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    Chapter 110: Studying Well Also Earns Some Money

    β€œEach household gets twelve taels and two hundred wen. This is ours.” Yan Huaian first handed over the large sum and then placed the stringed copper coins on the small table. β€œHere are two thousand nine hundred and forty-six wen, the money everyone pooled to buy horse meat. At thirty wen per jin, each household gets a little over two jin. I had Luo San’s family cut three jin.”

    Yan Huaiwen slowly accepted the silver and nodded reservedly. β€œNot bad.”

    Then, he pushed back the two full strings of coins. β€œSince you like handling these matters, make sure to prepare enough copper coins and settle everything on the spotβ€”silver for goods, clear and straightforward.”

    Yan Lao’er happily slung the coins back over his body. The weight pressing against him made him feel inexplicably secure.

    β€œEldest Brother, what do you think about stockpiling some medicinal herbs? And fur? Uncle An and his people don’t tan leather very well, but Guanzhou is cold. Having some is better than none, and we can make some money from it, right?”

    Yan Huaiwen replied, β€œEverything has its value. What you need to consider is whether the profit margin between cost and selling price is acceptable to you. The journey is long, and carrying goods is not easy. You need to think carefully and make choices.”

    Yan Lao’er nodded repeatedly.

    β€œAlso, Luo San helped a lot with distributing the meat today. How do you plan to thank him?”

    β€œI was thinking of sending some money over after dark,” he replied. He couldn’t just use someone’s labor for free.

    β€œIf we were still in the village, money would be appropriate. But since we’re on the road, it’s not quite suitable. Since every household bought horse meat, why not send some grain instead? The Luo family has many men, and food is always tight for them.”

    This was about understanding others’ needs and helping where it truly mattered.

    Yan Huaiwen saw this as an opportunity to teach Tianyou about social obligations within the village.

    β€œThe same goes for the Qi brothers. You’ve asked for their help multiple times; you should show your appreciation.”

    β€œI’ve already spoken with Qi Da, Qi Si, and Qi Wu. We’ll be working together to sell charcoal and make scented soap. When we make money in the future, they’ll definitely get their share,” Yan Lao’er explained. He wasn’t exploiting themβ€”he had already promised future earnings.

    β€œBusiness and relationships are two different things,” Yan Huaiwen said calmly. β€œIt’s great that you and the Qi brothers are on good terms and running a business together, but you must also remember their kindness in protecting you.”

    During their encounters with bandits, Yan Huaiwen had observed everything clearly.

    The Qi brothers were unwavering in guarding Tianyou. Even when they went to Cloud-Piercing Stronghold, where everyone knew there was money and food to snatch, they chose to stay behind without hesitation just because he asked Tianyou to remain behind.

    As an older brother, he saw and remembered these things.

    β€œThose three have big appetites. Whether it’s meat or grain, make sure to take care of them.”

    Yan Lao’er had to admit he had overlooked this.

    They were his good brothers, and he had so much meat. Why hadn’t he thought to give them some? He had only been focused on selling for copper coins and making jerky…

    β€œI understand what you’re saying, Big Brother.”

    He was still stuck in his old mindset, thinking that giving money was the best solution.

    Before, when his pockets were empty, and everyone was struggling, even a handful of wild vegetables or a single egg was a treasure. But now that they were deep in the mountains, food was much more abundant.

    He had been thinking ahead, assuming that once they reached Guanzhou, money would be more useful.

    But he had forgotten that, at this moment, silver had limited purchasing power, and every family had different circumstances. Families like the Luo and Qi families never had enough grain.

    β€”

    Li Xuemei added, β€œYour eldest brother is right. If you give one family goods, it wouldn’t be appropriate to give another money. You need to be mindful of these things in the future.

    β€œSister-in-law Qi always says those three brothers eat too much, like they’re never full. We still have plenty of horse meat leftβ€”cut a good portion and send it over. If you’re worried Aunt Qi won’t accept it, do this: take those three brothers out to a secluded spot, set up a pot, and let them eat to their heart’s content.”

