Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 223 - 158: Provincial Capital_1

Chapter 223: Chapter 158: Provincial Capital_1

Old man Qian’s last words moved both the first and second branch of the family. In the countryside, what does it matter if you are a shopkeeper, compared to being a resident of the provincial city? So, they all nodded in agreement.

Qian Sangui said, laughing, "Father is right. In the future, not only will our descendants become residents of the provincial city, but they will also strive to make their way to Capital City to see what it’s like at the feet of The Emperor."

These words only deepened everyone’s longing, and they all voiced their dreams for the future.

Old man Qian slapped his thigh and said, "Since we want to expand to the provincial city, why not open the main branch of ’Old Brother’ there? The transport there is convenient, there’s a large population with strong purchasing power – it’s easier to make money. Manchuan and Manhe can also go to the provincial city sooner to help Qian Sigui."

Now that Qian Sangui had thought it over, he realized it made sense, and he was excited at the idea. He told Qian Yixiu to call Qian Hua and to bring over the accounting books as well.

When Qian Hua came and reported the accounts, there were still one hundred and eighty taels of silver on the books. Old man Qian asked Qian Sangui to bring one hundred and fifty taels of silver to Qian Sigui this time, so that he could slowly establish himself in the provincial city, and their future generations could all move there to live.

"...in the future, the business will be named ’Old Brother Dessert House’, which also sounds quite pleasant," Old man Qian said proudly, tossing a peanut into his mouth.

The crowd nodded and agreed once more.

Lady Wang said with a laugh, "Technically, it’s not my place to speak at this time, but I still want to say a few words."

Old man Qian gave face to his eldest daughter-in-law and said, "If the eldest daughter-in-law has something to say, then speak."

Lady Wang said, "I don’t mean to say I distrust uncle four. But, with him so far from us and so much silver for him to spend... even with blood brothers, accounts should be clear, right?"

Lady Tang was more direct, "With so much money given to uncle four, even if he embezzles a bit we wouldn’t know..."

Qian Ergui was so angry he scolded, "If you can’t speak properly, then shut your snout."

Old woman Qian spat in her direction, then tried to throw her chopsticks at her, but they fell short, landing on the table.

Lady Tang quickly added with a smile, "Mother, don’t be angry, I’m just not articulate. I meant the same as my elder sister-in-law; it’s just that it came out wrong when I said it."

These words offended Lady Wang even further, who then glared daggers at her.

Qian Sangui said, "Eldest sister-in-law is speaking the truth. Although we all trust fourth brother, even blood brothers should settle accounts clearly. If we want the business to last long, we need to establish clear rules. Let’s do this: we’ll find another trustworthy accountant to keep the accounts clear, so we can check anytime."

Old man Qian nodded and said, "Good, that’s how it ought to be." After a moment’s thought, he added, "I have a good candidate in mind, the Liqin Boy. He’s attended three years of private school, is smart, and everyone knows his background. If he’s willing, he can learn bookkeeping from Qian Hua and then be sent to the provincial city."

Wang Liqin, sixteen years old, was a distant relative of Lady Wang, and of course, she was agreeable to the idea. Everyone else also approved.

Qian Yixiu, having no say as an observer, witnessed the discussion amongst the decision-makers, and the Qian family business was on the verge of another significant leap forward.

That night, as Cheng Yue went to bed, she held Qian Yixiu tightly, repeating words like "You must come back soon; mother awaits at home with hardship."

The weather was hot, and lying in her mother’s embrace was uncomfortable, but understanding her feelings, Qian Yixiu let her hold on.

The next day, as dawn just began to break, the family got up.

Going to the unfamiliar provincial city, Qian Yixiu dared not dress strikingly beautiful, as her traumatic experience with the county opera troupe still lingered.

She brought two sets of old clothes, one she wore yesterday, and another set of fine cloth clothes and a dress made this spring. She was wearing last year’s peach-colored fine cloth clothes and dress, now a big length too short. Qian Xiaoyu had added a strip of light white fine cloth to both the top and skirt and embroidered a ring of entwining peach blossoms on it. On her feet were straw-bottomed cloth sandals she had invented.

Qian Yeejin was wearing a set of fine bright blue cloth jacket and shorts.

Qian Yixiu envied his attire greatly. In this era, boys could wear shorts, but girls could not wear short skirts, and they couldn’t even wear short-sleeved clothes.

The past life was better in this respect, as a man wearing shorts outside was considered ungentlemanly, but a woman wearing a navel-bearing top or short-shorts was seen as sexy.

After breakfast, Qian Hua and Huang Tie brought all the things to take to the front door.

The little mother, holding her two children, kept instructing them non-stop. When she saw Wong Liang’s horse-drawn carriage arriving, her tears involuntarily fell. Qian Yixiu and Qian Yeejin each hugged one of her arms, consoled her for a while, then let go and followed their grandfather onto the carriage.