Traveling to another world and becoming a local owner

"So that's how it is. I didn't expect that Brother Zhang's family actually makes wine. People like me who are scholars and poets are all obsessed with wine. I'll take care of this matter. I just hope that Brother Zhang can brew good wine in the future and treat me to a drink." Zhou Yixing saw that it was such a trivial matter, so he took it upon himself excitedly. As for asking Zhang Ling to treat him to a drink, it was just a casual remark.

The literary style was prevalent in the Great Yi Dynasty. From the prime minister to the students, anyone with a little literary talent would like to have a few drinks. Zhou Yixing was born in an official family. He had seen all kinds of good wine on weekdays. He was just being polite at this time to prevent the other party from refusing too much.

"Thank you very much. If you are free in the next two days, Brother Zhang, you can come to Wangshan Village in Pinghe Township for a chat. Please taste the fine wine in our home." Zhang Ling said politely.

"Okay, okay. I'll come to your house and bother you when the time comes."

After chatting for a while, the two came to the largest pawnshop street in the county. The crowded alley was filled with people with straw tags on their heads, like livestock for sale, for passers-by to choose from.

They were ragged and mostly skinny. Most of them were old, weak, women and children, but there was not a single young and strong person. Seeing this, Zhang Ling frowned slightly, feeling a little sorry.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang. Most of these people are those whose families can't make ends meet, and they voluntarily sell themselves or their relatives in order to find a way to make a living. Young and strong men have always been in high demand, so you can't find them here. You can only look in the various brokerage shops inside." Zhou Yixing thought that the other party didn't see the young and strong men, so he was a little worried, so he explained.

"I just feel sorry for these people, but I'm short of money and can't help them. Alas!" Zhang Ling felt bitter when he heard this. Looking at the poor people kneeling on both sides of the alley, he inexplicably felt a little breathless.

"Alas, in recent years, there have been constant natural disasters, frequent border wars, and increasing taxes. Countless people have been displaced. Scholars like us can only work hard to govern the country, strive for excellence, and obtain honors, so that we can seek well-being for the people." Zhou Yixing sighed, his eyes full of longing.

Zhang Ling just nodded slightly without answering. Seeing this, Zhou Yixing said no more and walked straight towards the largest courtyard gate in the alley.

"Master Zhou, you are here! There are several other young masters, please come in quickly. I will go and call the shopkeeper right away. Please feel free to do as you please, gentlemen." In front of the vermilion gate, a short broker saw Zhou Yixing and others, immediately stepped forward to greet them, and then ran excitedly into the courtyard.

As soon as they entered the door, a fat shopkeeper with a fat head and big ears ran out in a hurry, holding the hem of his clothes.

"It is an honor for our inn that Young Master Zhou has visited us. I, Wang Degui, would like to meet Young Master Zhou and the other gentlemen. Please come in. Gouzi, have someone prepare the best tea and snacks right away." After the fat shopkeeper bowed and greeted them, he immediately instructed the short Yalang standing beside him.

"Manager Wang, there's no need to be so polite. This is Mr. Zhang. He comes here to buy some young and strong men to take back. Yours is the largest pawnshop in Yingyang County, so I'll have to trouble you to take care of this matter." Zhou Yixing was humble and didn't put on airs. He returned the greeting and stated the purpose of his visit.

"Master Zhou, you are too polite. It is a great honor for me to have you patronize our shop. I don't need to bother you. Please come in and let us talk in the house. I have asked someone to prepare tea and snacks. Let's sit down and talk slowly." Shopkeeper Wang was a little flattered for a moment. His face was as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum, and his smile was so brilliant.

Everyone followed him into the house, and several maids and servants immediately brought tea and cakes. After Manager Wang respectfully asked everyone to sit down, he immediately ordered someone to bring the pawnshop's roster.

After everyone had their tea and snacks, Shopkeeper Wang asked timidly, "Don't blame me, Master Zhou. There aren't many young men left in the dental practice. How many do you think Master Zhang needs? I'll see if I can think of a solution."

On weekdays, he basically didn't care about these things. The sale of slaves was almost always handled by the brokers, and he only took care of collecting and paying money. He thought there would be some young and strong people in the brokerage business, but he didn't expect that there was no stock at the moment, which gave him a headache. He was afraid that he would anger Zhou Yixing and get into trouble.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yixing turned and looked at Zhang Ling beside him.

"It doesn't have to be too much. The money I have on me will be enough for this time." Zhang Ling put down the teacup in his hand and said embarrassedly.

"Oh, that's good. Young and strong men are in great demand. Usually, as soon as they arrive, they will be bought by wealthy businessmen. There are only five left in the pawnshop today, and they have all been reserved by Mr. Sun. If Mr. Zhang wants them, how about I sell these five young and strong men to you first? If not, I will go to other pawnshops to think of a solution." Shopkeeper Wang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he heard that. Now he was relieved to hear that Zhang Ling didn't want much.

"Manager Wang, this is my first time in a dental clinic. I wonder if you could tell me something about the prices." Seeing the other party's kind attitude, Zhang Ling couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Wang immediately replied, "Young and strong ones are the most expensive. Rich families usually rush to reserve them first and buy them back to guard their homes or as laborers. Therefore, the market price is ten taels each, and there is basically no demand for them."

"What about the others?" Zhang Ling frowned slightly and had to continue asking.

