Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Chapter 69: First Income

On the morning of the fifth day of the fifth month, all the doors of the houses in Yangshan Village were adorned with moxa sticks.

Wei Shi and Liu Yu knew that Cui Erniang would arrive today to discuss the matter of consigning clothes, so they deliberately wore the new clothes they had washed on the fourth day. They put them on early on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

Cui Erniang arrived very early, not wanting to visit someone during mealtime. She left home early and arrived at Yangshan Village. She casually inquired about the location of the Liu family.

People in the business world always have some professional habits that cannot be erased. Upon their first meeting, Cui Erniang was immediately drawn to the clothes worn by Wei Shi and Liu Yu. Forget the usual pleasantries; she directly asked, “These clothes are beautiful. Are they from the embroidery shop in the county?”

Wei Shi and Liu Yu both smiled. Liu Yu said straightforwardly, “I made them, sister. Both my aunt and I intentionally wore this outfit today to show you.”

The coachman from the carriage shop was greeted by the brothers of the Liu family, and Wei Shi and Liu Yu welcomed Cui Erniang into the inner courtyard.

As soon as the tea was served, Liu Yu explained the reason for their meeting and brought up the matter of cooperation.

Cui Erniang was absolutely delighted. She didn’t even touch the tea. She just kept admiring Wei Shi and Liu Yu’s clothes while saying, “I thought you were only sensitive to color matching, but I didn’t expect your strengths to go beyond that. Younger sister, you are truly suited for this profession. Every year, when I go to Yuanzhou to get fabric, I always visit Jinxiu Village. Younger sister, your clothes are no worse than those at Jinxiu Zhuang. They might even be more spirited.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I won’t take any profit. Just as you said, allow me to copy them. Could I use similar fabric to replicate these two outfits?”

“Of course.” Liu Yu nodded, but then said, “But the profit still needs to be shared. We may get along well on a personal level, but when it comes to doing business, blood brothers must be clear about accounts. Sister, your willingness to help me sell has already solved a big problem for me. Moreover, when the clothes are sold from your shop, they are using the resources of your shop. I might not be able to offer much extra profit. So, for each completed garment, you can take 20% of the profit.”

“Twenty percent profit?” Cui Erniang couldn’t help but look at Liu Yu. “Do you know how much profit there is in making clothes?”

Liu Yu pondered for a moment and said, “If you get the fabric from Yuanzhou, the profit from the fabric is about 30%. For ordinary cloth clothes, the cost of making clothes is one or two hundred wen more than the cost of the fabric. For expensive clothes, the cost of making clothes in the town is lower than in the county. Depending on the style, a good style can add another five or six hundred wen to the cost of making clothes. Am I right?”

Cui Erniang smiled. “You’ve really done your homework.”

She nodded and said, “About 30% of the one or two hundred wen extra in labor costs goes to the seamstress. After deducting shop rent and adding fabric profit, the total profit is about 40%. If we subtract fabric and processing costs, the profit is only about 40%. You’re allowing me 20% for one completed garment?”

“In my shop, we mainly sell clothes made from various types of hemp fabric. There is also a small amount of fine cotton and yarn, but silk and satin are very rare. I’ve only added a small amount to elevate the quality. If you’re selling clothes like the ones my aunt and I are wearing, to be honest, they don’t really compete with the resources in my shop. You don’t need to worry about that at all.”

Liu Yu nodded, “I’ll give you 20%. To be honest, most of the fabric I use was given by Aunt Lu and you. For me personally, I’ve only invested my energy and time. Even when these fabrics are used up, I plan to negotiate with the Lu family to get more fabric.”

Cui Erniang already knew about the impending marriage negotiation between the Liu and Lu families and understood that this “negotiation for fabric” was likely related to their partnership in getting goods. She smiled and said, “Alright, little sister, I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”

Before tea was even served, the deal was already settled.

Cui Erniang seemed even more eager than Liu Yu. She said, “Since it’s settled, please make the clothes quickly. With your skills, it’s not difficult to earn twenty taels of silver this summer. I also have some profit to make. With your skills, the shop next door won’t be able to compete with me.”

Her joy was evident in her words.

Liu Yu felt touched, “Sister, you’re really… You’ve clearly done me a big favor, yet you openly discuss my benefits.”

Cui Erniang smiled, “These benefits are real. We are equal partners, helping each other.”

They continued to chat happily. When Wei Shi saw that the conversation was almost over, she went to the kitchen to prepare the meal. Cui Erniang was very tactful and insisted on helping. Despite Wei Shi’s attempts to dissuade her, there was no need for Liu Yu to accompany them. Eventually, the host and guest all worked together in the kitchen.

When they left, Wei Shi loaded up almost half a cart of gifts, with half of them brought by Cui Erniang. There were also several large bags of local produce, not valuable but still thoughtful, considering that Cui Erniang’s family had to spend money to buy these things in town. It was a heartfelt token of gratitude.

~

Liu Yu saw Lu Chengxiao again on the sixth day of May, during the Grain in Ear season.

Lu Chengxiao and Babao came to help plant rice. They were accompanied by Ge An and Xiaoya. They had arrived in the county yesterday and set out for Yangshan Village before dawn.

