Chapter 136 Who would marry a used woman?
Yao Shisan found an inn near the dock.
Before entering, she turned around and stopped Zhou Congxian, who had been following behind her.
Lord Zhou has finally gone out once in a while; is he here to be my lackey?
Zhou Congxian's gaze shifted from the shipyard not far behind her to her. "Isn't it because we're short of money and want to make some?"
"Zhao Tieniu was poor and had no special skills."
Yao Shisan was too lazy to argue with him. "What are you up to now? Just don't drag me into it."
"Am I really that untrustworthy...?"
His lips trembled.
She glanced at him. "If you can't even show your true face, what trust is there to speak of?"
Zhou Congxian wanted to say that she hadn't shown her true self either...
But he doesn't dare to bring it up now.
The inns near the pier were in high demand, with only two rooms, C and D, remaining.
Room C was small and cramped, and it didn't even have windows.
The Dingfang was a large communal room, with a row of neatly arranged beds that could squeeze in more than a dozen people.
With no other options, they booked two rooms in room C.
C is a row of houses in the backyard.
The cramped room could only fit a bed and a table; taking a bath was out of the question, so they could only use a small wooden basin filled with hot water to wipe themselves down.
Night was falling, and the dock was gradually quieting down.
There are also many restaurants and brothels nearby, and it's bustling with activity right now.
The faint sounds of string and wind instruments could also be heard.
I woke up the next morning.
Since the Bingfang Inn didn't have any dishes, Zhou Congxian bought some rice cakes and sesame cakes from outside.
There's not much noodles here, so he bought some when he saw them.
The taste is still not as good as the sesame seed cakes sold at street stalls in Beijing.
He knocked for a long time but no one answered the door.
The passing waiter said, "The customer in this room left early this morning."
Zhou Congxian looked at the two portions of pastries in his hand and sighed slightly.
He didn't spend a single penny on yesterday's wontons, the rent, or today's pastries.
Yao Shisan now calmly considers himself no different from anyone else.
They weren't even as close as Wei Xun; Wei Xun at least received a gift.
There are boat companies right next to the dock, offering rentals, sales, and trading services. They have a wide range of businesses and are very wealthy.
Yao Shisan arrived at the shipping company early in the morning.
People were coming and going in the shipping company. She grabbed one of the workers and asked, "Are there any old boats for sale now?"
She doesn't have enough money to buy a new boat, so she can only try her luck and see if she can find a decent old one.
The waiter pointed to the backyard, "Go to the backyard and find the second-in-command."
A large screen depicting butterflies playing with peonies separates the backyard.
Compared to the bustling front yard, the back yard is much quieter.
The backyard is mostly occupied by large businesses, so it's quiet with fewer people around.
She had just walked around the screen when she saw a wealthy merchant with a large belly come out with a servant carrying a wooden box.
In the middle of the small courtyard, there was even a patch of very rare peonies.
She had seen one in the Zhao family's garden, where a maidservant was specifically assigned to water it, protecting it from rain and sun.
However, this flower only bloomed once and never bloomed again. It was later abandoned in the backyard.
The maid from the boat company came out after tidying up the tea set, curtsied, and said, "Please wait a moment, madam. Master Rong is currently receiving guests."
Yao Shisan could only continue to wait.
The window of the reception room was half open, and the faint sound of voices could be heard, but it wasn't clear.
"Yan girl, what are you planning to do now?"
The second-in-command of the shipping company was a burly man, yet extremely refined.
He personally arranged everything from the peonies in the courtyard to the table and chairs in the reception room, as well as the calligraphy, paintings, and tea sets.
If it weren't for the boats passing by, one might mistake this place for the study of some scholar or poet.
Wang Lingyan glanced at the figure outside the window. The figure had ruined her plans on the ship the day before yesterday and now wanted to do business in the shipping company.
"Uncle Rong, I've taken a liking to someone and would like to ask for your help."
Uncle Rong said, "What's the big deal? Who have you taken a fancy to? I'll have someone call them over."
Wang Lingyan recalled the fleeting glimpse she had taken on the ship the day before: a face with delicate features and a pair of dark eyes as clear as a cold spring.
Even if he vomits messily, it doesn't diminish his handsomeness in the slightest.
He was truly an unforgettable man.
“A man named Zhao Tieniu, from Dengzhou, who had no father or mother.”
"Zhao... Zhao Tieniu??"
Master Rong never expected that his usually picky eldest niece would actually fall for a farmer.
Wang Lingyan sighed, "Such a handsome person has such an unpleasant name."
"Once he puts on the fine clothes I've prepared and dresses him up nicely, no one in Ling Pavilion can compare."
Master Rong also became interested, "Yan'er's evaluation is so high, she must be no ordinary person."
Wang Lingyan raised her chin slightly and gestured towards the outside, "As long as we catch that woman outside and leave some clues, people will naturally take the bait."
Following her gaze, Master Rong looked out the window and could only see half of her profile.
His eyes flashed, "If we're going to catch them, we'll catch both of them."
Wang Lingyan interrupted him, "She won't do. She's from Yuzhou. She's too close. Be careful not to get into trouble."
“Yuzhou is about to open its shipping route. She must be here to do business in merchant ships. The person who gets the first bite of the pie must have someone behind them.”
Rong Ye raised an eyebrow and looked at Wang Lingyan, "Aren't you afraid of getting covered in dirt with that Zhao Tieniu?"
She smiled slightly. "Without parents, even if I work for someone important, I'm still just a servant."
"I'll leave this matter to Uncle Rong. This man should know some martial arts."
Yao Shisan waited for more than half an hour before he finally got to see the manager.
“This lady has been waiting for a long time.” Master Rong stood up and then called someone to bring up a new set of teacups.
Yao Shisan: "The boat is busy, it's alright."