"The next are the village women with strong physiques. They are physically strong. Although they are not as strong as young men, they can still do some physical work. Except for some inconveniences, they can be regarded as good labor forces. Generally, they are eight taels each. There are many such women in our pawnshop. Then there are women of marriageable age, who are usually bought back to be maids. The pretty ones will be more expensive, seven taels each, but they are usually picked up by brothel madams. The rest are mediocre ones at six taels each. Then there are young men over ten years old. They will become strong men after a few years of raising them. They are four to six taels, depending on their age. Girls over ten years old are three to five taels. Children from five to nine years old, boys are two taels, and girls are one tael. The cheapest are the elderly and children. Basically, you can pick one for one tael of silver. Of course, since you are a friend of Master Zhou, you will naturally get a discount on the original price." Shopkeeper Wang roughly listed all the prices in one breath, stepped aside with a respectful face, and said no more.

Zhang Ling thought for a long time, then bowed and said, "Would you mind if Shopkeeper Wang took me there to have a look? If possible, I would like to buy more besides the young and strong ones."

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Wang was overjoyed and immediately nodded in agreement.

Zhang Ling turned around and bowed to Zhou Yixing and the others, saying, "Please wait here, brothers. I will be back soon."

The three men returned the greeting and gestured for them to go ahead. Liu Jie and Daniu followed suit.

Several people followed Wang the shopkeeper and the yamen dealer to the backyard. In the rows of low tiled houses, many people were lying or sitting in all directions. They looked like beggars, with dishevelled hair and dirty faces. Basically, more than a dozen people were crowded in a small room of about 20 square meters, and the ground was covered with weeds.

The first room they saw was filled with women. Several young children were curled up in their mothers' arms, looking out the window in fear.

The broker opened the wooden door with a whip in his hand. Several ragged women at the door immediately climbed forward and cried out in unison: "Uncle, please be kind! Buy me back! I can wash clothes, cook, and do farm work. Please, have mercy on me..."

Facing the stench of decay that hit him in the room, Zhang Ling suppressed his discomfort and did not make any move. But when he saw several toilet bowls in the corner and the black broken bowls scattered on the ground, he could not help but frown.

As a socialist youth in the 21st century, he had been taught that everyone is equal since childhood. Seeing this hell-like scene, Zhang Ling's heart seemed to be clenched by something.

"Go in and get out of the way. You have disgraced the young master. I will whip you to death. Get out now!" Just as Zhang Ling was lost in thought with tears welling up in his eyes, the broker next to him took a whip and fiercely whipped the two women who had crawled to Zhang Ling crying, shouting and cursing at them as he whipped them.

The thick and long whip hit the already thin women, and their already tattered thin clothes became even more tattered. Bright red bloodstains appeared instantly. The two women dodged and retreated into the house in panic. The two young children beside them cried and threw themselves into the women's arms.

Zhang Ling saw that the guard did not stop and even wanted to beat the child. A surge of anger instantly rushed to his head, and he flew forward and kicked the guard to the ground.

"You dog-like thing! They are human beings, not animals. How could you have the heart to kill even a child?" After kicking him, Zhang Ling pointed at the man and cursed.

"Sir, don't be angry. My subordinate is ignorant. Don't bother with him. I'll leave these two women and two children to you. I hope you will forgive me." Seeing that Zhang Ling was annoyed, Shopkeeper Wang immediately stepped forward to apologize.

"No need. I have bought out everyone in this house. I only ask Manager Wang to have his employees treat these poor people well in the future." Zhang Ling said this without saying anything more. He turned around and walked forward. When no one was paying attention, he quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

Upon hearing this, all the women and children in the room immediately knelt down and kowtowed, shouting: "Thank you for your kindness, young master, thank you for your kindness..."

The guard knew that he had violated a taboo, so he quickly threw away the whip, got up from the ground, and without even daring to wipe the dust off his body, he continued to lead the way.

"These are the five strong men that Mr. Sun has reserved. They are all honest farmers. Their families borrowed high-interest loans and could not pay them back, so they were captured by the creditors to pay off the debts. The young man in the innermost was a hunter before. His mother was sick and he had no money to buy medicine, so he borrowed money with high interest. Later, his mother died of the illness. The creditor had no intention of selling him, but he came here to sell himself to pay off the debt." The broker knew that he was in the wrong, so he hurriedly and carefully introduced himself to Zhang Ling in order to make up for the previous bad impression.

"Well, he is a man of affection and righteousness. Shopkeeper Wang, can you sell these five people to me too?" Zhang Ling nodded slightly when he heard that, turned around and asked Shopkeeper Wang.

"If you want it, just take it. I will deal with Mr. Sun myself." Shopkeeper Wang said with a smile.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Manager Wang." Zhang Ling knew that this matter might put the other party in an awkward position, so he bowed slightly.

"Mr. Zhang, that's not right. I may have to rely on you to take care of our business in the future." Seeing that he was polite, Shopkeeper Wang immediately returned the greeting.

After the two of them finished talking, Yalang led everyone to the third room where the girl was imprisoned.

"Sir, these are the youngest women in our pawn shop, and some of them can read." The pawnbroker said as he opened the wooden door with a key. There were not even windows in the dim room, and the light from the door made the women in the room immediately raise their hands to block the glaring sunlight.

"Ye Qingmei?" Zhang Ling looked up and couldn't help but exclaimed.

In the dim corner, Ye Qingmei, who was dressed in plain clothes, suddenly raised her head. When she saw Zhang Ling, tears instantly fell.

"Why are you here? Were you kidnapped?" Zhang Ling was puzzled and rushed into the house immediately, grabbing Ye Qingmei's arm and asking. Then he turned around suddenly and looked at the yalang and shopkeeper Wang behind him fiercely.