Chapter 47: Do you want to come with me?
The manager originally wanted to ask Shen Tang why he bought Lao Chu, since that old man was not likable, but after hearing the bookstore manager's words, he understood.
His expression softened with goodwill.
"You want to buy Lao Chu? Okay, the price is negotiable." He proactively lowered his asking price, "Three taels, how about that?"
Bookstore owner: "Three taels? That's too expensive!"
The manager, his hands clicking rapidly on his abacus, pulled out a thick, yellowed old booklet and opened it to a page: "Originally it was five taels, but now we're only asking for three taels because we've known each other for so many years. Look, back when we bought Old Chu's property, it was only one tael and two jiao!"
Shopkeeper: "Why is it so expensive?"
The steward scoffed, "Do you think the market was like this five years ago? Now, you can buy a decent-looking girl for two hundred coins if you haggle a bit. Five years ago, you wouldn't have dared to imagine this market. Back then, there was no war, and you'd have to pay at least five taels for a person, and ten or twenty taels for a better one! Old Chu's batch had been infected with the plague and could only be sold cheaply, but they still got one and a half taels."
According to the rules of brothels, whether they were courtesans or maids doing odd jobs, a premium of three to five times was common. For top courtesans or popular rising stars, a premium of hundreds of times was not unusual; otherwise, how would they make money?
The old Chu that I bought for 1.2 taels back then is now selling for at least 4.8 taels. The manager only asked for 3 taels, which is very reasonable.
I'm not doing this entirely because of the shopkeeper's influence.
As an ordinary citizen, he certainly has a mercenary, cunning, and greedy side, but he also has a soft-hearted, kind, and gentle side.
Upon hearing that Shen Tang had come to redeem "Grandpa," his first reaction was not to take the opportunity to fleece him, but rather to imagine a deeply moving family drama—a drama that combined elements of family decline, blood ties, long-awaited reunion, and the joy of family life.
Old Chu, that old fellow, has been working in the kitchen of Yuehua Restaurant for five years since he was bought back. He's been diligent and hardworking all these years, never made a mistake, and is quite efficient. Aside from being taciturn, having a strange temper, not fitting in, not flattering, and not trying to please, he has no other major flaws.
Now that his family has found him and wants to buy him back so he can properly care for his parents, it's a blessing in disguise for Old Chu after all his suffering. He shouldn't do something so immoral for a little money, preventing the family from reuniting; it's a way of accumulating good karma.
Seeing the shopkeeper hesitate, the manager added, "Don't put me in a difficult position. If I collect too little, I won't be able to explain it to my superiors."
The shopkeeper sighed, knowing that the price negotiation was over. Shen Tang, who had been quietly standing by, took out a few pieces of silver from her purse and placed them in front of the manager: "Please weigh them and see if it's enough."
The person in charge was pleased to see how readily she agreed.
I secretly admired him; he was truly a filial child.
She's beautiful, filial, and kind; Old Chu is destined for good fortune.
He collected the loose silver, carefully weighed it, and found there was still some left. He then took out a pair of scissors and cut off some more silver until he had exactly three taels. Only then did he gather up the silver scraps and take out Old Chu's indenture. He said, "It's still early. Would you like to go to the government office to transfer the title, young lady?"
Shen Tang shook her head: "No."
The shopkeeper said irritably, "What kind of household registration is this old man having?"
Shen Tang: "..."
The reason for not transferring ownership is simply because the original owner was also an unregistered person!
Previously, these two only imagined that Mr. Chu was her "grandfather," but now they're openly saying it out loud?
The person in charge slapped his forehead and said, "Oh right, I almost forgot about that, but I'll have to find some time to get it registered as a good person later."
Shen Tang's lips twitched: "Yes, I'll remember."
The person in charge beckoned and called someone over: "Go, go to the kitchen and call Old Chu over. Tell him that his granddaughter has come to take him home to enjoy his retirement."
As for whether Mr. Chu, who was bought and sold, has any objections...
That's not important.
