One More Step

They would go in winter to mountains and bring old heavy ice and store it underground in the humongous cellar.

In summer then they would sell the ice for an amazing price. But now in spring he couldn't either sell as it was still too cold or gather more ice, as it is too late.

Sassil Choy sat there and checked his books. If everything goes well, he could start earning in about one month. But it will be very tight. Summer was long and his ice cellar became completely empty.

He just left a few slobs of ice for his family use. But one unfortunate comes never alone.

His child got sick and had a high fever so half of the ice was spent there. Then his mother and wife got the same cold and were feverish and when they got over it safely, all ice was gone.

he had to pay a bunch of medicine for his family and the food prices went so much up that he started to be worried. Then by winter, he went to the woods and by sheer luck killed wild boar. So his family could eat some meat over the wintertime.

But now in spring, it was even harder. The vegetable prices shot so much in the air that he felt dizzy.

His safe was empty, pockets were already screaming as just a few bronze coins were left in there.

As he sighed two little girls in old but clean clothes came in.

''We wish you a prosperous day. The man next door told us that you sell ice. Can we hear the prices?'' One of the girls asked him while standing in front of him.

At first, he was stunned to see people entering his shop at this time of year, Second, these two girls seem to be foreigners, but their way of conduct and speech seemed to show that they were born here.

He stood up and respectfully bowed. ''Dear customer, you need to tell me what kind of ice you want. We have old thousand years old ice, that is grayish color, then one that is a hundred years old its blue and one that is made in the last ten years is white. Gray is 25 silver coins a slab, blue is 20 silver coins and white one is actually 50 silver.''

Anna was stunned but Kyra not really. ''That is because most people got used to used that one for food. Not many people buy blue? How strange. That one should contain most Natures energy. Gray is good for keeping ice cold probably.''

Sassil Choy almost chocked hearing the girl. How did she know?

The expression he made gave Kyra thinking. After a little moment, she calculated the amount of ice she needed. ''I will make cellar and one part of the cellar I will turn into an ice cellar. For that, I will need ice for the size of one zhang with two zhang and hight will be 0.5 or 0.6 zhang. I don't know how big the slabs are.''

He started counting then he turned his eyes to her. ''Will you put on the floor and sealing the ice or just walls?''

''All.'' The girls went quiet while he calculated everything.

''If you want to seal whole space with gray ice it will cost you 136 silver stones.'' He looked cautiously at girls as in this moment his feet were on fire. He needs to make this deal for his family to survive until summer.

Kyra nodded. ''Fine. Now half of that space will be separated and only blue ice will be inside. Recount how much will that cost us.''

In his eyes flashed understanding. He quickly recounted. ''It will be with gray ice 279 silver stones.''

''That is a bunch of money.'' She started and saw his eyes flashing in disappointment. ''For that amount, we ask you to bring that the ice to us. We live in foreigners village at the end of it towards the Great Forest. Are you willing?''

''How long do you need to drive there?'' He needed to make preparations for that.

''About one shichen. If you have good horses probably even faster. I will ask those to hurry up making the cellar. When can you bring the ice?'' Kyra asked calmly.

''It is a lot of ice. To make ice cellar I can bring my family over and we can make it for you. Just prepare the cellar on time. For making ice cellar we will take 30 silver stones. Or do you want to do it with your people? '' He seriously hoped to get this deal but tried to suppress the nervousness.

Kyra could feel it all, but why not paying it as long she could. ''Fine. Then when could we expect you?''

''In two days. Don't close cellar space until we are done. We will come in the early morning before the sun comes out. We will start traveling at night because of the ice. then we will connect the ice room like we were taught for centuries. Don't worry. after we finish it, not many things can destroy it. You can ice to walls every 5 years if there are hot summers.'' He saw the two girls agreeing.

''Fine. But in that case, we would need to pay you 310 silver stones. We will give you now half and the other half after completing the task. Is that acceptable?''

''You can give me now 110 silver stones. When we come there and finish the ice cellar you can give us the rest. After all, we can finish it latest in two shichen.'' It was a small room. Maybe even one shichen will be enough.

''Good. We will now pay you in advance.'' Kyra took the bag with 100 silver stones adding 10 more from the other bag.

''Or names are Kyra and Anna. If nothing else find Village Chief Jafar. He will bring you to us.''

''No need. I have been there before. I know where I have to go. So in two days in early morning, we shall see again.'' He bowed and they bowed back and left.

''They are just two girls with simple clothes. Why do I feel... No better not get involved in anything and just live a nice peaceful life like now.'' He locked the doors behind him and after saying thanks to his friend next door he rushed back home to tell his family the good news.

The girls after that went to the textile shop to pick up their clothes. Luckily the little girl and her grandmother were both there. ''You are back. Your clothes are ready.''

''We want to put up a new order.'' They turned to Chen that uncomfortably stared around him.

''Uncle Chen gave us an idea about winter clothes. Could you tell us how much would it cost us to make these.'' After explaining the idea girls rushed out to gather erst of the family under the instruction of her grandmother.

The situation turned awkward as soon as the girl left. Grandmother stared at them with shiny eyes and made them feel quite uncomfortable.

Soon beautiful woman in pretty clothes rushed in. Grandmother went there and bowed in reverence. ''Lady Jiang, these are the girls that had new ideas.''

