Chapter 49: How Much Did You Earn?

By the time Chen Xin dragged his exhausted body back to Erdaojie, it was nearly supper time. He had been gone almost two months, and Zhou Laifu's dog no longer recognized him, barking furiously at him. Chen Xin aimed a kick at it, and the dog hastily retreated into the yard.

When Chen Xin reached his own courtyard, he discovered the two shop fronts were open. He had been in too much of a hurry when he returned earlier and hadn't noticed the situation inside. He walked in on his way. In the shop, Zhou Laifu's wife was still busy. Chen Xin looked around. Two wooden mannequins wearing dresses stood by the main door, complete with wigs made of horsehair. In a corner, a fitting room had been partitioned off with wooden boards. The four walls had been whitewashed with lime, and in the center section, dark cotton cloth was pasted on the wall as a backdrop, with some dresses hung on hangers. A row of skirts also hung on the long rack in the middle of the shop. The layout was quite similar to a clothing store of later ages.

Zhou Laifu's wife noticed Chen Xin only then and hurriedly greeted him. Chen Xin smiled and nodded. Zhou Laifu's wife said to Chen Xin, "Brother Chen, you're finally back. All this time, Brother Liu has been saying over and over that if you were here, the business would surely be even better."

"Sister-in-law Zhou, you're working here too. What about your two children at home?"

"What's there to worry about? Daixi Meizi can manage now, cooking meals for over ten people all by herself. We all eat with your household too. I said to deduct the meal costs, but Brother Liu, as you can see, he won't deduct it. It makes us feel terribly indebted."

Chen Xin naturally wouldn't mind such a small food expense. He smiled and said, "Why stand on ceremony between neighbors? When we first arrived, Brother Zhou took us around to buy things and kept helping with the cleaning. We should be the ones feeling indebted."

"Brother Chen, what are you saying? It was only right. My husband and I both do night work here in the evenings now. Brother Liu pays good wages too; this month it's already seven or eight taels. See how capable you two are. Right now, many people on Erdaojie are working for Brother Liu, all hoping that when Brother Chen returns, the business can get even better."

Chen Xin saw the dark circles under Zhou Laifu's wife's eyes and advised, "Sister-in-law Zhou, don't wear yourself out. The business has just started, and there's plenty of time ahead. Don't lose the greater for the lesser."

"Yes, I understand. Everyone trusts you two. It will certainly get better and better."

Chen Xin smiled and flipped through a dress she was sorting. It was on a hanger, and a paper slip was pasted on the hanger. The top half read: Salesperson Tian Po, type consignment, outsourced to Zhang Family Hat & Cap Shop, tailor Li Caigui, finishing Shen Lishi, status uncollected. The bottom half listed the garment measurements.

Chen Xin silently praised this. Liu Minyou had always managed projects in an orderly fashion back at the company, and now, doing this clothing business, he was still just as meticulous. Every garment had such a slip pasted on its hanger, making the status clear at a glance.

"Sister-in-law Zhou, what does 'finishing' mean?"

"All garments made outside have to be sent back here for a detailed inspection, then matched with hangers and hung up. If some loose threads or seams aren't done well, they're redone here. If the measurements are off or the sleeves are unequal in length, that household's silver is docked. If the rework isn't satisfactory, they aren't allowed to make them anymore. Right now, the ones wanting to do this for our shop... these outsourced jobs are many. Even the Liye Fang is hoping for a chance."

So it was quality inspection plus packaging. Chen Xin looked at the name written after "finishing": Shen Lishi. Could it be Shen Lou's wife?

"Sister-in-law Zhou, is this Shen Lishi who does the finishing Shen Lou's wife?"

"That's her. She's already gone home today. Ai!" Zhou Laifu's wife glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, whispered, "We've been short-handed lately. Shen Lou's mother made the decision to let her come. This Young Master Liu is kind-hearted and kept Shen Niangzi on for work, one tael and five qian of silver a month, which is quite a lot. But hateful Shen Lou makes a scene every day. Originally, many families wanted to propose a match for Brother Liu, but because of his ruckus, it's all been delayed. If you ask me, she shouldn't have been allowed to come."

Chen Xin was stunned for a moment. "There's such a good thing? Brother Liu is that sought-after now? Just how good is the shop's business?"...

Zhou Laifu's wife tilted her face up and said, "Well, I wouldn't know about that. Anyway, there are endless garments to make every day. Even matchmakers from the Shive Fang have come asking about Brother Liu."

Truly, life is unpredictable. He himself, with such fine appearance, hadn't found anyone yet, while Liu Minyou, that quiet bore, had become the popular one first. He passed through the shop front and entered the courtyard. Dai Zhenggang had moved a stool and was sitting at the door of Chen Xin's room, indeed like a door god. Wang Yong was also standing outside. The door to the room was open, and a dozen or so large bundles sat on the floor.

