Chapter 95
Editor: Princess
The day brought no rainfall, marking the first pleasant weather in several days.
Early the following morning, two “There’s a Shop” locations opened simultaneously on East Xia Street in the capital. Shen You had come up with this name herself.
People had been waiting at fabric stores and clothing shops for several days, anticipating the arrival of new winter garments. Last year at this time, twenty taels could still buy a cotton-padded jacket with modest filling. It wasn’t abundant, but warmer than ordinary thick fabric.
As the weather grew colder, cotton-padded jackets rose steadily to fifty taels, while even substantial cloth doubled in price. Shop owners claimed cotton production was low with poor harvests, leaving them no alternatives.
Not only clothing, even charcoal and shoes and socks had also increased in price.
However the truth was that wealthy merchants backed by powerful nobles had hoarded cold-weather goods, waiting to raise prices dramatically. The same strategy that had been used during Yunzhou’s famine to inflate rice prices.
Ordinary people understood none of these machinations. They simply wanted to quickly acquire winter clothing.
But hearing the clerks’ quoted prices, everyone was stunned.
“What? A cotton jacket costs twenty-eight taels?! That’s far too expensive.”
“A bolt of thick cloth also costs ten taels? This is highway robbery!”
The clerk: “That’s the price. If you find it too expensive, look at these cheaper options—hemp and linen scraps can be taken home for padding. Forget cotton jackets—fur clothing has risen even more dramatically today.”
Fur garments made from animal pelts served as winter clothing. Moderately wealthy families might have one or two sheep fur pieces. Fox fur, mink fur, and rabbit fur remained exclusive to noble households.
“Will you buy or not? If you don’t buy this batch, prices will likely rise again after it sells out.”
This statement caused many people to panic. Despite their complaints, they took out silver coins.
After all, this was the capital. Residents had some financial resources, what’s more they were all afraid of future shortages.
Those still hesitating watched others make purchases and quickly took out their own silver.
Just as the largest clothing shops were conducting brisk winter clothing sales, sudden news arrived. Two new shops ahead were selling Western Region winter clothing, and it was reportedly extremely warm and comfortable to touch. Even noble persons were reluctant to remove them after wearing.
“Such fine items has to be extremely expensive.” One speaker said, waving dismissively.
“Exactly. Good items from the Western Regions that even high officials and nobles cannot easily obtain, no matter how warm or comfortable, they’re beyond our means.”
“I’ll stick to examining thinly padded cotton jackets.”
As everyone chattered, a woman wearing a plain silver hairpin interrupted them excitedly.
“They’re not expensive at all! I just heard firecrackers and went to investigate. There are two shops—the one selling ordinary goods has posted a sign. One garment plus one pair of trousers, the cheapest set costs only five taels! Extremely thick and substantial!”
“Are you saying truthfully?!” Everyone could scarcely believe that five taels could buy a complete set.
Five taels might barely buy cotton jacket sleeves, how could it buy an entire outfit? Was this some deceptive scheme?
“We’re all neighborhood acquaintances, will I deceive you? I’m preparing to make purchases now. Once crowds gather, there might be no stock remaining.”
Watching the woman hurry toward East Xia Street, others felt skeptical yet curious.
“Should we take a look?”
“Right, it’s not far anyway. Looking costs nothing.”
Several people changed direction toward “There’s a Shop”, while others remained disdainful. Fine Western Region goods for only five taels? They would probably lose their undergarments in such a deal.
It was even good this way, as fewer people meant less competition for the cotton jackets in their current shop.
“Such crude trickery would only fool idiots.” A clothing shop clerk sneered.
Soon, “There’s a Shop” Store No. 2 was surrounded by crowds. The reason was simple, a sign truly hung outside the shop. Someone at the entrance was shouting, “Thermal underwear starting at five taels per set! Down jackets also five taels! You can’t lose money or be cheated! Clothing praised even by Duke Zheng!”
The Liu family’s clerks were wearing down jackets for public demonstration.
“So thin, looking to be only two layers of fabric, how warm can it be?”
The crowd remained skeptical of these unusual garments.
“Down jackets are definitely inadequate, but that thermal underwear looks genuinely substantial. The style seems strange though. It has to be put on by pulling it over one’s head entirely. Do Western Region people wear such clothing? Our clothing styles are superior.”
The discussion was loud. News of thermal underwear requiring only five silver taels spread rapidly, attracting many people.
Due to limited shop space, entry was restricted with queue formation required.
The first customers to enter were already selecting preferred colors and trying on garments. The clothing’s interior soft fleece felt warm and comfortable, completely amazing the customers!
“Such excellent clothing really costs only five taels?! Are you sure you haven’t mistaken the price, hearing fifty taels as five taels?”
Although this fleece differed from animal fur, wearing it felt wonderfully comfortable!
The clerk smiled pleasantly. “Indeed five taels. Those with better colors over there cost slightly more.”
Five taels was incredibly affordable!
“Give me ten sets! Two sets of those ten-tael ones.”
This enthusiastically speaking young woman was recognized by many. It was the proprietress of the neighboring restaurant, famous for her shrewdness. Seeing her immediately request ten sets convinced those waiting outside that the goods were excellent.
“The shop has rules, each customer may buy a maximum of five sets.” The clerk reminded.
This policy prevented hoarding for resale, ensuring genuinely needy people could make purchases.
“Fine then. I’ll also take five sets of down jackets.” The young woman took banknotes for payment out immediately.
She planned to quickly return home to bring her husband, then buy five more sets. This would provide enough for family members to have changes of clothing, plus gifts for her natal family.
Buying many dozens-of-taels cotton jackets was unaffordable, but five-tael thermal clothing allowed multiple purchases without financial strain!
However, after exiting the shop, the queue had grown extraordinarily long. People ahead craned their necks, faces full of hope as they looked into the shop, eagerly awaiting their turns. Those behind watched successful buyers enviously, regretting their late arrival.
News spread rapidly. Soon, people who had reluctantly bought thin cotton jackets also heard these developments. Seeing others’ purchases, they felt deep regret. Setting aside thermal underwear, even those down jackets appeared well-made with quality stitching.
Now everyone rushed to join queues, including clerks and proprietors from clothing shops. Who wouldn’t want such affordable cold-weather clothing!
While Store No. 2 selling ordinary goods conducted booming business, nearby Store No. 1 was equally busy. Although there were fewer customers were present, several luxurious carriages and sedan chairs waited outside.
This shop’s decoration clearly showed considerable investment. The wall-mounted wooden hooks and clothing racks opened everyone’s eyes.
They had never seen such wooden hangers. The hanging display effect was genuinely impressive.
“Really innovative!”
“That snow-white down jacket looks crisp, but feels surprisingly soft when touched.”
“I heard that with these garments, one can wear those flowing, lightweight outer robes even in winter without appearing bulky.”
“Really? Then I have to buy some!”
These high-ranking families lacked no cold-weather clothing.
Like Miss Zhao who had just came down from her carriage, her cloak was worth thousands of gold pieces, both warm and luxurious.
Nevertheless, they would still pay for novel Western Region garments.
Now hearing that such clothing worn underneath provided warmth without bulk, they were even more interested.