Ge An put on his old clothes from before and prepared to join the Liu family in working in the fields. As for Xiaoya, she said she could help Liu Yu wash vegetables, but as soon as she entered the courtyard, she was captivated by a brown bunny that had grown to the size of an adult palm and was hopping around everywhere. She couldn’t move her feet.

The Liu family’s courtyard had never been as lively as it was today in more than 10 years. After everyone went to the fields, Liu Yu began preparing today’s meals.

Planting rice had to be done in a timely manner, so the farmers brought their meals to the fields to eat. No one would go home to eat and rest for an hour.

Wei Shi also went to the fields today, so Liu Yu took on the task of cooking and delivering food. It was only then that Lu Chengxiao realized that there were countless young men in Yangshan Village eyeing the girl who had captured his heart.

Because Lu Chengxiao was so diligent, the rumors about the Liu family possibly arranging a marriage for Liu Yu had spread like wildfire in Yangshan Village. Countless budding romances were crushed.

The Liu family’s fields were not large, and with Lu Chengxiao and his servants helping, they finished in two days. From then on, Liu Yu focused on making clothes. Although Wei Shi couldn’t cut and embroider, her sewing skills were excellent. She stopped helping with farm work and instead assisted Liu Yu in making clothes. Together, they were faster than one person. The first batch of six sets of clothes was delivered to Cui Erniang’s embroidery shop in Changfeng Town on May 16th.

Relative to the expensive clothes, Liu Yu thought they would sell in Changfeng Town but not particularly quickly. However, she never expected that just three days later, on the fourth day in the morning, a seamstress from Cui Erniang’s shop came to Yangshan Village and heard about the Liu family. She brought news that all six sets of clothes Liu Yu and Wei Shi had brought had been sold out.

Liu Yu and Wei Shi welcomed her into the courtyard, served tea and melon seeds. Wei Shi asked, “Please, have some tea and rest. How did you come all the way here?”

The seamstress was indeed thirsty. After taking a sip of tea, she replied, “I came by boat. That’s why I arrived so quickly. I got off at your town, but I’m not familiar with the roads, so I hired a mule cart to come here. Your family is easy to find, with clear directions once you’re in the courtyard.”

Wei Shi acknowledged her efforts and encouraged her to drink more tea.

“It’s been boats and carts all the way; it wasn’t much of a hassle,” said the seamstress, putting down her teacup. She then proceeded to tell Liu Yu about the sale of the clothes. “Our shop hung the set of crimson dresses made by the girl in the most prominent position. Anyone passing by could see it. On the first day, over a dozen people came into the shop to see the dress. Unfortunately, most of them shook their heads upon hearing the price of two hundred coins. However, five or six of them chose similar fabrics in the shop and requested custom-made dresses. On the second day, a girl came and, despite the price, bought the dress she liked. Another set of apricot dresses also attracted buyers, but the size was slightly small on top. So, the customer paid a deposit and asked the girl to make another set exactly like it. Our shop sent me to bring the girl’s measurements this time.”

She pulled out a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Liu Yu, saying, “All the detailed measurements are written here. Our shop received a deposit of five hundred coins. Please make a set according to these measurements and deliver it to the shop next time when you bring new goods.”

Afraid that Liu Yu might not know the customs of custom-made clothing, she added, “It’s not good to be too late. Before I came, I had to wait for a few more sets of clothes to be sold out, which delayed me for two or three days. It should be delivered in five or six days at the latest.”

Liu Yu nodded in agreement but then glanced at the list of measurements. She quickly averted her eyes as if she couldn’t understand it.

In her previous life, she had a teacher who taught her how to read at the Liuxian Pavilion. But now, logically speaking, she shouldn’t know how to read. She couldn’t understand it at the moment and needed Wei Shi or one of her two elder brothers to help her.

Thinking it was a bit troublesome, she realized she should start “learning to read” as soon as possible.

Wei Shi, however, didn’t pay attention to this and eagerly asked the seamstress, “This is just one set. What about the other five? How were they sold?”

Three days and all six sets of clothes were sold out, with an additional set ordered. Wei Shi couldn’t help but be interested, feeling a new sense of excitement and passion for business matters.

The seamstress smiled and replied, “The other five sets were bought by two customers, a mother and daughter. Their sizes matched the dresses made by the girl perfectly. The mother and daughter bought all five sets.”

The clothes Liu Yu had delivered included four sets suitable for young girls and two darker-colored sets suitable for women.

“Both sets were bought by the mother and daughter?” Wei Shi still found it somewhat unbelievable.

When the six sets of clothes were delivered by Liu Yanping, neither Wei Shi nor Liu Yu were familiar with the market. They had entrusted Cui Erniang to set the prices based on the local conditions in town. However, Cui Erniang’s prices were no cheaper than those of the clothing shops in the county. She said, “Your craftsmanship, though sold in town, doesn’t require a discount. Since our volume is not large, we focus on quality rather than quantity, pricing similar to the county’s.”

So Wei Shi found it hard to believe. With the clothes not being cheaper than those in the county, how could they have sold out in just three days?

