Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 125 - 50 Buying Fabrics

Chapter 125: Chapter 50 Buying Fabrics

The days passed one by one, and soon it was Gu Chengyu’s day of rest.

Early in the morning, Mr. Gu and Gu Chengli, along with Gu Chengyi, split into two groups. Gu Chengyu went to Yingkelai in town with Mr. Gu, while Gu Chengli and the others went to the county with the honeysuckle.

Initially, there wasn’t much honeysuckle this time, so Mr. Gu thought of selling it directly to Renhe Hall in town. But considering Gu Chengchi’s leg had healed well enough and the Scar Removal Ointment could be used, he had no choice but to let the older sons take the honeysuckle to the county.

Actually, Gu Chengyu had been adding a small amount of spiritual spring water to Gu Chengchi’s medicine, resulting in excellent recovery from his burns. However, Gu Chengyu dared not add much, leaving some slight scars on the thigh. Doctor Li was curious, wondering how his medicine worked so well and remarked that just one bottle of Scar Removal Ointment would suffice.

The honeysuckle harvested this time was less than the last time, only about twenty-five pounds. The Gu Family left five pounds for Doctor Li, while the rest were taken to the county by the elder brothers. The silver from the honeysuckle sale was merely enough to buy a box of Scar Removal Ointment!

Meanwhile, Gu Chengyu and Mr. Gu sold dried black fungus to Manager Liang, totaling thirteen pounds and six ounces, earning fifty-four taels and four qian of silver. Manager Liang informed them that the restaurant had been fully booked for days using these three dishes, urging the Gu Family to dry more black fungus as they seemed to have tasted success. At this moment, Gu Chengyu didn’t yet know how much the cold dressed fungus was sold for by Manager Liang, otherwise he would surely gnash his teeth and curse him as a profiteer.

Leaving the restaurant, Mr. Gu planned to go directly to find Sun Craftsman. Today, Mr. Gu had arranged with the craftsman to inspect the terrain and estimate the materials needed.

These matters didn’t necessarily require Gu Chengyu’s involvement, but he wanted to go to Tang’s Cloth Shop. Last time at Tang’s Cloth Shop, he saw the fabric but didn’t have time to select any. He wanted to buy some fabric for the family. In such a large family, he was the only one wearing fine cotton cloth, which made him feel a bit embarrassed. Even his father lacked decent clothing when going out, which was not acceptable. People are judged by their appearance, and wearing shabby clothes undermines one’s confidence when going out.

"Dad! Let’s make a trip to Tang’s Cloth Shop!"

"Why go to the cloth shop? Do you want to meet Manager Zhou?" Mr. Gu was a bit puzzled.

"You’ll know once we get there!" Gu Chengyu certainly wouldn’t say he was going to buy fabric, otherwise his dad would definitely refuse to go.

The two took the ox-cart, and halfway there, Gu Chengyu bought two packets of peach blossom cake at a pastry shop. Last time, they had gifted a jade pendant, so this time visiting they couldn’t neglect propriety, even though the person might not care for such pastries. The gesture could only convey familial affection and intention. They reached the cloth shop and parked the ox-cart in the same place as before.

Gu Chengyu and Mr. Gu entered the shop, where a familiar shop assistant greeted them. "Oh? It’s you? Are you here to see Manager Zhou? Unfortunately, he went to the county to replenish stocks today, so he’s not in the shop." At Tang’s Cloth Shop, goods are replenished from the county and transported via the harbor boats, so the shop often needs porters at the dock.

"Young man, you have quite a good memory!" Mr. Gu didn’t know what business his son had, but trusted him to have his own ideas as long as he wasn’t reckless.

"That’s truly unfortunate! These two packets of pastries are for Manager Zhou. Since he’s not here, could you please hand them over to him when he returns?" Gu Chengyu handed the wrapped pastries to the shop assistant.

"Actually, besides visiting Manager Zhou today, we also wanted to buy some fabric for clothing. I’m not sure if young man has any reasonably priced fabrics to recommend to us?"

Upon hearing they were here for business, the shop assistant became instantly elated.

