Life was neither too exciting nor too boring. With the cultivation of nutrient solution, the flowers in the vegetable garden grew lush and flourishing.
In addition to teaching his children to read, Han Ze spent all his time cultivating flowers. He also used nutrient solution to cultivate the vegetables in the vegetable garden. Peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplants and other vegetables bore fruit early, and they were very pleasing. This made Ge Hongbu and Wang Lanhua very puzzled. The method of growing vegetables was the same as in previous years, so why did the vegetables grow so well this year? Why did they bear so many fruits
Han Ze let them be puzzled without explaining. He really couldn't avoid it, so he just said that maybe the flowers planted in the vegetable garden affected the feng shui, so the vegetables grew so well
Ge Hongbu and Wang Lanhua just thought he was talking nonsense, and of course Han Ze was indeed talking nonsense.
In April, dozens of pots of peonies bloomed, with more than a dozen flowers in each pot. The peonies, as big as bowls, were clustered together, looking elegant, rich, and dignified, and very beautiful.
Since his son started growing flowers, Han Maode would stroll around the vegetable garden behind the house several times every day. After all, his son later bought so many flower pots and seedlings and spent so much money on them. He would be heartbroken if the flowers were ruined.
He didn't breathe a sigh of relief until the peony blossomed. After all, he still felt that his son's flower planting was a little unreliable. Although Han Ze told him that he had read the book, he had never planted flowers before, right? He was always more worried the first time.
But he was just there to watch the fun, and he only knew that the flowers looked beautiful, red, yellow, white, and in many colors, and there was even a pot of black flowers, but he didn't know the varieties of those flowers, or how precious they were.
Han Maode didn't know much about the varieties of peonies, but Han Ze looked up some books on purpose. Although there was nutrient solution for cultivation, he was still very surprised that he had actually cultivated a pot of black peony. The purple-black peony exuded a faint color, giving people a sense of mystery. This kind of rare peony can often achieve unexpected results and sell at a high price.
Han Maode smiled and said, "This flower looks better in red, and it looks festive."
Han Ze smiled and explained to him: "This pot of red peony is also called Kui Zi, that pot is Yao Huang, and this pot of black peony, they are all rare among peonies, especially black peony, which is the rarest."
Han Maode really didn't understand this. He stared at his son blankly and asked, "How much is this worth?"
Han Ze shook his head. He didn't know how much he would sell the flowers for if they were not sent to the market. He thought for a while and said, "If someone in the town can offer the price, I will sell them. If not, I plan to take these flowers to the county to sell them."
Han Maode smiled and said, "You can handle these things yourself. I have never grown flowers in my life, so I don't understand those things."
Han Ze just told him so that he wouldn't worry.
On the second day, Han Ze took a few pots of flowers to the town. He did not go to the flower market, but went to a classmate's home in the town.
This classmate's surname is Yu and his given name is Anzhi. More than ten years ago, Yu Anzhi's family was a merchant. This dynasty allowed merchants to take the imperial examinations, and Yu Anzhi's eldest brother passed the examination and became a Jinshi in both lists. Now he is an official in the capital, and has changed his family's status.
Yu Anzhi was not good at studying, so he ran a business at home. The original relationship with him was average, and there was no contact after he stopped studying. Han Ze came to the house with the intention of giving it a try. When he arrived at Yu's house, he knocked on the door. The doorman asked the reason and heard that he was a classmate of the second young master, so he said he would go and inform him.
Yu Anzhi didn't go out. He was very surprised to hear that a classmate was visiting him. However, he was a businessman after all, and he didn't want to offend anyone easily. He went out to greet him personally. When he saw that it was Han Ze, he smiled calmly and said, "Brother Han, you are a rare guest. How are you?"
Han Ze smiled and said "OK". He didn't say much. Given their relationship, there was no need to exchange pleasantries. He directly stated his purpose: "I have been idle recently, so I cultivated some flowers. I heard in the school that you like this, so I brought a few pots of flowers in a bullock cart for you to enjoy."
Yu Anzhi was a little unconvinced. Although he didn't have much contact with Han Ze, he still knew him. A farm boy, even if his family had some property, he was still a farm boy. How could he cultivate any precious flowers? Despite this, the smile on his face did not change: "Oh, what flowers are they?"
Han Ze also knew that it was very rude to come to the door without warning, but he didn't have any interpersonal relationships. Only this classmate's family had some influence. Although the two of them were distant, as long as his flowers were outstanding, there was nothing to worry about. He smiled, pulled open the curtain covering the flower pots, and said, "Brother Yu, you'll know when you see it."
Seeing him acting mysterious, Yu Anzhi leaned over to take a look, took a deep breath, and pointed at the flower with a trembling finger: "This is Kui Zi, and that is Yao Huang? Then, that pot is actually a black peony?"
Han Ze waited for him to recover his composure, then asked with a smile, "How is it? Does this flower still appeal to my brother?"
Yu Anzhi took a deep breath, looked at Han Ze, and said with a wry smile: "Brother Han, are you teasing me?"
Not only was she pleasing to his eyes, she was extremely pleasing to his eyes.
Han Ze smiled indifferently and said: No, no.
Yu Anzhi calmed down and said, "Brother Han's visit today is probably not just for me to enjoy the flowers, right?"
Han Ze smiled again and said, "I am a vulgar man who has grown a few pots of flowers by chance, but I don't know how to appreciate them. So I want to exchange them for some money for my family. I'll leave these flowers to those noble people who know how to cherish them. I came to bother you today because I want to ask you, brother Yu, if you know anyone who likes flowers?"
