Chapter Six: The Stingy San Lao

"Wasn't that wood prepared by me for you? You only need to put in a little effort, and as for the paint, how much could that possibly be worth?" Although Zhao Gong could be considered the second largest landlord in Wolonggang, his character was exceedingly stingy. Upon hearing this, he merely shook his head and said, "You don't need to carve those unnecessary embellishments for me; just make a bed according to the original design, and I won't shortchange you. One hundred coins; that original bed only cost eighty coins."

"Mr. Kongming, how do you find the time to visit my humble abode?" Liu Yi said with a smile

Liu Yi tried every possible argument and finally managed to raise the price to 200 coins, but Zhao Gong was unwilling to add any more. Liu Yi, feeling helpless, had no choice but to agree, as his family was on the verge of starvation; at this moment, compromise was unavoidable.

Isn't it a bit expensive?" Zhao Gong hesitated for a moment, looking at Liu Yi

Liu Yi was indifferent, believing that one gets what one pays for. Observing Zhao Gong's picky and reluctant demeanor, he felt a sense of disdain inside. If Zhao Gong were truly willing to pay him three hundred coins for the work, he would only have himself to blame for not recognizing the value.

This price is actually somewhat of a loss; Zhuge Liang's writing desk costs three hundred. Moreover, given his current skills, this price is considered a bargain. However, there is no other choice; in this remote and impoverished area, facing these villagers, he can only sell at a low price. He is even more determined in his heart that once he has earned enough money, not to mention going to Xuchang, he must first go to the nearby county town. Staying in this Wolong Ridge is akin to hiding a pearl in the dark; no matter how good the woodworking is, there are no discerning individuals here.

The funds have not been secured, and Liu Yi lacks motivation to work. As Zhao Gong mentioned, he followed the original design and completed it in just one hour. It looked decent, but it did not possess any attributes. Since Liu Yi's carpentry skill reached level 4, this was the first time he produced an item without any attributes. Naturally, the experience gained from this was not substantial.

Seeing the expression on the other person's face that seemed to say "you've won," Liu Yi conceded and picked up the five chirping chicks, saying, "What you said makes sense. If there's nothing else, I will take my leave now"

Naturally, it is just that I have not yet had the opportunity to acquire furniture. Liu Yi nodded, glanced at the chick in his hand, and said: "Please wait a moment, Mr. Kongming"

Liu Yi vowed that he would never engage in any transactions with this shameless old man for the rest of his life

Another guest has arrived

Liu Yi's eyes lit up; this one hundred and fifty coins would not last long. If he could secure two more business deals, he might consider going to the city to procure some meat, fruits, and vegetables to improve his living conditions

Liu Yi climbed up from the straw mat, feeling refreshed. Although there was no bed, he had slept quite comfortably last night. Especially after waking up, he felt an overwhelming surge of energy, as if it could never be exhausted, which made Liu Yi have an impulse to throw his head back and howl at the sky. After dismissing Wang Cai, Liu Yi opened the door latch and looked at Zhao Gong outside, saying, "Why have you come so early?"

If Master Liu's place can only be considered a humble abode, then my thatched cottage is even less than a humble abode. Zhuge Liang stood in the pavilion, reluctant to go out. He did not know why, but upon entering this pavilion, he felt an indescribable sense of comfort, as if he had been completely cleansed.

Liu Yi's mouth twitched slightly. Given Zhao Gong's character, that original bed must have been used for at least twenty or thirty years. How can the money now compare to that time? Back then, a stone of millet could be bought for less than a hundred coins. Now, if you give me a hundred coins, it would be fortunate to buy a third of that. This is still in Jingzhou, which is relatively stable compared to the Central Plains, where grain prices are not so high. If it were in a place frequently ravaged by war, tsk tsk... Is this old man shamelessly trying to bully me just because he is a village chief?

Received one hundred and fifty coins from Zhao Gong, and the last fifty coins, that shameless old man actually had the audacity to take five chicks to offset the payment for himself

The title of "Three Elders" refers to an official position, similar to that of a township chief, and is considered the person with the highest nominal authority in Wolonggang. Liu Yi does not possess the illustrious family background of Zhuge Liang, and although he is displeased with the other party for disturbing his dreams early in the morning, he must still greet them with a smile.

