Other workshops might be able to scrape together some skilled workers, but honey refining was another matter entirely.
Lu Liu frowned for a moment and said to him, “Find me a craftsman to help. I only have a little over two hundred catties of honey here. If he can identify the problems and help me refine the honey properly, I’ll pay him wages.”
After hearing about the honey workshop today, Lu Liu felt that just spotting the problems wasn’t enough—they needed to solve them.
They had to hire someone to test these batches. If it worked and proved worthwhile, they would figure out a way to bring a few more people in. That way, their makeshift bee house could actually produce.
Hai Youtian agreed. “When you have time, you could take a trip to the countryside. The city is busy, but many families out there run small trades. Beekeeping is one of them. There are plenty who know the craft—maybe you’ll find a prodigal willing to sell his skills.”
This reminded him oddly of Lu Yang, the youngest of the Chen family. “…”
He quickly added, “That’s right, Lu Liu. When you have time, go look around, and take Li Feng along with you.”
Lu Liu, still thinking about the honey, checked the sky—it was late today, so he decided to go another day.
They kept Hai Youtian for a meal. After dinner, night had fully fallen. Street vendors closed up, and Hai Youtian ran out, returning to the silver shop before curfew, hurriedly handing over the thirty taels of silver for the accounts.
The bookkeeper, noticing his recent good fortune, asked, “Did you meet a wealthy client?”
Hai Youtian said, “I met one who loves to bargain.”
The bookkeeper knew every client bargained and lost interest. He reminded Hai Youtian, “Report a high price when it’s a wealthy client.”
Hai Youtian nodded, handed over the slip, and casually inquired a bit about the honey workshop.
“Do you know anyone who can refine honey? I want to find my parents some work—beekeeping is light, profitable, and manageable for an older couple.”
The bookkeeper thought for a moment. “Do you know the old cripple in the eastern part of the city? He lives alone. Whoever agrees to care for him, he teaches all his skills to.”
Hai Youtian considered this, thinking the man would be suitable.
He remembered Li Feng talking about the Li Village—essentially sending someone to the village to retire. In a big company, taking care of one mouth was no problem. He planned to discuss it with Boss Li tomorrow.
Meanwhile, at the Li household, the family finished dinner, sampled the honey water, and even took bowls to examine the honey’s color.
Shun Ge specially ran back to the shop for small porcelain bowls. The white bowls made the honey color stand out.
Though all called honey, not every bowl looked the same. Some were pale, some a deeper amber, some in between.
The honey that the grocer had pointed out for impurities matched their own. It looked golden, sweet, but contained clumps like sugar hiding sand—unpleasant to eat.
Chen Guizhi noted, “Honey that’s been stored at home for a while is best; it has settled.”
Honey transported for sale had floated impurities; a scoop would bring them all up.
To get pure honey, they could filter or let it settle. Once settled, it could be used for “waxing.”
They hadn’t sold much honey recently, so they could let it settle at home and see if they could find a craftsman to help.
After tidying up, they washed and went to bed.
Chen Guizhi called Li Feng to her room. She wanted him to consider a match for Shun Ge. He was nineteen this year; after the new year he’d be twenty—time to start looking.
Previously, in the village, she had wanted to take Shun Ge with her. Now in the city, with the family together, Lu Liu had agreed to help Shun Ge find a husband, exploring potential matches. In the village or the mountain settlement, matchmaking usually happened at the end of the year—now was that time.
They could talk to a matchmaker now; if it didn’t work out, they could continue after the new year.
Li Feng, a bit dazed, said, “Shun Ge is already twenty?”
Chen Guizhi corrected him, “Not until next year.”
Li Feng nodded, “Then it’s about time. Tomorrow I’ll go out with Lu Liu and check with a matchmaker.”
Chen Guizhi was pleased but didn’t immediately let him leave.
Seeing her expression, Li Feng asked, “Mother, if you have thoughts, tell me. We’ll follow your conditions.”
Chen Guizhi asked, “What do you think of Hai Yazi?”
Li Feng’s face instantly fell.
Chen Guizhi told him not to make a sour face. “Good or bad, just say it. Why show me that expression?”
Li Feng said, “I didn’t know you wanted him.”
Chen Guizhi asked, “Would you make faces if we found someone else?”
Li Feng didn’t know—it hadn’t happened yet.
Chen Guizhi said, “No wonder Yang Ge doesn’t like you.”
Li Feng, married to Lu Yang’s younger brother, thought, “…”
Mother’s reasoning made sense—but this was different.
Honestly, Hai Youtian was a good person, also unlucky in life, but up to now, he hadn’t developed bad habits. He spoke and acted kindly, and at twenty-two, he was three years older than Shun Ge.
He hadn’t redeemed himself yet and was still with the silver shop. Previously, Li Feng had spoken of redemption, worrying he’d have no future. Marriage would cost money; perhaps he’d be willing to join the family.
After spending time together, Hai Youtian had become familiar with the family, never causing trouble.
Li Feng finally said, “But Shun Ge doesn’t know if he likes him yet.”
Chen Guizhi rolled her eyes. “When I arranged your marriage, what was your attitude? You refused even to die for it. Look at your married life now—so happy you can’t see your eyes! Would I hurt you? Living together, you don’t talk about liking or not liking—just partner up. Shun Ge needs a child; that’s enough. Marriage binds you for life. Now that life’s better, you have choices. At home, only your mother and I are unlucky, having married your father!”
Li Feng, scolded, reluctantly continued: “Hai Yazi’s redemption contract is still with the silver shop…”
Chen Guizhi was prepared. She pulled a key from the cabinet, opened a dressing box, lifted a divider, and showed Li Feng the silver inside.
Li Feng glanced at it, speechless.
Chen Guizhi said, “I saved this for Shun Ge. If he doesn’t marry, this is the betrothal money. You used twenty taels back then; Shun Ge’s share is a little less. These small items total about thirteen taels. You two, as brother and sister-in-law, can add a bit—it should be enough.”
She remembered, “Didn’t Hai Yazi say his contract was with the silver shop? Whoever buys him, he goes to that household. What’s the difference with joining a family? Joining a family is better—you can have a husband, children, and live a normal life.”
Li Feng: “….”
She had thought it through; what was there to ask?
He couldn’t argue with his mother and still worried Shun Ge might resist.
Chen Guizhi decided, “You and Lu Liu go out, ask the matchmaker. I think Hai Yazi is fine. If someone better comes along, we can still consider them. Shun Ge has mentioned it to me and to Lu Liu—it’s time to look. You’re just being reluctant.”
Li Feng left his mother’s room, just as Shun Ge came out. The brothers met, and Li Feng talked to him.
He asked directly about potential matches, whether Shun Ge was willing.
Shun Ge fidgeted and said, “Mother can decide this. Why ask me?”
Li Feng: “….”
Was he shy? Just fidgeting.
Li Feng asked what kind of person he wanted.
Shun Ge had clear ideas. “Someone diligent, caring, like you, or like Brother-in-law!”
Li Feng nodded; that was reasonable.
“And what else?”
Shun Ge thought for a long time. These two points were most important; nothing else mattered.
He said, “Big brother, finding a husband isn’t like your marriage. Yours was a normal arrangement with conditions on both sides. Finding a husband is harder. Who would want to join another family? Competent men set up their own households. I don’t ask for much: someone who treats me well, gets along with the family, has ambition—that’s enough. If he has these two, any other flaws don’t matter; I can teach him over time.”
