Chapter 49

As soon as Song Dingxiang spoke, everyone else sat up straight and looked at her seriously.

Song Dingxiang let out a nervous laugh. "Please don't all stare at me like that. It's making me so anxious that I can't even speak."

Li shi couldn't help but pat her and said, "Are you still getting scared? As long as you don't scare others, that's good. Hurry up, don't delay."

Song Dingxiang then said, "I see that more and more things are being done in our family, and when things pile up, it becomes troublesome and hard to manage. Now that my sister is back, I want to distribute the things in the house. But it's just an idea, I still need grandpa and grandma's approval to proceed."

Li shi said, "Oh, just say it, how do you want to distribute it? But let's make it clear first, your grandpa and I are old, we can help look after the children, but we can't do labor. We are planning to relax and enjoy our old age." Her meaning was very clear, she didn't want to interfere in the children's affairs.

Song Dingxiang nodded and said, "Hutou and Tudan is currently looking after the shop in town, he says there aren't many things in the shop, I know that too. Our shop is not small, that little bit of stuff doesn't fill it up. However, the shop is primarily a food shop, selling groceries always feels a bit awkward. So, I want to buy another store, not as big, a smaller one, without a backyard, specifically for selling groceries."

Fang shi was surprised and asked, "What about your shop?"

Song Dingxiang said, "My shop will specialize in food items, such as buckwheat cakes, roasted peanuts, and so on. In the future, I may add new food items, after all, the shop has a well in the back, making it convenient for cooking."

Song Hutou scratched his head and asked, "Are you planning to give me a small shop?"

Song Dingxiang replied, "I am planning to switch to a smaller one, but your parents have to pay for the shop, and they can decide whose name it will be under, just not mine. Then, I plan to make more pickles and sauces, and also sell various dried vegetables and fruits from our family, filling up the shop and making it festive."

Song Xingyi said, "That's true, but these dried vegetables and fruits are not something new..."

Song Dingxiang interrupted, "Pickled vegetables and autumn sauce are not new either, when people come to our shop to buy things, won't they take these too? In the future, scarves, shawls, shoe covers, shoe uppers, embroidered pouches made by my fifth and sixth grandaunt's, or anything someone wants to sell, can be placed in that shop. This way, the variety of products will increase."

Song Xingyi nodded and said, "That makes sense. But in your big shop, are you just going to sell the buckwheat cakes you mentioned and peanuts, or something else?"

Song Dingxiang replied, "Of course not. Didn't our jam sell well last year? I am thinking of teaching my sister to make some jam snacks, as well as some simple clay pot stew dishes that we don't have here. I will let my sister look after my shop, so she won't be bored at home."

Fang shi nodded and said, "That makes sense, but isn't it a bit difficult for your sister to be alone in town?"

Song Dingxiang replied, "What's difficult about it? We have my younger uncle's family and the Wang Yuanwai family helping in town. In the evenings, my brother and Tudan will go there to sleep. And with another sister-in-law helping in the shop, recommending a couple of hardworking boys from the village to serve as a waiter, we'll have enough help. The back of my shop was originally a courtyard, with several rooms, enough for sleeping. And Da Bao is not young anymore, he can go study with Huzi or help in the shop, he won't be idle."

Zhang shi thought for a moment and said, "These past few years we've made some money, we should let him go to school too. Da Fen, your son can go as well, it's better for a few children to have company. And after school, they can help around."

Qiao Liu and Jin Qiao nodded repeatedly, their children were already five or six years old and ready for education.

Song Dingxiang continued, "That's the plan for the town, but as for our family... Although Fifth and Sixth Grandaunts are helping manage the wool workshop, it belongs to our family after all. I want Sister Jin Qiao to take over, learn bookkeeping, and perhaps come up with some new ideas."

Jin Qiao was shocked and quickly waved her hand, "How can this be? This, this... that's your business."

Song Dingxiang waved her hand and said, "We are all family, even though we have separate households, we are different from others. Working together, earning money together gives us direction, right? And it's not just your responsibility, Sister Zhao Di will manage the pickled vegetables, kimchi, and other products. I am truly too busy. As for my eldest sister-in-law, she will be in charge of peanuts, jam, canned goods, and any other future products."

