Chapter 10: Just Play Big

Over there, Zhang Qingting personally took up the pen and wrote two copies of the contract of servitude. With a flick of his finger, Zhang Facai, whose legs had stiffened and could not move, was pushed to the table.

Beside him was a good-natured person, who pressed two bright red fingerprints onto the hand of an old man known for his wealth.

After exchanging a glance with the person behind, the gambling house manager spoke up in support, "The Zhang family's daughter makes a valid point! In terms of reasoning, whoever initiated this round should be the banker. Moreover, this horse is not like the others; being the banker merely involves playing one card first, which is not a significant matter."

The old man, still possessing some conscience, trembled as he spoke: "Big... big daughter, are you... are you really going to sell your younger siblings?"

The proprietor of the gambling house furrowed his brow slightly, feeling somewhat troubled: "Is there really no one willing to buy this young lady from the Zhang family? Then it will be a payout of seven to one"

Suddenly, a flash of golden light appeared as a gold ingot was thrown from the crowd, landing under Zhang Qingtian's name, "I bet on her to win"

Zhang Facai was so frightened that he sat down abruptly. Zhang Qingtian frowned impatiently and said, "Bring his hands up!"

Zhang Qingtian glared, shooting out two beams of cold light, "Useless things! Your elder sister is in such a state, where do you think you can go? All of you, stay put and behave yourselves!" She then turned to look at everyone and said slowly, "What do you think their price is?"

The casino manager added another remark, saying, "Everyone can watch, but no one is allowed to make a sound. Step back five paces. If anyone disrupts the rules of the casino, do not blame us for being ungrateful!"

Zhang Qingtian then said: "Before we start, let's clarify a few things. I am a newcomer, and the whole business of treasures is too complicated, so let's just leave that out! Let's simplify the rules: there are only two ways to win. First, if someone wins by taking my tile, there will be no objections; my two incompetent younger siblings will be at your disposal. Second, if it's a self-draw, then all three families will share the loss. It's simple and fair; what do you think?"

The odds for the other three individuals are quite similar, but only Zhang Qingtian stands out, with a rather dismal odds of 1 to 5, and yet no one shows any interest.

Why not continue to roll the dice to compare sizes! someone suggested

"You dare to sell even the formidable ones; are you saying these two, who are not formidable, cannot be sold?" Zhang Qingtian raised his eyebrows and said, "Press your handprint!"

With his provocation, several more people quickly stepped forward. At this point, the available spots were still insufficient

However, someone raised the question, "If one does not eat your card but instead eats someone else's card to win, how is that counted?"

This is indeed quite tempting

This is indeed impeccable

This idea is truly excellent

This... is not the same!" Zhang Facai argued, "You are more impressive than they are...!"

"This is not a game of high or low stakes, so what is there to argue about?" Zhang Qingtian said with a hint of disdain in his sneer, "Do you think that if I become the banker, I can change the entire deck of cards?"

Zhang Qingtian let out a cold laugh, "The one who loses naturally should compensate. I will also compensate!"

Indeed fair. Soon, two fortunate individuals stood out, walking to the table with a sense of self-satisfaction

Zhang Qingtian cast a sidelong glance at her younger siblings, "In any case, they are two useless things, so let them be disposed of cleanly! I only ask now, is there anyone who dares to bet against me?"

Wow! The gamblers were all somewhat stirred. Fifteen taels of silver to buy two living young men and women is indeed not expensive; even if resold, one could at least earn three to five taels of silver, making it an absolutely profitable venture.

Just as the game was about to begin, someone in the crowd suggested, "Shopkeeper, why not start another round of horse betting? Let everyone join in the fun!"

The manager of the gambling house felt a twinge of excitement and was about to step forward when someone discreetly tugged at him from behind. He glanced back, his expression subtly shifting, and then, maintaining his composure, turned around and said: "I say, gentlemen, let us not be outdone by a young lady! Is there anyone brave enough to join this table? In this round, our Silver Hook Gambling House will not take a cut, so everyone can rest assured and place their bets freely!"

