Chapter 4: Selling qingyu pears
“Bai Jing, push harder!”
“Cousin-in-law, push a little harder!”
“Push!”
“Ah—”
Bai Jing's heart-wrenching screams came from inside the house.
Xu Chuan heard it clearly from the kitchen, and his heart was also in turmoil.
“Is the hot water ready?”
Xu Yan poked her head out the door and shouted loudly towards the kitchen.
“Coming, coming.”
Xu Chuan immediately grabbed two kettles and ran over, handing them to Xu Yan, “How is it?”
“Almost, almost.”
With that, she slammed the door shut again with a “bang.”
Time passed by minute by minute.
“Bai Jing, the baby’s head is out, push harder!”
“Cousin-in-law, it’ll be over soon.”
“Ah—”
Suddenly, a loud cry of a baby came from inside the house.
“Born!”
“Born!”
Xu Chuan's face broke into a smile, and his heart finally settled down.
“Chuan Ge, look, I told you sister-in-law would be fine. Judging by the sound, it must be another boy,” Er Gou congratulated him.
Xu Chuan chuckled, “Not like you, with both sons and daughters, making up a good character.”
At this moment, the door opened, and the midwife walked out holding a basin of bloody water, saying somewhat wearily, “Mother and child are safe. It’s a boy. Go in and see him.”
Xu Chuan didn’t say much, nodded, and immediately entered the room.
Arriving at the bed, he saw the exhausted Bai Jing. His heart ached as he walked over, took her hand, and softly said, “Wife, you’ve worked hard.”
“It’s not hard. It is my duty to bear children for the Xu Family.”
Hearing this, Xu Chuan felt even more heartache, “Rest well.”
Only then did Bai Jing slowly close her eyes.
“Cousin, hold him.”
Xu Chuan took the child, his face full of smiles, and amused the baby with “giggle giggle.”
After a while.
His Husband’s family also rushed over.
A group of people chatted around the child.
“San Shu, have you thought of a name for the child?” His Husband, Bai Fu, asked kindly.
“Mhm.” Xu Chuan nodded, his gaze falling on the child.
“Xu Mingxuan, ‘Hè xī xuān xī, wēiyí yě’ (meaning: grand and radiant, majestic).”,
“His nickname will be Tantou.”
After Xu Chuan rewarded the midwife, she left.
Then came Er Gou’s family, and then his Husband’s family.
Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan were brought over by Er Gou after Tantou was born.
“Father, little brother’s skin is all wrinkled, like a little old man,” Shitou said with a bit of disdain.
“You were the same when you were just born.”
Bai Jing said with a smile. Xu Chuan had given her the Qi and Blood Pills, and now her complexion was no longer pale but much rosier. She even had the strength to get out of bed.
However, Xu Chuan didn't allow it, telling her to rest peacefully.
Xu Mingwei seemed to be struck, touching his face with some doubt.
“A Yuan, Father will fulfill his promise today. Tell me which hen tricked you.”
As soon as Xu Mingyuan heard about chicken meat and chicken soup, his mouth immediately watered.
He quickly pulled Xu Chuan to go outside, “Father, I’ll take you.”
“Shitou, take good care of your Mother.”
“Don’t worry, Father.” Xu Mingwei patted his chest.
A few days later.
After finishing the work in the rice fields, it was time for the qingyu pear harvest.
Basket after basket of qingyu pears were moved back home.
For a rare fruit like the qingyu pear, selling it in Qingjiang County was the best option; it wasn't even too common in the prefecture city.
However, Dongxi Village is over one hundred eighty li from Qingjiang County.
Bandits occasionally appeared on the road.
It was not very safe.
Even if the probability was low, Xu Chuan didn't want to take the gamble.
Therefore, he contacted his old employer and sold the qingyu pears to them.
It had been the same last year.
Xu Family courtyard.
“Third Master Xu, these are this year’s qingyu fruits, a total of six thousand four hundred catties,” Xu Chuan said respectfully.
In front of him was a slightly plump middle-aged man in his forties with a short beard.
“Four hundred catties more than last year?”
“The yield is almost at its peak, unless we expand the scale. But Third Master, you also know that cultivating qingyu pears is not easy.”
Third Master Xu nodded, “Let’s go with last year’s price.”
“No problem.”
“Let’s start weighing. If it’s correct, the silver will be settled with you on the spot.”