Lady Jiang Came forward and bowed with manner to the girls. ''You must be shocked by our rush, but there is a reason.''

''Our clan is declining slowly. We want to make contributions to teh country but have no way to do it as we are just small nobles. Soon the palace will have a greta celebration. Great Dowager Empress will have a birthday. She is often cold, even in summer. If you can give us ideas we will pay you for it. We are not rich but we will do our best to pay as much we can afford.'' She stood there with pleading big eyes and held her handkerchief tightly in fear of rejection.

Anna looked at Kyra. that idea came from her, maybe she has some ideas.

Kyra could feel Anna's trust in her and it warmed her heart. She just held her hand tightly to show her that everything will be fine and could feel Anna relaxing.

''We can give you ideas. But you must promise us three things.'' Kyra was set on not budging from her own conviction.

''If it is humanly possible we will do our best to comply with those requests.'' She agreed readily.

''Number one, no one should speak ever after this about whose idea it is. You will buy that idea and it will be yours. We want to live a peaceful life. Please, we do not wish to be bothered. I hope you understand our plight.''

After a moment of thinking Lady Jiang nodded. ''I understood.'' And looked at girls with assuring smile.

Kyra then proceeded. ''The second is as we sell that idea to you, all that you win or not win goes to you. We do not wish to be involved in any matters that have any political intrigues only for such small reason.''

Lady Jiang felt these two girls cute somehow. They really hated any kind of excessive involvement with rich people as it seems. Most humans would seek the fat t.h.i.g.h to hold onto. But these girls actually had such aversion.

''The third is payment itself. As it is a gift for such a high personality we want lots of money. But the money cant be given to us directly. We really have no wish, as u can see, to attract flies around our home. There is one more thing. You will not pay us until you see if the idea works. After that speak to your clan elders in secrecy and explain to them our request. Then you can choose the amount you want to give us. We take only money. We don't want any free favors, no free wishes or any such bothersome thing. Just money.'' Kyra was quite straightforward.

She looked at everyone in the room. ''From now on no one should ever speak of this again. I hope everyone can help us and give us some peaceful life.''

Everyone looked at them and nodded. So Kyra asked for paper and pen and started painting her ideas. Even Lady Jiang was shocked. These ideas were so innovative.

''Lady Jiang. After this, your clan might earn a bunch of money by making winter clothes. My other idea is to offer this idea in improved form for the army as well. When tehy fight wars thick clothes could save lives. If you could find a way to gather as much leather, you could earn a fortune for the clan as well.''

Kyra had many more ideas but stopped. They can get these ideas themselves after a while anyway.

The little girl turned her head to her grandmother. ''Uhm. We can get uncle. With his help...''

Everyone from that family nodded. The main seamstress came to girls. ''The clothes will be ready as soon we find the best way to make it waterproof. I hope you can wait for a while.''

''Of course. After you find the way we can then talk about the price. It is not even summertime, so just do it when you are completely sure.'' Unlike this family, they were in no rush. After all, it was just springtime. Until the fall is a long time.

They took their pre-order bowed to everyone with respect and left with Chen who was silent.

They hopped on the carriage and wanted to go to one more place before leaving. To the butcher. When he heard their request he brought them to someone he knew.

''This is Hong Liu. He has fresh meat every day and his prices are reasonable.'' He introduced a mountain like a man with a big waist and small eyes but very tidy clothes and a kind smile.

Girls respectfully bowed. ''Uncle Liu we would like to have some ox bone. Some nice meat and dried meat and sausages if you have?''

''I have. What kind of meat do you wish and how much? From dried goods, I have dried pork ribs, pork meat, nic meaty bacon and some sausages.'' He recounted and waited for them to speak their orders.

''One pork bone. Two jin of meat that is marbled and three jin minced meat. ''Anna started ordering but then looked at Kyra. ''Do we need more?''

Kyra nodded. ''From dried meat give us the dried pork meat ten jin, and from bacon give us two big slabs and see how much they weight.''

Anna then remembered. ''Uncle Liu, where could we buy some chicken and one pig?''

He looked at them and smiled. ''You can buy that on market. Many people often sell those just outside.''

''Thank you. How much is this all?''

''Let me see... All together 32 silver coins. '' He packed everything neatly and put in their carriage.

Even after cutting and mincing meat, he didn't even get one stain on his clothes. How amazing.

Their next destination was market where they found smaller pig for 20 silver coins and got five chickens for 12 silver coins.

When they went home it was already noon and they felt a bit hungry. So on their way out they bought some noodles for themselves and Chen and ate quickly before leaving back home.

After they came home, Chen took on his back to bring all the heavy bags alone to the storage room and they took the chickens and little pig and closed them together in the chicken scoop.

Then they saw Chen staring at them and just gave up on the idea to help him. They went to the kitchen and made some delicious meat with potatoes fresh greens and ate it as soon Chen arrived.

When he was about to leave they stopped him. ''Uncle Chen. You can't run away today. Here is your share.''

They put 100 silver stones in the bag on the table and stared at him seriously. He could only sigh and take the bag, or he would offend them.

''I will be back tonight to help you gather the wild vegetables.'' He added just that sentence got up and left.

The girls cleaned everything and went for a small nap until evening, after all, it was quite a long day. Luckily they won't go there for a long time. People there are quite bothersome. Arent they?