Zheng Qian taught Liu Zhongde the method of using the abacus.
Liu Zhongde, being skilled at bookkeeping, picked it up immediately. He tried it himself and found it remarkably easy—far better than using sand tables.
The calculations were also more accurate.
If all the accounting clerks used this tool, future bookkeeping would be far easier, since mistakes were far less frequent than with sand tables.
Liu Zhongde's eyes shone with excitement.
"The greatest advantage of this tool," Zheng Qian continued, "is that it can handle much larger numbers without error. Your shop is large, with many branches. With this abacus, Manager Liu, you could check the accounts of seven or eight branches by yourself with no trouble at all."
Liu Zhongde was already tempted.
Zheng Qian went on, "I made this today. The beads are simply substituted with pre-made Buddhist beads; it's all quite crude. I will sell you the method of making it and the usage formula. You pay twenty thousand taels—what do you say?"
Liu Zhongde came to his senses slightly.
He looked at Zheng Qian, feeling conflicted.
The tool was indeed very useful—he had expected to pay a few dozen taels at most.
"This… Miss Zheng, your price is absurdly high," Liu Zhongde said with difficulty. "I'm afraid it's not worth that much."
"Then why don't you ask Prince Ancheng if he's willing to pay that price?" Zheng Qian smiled. "If not, I'll sell it to another merchant."
Liu Zhongde was stunned.
Not because Zheng Qian threatened to sell elsewhere, but because she mentioned Prince Ancheng by name.
The owner behind Zhai Yu Xuan was Prince Ancheng, Xiao Mingyu.
Xiao Mingyu was the emperor's own nephew. He ran this shop privately, which technically competed with the people and was disapproved of by the emperor. However, he paid large taxes annually and lavish tributes to the emperor, empress, and empress dowager, so the emperor turned a blind eye.
Even the emperor needed money.
Using the state treasury invited constant criticism from censors, while his private funds had strict limits.
Thus, Prince Ancheng's tribute expenses were legitimate and untouchable.
Out of prudence, Prince Ancheng kept a low profile and instructed everyone in the shop to act discreetly. Anyone who abused their power or drew attention would be severely punished.
Over the years, few people knew Zhai Yu Xuan belonged to Prince Ancheng.
Miss Zheng's direct mention astonished the manager.
"Manager Liu, there's no need to be shocked. Perhaps you didn't know—Prince Ancheng is an old friend of my eldest brother, Zheng Chi. He often visits our residence," Zheng Qian explained.
Her words were true.
She had recently transmigrated here and had once seen her brother talking to a man in a pavilion at their courtyard gate.
Zheng Qian's brother, Zheng Chi, had been shot in the thigh with a poisoned arrow at sixteen. The only way to save his life was to amputate the leg. There was no anesthesia in this era.
Thinking about her brother hearing the bone being sawed while conscious made her shiver—he had suffered terribly.
Ever since, he spent his days confined to his room, occasionally brought to the pavilion to sit in the sun.
With her mental terminal and extra space, Zheng Qian had overheard the conversation between her brother and Prince Ancheng.
The prince mentioned his shop, Zhai Yu Xuan, which was doing well, though the emperor's annual demands were increasingly burdensome.
"Oh… I see," Liu Zhongde's eyes finally held genuine respect.
"I've documented the method of making and using this abacus. You can ask Prince Ancheng if he's willing to pay twenty thousand taels. If not, I'll approach other merchants. Many shops in the capital could secure imperial orders; if I sell to a noble elsewhere, and they mark it 'imperial-made,' then private production becomes illegal. You could only buy directly from him—if he sold you one for a hundred taels, you wouldn't complain. Sell a few hundred, and the cost is recovered, with profits continuing—many shops can afford it." Zheng Qian smiled.
Liu Zhongde was deeply moved.
This was not only an excellent accounting tool but also a source of profit.
"Miss, please, please wait!" Liu Zhongde hurried to stop her as she rose. "Twenty thousand taels is no small sum. I cannot decide alone and must consult my master. Please wait—at most ten days. If he agrees, the silver will be delivered to your residence. If not, just teaching me the method is worth two hundred taels; you shall certainly be compensated—please allow ten days."
Zheng Qian's expression remained calm. "Very well, Manager Liu. I will await your good news."
With that, she left Zhai Yu Xuan with Hongluan.
Hongluan was ecstatic, trembling slightly. What had she just heard?
Her mistress had casually mentioned a wooden object, and it could be sold for money? Even if the buyer refused, they would still give two hundred taels?
Two hundred taels—enough to cover half a year's expenses at Hui Ning Garden.
They would finally have money.
If things went smoothly, Prince Ancheng could buy her creation for twenty thousand taels.
Twenty thousand taels!
Hongluan was nearly in tears. She felt certain that their mistress would eventually be wealthier than the Third Madam, and no one would intimidate them.
"Miss…"
"Shh," Zheng Qian hushed her, gesturing to be quiet as they boarded the carriage.
Once inside, she leaned close to Hongluan. "We'll discuss this back at Hui Ning Garden. This driver works for the household—we don't know if he's a spy. Keep our finances hidden, understood?"
Hongluan immediately pressed her lips together and nodded vigorously.
But she had so many questions she was bursting to ask.
Meanwhile, the cat in Zheng Qian's arms glanced at her. At that moment, its eyes curved slightly, as if smiling.
Zheng Qian noticed, pinched its face gently, and whispered, "Are you happy too? My son isn't stupid—he knows his mother is making money now."
The cat: "…."
Xiao Zhan, who had no intention of being her "son," was a little disappointed and tempted to scratch her.
Hongluan was speechless. Her mistress, a noble young lady, calling herself the cat's "mother" was unusual. If anyone heard, they'd gossip endlessly.
A proper young lady, so eager to play mother—wasn't it embarrassing?
They had been out all day. By the time they returned to Hui Ning Garden, it was evening.
Madam Dai and two other maids had worried all day; without Hongluan, they might have cried from concern.
Seeing the young lady return, they hurried to help her change and wash up.
Meanwhile, the carriage driver had already informed the real mistress, the Third Madam, of Zheng Qian's actions.
Unable to keep it secret, the Third Madam told the matriarch.
Soon, everyone knew.
In Second Miss Zheng Yutan's courtyard, people discussed the matter, nearly bursting into laughter.