21. Chapter 21
Qin Fang had no other views on merchants. First, their generals did not look down on merchants, unlike civil servants. Second, Qin Fang came from a poor family. Poor people have no right to look down on businessmen. They even envy businessmen for being able to eat meat and wear warm clothes.
So Qin Fang nodded and said two words: "Very good."
Aunt Fan was a little scared. She saw that his wife was very polite, just like the ladies she had seen in wealthy families, but she didn't know that he was so tall and strong, and he had a stern face, which was a bit scary.
When it was time to eat, Aunt Fan didn't dare to eat with them no matter what she said. She only waited for them to finish eating before eating. Although the braised fish was all eaten, there were leftovers of other dishes, such as pork belly and egg soup. For Aunt Fan, even though it was not as good as the food eaten by other rich families in the past, she had never tasted such good food since she was sold.
Aunt Fan finished eating, washed the dishes and went to the courtyard in the busy city.
Yang Haiyan and Qin Fang were bored, and it was still a little early to go to bed, so they went to the study together to read. Qin Fang read basic books on Chinese characters and hundreds of surnames, while Yang Haiyan read the History of the Kingdom of China. The couple watched for an hour, then took a shower and went back to bed. While sleeping, Yang Haiyan told Qin Fang what he had just read about the history of the state of Qi.
Although Qin Fang is not a court official, as a native of Qi State, he still has some brush with the court, and there is no harm in knowing the history of the country. He listened to his daughter-in-law talking about the history of the country and gained a new understanding of the country.
It was also at this time that Qin Fang realized what a good wife he had married.
Aunt Fan came early the next morning and took the initiative to go to the kitchen to boil water and make breakfast. Yang Haiyan told her what to eat in the morning yesterday, porridge, kimchi, and boiled eggs. After Yang Haiyan finished exercising, she made a cup of milk powder each for herself and Qin Fang with hot water. As for Aunt Fan, she didn't care. Although she has no concept of class in her heart, she must learn to adapt to the customs of a place, instead of bringing the customs of her original world here and letting the servants here change accordingly.
After eating, Qin Fang went to the military camp without bringing lunch because Yang Haiyan would deliver food to him at noon.
After Qin Fang left, Yang Haiyan took Aunt Fan to the market. I have to say, it’s nice to have someone to follow me to the market, as I don’t have to carry a basket when buying groceries.
Yang Haiyan bought pork liver, half a chicken, a few loofahs, radishes, peanuts, and eggs. In fact, there are few types of dishes in the market.
When Yang Haiyan bought pork liver, Aunt Fan was very confused. She couldn't imagine that someone like his wife would eat this, but she didn't ask.
The two returned to the family room in the military camp and found Uncle Hong standing at the door with a woman holding a child.
Seeing Yang Haiyan coming, Uncle Hong was a little nervous: "I've met my wife, this is my wife, her name is Chai Qiuping, and this is our son, he is just half a year old this year." Uncle Hong only married his wife and gave birth to a son when he was thirty-two years old. It's because he got married relatively late.
In the past, his father spent a lot of money to study and get sick. After his father passed away, the family's debts weighed on him. He paid off the debts for many years, and only married a wife after the debts were paid off. Of course, if a woman hasn't been married for so long, there must be problems at home with her daughter-in-law.
Yang Haiyan nodded: "Come in and talk."
After entering the yard, Aunt Fan went to wash vegetables. Yang Haiyan took Uncle Hong and his family into the study: "Sit down and talk."
Uncle Hong hurriedly said: "Thank you, Madam. I just need to stand."
Yang Haiyan didn't force herself: "It doesn't matter if you stand, but my aunt held the child and stood outside for a while. I'm afraid she's tired."
Uncle Hong: "Thank you, madam."
Aunt Hong: "Thank you, madam." She was indeed a little tired. Speaking of which, from yesterday to now, she was still in a state of shock. Yesterday, her husband came back unexpectedly. She was really happy and scared at the same time. Ever since her husband sold himself to get money to treat her, she had been extremely uncomfortable. But when she found out, it was too late. Her husband had already been sold, and the money they had redeemed was not enough.
She had no choice but to come to town to see her husband every few days. As long as her husband was not bought away, she would still have a chance to raise money. Fortunately, the husband's leg was injured and no one wanted to buy him.
Uncle Hong: "Madam, I would like to ask my wife, can my wife and children also live in the courtyard in the downtown area? They live with me and will not occupy the room in the courtyard. We will take care of my wife's food ourselves, too. It won’t cost my wife.”
Yang Haiyan thought for a while. Uncle Hong would feel more at ease when we work together as husband and wife, so she said, "I use that yard to make snacks. What if your wife accidentally sees it and gets interested in it?"
Aunt Hong was so frightened that she stood up quickly: "Madam, don't worry, I will be a mute and won't say anything."
Yang Haiyan: "But I'm not worried."
After hearing this, Aunt Hong looked at Uncle Hong helplessly.
Uncle Hong had no choice. After all, he was working as a slave.
Yang Haiyan added: "If Aunt Hong is willing to sign a contract of sale, I can let you live together."
After hearing this, Uncle Hong hurriedly said: "No, no, no, it can't be done." Owing the deed of sale was equivalent to becoming a slave. He didn't want to wrong his wife. Even if he had a father who was a slave, he also wanted his son to have a mother who was a slave. ?
