NABC Chapter 52 Village Trade
Chapter 52 Village Trade
The crowd made a ruckus for a while, and more and more people gathered. Finally, the county magistrate came and made the villagers disperse.
"Everyone, please go about your business. Arguing here won't confirm the facts. These two friends have already described the location of the battlefield. I will send someone to take a look later, and then we will know the details."
The magistrate said this, and then added, "You two friends have come from afar and brought quite a lot of things, such as weapons. I have had them all displayed in the courtyard of the yamen. The other things are still with you two friends."
If anyone wants to buy or exchange anything, they can go to the government office or talk to them.
After saying this, someone immediately came to find Lin Xiu and Yao Rongrong, asking if they would sell the mule.
Lin Xiu didn't call him "Brother Donkey," but the villagers, just like Yao Rongrong, treated him like a mule.
Brother Donkey was pleased with the complimenting name "Mule," but he was unhappy that the villagers wanted to buy it. With a flick of his head, his mane almost hit one of the villagers. He glanced at the man with disdain and then spit out a string of saliva.
Lin Xiu quickly grabbed the donkey and finally uttered his first words since arriving here: "Sorry, not for sale."
The villagers didn't seem to mind, glancing at the donkey several times with lingering reluctance: "Never mind then, haha, this mule has quite the temper!"
After that, other villagers came over one after another, asking Lin Xiu and Yao Rongrong what they had.
Yao Rongrong took out some clothes and a pair of shoes, exchanged them for some dry food, and someone else went to the courtyard of the yamen and then came back with the long-handled axe, exchanging it with the two of them for some peaches.
The two were surprised to find that peaches were grown here. Having not eaten fruit for a long time, it was a great thing to be able to get some to supplement their diet.
The courtyard at the end of the village was indeed the newly built yamen (government office) – the residence and office of the county magistrate.
The villagers and the old magistrate kept their promise and laid out all the weapons in the courtyard of the yamen for people to choose from and trade with Lin Xiu and Yao Rongrong.
Lin Xiu and Yao Rongrong breathed a sigh of relief, both thinking that this magistrate was indeed quite capable, managing the village in an orderly and reassuring manner. His good reputation back then seemed well-deserved.
Afterwards, people came to the courtyard of the yamen to see what was happening. The magistrate, Lin Xiu, and Yao Rongrong bid farewell and returned to the yamen.
After the villagers finished looking, they brought out some things and exchanged them with Lin Xiu and Yao Rongrong. The two of them mostly exchanged food, and didn't ask for much else.
The village grows crops, and according to them, after the village settled down, the county magistrate has been sending people to search for supplies in the surrounding villages and Yanhe County. Now they have brought back a lot of food, and the village has a good surplus of grain.
Therefore, in terms of grain, there is no worry about exchanging it with Lin Xiu and Yao Rongrong.
Some villagers had their eyes on the iron pot and shovel and wanted to trade them, but before Lin Xiu could speak, Yao Rongrong hurriedly refused.
Yao Rongrong treasured these two tools of the trade even more than Lin Xiu did.
In addition, a scholar-looking man also took a liking to the book "General Compendium of Maps of the World" and wanted to buy it, but Lin Xiu refused.
Afterwards, whether he and Yao Rongrong left the village together or they parted ways and Yao Rongrong set off alone, this map would be of great use, so how could he easily give it to someone else?
The scholar was somewhat disappointed and asked, "Do you two have any other books? If you have any supernatural tales or vernacular stories, that would be even better."
I often tell stories in the village to earn some extra money, but I've told all the stories I know too many times, and the villagers don't like listening to them anymore.
The men that Magistrate Xu sent went to Yanhe County and brought back books for his own study. Yesterday, a scholar came here with a chest full of books on scholarship, which are of little use!
Alas, in this world, the imperial court is gone, what's the use of reading those books? The imperial examinations? Where can one even take them?
Magistrate Xu is admirable in every other aspect, but in this one instance, he's gone too far!
Upon hearing the scholar's words, Yao Rongrong couldn't help but steal a glance at Lin Xiu.
Lin Xiu, who usually plays the role of a dullard, has now put himself in a difficult position and is not good at speaking freely.
Lin Xiu noticed Yao Rongrong's gaze and gestured with his eyes, indicating that Yao Rongrong should handle it.
Yao Rongrong understood immediately, but still looked timid: "Sir...do you have paper and pen?"
My brother wasn't good with words, but... he loved writing storybooks. His storybooks were very interesting, and many people used to love reading them.
But...but...a great disaster struck, and none of those storybook manuscripts could be brought out. Those who read my brother's stories are now all dead...
Lin Xiu discovered that Yao Rongrong's seemingly weak and delicate appearance had become a formidable weapon.
Her words and gestures, combined with her already beautiful figure and appearance, made her seem pitiful and endearing. When others traded supplies with her, they couldn't help but give her a little more.
That's a real skill!
Lin Xiu was full of admiration.
The scholar's eyes lit up, and he said, "Yes! Yes! I don't have any, but Magistrate Xu has some! I'll go find Magistrate Xu now to exchange them, you all wait here!"
Would you two like to stay in the village temporarily, or perhaps simply stay here?
In these chaotic times, Lijiaji is like a paradise, and there is no better place than this!
I still can't figure out why that scholar refused to stay yesterday and insisted on leaving to travel and study.
"Now the world is full of living dead, the imperial court is gone, what's the point of studying abroad? Aren't you afraid of dying on the road one day!"
Lin Xiu turned to look at Yao Rongrong, who blinked and asked nervously, "Can I stay?"
Now, without the scholar even needing to speak, many people around started chattering amongst themselves:
"Yes, yes!"
"There are still houses in our village that are uninhabited!"
"Exactly! It's so much better to stay in the village. The world is so chaotic; it's too dangerous to keep running around!"
Lin Xiu understood perfectly well that this was all thanks to Yao Rongrong's pitiful performance.
Every move she makes, every smile she gives, is so endearing that it makes people want to get close to her and help her.
Of course, the premise for the performance to be effective is that Yao Rongrong herself is beautiful enough.
If she herself is not good-looking, the effect will definitely be greatly reduced.
Then Lin Xiu felt that he had also contributed, and although he didn't say anything, his honest and simple demeanor was well-acted.
Moreover, his own image was not bad, and he did not hold Yao back.
We're really pretty good!
Lin Xiu was certain of this.
The scholar took off running towards the yamen, turning back as he ran to say, "I'll go find Magistrate Xu to get some paper and pens, and by the way, tell him about the two of you staying behind, and ask Magistrate Xu for his approval."
"Li Laoshi, could you please take them to their lodgings quickly? I'll be there in a bit."