Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 62 Village Association
Mama Yu and her servants served tea to Granny Li and the others.

He then dismissed the man and returned to stand beside the old lady.

When the second wife was in charge of the household, she was very prestigious in the clan. Even after leaving the house, the people of Yong'an Ward would show her some respect, but that was all because of the second master's reputation.

Now it's different. She can see that the villagers are genuinely grateful to the old lady. When they speak, there's no false flattery, but sincerity on their faces, as if they'd be letting the old lady down if they had any other thoughts.

Xie Yuyan asked, "How many deposits have been paid in our workshop?"

Xu, who was standing nearby, said, "There are eight or nine portions now, but some are shared by two families, and some are bought by one family for two portions."

As she spoke, Xu's voice grew softer, as if she feared she had said something wrong.

Xie Yuyan nodded: "What does everyone think?"

Grandma Li said with a smile, "Everyone wants to buy water from the water shop and then sell it in various neighborhoods, but I don't know... is this the right thing to do? In the end, we're taking advantage of the water shop."

If it were anyone else running a water shop, they wouldn't have thought much of it, but it's different with Madam Xie. They're afraid of causing her any trouble.

Originally, they went to the water shop to buy water to support Madam. After everyone paid their deposits and gathered together, Madam Xu suddenly mentioned that they could actually take hot water out to sell.

This is a good deal, but they are afraid that it will ruin the old lady's plans.

According to several people, it was best not to ask about the matter. They all believed in repaying kindness and that they couldn't do something heartless. However, Madam Xu said, "If we can think of this method, those who have paid the deposit will also think the same way. In my opinion, Madam has already foreseen this. If you are not sure, you might as well ask Madam."

So they waited outside for Xie Yuyan to return.

Grandma Li explained everything clearly, then looked at Xie Yuyan and said, "If the mistress wants us to sell, we will. If she doesn't want us to, we'll just be giving her a heads-up."

Xie Yuyan smiled and said, "Since the water shop has set this price, everyone should just go and buy."

Grandma Li said, "Whether you use it yourself or sell it, it's fine?"

Xie Yuyan nodded.

Everyone's eyes lit up immediately, and they looked at each other.

Grandma Li couldn't stop smiling: "We went to buy water to make Madam's business more lively, but in the end, Madam pointed out a way to make money."

"From now on, if anyone in the neighborhood dares to say anything bad about Madam, this old woman will be the first to object."

Upon hearing this, the people of Yong'an Ward all nodded in agreement.
but……

Madam Xu thought about it more deeply. She looked up and said, "I noticed that the water station used a very large pot, which could probably hold more than seventy or eighty buckets of water, but I didn't see anyone adding firewood to the stove..."

Xu stopped there, afraid that there might be something she shouldn't have said in front of others.

This is a business transaction; how can we let others know about it?
Xie Yuyan said, "We don't burn firewood, nor do we burn bellflowers or charcoal. We use lotus root charcoal that we make ourselves, and the stove is specially designed for burning lotus root charcoal."

"Lotus root charcoal?"

Xie Yuyan said, "It was made from crushed coal."

Xu pursed her lips. Judging from the way the water shop was boiling water, the lotus root charcoal must be easy to burn. The hot water was so cheap that they wouldn't lose money, so the lotus root charcoal couldn't be too expensive.

"Then... do you sell lotus root charcoal?"

Xie Yuyan said, "Ten days later, you can buy lotus root charcoal at the water shop. It costs three coins per pound and is just as good as white charcoal."

White charcoal burns for a long time without producing smoke, which is something only wealthy families can afford. Grandma Li had seen it when she was young and thought that when she earned money, she could buy a pound of it. But in recent years, the winters have become colder and colder, and charcoal has become more expensive. How could she dare to even think about white charcoal? She doesn't even dare to buy much ordinary coarse charcoal.

"This year, white charcoal sold for two catties for one string of cash."

"That's still a small amount."

"Wealthy families are scrambling to buy them, so naturally the prices keep rising."

“Each household buys hundreds or even thousands of kilograms, so the shops have no trouble selling them; the only option is to raise prices.”

If the lotus root charcoal that Lady Xie mentioned could be burned into white charcoal... no one dared to imagine it.

Grandma Li looked at the charcoal brazier on the ground: "Is this charcoal made from lotus root?"

Reminded in this way, everyone looked over.

In fact, Madam Xu had already discovered it, but she thought about it too much and didn't dare to say it rashly.

