Chapter 152
This time, Chief Liu led his men down to buy grain. In addition to grain, they also needed to buy a lot of medicinal herbs. Chief Liu calculated the money in his hand and also planned to buy some paper, pens, and books. The children in the village had reached the age of learning to read. Before, they didn't have money, so they could only let the children learn to read on the ground with Mr. Chu. Now that they had more money, they naturally wanted to prioritize the children's education.
In addition, there are cloth and cotton, which are also essential.
Actually, Mr. Wang wasn't the highest bidder for that mutton fat jade pendant. However, they still needed his help. Although the grain he sold them privately was old and didn't taste good, it was enough for them to eat, and it was much cheaper than what they could buy outside. Sometimes, when money was scarce in the village, they could even buy on credit.
Moreover, Liu Family Village and Boss Wang had been cooperating for many years and knew each other quite well. So even though Mr. Chu warned them to be careful in case the situation down the mountain changed, none of the people who went down the mountain, except for Chief Liu, took it to heart.
It's not entirely their fault. Ever since Emperor Yan ascended the throne, such notices have been posted every month. However, this time was a little different; a princess had also come.
However, once Princess Yongfu arrived, she started buying jade, causing officials and merchants throughout the Northwest to follow suit. In addition, many people already looked down on women, and even thought it was a joke to have a princess reward the army. As a result, all the bandits looked down on her.
Even though they were both women, Chief Liu felt that Princess Yongfu was the kind of girl who was raised in a wealthy family and didn't know the hardships of life. He couldn't help but look down on her. Although he considered what the notice said, he didn't connect the content of the notice with Princess Yongfu.
So Chief Liu bought a lot of things, and when he arrived at the Wang family's villa, he didn't stop the maid from bringing him pastries, nor did he become suspicious.
When they usually came to trade with the Wang family, the Wang family would prepare some pastries. For a wealthy merchant like the Wang family, these pastries weren't considered very good, but for Liujia Village, they were rare finds. In particular, the Wang family was very good at dealing with people, and they would often give them some more so that they could take them back to the village and share them with the elderly and children.
At first, Liu Jiazhai dared not eat these pastries casually, no matter how much he craved them. But now, after finishing a plate, he smiled and said it wasn't enough, asking people to bring some more.
Although Chief Liu didn't eat many pastries, he drank a lot of hot tea to warm himself up because it was cold outside. He said, "Besides these grains, I'd also like to trouble Boss Wang to help me collect some medicinal herbs."
The reason why Boss Wang was so timid and even obsequious in front of Princess Yongfu was because Princess Yongfu could control his life and death. In the face of power and strength, no amount of cleverness and cunning is of much use. However, when facing Chief Liu, especially with many guards hidden around him, Boss Wang was not afraid at all.
Most importantly, Boss Wang knew some inside information: the imperial court was really going to crack down on these bandits this time. Who told them to be so blind as to touch Princess Yongfu's things?
Mr. Wang said, "This matter is probably not easy to handle."
Chief Liu asked, "Why is it so difficult? Wasn't it the same every year?"
“Princess Yongfu brought a lot of things with her this time, saying they were for the border troops.” Boss Wang looked troubled: “Medicinal herbs are one of them. If we go by the prices of previous years, we can’t buy much at all.”
Chief Liu's expression was rather unpleasant.
Mr. Wang fiddled with a jade thumb ring and said, "I suppose Chief Liu has also realized that it's impossible to buy a large quantity of medicinal herbs at a low price, otherwise he wouldn't have come to me."
Chief Liu said, "The price is 10% higher than in previous years."
Boss Wang did not answer, but simply instructed the maid to light incense.
One of the men who came with Chief Liu couldn't help but say, "Boss Wang, don't be too greedy. Do you think our village can only do business with you?"
Boss Wang chuckled: "Business is all about mutual consent. If the chieftain is unwilling, he can naturally go and do business with someone else."
Ultimately, Boss Wang was still angry with Liu Family Village for making him live in fear with the princess.
The maid brought incense and lit it in the corner, filling the room with a faint fragrance.
Chief Liu was somewhat undecided. He exchanged glances with his subordinates and whispered a few words to each other.
Mr. Wang sat calmly in the main seat, calculating the time in his mind: "Why don't you all take your time to discuss the medicinal herbs? I'll take a loss on the grain and sell it to you at the price of previous years. Let's go take a look at the grain first?"
Upon hearing this, Chief Liu replied, "Alright."
Boss Wang got up and led everyone outside. At the door, he took the cloak from the servant.
Although many merchants in the Northwest knew about doing business with these bandits, and some even participated in it, it was a taboo subject, and they all tacitly agreed not to mention it openly. Even the trading locations were mostly in remote areas.
The grain had long been stored in this villa. Boss Wang led them toward the warehouse. When they reached the door, Boss Wang stepped forward and opened it. But before Chief Liu and the others could react, Chief Liu went straight into the warehouse, and the warehouse door closed right in front of them.
Chief Liu's expression changed, realizing something was wrong, and he said, "Let's go."
But it was too late when they tried to leave; the courtyard had already been surrounded by Sun Qiao and his men.
Chief Liu and his men drew their weapons, ready to fight, when they felt their limbs go weak and they became dizzy. Chief Liu bit his tongue hard and took out his gun, but Sun Qiao was prepared. People hiding not far away immediately splashed several basins of water on Chief Liu.
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