Chapter Seventy-eight: A Fortuitous Encounter

On this day, as on all others, Zhou Zhi pushed his handcart to Gaochang Town early in the morning. For the past few days, Fan Jin, having seen how smoothly Zhou Zhi’s vegetables were selling, no longer came to help him watch over the stall.

As soon as Zhou Zhi stopped his cart at his usual spot, a crowd quickly gathered around, and all thirty catties of chives were soon snatched up. Those who missed out sighed in regret, urging him to come early tomorrow, promising they would be waiting here in this very place.

Zhou Zhi only smiled and said, "There won’t be any tomorrow. Wait until mid-twelfth month, but by then, the price might be a bit higher."

"That’s fine—even at a higher price, your chives are still affordable," someone replied.

Listening to the lively chatter all around, Zhou Zhi began to pack up the quilt that had kept the chives warm, and set off with his little cart.

The sun was bright and warm today, and he finished selling earlier than usual. Feeling the sunlight on his back, Zhou Zhi was filled with a cozy sense of contentment. Having just made nearly two taels of silver from selling the chives, he decided to stroll around the town and perhaps buy some food.

His younger brother, Zhou Shaocheng, was especially fond of meat. Now that the family had a little money, it was only right to bring some home to treat his brother.

He had only walked a short distance when he passed a small silk and cotton shop. The storefront was not large, but it was quite tastefully decorated. Since his vegetable stall was not far from this shop, Zhou Zhi had often noticed its business.

Though it was the depths of winter, this commercial street in Gaochang Town was bustling with people, but these days, the shop’s business could only be described as "deserted."

As Zhou Zhi passed by, he couldn’t help but glance inside. At that moment, a young man in a woolen vest was looking toward the entrance. Spotting Zhou Zhi, the young man called out loudly, "You’ve finished selling early today, little brother!"

As he spoke, the young man quickly walked out of the shop.

Zhou Zhi now had a good look at him: eighteen or nineteen years old, of middling height, with a refined and honest face, well-defined features, a straight nose, and bright, clear eyes, though he was a little thin.

The young man greeted him warmly, and Zhou Zhi replied with a smile, "Yes, I finished early today and thought I’d walk around the town."

The young man laughed, "You’ve sold a lot of fresh vegetables these past few days. I bet you’ve made a tidy sum!"

Zhou Zhi replied, "I’m just a country farmer, selling a few vegetables here and there to help out at home."

"You have real ability, being able to grow fresh vegetables in the dead of winter. It’s admirable. Are you from Baiyue Village?" the young man asked.

"That’s right."

"Then let me ask you about someone—do you know a young woman named Zhou Luyun from your village?" The young man hesitated as he asked, as if debating whether to speak.

Zhou Zhi was momentarily taken aback, his guard going up. Zhou Luyun was his elder sister—why would this stranger be asking about her?

But a glance at the young man’s gentle eyes told him there was no malice. Then Zhou Zhi remembered that his sister’s future husband was from this very town and owned a silk and cotton shop. He’d never met his future brother-in-law, but the matchmaker had described him as sharp and capable.

So Zhou Zhi did not answer the question directly but instead asked, "Brother, might your surname be Hu?"

The young man paused, then nodded earnestly, "Yes, I am Hu Zhe."

Zhou Zhi burst out laughing. His sister’s fiancé was indeed named Hu Zhe. Zhou Zhi had hoped to run into him during his visits to Gaochang Town, so that he could see for himself what kind of man his sister was marrying.

If Hu Zhe turned out to be unreliable, Zhou Zhi was ready to put a stop to the marriage, regardless of any matchmakers or betrothal gifts.

"And what of it?" Hu Zhe asked in surprise.

"I’m Zhou Luyun’s younger brother, Zhou Zhi," he replied cheerfully.

Sometimes, a single glance is enough to see a person’s character. Zhou Zhi had already noted the clarity in Hu Zhe’s eyes and decided he was a straightforward, honest man. His sister’s marriage, it seemed, should not be called off after all, so he revealed his identity openly.

Hu Zhe was overjoyed—here was his future brother-in-law. He’d heard his fiancée was capable and resourceful, and now meeting her brother, he was determined to make a good impression.

He hurried forward to take Zhou Zhi’s hand warmly. "Brother Zhou, it’s too cold outside. Let’s talk inside the shop."

Zhou Zhi grinned and left his handcart at the door, following Hu Zhe inside.

The shop was neat and orderly, the silk and cotton arranged with care. From the looks of it alone, Hu Zhe was a diligent and capable man. He had no hired help—he managed the shop by himself. A brazier was already set by Zhou Zhi’s feet, and Hu Zhe invited him to sit while he busied himself preparing tea and water.

Watching Hu Zhe work so efficiently, Zhou Zhi felt an inward surge of happiness for his sister.

Once the tea was ready, Hu Zhe sat across from Zhou Zhi, and they began to chat. Their conversation naturally turned to how Zhou Zhi managed to grow vegetables in the harsh winter. Since Zhou Luyun had not yet married into the family, Hu Zhe could not ask directly about her, but tried to learn a bit through their conversation.

Such were the customs of the Ming Dynasty: under the constraints of feudal etiquette, men and women could not meet before marriage. Hu Zhe had never seen Zhou Luyun, only learned the basics from the matchmaker.

As they talked, Zhou Zhi asked, "Brother Hu, I’ve noticed your shop has been quiet lately. With such cold weather, one would think silk and cotton goods would sell quickly, especially the cotton batting. I just looked—they’re all of excellent quality. Why aren’t they selling?"

Hu Zhe frowned and sighed, "Last year, business was decent at this time, but now it’s practically unworkable.

There are three silk and cotton shops in Gaochang Town. All of us are in the same situation—business is dead.

We made some inquiries and found that many families have been going to Qingdu County to buy their winter cotton.

There’s a particularly large silk and cotton emporium in Qingdu, and their prices are much lower than ours. If we tried to sell at those prices, we’d lose money. We’re all small businesses—our cotton is locally sourced, but theirs comes from Zhendin Prefecture, where the wholesale price is much lower.

For small merchants like us, it’s impossible to go to Zhendin Prefecture for supplies. Even just securing travel permits is enough to make one despair."