"Rest assured, uncle and little brother, Tang’s has always been honest in dealing with customers. You can browse and see what fabric interests you, and I’ll cut it for you." The shop assistant carefully set aside the pastries and was ready to assist Gu Chengyu in browsing and introducing options.

"Xiao Bao! What are we buying fabric for? We all have clothes to wear at home, no need to buy!" Mr. Gu never expected Xiao Bao’s intention to buy fabric. Recently, the family had many expenses, big ones at that, so saving money was preferable.

"Dad! Our family’s circumstances have improved, and we aren’t short on money. You and the older brothers should wear decent clothes when going out; besides, mom and the others haven’t had new clothes for many years; Da Lang’s clothes are too short; the younger ones haven’t worn new clothes either, only altered hand-me-downs. Today, I’ll buy them all two sets each. I can spend silver and also earn silver, so no need for you to worry."

Mr. Gu heard Gu Chengyu’s reasoning and thought about how Mrs. Lv had been with him for so many years without many chances to wear new clothes; even during New Year, they were hesitant to buy. Well, then! The family had recently earned quite a bit of silver, it was time for everyone to enjoy some happiness.

Gu Chengyu browsed the racks of colorful fabrics, considering the limited choices for male attire, mostly two colors, unless it was satin, which offered more variety including patterns and subtle designs. For the young males in the family, he chose sky blue and pale grey; for Mr. Gu, he chose stone blue; for Mrs. Lv, autumn yellow; while the girls of the house got pink, with the second sister opting for lotus pink, as she was the elder of Da Ya and the girls, wearing the same colors wouldn’t be suitable. However, thinking of the women in the household presented a dilemma, since the older sister-in-law and second sister-in-law were at an age where deep colors appeared too old, yet lighter shades didn’t suit their age. In the end, Gu Chengyu picked a bolt of snowy blue fabric for the sisters-in-law, planning to also choose fine cotton fabric and sturdy cloth in slightly darker shades for them, finally determining the correct colors.

Gu Chengyu didn’t scrutinize too much, though he didn’t object to buying fabric, dressing as a little boy was awkward. He decided next time to bring along the women of the house, anyone would have more experience in buying than him.

He selected fine cotton cloth, and similar-colored sturdy cloth, as the Gu Family farmed, engaging in rugged work where cotton wasn’t durable; coarse fabric was more practical.

"Alright! Xiao Bao! Why buy so much fabric? It costs quite a bit!" Mr. Gu felt a pang at heart seeing Gu Chengyu select so much, forgetting the lad could earn silver as well as spend it. With a swift decision, he had bought so much.

"Dad! Since we must buy fabric, why not buy for the whole family? How much fabric should we get, do you know? Can you calculate how many feet we should buy?" Gu Chengyu was clueless about the ancient measurements for making clothes; in modern times, ready-to-wear clothes were available, then who would buy fabric to make clothes?

"I have no idea either!" Mr. Gu patted his head, such tasks were managed by women; as a man, how would he know these things?

"Uncle, don’t forget me! I know such things! How many people are there at home? Let me calculate for you."

The shop assistant was eager to cater to such a large customer, knowing that while they bought fine cotton cloth, satin sold well too; families wore it, not average people who could barely afford it. Even wealthy families couldn’t shop daily; thus, coarse cloth and cotton were staples in the shop.

Gu Chengyu pondered a moment, "How much silver does one bolt of your sturdy cloth and fine cotton cloth cost?"

"Sturdy cloth costs three hundred fifty wen per bolt; fine cotton cloth is eight hundred wen per bolt. You’re acquainted with our Manager Zhou. If you buy a lot, I can give you a little discount, although just a slight one, as I’m a mere assistant and can’t make major decisions."

Gu Chengyu knew the assistant understood their connection with Manager Zhou, so they wouldn’t overcharge them, and thus bargaining wasn’t necessary.

"Then, give me a bolt each of sky-blue fine cotton cloth, pale-grey sturdy cloth, pink sturdy cloth and fine cotton cloth. For the rest, please cut lengths for me!"