The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

As soon as Xu Mazi left, Manager Wang immediately turned around and went to see his master.

Huang Wendong was a notorious salt merchant in Yangzhou City. Unlike the Feng family, the Huang family got rich late.

At that time, there were already many salt merchants in Yangzhou. Huang Wendong's grandfather was a reckless man who ran around in the world. He relied on his fierceness to grab some business at that time.

When the Huang family passed down to Huang Wendong's generation, their family became one of the few brave and ruthless families among Yangzhou salt merchants.

Such a person, when he hears that Xu Mazi offers ten thousand taels and his manager repays six thousand taels.

Monkey King, come here. Huang Wendong waved to Manager Wang.

Just as Manager Wang walked up to the master, a cup of still warm tea had already been poured into his face.

Huang Wendong cursed: Damn it, that Xu Mazi is a fool, are you too? Is a skinny horse worth six thousand taels?

Come on, tell me. Huang Wendong kicked Manager Wang twice more, How much did I spend on the skinny horse I bought last time?

Manager Wang was kicked in pain for a while, but he didn't dare to bite his mouth. He suppressed the pain in his body and bared his teeth and said, Two thousand taels.

You know it too, Shacai. Huang Wendong sat back on the chair angrily. He was already fat and strong. He only moved a few times and started to pant. Tell me, why does she It’s worth six thousand taels.”

Manager Wang grinned and said to the master, Master, she is really worth it!

Huang Wendong's face froze, he looked at Manager Wang up and down, and then asked suspiciously: Is it really so good-looking?

Really, sir, she is a first-class beauty. Manager Wang nodded desperately.

He was afraid that he would be kicked a few times if he spoke too late, so he quickly opened his mouth to describe the girl's appearance.

Huang Wendong felt itchy after hearing this. He didn't ask until the other party finished speaking, Then you let him take the person back like this?

Master, don't worry. Manager Wang quickly replied, The first time I offered him a price of six thousand taels, he has to go out and look for it at this price. I'm sure no one will buy it. In the end, he still has to come back to us.

Huang Wendong suddenly realized that his originally fierce face suddenly relaxed, and a few ounces of flesh on his face showed a smile, and he pointed at him, I wrongly blamed you, Changgui, it's true that you have the appearance of a monkey.

It's all my master's teachings. Manager Wang said modestly.

Okay, I'll give you two... no, I'll give you three thousand taels. Huang Wendong, who was searching for money, was rarely generous. After saying this, he waved his hand and leaned back comfortably on the chair, longing for the girl he had not yet obtained. No matter what method you use, bring that girl to me.

Yes. Seeing the master pick up the tea cup again, Manager Wang quickly turned around and retreated.

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In the next four or five days, Xu Mazi visited three or four salt merchants. The price obtained was indeed similar to what Manager Wang expected. Either two thousand taels, or three thousand taels. Far less than the six thousand taels the Huang family said at the beginning.

Xu Mazi was a 'horse dealer' who had become a monk on the way. He used to hang out in brothels and saw courtesans redeemed for thousands or tens of thousands of taels.

When he saw that those courtesans were not as good as the girls in his hands, he became greedy.

But Xu Rui never thought that the so-called oirans were all famous in the south of the Yangtze River.

To put it bluntly, in the past, the wealthy businessmen who lined up to see them had to spend dozens of taels of silver first.

Like the girl in his hands, she is neither famous nor talented.

Xu Mazi only raised people in a muddle-headed manner, but never cared about poetry, calligraphy and painting, so naturally they could not be sold at a high price.

The brothers who left a salt merchant in frustration and followed Xu Mazi around for a few days began to have opinions.

Brother, do you want to continue searching like this?

Everyone is following you to live a good life. This day-to-day effort is in vain, and there are only a few people who can stand it.

Xu Mazi also knew that it was not good to embarrass his brother. After thinking about it, he said: Let's go back to Manchun Yuan for two days and then take the brothers to Huang's house to earn the six thousand taels.

When everyone heard this, their expressions immediately changed. They all said 'good brother', making Xu Mazi proud.

A group of people surrounded the girl and went straight to Manchun Courtyard in Fishing Lane.

Xu Mazi had a good relationship with the Turtle Gong in this place. As soon as they met, he immediately ordered a few hot dishes and added a sentence to keep accounts.

Turtle Gong knew that Xu Mazi had recently made a big deal and it was time for him to spend a lot of money. He wished he could spend more money in the gold selling cave.

The old madam on the side ushered the girl into her room. Knowing that the girl had not eaten all day, she quickly ordered the kitchen to bring some food.

Manchunyuan is a two-story building in the shape of a Hui with dozens of rooms inside. The lower part is a brothel and the upper part is a brothel.

On the second floor of the brothel, there is a private passage that leads directly to the river in the city.

Usually when they meet some elegant guests who don't want to show up, a small boat will take them to the small pier, and then go up to the second floor along the path to meet the top girl of Manchunyuan.

The madam serves these girls during the day when the courtesan rests. Now that she was free, she came specially to accompany the crying girl.

