Cheng Loanloan felt that her eldest and third sons truly had no talent for studying.
Her second son liked mathematics and seemed to enjoy doing business, so he could develop in that direction in the future.
Her fourth son was interested in learning to read and write, so he could definitely enroll in a private school. No matter what, their Zhao family would have a scholar, and her knowing how to read and write would no longer be unusual.
While Cheng Loanloan was deep in thought, Zhao Ergou emerged from the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, his face beaming with joy.
Zhao Sidan quickly ran over: "Second Brother, Second Brother, was the negotiation successful?"
Cheng Loanloan felt the outcome was already very clear.
The Auspicious Wine Restaurant had snacks, so the Drunken Immortal Restaurant couldn't possibly refuse. No matter what, this business deal would be successfully negotiated.
Zhao Ergou nodded: "It's been settled. Shopkeeper Yang of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant hopes we can supply two hundred bowls a day. He also has a restaurant in the neighboring Feng Huang Town. We'll deliver them here, and he'll arrange for someone to take them to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant in Feng Huang Town."
Cheng Loanloan took two copper coins from her sleeve and handed them over: "Mother keeps her word. This is your reward."
Zhao Ergou solemnly put the two copper coins into his pouch: "Our family can make nine hundred bowls a day. We've negotiated five hundred in total just now. The remaining four hundred bowls are for you to go and talk about."
Cheng Loanloan's face lit up with joy.
She said gently: "He Kou Town is only so big. Next, let's go to Ping An Town to take a look, and while we're at it..."
While they were at it, she wanted to inquire about the private school in Ping An Town. She wanted to decide this matter today.
Zhao Da's ox cart was waiting in the shade at the city gate. Zhao Da was lying on the cart, asleep, a straw hat covering his head, snoring loudly.
"Uncle Da."
Zhao Sidan mischievously shouted.
Zhao Da startled awake from the cart, angrily scolding: "You little brat Sidan, try to scare me again?"
Zhao Sidan chuckled and brought out a bowl of crushed ice from a wooden bucket: "Uncle Da, eat quickly. After we eat, we'll go to Ping An Town."
For the past two days, Zhao Da had always been able to eat crushed ice. Although the sensation wasn't great, it was acceptable. He could drink two bowls in one go, and after drinking his fill, he felt cool all over.
The mother and her five children sat on the ox cart. Cheng Loanloan spoke to Zhao Da: "Uncle Da, I want to talk to you."
Zhao Da quickly said: "What is it?"
"Starting tomorrow, I'll have Ergou and San Niu deliver goods to the town," Cheng Loanloan said with a smile. "They'll have to leave at the Mao hour every day, first going to He Kou Town, and probably also making a trip to Ping An Town. They can only return at noon. How many copper coins do you think such a trip is worth?"
Zhao Da opened his mouth and said: "Two people, one round trip, four copper coins will do."
Cheng Loanloan covered her face. This Zhao Da really didn't know how to do business.
For the past two days, their family of five, plus four wooden buckets and some other items, took up seven or eight tenths of the space, filling an ox cart, yet he never suggested increasing the price.
Originally, it was one copper coin to Ping An Town, and then another copper coin to He Kou Town.
How could such a business last long?
Cheng Loanloan paused, then spoke: "Uncle Da, perhaps you haven't understood. My meaning is, during the period from the Mao hour to noon, this ox cart can only carry our family members. If others want to go to other towns, they can only take another ox cart in the village."
Zhao Da was an honest man, a trait inherent to the Zhao family, and could be trusted. But she couldn't trust anyone else.
She didn't want too many people to know about her family's business.
Zhao Da wasn't stupid; he understood her words.
His ox cart didn't have customers every day. He would go to the town alone, or with five people. At most, it could fit ten people. A round trip cost twenty *wen* of copper coins, which was considered his highest income.
Taking Er Gou and San Niu to Hekou Town, then going to Ping'an Town, there would be two people in the cart, plus a full load of ice. He could make it back by noon and still work in the fields for a few hours.
Zhao Da spoke up, "Then ten *wen* it is."
The matter was thus settled.
They went straight to Ping'an Town. It was late in the day, the sun was still scorching, and there weren't many people on the road.