Shen Tang carefully put away the yellowed, scraps of paper-covered indenture, secretly deciding that once she had finished learning her skills, she would use this indenture as payment for Old Master Chu's tutoring, thus restoring his freedom. She would take care of the old man's food, clothing, and daily necessities; after all, she wasn't some kind of devilish capitalist.
therefore--
As Mr. Chu sat in the kitchen, numbly scrubbing the dishes piled up from the previous night, his weathered face contorted for a moment upon hearing this shout. As if hearing a ringing in his ears, he gripped the person's hand and asked repeatedly, "Who? What granddaughter?"
The messenger laughed and said, "Your granddaughter has come to redeem you and make you leave. The old man's hard days are finally over."
Mr. Chu, completely bewildered: "..."
When he met his "granddaughter," whom he had never met before and who had appeared out of nowhere, he almost lost control of his expression.
You call this young man your granddaughter?
The person in charge patted Mr. Chu on the shoulder and said to him with emotion, "Old Chu, pack your things and go with your child. Don't keep your family waiting too long."
Alas, the most touching and precious scene in this world is undoubtedly a family reunion, enjoying the joys of family life.
Just thinking about this scene is incredibly touching.
Mr. Chu's face remained expressionless.
Shen Tang looked at him with the same expressionless face.
"I've paid the ransom. Do you want to come with me?"
She suddenly felt a little guilty. Looking back, she realized that buying the person without permission was disrespectful to Mr. Chu.
Mr. Chu: "...Are you really going to take this old man away?"
Shen Tang opened her mouth, but for some reason felt that she should be more careful with her answer and not be hasty.
But then she thought, there's only one option in this problem. She's already paid, wouldn't it be a huge loss if she didn't take the person with her?
So, Shen Tang nodded emphatically.
"Yes, come with me!"
Three taels of silver!
We can't let it go to waste!
In the past, she had always taken advantage of Qi Shan's knowledge and learning without paying a cent, let alone a few coins.
The atmosphere became stiff and strange after he finished speaking.
The bookstore owner pondered something and sensed that something was amiss. Before he could figure it out, Mr. Chu reacted first, nodding calmly, "Hmm, alright, allow me to pack my clothes and wait a moment."
Seeing Mr. Chu turn around and go back to the backyard to pack his clothes, the bookstore manager asked the person in charge, "Was this old man beaten senseless while working here? He looks dazed and confused, like he has some kind of geriatric illness. It would be difficult to take care of him if we took him back; he would suffer a lot."
The manager rolled his eyes: "We make dirty money, but we're not heartless. If we don't work, we'll go hungry for a couple of meals. There's no need to beat people up."
Unless it's something like running away or stealing money, they won't learn their lesson unless they're punished.
Old Chu has been very obedient ever since he arrived, so why was he beaten?
On the other hand...
Watching Gong Cheng finish his medicine and fall asleep, the servant and the young man left one after the other. As the wooden door closed behind them, his demeanor changed. A touch of authority appeared on his exquisitely handsome, somewhat harsh face.
He said, “I never thought Brother Yunchi would be so clueless. Since he knows nothing, it’s pointless for us to ask. We might as well investigate ourselves. Mr. Gu, send someone to keep an eye on Shen Tang… If he’s innocent, that would be best. The Shen family’s nine generations died unjustly. This man and Brother Yunchi are the best evidence of Zheng Qiao’s tyranny and loss of popular support. In the future, it will be perfectly justifiable for us to send troops to punish Zheng Qiao…”
Young man: "What if there are problems?"
The official said indifferently, "Then let's eliminate it and leave no future trouble!"
He paused, then added, "Also, keep an eye on news about that Fifth Physician from the Gong family, and report back as soon as you hear anything."
The young man lowered his eyes, cupped his hands, and accepted the order: "Yes."
Is today's update early?
Hehe (#^.^#)
Please give me another recommendation vote! And could you please give a heart to the character Tang Mei? (`) Sending love!
P.S.: By the way, if anyone has a book list, please add it to your list. After it's listed, there should be a new book splash screen that requires unlocking or something.
(End of this chapter)
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