"Your Honor, may your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, your lifespan as long as the heavens, your luck unending, and may you be blessed with a son!"
Such was the torrent of auspicious sayings.
Every good omen imaginable was flung forth.
However, Cheng Hao was not someone who could be appeased with mere words; he judged people.
What others said held no sway.
As long as Su Miaomiao spoke, he was willing to give her anything.
If she asked for the stars, he would not give the moon.
Provided it did not harm herself, he would agree to anything.
As for these youngsters, young in age but sly, he naturally would not fall for their tricks. He quickly stopped them, saying, "I cannot accept such wishes."
The cunning children immediately changed their tune, huffing and puffing, calling him stingy, a miser, and lamenting their wasted efforts.
Su Miaomiao found it amusing. She retorted, "He was kind enough to guide us, and you, with just a few glib words, expect to extort money from us?!"
The children did not argue with her, their faces sour. They squatted by their shop entrance and resumed waiting for customers, eager to snatch them away.
Cheng Hao, holding her hand, gestured for her to follow him. "Don't argue with them."
A group of children shaped by the times; their opportunism was normal.
In this era, merely surviving was difficult, so naturally, everyone focused on wealth.
Even these children understood this.
If they couldn't extract money from you, they would curse a bit and then leave.
They were clear about their own calculations.
Lingering and pestering you further would only cost them their breath, so they wouldn't say more. They would have plenty of opportunities to speak when trying to attract other customers.
Su Miaomiao clicked her tongue. "Today, my eyes have truly been opened."
Cheng Hao didn't take it too much to heart. His own funds were limited and could not be spent infinitely; naturally, they should be spent on what mattered.
The child who gave directions was kind-hearted and hadn't originally intended to ask for money.
It was for this small act of kindness that Cheng Hao was willing to offer them a reward. As for the other children, given their earlier behavior, they were naturally not worth paying.
He would only reciprocate those who had helped him.
Those who merely spoke pleasantries with their mouths were not within his consideration.
Su Miaomiao agreed. The money was theirs to spend as they wished. Giving it to those little brats would have been a waste!
Following the directions of those few children, they successfully found Ma Sanniang's Human Brokerage. A few children were also attending to customers inside.
Cheng Hao led Su Miaomiao across the old threshold and into the shop.
Inside, a counter was set up, with several long benches in front for people to sit and wait. Inquirers asked questions at the counter, and those who needed something were led away by specialized children. So, they even provided directions?
Su Miaomiao and Cheng Hao found a spot to sit and wait. A young attendant quickly brought them a numbered wooden token. They even had a queuing system; it was surprisingly convenient and efficient.
Likely, because of its reputation.
Those who came to see Ma Sanniang trusted her, so there was no dawdling. They would state their purpose—whether buying servants, livestock, or vehicles, or renting property—and then be asked if they wished to go by themselves or with an attendant from the shop.
The number of people choosing to go independently and those who requested an attendant was about fifty-fifty.
Cheng Hao had already struck up a rapport with those nearby, chatting with them in a few sentences. He appeared cold, but if he truly intended to get acquainted or extract information, his skills were remarkable. Soon, both parties were engaged in lively conversation.
"I never imagined these children, though young, would be so capable," Cheng Hao remarked.
The man beside him nodded in agreement. "Indeed. These children are all trained by Ma Sanniang. If you don't trust yourself to pick out goods, find them to accompany you. Don't let their age fool you; they are incredibly experienced. Whether you're choosing horses or other livestock, or assessing the feng shui of a house, these children are highly competent!"
Cheng Hao's horizons were broadened by this. It was true what they said: a place nurtures its people. These children, growing up in such an environment, were influenced by their surroundings and, with Ma Sanniang's guidance, naturally possessed certain skills.
Soon, the man beside him was called away. He intended to buy an old ox for plowing. It was said that Quezhou City, to prevent rapid depletion of grain and ensure sustenance for its populace, had specially designated a large plot of land in the southern part of the city for those willing to undertake reclamation.
For the first three years, no grain tax would be collected. Whatever they grew could be kept for their own consumption. If they had surplus, the city would purchase it at a good price. This had enticed many people. After registering with the yamen, they went to reclaim the land. This man was one of them.
Being newcomers,
they were curious about everything here and needed more information.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao seized every opportunity to inquire with those around them.
Therefore,
Cheng Hao once again learned this important piece of news. He mused, "Hearing this, Quezhou City truly seems excellent. They are making long-term plans. If the surrounding farmlands are reclaimed, there will be future yields, which can alleviate the city's grain consumption pressure."
It was indeed a clever plan.
Su Miaomiao also said, "Exactly. If there's land available for reclamation there, with so many of us, we could also go and grow some things to eat ourselves!"
The Cheng family caravan and the Jin family caravan might not know how to farm, but for the people of Shan'ao Village, it was their old trade. They were perfectly capable, and it would give them something to do to support themselves.
An additional income.
Cheng Hao, however, had other ideas. He shook his head and said, "It's not that I look down on farming. Although grain is scarce and prices are high now, this method is only suitable for the people of Shan'ao Village. If our caravan people were to do it, they'd collapse from exhaustion after a few days. It's not that our caravan people are currently frail; they are strong, but they haven't done much farm work. They might not be able to handle it."
Moreover, the income would be slow.
He planned to devise a good method for his caravan members and the people of Shan'ao Village to earn money, a quick profit, to put more in their pockets, allowing them to purchase some grain and feel more secure.
"The main thing is, we don't know how long we'll be staying here. If we see that things are not right and we have to withdraw, planting crops and reclaiming land is not something that can be done in a day or two. If we have to leave, wouldn't it all be in vain?"
Su Miaomiao's mind also turned. "Yes, you've thought it through thoroughly!"
The more she pondered, the more she felt her childhood friend was quite thoughtful!
Cheng Hao smiled and tapped her little head. "I have to be thoughtful. There are many people below waiting for us to lead the way. The pressure is indeed there."
Su Miaomiao teased him, feigning surprise and imitating the exaggerated way servants like Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi would praise, saying, "Oh? So, our peerless young master also feels pressure?"