Chapter 65: Bullying People

Blue-sky fabric, five copper coins a foot.

This piece of news swept through the county town like a bitter north wind in the twelfth lunar month, radiating outward to all the surrounding villages and hamlets.

Before the sky was fully bright, a long queue had already formed in front of the Wu Family's draper's shop.

"Each household is limited to purchasing seven feet of fabric. Those wishing to buy the blue-sky fabric must bring their household registration documents for registration before purchase! Anyone who has already bought some is strictly prohibited from buying again!"

"The blue-sky fabric is an item bestowed by the honorable magistrate out of his compassion for the poor to survive the cold winter. Please leave the blue-sky fabric to those in need! Traitors who take advantage of this to hoard goods will receive fifty blows with the heavy staff and a fine of one hundred silver liang!"

Yamen runners patrolled back and forth along the line, shouting at the top of their lungs.

Whenever they spotted someone dressed in finery standing in line, they would step up to interrogate and register them.

After seeing a few individuals being hauled away by the yamen runners, quite a few people in the line who harbored thoughts of taking advantage quietly slipped away.

Inside the draper's shop, even though Wu Damou had transferred most of the clerks from his various other shops here, everyone was still running around in a flurry of activity.

Wu Lijun personally oversaw the operations here, occasionally checking the household registration logbooks.

A foot of fabric for five copper coins yielded a profit of less than a single coin.

"Swish—"

The sound of scissors slicing through fabric rang endlessly in the air.

"The magistrate is truly an upright and benevolent official!"

"Many thanks to the magistrate!"

Though they weren't making much profit, hearing the expressions of gratitude from the common folk who bought the blue-sky fabric filled Wu Lijun with a sense of satisfaction.

Pu Dabao, clad in a thin, tattered padded cotton jacket, was squeezed into the crowd.

Although the cold wind was biting, the fervent atmosphere kept him from feeling cold.

He simply stared eagerly in the direction of the shop, terrified that the people ahead of him would buy up all the blue-sky fabric.

Yesterday, upon hearing the news, he had come early to wait in line, but when the queue was still a dozen meters away from him, the blue-sky fabric had already sold out.

It had left him full of vexation!

Therefore, just as dawn was breaking this morning, he had arrived to wait at the West City Gate. The moment the gates opened, he hurried over toward the Wu Family's draper's shop, yet he still failed to secure a spot at the very front of the line.

Someone had tried to cut in front of him, making him so angry he was ready to throw punches. Fortunately, the yamen officials on duty dragged the queue-jumpers aside and gave them a sound thrashing on the buttocks, which finally cowed those who intended to cut the line.

"How many feet of fabric do you need?"

Lost in his wandering thoughts, it was finally his turn.

"Seven feet, I want seven feet!"

Pu Dabao said nervously, clutching his household registration slip.

Beside him, the clerk in charge of keeping accounts took his household registration slip, his purple-bristle brush flying across the ledger to record the village name, household number, and personal name, followed by the character for "seven."

"Each household is limited to a single purchase of seven feet. Once bought, you are not allowed to come back for more."

After finishing the entry, the scribe handed the registration slip back to him while repeating the instruction once more.

"I understand, sir."

Pu Dabao said with a rustic, honest smile.

Meanwhile, a clerk wielded his scissors with practiced ease, swiftly cutting off seven feet of coarse cloth: "The Wu Family draper's shop is honest with both the young and old. These are seven full feet and full inches; you may measure them yourselves when you get home."

"Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you, honorable magistrate!"

Pu Dabao accepted the fabric, not forgetting to express his gratitude just like the others.

Clutching the cloth, he headed toward Cotton Market Alley in Yezhang Ward.

Now that he had the fabric, he intended to buy some raw cotton as well.

Once he got home, he would rip apart his old clothes to use as the lining, piece them together, and he would be able to put together a warm new padded coat for the upcoming Lunar New Year. With this new coat, this winter wouldn't be quite so difficult to endure.

"Hehe."

At the thought of having a brand-new coat at home, Pu Dabao couldn't help but smile with deep satisfaction.