"Brother Chen, you're finally back." Dai Zhenggang said happily as soon as he saw Chen Xin. Chen Xin looked at the goods in the room. Each bundle was three thousand taels, twelve bundles in total.

"Brother Wang Yong, you'll sleep in this room tonight. Mr. Song will come tomorrow. I'll arrange for people to keep watch in the courtyard at night."

"This humble one thanks Mr. Chen." Wang Yong, short and stocky, answered in a gruff voice.

Chen Xin called Dai Zhenggang over, and the two of them carried Chen Xin's six bundles into Liu Minyou's room. Wang Yong then went into the room himself and shut the door, apparently planning to stay inside until tomorrow.

Liu Minyou was writing in the account book, sorting out the orders from the past few days. Wang Daixi was helping with the abacus. Seeing the large bundles Chen Xin moved in, he said, "These copper ingots of yours are dead heavy. Brother Dai and I estimated that these few bundles of copper ingots are probably worth nearly a hundred taels. Earning this much in two months is worthwhile." Chen Xin had told them during the day that the bags contained copper ingots, so Liu Minyou and the others hadn't bothered to open them and look.

Chen Xin didn't rush to explain. "Indeed. But it's far from what our shop has made. Boss Liu, quickly tell your little brother how much you've earned."

Liu Minyou smiled confidently. "Director Chen, please wait a moment. My secretary will report the performance of these two months shortly."

"Director?" Wang Daixi scratched her head.

Liu Minyou said, "Never mind that. Just report to Big Brother Chen how many pieces we've made and how much silver we've earned." Since crossing over, it had mainly been Chen Xin earning money. Now that things were looking up greatly under him, Liu Minyou had long wanted to show off when Chen Xin returned. Now he finally had the chance.

"Alright. Big Brother Chen, we opened at the start of the sixth month. Up to today, we've sold a total of six hundred and thirty dresses, of which one hundred and twenty-one are still being sewn. Four hundred and sixty in silk satin, one hundred and seventy in cotton. Total earnings are three hundred and sixty taels."

Chen Xin was somewhat surprised. "Over three hundred taels a month. Boss Liu is truly impressive." In this era, a clothing shop was no garment factory; earning only twenty or thirty taels a year was common.

Liu Minyou waved his hand magnanimously. "This is also inseparable from the ideas you came up with. I think you shouldn't go out to sea anymore. We're terribly short-handed right now. The tailors nearby all come to do night work in the evenings. Every hat and cap shop that can find a tailor is also making them at home. You and Lu Lvzi can help out somewhat."

Dai Zhenggang said, "Brother Liu is right. Although going to sea also earns a lot, how can it be as peaceful as a clothing shop?"

Chen Xin rubbed his nose. These two had really gotten a taste of success. But he absolutely could not do this cutting and sewing work. If Liu Minyou loved doing it, he could do it himself.

"Alright. Even if I don't go to sea, I won't work as a tailor..."

"It's not working as a tailor. That requires skill. I plan to arrange for you to be the foreman of the odd-job workers."

"Many thanks for Boss Liu's favor, but I truly have limited ability. It's better to find someone more capable. My primary concern, as a resident of this courtyard, is when the living environment can be improved. Secondly, I'm concerned about when Hai Gouzi and the others' training can return to normal." Chen Xin asked with a face full of smiles.

Liu Minyou turned to look outside the door. The ground was covered with scraps of cloth and paper, with hardly a place to step. Somewhat troubled, he said, "It is indeed messy, but the space is only this big. There's no other way."

"How about this, Boss Liu: let's buy a dedicated shop on Dongmen Street for the clothing store, and come back here to sleep at night. Wouldn't separating them like this be better?"

Liu Minyou thought for a moment. "Mm, that would certainly be better, but there's no silver in the accounts. It's all been spent on materials. Brother Chen, I'm afraid you'll have to endure it for a while longer."...

"No matter. I'll..."

Just then, Zhu Guobin's voice rang out in the courtyard. "Mr. Chen, if there's nothing here, I'll return to the ship. It's also good to guard the vessel."

Chen Xin hurriedly walked out. Zhu Guobin had brought Qin Lufang and Ning Chengxian here. Zhang Erhui had arranged for them to stay in the three attendants' room. Now, hearing that Chen Xin had returned, Zhu Guobin was taking his leave.

"Brother Zhu, you could rest here tonight. For now, Brother Lu will keep watch first..."

"No need. I'm used to sleeping on the ship. Besides, Brother Lu has been away from home for a long time and should come back first to take a look."

