Chapter 35: Become Master and Disciple Before Partnering
The prefectural school did not require morning classes, so after Li Xuedong ate breakfast at home, he would then go to the schoolroom.
Early in the morning, just as Li Jinzhu and Li Yuzhu had moved aside a basket of eggs, creating a narrow gap for entry and exit, Sister-in-law Yin arrived carrying a white porcelain large bowl.
“My dear sister is so diligent. The Xiucai Scholar is already up studying so early; no wonder he’s a Xiucai Scholar!” Sister-in-law Yin’s enthusiasm was palpable.
Li Xiaonan stood at the kitchen door, smiling at Sister-in-law Yin.
“I brought you a bowl of the steamed cup cakes I made. This recipe comes from Linhai Town. My Da Bao and his Weng Weng both say they’re delicious. I specially steamed a pot for you all. Try them quickly, they’re best eaten hot.”
Sister-in-law Yin handed the large bowl to Li Jinzhu.
“If you’re not busy, Sister-in-law, please come in and sit for a while,” Li Jinzhu said, accepting the full bowl of steamed cakes and handing it to Li Yuzhu, smiling as she invited Sister-in-law Yin.
“I’m not busy. Today is a slow day. I’ve been to your courtyard a few times. Before you moved in, this loquat tree was very sweet,” Sister-in-law Yin said, holding her breath and tiptoeing as she followed Li Jinzhu into the main hall.
Li Xiaonan slipped into the main hall along the wall, staying close to her Eldest Sister.
“Little sister’s eyes are so bright and sparkling, truly spirited. Little sister is too thin,” Sister-in-law Yin said, reaching out to pinch Li Xiaonan’s slender arm.
Li Xiaonan, tickled by Sister-in-law Yin’s pinch, twisted and broke free, hiding behind Li Jinzhu. Li Jinzhu smiled and said to Sister-in-law Yin, “Please sit, Sister-in-law.”
“Didn’t sleep well last night?” Sister-in-law Yin asked, looking at Li Jinzhu’s slightly dark eye circles.
“Mm, I’m not good with handling things. This courtyard full of eggs…” Li Jinzhu gestured outside.
“This is all copper coins!” Sister-in-law Yin said with a smile.
“Sister-in-law, have you decided?” Li Xiaonan asked, leaning against Li Jinzhu.
“What do you think?” Sister-in-law Yin pursed her lips, smiling, and glanced at Li Xiaonan.
“We’ve decided,” Li Xiaonan replied crisply and affirmatively.
“Look how clever you are,” Sister-in-law Yin chuckled.
Li Jinzhu visibly relaxed.
Li Jinzhu’s relief made Sister-in-law Yin laugh again. “I see you’re truly honest. Then let’s speak frankly.”
Li Jinzhu quickly nodded, signaling Sister-in-law Yin to continue.
“Originally, I was just going to tell you how to make preserved eggs, just give you the recipe. But you mentioned a partnership yesterday, and that’s not just a matter of a few words. If we are truly going to partner in this preserved egg and salted egg business, I’ll have to commit myself entirely. I won’t be able to manage all the household chores at my place.
“This isn’t just my business anymore. This has become a big matter. Just discussing it with Da Bao’s father won’t be enough. This matter requires Weng Weng’s approval.
Li Jinzhu listened and nodded with a smile, while Li Xiaonan, with blinking eyes, watched Sister-in-law Yin, waiting for her to continue.
“Weng Weng, my Da Bao’s Weng Weng,” Sister-in-law Yin said with a forced smile, “thinks a lot about everything. Weng Weng’s opinion is that, regarding copper coins and such, although we don’t have much, we’re not exactly lacking. Weng Weng’s opinion is, well, you see, could you ask the Xiucai Scholar to take our Da Bao as a disciple? We could become sworn relatives.”
Li Jinzhu’s eyes widened as she listened.
Li Xiaonan burst out laughing.
Sister-in-law Yin immediately felt awkward. “Well…”
“Deal!”
Sister-in-law Yin’s embarrassment, which had been building up, was cut short by Li Xiaonan’s loud and decisive “Deal!”
“Eldest Sister,” Li Xiaonan nudged Li Jinzhu.
“If you don’t mind,” Li Jinzhu responded quickly.
“Oh my, look at you! This is a great fortune for our Da Bao!” Sister-in-law Yin’s face lit up, her voice rising. “Where is the Xiucai Scholar? I see the Xiucai Scholar has a very good temper!”
