Chapter 3: Getting Ready for Job Hunting
After a brief chat between Mu Qiong and Mu Changyu, several busy women in the kitchen noticed Mu Qiong.
An elderly lady said, “Young man, are you feeling better? Thank goodness, your mother can finally be at ease.”
Another middle-aged woman said to Mu Changyu, “Changyu, is Auntie right? Loquat leaves are the most effective for treating coughs. No need to spend money on foreign medicines like Western cough syrup.”
At this time, people liked to add the character “洋” (yang) in front of things that came from abroad. For example, potatoes were called “洋番薯” (yang sweet potatoes), and matches were called “洋火” (yang fire).
Because the initial silver dollars were also imported from abroad, people in Shanghai liked to call them “洋鈿” (yang dian), commonly known as “大洋” (da yang).
Alongside the big dollars circulating in the market, there were small silver coins marked with denominations like “一角” (one jiao), “二角” (two jiao), “半圓” (half yuan), and so on. These small coins were referred to as “小洋” (xiao yang) or “銀角子” (yin jiaozi).
Of course, in ordinary households, the more commonly used currency was the lower-value copper coins, also known as “銅鈿” (tong dian).
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The copper yuan emerged at the end of the Qing Dynasty, lacking the square holes characteristic of the previous copper coins and being heavier.
Generally speaking, one copper yuan was equivalent to ten copper coins, with the inscription “當制錢十文” (Equivalent to ten wen of minted money) on top.
During the late Qing Dynasty, both the coins from that era and the coins currently minted by the government were in circulation. Therefore, whether they were big dollars, small dollars, or copper yuan, there were various designs, and their values differed. The exchange rates were not based on a decimal system.
Typically, exchanging one silver dollar for small silver coins of one jiao could get you eleven or twelve coins, while exchanging for copper yuan could get you more than one hundred coins. The specific exchange rates depended on the daily prices set by exchange shops.
Of course, this was during the early years of the Republic of China.
According to Mu Qiong’s knowledge, by the mid to late period of the Republic of China, there was widespread private minting of silver coins across various regions. This led to the overabundance of copper yuan, a decrease in the silver content of small silver coins, and a significant depreciation of these currencies. Even silver dollars experienced a considerable devaluation.
When Mu Qiong learned about this period in history through books, he found the state of currency confusing. Now, with Mu Changqiong’s memories, he was finally able to make sense of it.
“Yeah! Thanks to Aunt Zhao!” Mu Changyu smiled at Aunt Zhao, poured the water infused with loquat leaves into a bowl, and handed it to Mu Qiong.
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Mu Qiong took the medicine, sipping it slowly, and engaged in conversation with the women who were preparing breakfast.
The original owner arrived in Shanghai, but after failing to reunite with family, fell ill. In a state of constant drowsiness, the original owner was preoccupied with personal matters, remaining oblivious to the current surroundings.
Mu Qiong’s body was still weak, the illness persisted, and it wasn’t advisable to venture outside hastily. Hhe began inquiring with the people around him, “I was confused when I fell ill earlier and have no idea where I am now.”
“Is this house Auntie’s?”
“What’s around this neighborhood?”
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The original owner had never experienced much hardship before, having been raised with delicate features. Despite a severe illness, Mu Qiong still appeared handsome, his skin unusually pale due to the prolonged absence of sunlight, evoking a sense of sympathy.
The middle-aged and young women who were cooking were willing to chat with him, quickly providing the information he wanted to know.
The house that the Mu family rented had no connection with the people present. It belonged to Mrs. Yao, who lived with her two sons, two daughters, and Mrs. Yao’s elderly mother in the two rooms on the east side of the four large rooms facing south. There was a kitchen in that house, so Mrs. Yao didn’t come out to cook.
Originally, the Yao family ran a soy sauce shop and was quite wealthy. They built this house, which, according to rumors, cost 150 big dollars just for construction, not counting the land. Unfortunately, Mrs. Yao’s husband developed a smoking habit, and as he smoked heavily every day, he eventually lost the soy sauce shop, leaving only the house.
It’s unclear whether Mr. Yao suddenly had a change of heart or for some other reason, but two years ago, he h@nged himself.
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After Mr. Yao’s death and the funeral arrangements, the Yao family fell into dire straits, accumulating external debts. Mrs. Yao had no choice but to rent out the house to generate some income for the family.
Rent in Shanghai was quite expensive. The small house the Mu family of three rented, located next to the west courtyard wall, cost one big dollar per month.
“They live in two of the four south-facing rooms, and the remaining two rooms cost two dollars and four jiao each per month. In addition, the four rooms facing east and west cost one yang dian each per month. Even if Mrs. Yao does nothing, lying around, she can still pocket more than eight yang dian every month,” Aunt Zhao spoke with a hint of envy. In her large family, renting just one south-facing room made paying the monthly rent a painful experience.
Mu Changyu, listening nearby, also felt envious. Their family used to have money, but the silver never passed through their mother’s hands. As a result, they never had much money on hand. When they finally had a bit of money, it was stolen.
Eight yang dian was already a significant amount of money for Aunt Zhao.
Mu Qiong didn’t chat with them for long before Mu Changyu had finished cooking the noodle paste. “Brother, it’s time to eat!”
Mu Qiong nodded, planning to help Mu Changyu serve the noodle soup. However, before he could act, Aunt Zhao suddenly handed him a handful of pickled vegetables. “Xiao Mu, take these pickled vegetables and eat with the noodle soup.”
