and wouldn’t be rude if the host refilled nothing? His heart comforted him like this, and yet the second pot of cabbage stew was still ravaged by the four of them. Liang Yuanwai swore in his heart, ‘I mustn’t let my wife know what happened today!’

When they all finished eating and drinking, Miao He washed a few ripened tomatoes and came out with a plateful of those. The tomatoes were not planted in the living soil, rather after the main plant grew from the living soil, its fruits’ seeds were transferred to other areas in the yard for planting. The new fruits born afterward, since they left and transferred elsewhere from the living soil, were at the level of ordinary plants. 

The reason for this was that Miao He grew fond of giving away this kind of big red fruit that could be treated as a vegetable and a fruit these days. Plus, explaining to the outsiders that such high-quality plants grew well in his family was difficult. So, he expedited the spawning of tomatoes, which came out smaller, and gave them to Second Aunt Yang’s family from time to time. 

The tomatoes served not only acted as a plain snack for people. Miao He mixed it with a sauce. The sauce comprised soy sauce, sugar, and ground ginger. The dipping sauce wielded a subtle taste between sweet, spicy, and salty, coupled with its aromatic smell. To pair that up with the sweet and sour tomatoes, it would unequivocally be delicious and refreshing enough to wash away the greasiness in the mouth. 

Once Shopkeeper Jin tasted it, his eyes sparkled like stars once more. In the end, he could endure no longer and blabbered his business before he finished eating his first tomato. 

When Shopkeeper Jin took a bite, his eyes brightened again. After 

“To tell you the truth, I begged Elder Brother Liang to bring me here today. My primary intention is to buy the vegetables grown in your home. Didn’t this little ger send a box of vegetables to Liang’s mansion before? When it got transferred to our Yangshui Teahouse, we were really satisfied with the food we made with them. We couldn’t wait for Elder Brother Liang to introduce me to meet you two.”