Section 10: Extend the fishing line

Dan Fei is not an ordinary servant; she made this judgment the moment she laid eyes on this person. Throughout today's journey, she has become even more certain of this.

As a servant, it is an unwise act to presume to judge the young lady herself. Cao Ning'er soon realized that this act of hers had crossed the boundaries of propriety, yet she felt that Cui'er was making a mountain out of a molehill. She quickly replied, "If you insist on lending me one or two taels of silver to purchase those copper coins, it is certainly because you believe those coins hold a value exceeding one or two taels, even if Manager Liu and everyone else does not think so"

The carriage slowly moved down the long street. As they approached the Cao residence, Cao Ning'er suddenly lifted the curtain of the carriage and said, "Dan Fei, may I ask you a question?"

Even someone like Wu Qing can find a shovel coin; with his expertise, he is sure to uncover something of greater value than a few silver coins.

The one who provided this answer is Master Cao San

The copper coins he purchased from Wu Qing may seem useless to the average person, but he knows that for him, it is undoubtedly a chance for a turnaround

I did not expect that this young lady, besides being formidable against her enemies, also possesses such delicate and agile thoughts. After a moment of silence, I finally said: "Indeed."

"Yesterday, Uncle San asked you to choose the most valuable item among the seven things, why didn't you choose?" Cao Ning'er said softly

The role of the side is not very clear when flying solo, yet he knows a saying that was passed down during his time in archaeology—"Mercury of the Qin, vermilion of the Han, green ointment, charcoal of the Wei, and the family of Ming."

He has always found the young man somewhat displeasing, wondering where this audacious youth came from, who truly believes that standing beside the young lady means he has the final say in this pawnshop

"You said you would do your best to answer," Cao Ning'er said with a faint smile

The solo flight was quite unexpected; I did not anticipate that Cao Ning'er would think of this so quickly, and I could not help but praise, "The young lady is indeed clever"

Why is there vermilion on copper coins

Cao Ning'er smiled sweetly, feeling quite pleased. Cui'er, who was standing by, couldn't help but mutter, "What are you? Who needs your judgment on whether the young lady is clever or not?"

A tremor ran through his heart as he flew solo. When he initially picked up the items and then set them down again, arranging them in chronological order, he had long noticed Cao Ning'er’s confusion, knowing that the person who understood this answer could not possibly be Cao Ning'er

When he releases the long line, he knows that whether this servant can turn the tables and become the master depends on this occasion

As a servant, one must maintain a master to be considered respectable

Quickly calming his emotions, Dan Fei explained: "To be precise, I cannot see the value of those seven items in the eyes of Third Master."

The transfer of the single flight was handed over to Wu Qing, who was overjoyed and suddenly knelt down on the ground, bowing his head vigorously and saying: "Young Master Dan, thank you for your great kindness"

Cao Ning'er nodded slightly and walked a few steps away with Manager Liu. Manager Liu coughed softly and lowered his voice, saying: "Miss, there is something I am unsure whether I should mention or not."

To acquire a shovel coin with just one or two silver coins right from the start is fundamentally ineffective, and such an action is undoubtedly problematic

Alright, I will lend you the money. Cui'er, give him one or two taels of silver

Manager Liu and Lu Feng immediately widened their eyes in surprise, while Cui Er was also taken aback. However, seeing the unyielding demeanor of the young lady, Cui Er mumbled a few words but ultimately took out a small piece of silver from her embroidered pouch and handed it to Shan Fei

Dan Fei also smiled and said, "I actually cannot choose."

He almost forcefully stuffed the bag into Dan Fei's hands, then looked at Dan Fei with eager eyes

I do not believe it," Cao Ning'er said slowly, "One can tell the age of seven items at a glance, and how could someone who arranged these seven items in order not recognize their value?

Manager Liu quickly expressed his humility a few times, and Cao Ning'er added: "By the way, I would like to trouble Uncle Liu to continue keeping an eye on that matter that Third Uncle instructed."

