Chapter 45
Most of the villagers also relied on men to go out and work to earn rice and grains. The women made some handiwork, such as needlework and straw weaving, and sold them in the city.
It was no wonder that families without adults or men had such miserable life.
That was why Eldest Brother Guan and the others could earn money by doing manual labor in the city. However, because the consumption level in the city was relatively high, the copper coins they earned were only enough to buy rice and grains.
The villagers had just had enough rice and grains to survive the day. Although prices were high in the city, the citizens there were not so short on money.
Ye Lulu understood and asked, “Are there many people at the docks every day? Is the land transportation in the city advanced as well? Are there many shops?”
Guan Chibei said, “There are many people and ships at the docks every day. Land transportation is ordinary. There are many mountains nearby Yuan City, and the terrain is rugged and winding. There are few wide roads… You wandered over here previously. Don’t you know this?”
Guan Chibei looked at her meaningfully.
Ye Lulu’s heart skipped a beat.
She said calmly, “I only wandered over here by myself by a single route. I don’t know if there are main roads.”
Guan Chibei was well aware of this. He continued calmly, “There are not many shops, but it’s still alright. Because of the terrain, Yuan City isn’t big enough and can’t develop. As the transportation is smooth, a lot of merchants and goods come and go. The city is also very lively, but there aren’t many local shops.”
Ye Lulu had an idea in her heart. She suddenly looked at Guan Chibei and tried to ask, “Do you think… it will work if our family were to do some business? Then, Eldest Brother and the rest wouldn’t have to do manual labor?”
“Eldest Brother?” Guan Chibei repeated with a smile. She was an outsider, but it was still quite easy for her to call him Eldest Brother.
She had so much self-awareness?
Ye Lulu did not notice the meaning in Guan Chibei’s eyes. She was full of thoughts about finding a livelihood. She said, “Can you say it first? Eldest Brother Guan and the rest go out to do manual labor every day. They expend more strength but earn less money. Why don’t we think of another way? With the strength of Eldest Brother and the rest, our family can earn more money.”
Guan Chibei’s expression darkened. He knew that Ye Lulu was thinking of ways to change the face of the family.
This was indeed not something that the Ye Lulu of the past, who felt completely satisfied after marrying into the Guan family and felt that her status was lower, would do.
“What do you want to do?”
“In the nearby villages around Yuan City, has anyone entered the city for business?” Ye Lulu asked first.
“I don’t know. We can observe it tomorrow,” Guan Chibei said calmly.
Ye Lulu did not rashly mention earning money to Mother Rong and the rest. This was the reason why she first looked for Guan Chibei in the house and shared this with him. It was not easy to earn money by doing business. At the very least, they had to do market research. Otherwise, it would be very easy for them to fail.
“Alright, then you can make a trip tomorrow.” Ye Lulu naturally directed her ‘husband.’
After all, this was for the sake of herself and the entire Guan family.
“Yes.” Guan Chibei only replied and asked, “Is there anything you want me to bring back?”
He was indeed quite responsible when it came to taking care of his wife and children. Ye Lulu thought to herself, “Nothing. If there’s a pastry shop with good business, bring some of the best selling items back.”
Guan Chibei nodded and walked out of the house.
The next morning, Guan Chibei went up the mountain to hunt a goat before arriving at the place to board an ox cart to go to the city.
Then, they saw him holding onto prey again. A goat was something big. The people in the ox cart looked at him with strange and envious eyes.