My emporium in another world

"25 x 12 = 50 + 250 = 300 copper for the traps.

1 hour is equal to 15 coppers. 15 coppers x 0.45 minutes = 6.75 coppers.

12 sheep x 6.75 copper = 81 copper."

Checking if I'm right: 12 sheep x 0.45 minutes/each = 5.4 hours.

15 copper x 5.4 hours = 81 copper for all the sheep.

615 copper for the expenses in the afternoon.

250 copper for the extra alfalfa.

Amount spent: 300 + 600 + 200 + 80 + 50 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 1,100 + 140 + 6 = 1, 246 copper/silver that I spent.

It was a bit too much, but hopefully, since I haven't spend the 300 for the traps or the 81 for the sheep just yet (since I'm still waiting for the expert people to finish) I have actually only spent:

1,246 - 300 - 81 = 865 copper was actually spent today.

But, once I pay Elizabeth.

While is still by a lot, hopefully I'll double that amount with the wool that I'll get from my sheep.

For now, I'll try to get more information about what type of material I need to color the yarn once. Might as well ask a round in advance tomorrow just in case there's little to no color material left."

I closed the book and went to give Elizabeth a ride back to her house and gave her the copper plus 2 cloud cakes for dinner and returned quickly, for the wind and temperature were bound to make me a popsicle in the process.

The house did have enough space for a bathroom, for there was no bathroom. The only bathroom that it did have was one OUTSIDE of the house. And you had to clean your poop and piss every now and then.

I made a mental note to create a bathroom inside the house when the time is right. But for now, I had to bath. I good a wooden buffet and fill it with warm water. I then tools a rag and with a small sopa I was a le to steal from the Meadowood's house I made some bucles and cleaned myself as best as I could.

'My hair only is only getting more crispy and hard as I keep washing.' I murmured to myself as I felt it. 'It feels like twigs instead of actual hair strands, another thing that I must worry especially when winter is right outside the door.' I sighed to myself. 'I would if I could find a way to get grease from meat and then use it on my hair. It might not be ideal, but at least it might help get my hair protected from getting broken down.' I thought out loud.

I then looked at the soap bar that I used. 'Might as well find more soap bars too. Even if they're expensive, I must have a decent stash as to not having to spend on it again any time soon after.' I notified myself about it as I took another small rag to dry myself quickly get into my night down and went to myself. Let's not forget that I also have to find something to brush my teeth with. I noted while passing my tongue through my teeth as I put my nightgown on and want to my room to then fall asleep.

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After a few days. . .

After about three days, 7 sheep done, and 3 small wood traps gotten, the first snow fall arrived. The good news though, it's that the snow isn't here to stay just yet. The bad news is, that the low temperature sure is staying.

Fortunately, so did the woodman's sons' who took the measures of how big the new barn should be.

'For the sheep section in the new barn, it should be around 192 x 300 feet, maybe a bit less, but, if a sheep ends up pregnant, it's better if there's extra space.' Grover explained to me as we worked on a diagram. 'For the goat section, since there's only three of them, with one of them still a baby, 60 x 60 feet.' He added. 'I might as well add a few more feet in case you want to buy a cow or any other animal just in case.' He suggested.

I thought about. 'How many more feet for a cow?' I asked.

Grover thought about it for a moment before giving an answer. 'Well, if you are thinking of getting just one, then add a 14 x 20 feet more, if you are thinking about adding more than one, then multiply it.'

'I'll want two cows.' I said as I yanked out the old diagram and started again.

The new barn will be divided into a few sections. A larger section for the sheep since there's more of them, and a small yet spacious section for the goats. The new cows that'll hopefully get, will have a medium size space, the extra space will be in case there's a baby going on.

"192 + 60 + 28 = 100 + 90 + 60 + 20 + 2 + 8 = 100 + 170 + 2 + 8 = 200 + 70 + 10 =280 feet vertically.

300 + 60 + 40 = 300 + 100 = 400 feet horizontally."

I wrote in the new paper, and then I yanked it and gave it to him. 'Here you go.' I told him.

Grover took the paper and put it safely in his back pocket. 'In that case, we'll get going to but the material. But are you sure you can afford it? A barn is anything but cheap.' He asked worried.

I nodded. 'I have my own savings and my dad left me a good inheritance so I think it will be a good inversion for my livestock since they're dying of cold now.' I said.

Grover nodded understanding. 'In that case I'll bring this paper back and we'll be back with the price verdict.' He waved goodbye and went outside for his brother who had just finished packing up the tools.

I just followed them and gave them three cloud cakes. 'Here, for the road and for your father to try it.'

The boys took them and they smiled at the first bite.

'Wow! It's amazing!' Grover exclaimed amazed.

'It's really good!' Oaken nodded in agreement.