This Zhu Guobin's martial skill had all been honed in life-and-death combat, without a single flashy move. Moreover, he was warm-hearted and generous toward ordinary brothers, earning him the respect of all the sailors. Chen Xin also valued him greatly, hoping to keep him for his own use.

Zhu Guobin insisted on returning. Chen Xin couldn't dissuade him and had to agree, escorting him all the way out.

"Guobin, what plans do you have from now on?"

"I want to fight the Tatars. If we stop going to sea here, I plan to go to Liaodong and join the army."

"Joining the army is one path, but you've received a good share of silver this time, enough to be considered at least a middling household. Why must you join the army?"

"I only kept one hundred taels. The rest of the silver is under Brother Erhui's bed. I don't need this much silver. Having enough for my own use is fine."

Chen Xin certainly couldn't let such a formidable helper go to the Guanning Army. He advised him, "Guobin, your single-minded desire to kill Tatars is a good thing, but you don't necessarily have to go to the Guanning Army. I will soon go to Weihaiwei. As you know, with a favorable wind it's only a two-day journey to Lushun. I specifically chose Weihaiwei for the convenience of killing Tatars. Although we won't be frontline soldiers, we can still kill the bandits for the country. We have men and ships, and can go over by sea. Look at the Guanning Army: when have they ever crossed east of the river, or when have they ever taken the initiative to kill Tatars? It's still more satisfying with our own brothers together."

Zhu Guobin lowered his head and thought for a while. "As long as Brother Chen kills Tatars, I'll follow Brother Chen. But I won't take the silver back. I wouldn't know how to use it if I held onto it; it's a burden. Consider it my gift to those young brothers from Liaodong."

Chen Xin knew how to get along with someone of this temperament. He didn't stand on ceremony with him and agreed, only telling him to come directly to him if he needed silver. This man Zhu Guobin was brave in battle and accustomed to hardship and simplicity—a born soldier. He would keep the man here first; as for killing Tatars or not, they could discuss that later.

He escorted him all the way to Zhenhaimen Street before Chen Xin turned back.

Before supper, Lu Lvzi also hurried back. Everyone was present, and naturally there was another round of joy. Chen Xin still had to go to the Japanese dried seafood Shop tomorrow to help handle Proprietor Zhao's funeral affairs, so he rested early after eating. Because Wang Yong had taken Chen Xin's room, and Qin Lufang and Ning Cheng had taken Zhang Erhui and the others' room, Chen Xin had to share a room with Liu Minyou.

"Why haven't I seen Dahui?" Chen Xin went to Zhang Erhui's bed and retrieved the silver Zhu Guobin had left. Only then did he finally remember there was also a Zhang Dahui.

"I sent him to stake out the brothels. He's been doing quite well this past month, selling eighty or ninety pieces."

Chen Xin feigned surprise. "Eh, you actually agreed to let him go to that kind of place? Isn't the sacrifice a bit too great? Aren't you afraid those women will eat his spring chicken?"

Liu Minyou, seeing he was about to spout nonsense again, pulled him into the room and said, "They're all seventeen or eighteen now. It's time they made their own decisions. Besides, we're doing legitimate business; we're not afraid of what others might say."

Chen Xin nodded. "True. Actually, my sacrifice is even greater. I even killed people."

Liu Minyou looked Chen Xin over with a puzzled expression and said, "Really? You'd kill someone just to earn a few bags of copper coins?"

Chen Xin pulled over a stool and sat down. Looking at the pile of silver bags on the floor, he sighed, "It's true. The rice bowl at sea isn't easy to hold."

Liu Minyou said, "Then don't go out to sea anymore. Anyway, your proprietor is dead, so don't work as that accountant. What we earn in our shop is enough. Once we collect payment for this batch of goods, we'll buy a shop on Zhenhaimen Street and expand the business. You'll be the general manager, and I'll be the Assistant Regional Commander mana..."

"Just use this to buy it. What are you waiting for payment for?" Chen Xin slammed the thousand-plus taels of silver left by Zhu Guobin onto the table with a clatter. Liu Minyou opened it and saw a pile of gleaming white silver. Shocked, he shot to his feet, knocking his stool over, and hurried to shut the door. Chen Xin heard the door of Lu Lvzi and Dai Zhenggang's room in the courtyard slam shut as well.

"How come there's so much silver? I thought you'd only earned a few bags of copper coins back..."

"That's right. It is just those few bags of copper coins we earned."

"You're still lying to me. Then what's with all this silver here?"

"Then go look inside the bags yourself and you'll know."

Liu Minyou opened one silver bag with suspicion — a dazzling silvery white. Liu Minyou stared blankly for a moment, then abruptly tore open another silver bag, and then with a thud, fainted onto the floor.