Chapter 129

Xu Ran walked over with the child in his arms after listening for a while. “Zhuo Yun, Shuwen, listen to me. I think Zhuo Yun should really make this business trip at the beginning of next year. As he has been making business trips for so many years, deep in his heart, he is sure that he could return safely.”

“Zhuo Yun also said that the northern people love to eat food of the south. When he goes, we will prepare more novel stuff. He can earn a lot by this trip. But this will be the last trip, and it can be considered as your farewell one.

“I have an idea too. Next year, I plan to buy a hill at the back of my house, on which I can plant fruit trees. Except for the fragile ones, most fruits can be easily preserved for a long period of time. Thus I can sell them to the caravans to transport to the other places to sell, which will cover the profits for the whole year.”

“I think our two families can cooperate to plant fruit trees together. I am already up to my neck in these affairs, and I have long planned to hire people, just not sure about the choices of persons. Since we all trust each other, and you can neither make the business trips any more, nor will you open your own shop. Why don’t you work with me?”

Xu Ran quietly waited for their answers. Zhuo Yun was indeed a good partner, plus, they could get along. It would be best if they could cooperate.

As soon as Xu Ran finished, Qin Shuwen said, “It may work. What’s more, my eldest brother has his own channels to sell fruits. Then, there will be ready places to sell the fruits. Yun, how about working together with Xu Ran? In this case, you don’t have to make the business trips.”

Zhuo Yun was also interested in Xu Ran’s offer, but buying a hill and fruit trees would cost them a lot. This business trip at the beginning of next year must be done.

He thought about it and said to Xu Ran, “Ran, if that’s the case, then you should draft a detailed plan. Can I make the decision after reading it? Besides, you also have to prepare for me some fresh food. My family are counting on my trip next year.

Xu Ran smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll prepare for you. I’ll buy more hogs this year. When the time comes, I’ll borrow a few of your people to make more sausages and preserved pork, which you can take to sell next year.”

“Let me buy the hogs, and I will send some people here too, so you can instruct them what to do. Although I don’t want to stand on ceremony with you, I will be ill at ease to trouble you too much.”

Xu Ran smiled. “It’s a wonder that you will be ill at ease. Buy hogs if you want to. I’ll inform you when it’s time. Discuss it with Shuwen now. I’ll go to visit Brother Qin first.”

After Xu Ran gave the child back to him, he left with another set of chess and a written moves instruction.

Zhuo Mansion was not very far from Qin Shuwu’s shop, only a quarter of an hour’s walking distance. It was winter, so there were basically no fruits for sales in market. As the fruits in Qin Shuwu’s shop were all transported from elsewhere, which were rare in local market. Therefore, a lot of customers came, and the business was booming.

When Xu Ran arrived, Qin Shuwu was doing accounts, and the clerks were greeting customers, so Xu Ran went in himself.

Xu Ran thought that Qin Shuwu and Mr. Chen were of one kind, who were calculating on abacus all the time, which made one wonder how much money they really had.

Xu Ran knocked on the counter. “How much did you earn today?”

Qin Shuwu put down his abacus and said, “Just look outside by yourself. I won’t tell you anyway. What brings you here today?”

He fetched a chair himself and sat down. “When do you think I’m not free? I’m here today to bring you something.”

Hearing that Xu Ran was bringing him something, Qin Shuwu showed interest immediately. He quickly asked, “Is it food again?”

No wonder Qin Shuwen could think of eating every time he saw Xu Ran. It was indeed the family heritage.

Xu Ran shook his head and Qin Shuwu, who had already stepped out of the counter, walked back in disappointment.

Xu Ran rubbed his nose, speechless.

He stood up and put the chess set on the counter. “It’s a plaything, not food. How come you always think about eating?”

“Food is the first necessity of people. Why I cannot think about eating?” It was very reasonable and true, and Xu Ran had nothing to say in reply.

While he was speechless, Qin Shuwu opened the chess box. Then he took out the chessboard and two small boxes with chess pieces and asked Xu Ran curiously, “What is this?”

Xu Ran opened the boxes of chess pieces and explained, “This is chess. It’s fun. I wrote the playing method down and you can read it yourself.” Xu Ran said as he handed the game instruction of chess written in Zhuo Yun’s house to Qin Shuwu.

Then he added, “It’s simple. As long as you read it, you can understand.”

Qin Shuwu read for a while, looked at the chess pieces one by one, then put the instruction down and said, “It’s really interesting. Where did you get this stuff?”