“After school today, have Da Bao come over. If Brother has time, he can teach him. If Brother doesn’t have time, I’ll teach him on his behalf,” Li Xiaonan said, glancing at the eggs filling the courtyard.
“No rush. We need to pick an auspicious day first. The disciple-taking ceremony cannot be sloppy; we must hold a few banquets,” Sister-in-law Yin said, her eyes crinkling into slits, not noticing Li Xiaonan’s glance at the eggs.
“Then, Sister-in-law, when do you think we should start our preserved egg and salted egg business?” Li Xiaonan asked directly.
“We must hurry! For making preserved eggs and salted eggs, the fresher the eggs, the better. We need to find a place first. We’ll have Da Bao’s father handle that. We also need to buy lime, rice husk, and salt – a lot of things. We’ll have Da Bao’s father buy those too. First, let’s find people to sort and wash all these eggs.
“I’ll go back and tell them. If necessary, we’ll have Da Bao’s Weng Weng call some people over to help.”
Sister-in-law Yin stood up.
“I’ll give you silver notes,” Li Jinzhu said, standing up as well, steeling herself, and smiling.
Since they had decided to do this business, no matter how reluctant she was to part with the money, she couldn’t hold back.
“No need!” Sister-in-law Yin laughed out loud. “This business is our partnership. Since it’s a partnership, the capital will come from both our families. The eggs filling your courtyard are our copper coins. The copper coins for renting a courtyard and buying materials should be provided by me.”
“We haven’t discussed how many shares each of our families will have yet,” Li Xiaonan added with a smile.
“We are sworn relatives now! Like family. Four-six or three-seven is fine,” Sister-in-law Yin said readily.
“Then four-six? You take four, we take six,” Li Xiaonan immediately followed up.
“Agreed! Little sister will surely be extraordinary when she grows up. Look at how sharp her mind is,” Sister-in-law Yin said, patting Li Xiaonan on the head.
“Do we need to write a contract?” Li Xiaonan continued to ask.
“Although the preserved egg and salted egg business isn’t a huge undertaking, once we get started, there will be many things to handle. We also need to learn the ropes. Let’s have Da Bao’s father handle this first.
“After we finish these urgent matters, I’ll explain in detail how things are done and what the rules are. For now, looking at the eggs filling the courtyard, we must hurry. Otherwise, if the eggs spoil, each one is a golden copper coin.”
Sister-in-law Yin finished her last sentence by tapping Li Xiaonan’s forehead with a finger.
“Then we’ll do as you arrange, Sister-in-law,” Li Jinzhu said, pulling Li Xiaonan, who was about to speak, back, and smiling at Sister-in-law Yin.
“Alright, I’ll hurry back and tell Da Bao’s Weng Weng, and have Da Bao’s father quickly secure a place and buy materials. I’ll be back later,” Sister-in-law Yin said as she walked towards the exit.
Watching Sister-in-law Yin leave the courtyard gate, Li Jinzhu’s shoulders drooped, and she let out a heavy sigh.
“Eldest Sister is overthinking again,” Li Xiaonan said, knowing why her Eldest Sister was sighing.
Sister-in-law Yin wanted her son to be Brother’s disciple, aiming for her brother’s future success, so that her Da Bao would rise with him.
“There are so many Xiucai scholars, how many become Recommended Scholars? Out of twenty, maybe one is good. Many famous scholars in the world, after a lifetime of trying, never became Recommended Scholars. It’s normal for Brother not to pass,” Li Xiaonan continued.
“We can’t say that. We know our brother’s situation clearly. How can we be dishonest?” Li Jinzhu’s voice was very low.
“How about I teach her Da Bao well and make him a Xiucai Scholar? What do you think?” Li Xiaonan said with a smile, trying to comfort her Eldest Sister.
“I see your courage is growing! You dare to speak such big words so casually,” Li Jinzhu said sternly, scolding her.
“I… Yes, I won’t speak like that again,” Li Xiaonan started to argue but swallowed her words.
She really needed to change her old habits and bad ways, not speak with the mindset of market promotion. She couldn’t achieve the seven-tenths certainty of speaking ten-tenths like her Eldest and Second Sisters. She should strive to speak with seven-tenths certainty as ten-tenths.
Alright, today’s work is indeed finished.
Flipping through the refrigerator, she started to worry again. The freezer was half empty!