Master Rong gestured for her to have some tea. “This is snow tea, which is different from ordinary spring tea. My niece loves it very much. She took the two catties that we managed to collect, and there’s still some left. This lady, please have a taste.”
The tea liquor of the snow tea is extremely clear, and its light color makes it seem as if it has been brewed many times, but in fact, the tea aroma is rich.
"Snow tea is a rare treat, and I am fortunate to be able to enjoy it on the boat today."
Snow tea is rare, but it's not exactly a rarity in the British Duke's mansion.
Master Rong observed without making a sound.
His clothes weren't particularly striking, but he moved with composure and ease.
Even though it was their first meeting, he showed no embarrassment whatsoever.
He spoke first, "This lady looks unfamiliar. What brings you to the shipping company?"
Yao Shisan: "The shipping company rents and sells boats. I'd like to ask if they have any used boats for sale?"
Master Rong nodded, "Of course there are. There are two boats docked at the pier right now, ready to be sold. If you have time, you can go and take a look now."
"Sure, I'm free!"
There are two docks. One is for loading and unloading goods. There are many goods and people, and many small vendors have sprung up around it.
At another dock, there were empty boats, either for rent or for sale.
There's a small path right at the back of the ship's gate that leads directly there.
No sooner had Yao Shisan left through the back door than Zhou Congxian arrived at the boat shop.
"Hey, Master Rong has gone to check on the boats with his men. Please come back this afternoon."
Zhou Congxian glanced at the meticulously decorated shipyard, then walked out of it.
Chuzhou is located at the confluence of several rivers, so shipping was well-developed there.
If the shipwrights are exceptionally skilled, they might even possess ships that have been salvaged from the Jianzhou navy.
The materials used in the ships produced by the shipping company are superior to those used by civilians. With a few modifications, they can become excellent ships for long voyages.
It would be wonderful to have a ship like that.
At another dock where ships were moored, no one was allowed to approach without a guide.
Wang Lingyan walked out from the other side of the boat shop and immediately recognized "Zhao Tieniu's" back.
A slight smile played on her lips. "Since you've come to me of your own accord, it means we're destined to be together."
She raised her hand and waved, and some people followed.
This was the first time Yao Shisan had ever seen so many ships.
They have both big and small ones.
This shipping company probably has no ships they can't get their hands on.
"Master, are you selling all of these?"
Master Rong chuckled. "No, only the first few ships are."
Yao Shisan looked at all the boats, then got off and pointed to the medium-sized boat in the middle, asking, "How much is this boat?"
Master Rong, “Six thousand strings of cash.”
"Where is that big ship?"
"Twelve thousand strings of cash."
She shook her head. "The prices are all too high."
"The price is negotiable. This way, please, Madam Yao."
Master Rong led her back, saying, "Don't underestimate this small boat. It's made of high-quality materials and can carry 380 shi of grain."
"That large ship can carry both cargo and passengers, unlike cargo ships which have idle periods."
Yao Shisan pondered in his mind.
Ships require regular maintenance, as well as boatmen and the ship itself.
A boat carrying 380 shi of grain, making two round trips a month, wouldn't earn back the cost of the boat even in ten years.
If it were three thousand strings of cash, she would buy it.
She walked all the way to the shipyard and stopped in front of the reception room. "What's the lowest price the owner can offer for this ship?"
Master Rong said, "Since that's the case, give Madam Yao a low price."
"The lowest price is five thousand six."
Yao Shisan shook his head, "Even a new ship is too expensive."
Master Rong smiled but did not offer any explanation.
"Madam Yao may consider it."
Yao Shisan is gone.
The servant who had been following Master Rong said, "Second Master, isn't this ship supposed to cost 3,600 strings of cash? Won't such a high price scare them away?"
"Master Rong said, 'A higher price will buy us more time. My niece has finally asked for this, so as her uncle, I have to make sure it looks nice for her.'"
"Have someone follow us and see where we're staying. Be careful not to get caught."
"yes."
Yao Shisan returned to the inn, but Zhou Congxian, who lived in the next room, was not there; he must have gone to take care of his business.
She felt that the price of the boat was still negotiable.
Should we ask Zhou Congxian to help her pretend to be a boat owner and go again tomorrow?
She waited all day, but Zhou Congxian didn't come back.
The next day, she glanced at the neighbor's house.
The note she left under the door is still there, indicating that she did not return home all night.
Never mind, she should go by herself.
We can negotiate the price slowly.
She bargained down the price to three thousand, half off immediately. Unlike the trinkets sold at the stalls, I wonder if she'll be thrown out...
As Yao Shisan was having breakfast across from the shipping company, a luxurious carriage stopped in front of the company.
She casually turned her head and glanced at it.
Isn't this the girl who saw Zhou Congxian on the boat?
The boatmen greeted them with utmost respect.
As soon as the girl stepped off the carriage, a fast horse galloped to the entrance of the shipyard, and the rider said something.
Yao Shisan noticed that the girl's expression had turned sour, so he turned back to the carriage.
In less than a moment, the carriage that had come in haste was gone again.
That was the young lady of the shipping company. The entire shipping company will belong to her in the future. I wonder which lucky young man will be able to marry her.
The people in the shop only started whispering among themselves after the carriage had left.
Someone scoffed, "A used woman, who would marry her? You want her?"
The man clicked his tongue. "What are women? Having real money in your hands is what matters most."
"Even if mountains of gold and silver were laid out before you, you would still serve them with a smile, let alone a worn-out woman or an ugly woman."
"Exactly!" someone echoed. "If you have money, you can keep ten or eight mistresses on the side!"
Yao Shisan rolled his eyes at the men who were lost in their fantasies.
"A bunch of worthless junk."
"You're dreaming."
"unlucky!"
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