"As soon as I entered, I felt that the room was warm, but the Yang family is also a large and wealthy family," Grandma Li said with a smile. "This old woman thought that they were willing to use charcoal." Xie Yuyan did not speak, and Zhang said, "Everyone knows the situation of our third branch. Before Yan'er came, we could only burn some coarse charcoal at home. Only after Yan'er made lotus root charcoal did we dare to use it like this."

Grandma Li sighed, "You are kind-hearted and blessed to have married such a daughter-in-law. You can enjoy happiness with her from now on."

Zhang nodded repeatedly.

After saying this, Granny Li continued, "It's not just you and your son who will benefit; we will also benefit. If this lotus root charcoal is sold, it will save countless lives."

"Madam's water stall is doing well, and her lotus root charcoal is selling well too. This is an excellent business."

Grandma Li looked at the others and said, "If you can sell water, go back and do the math. I'm an old woman, and there's no one strong in the family. Even with such a good business right in front of me, I... can't do it."

Carrying hot water through the streets and alleys is hard work, let alone for Granny Li. Families without one or two men shouldn't even think about it.

Just as the group was about to comfort Granny Li, Xie Yuyan said, "It's not necessary to sell hot water. With lotus root charcoal, there's no need to worry about not having business."

Xie Yuyan said, "Grandma Li knows how to cook, have you ever thought about setting up a stall on the street?"

She pointed to the charcoal brazier: "Lotus root charcoal can boil water, so it can naturally be used for other things as well."

Grandma Li's mind suddenly cleared. She stood up and looked at Xie Yuyan: "Madam is really..." She didn't know what to say. She unconsciously stood up, turned around in the room, and then laughed.

"That's a really great idea."

Xie Yuyan looked at Granny Li. In fact, once more lotus root charcoal is sold, it will naturally be used in various places. Many businesses, such as water shops, which were previously limited by the high price of firewood and charcoal, will also be able to thrive because of this.

She merely offered a few pointers to allow the people of Yong'anfang to seize the initiative.

“However,” Xie Yuyan changed the subject, “everyone should be prepared, it probably won’t go so smoothly.”

Xie Yuyan looked at Mother Yu.

Mother Yu stepped forward and said, "There are some hooligans on the street who deliberately cause trouble, spilling hot water they've bought and threatening the people around them not to go to the water shop to get water. If you sell water, you're bound to encounter these people."

“My wife’s selling lotus root charcoal is a good thing for everyone, but not necessarily for some people.”

Grandma Li and Madam Xu immediately thought of the Du family. That was why they wrote a lawsuit and sent it to the yamen. The downfall of the Du family was a big deal for Yong'anfang, but it was nothing in Daming Prefecture. There were probably many more people like the Du family.

"Are we just going to let them bully us forever?"

Madam Yu said, "Of course not, otherwise why would my mistress be doing these things in Yong'an Ward?"

Everyone found this reasonable and looked at Xie Yuyan with anticipation.

Xie Yuyan said, "One or two people can't fight against those people. What if there are more of them?"

"Everyone can get together and help each other, so even if those people want to make a move, they'll have to think twice."

Grandma Li felt that everything Madam Xie said made perfect sense. Weren't they gathered together right now, discussing countermeasures? If they could rely on Madam Xie's guidance in the future… wouldn't things be much easier?

When the time comes, those with money will contribute money, and those with strength will contribute strength.

Xie Yuyan said, "What happened in Yong'an Ward, we will encounter again outside. Are we just going to let those people do whatever they want and bully us at will?"

“I want to establish a village association. All members of the association must abide by the village rules I set. Villagers should encourage each other in virtue and conduct, correct each other's mistakes, follow each other's etiquette and customs, and help each other in times of trouble. Members can help and lend each other money, tools, vehicles, and manpower. If there is any injustice, they can report it to the association, and the head of the association will uphold justice. Anyone who refuses to obey will be expelled from the village association.”

"What do you think?"

……

When Yang Mingjing heard that Wang, the chief clerk of the patrol office, was coming, he immediately went to greet him, thinking that the office had some instructions. Unexpectedly, Chief Clerk Wang said directly that he wanted to come to the third branch to find Xie Yuyan.

Yang Mingjing breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not leave. He respectfully led the way, not because he was afraid of a mere clerk, but because of He Tan…

Furthermore, he also felt that this registrar looked particularly unusual.

The two walked into the courtyard of the third house, and before they could ask the steward to announce their arrival, they heard a sound coming from the main room.

"I am willing."

"I would like that too."

(End of this chapter)