This Master Cao San is both mysterious and perceptive; what exactly is his background? How is it that such a person has no record in the long river of history?

Speak up

Is there a difference? Cao Ning'er was taken aback, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck her mind. She immediately said: "Are you saying that the value of things is determined by people, rather than by the objects themselves? You do not understand the intentions of my third uncle, and therefore cannot judge the true value of those seven items in his eyes"

Opportunities arise from that small red mark on the copper coin, which is precisely the trace that even Manager Liu did not notice

Do not say that Manager Liu and Lu Feng have noticed it; even Cao Ning'er knows that this copper coin is worthless. In this chaotic era, the minting and use of currency are extremely disordered. Although Xudu has been peaceful for a few years, many common people still do not use the copper coins minted by the government, but rather prefer bartering or opting for hard currencies such as gold and silver.

This person is intelligent and clever, and even when facing Xiahou Heng and Cao Fu, he does not exhibit the typical characteristics of a common servant—either flattering the young master or pretending to be fiercely loyal in order to protect the young lady

Lufeng casually remarked: "So you're going solo? The Cao family pawnshop certainly won't accept this scrap metal."

This one is quite perceptive, but in my opinion, he is not a businessman. Liu Zhanggui said softly, and this is undoubtedly a fair assessment. He thought to himself that regardless of whether Master San chooses this person as a disciple, this statement still needs to be made

Cao Ning'er smiled and said, "I understand now, thank you for the reminder, Liu Bo."

After she finished giving her orders, she got into the carriage and glanced at Dan Fei, saying: "Dan Fei, we are returning to the residence"

As Liu Zhanggui looked at Miss, he remained noncommittal and silent. As the manager of the pawnshop, he was essentially the CEO of the company, responsible for considering the interests of the shareholders, and he certainly would not engage in a losing business deal.

Even the most capable individuals can sometimes misjudge situations

I was taken aback; I didn't expect the young lady to still remember this matter

However, there is no problem with Wu Qing. In Xu capital, is there any place where silver, this hard currency, cannot be exchanged? Upon hearing the quote from Dan Fei, I almost jumped up, "Young Master Dan, I have no problem, I will give this to you."

The young master smiled and said, "Miss, you are too polite. If I had known, I would have tried my best to answer." He thought to himself that women are all curious; it is already quite remarkable that this young lady has managed to hold back her questions until now

This sentence summarizes the characteristics of preservation in tombs throughout the ages. Of course, it cannot be generalized, but cinnabar was a highly distinctive preservative material in Han dynasty tombs. The presence of cinnabar on copper coins indicates that these coins were very likely retrieved from a Han tomb

Cao Ning'er sighed inwardly; she was a woman with her own opinions. Regardless of how her third uncle evaluated her, she was still accustomed to quietly observing the abilities and characteristics of a certain individual

Ah? Wu Qing was stunned, merely looking at Shan Fei with a pleading gaze

Cao Ning'er was slightly taken aback, and Cui'er could no longer hold back, saying: "What do you count for... can you earn one or two taels of silver in a year..." Before she could finish, she was stopped by Cao Ning'er waving her hand.

Cui'er pouted again, wondering what was wrong with the young lady today, why she was being so polite to a servant

After a moment of contemplation, I suddenly looked at Miss Cao Ning'er and smiled, "Miss, I have no money. Could you lend me one or two taels of silver? Give me seven days, and I will definitely pay you back."

That red mark is a dot of vermilion

When this thought arose, she herself was a bit surprised; otherwise, she would not have asked the question about San Fei. Relying on her intuition as a woman, she knew that San Fei was a capable person

The performance of being able to fly solo truly lacks any characteristics of a servant. When he looks at you, there is no arrogance, nor is there any sense of inferiority; perhaps it resembles more of a friendship.

Cinnabar, also known as vermilion, is originally a type of natural mineral.

As Wu Qing left with immense gratitude, Dan Fei smiled and, before turning around, heard Manager Liu say: "Miss, may I have a word with you"