WSMTATMC C142

Chapter 142

 

Early in the morning, just as the sky was brightening, Ma Zhandong and Tian Ju drove the carriage toward the ice cellar located on the outskirts of the city.

The ice cellar had been bought by Wang Ying for ten taels. Speaking of this ice cellar, it actually had some connection with Wei Linshui.

The previous owner had been ruined by Wei Linshui’s scheming, unable to continue his business, and eventually his whole family left Fucheng. The ice cellar was then sold cheaply.

After several hands, it unexpectedly ended up in Wang Ying’s possession. Coincidentally, Wang Ying was also the one who later toppled Wei Linshui. One could even call it karmic retribution.

The ice cellar was half-underground, with a vast inner space. At the entrance, there was a simple house built specifically for keeping watch over the ice.

Wang Ying had hired an old man who lived nearby to guard the ice. He paid him one string of coins a month, and the old man was delighted to move in. At their age, they could no longer handle heavy labor, so to earn a little extra money to bolster the household was indeed a source of happiness.

The very day after buying the cellar, Wang Ying secretly moved more than a thousand large blocks of ice inside.

If it weren’t for the experimental wheat field already growing full heads of grain, Wang Ying would have cordoned off another plot just to freeze additional blocks of ice.

When the carriage stopped at the cellar gates, the old man came out of the hut.

Recognizing his employer’s carriage, he lifted his oil lamp and called out with a smile, “You’re here.”

“Yes, here to pull ice,” Ma Qianzi said, taking out the key to unlock the cellar door. The two went down into the underground chamber, the air damp and chilly, and after some time they hauled out twelve blocks of ice.

These were all pre-ordered by clients. The two had to deliver them to homes. Each day, one load went out in the morning, one in the afternoon, and for several families, evening deliveries were also required.

Most of the time, clients were received at the shop by Lin Sui. Ma Qianzi and Tian Ju handled deliveries, leaving Wang Ying with more leisure.

But the money earned was nothing less. Recently, customers came endlessly to order ice, and daily profits reached sixteen or seventeen taels—almost the same as during the popsicle-selling period.

In the daytime, Wang Ying visited the shop to look around. Since Lin Sui could already handle things alone, he thought of paying a trip to the real estate brokers.

Having more money now, Wang Ying wanted to buy a house. The current rental only had a month left before the lease expired. A few days ago, an agent had already come to ask whether he intended to renew or move elsewhere.

Living in someone else’s rented property was always troublesome. Any move was inconvenient. Wang Ying planned to buy a courtyard house in Fucheng, so that it could be a true family home.

At the brokerage, most of the houses were ones he had viewed before—overpriced, and with bad locations.

The well-located courtyards were selling for at least 1,700 taels, while larger ones in poorer areas were barely 700.

That poorer area, however, was essentially the bottom tier of the city, full of shady folk. Respectable families rarely bought homes there. What’s more, Wang Ying had to consider elders, children, and siblings—the family couldn’t possibly settle in such a place.

As he looked further, he once again noticed a large courtyard he had previously considered renting. It had originally been posted at 2,600 taels. After sitting unsold for nearly a year, the price had been cut down to 2,100.

Wang Ying especially liked this estate, particularly for the massive stone screen with auspicious motifs standing at its entrance—it was striking and pleasing to the eyes.

“Excuse me, can this courtyard be made any cheaper at all? What’s the lowest price?”

The broker glanced at the plans and said, “One moment, I’ll check the record.” Every estate had a registered bottom line set by the seller, beneath which it could not be sold.

Soon, the broker returned with the booklet. “The owner’s bottom price is 2,200 taels. It cannot go lower.”

Still a bit too expensive. If he bought it, he would be left without a single extra coin. Should an emergency arise, that would be troublesome.

Wang Ying shook his head regretfully. “Forget it, I’ll just look at something else.”

After circling through houses again with no success, he tried Sun’s brokerage. By coincidence, Sun Peng was present. “Shopkeeper Wang, perfect timing! Actually, I was about to seek you.”

“What for?”

“Didn’t you previously say you wanted to rent a shop? Just recently, one became available, both price and location quite good. Would you like to take a look?”

Wang Ying apologized. “I won’t be renting a shop for now. I’ve stopped the popsicle business.”

Sun Peng had already heard the recent rumors. Regret colored his tone. “What a pity. My son has been pestering just to eat your shaved ice again. Ever since you stopped selling, none of the other shops’ offerings have been up to his taste.”

But things had happened, and restarting the popsicle trade was impossible. Sun Peng continued, “So you’re here today to look for a house?”

“Yes, I wanted to see if there’s a suitable courtyard for purchase. The current one is too cramped, especially with so many family members.”

“There are a few larger ones now for sale. Let’s see what suits you.” Sun Peng took out a stack of listings, each with house size, location, and price written in detail.

Immediately, Wang Ying noticed that same wealthy merchant’s courtyard—a property he’d seen even at the official broker’s, yet now Sun Peng’s private listing was over a hundred taels cheaper!

“Your eye is sharp, Shopkeeper Wang. This estate is near Yang Street with a good location and ample space. It has sat unsold for four months. This month the owner is letting it go for 2,000 taels.”

Wang Ying exclaimed, “To tell the truth, I just viewed this house elsewhere, and the minimum there was 2,200. How can it differ so much?”

“You may not know, Shopkeeper. Government-licensed brokers charge commissions as high as several hundred taels. We private brokers only take one percent at most, so naturally it’s cheaper.”

“No wonder. Can the price be reduced even more?”

