Chapter 4, Sound

He communicated with the gatekeeper at the city gate before entering the city

"So expensive?" Chen Mo said in surprise

Chen Mo nodded, but saw the village head secretly slip two five-cash coins to the guard at the gate, looking at Uncle Cai in confusion, as others had not given this when entering the city

However, Old Liu from West City Street said it was possible. Chen Mo felt a bit flustered, his eyes darting around uncontrollably as he recalled what Old Liu had said, and he hurriedly spoke.

Chen Mo hesitated for a moment, but ultimately could not resist, reaching out to lift the bowl of water and taking a few sips

The man seemed to have noticed Chen Mo's hesitation, stood up, and turned to head towards the back hall

"How can this be called deception? This is called flexibility! Otherwise, how could you sell grain to them?" The old man chuckled as he tapped Chen Mo's head and said, "When the time comes, just say it was introduced by Old Liu from West City Street; they will believe you."

... ...

Oh. Chen Mo nodded, shouldering the grain bag, and walked away with a heavy heart

"Hurry up!" Uncle Wang patted Chen Mo's shoulder and said with a smile, "It's just a mud city. If you see the city walls made of bricks and stones in the prefectural city, you might be scared to death."

"What instructions do you have, sir?" Chen Mo hurriedly ran over

In normal years, the grain trade does not yield significant profits; it is characterized by thin margins and high sales volume. However, in years of famine, grain merchants can make substantial profits.

Chen Mo felt somewhat reluctant, yet he also thought that what the other party said made sense. Moreover, 300 coins had already exceeded his expectations by a considerable margin. He glanced at the water bowl beside him, feeling a bit hesitant. He had run all the way and was indeed thirsty, but he felt embarrassed to drink.

Uncle Cai has never been seen? Chen Mo keenly captured the key words in the conversation. Compared to the fierce and intimidating Uncle Wang, he preferred to talk to Uncle Cai

You want to sell grain, but the place we are going to is different, so we will part ways here. It is now the hour of the snake (between 9 and 11 o'clock). We will gather here at the beginning of the hour of the monkey. The price of millet should be around 200 coins per stone, but this year there has been a severe drought in various regions, so grain prices are likely to rise and may sell for even higher. However, although the grain merchants in the market offer lower prices, it is safer there, so it is best to sell in the market. The embroidery from the Brocade Workshop is priced reasonably well, and your mother's skills are quite good. If you sell it yourself, it should be worth around 500 coins.

"Where's the money?" Chen Mo put down the grain and looked at the attendant, feeling that the other person's expression was somewhat strange, yet he could not pinpoint what exactly was strange about it

The price of grain is not too different, but the price of my mother's embroidery varies greatly. Thinking of my mother, who drags her frail body by the window to embroider every day, it may take her a whole month to complete a piece, only to be exploited by those people in the end, fills my heart with indescribable discomfort

Oh, Chen Mo obediently nodded, no longer asking further questions, and followed the crowd into the city with the donkey cart. The soldiers guarding the city gate did not search the donkey cart like they did with others; perhaps this was the effect of those two five-cash coins

Oh..." The man's voice sounded somewhat strange as he squinted and scrutinized Chen Mo, saying: "It's that old fellow, fine, just put down the grain.

Thank you, old man. Chen Mo quickly expressed his gratitude to the elder, and after confirming the direction to the post station, he proceeded towards it.

After Er Gou entered the city, the village head called Chen Mo over

"Go ahead, remember to meet us here at the beginning of the Shen hour," the village chief waved his hand and said

What is that?" Chen Mo looked at Li Zheng with some curiosity. He had also come to the county town back in the day, but he did not remember anyone asking him for this at that time

In this day and age, for the majority of common people, the farthest place they may have ever been in their lifetime is likely the local county seat

He remembers that every year, his mother's embroidery would only fetch around one hundred coins at most

The village head nodded slightly, saying little. In fact, Chen's mother was not wrong in her usual sales; the buyers came to their area to collect at this price.