    Yan Lao’er chuckled. That was a great idea.

    Going out for a late-night snack with his brothers? That sounded fantastic.

    β€œBig Brother told me to make a choice between herbs and furs. Which do you think I should drop?” he asked his wife.

    Li Xuemei answered without hesitation, β€œDefinitely drop the furs. You saw for yourselfβ€”Uncle An’s tanning skills are barely passable. Besides, how can the wild animals here compare to those up north? It’s colder up there, so their fur grows better. Plus, it’s the wrong season nowβ€”it’s too hot, and the animals are shedding.”

    She muttered, β€œNo wonder the hides are all patchy, like they’ve been chewed by dogs…”

    Yan Lao’er: …

    Curious, he asked, β€œMei, how do you know all this?”

    Li Xuemei shot him a glare, turned away, and refused to answer.

    What now? What did he say wrong?!

    β€”

    Confused, Yan Lao’er went looking for his daughter.

    Look at thatβ€”up on the top bunk, her little head was about to fall off from peeking over. Who else could it be but his daughter?

    From a distance, he saw that she was quite skilled at reconnaissance.

    She wasn’t staring at Old Yan the whole time. Instead, she would peek for a while, then quickly duck back, only to sneak another glance later. She even looked around now and then as if she were casually admiring the scenery, all while using her peripheral vision to keep an eye on Old Yan’s movements…

    Professional!

    He waited with great interest.

    His daughter’s first intelligence report would undoubtedly come straight to him.

    He weighed the two strings of copper coins in his hand, thought for a moment, and set aside twenty wen.

    Ten wen might be too little for her, but twenty seemed just right.

    His finances were transparentβ€”he couldn’t give too much.

    After a while, he saw Old Yan call a few children over.

    His daughter quickly climbed down from the top bunk and ran to get her older cousins.

    The three kids stood in a row obediently.

    Old Yan said a few words and then…

    Yan Lao’er’s eyes widened as he saw Old Yan hand out some copper coins to each child.

    His daughter, of course, had the biggest grinβ€”her smile nearly reached the back of her ears.

    Gripping the twenty wen he had prepared, Yan Lao’er fell into deep thought.

    Old Yan had given the kids moneyβ€”should he do the same?

    If so, how much would be appropriate?

    β€”

    Yan Yu was as happy as a little bird.

    So getting money from Uncle was this exciting!

    No wonder her father was so obsessed with it. The moment the money landed in her pocket, she rushed to bring it to him, as if it were burning hot.

    She locked onto her father’s location and sprinted!

    Her little face flushed red as she ran toward him. Yan Lao’er crouched down, caught her, and spun her around.

    β€œHow much did your Uncle give you that you’re this happy?”

    Yan Yu’s eyes sparkled. β€œI didn’t expect it at all, so it was a surprise! I’m so happy!”

    She proudly pulled out her copper coins and showed them off.

    β€œLook, ten wen!”

    She added, β€œUncle said it’s a reward for keeping up with our studies despite the difficult journey. He hopes we’ll continue to be diligent.

    β€œHahaha! This is my reward for being a good student!

    β€œDad, Uncle even set a grading system for us! I got first-class and ten wen, Big Sister Da Ya got second-class with eight wen, and Big Brother only got third-class with five wen. Hahaha!

    β€œUncle said Big Brother has been slacking off lately, not as hardworking as before. Compared to me and Da Ya, he fell short.

    β€œOh dear, my outstanding study skills make it impossible for me to stay low-key!”

    Yan Yu twirled around in joy.

    Yan Lao’er sighed.

    He couldn’t compete!

    Just look at Old Yanβ€”he even made giving money an art form.

    His daughter was instantly motivated to study harder.

    Poor Heng’er was about to get crushed in the academic race.


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