Chapter 101
By mid-December, the city finally began to show some signs of life and festivity.
No matter how difficult life was, the New Year had to be celebrated. After the 15th of the month, people gradually started coming out to buy things for the New Year.
This year, the merchants seemed to have a bit of a conscience. Perhaps because business had been so poor for so long, items that would have definitely seen price hikes at the end of the year only saw a slight increase this time. They were probably afraid that raising prices too much would drive away what little business they had.
This balance worked out well, and more people, despite their hardships, came out to prepare for the New Year.
Compared to ordinary days, every household went all out for the New Year celebrations.
Zhang Fangyuan watched as the thick snow was shoveled out of the city day after day. He looked up at the dark, heavy sky, but amidst the red lanterns hanging throughout the city, he felt a rare sense of joy. After the New Year, things would get better. The cold would last for another month or two, and then the weather would clear up, though it meant spring would arrive a little later than usual.
The charcoal stockpiled in the warehouse was almost completely sold out. Before the New Year, Zhang Fangyuan transported the remaining charcoal to the city. After discussing it with Xu He, they decided to lower the price by two coins during the New Year and raise it again after the New Year. This served two purposes: first, to sell off the remaining charcoal before the end of winter, and second, to give back to the people.
As soon as the news spread, the people were pleasantly surprised. A large crowd rushed to the warehouse to buy charcoal, and business boomed once again.
Zhang Fangyuan didn’t spend much time overseeing the sales. He came to the city mainly to buy New Year supplies. The best poultry and meat could be bought in the village, so there was no need to go out of his way for those. However, they were short on pastries, fruits, and some premium meats.
Xu He had instructed him to buy some good-quality lamb. This year was particularly cold, and the women and men in the Zhang family had decided they wanted to have a lamb hotpot for the New Year.
This year’s celebrations were likely to be even livelier than last year. Zhang Fangyuan’s two cousins from his eldest uncle’s family had returned, and the eldest cousin had just welcomed a new daughter.
Not only that, but Zhang Fangyuan’s sixth uncle and his family were also coming back to the village for the New Year feast. Although Zhang Fangyuan wasn’t particularly fond of his sixth uncle’s wife, this year the family had run out of charcoal and had come to him for help.
Zhang Fangyuan neither agreed nor refused outright. Instead, he told his sixth aunt to go and ask Xu He herself.
Previously, his sixth aunt had looked down on farmers and had even snubbed Xu He. During their children’s full-month celebration, she had made Xu He feel unwelcome. Now, having to ask Xu He for charcoal was a blow to her pride.
Xu He, however, was a generous person. Despite past conflicts, his sixth uncle was still family, and it wouldn’t be right to refuse help during a disaster. So, he gave them several dozen catties of charcoal.
His sixth aunt felt humbled. Seeing that Zhang Fangyuan’s success was at its peak and hearing the neighbors in the city praise him for his generosity, she realized that being related to the Zhang family now earned her respect. Even if she still harbored some resentment, she knew she had to rely on her husband’s relatives.
[[如日中天 (rú rì zhōng tiān): lit. Like the sun at high noon; fig. At the peak of one’s power or success.]
His sixth uncle had previously moved to the city thanks to his wife’s family’s financial support, which had always put him at a disadvantage in their relationship. He was often ordered around by his wife. But now, with his nephew's success, he had a stiff backbone and was much more eager to return to the village.
[腰杆子硬了 (yāo gǎn zi yìng le): lit. To have a stiff backbone; fig. To feel confident or assertive.]
This New Year, the whole family would definitely be heading to the village.
Xu He didn’t say much, only asking Zhang Fangyuan to prepare more New Year supplies. With so many people coming, he would have a chance to show off his cooking skills.
Previously, Zhang Fangyuan had considered taking on catering for village banquets. He would slaughter the pigs, and Xu He would handle the cooking. As businessmen, they could have lived a decent life. However, their business unexpectedly grew larger and larger, and with two young children at home, their earlier plans had to be shelved.
Aside from shopping for New Year supplies, Zhang Fangyuan also needed to review the account books of his two shops in the city. After settling the accounts, it would be a fresh start for the new year.
The toothbrush shop hadn’t been doing well in the second half of the year. Over the years, more people had started making their own toothbrushes, and some even took the time to grind their own tooth powder. The Linglong Shop was no longer as unique as it had been when it first opened. However, as the first of its kind, it still had a loyal customer base.
Although it wasn’t as profitable as before, the shop still earned enough each month to support an ordinary family for a year.
After checking the accounts, Zhang Fangyuan gave the two clerks some bonuses. The clerks were extremely grateful. This year had been tough for both common folk and merchants, so receiving a bonus during the New Year was a hundred times more meaningful.
Zhang Fangyuan’s bonuses had also increased year after year. These were long-time employees who had been with him for several years. In the city, finding a job wasn’t easy, and finding loyal employees was even harder for merchants.
Mutual respect was the key to a lasting relationship.
After reviewing the Linglong Shop, Zhang Fangyuan went to his poultry shop. The area was filled with small general stores, and today, the streets were bustling. To his surprise, his shop was even busier.
In the second half of the year, many businesses had struggled. People tightened their belts, and fewer families could afford lavish meals. The meat and poultry market had visibly declined.
Thanks for the update!!!!
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