latelenovela Chapter 40 Unethical Trade-in
Chapter 40 Unethical Trade-in
The Wen family was extremely anxious and eager for news.
While other families were gradually returning home, their family members were still nowhere to be seen.
Some prisoners returned with their hands full of loot, but their bodies were also covered in wounds.
Of course, some also lamented that they returned empty-handed.
Anticipating that with more people than supplies, arguments were bound to lead to unexpected incidents.
I guessed they would go a little further and come back later, so it was understandable.
Various worries constantly troubled the elderly and young who stayed behind.
Gradually, those who had been gathering firewood from the surrounding area returned, as did those who had been gathering wild vegetables.
Some prisoners have even started cooking and slaughtering chickens and rabbits at home.
The Wen family members were still nowhere to be found.
Wen Qilin, who stayed behind, saw his parents looking around constantly and knew they were worried about Dalang and the others.
A huge wave of guilt welled up in his heart, "Father, Mother, it's all because your son is useless, causing you all to suffer."
Leaning against the wall, Wen Qiyuan was pale and his hands and feet were trembling. "Father, Mother, your son is unfilial and has dragged you down."
Wen Yuanqian, the grandfather of the Wen family, reached out and patted the two men on the shoulders.
"Don't overthink it. It's a blessing that the family is together. You should focus on recovering. The children are grown up and can take on responsibilities."
Grandmother Mu Huashan also came over to comfort the two brothers, saying, "Listen to your father, focus on recovering from your injuries, and don't worry about anything else. No matter how difficult this is for our family, we can get through it."
The elderly couple and the two brothers spoke in hushed tones, each saying a sentence.
I don't know what they were talking about, but they kept glancing at the child and Mr. Zhou beside the child.
Master Zhou is now a true king of children; when his family goes out to find food, they leave their children in his care.
The children were well-behaved and didn't cry or make a fuss when they were with him.
As darkness fell further, the Wen family's small team returned with a considerable amount of firewood and wild vegetables.
The sisters-in-law and aunts-in-law didn't sit idle after they returned; they set up a fire and a stove to boil water and cook wild vegetable soup.
Everyone worked together, and soon the fragrant aroma of wild vegetable soup wafted out.
Although there was no aroma of meat, the children ate with great relish, truly at an age where they knew no sorrow.
When only a sliver of light remained on the horizon.
A few figures at the end of the road caught everyone's attention.
Wenqing called out in her childish voice, "Sister, sister is back."
The little girl only had eyes for Wenwen; as for everyone else, she acted as if she didn't know them at all.
As dusk approached, Wen Chengbin's ostentatious demeanor went unnoticed by the crowd.
However, this did not dampen his enthusiasm for sharing.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the group walked towards their own circle, having reaped a bountiful harvest.
Only when they stood before their family did the Wen family members finally feel relieved.
They surrounded them, asking questions.
"Come here, let me see if you're hurt. If you're hurt anywhere, don't hide it."
"Third brother, what are you carrying on your back? It's quite heavy."
"Big Brother, why did you bring back such a big pile of tree branches?"
"Second brother, what are you carrying on your back? Why is there a flower wreath? It's just that the craftsmanship is so bad that it's a bit ugly."
"What do you know? I have a story to tell, let me explain."
Whenever someone notices this special wreath, Wen Chengbin's passion for storytelling is awakened.
At that moment, he really started telling his family stories about the woods.
Wenwen put down what she was carrying and followed her third uncle and eldest brother to find her grandparents.
My grandparents were with my father and second uncle.
They vaguely discussed the various gains they had made in the woods, and then proposed the idea of exchanging items.
Wen Qikang asked somewhat uncertainly, "Father, do you think this is feasible?"
Wen Yuanqian and his wife exchanged glances, pondered for a few moments, and then turned to ask Wen Qilin beside them.
"Boss, what do you think?"
Wen Qilin frowned and glanced at the soldiers and yamen runners who were eating and drinking loudly in the distance.
He whispered, "Third brother, you and Wen'er go. Wen'er, go ask your mother for some money, and you two decide what to do. Eldest brother, stay here."
The two obeyed the instructions and turned to prepare.
Wen Qikang was carrying two pheasants in each hand, while Wenwen was holding a rabbit.
Under the watchful eyes of the nearby prisoners and their families, he walked straight toward the constables.
They stopped not far from where the constables were gathered.
A constable who was eating and drinking saw the two people not far away and shouted at them.
"Stop, what are you doing?"
Wen Qilin put down the pheasant, bowed, and said, "Sir, we caught some wild game and would like to exchange it for some coarse rice. I wonder if you would allow that?"
The constable swallowed his food, picked his teeth, and sneered, "Oh ho, meat for brown rice, allowed! How do you want to exchange it?"
Wen Qikang straightened up, "I will obey your orders, sir."
"That's a good feeling."
The constable stared at the pheasants and shouted behind him, "Wang Gui, Wang Gui, bring over 5 jin of coarse rice, no, 8 jin, weigh 8 jin."
The constable said earnestly, "According to the current market price, these wild game are only worth 5 catties of brown rice. Lord Zhu is kind-hearted and instructed long ago that our brown rice will not be increased in price and will still be exchanged for everyone at the purchase price."
Wen Qikang remained expressionless. "Thank you very much, sir."
Wenwen was already cursing inwardly. She'd seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless, constantly trying to embellish their own image. This kind of exchange was more than ten times the current market price.
Wenwen admired how vividly they portrayed greed, and although she felt resentful, she was powerless to do anything about it.
The greedy face of the bailiff was so offensive that she had to turn her gaze to the left.
A chipped earthenware pot in the corner caught her attention, and an idea suddenly came to her.
Wenwen pointed to the left corner, "Sir, could you sell that earthenware pot over there to my family if you don't need it anymore?"
The constable let out a burp. "Well, we're not in a rush to use that jar, but it's still usable. If you want it, take it for ten taels of silver."
Wenwen's mind was in turmoil. She swallowed hard, her face contorted with frustration. "My lord, this... this... I think I'd better not take it."
"No, please. Here, I can give you a small packet of barbecue seasoning. Here, take it."
The constable was really afraid that the deal for ten taels of silver would fall through, so he hurriedly ordered, "Wang Gui, give them this earthenware pot and the seasoning packet."
Wenwen watched as Wang Gui came over carrying the earthenware pot and brown rice, put it down, and arrogantly spread his hands at him.
"I also have a packet of fine salt here, 10 taels a packet, you can buy it too."
Wenwen looked up.
Wang Gui, right? He has droopy eyebrows, a pockmarked face, a pointed mouth and monkey cheeks, and a skinny body. He's poor in every way.
What kind of nonsense is this? Forced buying and selling!
This is utterly lawless and outrageous! They're making a big deal out of nothing!
buy!
Bite your teeth and buy it!
Anyway, it's the Luo family's money that's being spent.
The space was filled with silver coins; could that possibly bankrupt her? No way.
Wenwen pretended to take out some money from her sleeve and put down 20 taels of silver.
"Sir, please take this. I'll buy the salt bag as well."
"Hey hey hey."
Wang Gui took the silver coins and went back humming a tune to boast about his achievement.
Wenwen took a deep breath and walked back with her third uncle, carrying their things.
"Wen'er, don't be angry. People who do such things usually don't have a good ending. Petty people who do many evil deeds will surely perish."
"Third Uncle, I know, I'm not angry. Let's run back quickly and eat roasted rabbit."