The Xu Family servants began to weigh continuously, and it was over in a short while.
Following Third Master Xu was a young man in brocade clothes, who looked at the qingyu pears with fiery eyes, then looked at Xu Chuan with disdain on his face.
“Master, the weight is correct.”
Third Master Xu nodded slightly and immediately paid Xu Chuan three thousand two hundred taels.
“Xu Chuan, your skill is truly impressive. Are you interested in selling the secret formula for cultivating qingyu pears to my Xu family? My Xu family is willing to purchase it at a high price.”
“Third Master, I have some experience, but there is truly no secret formula.”
“If Third Master needs it, Xu Chuan will tell you everything I know, but I was just lucky. I’m not sure I can make the qingyu pear trees survive next time.”
“Spending six or seven years, or even longer, only to end up with nothing, would not only let down Third Master Xu but also my deceased Father.”
Third Master Xu lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, “I was just asking.”
“Alright, since the matter is settled, I have other things to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first.”
“Third Master, take care.”
Xu Chuan saw the Xu family off at the door, and only after they had gone far did he sigh in relief and return to the house.
After leaving the Xu family, the young man in brocade clothes finally couldn't help but say, “Father, why are you so polite to an ordinary commoner?!”
“He used to be just a long-term laborer who relied on our family for food.”
“qingyu pears are good things. Why not just seize the secret formula? Does he dare not give it?”
“Do you really think our Xu Family is the heavens of Dongxi Village?”
Third Master Xu glared at the young man in brocade clothes, his eyes full of disappointment upon hearing his words.
“First, let’s not talk about whether the secret formula is real. qingyu pears are indeed very difficult to cultivate. I’ve only heard that some aristocratic families in the prefecture city have mastered the cultivation method. Do you think he could figure it out by himself in just a few years?”
“Xu Chuan is right about one thing: spending seven or eight years, investing a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources, if in the end you get nothing, it’s just not worth it.”
“Now we have them readily available for us to purchase, and then we sell them to the county town, directly making a profit of eight hundred to one thousand taels. Is there anything easier than making money like this?”
“Father is right.”
Seeing that his eldest son was still a bit unconvinced, Third Master Xu said, “Don’t underestimate Xu Chuan. He has even shown his face in front of your great-grandfather.”
“The Xu family’s success today relies on its reputation and good name.”
“Don’t ruin the Xu family’s reputation for the sake of a mere qingyu pear, otherwise I won’t be polite to you.”
Since the passing of Old Master Xu, the Xu family has not produced an outstanding head, and has only managed to barely maintain its status.
Now, with some extravagant and pleasure-seeking descendants appearing in the clan, it has also begun to decline.
Xu Family.
“Husband, how did the qingyu pears sell?”
“Three thousand two hundred taels.”
Xu Chuan took out the silver notes, and Bai Jing patted her chest, saying, “Then I’m relieved. I was really afraid the Xu family would just snatch them.”
“That wouldn’t go so far, but it might be different in the future.”
“Husband means?”
“I see that Third Master Xu’s eldest son, Xu Tao, seems to have some intentions.”
“Then what should we do?” Bai Jing’s heart tightened again, and her face showed worry.
“Don’t worry, Third Master Xu is wise.” Xu Chuan held her hand and said, “He won’t ruin the Xu family’s reputation and credibility, built over many years, for mere profit.”
“My Husband is still amazing.” Bai Jing looked at her man with such foresight and couldn't help but praise him, “With Husband here, the Xu Family will also be able to become a gentry family like the Xu family in the future.”
The two boys went out to play in the wild.
They were still young, and Xu Chuan didn't want to restrain their nature, so he let them be.
No one was around. Seeing Bai Jing’s plump figure, Xu Chuan’s hands began to become restless.
“Husband, it’s broad daylight, it’s not appropriate.”
“What’s inappropriate? Shitou and A Yuan aren’t here either.”
“Tantou is here.”
Xu Chuan turned his head and saw that the infant in Bai Jing's arms had awakened at some point, opening his dark eyes and looking at Xu Chuan.
Big eyes stared at small eyes.
Xu Chuan was exasperated, he touched his little cheek, “It really is.”
“Never mind, I’m going to Er Gou’s house. Those Qi and Blood Pills are valuable, so I have to repay the money.”
As soon as Xu Chuan left, Tantou slowly closed his eyes again, as if there was no more fun to watch.