Later, Shu Rui and Lu Ling had breakfast. They checked out the three dormitory guests. Qing arrived at the inn.
“Did you find suitable temporary workers?” Shu Rui asked.
Qing replied, “Yes. One is a girl named Bao, around sixteen or seventeen. Another is Wu, a boy about my age. They can both work. Do you want to see them first?”
For important workers, Shu Rui would inspect personally. But for ordinary chores like washing dishes and sweeping, he didn’t need to.
He told Qing it wasn’t necessary—just have them come at the scheduled time.
After settling the temporary workers, Shu Rui prepared to go to the market. With three people at the inn, Qing handled cleaning, Lu Ling watched the front, and Shu Rui didn’t need to rush.
“Master Shao, I could accompany you to buy vegetables and meat,” Qing offered.
Shu Rui raised an eyebrow. He sensed Qing wanted to speak. He agreed, leaving Lu Ling to tend the inn and have the dormitory beds tidied.
“Something happened?” Shu Rui asked on the street.
“Yesterday you said you wanted an apprentice. I found someone. I don’t know if you’ll accept her,” Qing said.
Shu Rui’s eyes lit up. “Already? You’ve found someone suitable?”
Qing blushed slightly. “It’s my Third Sister. You’ve seen her at the inn before. She’s now eleven or twelve, helping at home. I asked if she wanted to learn a craft, and she’s eager. I also asked mother, and she agrees.”
Shu Rui smiled. “That’s excellent. Teaching a girl a skill gives her independence and a future. I’ve seen Third Sister—she’s sensible and diligent. Anyone meeting my requirements can come and try.”
Qing was overjoyed to hear Shu Rui agree. He practically bubbled over: “Then I’ll go back and tell her right away!”
After a pause, he added sheepishly, “I just worried that it might be inconvenient for you, with both of us working under you.”
Shu Rui waved off the concern. “What’s the problem? You do your work, and she learns her craft. No need for such worries. I told you before: we’ll sign a contract when the time comes, but first, let Third Sister come and try learning. Whether she can really continue depends on time and experience.”
Even though they were well acquainted, Shu Rui made it clear: “If she can’t keep up, the contract can be canceled before it’s signed. Even if she is your sister, I won’t let her stay out of sentiment, lest I end up holding her back.”
“And once the contract is signed, if she masters the craft and wants to work independently, the agreement protects our rights,” Shu Rui added.
Qing nodded earnestly. “I understand. I told Mother too; we’ll follow your rules. We’re familiar, but shouldn’t seek favors. If anything, we should be stricter.”
Shu Rui smiled. “Good. Decide a time that’s convenient, and let her come slowly to learn. She’s young—the perfect age to start a skill. Later, when she’s older, it will be much harder to focus with all the outside distractions.”
Qing immediately agreed.
The two of them went to the market. Shu Rui selected four pig trotters, planning to stew them with beans until tender. He also bought fresh pig liver and kidneys, and at this season, the red-leaf vegetables were tender—stir-fried together, they would taste wonderful.
He bought some seafood too: two baskets of oysters, ready to be cooked with minced garlic and grilled on the stove’s iron rack.
Once their shopping was done, they carried everything back and started preparing the meal. More hands made work quicker, and by mealtime, all the dishes were ready.
Shu Rui then returned to the counter to watch the street, attracting customers and attending to inn guests.
The inn had been open twenty-five or twenty-six days. The first tax payment would soon be due. While buying groceries, Shu Rui had seen a few tax officials collecting money on the main street; it wouldn’t be long before they came to his inn.
With some free time, he reviewed the accounts. This month, the books showed an income of 48 guàn, 9 qián, and 3, after subtracting most of the easily calculated costs: groceries, Qing’s wages, laundry, expenses for storytellers, and firewood. Miscellaneous items like wine and leftover preserved vegetables weren’t included, but these weren’t much—maybe five or six guàn more in cost. Roughly, around three guàn in taxes would be owed.