He is truly afraid that he might not be able to restrain himself and end up beating this old fellow to death. He has seen stingy people, but he has never seen anyone this stingy

"Three elders, one cannot speak in such a manner. If you do not believe me, why not go to the county and inquire? Do not mention one hundred; even the three hundred coins I mentioned, if you provide the timber, let us see if anyone will assist you in the work?" Liu Yi was somewhat intimidated.

Liu Yi felt as if he could hardly catch his breath: "Three elders, you are indeed the most respected person in this Wolong Ridge. Please speak honestly, a single bed is not just about polishing the wood; it also requires carving and coloring. Three hundred coins is truly not expensive. Even Mr. Kongming requires three hundred coins for a writing desk!"

Liu Yi, holding the chick, looked somewhat dumbfounded, and then changed the subject, saying: "Sir has yet to mention the purpose of your visit"

"There is no rush, I would like to visit Brother Liu's residence, if that is permissible?" Zhuge Liang came over, partly to request Liu Yi to make a few more pieces of furniture, and partly to see if Liu Yi's new home possessed the same extraordinary capabilities as that writing desk. It seems that my guess was indeed correct, and my curiosity about Liu Yi has intensified, especially since Liu Yi's eloquence earlier has led Zhuge Liang to feel a greater sense of recognition towards him. In the course of this conversation, I unconsciously shifted from addressing him as 'the craftsman' to 'Brother Liu'. It seems that my guess was indeed correct, and my curiosity about Liu Yi has intensified, especially since Liu Yi's eloquence earlier has led Zhuge Liang to feel a greater sense of recognition towards him. In the course of this conversation, I unconsciously shifted from addressing him as 'the craftsman' to 'Brother Liu'.

Hmph

"Last night, for some unknown reason, the bed suddenly collapsed," Zhao Gong said with a face full of misfortune. "How much would it cost to make a bed here, in terms of five-zhu coins?"

"Three elders, these five chicks surely cannot cost fifty coins, can they?" Liu Yi frowned and looked at Zhao Gong.

Is Liu Jialang there? The next morning, I heard Wang Cai shouting in the courtyard, followed by Zhao Gong's voice coming from outside

Rest assured, in the future, good things will certainly not be without you! Zhao Gong said with a chuckle

Liu Yi was stunned by the other party's remarks; is this considered a historical achievement just to save a few dollars

"A mountain does not have to be high; it is spiritual if there are immortals present." Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up: "I did not expect Master Liu to possess such literary talent."

Holding five chicks, Liu Yi walked back with some displeasure, and from a distance, he could hear Wang Cai's strong and vigorous shouting.

Mr. Kongming, you flatter me. The mountain does not need to be high; it becomes divine with the presence of an immortal. As long as you are in your dwelling, it is a blessed place of the immortals. Liu Yi smiled humbly, yet he could not help but feel a sense of pride in his heart. Even someone as renowned as Zhuge Liang, whose name is etched in history and resonates through time and space, praises my skills without reservation. It seems that my abilities are indeed worthy of recognition.

This ... ... Liu Yi felt a surge of joy in his heart, as this could be considered a significant transaction. After a moment of hesitation, he said: "How about three hundred coins?"

"It is no trouble, it is my brightness that disturbs."

"Currently, there are only five chicks, but if you raise them, the chickens will lay eggs, and the eggs will hatch into more chickens. How much profit would that be? When you calculate it, you still come out ahead!" Zhao Gong said, with his neck stretched.

You are just a young lad, how much skill can you possibly have? How can you compare to the craftsmen in the county town? Therefore, I can only add fifty coins, no more than that! Zhao Gong felt somewhat lacking in confidence; although he was one of the three elders, his usual stinginess meant that he did not hold much authority at Wolong Ridge. He was aware of his shortcomings, but he could not change them.

At that moment, as I quickened my pace into the courtyard, I happened to see Zhuge Liang standing in the pavilion, surveying his residence.

Uh... Is the inscription on the humble room not out yet?