Chapter 609 Selling People
Si Niang knew what one hundred taels meant. That was enough money to buy ten acres of top-quality farmland and was enough to support an ordinary family of three for a lifetime.
So when he saw a reward on the wall, saying that if anyone could help find the kidnapper who took his child away, he could come to the mansion to claim the reward of 100 taels of silver, he was very surprised.
I don't know what that person is, but it's so valuable.
Qin Yao walked to the reward notice board and looked at the notice that Si Niang pointed to. She explained: "Lümai people are criminals who specialize in human trafficking. The daughter of the person on this list was taken away by a lümai. The family was extremely worried, so they posted a reward notice."
As she spoke, Qin Yao took a few more glances at the reward on the notice board. She had not paid attention to the content just now, and was only staring at the reward. Now, after a closer look, she realized that it was not just a list for finding lost livestock, but also four or five for finding people.
Those missing were all children, one aged five, one eight, and one thirteen.
Seeing so many missing person notices appear at the same time, and looking at the one that offered a reward of 100 taels for clues leading to the sale of the person, Qin Yao frowned slightly. This was definitely not a coincidence.
The family returned to the inn while discussing the high reward notice. It was dinner time and the lobby was almost full of people.
Qin Yao's family rented a kitchen to prepare their own meals and did not eat here. When the innkeeper saw them, he hurriedly greeted them and went to greet other guests.
In the middle of the lobby, there was a table of diners who were talking loudly about something. Because of the noise, they were asked to stop by the shopkeeper and the diners complained in dissatisfaction.
If it were any other time, Liu Ji would have definitely joined in the fun, but now he had to worry about food for the whole family and simply didn't have the leisure time to do so.
He put Si Niang down from his shoulders, put on his master's airs and called out, "A Le, follow me to the kitchen to prepare."
Yin Le agreed, said something to Qin Yao, and followed Liu Ji to prepare dinner.
Qin Yao and her son and four others stayed behind. Seeing that A'niang had no intention of returning to her room, Dalang's four siblings also stood by and watched the diners at the table in the middle of the hall continue to talk in low voices.
As they got excited, their voices became uncontrollably louder, and one could vaguely hear words like "robbery gang", "Those with children will be targeted", "They have both men and women, and even the elderly to cover up, so it's hard to guard against them".
Si Niang tugged at the corner of A Niang's clothes. Qin Yao lowered her head and asked softly, "What's wrong? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
Before the child could say anything, Qin Yao had already taken out half a dozen copper coins and prepared to send Dalang and Erlang to the snack stand at the entrance of the inn to buy some snacks.
Si Niang hurriedly called out to A Niang, sighed helplessly, and quickly explained that she was not hungry or thirsty, she just wanted to talk to A Niang.
"Mother, everyone is talking about kidnapping people. Does this mean that there are many kidnappers in Yuzhou who specialize in kidnapping children?"
The little girl had a serious expression and looked a little scared, but she held back and didn't show it.
It is good to have a sense of danger. Qin Yao did not make fun of the little guy's worry and fear, and replied seriously:
"It's definitely true, so the four of you remember not to leave the adults' sight. If you see anyone suspicious, get out of danger immediately. If you want to go out alone, you must tell the adults first, understand?"
The four siblings nodded obediently to show that they understood.
Sanlang's thoughts are erratic, and he always expresses some strange opinions. He asked fearfully, "Mother, do these kidnappers kidnap children to make human meat patties?"
As soon as I asked the question, I received a cold look from my eldest and second brothers.
Dalang said, "You think kidnappers are stupid? If you want to eat meat, why not just steal pigs? Why do you have to break the law by stealing people? In Shengguo, those who kidnap and sell people as slaves will be hanged!"
Erlang touched his third brother's chubby face pitifully, "Silly Sanlang, kidnappers kidnap people to sell them. If they are lucky, they can be bought into rich families as slaves. If they are unlucky, they will be bought as child brides and laborers. They will suffer torture and die! And human flesh is not tasty."
Sanlang opened his bright eyes and asked, "Brother, how do you know that human flesh is not tasty?"
"It's written in the book, a book of miscellaneous notes. Don't ask me which book it is. If you ask me again, I'll beat you up." Erlang glared at his brother dangerously. His threat was successful. Sanlang said "oh" and covered his mouth obediently.
Qin Yao shook her head in amusement and still took the children out to buy a lot of snacks. She didn't know whether the children were greedy or not, but she was.
Pack it into two portions, eat one today and save one for tomorrow on the road.
After the five of them had enough fun, they returned to the guest room, where they received a big eye roll from Liu Ji, who had finished preparing dinner but couldn't find anyone.
Of course, he only dared to roll his eyes at the four younger ones. He had to coax the older one, "My dear, the water is ready. Wash your face and hands and we'll have dinner."
He naturally stretched out his hands and took the two large bags of snacks from Qin Yao's hands, secretly clicking his tongue twice, thinking these were a waste of money.
"Liu Ji, what did you say?" Qin Yao, who was washing her face, suddenly turned around and asked in confusion.
Liu Ji stumbled, and was almost tripped by the beam in the guest room. He quickly steadied himself, turned back and blinked innocently, "Madam, I didn't say anything?"
"No?" Qin Yao shrugged and continued to wash her hands.
After washing their hands and faces, the family sat down at the small table and started eating.
A pot of fresh stir-fried wild vegetables, a bowl of delicious stir-fried pork belly slices, a bowl of fried tofu, and a large bowl of thick egg soup. There was no exquisite presentation, but the family of seven ate so much that their mouths were drooling and they had no time to talk.
After a silent dinner, Dalang's four children took the initiative to wash the dishes and wipe the table. They washed the dishes and returned to the inn kitchen.
The adults prepared to set off early the next morning.
Qin Yao and Yin Le got up and went to the backyard of the inn to feed the horses.
Liu Ji collected all the clothes that had been washed and dried yesterday and folded them. He then watched the four children check their luggage and packed everything except the clothes, shoes and socks they would wear tomorrow.
While there was still fire in the kitchen, Yin Le and Liu Ji had to prepare dry food that would last for two or three days.
After working until late at night, I can finally take a break.
After a good night's sleep, the whole family got up before dawn the next day.
After enjoying the breakfast prepared by Liu Ji, the adults and children loaded their luggage into the carriage, paid for accommodation, and once the city gate opened, they left the city and continued on their way to their next destination.
The weather is not very good today. The sun did not come out in the morning and it was a cloudy day.
There were forests and mountains all along the way, and the children had no interest in appreciating the scenery, so they simply took out their books and read to kill time.
At noon, we finally walked out of the mountain forest area, the view in front of us suddenly opened up, and we came to a small flat village.
Merchants and travelers frequently pass by here, and villagers have set up a tea stall at the entrance of the village for passers-by to rest.
Liu Ji quietly rubbed his buttocks that were about to split, looked at the quiet tea stall in front, and boldly suggested: "My wife, let's take a break, buy a few bowls of hot tea, and eat lunch with dry food?"
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