The seamstress smiled and said, “Indeed, the people in our town are affluent families. In the past, they didn’t buy clothes from our embroidery shop. They either bought fabric to make clothes at home or bought them from the cheaper county embroidery shops. This time, they passed by our shop, saw a set displayed outside, came in for a look, fell in love with the dresses the girl made, tried them all on, liked every set, and bought them all.”

“Except for the crimson set, the other sets made by the girl have also inspired many similar styles in our shop these days. Our boss is pleased and asked the girl to make more while people are buying summer clothes. In about a month, the peak season for summer will be over.”

The seamstress took out a purse from her sleeve and said, “Originally, our boss planned to wait for your brother to deliver the second batch of goods and settle the payment. But seeing that the clothes sold well, they thought your family might not have much fabric left and might need to buy more materials. So, they didn’t send the set that only paid a deposit. Out of the six sets sold, our boss sent you the girl’s share.”

Cui Erniang guessed that she didn’t have much fabric left, and that was true. Nowadays, fabric was limited by the loom’s capacity, with a width of only two feet two inches. For someone with a smaller build, a dress alone required about thirty feet of fabric. Materials like fine cotton and gauze, which came in sixty-foot lengths, could only make two dresses. As for silk and satin, a forty-foot piece could only make one dress, with a little extra for a top.

The fabrics sent by the Lu family and Cui Erniang could only produce about eleven or twelve dresses. Liu Yu had already made three sets for herself, Wei Shi, and Lu Shuang. After sending six sets to Changfeng Town, there wasn’t much fabric left. Apart from the already made set, there might be enough for just two more. Not to mention, there were no more fabrics like those for the custom-made dresses; they would need to buy more.

As she thought about this, the seamstress took out two silver ingots from the purse and placed them on the table beside Liu Yu, saying, “Three sets of fine cotton and gauze, costing three yuan and six hundred coins, and two sets of embroidered silk and satin, costing five yuan and six hundred coins. Plus, one set of silk and satin, costing three yuan and five hundred coins. In total, it’s twelve yuan and seven hundred coins. You should receive ten yuan, one string, and sixty wens here. Carrying copper coins would be too heavy. Our boss asked me to bring you ten taels of silver. The remaining one hundred and sixty wens will be recorded in the accounts and delivered to you with the next payment. I’ll give you the money now. Take a look.”

Liu Yu smiled. “No need to look. I trust you completely. Have some tea and rest. I finished another set these past few days; let me bring it to my sister.”

The seamstress agreed repeatedly.

Liu Yu went back to the west wing, brought out another set of clothes just finished yesterday, wrapped it in homemade cloth, and handed it to the seamstress, saying, “You can set the price.”

With that, the seamstress bid farewell. Wei Shi offered her food, but the seamstress declined, saying the carriage driver was waiting outside, and she needed to return to Changfeng Town to report back. She thanked Wei Shi for her kindness.

Wei Shi glanced at the time and called Liu Yu into the house to take some oil paper and wrap up half a packet of snacks for the seamstress to have on the way.

Together, they saw the seamstress off. When they reached the courtyard, Liu Yu took out half a string of coins from her purse and handed it to the seamstress, saying, “You’ve made a trip, so here’s some money for your transportation.”

“No need,” the seamstress quickly declined. “We don’t need that much money for transportation, especially since our boss has already given it.”

However, Liu Yu insisted on pressing the half-string of coins into the seamstress’s hand. “You’ve spent half a day traveling back and forth. It’s only right. Take it. Also, please tell my sister-in-law. Next time you come, I’ll take care of the transportation and inconvenience fees. Otherwise, I’ll feel embarrassed.”

The seamstress couldn’t refuse and accepted with a smile, praising Liu Yu. “Young lady, you’re considerate. I’ll pass on your message. However, our boss already treats your family like relatives; there’s no need for such formality.”

After this exchange of pleasantries, the seamstress boarded the mule cart, feeling elated.

This trip was truly worthwhile. Cui Erniang provided transportation and inconvenience fees, and the Liu family gave half a string of coins. How could she not be happy? With such work, she was willing to make many more trips.

~

After seeing off the seamstress, Liu Yu and Wei Shi returned to the house and saw the two shiny silver ingots on the table, still somewhat dazed.

Two silver ingots, each weighing five taels, ten taels of silver! Did they earn this much in just half a month?

Although a significant portion of it was the value of the fabrics provided by the Lu family and Cui Erniang, those fabrics were priced at market rates. If they were to buy goods from the Lu family later, they could make a profit of forty to fifty percent on the fabric alone. Adding the labor costs and deducting Cui Erniang’s share, they could still earn about four taels.

Earning four taels in half a month, what kind of concept was this?

Liu Yanqing worked as a constable at the county yamen, earning only ten taels of salary from year to year. As for her and her two sons farming at home, with a family of four, after deducting daily expenses, taxes, and fees, they could only save about ten to twenty taels a year.

Now her niece earned four taels in just half a month? Eight taels a month?

In a year… wouldn’t that be close to a hundred taels?

Wei Shi was a little dazed.

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