Zhang Qingtian slammed two contracts of servitude in front of the gambling house manager and said, "Manager, I kindly ask you to be fair. This gambling game is quite significant, and I am genuinely concerned that someone might lose and fail to pay. Please take charge of counting the money."

If Zhang Qingtian only wins one family, it would be merely fifteen taels of silver. However, if any of the other three families wins, they would at least receive fifteen taels of silver in addition to Zhang's pair of children. Even those who previously harbored grievances against her for being the banker had no further objections at this moment

I consider myself fortunate! I just had a conversation with a gentleman who was playing horse racing with Zhang Qingtian. He won quite a bit today, counted his winnings, took out a handful, and added a small gold ring, totaling fifteen taels.

The proprietor of the gambling house quickly devised a contingency plan, saying, "To avoid hurting feelings, why not roll dice to determine who enters? The one with the higher score gets in. What does everyone think?"

Is this statement true? Someone is eager to take action

The gambling house manager promptly complied and placed a bet, which this time was more vigorous than any previous occasion. Within the span of a single tea session, several hundred taels of silver had gathered in scattered amounts.

Zhang Qingtian did not even furrow his brows, "When you sold your eldest daughter for two taels of silver, how did you not have a moment of conscience?"

With that said, others would find it difficult to refute.

"Sister, hetushu.com! Big sister! You... you really want to gamble me away?" Zhang Xiaodie was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. If she were to be taken away by some old lecher or a crooked man, would she still have a life to live in the second half of her life?

I would say one or two is about right! That is purely just idle chatter from someone with nothing better to do

A group of gamblers responded enthusiastically

Zhang Qingtian secretly laughed to himself, truly a dog cannot change its habit of eating excrement, no matter what, one can always take a gamble

Seeing that someone had taken the lead, those with money began to reach into their pockets for silver coins

All the gamblers chuckled softly; this girl is quite skilled at slaughtering pigs, but when it comes to playing mahjong, she is still a newcomer. Who can guarantee that she won't pull off a winning hand or a bluff later on?

Just as the game was about to begin, Zhang Qingteng spoke up again, "Since I am the one who initiated this round, it is only natural that I act as the banker. Does anyone have any objections?"

Do not say to let them be witnesses; even if one were to use a stick to drive this entire room of people away, it is unlikely they would leave. Fifteen taels of silver is not a large sum, but it is sufficient for an ordinary family’s expenses for half a year. If it were to be multiplied by three, that would amount to forty-five taels of silver, not to mention it also involves the ownership of two living individuals. This wager cannot be considered small.

This is good, simple and clear

"Elder sister—" Zhang Jinbao and Zhang Xiaodie were so frightened that their faces turned pale. Just as they were about to plead for mercy, they were once again intimidated into silence by Zhang Qingting's murderous gaze

Zhang Qingteng let out a cold snort, "One or two taels of silver probably can't even buy back a pig, right? These are two living people! They are not missing any limbs. If sold to a wealthy household as servants, they would at least be worth ten taels of silver each, not to mention this girl is still a virgin! Together, I would even offer a discount, making it fifteen taels of silver! Is there anyone willing to bet against me on this? If anyone loses, you two can take them away. Together, I would even offer a discount, making it fifteen taels of silver! Is there anyone willing to bet against me on this? If anyone loses, you two can take them away. If I lose, I will leave fifteen taels of cash behind!"

This is natural. The casino manager is a professional, and soon he brought over four trays, lined with bright red silk, carefully organizing the belongings of the four gamblers and handing them over to the attendants for safekeeping

Who does not know that in the Zhang family, it is the eldest daughter who holds the authority? Zhang Jinbao and Zhang Xiaodie are still quite young; although they are formidable eaters, once brought home, they are also capable hands when it comes to work. At this moment, there are indeed people who are seriously observing these two.

Two taels! Someone is deliberately setting the price extremely low

The casino manager restrained his smile and could not help but interject: "Miss Zhang, this joke should not be taken too far! Our casino has its rules; once words are spoken, they take root. Are you serious about this, or are you just joking around?"

Naturally, this is true. Words alone are not enough; a written agreement should be established first. However, those who wish to join the table must also present their silver. I kindly ask the neighbors to serve as witnesses.