Chapter 80
The three days before the horseback archery range opened were the busiest. After closing at night, Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu did not return to the village but stayed overnight in the city to avoid the hassle of traveling back early the next morning.
Having worked all day, Ji Taoyu was completely exhausted the moment he stopped. At dinner, he only managed half a bowl of rice.
The evening breeze was gentle, and the moon was somewhat hazy. Ji Taoyu slumped in a chair, waiting for Huo Shu to return from the horseback archery range.
Many people had come and gone at the horse field that day, and some arrows had been damaged, requiring replacements. Additionally, based on suggestions from visitors, they decided to add arrow-throwing as an attraction.
In truth, Huo Shou, Uncle Fan, and the others were capable, so Huo Shu didn’t need to worry too much. But since the horseback archery range had just opened, he still had to oversee everything.
By the time he finished and returned, the person in the rocking chair under the eaves had already fallen asleep with his head tilted to the side.
Huo Shu’s brow furrowed as he strode over.
The rocking chair swayed slightly as Ji Taoyu opened his eyes and looked up to see Huo Shu’s firm jawline.
Before he could speak, Huo Shu’s voice came from above: "Why sleep outside? Aren’t you afraid of catching a chill from the wind?"
Ji Taoyu nuzzled against Huo Shu’s chest. "It’s been a long time since I’ve caught a cold or fallen ill. It shouldn’t be a problem."
"I only meant to wait for you a little while, but I didn’t expect to fall asleep."
Huo Shu held the lightweight person in his arms. Though Ji Taoyu had gained a little more flesh compared to before, he was still too thin.
He issued an order: "Tomorrow, just stay at the counter to handle the accounts. Don’t run around greeting people."
"This humble servant obeys Boss Huo’s command."
Huo Shu couldn’t help but glance down at the person in his arms, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "Today, the horseback archery range didn’t earn a single coin."
"What should we do then?"
Ji Taoyu blinked. "I’m easygoing—you could owe me my wages for now. But the workers won’t stand for it."
Huo Shu placed Ji Taoyu on the bed.
"What’s there to fear? They can’t beat me anyway."
Ji Taoyu kicked off his shoes and rolled into the blankets. "How unreasonable. A black-hearted merchant."
Huo Shu didn’t respond, pouring himself a cup of water at the table.
He turned to look at Ji Taoyu, who was now lying on the bed. "Sleep."
Burrowed under the covers, Ji Taoyu suddenly found himself no longer as sleepy as before. His calves were sore and slightly numb.
He rubbed them himself and, since they were alone in the room, said, "Today, Godmother met A-Pan."
Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly.
"It was rather sudden, and everyone was still busy. With so many people around, I didn’t say anything."
Ji Taoyu continued, "But Godmother has sharp eyes. She said A-Pan resembles Brother Changsui in his features."
"A-Shu, what do you plan to do about this?"
Huo Shu took off his outer robe and walked to the bedside. "A-Pan’s mother wants him to gain some recognition in the imperial examinations before acknowledging his lineage. That way, it’ll be easier to silence the villagers’ gossip."
"Should we arrange a private reunion first? In a couple of days, when things settle, we can ask."
Ji Taoyu said, "If you’re busy, I’ll go."
"There’s not much time left before this year’s child examinations. No matter what, we should wait until after they’re over to avoid distracting A-Pan."
Huo Shu gave a hum of agreement.
He took hold of Ji Taoyu’s calves and began massaging them.
"Also, regarding the horseback archery range, have everyone put in more effort to explain the fees that’ll apply after three days. If visitors don’t know that the free entry is only for the first three days, disputes might arise later when we start charging."
The horseback archery range was different from the archery workshop. Goods could be clearly priced, but the range didn’t sell goods—its fee structure naturally couldn’t be the same.
The two had discussed it before and ultimately decided to charge an entrance fee as their main source of income.
The fees were divided into three tiers.
The third tier cost fifty copper coins per person, allowing entry for one and a half shichen. Visitors could enjoy horseback riding, archery, arrow-throwing, and polo, with simple tea provided. However, only lower-grade horses were available.
[1 shichen = 2 hours]
The second tier cost eighty copper coins per person, with the same duration as the third tier. The activities were the same, but tea and snacks were provided, and mid-grade or lower horses could be used.
The first tier cost one hundred twenty copper coins, allowing two shichen of entry.
Activities were naturally included, along with tea and fine pastries. Seats in the viewing stands were provided, and visitors could choose any horse available in the stables.
An extension of half a shichen cost an additional twenty coins. Children under thirteen received a ten-coin discount.
Additionally, hiring a horseback archery instructor required extra payment.
Instructors could ensure safety and teach riding and archery.
If someone got injured without hiring an instructor, the range would not compensate. But if an injury occurred despite having an instructor, the range would provide appropriate compensation.
Instructors were also divided into tiers. A first-tier instructor cost two hundred copper coins per half shichen, second-tier cost one hundred fifty copper coins, and third-tier cost one hundred copper coins.
For academy students, groups could pool funds to hire one instructor, but no more than four people per group.
Most of these rules were devised by Ji Taoyu.
As the boss, Ji Taoyu privately assigned Huo Shu the title of "special-grade instructor," available only on the first and sixth days of the lunar month, at a rate of eight hundred copper coins per half shichen.
Ji Taoyu felt this was somewhat biased and wondered if he should lower the price. After all, Huo Shu had no prior reputation in horseback archery, and setting the price too high might invite ridicule.
But during the group discussion, everyone unanimously agreed.
Given Huo Shu’s skills, the price was entirely justified. So, it stayed.
Since they had hired a horseback archery instructor, merely putting on a superficial display wouldn’t be enough to entice customers to spend money.
For this reason, it was decided that on the last day of the free-entry promotion, the instructor would demonstrate his skills in full, letting everyone see his true capabilities.
The next day, Ji Taoyu obeyed Huo Shu’s advice and didn’t go to the archery range, instead staying behind the counter at the bow shop.
Items like bows and arrows weren’t daily necessities like food and clothing, so business naturally couldn’t compare to those trades.
The day before, with free gifts being handed out, the place had looked bustling, but after checking the ledger, Ji Taoyu found that actual earnings weren’t much.
The gross profit was only five taels of silver, and that was before deducting all the operating costs.
Now that the gifts were no longer being offered, business had visibly slowed down.
But this was to be expected, so there was no reason to feel disappointed or anxious.
After eating two steamed buns that Huo Shu had bought for him from the main street early in the morning, Ji Taoyu settled behind the counter.
Flipping through the ledger and idly playing with the abacus on the counter, he looked every bit the leisurely shopkeeper.
Leaning on the counter, he watched as carriages and horses passed outside, all seemingly heading toward the horseback archery range, which eased his mind a little.
Thank you for the update!!!
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