How come she remembered that exile was already a severe punishment? In some of the small worlds she had lived in, people who were exiled after their homes were confiscated were not allowed to ride in a carriage, and some were even branded with tattoos on their faces?
Being exiled by horse-drawn carriage all the way here, isn't that a joke?
When Manager Zhang heard that she was interested in this, he didn't hide anything from her and told her everything he knew.
He just glanced around instinctively and lowered his voice, as if afraid of being overheard.
"This family had someone looking after them and providing them with food along the way. If it weren't for the officials accompanying them, they would probably have thought they were just traveling around enjoying the scenery."
Manager Zhang spoke with a look of envy. To receive such treatment after having their property confiscated and being exiled was truly something that not everyone could achieve.
Lin Jiujiu looked at his expression and secretly complained in her heart.
She didn't know what Manager Zhang was envious of—whether it was that other people's homes had been ransacked, or that they had to leave their hometowns with their families.
Thinking this, she didn't remind Manager Zhang, but instead asked another question of her own.
"Then why are they selling the carriage? Could it be that they've arrived at their destination?"
Shopkeeper Zhang smiled and shook his head upon hearing this.
"How could that be? This isn't some place of exile for criminals."
Instead, they plan to travel by water next, and finding the carriage cumbersome, they'll sell it locally. They'll probably procure it elsewhere once the ship docks.
Lin Jiujiu shook her head when she heard him say that.
While marveling at the family's truly positive attitude, he said to Manager Zhang.
"Then please show me around, shopkeeper. I don't care if it was used by exiles, but a lower price would be fine."
As Lin Jiujiu spoke, she stood up and gestured for Manager Zhang to lead the way.
Seeing that Lin Jiujiu really didn't mind the bad luck associated with the carriages used by exiled prisoners, Manager Zhang was pleased and invited her to the backyard.
Lin Jiujiu thought that since the whole family had been exiled, they could still live such a luxurious life. They must be very lucky. What did she have to care about?
Only Lin's father tugged at her sleeve, somewhat worried, and muttered a few words in a low voice.
Lin Jiujiu smiled upon hearing this, gave him a reassuring look, and then followed in Zhang's footsteps.
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Lin's father had no choice but to follow her.
Lin Jiujiu saw the chestnut-red horse with glossy fur, a round back, and strong limbs.
Even while eating, its ears are perked up, listening to the sounds around it, remaining constantly alert.
Lin Jiujiu could tell at a glance that this horse was no ordinary horse. She then approached it for a closer look, and sure enough, just as she had expected, it was a warhorse that had served in the military.
Judging from its teeth, bones, and limbs, this horse is far from being old enough to retire.
These kinds of horses are hard to come by, especially those obtained through legitimate channels; they're priceless.
Although Lin Jiujiu thought this in her heart, she asked the question without showing any emotion.
"Manager Zhang, how much do you plan to sell this horse for?"
When Manager Zhang heard her ask that question, he knew that she had taken a liking to someone.
I've already done several business deals with the Lin family, and this horse has been sitting in my hands for half a month without being sold. I don't know if anyone will buy it in the future.
What's more, this animal is extremely picky and won't touch ordinary fodder at all. Even though he feeds it the best feed every day, he not only doesn't make any money, but he also loses money on fodder.
After thinking for a moment, Manager Zhang tentatively gestured to Lin Jiujiu.
Lin Jiujiu looked at the five fingers he held out, and her original intention to find a bargain vanished. She thought to herself that this person wasn't really ignorant of quality.
"Shopkeeper, isn't five hundred taels a bit too much? Even a famous horse from Ferghana would only cost two hundred taels."
Upon hearing this, Manager Zhang quickly waved his hand and said...
"Madam Lin has misunderstood. I bought the horse and cart for forty-eight taels. If you want them, please add the cost of half a month's worth of feed so that I don't lose money."
"Fifty taels, along with the carriage frame, shall I give to you, my lady?"
Manager Zhang was still a little uneasy as he said this.
After all, it cost two taels of silver in just half a month; this horse was not something an ordinary family could afford to keep.
When Lin Jiujiu heard that it was fifty taels instead of five hundred taels, the coldness on her face disappeared.
This price is really cheap, especially since it includes a carriage.
However, she didn't want the car. After all, it had been used by someone else. It wasn't that she was picky, but she felt that something given away for free probably wouldn't be very good.
It's better to just go to a woodworking shop and make a new one yourself; it won't cost much anyway.
Seeing Lin Jiujiu's hesitant expression, Manager Zhang assumed that she thought the price was still too high.
He quickly said, "How about you take it for forty-eight taels?"
If he keeps this thing for a few more months, he'll only lose more money.
Lin Jiujiu didn't stand on ceremony with Manager Zhang when he offered to lower the price.
"Then take me to see the car."
I didn't want it originally, but considering that it would take time to build a new one, I figured I could use this carriage temporarily. If all else fails, I can just replace it with a new one after I've built the new one.
Perfect timing, she still has a bunch of things to buy later, having a carriage will make it easier to take them back.
As for the car they came in, it was already quite cramped just for the whole family, so there was no room for anything else.
Upon hearing her words, Manager Zhang's bitter face immediately vanished, replaced by a smile.
He led the group towards the courtyard next door.
Several vehicles were parked haphazardly in the yard, some with canopies and some without.
Lin Jiujiu's gaze swept back and forth over the few somewhat dilapidated cars, trying to see which one it was. If it was too shabby, she wouldn't want it. Anyway, there were plenty of cars here, so she might as well buy a better one to make do for now.
Just as she was deciding which one to buy, Manager Zhang pointed to a brand new eight-carriage carriage on one side.
"Madam Lin, this is it. The material is quite good, but it has been bumped and bruised on the way, and the blue cloth on the outside is a bit dirty."
Lin Jiujiu clearly hadn't expected the car to be so new.
She moved closer to take a look.
Goodness, the ingredients used here are not just good, they're exceptionally good.
Surprisingly, the entire vehicle is made of high-quality rosewood, and the workmanship is also very meticulous, with an ingenious shock absorption design.
Even if she had found another woodworking shop to make it, she might not have been able to make it this good.
With such a vehicle, she could even save money on custom-made carriages.
Lin Jiujiu looked at the carriage with great satisfaction, but she soon noticed that something seemed amiss.
After turning around, she immediately realized that they were tire tracks on the ground.
A few days ago it rained, and the ground in this secluded courtyard of Yaxing has not been paved. The soil is relatively soft, and there are tire tracks under all the vehicles in the yard.
While the others only had a shallow line, the bottom of this car was extremely deep.
Lin Jiujiu compared the surrounding cars and found that even if they were made entirely of solid wood, the weight of the cars themselves would not be enough to leave such marks.
"Manager Zhang, has anyone ridden this carriage in the last couple of days?"
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