Yu Anzhi stared at him with eyes wide open: "Are you really willing to sell this flower?"
Han Ze nodded solemnly.
Yu Anzhi looked around at the pots of flowers again and again, then looked at Han Ze and said, "Brother Han, to be honest, my brother wrote to me a few days ago and asked me to find him a few pots of precious flowers. I searched for a few days and bought a few pots, but I was not satisfied. After seeing these pots of flowers today, I think I don't need to look for them anymore. If you are willing, can you sell them to me?"
Han Ze smiled and said, "It would be great if I could help Brother Yu."
Yu Anzhi clapped his hands fiercely: "You are so helpful to me."
What he didn't say was that his eldest brother Shangfeng's mother loved peonies, and her birthday was in a few days. These pots of peonies came at a very good time, especially the purple one, which was the most suitable.
Yu Anzhi looked at Han Ze and said hesitantly: "If these pots of flowers are sold in Beijing, the price will be higher..."
Han Ze said nonchalantly, "Brother Yu, just give me whatever you think is right. I believe you won't cheat me."
Yu Anzhi shook his head in amusement. This kid was really cunning. He just said he believed he wouldn't cheat him. How could he make an offer
After thinking for a while, he said, "That pot of black peony is the most rare. I have only heard of it but never seen it."
At this point, he lowered his voice and said, "I heard that the emperor loves peonies, especially black peonies. A few years ago, Minister Wang spent 1,000 taels of silver to find a pot of black peonies and presented it to the palace. The palace was very happy and rewarded Minister Wang generously. Therefore, the price of black peonies has increased a lot. It has only dropped a little in recent years. How about this, I will buy your pot of peony for 1,000 taels of silver, how about it?"
Han Ze had no objection and said with a smile, "Okay."
The price is not low, and this classmate Yu is quite generous. We can keep in touch with him in the future.
Han Ze was driving a ox cart with more than 1,000 taels of silver in his pocket. Thinking that he hadn't seen his son for a few days, he decided to go see him.
Han Shubo has grown a lot taller recently, and his clothes are obviously smaller, even his pants are shorter.
Han Ze frowned. He was busy planting flowers all day and didn't pay attention to the child's clothes. Ge Hongbu didn't even mention this to him.
Han Shubo saw his father frowning and asked, "Dad, what's wrong?"
Han Ze's frown relaxed: "Your clothes are too small, why didn't you tell us? Daddy can ask your mother to prepare some clothes for you."
Han Shubo said nonchalantly: "It's just a little small, it's still wearable."
This dress was made not long ago, it was still new, without patches, but it was a little small, so why couldn't it be worn? Even Han Jixue and Han Jiwen's clothes were patched, but compared to them, he was already very happy.
Han Ze touched his head and said, "As long as you study hard, Dad can afford the money for food, clothing and daily expenses. Shubo doesn't need to save money for Dad."
This child is not only smart, but also very sensible. The hardships he experienced in his childhood did not make him extreme. Having seen the warmth and coldness of human nature, he has become more stable and mature than other children of the same age.
Han Shubo frowned, "We should save what we should save. I have five sisters, so I need to prepare five dowries, which will cost a lot of money. As long as the clothes are wearable, I don't care about that much."
Han Ze smiled, "Don't think too much, kid. Your father will take care of these things. Your sisters' dowries will not be small. Even your two aunts' dowries, your father has prepared them as well."
Han Shubo was still not convinced: "Dad, how hard must it be for you to earn so much dowry? You should be more frugal. How about this, I will eat third-class food from now on?"
Han Ze held his forehead with his hand. Why was this kid so stubborn? He took his hand and walked to the side: "Do you know that Dad is growing flowers?"
Han Shubo nodded: "I know."
Han Ze asked again: "Then do you know how much money Dad got from selling a pot of flowers?"
Han Shubo shook his head: "One thousand taels of silver."
Han Shubo's eyes widened. He knew how much one thousand taels of silver was. His mouth opened wide, "Really?"
Han Ze smiled and nodded, patting his little head: "Little fool, we can't just study blindly. We need to be flexible. In my opinion, money is not saved, but earned. Even if there is no money at home, I can find a way to earn money and let you eat well and dress well, so you don't have to be stingy to save money."
Han Shubo raised his head and looked at him: "But what if I don't have the ability to earn money in the future, but develop the habit of spending money?"
Han Ze looked at him and said, "Does Shubo have no confidence in himself? Doesn't he believe that he can pass the examination to become a scholar, a juren, a jinshi, and become a high-ranking official in the future?"
Han Shubo lowered his head and thought for a while: "I believe in myself, but I can't be a corrupt official."
Han Ze said, "You mean if I don't become a corrupt official, I won't get much salary and I won't make much money?"
Han Shubo nodded his little head. That was what he meant.
Han Ze laughed: "Shubo can think so far ahead now, I think he will definitely not become a corrupt official in the future. Besides, Dad knows you and knows that you will not develop the habit of spending money."
Han Shubo smiled.
Han Shubo pinched his cheeks and said with a smile: "Don't worry, even if the salary given by the court is not much, it will not be too little. It will definitely be enough for you to support your family. Besides, you are so smart, I believe you can definitely think of a way to make money."
Han Shubo looked at him in distress. He had some confidence in studying, but he had no confidence in making money.