The Imperial Uncle by Da Feng Gua Guo

Author:Da Feng Gua Guo [Guo, Da Feng Gua]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Peach Flower House LLC
Published: 2023-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

After we ate at the restaurant, Bai Rujin took me to visit his house and talk over some shop business.

Bai Rujin’s family ranked among the richest in Chengzhou City, with an impressive mansion. Now, half-submerged, a length of its enclosing wall still protruded from the water. A portion of the wall beside the main gate could be opened to give access to boats. Apparently all the wealthy households in Chengzhou had boat gates like this. The vessel entered the courtyard and floated right up to the main hall.

Bai Rujin had four wives, three sons, and two daughters. His eldest son was fourteen or fifteen already and learning his father’s business. Bai Rujin called him over to pay respects to me. He called me Uncle Zhao.

Three of the other children were slightly younger, between the ages of seven and ten. They traipsed around the second-floor veranda, folding paper boats to toss into the water. Then there was the youngest, a precious daughter, only around a year old, and the child of Bai Rujin’s third wife. This third madam was a shrewd, remarkable woman who took care of half the management of Bai Rujin’s shops. The women of merchant families weren’t in the habit of avoiding guests to begin with, and this third madam often accompanied Bai Rujin to discuss business. When it came to doing accounts, she was even more skilled than her husband.

The third madam sat in the hall with us this time too. Bai Rujin explained to me his plans and expenses for the shop, as well as future projects, and the third madam sat next to him with the ledger open, clicking away on an abacus. Each and every entry was clear and precise. Behind her stood a nursemaid holding the baby girl, as well as some other maids. After one mark or so, when she had all the accounts straightened out, she passed the ledger and the abacus to a maid and took the child from the nursemaid’s arms.

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