Chapter 295: Deal
Editor: Atlas Studios
The bailiff guarding the gate watched helplessly as Mu Yangling herded the flock of sheep out of the city gate. Then, she handed the document to the garrison general who merely pretended to check it before letting her pass the checkpoint.
He turned his neck stiffly and asked his colleague beside him, “Are they the relatives of the garrison general?”
Wasn’t this giving them no way out? They could not afford to offend the large merchants passing by because they had powerful backgrounds. They could only survive on some tips and occasionally take some benefits off these vendors. Alas, as soon as the city gate was cordoned off, the vendors disappeared entirely. More than half of the medium-scale merchants also disappeared, causing their income to plummet. It was not easy for one to show up today, but it turned out she had a powerful background?
The bailiff felt that he had to find out more. In their line of work, they could take less profits, but they couldn’t offend people they shouldn’t offend. Therefore, when they changed shifts at night, the bailiff went to look for the garrison general for a drink.
There were only two sixth-grade regiment commanders sent to guard the gate who took turns doing the day and night shift. As they were the highest authority at this checkpoint and the city gate, they were called garrison generals.
The garrison general did not hesitate and directly told him that the young lady was a good friend of Little General. Even Military Advisor Rong, the general’s trusted aide, had to be respectful when he saw her.
The garrison general knew that this girl often went in and out of the 5th Division. When she interacted with the Little General, Young Master Fan, she showed no fear around them and played around at ease. Sometimes, when she taught the Little General a lesson, the General would even clap and cheer at the side. Therefore, although her father was only a company commander, his future was definitely brighter than his.
He had been a soldier for nearly ten years before he managed to become the regiment commander of the camp. In contrast, Mu Shi had only been a soldier for a year before he became a company commander. This was an incredible speed of promotion.
Mu Yangling did not know what had happened behind her. Just as she herded the sheep out of the checkpoint, Zhang Wu, Butcher Qin, and Butcher Hua came up to her.
Butcher Qin was stunned when he saw the number of sheep. With their money, it didn’t seem like they could buy so many, right?
“Let’s find a place to rest first. We’ll talk tonight.” Mu Yangling was starving and did not want to discuss business under such circumstances.
Butcher Qin nodded and brought them to the tent where they had set up.
Outside the checkpoint was a large open space. It was now filled with tents, carriages, mules, donkey carts, and various other carts. These were things that could not enter the checkpoint for the time being and were awaiting collection by their owners.
As Mu Yangling and the others had arrived a day earlier, they had occupied a good location.
Among the large pile of silk, tea, porcelain, spices, and various other goods, Mu Yangling’s goods were too strange. Everyone avoided her.
Zhang Wu started a fire and began to busy himself with the preparation of dinner. Mu Yangling sat in front of the fire and warmed herself. Only then did Butcher Qin have the time to ask, “Miss Mu, there are too many sheep. As you know, we don’t have much money on us. I’m afraid we won’t be able to buy them all.”
Mu Yangling’s face was filled with fatigue. “I know. I didn’t want to buy so many at first, but you don’t know how difficult it is for farmers in Hanzhong Prefecture now. Anyway, since you want to keep this business going for a long time, I can let you take them on credit first.”
Butcher Qin opened his mouth. He wanted to say that they only planned to do this once and not for the long term, but when he saw Mu Yangling’s tired expression, he swallowed his words. Since he was the one who roped her in, he had to be responsible to the end, no matter what. He gritted his teeth and said, “Since Miss Mu trusts me, I’ll definitely return the money to you. What price do you have in mind?”
Mu Yangling sat up slightly and said, “I bought the sheep from the farmers at two taels of silver each. Now, I’ll sell them to you for 2 taels 500 copper coins each. I’m earning 500 copper coins each. I don’t care how much you sell them in Xingyuan Prefecture, but there’s one thing. You have to send the amount of money you owe back to me.”
Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua looked at each other in surprise. They didn’t expect Mu Yangling to offer such a low price. Butcher Qin was so excited that he forgot his identity. “Miss Mu, this price is too low. We can’t let you suffer a loss.”
Butcher Hua tugged at his sleeve. They seemed to be the subject of negotiation now, right? Why were they standing there talking?
Mu Yangling also smiled and said, “We all know in our hearts whether I’m suffering a loss or not. I’ve walked from here to Xingyuan Prefecture and know how difficult the journey is. Coupled with the heavy snow now, it will only be more difficult. It’s not easy for me to earn money, and it’s not easy for you to earn money either.”
In just two days, she could earn 500 copper coins per sheep. To Mu Yangling, it was a huge profit. After all, she did not have to worry about sales. She just had to acquire the sheep and bring them past the checkpoint to hand over to Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua.
430 sheep were worth 1,075 taels of silver. After paying 775 taels of silver upfront, Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua still owed her 300 taels of silver. Next time they came, they would bring the remaining amount for Mu Yangling.
Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua wrote the document and signed it. Mu Yangling also signed her name and pressed her thumbprint. That concluded the deal.
On this trip, Mu Yangling earned 210 taels of silver. After eating and drinking her fill, Mu Yangling entered the tent to sleep in a good mood.
However, Xiuhong tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Mu Yangling woke up in the middle of the night and asked, “What are you thinking about? You actually have insomnia at such a young age.”
“Cousin, why didn’t you buy the sheep from Lai San today? I think his wife is very pitiful. Do you think she’ll be beaten up later? I think their family isn’t having a good time either. I glanced at their kitchen, and only saw chopped tree bark mixed with a few grains of rice.”
“You don’t have to worry. Other than his family, everyone in their village has sold sheep. Since they’re all from the same village, surely they’ll lend them money? Lai San’s wife is pitiful, but if I accept their sheep under such circumstances, she’ll only be even more pitiful in the future. If Lai San sees that I’ll accept their sheep whether he hits his wife or not, he’ll think that he can achieve his goal by beating up his wife to soften people’s hearts.”
“But now, he has paid the price for hitting his wife. He didn’t sell the sheep. In order to survive, he will need to take on debt. The farmer’s conservative character will prevent him from borrowing too much. Therefore, he will most likely still have to eat porridge mixed with tree bark and rice grains. He will now be the worst-off in the entire village. This difference will make him not dare to hit his wife again. At least, the next time he wants to hit his wife, he will think twice.”
“As for Lai San’s wife, didn’t you see how she scratched Lai San when we left? She’ll be even more unyielding in the future. Xiuhong, the reason why I didn’t buy his sheep is to force her to be more unyielding. Women can only rely on themselves.”
Mu Yangling lectured her in a low voice, “To the maternal family, a married daughter is like water that has been splashed out. The daughter who returns home is a guest. Although the maternal family can support her when she gets bullied by her in-laws, this is merely an occasional occurrence. Do you think the maternal family can stand up for their married daughter in everything?”
Xiuhong shook her head.
“In the in-laws’ family, the son and grandson are considered family. Only my daughter-in-law has an outsider’s surname. The only person who is not related by blood is the wife. Therefore, I always say that a woman can only rely on herself. Of course, I’m not trying to teach you to be cold and heartless. There are many examples of daughter-in-laws completely integrating into their in-laws’ family. I just hope that you can be more self-reliant in the future.”
Xiuhong looked at the tent with her eyes open while she mulled over her cousin’s words. Just as Mu Yangling thought that she had fallen asleep, Xiuhong suddenly said, “Cousin, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely cherish myself.”