Mo Yan pondered for a mont, then said to the Shopkeeper, who was looking apprehensive, "Here’s what we’ll do: I won’t haggle with you, but you will have to throw them in as a bonus for ." She pointed at the five old n who were first recomnded by the Shopkeeper, along with the child.
The Shopkeeper followed Mo Yan’s finger and his lips twitched for a mont, then he said with resignation, "Miss, even if they aren’t worth much, they’re worth at least thirty taels of silver each. If I give them to you as a bonus, I’ll be taking a huge loss."
Upon hearing this, Mo Yan turned around to leave, "If the Shopkeeper is unwilling, then let’s forget it. You can wait for other custors to give you thirty taels of silver for them."
The Shopkeeper hadn’t expected Mo Yan to be so unpredictable and was surprised when she just walked away. He instinctively rushed forward to stop her, "Miss, the price is negotiable. If you go to another place, you won’t be able to find such capable servants!"
Mo Yan stopped in her tracks and said to the anxious-looking Shopkeeper, "Including these five old n and the child, I’ll give you three hundred taels of silver. If you can sell them for that, sell them. If not, let’s call it off. After all, business is about mutual consent, isn’t it?"
Knowing there was no chance of an increase in price, the Shopkeeper hesitated for a mont but finally gritted his teeth and agreed, "Three hundred taels it is then. Miss, if you buy servants again in the future, be sure to patronize our Dentist."
"Sure, sure. The next ti I co to buy, the Shopkeeper had better give a fair price," said Mo Yan readily, imdiately taking out a silver note of three hundred taels and handing it to the Shopkeeper.
"Certainly, certainly!" The Shopkeeper took the silver note, examined it carefully for a few monts to ensure it was real, then smiled broadly and put it into his pocket.
Although he was reluctant about not making any money on the group, he was relieved to have the "hard-to-sell" bunch off his hands. If he couldn’t sell them, they’d have to be driven away, and now soone was willing to take them—it felt like doing a good deed. It was just a pity about the child; in two more years, he could definitely have fetched a good price.
After receiving the sale deeds of all sixteen people from the Shopkeeper and handling the related paperwork at the Governnt Office, Mo Yan hired a carriage for three taels of silver and returned to the Dentist’s, bringing all the people back ho with her.
The maids and old won who were sold first were relatively calm about being bought. They boarded the carriage unperturbed, but as the carriage left the bustling Jing City and ventured into increasingly desolate areas, they began to feel uncertain.
As for the five old n and the child included as a "bonus," after initial excitent and disbelief, they watched the landscape change with equanimity.
At their age, having soone buy them and provide food was good enough. If it weren’t for their desire to live, they would have ended things with a rope after suffering beatings. Now, no matter how bad things got, they calmly accepted their unknown fate.
When the carriage stopped, they stepped out with new hope to see the exceedingly large estate before them, their hearts trembling fiercely: Could their new master be a Great country gentleman or a Local rich man?
"Follow inside." Mo Yan paid the Coachman, looked at the sixteen people who were still in a daze, and pushed open the courtyard door.
The people ca to their senses, exchanged glances, and then unanimously followed her in. No matter what the status of their new master, soone who could afford such a grand estate and buy so many servants in one breath clearly didn’t lack silver.
As long as they worked hard, they wouldn’t have to worry about being sold again. And if their new master was kind, their coming days might not be too difficult.
Reviews
All reviews (0)