Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Uncle, I Really Like You Too

After listening to Li Mu’s lengthy offer.

Chen Mo gleaned two pieces of information: The rebels from the Northern Land would launch an attack on Qingzhou in the spring of the coming year, with great vigor.

Secondly, rather than an offer, it was more like acting as a bodyguard for the Li Family, with his family just tagging along.

They had only met twice so far, and to speak so deeply with such shallow familiarity—whether trust could be established was a question.

Moreover, leaving Pingting County for an unfamiliar place, without even a place to settle, if they were to disavow him upon arrival, he would be helpless.

Besides, serving as a bodyguard for a wealthy family in tumultuous times was a dangerous task.

If targeted by rebels or bandits, he might manage alone, but not with his sister-in-law along—it would be troublesome.

So, Chen Mo did not want to agree.

But he couldn’t directly refuse either, as he was still hoping to sell the pelts at a good price. He said, "Shopkeeper Li, this matter is too sudden, and it’s significant. Allow me time to think it over and discuss it with my wife."

"Sure. There’s time before spring arrives, no rush. Once you’ve decided, just come here and let me know," Li Mu replied.

Perhaps due to the intention of recruiting him, Li Mu offered four strings of coins for the bear pelt.

The fox pelt, being from a gray fox rather than a white fox, was of slightly lesser quality; Li Mu offered five strings of coins.

Nine strings of coins were inconvenient to carry, so Li Mu settled with a silver ingot.

Nine ingots of one tael each.

After leaving Li’s Cloth Shop, Chen Mo put Li Mu’s words behind him.

As for taking advantage of Li Mu through this...

Forget it, letting Li Mu have the fox and bear pelts would definitely profit him, possibly by multiples of what he spent.

They were merely buyer and seller.

Afterwards, Chen Mo went on a shopping spree.

Soybeans, eggs, tooth powder, soy sauce, salt...

Chen Mo also bought himself a pair of boots.

The cloth shoes he was wearing were cold, easily soaked, and somewhat uncomfortable.

He also bought a pair of embroidered shoes for Han Anniang.

He knew her foot size very well, having toyed with them almost nightly.

Also, he noticed that Han Anniang’s hands were somewhat frostbitten and bought ointment for treating chilblains.

With six taels remaining, Chen Mo headed to the blacksmith shop.

Chen Mo had visited the blacksmith shop once before.

Entering the shop, Chen Mo immediately said, "Shopkeeper Zhang, I want to commission a blade."

"A blade?"

Shopkeeper Zhang, who was forging, brightened up, sensing a big order, and promptly stopped working, grinning, "What is the name of this honorable guest?"

"Just call me Chen."

"What kind of blade does Boss Chen wish to commission?"

Seeing paper and pen nearby, Chen Mo sketched the Tang Blade on the paper from his memory.

Before crossing over, he had bought a blunt Tang Blade for his collection—it was simply too cool.

"Is this... a sword?" Shopkeeper Zhang, never having seen such a blade, was taken aback.

"Call it whatever you like, just forge it to this design, eighty centimeters long," Chen Mo said.

"What material does the gentleman require? Would you like to add clay tempering and laminating?" Shopkeeper Zhang asked.

This was beyond Chen Mo’s knowledge; he was not familiar with this aspect. After asking Shopkeeper Zhang, he learned these were forging techniques to enhance the quality and strength of the weapon.

The more extensive the crafting process, the higher the charge.

Normally, Shopkeeper Zhang mostly forged farm implements, which required simple processes.

"Include them all, what’s the price?" Chen Mo asked.

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Zhang put up two fingers: "At least twenty taels of silver."

Chen Mo: "..."

In the end, Chen Mo had to economize, using ordinary materials, but insisted on clay tempering and laminating. After some bargaining, it came to roughly five taels of silver.

He paid a one tael silver deposit upfront.

"Rest assured, I have a big shop here, registered with the government. Even if the monk runs away, the temple cannot. I won’t embezzle your mere one tael of silver," Shopkeeper Zhang seemed to perceive Chen Mo’s concern and smiled.

Chen Mo pondered for a moment, then took out a silver ingot from his chest, "How long?"

"Come pick it up in three days."

Chen Mo nodded, taking the receipt issued by Shopkeeper Zhang, slung the grain over his shoulder, and left the county town.

This time, no one trailed him.

He returned home along the way.

Chen Mo set the bag down outside the house and shook off the snow on his body.

Han Anniang, having heard the commotion, came out of the kitchen: "Uncle is back."

Saying this, she helped Chen Mo brush off the snow on him.

Han Anniang was probably cooking earlier; her hands had been in cold water, and Chen Mo noticed they were somewhat swollen and red.

But Han Anniang paid it no mind. After brushing off his snow, she turned to fetch warm water from the kitchen for Chen Mo to wash his face and hands.

But before she took two steps, Chen Mo grabbed her hand.

With a pull, Han Anniang cried out in surprise and fell into his arms amidst her stumbling.

Chen Mo picked her up, one hand around her waist and the other carrying the sack, and entered the house.

Seeing her uncle put down the sack and carry her inside, Han Anniang panicked and struggled, "Uncle, no, I... am on my period."

Chen Mo placed Han Anniang on the kang, giving her nose a playful pinch as he smiled, "What are you thinking? I bought you ointment to treat and prevent chilblains."

Saying this, Chen Mo released her and applied ointment to Han Anniang’s hands.

"Ah, uncle, apply it later. I haven’t finished cooking yet," Han Anniang protested.

"Don’t move, I’ll cook. Since you’re on your period, take a good rest and don’t touch cold water," he said, holding her hands to warm them.

"Uncle..." Han Anniang hugged Chen Mo’s waist tightly, her eyes inexplicably moistening.

"Why are you crying suddenly?" Chen Mo wiped her tears.

"I... don’t know, uncle. Why are you so good to me?"

Country women were not like the rich family’s daughters in the city, often treated as "labor force" by their husbands.

Such behavior from Chen Mo seemed like a dream come true for Han Anniang.

"Because I fancy my sister-in-law," he replied.

"Uncle." Han Anniang willingly kissed him.

After they parted lips, she blushed and said, "Uncle, I fancy you too."

...

The next day.

Zhang River came with five fishing rods he had made, along with dug-up earthworms.

Earthworms do exist in winter but are deeply hidden and require deep digging to find.

"Brother Mo, when are we going to Dadong Lake?"

"I’ll go in a couple of days. You first go scout the situation, see where the fish are plenty, and whether we need to bait the spot. Also, the fish you catch needn’t be brought back; just sell them to Qinghe Gang and see what price they offer."

Chen Mo gave Zhang River ten cents.

"Alright, Brother Mo."

...

Later, Zhang River returned.

In three hours, Zhang River caught four crucian carps, two green carps, and several small fish of unnotable weight, totaling sixteen pounds, earning sixty cents.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com