'Thank you very much!' I said flattered. 'Be careful going home guys!' I caution them.

'We will!' They exclaimed while leaving in the distance.

I waved them goodbye and went back to check on Elizabeth, but not before I noticed Grover checking Elizabeth out.

Hmm, guess Grover likes albino girls~. I noted smiling mischeviously while going back to Elizabeth. 'Everything okay over there?' I asked from my distance.

'Yes Miss Baker, I have finished almost every single one of them in total today, let me just finish this one and all the wool of the sheep will be collected!' Elizabeth assured me.

'Okay! I'll get the money and the bags for the wool ready, keep going!' I exclaimed to her.

'Got it loud and clear!' Elizabeth assured me going back to the last sheep.

I ran back to the house to get my pouch and tied it up by my waist, two mini loafs of simple wheat bread plus a small cloud cake for her and rapped it up in a small little cloth made of a part of my old and trashed cloths.

I took a about 30 centimeters of cotton yarn from one of the potato sack and made knot so the cloth with the bread did not break.

Then, with the wool new sacks that I also made with my old clothing, I left the little baked gift in the table and brought the sacks to Elizabeth who was already finishing her last sheep.

'I'm here!' I exclaimed while bringing 7 sacks of old cloth for the wool.

Elizabeth took one look at the size of each bag and made a worried look. 'I'm a bit worried that we might need more.' She confessed looking at the new amount of wool.

I frowned agreeing. The first few times were about 2 to 4 sheep at a time (not in that order) depending on how cold the weather was, this time, she was able to do 5 sheep this time, so it makes sense to be worried.

But then I thought of something. 'I have an idea. I'll get the wooden cart while you start getting as much wool as possible in the sacks. Okay?' I told her and ran back to the barn without waiting a reply.

I ran as fast as I could and this time I took Jam out and tied her up in the wooden cart and brought it all the way to where Elizabeth was.

I stopped Jam and got off her and started helping Elizabeth.

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It was getting colder and the temperature was rapidly dropping, but fortunately, we filled in the sacks all the wool that we could. Then we brought it up in the cart and the gesture her. 'Get on the wooden cart, I'll bring the rest of the wool.' I told her.

Elizabeth nodding now understanding my plan, hopped on the cart and I started to carry the last chunks of wool to Elizabeth who would take them and put them next to the sacks.

After finishing putting all the wool on the cart, I hopped on Jam and quickly went to the kitchen door.

I hopped off Jam and opened the door. Then, I started to take the chunks from Elizabeth and brought them to the house and then would go back to her to keep bringing the chunks of wool inside.

It took us about 45 minutes, but after finishing, I told Elizabeth to get inside while I fed the animals dinner and would go straight back to her.

'Do you want me to weight the sacks and chunks?' Elizabeth asked.

I turned to see her. 'You can do that right now?' I asked back.

'Well I didn't brought my scales before because I knew I wouldn't be able to finish the sheep in one day, therefore, I just brought them with me in my tool box.' Elizabeth explained.

I smiled as I hopped on Jam. 'In that case go ahead, but first take a rest, it was a long day.' I advised her riding my horse and cart back to their places.

'Okay.' Elizabeth nodded getting inside the house.

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45 minutes later. . .

'Finally!' I gasped out of breath. 'I hope to at least start making money by the end of the week, because otherwise I will have to use a huge amount of my savings for rent.' I sighed.

'Miss Baker.' Elizabeth came trotting to me. 'Is everything alright?' She asked.

'Oh yes, yes everything is fine. I'm just, tired.' I admitted. Being a farmer is hard work. Is breath in and out. 'How about I give some dinner and then we talk about business, shall we?' I offered going straight to the kitchen.

'Oh, o-okay. . .' Elizabeth sounded insecure but agreed because she didn't want to be rude.

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After dinner. . .

'Let's go to business, shall we?' I asked getting my note book, pen and ink ready.

'Okay. Em, let's see. . .' Elizabeth started to think about what to say for a few moments. 'Each sack made about 2.5 kilos each. I divided the chunks of wood and fused until I made about 3 kilos, & was able to make about 6 chunks of 3 kilos each.' She told me.

I imeaditely wrote the calculations.

"7 sacks of wool x 2.5 kilos each = 17.5 kilos of wool in total.

6 chunks of wool x 3 kilos each = 18 kilos in total.

17.5 + 18 = 10 + 7 + 0.5 + 10 + 8 = 20 + 15 + 0.5 = 35.5 kilos of wool.

That would make about 35,500 grams of wool.

Since 100 grams of wool can make up to 200 to 250 meters of yarn. . . 35,500 can make tons of yarn."

I nodded happily. 'You just collected for me 35.5 kilos of wool in total.' I declared happily taking out my money pouch. 'A 100 grams of wool make about 200 to 250 meters of yarn. Therefore, 35,500 makes a lot more yarn than I anticipated.' I said happily.

