"We need top-quality soybeans, I’ll do the sprouting. One pound of beans can yield up to eight pounds of sprouts after seven days," Lady Zhang said, pausing her dough kneading. She was quite confident in her own bean sprouting skills.

Lian Shouxin washed his hands and took over the dough from Lady Zhang, continuing to knead it on the cutting board.

"You discuss with Manman, and I’ll take over the next tasks," Lian Shouxin said.

"Second Sister, is this the good thing you spoke of?" asked Xiao Qi, recalling what Lian Manman had mentioned in town.

"Yes," nodded Lian Manman. The idea of growing bean sprouts for profit excited her, which is why she had bought that extra half chicken to bring home.

"Mom, let’s start sprouting beans quickly, so my sister and I can go sell them in town," Xiao Qi puffed up her little chest and said, "I can go sell them by myself, too. I can do the math, and I know how to use the scales."

"It’s getting colder by the day. If we sell them, it will be your dad and me going out," Lady Zhang said, clearly having agreed to the proposal of selling sprouts for money.

"Mom, we don’t have to take them to town to sell," Lian Manman said. There were usually at least three vendors selling sprouts in town, and the competition couldn’t be considered mild. Plus, with the coldest season of the year approaching, selling sprouts in the open-air market would be too harsh.

"If we don’t go to town, where will we sell them?" asked Lady Zhang.

"We’ll sell them right here at home," Lian Manman explained, "Our sprouts are good, and people from our village, West Village, Zhao Family Village, and a few other neighboring villages won’t have to go to town. It’s so much more convenient for them to come to our place."

"That makes sense," Lady Zhang thought for a moment and agreed that Lian Manman made a very good point.

"Even if it’s the same distance, the folks from around here, they’re going to spend their money anyway, might as well spend it with us," said Lian Shouxin as he kneaded the dough, confident in the family’s good relationships.

"But we have to let people know we’re selling bean sprouts," Lian Zhizhi, who was boiling bone soup in the outer room, overheard Lian Manman and Lady Zhang’s conversation and came in to add.

"That’s simple," said Lian Manman, "Right now, the people working at our workshop are from our village and nearby villages. Mom just needs to mention it, and by tomorrow, people from those villages will all know."

Indeed, their Pickled Vegetable Workshop had gained some reputation in recent days. Even those who didn’t know their family could now recognize their door.

"Our Manman is really smart. We’ll do it this way," said Lady Zhang, delighted.

"Mom, I reckon we won’t make a lot of money selling bean sprouts," Lian Manman continued, "but at least it should cover our daily expenses."

"I understand," Lady Zhang laughed, "There’s a saying, ’even a mosquito’s meat has its flavor.’ When running a household, there aren’t many who strike it rich all at once. Don’t underestimate the value of these Wen Money pieces, saved one by one, they can come in very handy."

"Exactly, this is the right attitude to life," agreed Lian Shouxin.

"Even if they don’t sell, we can still eat them. It’d be a break from eating cabbage and potatoes all the time," Lady Zhang added.

Selling grape wine and garlic peanuts had made them a good sum. Even the earnings from selling pickled vegetables weren’t bad. In comparison, selling bean sprouts was indeed a trivial business. Lian Manman was worried that Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang might feel let down later, hence her earlier remarks. But with Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang having such a clear understanding, Lian Manman was reassured.

"Mom, I’ve thought of another method," said Lian Manman, struck by a sudden idea, "We’ll tell everyone that we don’t need money for the sprouts; we can barter for other things. Eggs, peanuts... grains are fine too."

Trading by barter was extremely convenient and attractive to those families without much cash on hand, which would surely boost the sales of the bean sprouts.

The family thought Lian Manman’s idea was excellent, so they began to consider the specifics of bartering goods.

"Let’s start sprouting the beans today. How about beginning with five pounds of beans?" Lady Zhang, who was always decisive about work-related matters, suggested.

Naturally, there were no objections from the rest of the family.

Lady Zhang went to soak five pounds of beans.

"We’ll try selling to see how it goes," said Lady Zhang, "If it works out, we’ll have to buy more beans."

The Lian Family had harvested quite a few soybeans this year. When they separated from the extended family, they should have received a share. However, for the beans needed to grow sprouts for sale, Lady Zhang preferred to buy them separately. On one hand, she didn’t want to take advantage of the public goods, and on the other, she wanted to keep things clear to avoid the gossips of Lady Zhou and Lady He.

...

Lian Manman watched as Lian Shouxin rolled out the noodles.