The sisters-in-law were delighted, this meant they could truly be financially independent, with their own jobs.

Fang shi calculated for a moment, looked at Song Dingxiang, and asked in confusion, "What about others are doing, what are you doing?"

Song Dingxiang pointed to herself and said, "I've used my brain, so naturally I should have a share in the profits. Whoever earns money, I should get a third share. Can't I just sit and earn money?"

Fang shi:...

Li shi burst out laughing and couldn't help but clap, saying, "This is great, it's much more comfortable to just take money than to work."

Fang shi almost rolled her eyes and said, "What about me then? Your Aunt and I are still young, but now we can't do anything. Are we just supposed to retire?"

Song Dingxiang laughed, "Of course not, that's not my intention. Whether it's the shop or the workshop at home, if we make money, I get a third share, does everyone agree to this?"

Everyone vigorously shook their heads.

"And give a share to our elders, does anyone have a problem with that?"

Another round of head shaking.

"Then each give half a share to Aunt and my mother, anyone disagree?"

Naturally, there was no disagreement. Song Dingxiang nodded in satisfaction, "Since there are no objections, then the grandparents can help with the children, and my mother and Aunt can help with the work. And not just help with the work, but also help when it's time to slaughter pigs, does anyone have an issue with that?"

Li shi burst into laughter again, nodding repeatedly, "Anyway, I have no objections. Just watching a child and getting a share, I'm happy with that."

Song Zhixuan pretended to be angry and said, "So everyone else has one, except me. Second niece, don't you like your little uncle anymore? Little uncle is sad..."

Song Dingxiang naturally saw through Song Zhixuan's fake anger and said with a smile, "This is all work to be divided among a few sisters-in-law. What, little uncle, are you not planning to study and want to work instead?"

Song Zhixuan:...

"As for the younger auny-in-law, she needs to take care of her health first before anything else. In the future, if she can't stay here, she'll have to go to town with you or accompany you when you become an official after passing the imperial examination. It's not really appropriate to assign her tasks. So, you have to study hard to uphold the family honor for the younger aunt-in-law."

Song Zhixuan, feeling troubled, held his head in his hands and said, "It looks like I really have to study hard and pass the imperial examination, otherwise my wife will suffer, oh my."

Li shi threw a peanut shell at him and said, "Are you not ashamed? The whole family is supporting you to study, and you still have the nerve to ask your niece for something. Be careful, I'll hit you."

Song Zhixuan quickly begged for forgiveness, "Oh my dear mom, I was just kidding to make everyone laugh."

He really had no face to ask for anything, as the family had been living frugally to support his education all these years, and he had never earned a single penny. But he understood the hardships his family had endured and felt the need to uphold their honor!

Song Dingxiang added, "It's also because our younger aunt-in-law can't do farm work. Every task inside and outside the house is laborious. I think as long as she takes care of you, little uncle, it's enough. And once she recovers, there will be tasks she can handle."

Song Zhixuan knew it was true. While his wife was kind, she had bound feet and couldn't walk long distances or carry heavy loads, making it impossible for her to do many tasks around the house. And with her current state of health, she was even more restricted.

Upon hearing the conversation, Liu shi couldn't help but ask her daughter, "Is the one in charge of the Song family now Song Dingxiang?"

Bai Shi chuckled and replied, "Mom, are you implying you want me to take charge? I don't have that ability. I think the house is run well, and we live comfortably."

Liu shi still seemed a bit unhappy, saying, "Comfortable or not, both of your sisters-in-law have their chores, and the other daughters-in-law are also busy. Why is it different for you?"

"Mom!" Bai Shi's face darkened as she said, "Zhixuan has always been funded by the family for his studies. Do you think it's all the in-laws' money? They have long divided their households, and now I have also separated from them. Even though we have separate households, Zhixuan's annual school fees are still covered by his two brothers. Isn't that enough?"

"Oh, I just made a couple of remarks, why are you getting upset?" Liu shi hurriedly advised, "I was just wondering. Isn't Song Dingxiang already married? How can she manage this whole household...?"

