Chapter 148 - 148 Making Big Money
148 Making Big Money
Lu Jiao was worried that the Second Born would eat something toxic so she hurried over with the First and Fourth Born.
The Second and Third Born were picking some kind of berry off the ground. Lu Jiao recognized them to be wild hawthorn.
Wild hawthorn didn’t taste good. They were sour and bitter. However, those hawthorns gave Lu Jiao some inspiration – she could try to make the four little ones some tanghulu. Though she had no rock sugar, she had powdered sugar she could try to use.
Lu Jiao looked up at the hawthorn tree. Wild hawthorn trees were relatively tall. The tree before her was around three meters.
On top of the tree were ripe hawthorns.
“These are wild hawthorns. It boosts appetite. However, eating it raw isn’t very tasty. We can gather some and bring them back. I’ll make tanghulu for you.”
The Second Born asked excitedly, “what is tanghulu?”
“They’re sugar-coated hawthorns. I promise you it’s good.”
The taste of sweet and sour can be very satisfying.
Lu Jiao went up, put her arms around the tree, and shook it. The hawthorns on top fell down.
“Pick those up.”
The four little ones picked up hawthorns breathlessly.
They didn’t leave until they filled half the basket.
“Okay, it’s late. Let’s go back and make dinner. We can come back tomorrow. Ah, I will teach you how to climb trees tomorrow.”
Tree climbing was also a good strengthening exercise. However, it was a little dangerous and she had to ensure the children knew the rules.
“Mommy, you know how to climb trees?”
The quadruplets were in shock. Though they knew people who climbed trees, they were all men or boys.
The four little ones were always amazed to see others climb trees. They didn’t expect their mother to know tree climbing as well.
Lu Jiao smiled and nodded, “I do know how. However, you have to agree to a few conditions before I teach you.”
The Second Born quickly answered, “Mommy, tell us.”
He was the most interested in sports out of the kids and all these new exercises excited him.
The Third and Fourth Born liked sports as well. The First Born was the least interested. However, he still ends up doing it with the other three every time.
Lu Jiao said to the children, “One, you can only climb trees when adults are around. This is because tree climbing is dangerous even though it’s an exercise that trains your agility and quickness. Therefore, there must be adult supervision when you climb trees.
Second, when you climb trees, you cannot do it near a cliff, river, or other dangerous regions. You have to find safe places when you climb trees. Also, all four of you cannot do it at the same time. Only one of you can climb at a time.
Three, you cannot compete with others. I don’t want you to forget the dangers because you’re competitive.”
The four little ones listened and agreed, “Mommy, we got it.”
Lu Jiao and the children climbed back down. The Second Born asked repeatedly, “Then, we start learning tomorrow?”
“That’s right.”
The five of them then happily returned home with their hawthorns.
Back at home, the four little ones went to Xie Yunjin’s room to share with him everything that happened today. Lu Jiao went to prepare dinner.
She just started when Lin Chunyan came over to help.
Lu Jiao asked her caringly, “How was harvesting herbs today? Did you run into any danger?”
Lin Chunyan was very satisfied and she was in a great mood, “We harvested a lot. Huzi and my father-in-law went into town to sell them. I wonder how much we’ll get for everything.”
Lin Chunyan then asked Lu Jiao, “Third aunt, I harvested kudzu root today, a lot of it.”
Lu Jiao grinned, “That’s great. Kudzu roots are not cheap. You should earn a lot.”
Lin Chunyan stood up and thanked Lu Jiao, “Thank you. You’re truly my family’s savior. Ah, no, you’re the whole village’s savior.”
Lu Jiao brandished her hands, “We are all neighbors. I feel good if you do well.”
Lu Jiao then remembered the textiles she bought for the four little ones. She hasn’t made them into clothes yet.
Since Lin Chunyan insisted on helping, why not ask her to help with the sewing? That would be helpful for both of them.
Lu Jiao knew how to treat illness and how to cook. With sewing, however, she was truly helpless. She hasn’t made anything out of the cloth she bought because she had no confidence in her skills and was worried about wasting the materials.
“Chunyan, can I ask you for something?”
Lin Chunyan was happy to respond, “Third aunt, tell me.”
“Though I know medicine, I’m truly useless with sewing. Can you make a few sets of children’s clothes for me?”
Lin Chunyan was an expert at sewing. She nodded aggressively, “Of course. Let me help you.”
Lu Jiao was terrified that she would work through the night and prefaced, “I’m making it for the children and there’s no rush. You can do it slowly when you have time. Remember, don’t work at night. If I find out you work endless hours because of me, I’ll never ask for your help again.”
Lin Chunyan’s heart warmed. Her third aunt was a great person.
Lu Jiao went to get the textile she bought for the quadruplets.
“Here are three pieces of cloth. With these two, you can make one set for each of the kids. You can decide on the style. This piece is for sleeve pajamas. Basically, for them to wear to bed. It’d be better to keep it simple.”
“Okay.”
Lin Chunyan took the cloth and went home. Lu Jiao warned her again to not do work at night and only work when she had the time. The children had clothes and weren’t in a rush.
All night, the Xie Village was rather rowdy.
Since everyone harvested herbs in the morning, they were worried they wouldn’t be able to cash out so they all went into town at night to sell everything to Baohe Tang.
Baohe Tang actually did buy their herbs. Some of the herbs were also relatively expensive. For example, the Village Leader got some Polygonatum. That plus some other herbs earned the Village Leader three taels of silver.
Village Leader Xie Fugui and his son Xie Tieniu almost fainted. They walked out of Baohe Tang jelly-legged. To earn three taels of silver in one day…
They never imagined earning money in such a manner.
The Village Leader and Xie Tieniu bought a giant bag of pork buns in town and brought them to Xie Yunjin’s home.
They weren’t the only ones to bring gifts. Many families brought stuff to the Xie family.
Everyone made money today. The big earners made three tales of silver, the less fortuate earners still made 700 to 800 tokens. Everyone was thrilled.
“Thank you, Yunjin and Yunjin’s wife. You’re our savior!”
“If you ever need anything, tell us and we will do everything we can to help.”
Inside the east bedroom, both Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao politely told everyone that there was no need for all this.
Most of the families didn’t earn as much as three taels of silver. However, they were still overjoyed and bought gifts to show their appreciation.