Tie Kui Extra Story (13)

Hearing that Tie Hu was going to the town, Tie Kui asked a little strangely: "Daddy, what are you doing in the town?"

"Sell the tiger skin."

Tie Kui shook his head and said, "Father, if you want to sell the tiger skin, you can't go to the town to sell it. It's too bad."

When Tie Hu heard this, he looked at Tie Kui.

"Father, although the price given to us by Chen Ji Shop is relatively fair, it is also compared to other people in the town. But in fact our leather is sold very cheaply." After finishing speaking, Tie Kui gave an example: "Just the last time A complete sheepskin would cost at least seven or eight taels in the capital, but we only have one or two taels of silver." To ordinary people, one or two taels of silver is a lot, but Tie Kui felt that their skins Was sold cheaply.

Hearing the word "capital", Tie Hu's heart skipped a beat. The son is very well-informed and intelligent, and when he talks about the capital, he speaks in a very flat tone, so it is very likely that he is from the capital.

Suppressing the horror in his heart, Tie Hu said: "Kuizi, you also said that it is the capital city. From here to the capital city, I'm afraid it will take a month or two to walk! And the road is still very uneven."

Tie Kui hummed and said, "Father, the capital city is far away from us, but Shengjing is not far from here. Even if we walk to Shengjing, it only takes more than half a month to go back and forth."

Tie Hu asked: "You mean to take the tiger skin to Shengjing to sell? But the road is not smooth, and it's not safe for the two of us to go. Besides, taking it to Shengjing may not be able to sell at a good price."

Tie Kui said with a smile, "It's definitely not now. We'll go at the end of October. It will be cold and the leather will be easy to sell." Naturally, the price will not be lower.

After hesitating for a while, Tie Kui said: "If I take it to the town, this tiger skin can be sold for one hundred and thirty-four taels of silver. If it is taken to Shengjing, how much silver do you think it can be sold for?"

"This tiger skin is very complete, and it can be sold for at least three hundred taels of silver." If it is in the capital, it may not be available for a thousand taels of silver. It's a pity that the price of leather in Liaodong is not high.

If you are afraid of death, you dare not be a hunter. When Tiehu heard that he could sell for double the price, he said without hesitation: "Okay, then let's go to Shengjing." More than one hundred and seventy taels of silver, he might not be able to get it in ten years. And this money is still exchanged with life. A trip to Shengjing is even more dangerous than hunting tigers.

For the next time, Tiehu rested at home to recuperate. On the contrary, Tie Kui heard that there were wild boars on the mountain, so he ran to the mountain and dug some traps, but unfortunately he didn't even catch a small wild boar. It was Father Li who hunted the first wild boar weighing 170 to 80 catties. They didn't take it to sell in the town, but sold it directly to the villagers.

Tie Kui was not reconciled,

I go out early and return late every day, but unfortunately I only managed to catch two pheasants and one mountain mouse. The wild animals were not sold, so they ate them by themselves.

Tiehu and Tiekui are at home, so the sisters don't have to be so tired, but Chunxiang and Chunni are not happy but worried. If Tiehu can't hunt, he has no income. Now that there is not much food left at home, how can I live this winter.

Although there are a lot of pumpkins and winter melons stored at home, there are various dried vegetables, peanuts and beans of various colors. But these things can't satisfy the hunger, and she doesn't feel at ease if there is no more food in the house.

That night, Chunxiang plucked up her courage and asked, "Father, how much money do you have at home? Should we save some food for the winter?"

Tie Hu smiled and said: "Could it be that you are still afraid that Dad will starve you?"

Seeing Chunni's tangled face, Tie Kui smiled: "Don't worry, I've already bought six hundred catties of grain, and I'll bring it back when winter comes." Because they were going on a long trip at the end of October, only Chunxiang and Chunni were at home. People, it is not safe to put so much food at home. So I agreed with the seller to get the food at the end of November.

Hearing this, Chunni was relieved.

Tiehu looked at Chunni, who had lost a lot of weight, and said, "Don't be too tired, you and Chunxiang, daddy can afford you." During this time, the two sisters were busy in and out of work without stopping for a moment. He always asked the two children to rest more, but he didn't listen.

Chun Ni smiled and said, "Father, my eldest sister and I are not tired." Although they did a lot of things, they were able to eat and clothe themselves warmly, and Tie Hu never beat or scolded them. Compared with many girls in the village, their sisters are very lucky.

During this period of time, Chunni had the most comfortable life since she was sensible. Even though they are tired every day, the two sisters have gained some weight during this time.

