Chapter Ninety-Five: Brute Force

  The money in the middle of the person only felt a burst of bad air coming up, thinking of those fifty taels of silver, and there were several more blisters on his mouth. He sighed and said: "Little girl, it's not that I don't want your strawberries, but really, few people know about this thing. We bought 500 catties last time and lost a lot in the end." The money in the middle of the person cried with a sad face, saying wistful sighs, as if he really couldn't sell well and had lost a lot. But Zhen Er knew that the strawberries not only sold very well but also didn't lose a single penny of silver, including the reward money.

  "Little girl, if it's still that price, I really can't afford these strawberries... How about you lower the price a bit? Fifty cents per catty, and I'll take all of your remaining ones." Seeing Zhen'er looking unhappy, he hastily said: "If you don't sell these strawberries now, they'll rot. You can still make some extra money by selling them to me at my price, which is already the highest." That Yang shopkeeper really didn't know how to do business. Those strawberries were sold so well that even their reputation was established, but now nobody wants them anymore, and he could only find buyers who would pay seventy cents, causing him to lose a lot of silver.

  "If it's this price, then I won't sell," Zhen Er said firmly.

  The man drinking tea, Qian Zhongren, choked upon hearing this and shouted loudly: "Not selling? Then who do you want to sell to? You'd better think carefully, if I don't sign the deed of sale, no one will be able to sell those strawberries!" As soon as he finished speaking, two burly men appeared at the door, standing guard, and the room immediately darkened, looking quite intimidating.

  Zhen'er was actually not afraid of these, she had already entrusted Hu Zi to Pan Er's care, as long as Hu Zi was not here, no matter what the situation was, this person who had died once would not be afraid.

  "Hey, sir, please calm down. My sister doesn't know any better, don't be angry." Just as the atmosphere was becoming tense, a conciliatory voice rang out, and not just Zhen'er, even Qian Zhongren felt a sense of relief in his heart.

  Doing business is all about harmony and making money, they don't want things to escalate to the point of physical conflict, so when doing business, they usually find someone to act as a middleman. Firstly, to serve as a witness. Secondly, also to ease the atmosphere.

  Qian Zhongren picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and looked at him with a glance: "This little girl has many brothers, but this brother still has some vision."

  From the moment Qian Zhongren chased her out of the warehouse, Zhen'er knew he wasn't a straightforward person. Without mentioning the greed in his eyes, just the fact that he secretly looked for her showed how cunning he was. The events that followed confirmed her suspicions. She had originally thought it was risky to collude with Qian Zhongren, but unexpectedly, she got into even bigger trouble. If not for this little servant following her, she might not have gotten a good outcome from Qian Zhongren's hands.

  "This price is really low, can you add some more? These strawberries are good stuff. The price is too low, it's not worth saying. "The young man smiled and accompanied him, he usually walked in the big households and wasn't unfamiliar with such things, he already had experience dealing with all kinds of troublesome people."

  Miss Zhou's attention to this matter is absolutely no less than hers, Zhen'er knows that Miss Zhou must be looking for someone who can control the situation, so she doesn't say anything and leaves it all up to that little fellow to take charge, sitting comfortably on the side sipping tea.

  Qian Zhongren had been listening to the young man's flattering words, holding his pipe and not speaking. Until the young man had nothing more to say. He repeated himself over and over again, "Doing business is about give-and-take, isn't it? This price isn't suitable, we can discuss it, right?" Only then did he respond, "Young fellow, I've said all I need to say, and given you the price. It's your sister who isn't willing, she insists on one hundred coins per catty. Tell me, where else can you sell it for that price nowadays? Giving fifty coins is already very generous of me. If you agree, we'll sign the contract now. If not, then leave."

  He told them to leave, but that little fellow looked at the door and saw those two sturdy men blocking the way like two mountains. How could they get out?

  Qian Zhongren leisurely watched them, he had already learned that Zhen'er was an orphan with a younger brother, and they had just settled in Yushu Village for a short time. Except for Ye Dafu's family in the village, there were no particularly close relatives. However, outside, it was said that she was on good terms with Miss Zhou of the county government, but who would believe this? Would a young lady from a wealthy and influential family be friends with a country bumpkin like her?

  That young man took a glance at Zhen'er, saw her staring intently at the tea bowl, as if counting how many tea leaves were inside, and knew that she didn't care about anything anymore, everything had to be done by him alone.

  "We made a deal, but now your price is not suitable, my sister doesn't want to sell, and the business can't be done. You're not doing the right thing, as they say, 'no deal, no friendship'. The young servant was persuading him with a bitter tone, but Qian Zhongren was unmoved, having made up his mind that he wouldn't get those fifty taels of silver, and this time, no matter what, he would still have to peel off some silver from the strawberries."

  "Or I'll go back and discuss it with my sister, then come back and give you an answer." the young man said.

  Qian Zhongren smiled with the most benevolent smile, just like the one Zhen'er saw that day, which was very enchanting. He said: "That's right, you don't need to come tomorrow either. I'm going to help someone in your neighboring village look at a piece of paddy field. Why don't I go to your house instead? Still that thatched hut from last time?"

  That little fellow shook his head and said, "It's not there. My sister is now living with us. Tomorrow, please trouble Qian Zhongren to go to the Zhou Mansion at the entrance of Fugui Alley, where there are two large stone lions. We will give you a reply tomorrow."

  Qian Zhongren nodded his head, saying: "Alright, alright, I'll go to the Zhou Mansion in Fugui Alley tomorrow, the one with the lion at the entrance. I remember..." As he spoke, Qian Zhongren's voice almost disappeared, and he stared wide-eyed at Xiao'er and Zhen'er, as if it was unbelievable.

  That is the county magistrate's mansion!

  "In the presence of a mountain, one cannot recognize it. Let's just forget about this young man's tolerance." The crowd quickly came down from their seats and apologized to the young servant and Zhen'er without stopping. Zhen'er still didn't react, but the young servant smiled and humbly said: "No need, no need, Mr. Qian is being too polite. We are just discussing business here, what's this about recognizing a mountain or not?"

  The waist of the moneyed person bent even more, doing this line of work most taboo is offending people, who knows which chicken or dog will ascend to heaven that day? Pitifully, he caught so many birds over the years, but ended up getting pecked in the eye by a hawk.

  "I also think the price is too low, if the young lady and this young man have a better way out, I'd be happy to," Qian Zhongren said as he let someone prepare the four treasures of the study. "I'll write an abandonment of purchase document now, after which the buying and selling parties will have nothing to do with each other, and also let the young lady and young man put their minds at ease."

  Holding the documents, the young servant let out a sigh of relief, fortunately not disgracing himself, and completed the task entrusted to him by his mistress.

  Zhen Er felt a bit uncomfortable in her heart, this is what it means to have power, when you are strong and have the right, you won't be taken advantage of by others.