"That's her skill. Besides, Dingxiang is good to her sister, and she is good to the other sister-in-laws. In the future, she won't mistreat me. And when Zhixuan successfully becomes an official, I will naturally follow him, so why fight over these things? What can I do even if I get my hands on them? Mom, please stop worrying. Don't create any barriers, how will I live as your daughter?" Bai Shi grumbled unhappily, finding her mother's pettiness difficult to deal with.

Liu shi quickly pleaded, "I understand, I understand. Oh dear, it's just that from what I usually see, everyone fights over everything, so it's a bit unusual to see this. But that Song Dingxiang is indeed amazing, her head must be made of gold, so precious."

Their voices were low, and the occupants in the opposite room couldn't hear them.

In order to avoid any disputes, Song Dingxiang had Song Zhixuan write a contract, with everyone taking turns to press their fingerprints and sign their names.

After finishing, Song Xingyi suddenly remarked, "Oh, you all went to work, what about the work in the fields?"

Li shi gave him a disapproving look and said, "You only remember about the work in the fields now?"

Song Dingxiang said, "Rent them out, Grandpa shouldn't overwork himself. And in the spring, we need to dig the lotus pond and plant lotus. We also need to clean up the workshop courtyard. And don't plant so many cabbages, if there's not enough soybeans, cabbages, peanuts, just go and harvest. If we make money, we must let the villagers benefit too, so that if anyone bullies us in the future, the villagers will help us properly."

Song Xingyi thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I still have a lot of wasteland to clean up, really can't focus on anything else. It's only been a few years, we have both a workshop and a shop, how did we end up being so extravagant?"

"Being extravagant isn't a bad thing, is it?" Li shi gave him a disdainful look and continued, "Let me tell you, now that we have all divided our households, in the future you all will either be busy with the workshop or the shop, you can't all be squeezed in this small courtyard. I think you should go out and build your own houses. With your own courtyard, there will be a place to put all these things."

When Song Zhicheng and Song Zhiyuan heard this, they quickly said, "Mom, are you trying to get rid of us? It's so lively living together."

Li shi smiled and said, "Of course I'm trying to get rid of you, there's too much noise with this big household... ah, it's fine to come over to eat and sleep, but do you have to work here too? People everywhere, is this a home or a workshop? Hurry up, I've been thinking about this for a while."

Everyone realized that Li shi wasn't trying to drive them out, but because the household was too chaotic.

Song Zhiyuan said, "I've already built a house in the yard that was originally assigned to me, but I raised pigs there. Once you start raising pigs, you can't plant edible things, so I left it."

Song Zhicheng also said, "Half of my yard is used as a wool workshop, and the other half is used for drying sauce for spicy cabbage. It's too chaotic, so I'll just draw another plot of land and start a new courtyard."

When the group of people heard about the plan to rebuild the house and start a new courtyard, they became energized. Song Xingyi simply invited the village chief and asked if there were any large residential plots nearby that they could use.

The village chief came with a map and after looking at it, he said, "Yes, in the area near the water pit, there are two plots in the middle that can be used for building houses. If you want to connect them, you'll have to talk to those two families. But they are easy to talk to. One is Uncle Wang Liu's family, they are simple and poor, if you build a good house for them, they will probably agree to move. The other family is surnamed Zhou, they are not related to the Zhou family here, they moved here from outside. Their three daughters are all married, and they have one son who is looking for a wife, they would probably be happy to rebuild their house too."

Song Dingxiang asked, "What if they ask for a lot in return?"

The village chief thought for a moment and said, "They shouldn't, these two families are usually easy to deal with. But since it involves moving, you can never be sure."

Song Dingxiang pointed to a piece of land under the orchard on the map and asked, "What about this area?"

The village chief replied, "No one lives in that area, it's close to your lotus pond, but far from this side."

Song Xingyi also chimed in, "It's okay if it's a bit far, let's talk to those two families first. If it works out to be nearby, great, if not, we can go to that area."

Song Dingxiang added, "Later on, we can also plant more fruit trees on a few more acres of mountains, so that in the spring, there will be flowers everywhere, it will be a pleasant sight."

After the family discussed and planned, the village chief took the necessary gifts to help the Song family with this matter.

However, to everyone's surprise, while one family was willing, the other family did indeed ask for a lot in return.

The Zhou family, who were willing to cooperate, wanted to rebuild their house as their son was looking for a spouse, and their current home was old and dilapidated. However, by rebuilding the house, they would have less money for the wedding.