Tie Hu is not a person who is good at words, he was silent for a while and said: "Don't worry, Dad will save you a generous dowry."

Come whatever you want.

In the evening of the next day, a guest came to Tie Hu's house. When Chunni saw someone coming, she smiled and said, "Aunt Osmanthus, why are you here?" The woman's surname was Li, her name was Osmanthus, and her husband was of the same generation as Tiehu. But Tiehu had never dealt with her before, and he was only a little familiar with her.

Under Chunni's introduction, Tie Hu knew the identity of the other party: "Sister-in-law Osmanthus, please sit down." Since the other party came to the door, there must be something wrong.

Chunxiang brought a cup of hot water over, put it down and went out.

Li Guihua didn't beat around the bush, and directly made her intentions clear. She came here this time to say goodbye to her natal nephew: "My nephew is fifteen years old this year, one year older than Chunxiang. I'm not boasting. My nephew is upright and doing farm work is a pleasure. I really like it too." Chunxiang, that child, told my sister-in-law specifically. If you think it’s good for a big brother, I’ll bring my nephew over in two days to give you palm eyes.”

When Tie Kui, who was sitting by the side, heard this, he said with an uneasy expression: "Auntie, my eldest sister is still young, and my father plans to keep her for another two years."

Li Guihua's heart froze, but she quickly smiled and said to Tie Hu: "Big brother, Chunxiang will be fourteen this year, and she will be sixteen if she stays for two more years. A sixteen-year-old girl is an old lady before she talks about her." No. Brother, you can't delay the child!"

Tie Hu shook his head and said, "I appreciate sister-in-law's kindness, but I plan to stay with Chunxiang for another two years." Although I don't know why Tie Kui said that, but there must be a reason for his son to speak.

Li Guihua's face was a little ugly. She boasted to her natal sister-in-law and promised that the marriage would be settled. As a result, the members of the Tie family were rejected.

After Li Guihua went out, Tie Hu asked Tie Kui: "What's wrong with this sister-in-law's natal nephew?"

Tie Hu shook his head and said: "When people come to talk about marriage, they always try to find out. She is good, and said in a hurry that she will bring someone to show us, and it doesn't seem right after hearing it." This is very sensitive. When they came to the door, those who didn't know the details thought that they had already taken a fancy to them and were about to get engaged.

Tie Hu said: "You will take care of the marriage of your two sisters when the time comes." Many things, he did not think as thoroughly as Tie Kui.

The marriage was not settled, and Li Guihua was complained by her natal sister-in-law, and the more she thought about it after returning home, the more unwilling she became. Then, he told about Tiehu's plan to keep Chunxiang for a few more years.

When Aunt Li got the news, she went to Tie Hu and said, "I heard that you don't want to marry Chunxiang for the time being, and you want to keep her at home for a few more years? Huzi, that's not okay. This girl's family will miss Hua Xing, and it's hard to say in the future." To a dear friend."

Tie Hu said with some perplexity: "Even if Chunxiang 16 proposes marriage, it's not too late!"

After figuring out the reason for this, Aunt Li said, "It's a good thing you didn't agree, otherwise you would have killed Chunxiang."

"What? Then what's wrong with Mrs. Li's natal nephew?"

Aunt Li shook her head and said: "That's not true. The third boy of the Li family is still very good, good-looking and hardworking. It's just that the Li family has three sons, and the family only has three acres of good land and five acres of dry land. Most of the butt debts have not been repaid. Also, the two daughters-in-law of the Li family are very aggressive. Chunxiang is soft-tempered, and marrying into the Li family will not lead a good life."

The Li family is not only poor, but also has many right and wrong people. Anyone who loves their daughter will not marry their daughter to such a family.

Tie Hu said with some annoyance: "Sister-in-law, Chunxiang should be talking about others at this age. But I don't know many people. There is no woman in charge at home, so I am also worried."

Aunt Li smiled and said, "Don't worry, Chunxiang is good-looking and hardworking, so I don't have to worry about finding a good family."

Aunt Li helped to refute the rumors, and soon she helped to talk about marriage. But it can be said that the object of the marriage is either the family is very poor, or the man has a disability, or the man's mother is particularly mean. Anyway, none of them satisfied Tie Hu.

Knowing that it was because the Jin family was divorced that no good family came to propose marriage, Tie Hu regretted that he should not have divorced his wife. But things have come to this point, and it's useless to regret.

Tie Kui had a different idea: "Father, after we sell the tiger skin, we can buy two more acres of land. At that time, we will tell people that our eldest sister will marry the two acres of land as a dowry. I don't have to worry about no good people coming to propose marriage." In the face of interests, who would care whether the girl's mother was divorced or not.