Passing by the county yamen, he looked up at its imposing double-paneled gate, thinking it was no wonder everyone kept saying the new magistrate was truly an upright official.

He noticed a crowd gathered around a notice posted by the main gate, but since he was illiterate, he was about to move on when he heard someone reading aloud: "The honorable magistrate has established the Ciji Hall within the city to sell grain at fair prices, at six copper coins per sheng, limited to two he per day."

He mentally calculated on his fingers; this grain was a full twenty copper coins cheaper per dou than the grain shops.

It was just that a daily allowance of two he was hardly enough to truly fill one's stomach.

"Clack, clack, clack..."

Walking with his head down as he reached Yezhang Ward, Pu Dabao heard a crisp, rhythmic sound.

Following the noise, he saw a peddler selling rattle-drums.

It was a rare trip into town, and with the New Year approaching, Pu Dabao thought of his little child, Bao'er, waiting at home.

"How much for one?"

"Three copper coins," the peddler replied.

Pu Dabao awkwardly felt around in his pocket. "Can you make it a bit cheaper?"

"If you buy a few more, I'll let you have them for two copper coins each."

The peddler picked up a rattle-drum and twirled it, producing a crisp "clack, clack, clack" sound.

Thinking of his daughter, for whom he had never bought a toy in all these years, Pu Dabao nodded and handed four copper coins to the peddler.

"Here you are, patron."

The peddler retrieved two rattle-drums from his bamboo basket and handed them to Pu Dabao with a broad grin.

"Patron, is this the blue-sky fabric from the Wu Family draper's shop that you bought?"

The peddler had clearly spotted the cloth in Pu Dabao's arms and asked.

"Mm."

Pu Dabao nodded.

The peddler cupped his hands over his mouth, gently blowing warm breath onto his frostbitten fingers, which were as red as carrots. "Is it really five copper coins a foot?"

"Really!"

Pu Dabao advised him, "If you want to buy some, go line up early. I didn't manage to get any yesterday."

"Got it, many thanks for the advice, patron."

The peddler cupped his hands in a salute to Pu Dabao, shouldered his carrying pole, and headed toward the west of the city.

After walking for a while, Pu Dabao's stomach began to rumble with hunger. The small bowl of rice gruel he had eaten in the morning simply couldn't sustain him through prolonged exertion.

As he entered Cotton Ward, he saw seven or eight men dressed in brocades walking out from an alley ahead.

Knowing he couldn't afford to cross paths with such people, Pu Dabao quickly hugged his fabric closer and pressed himself against the wall, making way for them.

"That piece of skirt is truly sleek."

"Be careful how you handle her next time; you almost killed her just now."

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Hearing their conversation, Pu Dabao involuntarily quickened his pace and lowered his head even further.

"Stop right there!"

A sudden, sharp shout startled Pu Dabao, making him flinch.

He raised his head and saw a young man dressed in fine silks and satins glaring at him with a fierce expression.

"Was this young master calling me?"

Pu Dabao pointed to himself with his index finger.

"Is that so-called 'blue-sky fabric' what you're holding in your arms?"

The young man walked closer and asked.

"Y-Yes."

Pu Dabao replied nervously.

With a snatch, the young man grabbed the fabric, gripped it with both hands, and tore it apart with all his might, instantly reducing it to tattered strips of cloth.

"Brother Ma, what is the meaning of this?"

"Brother Mei, you wouldn't know. This 'blue-sky fabric' was woven by the Wu Family draper's shop. Brother Ma here is just venting his spleen."

"Oh~" Mei Liangxin understood. This junior martial brother of his was the third son of Ma Wenbin from the weaving workshop, whose Ma family had just been ousted by Wu Damou from the position of head of the Wuren County weaving industry. Naturally, seeing anything related to the Wu family filled him with resentment.

With a sharp "Crack!" sound, Third Young Master Ma landed a heavy slap across Pu Dabao's face and cursed, "Buy fabric from the Wu family again, and I'll beat you to death, you bastard!"