In current Shanghai, fresh vegetables were challenging to preserve due to transportation difficulties, making them more expensive than pickled vegetables. The same applied to fresh meat. Therefore, ordinary households mostly consumed pickled vegetables, salted meat, salted fish, and similar items, which were not only affordable but also good with rice. Besides, tofu and bean sprouts were also commonly purchased by ordinary households.
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Mu Changyu quickly declined when Aunt Zhao offered the pickled vegetables, saying, “Aunt Zhao, no need…”
Mu Qiong, however, smiled and said, “Thank you, Aunt Zhao.”
With the memories of Mu Changqiong, Mu Qiong spoke just like him at this moment, using a soft and gentle Wu dialect that sounded particularly sweet. This brought a deeper smile to Aunt Zhao’s face as she replied, “No need to thank me. It’s just a mouthful of pickled vegetables, right? Oh, Xiao Mu, you’re recovering from an illness. Your mother should buy you some eggs to replenish yourself, but…”
Aunt Zhao didn’t finish her sentence, aware of the difficult situation the Mu family was in.
Eggs were not cheap; a larger one cost one copper yuan each. With the same amount of money, you could buy almost a kilogram of flour. Considering the Mu family’s method of cooking noodle paste with flour, a kilogram of flour could feed the family of three for several days.
Mu Qiong had already accepted the pickled vegetables. Although Mu Changyu felt it was not right to take things from others, she still washed them thoroughly, cut them into small pieces, and then used the lid of the pot to hold them. She handed the lid to Mu Qiong, saying, “Brother, since you’ve just recovered from an illness and may not have the strength in your hands, let me take the pot.” With that, she lifted the pot containing the noodle paste and walked away.
Mu Qiong followed her into the house.
“Mom went to buy flour; she’ll be back in a while. Brother, go ahead and eat!” Mu Changyu set the pot down. “By the way, when you go to bed later, cover yourself. It’s sunny today, so I’ll take the blanket out to air it.”
“I’ll join you in airing the blanket,” Mu Qiong said. Eating only the noodle paste wasn’t satisfying. Although he had been lying in bed since last night after having a full meal, he hadn’t done much and was already hungry despite not being able to fall asleep. But Shu Wanwan hadn’t returned yet, so he couldn’t eat alone.
Although they said they would air the blanket together, Mu Changyu picked up the blanket and walked away, not needing Mu Qiong’s help at all. Of course, Mu Qiong wasn’t idle either; he carried the thin mattress from the bed.
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Several ropes were strung up in the courtyard, now filled with hanging clothes and blankets. Mu Qiong helped Mu Changyu hang the blankets, a task that, though small, left him sweaty and triggered a fit of coughing that he couldn’t stop.
“Qiong’er, your health hasn’t fully recovered; why did you come out?” At this moment, Shu Wanwan returned carrying a basket.
Mu Qiong’s coughing gradually subsided. “Mom, I just wanted to take a short walk to feel better.”
“You’re sweating; you should go lie down. If you get sick again…” Zhu Wanwan’s eyes turned red.
Mu Qiong said, “Mom, breakfast is ready. Let’s go eat.”
Zhu Wanwan glanced at Mu Qiong and didn’t say anything more.
Mu Changyu was likely very hungry, as she couldn’t resist drooling before even having a meal. She served Mu Qiong a full bowl and said, “Mom, when Aunt Zhao gave us pickled vegetables, I already added salt to the noodle paste… We can save some pickled vegetables for lunch later.”
Zhu Wanwan smiled, “That’s good. Yu’er, with your brother recovering, our expenses will be much less. Once we earn some money, I’ll buy delicious food for you.”
“Okay!” Mu Changyu nodded happily and added, “Mom, I want to eat salted fish!” In Shanghai, the price of salted fish was very cheap; you could buy a large piece for just one copper yuan. At this time, many people in the county town of Shanghai couldn’t afford eggs, but those who couldn’t afford salted fish were rare.
“Good,” Zhu Wanwan smiled and agreed.
Mu Qiong didn’t understand the situation in Shanghai and naturally didn’t know the price of salted fish, so he quietly kept it in mind.
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About two-fifths of the noodle paste in the pot was given to Mu Qiong by Mu Changyu. Mu Qiong complicatedly finished all the noodle paste in his bowl, imitating Zhu Wanwan and Mu Changyu, rinsed his bowl with water, and drank the water. Then he said, “Mom, tomorrow I’ll go out and see if I can find a job.”
“Find a job?” Zhu Wanwan felt a mix of guilt and surprise. “It’s all because I’m useless; you’re still so young and have to go to work…”
“Mom, I’m not young anymore; I’m already sixteen,” Mu Qiong said. “At this age, many people have already started working.”
After a brief consideration, Zhu Wanwan nodded and agreed, “Qiong’er, when you go out to find a job, you must be careful. How about this? Mom will go with you.”
“No need.” Mu Qiong rejected without hesitation. “Mom, I can handle it myself.”
Although the original owner was young, he was still a young man. While Zhu Wanwan and Mu Changyu rarely went out in Suzhou and the capital, the original owner had been studying outside, making friends. Thus, Zhu Wanwan was uneasy about her daughter going out but felt reassured when her son did.
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“That’s fine. Qiong’er, your health hasn’t fully recovered; there’s no need to rush. Just go out and relax for now,” Zhu Wanwan advised.
Mu Qiong agreed with her mother’s advice.
