Chapter 155: Are You Trying to Get Something for Nothing?
As Yu Luo spoke, some people were delighted, while others sneered.
Those who were happy had expected the goods to be exorbitantly priced, given how far they had been transported. They thought the prices would be several times higher than those in their hometowns. Yet, to their surprise, Yu Luo’s prices were only slightly higher, almost the same as back home.
On the other hand, people like Liu Lan scoffed. In their view, Yu Luo’s family should be selling the goods at an even cheaper price—or better yet, giving them away. How dare they raise prices? Even though rice cost eight wen per catty back home, they were furious that Yu Luo was charging ten.
“This is so cheap! I’ll take a hundred catties of rice, a hundred catties of flour, and three hoes!”
Zhang Yuan was overjoyed. He had initially feared that he wouldn’t be able to afford much with the little silver he had, but the unexpectedly reasonable prices made him eager to buy as much as possible.
“We’re giving you all a discount. If outsiders from the wilderness come to buy, the price will be three times as high. Even if our rice is slightly more expensive than back home, you have to consider the risks my uncles took to transport it here. They traveled hundreds of miles, facing bandits and wild terrain, without charging us a single coin for transport.”
“That’s absolutely right, Miss Luo! In fact, even if you charged ten times the price, it would still be fair. Crossing the Jiuzhong Mountains with carts is impossible—they had to rely on horses or mules, and those can only carry a few hundred catties at most. Not to mention, they had to avoid bandits and thieves along the way. The fact that they made it here safely is already a miracle!”
Zhang Yuan was genuinely grateful. He realized that, influenced by his wife in the past, he had also been petty. Now, seeing the kindness of Yu Luo’s family, he regretted his previous thoughts.
“Right? Your uncle buys in bulk, meaning he gets wholesale prices, which are at least 30% cheaper than what merchants charge back home. So, you’re making a huge profit! And your uncle wouldn’t charge you for the goods he sent. You didn’t pay a single coin, yet you’re selling it to us for more than back home? You’re basically getting something for nothing! If we all run out of money, who will you sell to?”
One hundred people meant one hundred different opinions. Most were grateful, but there were always a few troublemakers—like Liu Lan.
She had already forgotten that Yu Luo’s mother had helped deliver her grandchild just two months ago.
Yu Luo had no patience for moral blackmail. Just as she was about to tell Liu Lan to keep her money and not buy anything from them, a loud smack echoed through the cave.
Liu Lan stood frozen in shock, covering her reddening cheek. Slowly, she turned her disbelieving gaze to the furious man in front of her—Yu Shanhai.
“You—you actually hit me?”
Yu Shanhai had always been a submissive husband, rarely standing up to Liu Lan. But this time, her shameless remarks had pushed him too far. In front of everyone, he finally asserted himself.
“If you don’t want to live, go bash your head against a rock and be done with it! Luo’s family is helping us, and you’re still complaining? What more do you want? Are you trying to drag everyone down to your level of pettiness? If you have the guts, go ask your family to send you supplies and get something for nothing!”
Yu Shanhai’s sudden burst of anger shocked Liu Lan. For the first time, she saw a side of her husband she had never seen before—intimidating and enraged.
Publicly slapped and humiliated, Liu Lan’s face burned with both pain and shame. She glared at her husband with fury, stomped her foot, and ran back toward their cave, crying.
“Stop right there!”
Yu Shanhai’s voice boomed again, making Liu Lan freeze in place. Stubborn as she was, she refused to turn around.
He strode over, reached into her clothes, and pulled out their family’s money pouch.
After Mu Chunfang’s death, Liu Lan had taken control of all the household finances, insisting on managing their silver. Since Zhang Fen, the second daughter-in-law, was easygoing and avoided conflict, she had let Liu Lan have her way. After all, in this barren land, there was nothing to spend money on. But now, Yu Shanhai wasn’t having it.
“You actually dared to hit me? Just wait, Yu Shanhai! I’ll remember this!”
Liu Lan screamed, her face streaked with tears. Having lost both her pride and their family’s silver, she had no choice but to flee back to their cave.
Yu Shanhai, now holding the money, silently rejoined the line, his expression dark.
Yu Luo was unimpressed.
Women like Liu Lan were common in this era—illiterate, unreasonable, and obsessed with petty gains. Many were used to poverty, and their desperation made them cling to any advantage they could find.
To avoid any further nonsense, Yu Luo decided to make things crystal clear.
“If anyone else thinks like Liu Lan, feel free to take your silver and buy from Fengcheng. But if you buy from us, you will pay in silver.”
“We’re buying, of course! Xiao Luo, don’t be mad. We all know you’re being fair—we’re grateful to have access to supplies without risking our lives to fetch them ourselves!”
Bai You’s wife quickly spoke up, fearing Yu Luo might refuse to sell to them out of anger. Others chimed in, expressing their agreement.
With that, the transactions resumed.
Most people bought rice, flour, oil, seeds, farming tools, salt, fabric, and sewing supplies. Luxury items were out of the question, as no one dared to waste money on anything unnecessary.