If the Song family was willing to build them a few new houses, it would be an excellent opportunity.

Unfortunately, Uncle Wang Liu's family did not see it the same way. Not only did he want a new house, but he also asked for one hundred taels of silver, and even wanted his wife, daughters, and son to work in the Song family's workshop.

Upon hearing this, Song Xingyi was furious and immediately refused, and the family prepared to build the house in the garden area.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Guangcai's family became anxious and hurriedly came over, pleading, "We really have nothing, just a few rooms for my son's wedding. Besides, our two families are adjacent, can't you use our land?"

Song Xingyi sighed and said, "It's not about not using your land, but I want to connect to the area near my lotus pond. If we use your land, there will be a gap with their family, and they are difficult to negotiate with. We would just be wasting money without getting anything done."

Zhou Guangcai was frantic, "Then, what should I do? I'll go talk to them." and ran off without looking back.

However, Uncle Wang Liu's family insisted on money and jobs, claiming that their courtyard was auspicious and should not be easily exchanged.

Song Dingxiang, feeling frustrated, bluntly said to the tearful Zhou Guangcai, "Actually, building a house for your family is not a big deal. There is a small piece of land behind my courtyard, enough for you to build a new one. Your son can work for my family by supplying firewood or feeding pigs. As for your current courtyard, you can keep it there, and we will use it when needed."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Guangcai was so happy that he almost spit out a bubble of snot, "Thank you, Dingxiang, your family is truly a benefactor to mine."

In fact, Song Dingxiang had done a thorough investigation before saying this. Zhou Guangcai was a genuinely honest person, with two elderly parents and an older brother who had never returned after being conscripted, probably never to return.

With only three acres of land to support the whole family, his wife was diligent and efficient, and his son was hardworking.

Song Dingxiang thought that helping a person like him was a good deed and proceeded to help Zhou Guangcai's family discreetly.

After arranging things for Zhou Guangcai's family to keep quiet, Song Dingxiang started to make buckwheat cakes, buckwheat dumplings, buckwheat noodles and five-spice peanuts.

Buckwheat noodles were a breeze to whip up. A simple affair of steaming a blend of buckwheat and a touch of regular flour until tender, then slicing into dainty pieces once cooled.

The real magic happened when we tossed them with a symphony of flavors: garlic's pungent kiss, vinegar's sharp tang, sesame paste's rich unctuousness, chili oil's fiery passion, and cucumber's crisp, refreshing crunch.

This noodle masterpiece was pure bliss, equally at home as a standalone snack or a hearty meal. Oh, the drool-worthy deliciousness!

Five-spice peanuts were a bit more complicated.

First, peanuts needed to be cleaned, a meticulous cleaning, then an overnight soak in a seductive blend of fennel seeds, star anise, chili, and salt. The following day, they were coaxed into tenderness through a gentle boil, before being unleashed into a scorching dance with a vast, dry skillet.

As the moisture surrendered to the heat, a symphony of aromas filled the air. The peanuts emerged triumphant, their interiors pristine and imbued with a captivating essence that teased the taste buds with every whisper of flavor, offering a distinct taste.

Upon hearing about these tasks, Song Yulan's spirits lifted, and she was no longer as despondent as before. After resting for half a month to recover, she eagerly started doing these tasks, as she had several years of experience cooking and was quick to pick up the skills.

During this time, Song Xingyi entrusted the village chief to find a trustworthy person to lease out the land, and Song Zhiyuan went to the town and managed to buy a good shop.

Due to its proximity to the northern border, rumors of impending warfare had spread, prompting many shops to put up for sale at remarkably reasonable prices. Song Zhiyuan, recognizing the opportunity, encouraged his brother Song Zhicheng to join him in purchasing a shop.

The two shops, conveniently located side-by-side, could be combined into a larger establishment or operated independently as smaller ones.

Song Zhicheng's family had also amassed a substantial amount of wealth over the past few years. While the threat of war seemed distant, the shops represented a tangible asset, even if they were not rented out.

Additionally, Song Dingxiang, their intelligent kin, might come up with ingenious ideas for their utilization.

Song Dingxiang, indeed, had ideas of her own. The prospect of owning two shops sparked her creativity.

