Chapter 247: Chapter 248: Checking the Accounts
Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but feel a secret sense of relief. ’Thank goodness my senior came with me back then.’
’If she were all alone in this perilous dynasty, she doubted she could have survived, even with her pocket dimension.’
"Then how long will you be gone this time?" Jin Qianqian asked, grabbing his hand, her heart filled with reluctance.
"I don’t know for sure yet, but I’ll be back as soon as I can." Ancient Wen Heng was also reluctant to leave Jin Qianqian at a time like this. He stroked her still-flat stomach and said, "It will be hard on you for a while, my dear wife. Please read more to our son."
Considering the disparity between men and women in this dynasty, both of them were hoping for a chubby little boy, so they kept referring to the baby as "our son" as if it were already a fact.
Jin Qianqian said, "In that case, I really don’t want to read that obscure and difficult classical literature. Are Tang poems and Song lyrics acceptable?"
’That stuff is just too mentally exhausting. She didn’t think she had the patience to read it all out, word by word.’
"...Of course, that’s fine." Ancient Wen Heng was currently following all the guidelines from the prenatal education books to the letter.
It also served as a good review for him, as he would pull out his own books for the imperial examinations to read. "Otherwise, I’m afraid a certain someone might doze off while reading!"
Jin Qianqian rubbed her nose and pouted with mock grievance. "I can’t help it when the sleep bug bites."
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Jin Qianqian looked at Hu Dong seriously. "Do you realize what you’re saying?"
Hu Dong knelt ramrod-straight before Jin Qianqian. "Madam, this servant is willing to sign an indenture. From now on, I swear to serve you with my life."
Jin Qianqian had Qing Mei help him up. "I remember you said before that you didn’t want to be a servant. Your master and I would never force you; you don’t have to take this step."
"But my conscience won’t be clear. Without this piece of paper, I’m afraid I won’t be able to bear such a heavy responsibility." Hu Dong’s youthful face was filled with solemnity.
Jin Qianqian said, "The master and I trust you."
"But I don’t trust myself." Hu Dong’s face was tense. Every day, such a large sum of silver taels passed through his hands. He could resist the temptation now, but what about in one year, three years, five, or even ten years?
He had his own principles. Even though he didn’t want to sell himself into servitude, he definitely didn’t want to end up morally corrupt, ruining his entire life.
After much deliberation, Dongzi had made his decision. Besides, selling himself into servitude didn’t mean he couldn’t buy his freedom back later. He believed that given the character of the Master and Madam, they would grant him his wish when the time came.
"Is someone beneath you spouting nonsense?" Jin Qianqian asked, her face stern. ’After all, there’s drama and politics everywhere.’
Hu Dong shook his head. While it was true that some people whispered behind his back, their words were of no consequence to him. "If Madam won’t sign this contract with me, then I must ask you to take the soap shop back."
"You little brat, are you threatening me now?" Jin Qianqian laughed in exasperation. "Are you just making excuses for yourself because you feel you’re not capable enough?"
Hu Dong shook his head. "Please grant my request, Madam."
Jin Qianqian knew the boy was being stubborn. "Fine. I will sign this contract with you. However, I give you my word: whenever you wish, you can regain your freedom at any time."
Hu Dong’s eyes reddened. His journey from a desperate little beggar to the respected shopkeeper he was today, one who raked in a fortune daily, was all because of the trust the Master and Madam had placed in him.
And because of that, he wanted to give them—and himself—peace of mind.
When he saw Jin Qianqian sign her name on the indenture, he knelt down again and kowtowed earnestly. "Master."
＆
Just looking at the previous month’s income, Jin Qianqian began to understand why Dongzi had done it.
A single, small shop had generated tens of thousands of silver taels. It was no wonder he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation.
"Haven’t the accounts for the estate been sorted yet?" Jin Qianqian had to admit that while Qingzhu and Qing Lan were excellent at accounting, they were still a far cry from Dongzi, who was simultaneously managing two shops.
Jin Qianqian sighed. ’We’re still short on people. I can’t keep letting a teenager shoulder all the main responsibilities.’
"Qing Lan and the others should be done soon. Should I go hurry them?" Qing Mei had barely finished speaking when Qingzhu entered, carrying an account book.
"Madam, here are the accounts for the estate. This servant has already calculated the soybean products section separately." She respectfully placed the ledger on the desk and then stood quietly to one side, waiting.
Jin Qianqian casually flipped through it. She knew the two sisters weren’t quick with numbers, as they had to double-check their calculations several times. "I didn’t expect the soybean products to bring in several thousand taels of silver," she said. "Remember to deduct the expenses we fronted and send the remaining balance to them."
The Gu Family Brothers were illiterate, let alone capable of bookkeeping, so for the time being, the accounts had been entrusted to Qingzhu and Qing Lan.
’Comparing it to the initial capital, Jin Qianqian was astonished. It was true that a monopoly was good business. After deducting the several hundred taels spent on beans, the brothers had truly turned their lives around and become men of some wealth.’
"Actually, have the steward go and invite them over. You can go over the accounts with them in person then."
"Yes, Madam." Qingzhu looked at Jin Qianqian, hesitating, but finally mustered her courage to speak. "Madam, the estate foreman had something he wanted me to ask. Why are we limiting the shipments of the estate’s chili peppers? And drying the rest?"
Jin Qianqian had her reasons, of course, but she wasn’t about to explain them. "Just tell them to follow the instructions!
Go tell them that I have great plans for those dried chili peppers. If they do their work well, I will make sure they are well compensated."
Qingzhu quietly acknowledged the order, answered a few more questions, and then excused herself.
＆
The Gu Family Brothers arrived quickly. Jin Qianqian had just finished her breakfast when the gatekeeper came to announce their arrival.
"Have you eaten, brothers?" Jin Qianqian asked. Seeing the frost still clinging to them, she knew they must have set out before dawn.
Gu Yuanjin smiled and nodded. "We ate before dawn. After hearing that Sister-in-law had sent for us yesterday, we were all too excited to sleep a wink last night."
After working so hard for so long, anyone would be excited to finally see some hard cash.
Jin Qianqian understood how they felt, so she didn’t waste any time. She placed the ledger Qing Lan had brought in on the table before them.
She carefully explained the various expenses and the total income recorded inside.
Although Jin Qianqian explained everything slowly and meticulously, the brothers felt their scalps tingle as they stared at the columns of characters. It was all Greek to them.
Jin Qianqian noticed their awkward predicament, but the topic had to be addressed. She could only brace herself and try to explain everything in the simplest, most understandable terms.
"So, in the last two months, we’ve earned more than four thousand taels in total?" Gu Yuanshui asked again, unable to believe it.
Jin Qianqian nodded with certainty. "All the accounts are recorded here. If you have any doubts, brothers, you’re welcome to hire someone to audit them."
