Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Pocket Supermarket

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

When Madam Sun came out of the silk shop, Yu Xiaolian could clearly feel that Madam Sun’s mood had improved.

“This Lady Boss gave us some work to do. We can do it for a month, and she didn’t even confiscate the deposit.” Madam Sun happily placed the things used for the string bags into Yu Xiaolian’s bamboo basket.

“Is it heavy? Why don’t I carry it?” When Madam Sun saw that the small bamboo basket on Yu Xiaolian’s back was about to be filled, she reached out to take it.

Yu Xiaolian shook her head. “No need, Mother. I can carry it. You still have to carry the iron pot later. Save your strength!”

When Madam Sun heard Yu Xiaolian’s words, she didn’t insist. She held Yu Xiaolian’s hand and entered the market again.

An iron pot, three sets of new bowls and chopsticks, two medium-sized porcelain jars, a catty of salt, a bottle of soy sauce, and a piece of lard. Madam Sun shuttled through the market with familiarity and quickly bought everything.

In the end, Madam Sun went to the provision store to buy lamp oil and red paper before bringing Yu Xiaolian home.

The iron pot was tied to Madam Sun’s back with a rope she had brought from home. She was carrying a heavy porcelain jar in her hands, which was filled with some scattered things.

As for the bowls and chopsticks, Yu Xiaolian placed them in her small basket.

Madam Sun was carrying something on her back and holding something in her hand. It probably weighed dozens of kilograms, but she was still much faster than Yu Xiaolian.

She would quickly walk a long distance away, then put the jar on the ground, put her hands on her waist, and wait for Yu Xiaolian, who had fallen behind.

Yu Xiaolian really admired Madam Sun. She carried so many things and could still walk as if she was flying. She was almost comparable to the weight training of the special forces.

Yu Xiaolian couldn’t do it. She felt that the two ropes on her shoulders were hurting her shoulders, forcing her to place her hands under the ropes.

After walking and stopping, the two of them returned to Hewanzi Village. As soon as they entered the village, they saw a few women chatting under the willow tree at the entrance of the village.

Some of them were holding the soles of their shoes while others were holding an embroidery shed and doing embroidery work.

As they worked, their mouths did not slack off. They talked about some recent matters in the village.

The biggest news in the village recently was that Yu Xiaolian, who had never fallen sick, had fallen seriously ill, but she didn’t die and came back.

The other was that Cripple Yu had been kicked out of the family by his mother.

Before Yu Xiaolian and Madam Sun walked in, they heard them talking about their family.

“Sigh, this Yu Changhe has separated from his family. Why didn’t he settle the money he owes me?”

“Can he return it to you? I guess eating will be a problem in the future!”

“That can’t be. I lent it to their family out of kindness. My money doesn’t come from the wind! They can’t cheat me of my money.”

“He also owes my family. When he borrowed it, he said that he would return it in a few days. How many days has it been? Let’s go to his house to ask for money later?”

“Yes, let’s go together. I don’t think he will dare not to return it.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. They’re in a difficult time now. Back when Changhe was a bailiff, he helped us a lot. If you want to go, go. I’m not going. Anyway, my family isn’t in a hurry to spend it. It’s fine to take a while.”

Madam Sun heard their conversation from afar. When she and Yu Xiaolian approached, Madam Sun cleared her throat and said, “Aunts, Sister-in-law, I just came back from town with embroidery work. After I finish this batch of embroidery work, I’ll have money in my hands. When the time comes, I’ll definitely be the first to return the money to you. If you’re worried, come to my house now and let Changhe write an IOU for you so that you can rest assured.”

Although Yu Changhe had not studied for many years, he could still write an IOU.

When the few women and old women heard Madam Sun’s words, they immediately stopped what they were doing and looked up at her.

The neighbor of the Yu family, Madam Feng, who was usually on good terms with Madam Sun, saw that Madam Sun was carrying a pot and heavy things in her hand. She immediately said, “Why are you carrying so many things? Put them down and rest. I’m going home too. Give them to me. I’ll help you carry some.”

Madam Sun put down the two jars in her hand and panted heavily. “Everyone is willing to lend me money because you trust me and help me. Changhe and I will remember this favor in our hearts.

“I’ll definitely return the money, but I’ll have to return it a few days later. If there’s anything urgent, I still have dozens of copper coins. I can return them first.”

“There’s no hurry… There’s no hurry… You can return mine whenever you want.”

“So is mine. You can return it when you have it.”

When the women saw how magnanimous Madam Sun was, they all expressed that they would not go to the Yu family to collect the debt.

Someone asked curiously, “You’ve just split up and only have a few dozen copper coins left. How much did your mother-in-law give you?”

Madam Sun picked up the two jars again. “She didn’t give much. I went to town today, so there’s nothing left. My family is waiting to use the pot at home, so I’ll go back first!”

After Madam Sun walked over with Yu Xiaolian, Madam Feng also caught up from behind. She took a jar from Madam Sun’s hand and held it in her arms. As she walked, she said, “Actually, it’s not necessarily a bad thing for you to be separated from your mother-in-law and the others. I heard that your sister-in-law who hasn’t entered the family is not easy to get along with. She’s a powerful character. It might be a good thing to be separated.

“If you have any difficulties at home, come to my house. My husband has already instructed me to keep an eye on your house. I’m just afraid that if you have any difficulties, you’ll be too embarrassed to visit.”

The man from the Feng family was called Zhao Kuo. He and Yu Changhe had been playmates since they were young.

Yu Changhe went to town to become a worker. As he grew older, he was promoted to a bailiff. Later on, he helped his childhood friend, Zhao Kuo, become a bailiff. Therefore, over the years, Zhao Kuo and Yu Changhe’s relationship became better and better.

However, he could not take advantage of the same person. After borrowing money so many times, Yu Changhe was too embarrassed to enter the Zhao family again. Therefore, he owed the other families a little, but he still owed the Zhao family the most.

Madam Sun pointed at the things on Yu Xiaolian’s back, indicating that after finishing the embroidery work, she could repay the other families, but she still owed the Zhao family.

Madam Feng naturally wouldn’t mind if Madam Sun didn’t return the money. Her husband’s job was two taels of silver a month, but Yu Changhe had found it for her. She had always wanted to find an opportunity to repay him.

When they arrived at the Yu Residence, Yu Changhe was already waiting there.

He first took off the basket on Yu Xiaolian, who was walking in front, and then removed the big pot on Madam Sun’s back.

Madam Feng also placed the jar on the ground and said with a smile, “Don’t forget to call me when you’re doing embroidery. I want to learn new tricks so that we can work together and have something to talk about.”

Madam Sun nodded. “I’ll bring my things to your house tomorrow.”

Madam Sun and Yu Changhe carried the big pot to the backyard together. Yu Changhe dragged his crippled leg and walked with great difficulty. However, no one from the Yu family came out to help.

When they reached the backyard, Yu Changhe pointed at the wooden shelf above the stove and said, “I have to build a shed. Otherwise, I won’t be able to cook if it rains. Without a shed, I won’t be able to cook in winter. It’s too cold.”

Madam Sun took a look and said, “I’ll build it with you later. Let’s put the pot on first and see if it’s good to use?”