Chapter 7: Equally Stingy

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During dinner, Old Wang was naturally pleased to see his son return. Between bites, he solemnly asked in front of everyone, “What did the restaurant say when you inquired through your friend last time?”

The entire room slowed down their eating, all ears turned to Wang Chengzu’s reply.

“Father, I was just about to tell you! The head chef at the Crane Pavilion is said to be a master from the prefectural city. His skills are rarely shared. Many want to apprentice under him, some even bringing money to request acceptance.”

Old Wang, treating this matter with great importance, grew anxious, “And what did they say?”

Wang Chengzu sighed, “Last time I spent two taels of silver to have my classmate make the introduction, but we didn’t get an agreement. My classmate told me to wait for news. Yesterday, he said I should prepare some ‘gifts’ and accompany him to visit the chef.”

Old Lady Liu let out a sigh of relief, “That’s as it should be. When are you going? Should we bring Mao Dan along to show them?”

Nowadays, sending gifts was just the start; an apprentice had to constantly attend the master like a servant, going whichever way the master directed. How much they taught depended entirely on their mood.

If gifts could be sent, it meant there was still hope, far better than having nowhere to send them at all.

“I came back specifically to ask whether we should send the gift or not. I’ve already spent two taels on meals with my classmate and called in many favors to get this far. But my classmate said the gifts can’t be cheap — around five taels of silver.”

“What? Five taels?!”

Old Lady Liu was so shocked she almost dropped her chopsticks.

Five taels! That could cover their household expenses for an entire year. This was far too much.

Madam Gao was the first to complain, “Do they think our family makes silver? Just to get a word out, they want five taels? Does this master’s craft happen to be made of gold?”

Old Wang and Old Lady Liu said nothing but inwardly agreed with Madam Gao.

Even Wang Chengzhi had to speak sensibly, “Big brother, you haven’t been swindled, have you? Does sending gifts really require so much? We can’t afford to waste money if they don’t agree.”

“Yes, yes, why five taels? Can’t you ask them to accept less? That’s far too much!”

Even Wang Chengyao, known for his sharp tongue, found this hard to accept.

Wang Chengzu, hearing his brothers’ doubts, frowned and put down his chopsticks, “This is disgraceful! Seeking to learn a craft is not something you can pick and choose about. I have used my connections to reach this point. If it weren’t for my classmate’s family having ties with the Crane Pavilion’s manager, merely five taels wouldn’t get us anywhere.”

He stood up abruptly. “That’s all I have to say. Whether to proceed or not is each person’s choice.”

Seeing her husband angry, Madam Gao quickly supported him, “Chengzu has worked tirelessly for days to make these connections. We don’t even know how much effort and silver he’s spent. Now that there’s a lead, you still have complaints? If you don’t want to, then forget it. Your Mao Dan isn’t bright anyway; even if he goes, he won’t learn, just wasting money.”

Wang Chengzu shot her a glare, “Woman’s words, how dare you speak here? Have some sense!” Then he swept his sleeve and left. Madam Gao, however, remained smiling and followed after him.

Mao Dan took a deep breath, “Grandpa, Grandma, maybe we shouldn’t. I don’t want to go…”

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Old Wang waved his hand, “A man’s word is a nail; once spoken, it cannot be changed lightly. Tomorrow I’ll give the money to the eldest!”

Old Lady Liu was a bit unhappy but said nothing.

That evening, Zhang carefully applied scented balm to her hands. As an embroiderer, she dreaded rough skin.

She spoke while rubbing, “Do you think this will work? After all the talk today, Big brother hasn’t said if the money guarantees success.”

Wang Chengzhi frowned, “It should work, right? Five taels is a lot!”

The next day, the old couple indeed handed the money to Wang Chengzu. Old Lady Liu repeatedly urged him to make sure the matter was settled.

Wang Chengzu pounded his chest, promising to do his best. He said some kind words that made Old Lady Liu beam with joy before pocketing the money and leaving.

He paid little attention to the household harvest.

They spread the wheat out under the sun to dry, then hoed up the stubble in the field to gather and burn it, enriching the soil for the next planting.

Two days passed swiftly. Zhang’s embroidery was finished, and Wang Xuezhou’s foot wound had healed completely. In the mornings, he collected firewood, and usually helped pick up the removed wheat stubble.

When he heard Zhang say she would go to the county town tomorrow to deliver her embroidery, his eyes lit up, “Mother, I want to go too!”

“Mother’s going on business. Be good and don’t cause trouble. I’ll buy you meat buns when I get back.”

Zhang smiled at his short legs and refused without hesitation.

The trip to the county town was long, and she worried her son wouldn’t endure it.

“No, no, I want to go! I’ve never been to the city in my life. I want to go.”

Though shy about acting spoiled, he was only five years old.

He wriggled his body, swinging his arms, repeatedly grabbing at Zhang’s clothes.

Wang Chengzhi found it amusing but still lifted the boy before him and slapped his backside, “A real man doesn’t act shy and fussy. Stand straight!”

“Does that mean you agree, Father?”

The slap didn’t hurt much; Wang Xuezhou grinned at Wang Chengzhi.

“Wife, the child can’t do much at home. Let him go.”

“He’s still young. I can do extra work. Mother will take the little one.”

Seeing his younger brother get spanked for wanting to go, Mao Dan also tried to persuade her.

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Seeing the three eagerly looking at her, Zhang was both annoyed and amused, “You lazybones, I won’t carry you tomorrow. You’ll have to walk yourself.”

“I promise I won’t slow you down!”

Wang Xuezhou happily patted his chest in assurance.

He barely slept that night, so excited. At the sound of the neighbor rising, he immediately got up too.

Thinking of the trip, Zhang rummaged through their things for the most presentable clothes to dress him in. In truth, the ‘best’ outfit was only a little less patched than usual.

No one in the family ever had a moment’s rest all year, and because someone was studying, Old Lady Liu scrimped and saved, wanting every penny to stretch as far as possible, stingy with everyone equally.

The children’s clothes were always passed down from older to younger siblings until they were utterly worn out. Then they were cut into rags for washing feet.

Old Lady Liu often said, “You can’t go hungry or cold, but if you’re not careful with money, you’ll suffer.”

Zhang had already informed Old Lady Liu the day before, so at dawn, she took two pieces of dry food, some pickles, and water, and set out with Wang Xuezhou.

The early birds were singing, dogs barking, and roosters crowing; the world was peaceful and full of life.

They walked briskly without pause for an hour and a half before finally seeing the county town’s walls.

Wang Xuezhou was excited to see the city gates: finally, a chance to broaden his horizons! Not easy at all!

Seeing the gate, Zhang’s stomach grumbled. She took out the dry food, divided it, and they sat roadside to eat breakfast before heading into town.

The streets of Baishan County were surprisingly clean and orderly. Upon entering, Zhang led him straight to the Brocade Cloth Shop, a longtime partner she knew well.

The shops on both sides of the street were neatly arranged and abundant. Vendors called out warmly as they passed, but Wang Xuezhou’s neck twisted nearly 180 degrees, unable to pull away from his mother eager to deliver her goods.

The Brocade Cloth Shop was a grand two-story building with three rooms, located in the bustling city center.

Although Zhang had been there many times, standing before its lavish entrance still made her feel somewhat ashamed, and she tightened her grip on Wang Xuezhou’s hand.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. A clerk at the door looked up and greeted her familiarly, “Sister Zhang, delivering goods today?”

Zhang smiled, “Yes, please ask the manager if he’s available.”

The clerk, named Xiao Wu, was free and pointed beside the counter. “The manager isn’t busy right now. Wait over there; I’ll call him right away.”