Elizabeth applauded.

'Now, here's the thing I want to do, come closer.' I told her and Elizabeth leaned toward me above the table. 'We are a going to divide the 35,500 of wool into 3 parts, the three of them will be washed, BUT, we will sell them in 3 different stages.' I explained.

Elizabeth looked confused. 'How so?' She asked.

'As you know, while I may not be a crafter like you, but, there are tons of mothers and women who craft their own wool into yarn and then to clothes. Since winter will make everyone stay indoors for the most part, especially mothers and women, I will sell the wool freshly washed and ready to be made into yarn for other women to use and entertain themselves for the winter.' I explained the detail. 'But, that will only be the done with a third of the three parts, the other two will be sold in either yarn & colored yarn, or clothes in color or plain white.' I added.

'Ohhh! I see, that way you can make money faster.' Elizabeth noted.

'Correction: we will make money faster.' I corrected her. 'As I told before, I don't know how to turn the wool to yarn, much less clothes even by hand because I don't have the tools,' I reminded her, 'you on the other hand, have both the experience and tools, therefore, you can do them for me.' I offered her.

Elizabeth blinked.

'Then, I will sell your crafts and the we will split the money 50/50.' I finished detailing my plan. 'So, what do you say?' I extended my hand to her. 'Business partners?'

Elizabeth started sobbing with tears in her eyes and shook my hand with a smile in her lips. 'I promise to work hard.' She sobbed.

'We will work hard together.' I promised her. 'For now, how about you stay here. It's too cold to return home now and the night will only make more vulnerable.' I took the little package of bread goodies and gave her along with it 81 copper coins of today. 'This is the payment for your jobs these days, once we start selling the first part of wool, you will receive more.'

Elizabeth nodded sobbing of relief. From what she looks, even though she's beautiful, she's also painfully thin, meaning she barely makes ends meat.

'So, how about you stay here for the night?' I asked again. 'The sun has set, and we don't know who or what might try to hurt you.' I patted her shoulder. 'I'll let you sleep in my room, although I don't have extra clothes for you, it might be better to sleep together than alone in the cold, don't ya think?' I took her hand and we walked to my room.

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"Because of Elizabeth's hard work, we have about 35,500 grams of wool. By diving those by 3, we have: 35,500 ➗ 3 = 11,833. 34 grams of wool in each section.

The first section shall be sold as wool ready to turn into yarn, the second section will be sold as yarn ready to use (hopefully, we can still have some colouring before the snow stays for the next few months), & the third section shall be sold in clothes ready to wear.

For the third section though, I might stick with toddler or baby clothes, but I haven't seen any children around just yet, therefore, I might as well stick with pants, skirts, scarfs and gloves as the plan B.

We also need to consider the prices. I'll stick by the 15 copper per hour and calculate it from there.

15 copper per hour x 5.4 hours of wool gathering = 81 copper.

In that case, I'll sell the first section of wool 81 copper per 100 grams.

11,833.34 grams of wool ➗ 100 grams each piece = 118.3334 pieces.

118.34 pieces x 81 copper per piece = 9, 585.54 copper in total.

In total, Elizabeth and I would be able to get 9,585.54 copper approximately. Maybe more or maybe less depending on what good they we trade in return for paying a bit less.

9, 585.54 ➗ 2 = 4,792.77 copper. <— This will be my and Elizabeth's share in half from the profit.

It could basically help me pay the rent, keep a low profile and get some goods myself. As long as the wool looks perfecto both in quantity and quiality.

But, I'll worry about it tomorrow."

I closed everything and laid in my comfy bed next to Elizabeth who was already in dreamland.

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Over the next few days. . .

Elizabeth and I made sure that all the sections of the collected wool had been washed, dried and prepared for selling.

Marianne once came to help with pastoring the sheep and she and Elizabeth made small talk. It was good, but Marianne was probably weary of Elizabeth due to the rumors. How do I know this?

'Em, Amelia?' She asked me whispering while Elizabeth went to the bathroom. 'Are you sure she's trustful?' She asked unsure.

I looked at her dead in the eyes and said, 'I am not married, she immediately offered to work as I explained to her my situation, and I'm not someone who believes rumors until I see the rumors become reality myself, & for the last bit I have not seen or heard her wanting anything of the sort.' I declared seriously. 'Any more questions?' I asked her.

Marianne blushed of embarrassment. 'Sorry.' She apologized looking down at the floor.

'How about before judging someone who's clearly working hard to make ends meat, you ask them what happened if you are so weary of them?' I asked her raising an eyebrow,

Marianne looked at me curiously. 'Have you asked her?'