Hey. People have a compassionate heart. Even the madam who is used to the beauty of romance couldn't help but sigh when she saw the beauty I felt pity for. Good boy, eat something. Only when you are full can you live.

It's your fault, it's your cruel parents. The madam pushed the food in front of the girl, If they were more careful and kept you under tighter custody, why would you have been abducted and brought here? Suffer.”

As long as you remember a name and a place, my mother will grit her teeth and be willing to go and help you out to save you from the sea of ​​misery. The madam stretched out her hand and stroked the girl's smooth skin, But you only remember that your surname is Zhen. , how can mom help you?

The girl didn't say a word, she just picked up the chopsticks silently and picked up the rice one bite at a time. Glittering teardrops fell into the bowl, and I didn't know what it tasted like when mixed with rice grains.

I heard what Xu Mazi said before. He took you to the Huang family, Chen family, and Zhang family. Good girl, you must never go to the Huang family. The girls who go in will not look like people when they come out. They are not crazy. If it’s gone, it’s disabled.”

Listen to my mother's advice. This is the only home you can live in. If you go in, you can survive while holding your breath. If you please the master, he may be willing to help you find your family.

The reason why you are safe and sound until now is because Xu Mazi wants to sell you for money and make a huge fortune. You are a beauty with a bad temper, and you have a gentle temper. If you don't fight for it now, you will have to be bullied for the rest of your life.

Good child, think about what your mother said. Don't think that anyone can come to save you. Being born in this world and coming to this place is a great misfortune for our daughter's family. Things like heroes saving beauties are all in dramas. If you listen to what is written to deceive people, you will be the greatest fool in the world.

After the madam left, the girl surnamed Zhen regained some vitality in her eyes. She put down her chopsticks, silently wiped away her tears, and couldn't help but clasp her hands.

She spoke too softly, and she had to get closer to hear the other person's mumbling.

Amitabha, gods and Buddhas all over the sky, please bless my father and mother with good health and long life.

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What?! Manager Wang, didn't you say six thousand taels last time? Why did you change it to two thousand taels this time!!

Xu Mazi jumped up from his position. He was shocked and angry. He never expected that the other party could change his mind.

Manager Wang's attitude was much kinder this time, and the smile on his face did not diminish. He only poured tea for the other party and said: Brother Xu, you don't know. The master's life is not easy now.

The censor surnamed Lin comes here from time to time to ask for a few thousand taels, and sometimes he asks for ten or twenty thousand taels. He has the support of the prefect behind him, and we salt merchants also take it. He can't help it.

Not even two thousand taels. Xu Mazi shook his head desperately, The Zhang family is willing to give me three thousand taels. Manager Wang, if you can't give me a higher price, I will have no choice but to sell him to them.

That's right. Steward Wang smiled and nodded, Then I'll give them a message to the steward, saying that our master has taken a fancy to this girl, and we hope they can sell her thin noodles.

It's true that a good evil person will have his own troubles. Xu Mazi did not expect that the other party would come forward. He pointed a finger at Steward Wang, Steward Wang, don't push people too much.

Wang Changgui looked at the jumping Mazi with a smile, Two thousand taels, brother Xu, you can go back and think about it slowly. I believe that there will be no one in Yangzhou who is more sincere than our master.

You...you...you...

His mouth was trembling for a long time, Xu Mazi couldn't say a word, and his face turned green and white with anger. Finally, with a cruel stamp of his feet, he ran out of Manager Wang's house.

When he returned to Manchunyuan and told his brothers about the matter, his good brothers all shouted.

How could such a wealthy family do something contrary to their word?

Brother, just say it. As long as you say something, my brother will go to Huang's house with you right now and catch that bastard manager and beat him up.

If I believe your drunken bullshit, my brain will be kicked by the ass.

Xu Mazi regarded his brother's words as farts. He knew that as long as he dared to say anything true, this group of people would be gone tonight.

Damn, why is it two thousand taels? Your grandfather spent almost a hundred taels of silver in Manchunyuan during this period. These two thousand taels are not enough for what.

How about running away with someone? ! An idea suddenly flashed through Xu Mazi's mind. Since Yangzhou couldn't be sold, it would be better to go to Jinling to find those Zixun nobles.

Dang, clang, clang, clang.

A bell ringing suddenly came from outside the building.

This is the small bell in the brothel. When it rings, it usually tells the guests that there is something important outside.

The group of people didn't know what was going on. They looked at each other in confusion and were about to discuss who should go out and have a look. The loud shouts of Mr. Turtle could be heard outside.

Dear guests, please move away. The officers and soldiers have blocked the street. The officers and soldiers of the government office have blocked the street at the entrance of the alley. Dear guests, please go home quickly. I'm afraid you won't be able to get out if you are late.

Is our family so lucky? Xu Mazi's eyes lit up, and his depressed mood immediately rose.

Today’s update has 8,000 words, so it’s not too much to ask for a vote. The Xiangling Line has also been laid and is starting to be finished.

Hahahahahaha, the stage is set and ready for a big show.