Shu Rui lightly moved the abacus beads, a small smile forming. Even in business, after all, there was a net gain of about forty guàn. That meant a day’s earnings could cover a substantial sum, and if maintained, the year’s income could recoup the initial investment. Thinking of this, Shu Rui felt quietly pleased.
“Making money?”
Shu Rui looked up at Lu Ling, who had quietly joined him at the counter. “Of course. If the inn didn’t make money, it would be a loss.”
Lu Ling sat beside him. “Have you been checking the accounts?”
“Yes. If we continue steadily, by next year we can save a good sum.”
Lu Ling smiled. “Then your hard work wasn’t in vain. Eventually, you can just handle the accounts at the counter, shout for the staff to handle the rest—that will be true ease.”
Shu Rui chuckled. “We can dream a bit. When apprentices are trained, life will be easier.”
He added, teasing, “If I handle the counter, what will you do?”
“I’ll watch over you,” Lu Ling said.
“You’re good at taking it easy, aren’t you?” Shu Rui grinned.
Lu Ling smirked, then said, “I resigned from the martial hall yesterday; they paid me less than a month’s wages.”
“Keep it for yourself. You’ll need it for coming and going—no need to give it all to me.”
Shu Rui had assumed Lu Ling was going to hand over the money. “If you need funds, just tell me. Your money is all in my care anyway.”
“Mine is yours—no distinction,” Lu Ling said.
“But you’re not a fortune teller—how did you know I’d ask for money?” Shu Rui raised an eyebrow.
Lu Ling explained: “It’s cold now. Days are short, and officials must start work early. Father leaves before dawn, and the wind can make him miserable. This morning, I saw Mother making ear guards for him, saying his ears were at risk of frostbite. I thought I’d give some money to buy materials and a donkey cart to deliver them.”
Shu Rui raised his eyebrows, secretly pinching Lu Ling’s ear. “You’ve grown so thoughtful, considering your uncle. I should have noticed with all the busy work.”
“You don’t need to handle everything. I can run between tasks.”
Lu Ling added, “I just want to show my care and help him do his duties.”
Shu Rui asked, “What is it exactly?”
Lu Ling’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What else could it be? It’s about us getting married.”
Shu Rui understood—Lu Ling wanted to urge his uncle to settle their affairs. He gently pulled him closer. “Don’t press it. Uncle Lu is busy with official work, even supervising city wall repairs during rest days. Don’t let him worry about us.”
“I know what’s appropriate. Just handle it now, so he remembers well. We’ll make the proper request at the end of the year.”
Shu Rui nodded. “Then take money from the accounts to buy a good animal. Make the cart sturdy. Deliver it home quietly, don’t mention us—just say it’s a son’s filial duty in the cold.”
“Understood.”
“What if one cart isn’t enough? Lu Yu also needs to travel to school in the cold.”
Shu Rui considered and said, “Then get two carts. Before the inn opened, Uncle and Aunt gave me twenty guàn. That’s sufficient. Even if it’s not for us, it’s still showing filial respect to elders.”
Lu Ling protested: “We’ve only earned a little. Two animals and carts means hiring someone to drive and care for them. Er Lang is young; unlike the older ones, he’s less cold-resistant. In winter, we can hire a cart to send him to school.”
Shu Rui agreed. “Fine, let’s set it now. By year-end, if the inn does well, we can slowly buy more for the household.”
Lu Ling nodded. “I’ll go after midday.”
Shu Rui suddenly thought: “We may not need two animals, but two carts are necessary. The inn has a donkey, but only one flat cart. It won’t block wind or rain. Autumn and winter bring more rain; better to prepare now. Also, we can bargain better buying two.”
Lu Ling agreed. “Good. With guests, carts are useful. Keeping extras ready is practical.”
They settled the plan. Shu Rui gave Lu Ling twenty guàn, instructing him to compare prices, and take more if needed. Shu Rui wanted to check himself, but Lu Ling insisted, teaching him not to shoulder everything alone. It was also good practice for Lu Ling to bargain—both would eventually manage the business together.