Xu Ran waved his hand. “It was not acquired from anyone else. Because Mr. Hu was bored, and I remembered what I had read in a book before, so I commissioned people to have it made. It is most suitable as old people’s entertainment, especially during the holidays and festivals.”

“About your talent, I won’t say anything again. The instruction really aroused my interest, but I still don’t  know how. You have to teach me.”

Xu Ran rolled up his sleeves, “Of course. It’ll take two people to play. After I teach you, you can go back to teach Sworn Dad and the others. I’ll ask people to make one more set and send it to you in a few days.”

Qin Shuwu smiled. “I don’t know what you’re up to. People who genuinely like this stuff will be willing to buy, but I am afraid few people know about it.”

Xu Ran shook his head. “Brother Qin, you’re mistaken. I really don’t want to sell this now. I just want you to help me find someone who can engrave characters. I want to print some chess instructions. Otherwise, purely by handwriting, I don’t know when I can finish them.”

“Oh, talking about this, I happen to know a guy who has terrific engraving skills. How about this, I’ll take you to his place now. As your stuff doesn’t need to be very exquisite, it probably won’t cost you a lot.” Qin Shuwu said.

“Then can he read?” Xu Ran was worried.

Qin Shuwu looked at Xu Ran smilingly. “Who told you that a carver must be literate? These people’s ability is in that they can carve whatever you show them, which has nothing to do with literacy.”

Xu Ran was a little dumbfounded, feeling that he had just asked a stupid question.

Moreover, he really did not know that the one who was illiterate could also carve words.

Xu Ran rubbed his nose and said, “I’m ignorant. Then, Brother Qin, let’s take a look.”

“Alright, I will instruct some work to the clerks first. By the way, don’t go back for lunch today. Join me for dinner, OK?”

Xu Ran looked at the sky outside. It was almost noon. He nodded, “Then I’ll sponge this meal off you.”

Qin Shuwu smiled, walked out of the door, and soon came back. He said to Xu Ran, “Alright, let’s go!”

Qin Shuwu led the way in front while Xu Ran followed behind. After walking for a while, he stopped before a very shabby house. Xu Ran looked at Qin Shuwu and asked, “Is this the place?”

Qin Shuwu nodded and went to knock on the door. At the same time, he explained to Xu Ran, “This person’s craftsmanship is very good. His only defect is that he is addicted to gambling. Now in his thirties, he is still a bachelor. As he has lost most of his earnings on gambling table, he can only settle with this battered house. Without this bad habit, he will be much  better off now.”

Xu Ran nodded. He knew that the occasional gamble was entertaining, while being addicted was another story.

On second thought, Xu Ran asked, “Then how do you know that he is at home now? Maybe he had gone out to gamble.”

Qin Shuwu said, “No, he has lost all his money a few days ago. He even borrowed one tael of silver from me to buy rice. He won’t gamble until he gets the next pay.”

The moment Qin Shuwu finished his words, the door opened.

The person who opened the door had a ferret face. With a grass stalk in mouth, he mumbled impatiently, “Who is it?”

As soon as he saw Qin Shuwu, he immediately changed a new look. “Brother Qin, what brings you here? You’re not here to collect the debt, are you? Can you spare me a few more days? ”

“Which time have I ever collected debt from you? You always returned me the money and borrowed it again. I’m here today to ask you to do me a favor,” Qin Shuwu said.

“Brother Qin, your business is mine. Tell me ahead, as long as I am capable of it, I will try my best,” the man said eagerly.

“What else can I ask you to do? It’s nothing but to engrave some characters. This is my father’s sworn son, my younger brother, who wants to carve some characters. Take a look whether you can do it. Xu Ran, come over here.

When Xu Ran heard Qin Shuwu’s words, he walked to his side and nodded at the person. “Hello, I’m Xu Ran. I want you to carve some booklets for me, only words.”

The man did not respond to Xu Ran’s words. He sized up Xu Ran for a while and said to Qin Shuwu, “Brother Qin, your younger brother is really gorgeous. Without the birthmark on his ear, I should have mistaken him to be Ge’er.”

Being said to be like Ge’er, although Xu Ran was not very happy, he was not pissed off. After all, he did not select this look by himself. Besides, he was a bit narcissistic for being envied.

Qin Shuwu answered matter-of-factly, “Your words are true. In our family, he is the most handsome one. So much for the nonsense. Just tell me whether you can carve this stuff or not!” Qin Shuwu said as he handed the paper to him.