Tie Hu shook his head and said, "The one who can come to propose marriage for two acres of land, it can be seen that he is not a good family."

This idea is also correct, Tie Kui said: "Father, don't worry, if the elder sister is so good, she will definitely find a good family."

Tie Hu sighed, blaming him for not thinking carefully.

At the end of October, Tiehu told the village chief and Mrs. Tong that the father and son were going on a long trip, and then expressed that he would like Mrs. Tong to stay with them for a month.

Tong asked, "Where are you going?"

"We're going to Shengjing to do some business, and the round trip may take about a month." As for the specific things to do, I didn't say that.

Mrs. Tong didn't ask any further questions, but said: "Chunxiang and Chunni are big girls now, I'll let Brother Ershui stay with them during the day." With her going to accompany them at night, I'm not afraid of anything.

Er Shui is Tong's third grandson, who is twelve years old this year. With a boy following her, she wouldn't be afraid of some dirty people bullying the sisters.

The forest is big and there are all kinds of birds, and Tiejia Village also has some scum who sneak around and always want to take advantage of women. Although Tie Hu and Tie Kui are well-known, it is better to take precautions when they go out.

Tie Hu said with a feeling on his face: "Thank you, Grandma Ninth." Therefore, men are always inconsiderate about things. Even Tie Kui didn't expect this level.

The father and son were on the road the next day. When I went out, the weather was already cold, and I couldn't sleep without a fire if I slept outside at night. However, Tiehu is used to life in the wild, but Tiekui is not used to it. Fortunately, he didn't need to keep vigil at night, so he could sleep peacefully.

After walking for eight days, the two arrived in Shengjing. After paying the entrance fee, the two entered Shengjing City.

Don't look at Tiehu who is in his thirties, but he has been to the county seat as far as he can. So as soon as he entered Shengjing City and saw the crowds of people coming and going, as well as the dazzling array of shops and stalls, he was in a daze.

After walking for a long time, Tie Hu said, "Kuizi, where should we sell leather?" He couldn't understand what the people said here, and since he couldn't read, how would he know where to sell leather.

Tie Kui said with a smile: "Father, let's find an inn to stay in first, and then ask the shopkeeper where the fur shop is."

The father and son searched for a while and found a small inn. After entering, Tie Kui and Xiao Er said, "We're going to stay at the hotel." They used Mandarin, of course.

Listening to this pure official language, even though Tie Kui was dressed poorly, Xiao Er did not dare to despise him: "Guest officer, two taels of silver for a high-class room, one tael of silver for a middle-class room, and four taels of silver for a low-class room." A room of one hundred cash. Datong shop, eighty cash per person." This is still a relatively small inn and a relatively remote location. If it is a large inn located in a prosperous area, even a low-class room will cost two or three taels of silver.

"Ask for a middle class room!" The lower class room has nothing but a bed. It's better to spend an extra 600 Wen, at least have hot water to take a bath!

The father and son took a hot bath to relieve their fatigue. Tie Kui said: "Father, I'm going to buy some food, and by the way, I asked which shop in Shengjing buys fur." ​​Only the upper-class rooms will provide food, and they have to go out to find food by themselves. Although the tiger skin is tightly wrapped, it is always wrong to go in and out with things.

Tie Hu nodded and said, "Okay."

It took about an hour or so for Tie Kui to come back, bringing back six big meat buns and four scallion pancakes.

Tie Hu asked with some concern: "Why have you been here for so long? Is it because those people are not easy to talk to?" People from the countryside are always a little timid when they come to the city.

Tie Kui shook his head and said: "No, I just asked a lot of people just to be on the safe side. Dad, I have already found out that there is a shop under the name of Yongsheng Trading Company that buys fur. Their store has a good reputation, and we will go there tomorrow Their family sells leather." Most people said so, so the price of this store should be more reasonable.

Because Tie Kui had gone to this house yesterday and knew how to get there. Early in the morning, the father and son left the room without eating breakfast.

At the door, I saw someone loading goods into the carriage. This posture is clearly about to ship goods outside.

After entering the shop, Xiao Er greeted him. The attitude is very good, without the slightest arrogance.

Tie Kui said, "We're here to sell leather. I don't know where your shopkeeper is?"

Xiao Er was a little surprised, he looked like a child of the Orion family, but he spoke authentic Beijing dialect. Moreover, there is no timidity in entering their shop. I was a little puzzled in my heart, but didn't show it on my face: "You two wait a moment, I will go and invite the shopkeeper."