Chapter 353: Clean Up
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
After returning home, Jiang Xia had already washed her hands and was preparing for dinner when she noticed Jiang Chuan was still busy in the yard. Curiously, she stepped out and saw Jiang Chuan continuously producing windows and large panes of glass.
Jiang Xia was astonished. Although these windows showed signs of use and were covered in a thick layer of dust, they were of excellent quality. The wooden frames of the windows were made from high-quality wood.
Each window was worth at least ten coin, and Jiang Chuan had over a dozen of them. Additionally, there was a pile of unbroken glass panes.
Glass was a rare commodity. Apart from the buildings in the county town, most other places used windows papered over. With the glass Jiang Chuan had, they could easily make two windows.
Jiang Xia asked, “Dad, where did you get so many windows and pieces of glass?” Finishing with the last pane, Jiang Chuan dusted off his hands, wiped the sweat from his brow, and answered, “I traded with Su Zhen.”
Jiang Xia, puzzled, asked, “When did you meet Su Zhen?”
Jiang Chuan, while meticulously inspecting the windows for any damage sustained during transport, casually said, “After I met with Aunt Tian, I had some spare time, so I went to Su Zhen’s. These windows were from his old mansion. Recently, government inspections have become strict, and his old residence was sealed. If the government finds out he’s replaced the mansion’s windows, there will be trouble.”
Picking up the thread, Jiang Xia said, “So, he was eager to get rid of these windows, and you conveniently came along to take them.”
Jiang Chuan nodded, still engrossed with the windows, “Su Zhen’s family was once affluent. The quality of their windows is far superior to any we see nowadays. Moreover, the price he offered was reasonable – too good to refuse.” Curious, Jiang Xia inquired, “Flow much?”
“Just the agreed amount of corn and an additional one hundred fifty kilos,” Jiang Chuan said nonchalantly, evidently not regarding the one hundred fifty kilos of corn as significant.
Given Jiang Xia’s interspace, producing one hundred fifty kilos of corn would only take a few days to a month. Thus, Jiang Chuan could confidently bring all the windows home.
Their current house used papered windows, and since they were constructing a new house for Jiang Qing’s family, windows were essential.
For Jiang Chuan, acquiring Su Zhen’s windows met a present need and was also a favor done without inconvenience.
Jiang Chuan transported the windows on a cart. Once in a secluded area, he placed the windows and glass panes in the trunk of his vehicle. Surprisingly, the trunk could hold more than he had anticipated.
As night fell, Zhou Lan brought the food inside and, with hands on hips, admonished, “Will you two eat, or not? Ever since you got back, you’ve been preoccupied with these windows. If you don’t come in now, you won’t eat tonight!”
Father and daughter quickly conceded and dutifully sat down for dinner.
During the meal, Jiang Xia couldn’t help but inquire about Su Zhen’s situation. Even Zhou Lan listened attentively, curious about the gossip.
Jiang Chuan relayed what he knew. Originally, Su Zhen’s family was wealthy. However, after a crackdown on the wealthy, Su Zhen’s entire mansion was confiscated by the authorities. But the windows of their house were made from high-quality pear wood. Su Zhen was not willing to let these valuable windows be appropriated, so he replaced them with other windows and secretly stored the pear wood windows in his current residence.
He had connections within the government and knew that a strict investigation was imminent. He initially planned to store these windows at his cousin Jia Guang’s place. But considering the close relationship between the two, if an investigation did indeed take place, they would certainly not escape scrutiny. Coincidentally, Jiang Chuan came by at that time, and Su Zhen decided to exchange the windows for one hundred fifty kilos of corn.
Zhou Lan couldn’t help but comment, “It’s surprising to see how calculating Su Zhen is, even at such a young age. Given the dire circumstances where he could be homeless overnight, he still had the presence of mind to think about switching out the windows. He truly has the instincts of a natural businessman.”
After saying this, she cast a glance at Jiang Chuan, “If the two of you collaborate in business, you’re bound to make a profit.”
Jiang Chuan, taking on the persona of a successful businessman, grinned proudly and remarked, “It’s fortunate that we’re in a partnership now and not business rivals; otherwise, it would be a cause for concern..”