Although their sheep wool production was still relatively limited, they were the only ones in the area producing it. Establishing a favorable relationship with the northern general could ensure a steady supply of wool for the foreseeable future.

Gloves were primarily made of cashmere, while scarves and shawls were made of wool. They had a surplus of wool from glove production, which could be transformed into scarves and other items.

A single shop would not suffice to accommodate this potential output, especially considering their expanding wool production.

However, she is not in a hurry now. She wants to study more about wool products, ensure that there are more varieties in the shop.

In the spring, the Song family got busy again.

Song Hutou and Song Yulan went to the town to take care of the shop. In addition to peanuts and buckwheat cakes, dumplings, and noodles, Song Yulan also learned to make baked jam-filled meat buns, various toppings for noodles, and the clay pot dishes specially researched by Song Dingxiang.

The clay pot was a veritable cornucopia of culinary delights. Beyond the familiar northern staples of potatoes, cabbage, eggplant, and green beans, it boasted an enticing array of treasures. Cheap yet flavorful sea kelp and dried bamboo shoots, imported from the south, added a delightful complexity.

To tantalize the taste buds further, the pot was generously studded with golden-brown tofu puffs, crispy fried tofu balls, or succulent meatballs.

These stewed dishes could be eaten with buns or noodles, and they were delicious and satisfying. Enjoying a hot bowl of these dishes was truly comforting. There's nothing quite like the heartwarming embrace of a steaming bowl of such goodness.

Song Dingxiang also had the idea to make cold buckwheat noodles in the shop when the weather got warmer. Buckwheat could also be used as the main ingredient for cold noodles, but no one in the family knew how to make dry noodles, so they needed to find someone with the skill.

Song Zhiyuan asked a frequent visitor from the north for help, and surprisingly, he found out the method for making cold noodles. It only cost ten taels, which was considered very cost-effective.

After looking at the recipe, Song Dingxiang adjusted the method slightly and successfully made buckwheat cold noodles, as well as slices of cold noodles. These noodles were then elevated to culinary ecstasy by a sizzling encounter with an iron plate, before being adorned with a symphony of flavors: rich egg, fiery cabbage, and tender meat slices.

Oh, the drool-worthy deliciousness!

With these additions, there was no need to worry about the variety of food in the shop.

Once the shop was taken care of, the next thing to worry about was building a house and digging a lotus pond. Wang Liu's family was still eagerly waiting for the Song family to bring them money, but instead of receiving the money, they saw the Song family building a house behind the pigsty where they used to raise pigs.

He felt resentful but slightly relieved knowing that the Zhou family had not taken advantage of the situation either. However, shortly after the house was completed, the Zhou family moved into the new yard behind the Song family's pigsty.

This made him unable to sit still, so he hurriedly went to the Song family.

Song Xingyi smiled and said, "Ah, yes, we swapped places with the Zhou family. After all, Old Liu, your yard is a feng shui treasure. I'm sure you wouldn't want to change, right?"

Wang Liu was furious and said, "Yes, my yard is indeed a feng shui treasure, so you can't raise pigs in the Zhou family's yard. Pigs are too dirty, it will ruin my feng shui!"

Song Xingyi said, "Alright, no pigs."

"And you can't process wool, I can't stand that smell!" Wang Liu's eyes rolled around, "You also can't make pickled vegetables, it's too smelly."

Song Xingyi's smile disappeared, his voice became serious, "Rest assured, I will level that yard and plant vegetables. What, you're not even going to allow me to grow vegetables? That's my land, you can't control it, right?"

Wang Liu grumbled, unable to respond, and left dejectedly.

When he learned that the Zhou family's son had gone to work for the Song family, he became even angrier and stomped his feet. Old Liu's wife cried, "You wouldn't agree to such a good thing, and now it's all over! You won't get the new house, and you won't get the job. What's the use of staying in this broken yard?"

"Why are you, woman, worrying about so much? Are you short of food or drink?" Wang Liu sat on the edge of the kang, fuming and getting angrier the more he thought about it.

When he went out for a walk in the evening, he happened to meet Zhou Lao San. They had both been wronged by the Song family, and after chatting and drinking some wine, Wang Liu lost his temper.