'Of course not.' I firmly declared. 'When you are so busy and desperate to make your own money, you tend to ignore stupid little details about people's lives in order to get everything done.' I said firmly. 'Something, that you should also do.' I clarified. 'You may be my friend, but right now you are acting just like your mother and I'm pretty sure you never wanted to hear that, but I make myself the villain making sure this sentence best into your head so you become a better person.' I went back into washing the wool.

Marianne was blushing like a tomatoe and looking down in embarrassment. She clearly didn't like being called the "replica" of her mother, but someone had to clarify that she tends act like her sometimes, that way she can be better than her mother and be less influence by clueless rumors.

Since then, Marianne started to be more warmly and thankfully, didn't ask anything uncomfortable. Hopefully, she will also skip the detail of Elizabeth being in my house too.

Not that I'd hate that is known about Elizabeth being a regular visitor, but rather I'd be annoyed if the Marianne's mother starts unrealistic rumors about Elizabeth trying something against me or worse.

Elizabeth has only shown to be a really nice girl who is easy to get along with, but the reputation she has gotten from the town makes it hard for her to make a living or let alone find a man to settle down with.

Hopefully, Grover may be able to heal whatever past Elizabeth had and get her a better life for her. I hoped for the best as I finished washing the last bit of the chunk of the wool. 'There we go, it's done.' I declared shaking the water out of my hands. 'Now, we must let them dry for a few days.'

Marianne thought about it. 'Should we hang the wool outside?' She suggested.

'Em, that's a really bad idea Ms. Robinson.' Elizabeth raised her hand shyly. 'Natural cold wind plus sun equals to the wool shrinking in size and weight which would lower the value of the wool.' She murmured loudly enough for the both of us to hear.

'Oh.' Marianne nodded understanding. 'In that case, there's not much we can do eh?' She asked turning to look at me.

I nodded affirming everything. 'Unless we find someone with some sort of "magic" that is capable to evaporate the water or get the water out without the shrinking result, the best we can do is wait.' I sighed. 'The good news is, I only need to start selling a third of the wool for the winter, not only to pay you too but for rent and the new barn.' I quickly explained. 'After that, then we can worry about the other thirds, but for now. . .' I started to add more charcoal to the frunance and chimneys. 'Let's put the wool close but not so close so it can dry a bit more effectively.' I requested them to do.

They did as I told them and we put the wool in the living room furnace, in the kitchen and on the chimney of my room.

'Thank you ladies.' I thank them giving them the copper as a thanks. 'Sorry for not giving you guys any pastries today, but, I want to start selling them from now on.' I pologized.

'No worries.' Marianne took the coins and quickly left. 'See ya tomorrow!' She exclaimed as she closed the door.

'Em, Miss Baker?' Elizabeth tugged on my sleeve. 'D-Do you mind if I stay here for nothing? I don't have a good feeling about going home today.'

A bad feeling huh? I thought. It's well said that a lady's intuition is never wrong. Better safe and than sorry. I smiled at her. 'Sure, but you must help me around the house and the barn if you want to stay for more time, do we have a deal?'

Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically.

She helped around the house and thanks to her we were able to finish cleaning the house on time before dinner and bed.

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At night. . .

"Elizabeth had a bad feeling of going home. It is well said that a lady's intuition is never wrong, so it's better for her to stay here until tomorrow.

For the last three days, from about 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m we have been cleaning the wool and we have finally finished and is now getting dry near the frunance and chimneys. Of course, they are still as far a way as possible as to avoid a fire or something.

That makes about 9 hours straight.

Adding the 5.4 hours of sheep shearing we have: 5.4 + 9 = 14.4 hours.

14.4 hours x 15 copper per hour = 216 copper is what I paid to both Marianne and Elizabeth individually.

216 x 2 = 432 copper in total.

865 copper spent a few days ago + 81 copper I gave Eli for trimming the sheep + 432 copper spended today = 800 + 400 + 60 +30 + 80 + 1+ 5 + 2 = 1200 + 170 + 8 = 1378 copper that I spent these days.

2, 503, 003.70 copper coins that I had — the 1378 copper coins that I spent = 2,501, 625.70 copper and silver left.

The money is quickly leaving, call me paranoid but I feel like I'm losing money way too quickly. And that can cause some suspicion if at least I don't make money soon.

Hopefully, in three days, I'll start selling fresh and dry wool to the people that might want it and need it.

Now that I think about it, maybe I should sell it with a mind trick that I learned in my past life. It's called the door-in-the-face technique. Let's say that I start selling the wool about 216 copper per 100 grams, the client says no and then I'll change the price to 81 copper, or whatever trade is equivalent to it. It might help me sell the wool to those who are distrustful bout it.

Yeah, let's do it as soon as possible."

I yawned preparing myself to sleep and quickly laid in my bed with Elizabeth.