Yang Haiyan: "Maybe Aunt Hong signed the deed of betrayal, and the money from the deed can be used to cure Uncle Hong's leg. Besides, after five years, whether it is Aunt Hong or Uncle Hong, I will allow you to redeem your life, and the money will be given to the deed of betrayal." Just like silver." She has no habit of treating people as slaves. "In ten years, I can release the contract free of charge, and you don't need to pay me any money to redeem my life." Just treat them as if you hired them. Anyway, when the shop opens, you still need to hire people. Aunt Fan can't handle it alone. If they work together as a couple, You can also be more dedicated and don't have to worry about each other because of separation. But without a contract of sale, she felt uneasy. After all, they didn't know each other and had no basis for trust.
There are two kinds of deeds of sale in Qiguo, one is a living deed and the other is a dead deed. Like when Hong Shu sold himself to Yahang, it was a living deed. However, a slave under a living contract cannot be sold casually, because the master only has the right to use the slave under a living contract, but does not have ownership. For slaves with death contracts, the master has both the right to use and ownership. Aunt Fan was sold because she had a death contract.
Many masters don't like to buy slaves with living contracts, and it's also because of this. However, the law states this, but the actual operation is another matter. After all, in feudal society, power is greater than law.
The living contract lasts for five or ten years. But no matter how long the life contract is, if a slave redeems his life, the money for redemption is many times more expensive than the money for selling himself. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a loss if the master bought the slave, provided food, housing, and a monthly salary?
Uncle Hong sold Yahang one tael of silver for a five-year living contract. Yahang sold Uncle Hong to Yang Haiyan for two taels of silver and it was also a five-year living contract. But after five years, if Uncle Hong wants to lose himself, he may have to Twenty taels, thirty taels. However, most slaves make no mistakes and do things honestly, and the master will not offer such an unreasonable price.
Aunt Hong was originally unwilling to sell herself. It was not that she looked down on her servants, but she was worried about what others would say to her children when they grew up. But after hearing what Yang Haiyan said, her heart moved. If the money she earns from selling her body can heal her husband's injured leg, then she will definitely be willing to sell her body. She was moved when she heard Yang Haiyan said that in five years she would let them use the price of selling her body to redeem her body, and in ten years she would sell her body for free. If she sells herself to follow her master, at least food and clothing won't be a problem. If she doesn't sell herself, she still has to worry about food.
In fact, Uncle Hong was also attracted by the idea that it could cure his legs. If his leg is cured, it will be a good thing for his wife and children.
Yang Haiyan is not a holy mother, but she is willing to help others. A man who will sell himself for his wife is not that bad. Besides, if they work for her together as a couple, it might be more efficient, and Uncle Hong won't have to worry about his wife at home.
Then, Yang Haiyan added: "You can go to the medical center first to see if this leg can be treated. If so, how much money will it cost to treat this leg?"
Aunt Hong: "Yes, yes, thank you, madam."
Half an hour later, Uncle Hong and Aunt Hong came back. The doctor said that the leg could be cured, but it would cost a lot of money, fifteen taels of silver, and the leg should not be strained during the treatment period, such as working in the fields, hunting in the mountains, etc. . If you take good care of yourself and take treatment, you can recover in about half a year.
Helping in Yang Haiyan's yard naturally won't make you tired. The most you can do is drive a donkey cart to deliver meals to Qin Fang. You won't get tired even if you sit in the donkey cart driving the cart. So Uncle Hong and Aunt Hong discussed it on the way back. Aunt Hong decided to sell herself. If they can't sell themselves for five taels of silver, they can use Yang Haiyan's monthly routine to treat her slowly. At least Uncle Hong's legs can heal, and the couple has hope in life.
After hearing this, Yang Haiyan gave her fifteen taels of silver without saying a word. Wouldn't it be nice to have a servant with a sound posture in half a year? Besides, this silver is not given for free. The two taels are Aunt Hong's money from selling herself, and the thirteen taels are lent to them. Three taels will be deducted from their monthly salary every year. It only takes five years, and one tael will be deducted in the last year. , Aunt Hong and Aunt Hong have the same monthly salary, 200 Wen per month. The couple can earn 40,000 to 800 Wen per year, including food and accommodation. If you deduct 30,000 Wen, they will be able to earn 40,000 or 800 Wen per year without getting sick. , it only cost a little for the children, but they could still save one or two more, so they readily agreed and were grateful for the kindness of the host family.
Besides, if they redeem themselves in five years, they will be able to save the redemption money. Taking a step back, even if the lease is released for free after ten years, Aunt Hong still thinks it is worth it.
Because they have to deliver lunch to Qin Fang, the Qin family's lunch is relatively early. But now that there are donkey carts, there is no need to drive as much as before.
Before today, there was only Yang Haiyan in this house. Now that Uncle Hong and his wife and Aunt Fan are here, it is suddenly a lot more lively.
Although Yang Haiyan is a homebody, in a modern home, that is because there is a computer. What kind of entertainment on the computer can't pass the time? Even if you are a binge-watcher, you can keep up with the show for several months. But in these ancient times, in this era without entertainment and computers, life is really difficult. So now there are three servants at home, which is pretty good for a while.
Uncle Hong was washing the donkey cart outside. From now on, this was handed over to him for safekeeping. He washed the donkey as if it were his ancestor, and also washed the carriage.
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