“This already is the bottom price. Our brokerage has upheld its reputation many years in Fucheng, never cheating anyone. Our word carries weight.”

Wang Ying nodded. “I came precisely because I trust your business.”

Sun Peng then said, “This way—if it were another buyer, not a single coin could be cut. But given our acquaintance, I’ll lower it twenty more taels and count it as friendship. At that price, we’ll take care of the contract and household registration for you.”

Suppressing his excitement, Wang Ying said carefully, “Buying a house is a major matter. I must go discuss with my family. At the latest, I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

“Very well, I’ll hold this house for you.”

That noon, Wang Ying told his family everything about the house search. With Chen Qingyan and his brothers away, Madam Li could make no decisions. She only said that if Wang Ying felt it was good, she would trust his choice.

Fang Ling, however, advised, “It would be best to ask around about that house, to see if anything bad has ever happened there. You don’t want to end up buying a tainted property and feeling uneasy afterward.”

“Alright, after lunch I’ll make inquiries.”

Madam Li opened her chest and gave all her private savings to Wang Ying. “This house should have been bought by me for all of you to live in. Now everything rests on you instead.”

Wang Ying refused immediately. “As eldest brother and sister-in-law, it’s only right for Qingyan and me to look after everyone.”

“Good child… Mother thanks you.”

“We’re family, there’s no need for such words.”

After lunch, Wang Ying called his younger sister to accompany him to ask around about the house. Lately, Qingyun had been busy at home preparing her dowry and hadn’t gone out, so this outing gave her a chance to relax as well.

The new courtyard wasn’t far—only half a stick of incense’s walk.

There were four or five other households nearby, mostly merchants. Wang Ying randomly chose one door and knocked.

Soon the door opened, and to his surprise, it was the owner of the sesame oil shop next door.

“Manager Song?”

“Shopkeeper Wang! Do you need something?”

“Nothing serious, I just wanted to ask about that house across from your home.”

Song opened the door wider. “Come inside for tea.”

“No need, I won’t trouble you.”

Song didn’t push. Since Wang was accompanied by a young lady, propriety suggested not inviting them inside. He simply stood at the door and explained, “I know the previous owner of that house. He lived there over ten years. Then two years ago he struck it rich in the tea business and moved his family to the capital.”

“And there’s been no strange happenings in the house?”

“Not at all. The estates in this area are all clean. Are you planning to buy?”

Wang Ying nodded. “It’s no good always renting. I want to buy a place for stability.”

“That house is fine. Much bigger than mine. Only its price is high—otherwise I’d have gone for it myself.” Envy tinged his words; clearly the Wang shop was earning well if they could afford a thousand-tael home.

Reassured, Wang Ying took Chen Qingyun straight to Sun’s brokerage and requested keys to view the property again.

Compared to last year, it was overgrown with weeds. The lotus in several tanks had withered.

But the grounds were wide, with both front and rear courtyards. Though not as large as their former home in the town, the many rooms meant no more crowding together.

Wang Ying said, “When we tidy it up, these west-side rooms can be arranged for you and Lin Sui as boudoirs. When you marry one day, they won’t be changed—you can always come back to stay.”

Hearing this, Chen Qingyun’s nose grew sore. She clutched Wang Ying’s arm. “Sister-in-law, you’re too good.”

Satisfied with the courtyard, Wang Ying paid on the spot. After payment, nothing else was required. Sun Peng had connections in the prefectural office, so within a day the property deed and registration were in order. The estate now officially belonged to the Chen family.

Of course, the new house needed thorough refurbishment—repainting with lime, repairing leaks on the roof, fixing warped windows and doors, replacing paper screens. At least a month or two of work stood before it would be ready.

By the time they moved into the new house, the old rental could be vacated.

Those at the prefectural school had yet no idea their family had bought a new home.

The monthly examination was right around the corner—this would be the students’ very first since admission.

At the prefectural school, monthly exams were held, but once a year there was a major exam. Rankings determined class placement—anyone falling out of the top forty of Class A would be demoted, while top-ranking students from Class B or C could rise to Class A.

The major exam also included the selection of stipend students. Only passing this allowed one to receive next year’s allowance from the imperial court.

This month, both Chen Qingyan and Chen Qinghuai each received two hundred copper coins and a dou of grain. It wasn’t much, but it was an honor. To be called a stipend student of the prefectural school gained respect everywhere.

In truth, the content of this exam was harder than the county-level exam, for it gathered all the scholars admitted within the past six years. (According to court rules, students could study at the prefectural school for at most six years.)

It was truly a nest of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. As the examination champion from this year, Chen Qingyan felt immense pressure. He feared performing poorly, and to only rank ordinary would invite ridicule.

In the recent days, both he and Chen Qinghuai studied with extreme diligence. Spurred on, even Liu Changyi, who usually hovered around rank twenty, grew nervous. With inconsistent performance, he sometimes barely clung to the end of the rankings. Now watching the Chen brothers work so hard, he too fueled himself with focus. He absolutely couldn’t afford to drop from Class A—such an outcome would be shameful.

Meanwhile, the previous year’s champion, Fang Wenke, also bore great pressure. At the poetry gathering, he had already been overshadowed by the Chen brothers. If, as this year’s champion, Chen Qingyan surpassed him again, the comparisons would be unavoidable.

Older in age, with two more years of study, if he were still outshone, wouldn’t it prove himself inferior?

Thus, Fang Wenke buried himself in studies with equal relentlessness, daring not to rest a single day.

And so time hurried by until the day of the exam arrived.