Chapter 157: Meeting Broker Deng Again
Wen Xiuyi let out a sigh. “Ai, daughter, you know how it was where we came from. We didn’t do this sort of thing back there. This is… against the law.”
Wen Yao was much more open-minded about it than Wen Xiuyi. “Dad, honestly, since we’ve come to this place, we ought to adapt to this era. Of course, I’m not saying human trafficking is right—based on our education, it’s definitely wrong—but here, it’s just a common, everyday occurrence.
Have you forgotten? In the original plot of the book, you sold both my brother and me. Two living, breathing people exchanged for a few taels of silver and a sheet of paper.”
Wen Xiuyi frowned. “Ai, your dad isn’t senile; how could I not know that? It’s just that I couldn’t wrap my head around it right away.”
Wen Yao continued, “Look at it this way: just treat it as if we’re a family business and we’re hiring them to work for us. We’ll pay them their wages every month and give them all the benefits they deserve. Isn’t that better than them being sold off somewhere else with an uncertain future?
Besides, Dad, to put it in the absolute worst-case scenario, we have too many secrets. Unless people are dead-set loyal to us at this stage, would you dare to say too much or do too much around regular hires? That would only limit what we can achieve.”
Wen Xiuyi seemed to be swayed. “That actually makes sense.”
“Exactly. So there’s nothing to be conflicted about. If you think the people are decent, we’ll bring them back. It’ll be great to have them help out around the house. Just look at Grandpappy and Grandma—look what they’ve been reduced to from exhaustion.” Wen Yao primarily felt bad for the elderly couple. Day after day, before they could even enjoy the good life, the whole family was about to be run into the ground.
Wen Xiuyi pondered a bit longer before slapping his thigh. “Alright! Tomorrow the two of us will head into the city and settle this matter with Broker Deng.”
With that decided, Wen Xiuyi looked at Wen Yao and asked, “Uh, how much money does our family have left?”
Wen Yao rolled her eyes at him unceremoniously. “Buying land, buying hills, buying ducklings, building waterwheels, constructing irrigation ditches, and digging the pond… and you’re asking me how much money we have left?”
Wen Xiuyi blanked. “We’re out of money?”
Wen Yao spread her hands. “We have less than a hundred taels left.”
Wen Xiuyi scratched his head. “What if that’s not enough?”
Wen Yao lay back down on the lounging chair, swaying gently as she spoke. “What else can we do? Tomorrow happens to be the day to deliver the recipes to Sister Qiu. Worst comes to worst, we’ll just ask for another advance. Otherwise, what choice do we have? We can’t just stand by and watch my dear Professor Wen bend his back for a measly five dou of rice.”
Wen Xiuyi burst into laughter and reached out to tap his daughter’s head. “You and your witty tongue, always so cheeky. Hurry up and go to sleep. Your dad was just teasing you earlier; you don’t smell like anything anymore. If you don’t want to go to the duck coop, then don’t go. If Second and Third Aunt really can’t handle the workload, we’ll just hire a couple of trustworthy folks from the village to help look after it. It’s no big deal.”
“Awesome! When I get back tomorrow, I’ll tell Second Aunt and the others. I can’t step foot in that duck pen for even one more day. Look at Wen Di and Wen Ying—they’re practically turning into charcoal. I need to find some time in the next few days to whip up some skin-whitening products.”
As Wen Yao spoke, she flipped over and leaped off the lounging chair. Wen Xiuyi was frightened out of his wits, terrified that she would fall flat on her face. He lunged forward to catch her, but the girl landed perfectly steady. Annoyed, he shot her a glare and stalked off.
The next morning, Wen Ying and Wen Di got up early, intending to drag Wen Yao along to work as usual. However, Wen Yao had already tidied herself up and was ready to head out the door.
“Second Sister, where are you going? Can you take me with you?” Wen Ying was young, and during this past period, she hadn’t been able to play or run around. She didn’t even have time to practice her characters. Her head was filled with constant quacking all day, and she was on the verge of going crazy.
Wen Yao pinched her little sister’s nose affectionately. “I’m going to take care of big business. Whether the two of you can be rescued depends entirely on today. Wait for me obediently at home.”
Hearing that they might be rescued, Wen Ying jumped up in joy, and even Wen Di’s face relaxed into an expression of relief. “Yaoyao, then mind your safety.”
“Don’t worry, I’m driving Da Huang with my dad. You and Ying just wait for me at home. Once this busy period passes, I’ll make some whitening creams for your faces. We can’t let ourselves get any darker.” Wen Yao lifted her own arm to take a look; it was a painful sight, completely tanned from the sun.
The sisters saw Wen Yao to the door. They watched as Wen Xiuyi drove Da Huang, taking Sanxi, Wen Yao, Wen Nong, and Wen Jun away. Only then did they turn around, take a deep breath, and walk with heavy steps toward the duck coop.
Since the father and daughter had business in the city today, Wen Xiuyi temporarily took over as the driver. After dropping Sanxi off at the academy, Wen Jun at the medical clinic, and Wen Nong at the docks, the two of them finally ambled along in the ox-cart toward Broker Deng’s place.
The moment the shop hand opened the door to the broker’s agency, he saw Wen Xiuyi parking the ox-cart and ran over immediately to assist.
“Master Wen, you’ve arrived! Our manager has been waiting for you since early this morning.” The shop hand spoke as he smoothly took the reins from his hands.
Wen Xiuyi and Wen Yao merely smiled. Weren’t people in business always incredibly shrewd? They hadn’t even said they were coming today, yet the shop hand’s words were masterfully spoken. Whether Broker Deng was truly waiting for them or not, it at least made them feel welcome.
“Let’s go, inside,” Wen Xiuyi said, leading Wen Yao through the doors.
Before long, the shop hand returned after tying up the ox-cart. He poured tea for the two of them before hurrying to the backyard to invite Broker Deng out.
“Brother Deng, I’m here to trouble you again,” Wen Xiuyi greeted him with a cupped-hand bow.
Broker Deng returned the gesture. “No trouble at all, no trouble at all. Has Brother Deng given it proper thought?”
“Yes.” Wen Xiuyi nodded. “I must trouble Brother Deng to take my daughter and me to meet the people first.”
Broker Deng made a gesture of invitation. “Brother Wen, Miss Yaoyao, please. I’ve already had them prepare.”
As they walked, Wen Yao asked, “Uncle Deng, what kind of people are they?”
Broker Deng smiled and replied, “It’s a family of seven. They fled as refugees from the south, and I happened to come across them on the road. Originally, they just wanted to sell their sons and daughters so the rest of the family could survive. At the time, seeing the plight of the young and old, I asked if they were willing to come with me as a whole family. Although they would be considered of lower status from then on, they would at least be able to eat their fill and sleep soundly.
I also promised I would find them a good master. If they encounter a kind-hearted master, work diligently and honestly for a lifetime, and remain faithful, they might even be able to beg the master to release their descendants from indenture in the future. They were on the verge of starving to death at the time, so they came back with me.
For the past half-year or so, I haven’t mistreated them; I’ve provided for them well. My agency has people dedicated to teaching specific skills, so I had them learn along as well. A few households came to select servants before, but because they didn’t want the family to be separated, they’ve remained with me until now.”
Hearing this, both Wen Xiuyi and Wen Yao were quite stunned. After all, Broker Deng was a businessman who dealt in this exact trade, yet he possessed such compassion that he hadn’t forced the family apart.