"The grain market did not mention that they would deliver grain today?" A quarter of an hour later, in the west city inn, the shopkeeper frowned and said to Chen Mo.

"It seems there are many levels of authority. For people like us, when we want to enter another city, we cannot do so without the proper credentials; otherwise, the local residents will not allow us in. If you wish to go to other cities, you also need to go to the county seat to handle the paperwork. Even if the village head issues a document, it is of no use. In any case, it is quite troublesome," Uncle Cai explained while driving the donkey cart.

"Do not look around carelessly, and do not ask questions indiscriminately." Uncle Cai, without waiting for him to speak, shot him a glare and said, "You will understand in the future"

What should we do then?" Chen Mo asked curiously

"Of course it is different. I have heard that the city walls of Jun City are as high as 5 zhang, which is twice the height of those here," said Uncle Cai calmly.

Uncle Cai's face darkened, and he slapped Chen Mo, saying impatiently: "Hurry up, hurry up. If you want to return before sunset, we must leave this afternoon"

The man merely smiled, which eased Chen Mo's vigilance somewhat. He patted Chen Mo's head and said with a smile, "It's no trouble. We have already accepted it. According to the market price, one stone of millet is three hundred and eighty coins. However, we can only offer you three hundred coins here, after all, we need to make a profit too"

"Money?" The fellow wanted to laugh upon hearing this, but was slapped on the head by someone.

In the past, the difference was not significant, but this year, due to grain shortages in various regions, grain prices have surged. If they sell it, a stone of millet would cost four hundred coins, but if they were to buy it, it would likely be the same as in previous years said the old man with a smile

"Foolish, just say it was sent from the grain market," the old man said with a smile

"Selling goods over there, it will be..." Chen Mo instinctively said, but suddenly felt something was amiss halfway through. Shouldn't he have come from the grain market? He immediately fell silent.

Although he is still young, he is the only man in the Chen family at present, and there are some things he must experience for himself. The village head shook his head and said, "You go watch over him, the rest of you come with me."

"Are you lying?" Chen Mo frowned and said

Oh, Chen Mo was slapped and dared not ask any further, only able to walk in gloomily.

Is there a big difference? Chen Mo said in surprise

"Young man, if you wish to sell grain, why not deliver it directly to the post station? Selling it at the grain market does not yield much profit." An elderly man, finding Chen Mo's demeanor pleasing and polite, took the initiative to call him over and said with a smile.

As he inquired along the way, Chen Mo sought to find the place for collecting grain

"Wait a moment," the old man waved his hand at Chen Mo and said, "If you go like this, the inn won't pay attention to you. They usually charge by the dozens of stones, and with this little amount, they won't accept it separately."

Chen Mo walked down the street, burdened with thoughts. In previous years, people from the county would come to various towns and villages to purchase various materials, such as grain and embroidery. There was no comparison, and naturally, he was unaware of the prices. However, he suddenly realized that the value of these items was far higher than the prices offered by the collectors who came every year, which left the young Chen Mo feeling somewhat uneasy.

"Host, please be advised that a sedative has been detected in your system. Would you like to expend a bit of luck to eliminate it?" At the moment Chen Mo drank the water, a sudden voice echoed in his mind, startling him out of his silence...

"Go get the money quickly," said the man, who appeared quite respectable and gave a reassuring impression. At this moment, he glanced at Chen Mo and smiled, "Xiao Tong, have some water. This one stone of millet is quite heavy. Where are your elders?"

"Is it too much to let a child go like this?" Uncle Wang said with some concern as he looked at Chen Mo's small figure.

Is it not different? Chen Mo was somewhat unclear about the meaning of the stone walls; in his worldview, the walls of Xiaqiu County were already the most magnificent structures in the world

Oh. Chen Mo nodded in a seemingly understanding manner, carrying the grain bag as he followed the old man's instructions towards that inn

"Boss?" The subordinate instinctively lowered his head and spoke to the man who had appeared behind him