19. Shopping like crazy

''We have oils, grains, beans, seasonings, salt and seeds.'' He recounted and started explaining.

''Then give me hundred bags of each bean. Thousand bags with wheat grains and five hundred bags of wheat powder. Oils give me five hundred jars. Salt, give me two thousand bags. And tell me something. Are there any strange seeds or vegetables you got from outside?'' That was her burning question.

He nodded. ''I got from fried of mine golden seed. It is yellow but we have no idea how to use it so I will just resell it. And we have some strange ugly dusty things from outside as well bunch of seeds we have no idea what they are. You want to see some?''

She smiled and shook her head. ''I need to know the price for those. I will try to plant them. If they don't succeed its fine as well. Right?''

He shrugged and looked through the book. ''I got them cheap and will sell you by the same price. All of it for two large silver.''

Shu Ya nodded and after he recounted she took her little bag out her sleeve and took out a paper bill. ''Is this enough?''

He checked the seal and condition of the paper and nodded. ''Wait a minute. I will give you back the rest.'' He stood up and went out while leaving Tao and Shu Ya alone. Wiling was in front of the door and peeked at her with a smile and Shu Ya just winked at her.

''You bought... so many. I will send a message to my friend in the north that they come with a bunch of carriages to bring those things with you.'' He knew that she wouldn't have any other way.

She smiled. ''Do you know a place with name Nakal?'' It was the town her Bai family settled.

''Luckily for you, it's not far from the harbor. Maybe half-day on the carriage.'' He didn't ask who she was as he knew her last name. The Bai family. But he didn't comment on it.

When the man came back he gave her written confirmation of her shopping and smiled as he gave her a bag filled with silver. ''It was an honor, miss Bai.''

She nodded and waited until Cook Tao didn't buy a few more things.

The next stop was a clothing store and when she explained where she was going they gave her many different kinds of warm cloth and a lot of advice. ''Take warm bedding with you. It is cold up there. Buy yourself warm underwear and good warm shoes.''

They luckily had many done sets so she bought for each of her servants ten new sets of clothes, underwear, shoes, beddings... For herself, she bought just five more sets as she bought many rolls of warm cloth and silk to make clothes with.

She felt a bit weak when she realized that all that food was ten-times cheaper than all these rolls. But she knew she had to bring some presents so new rolls of cloth was not a bad idea. She went to the nearby store and bought many cheap silver trinkets. And some gold ones. then she saw some jade made but the price made her get dizzy so she just gave up on it.

Next was a paper store where she bought a few dozen sets of good quality brushes and at least a hundred ink sets and paper rolls. Then she bought more books and in the end, she wanted to go to just one more place. Herbal store.

As soon she went in she was hit with the light smell of the leave and herbs. It was not as crowded as on the streets but she still waited for a bit to get closer. An older man looked at Weiling and then at Shu Ya and wisely bowed to her. ''Young miss, how may we help you?''

''I need medicine that helps against cold, then for older people and cold bones and stomach, a healing medicine for wounds and bruises. Uncle, I have no idea what else is needed. I am going to visit family in the north and I do not know what are they lacking, could you please help me out?'' She bowed in front of him and then rose her shiny eyes at him beggingly.

With a soft voice, he nodded. ''You are a good filial child as you think about your family health. I will give you anything. How many people?''

''I think about one hundred people but I would like to have set for five thousand. I think the whole town will need help this winter. It's too warm now. I fear this winter will be quite cold.'' She pouted while explaining while the man shook in wonder. Did she want to buy medicine for the whole town?

''Let me see how much medicine I have in stock. And will tell you how much you can have.'' He opened his books and sighed. ''I can give you medicine and doctors there will be able to make the medicine needed.''

She nodded and when she saw the price she was surprised. ''Why is it so cheap?''

He chuckled. ''Because I have my own fields of healing herbs so I don't buy from others. Not only for five thousand, but I can also give you medicine for ten thousand people, if you could wait two more days.''

She shook her head. ''We need to use this good weather to get to the north on time. Waiting longer is not an option at this time of year.''

He nodded. ''Good thinking. I forgot about the time of the year as I am always stuck here. I remember the time of the year just when I see or snow or flowers ahahahaha.'' He started laughing.

Shu Ya laughed as well and after greeting him and going on the street she sighed while she looked at Tao. ''Uncle Tao. You always cook for others, let's go to the restaurant and let others cook for you today. What do you think?''

He laughed and accepted. ''Then I accept greatly my child. Let's eat.''