vstars Chapter 95 Buying People
Chapter 95 Buying People
Thinking about it, this can't go on like this. We need to have more people in the shop to keep it running.
We've already recruited most of the suitable young women and older women in the village, so where are we going to find more people?
She walked towards the ice shop, and because she was lost in thought, she didn't notice that Yan Feng and she, who were walking out happily, almost bumped into each other.
"Hey, you silly girl! What are you thinking about so intently?!"
Yan Feng stopped in time, touching his chest, still somewhat shaken.
He wasn't worried about getting hit himself, but rather that his large frame might knock the girl unconscious if he bumped into her unexpectedly.
Wen Luozhi snapped out of her daze and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, Uncle Yan, my family's pastry shop is short-staffed. I'm wondering where to find more people."
Yan Feng smiled and said, "What's there to think about? If you need people, just tell me, I have plenty in my manor!"
Putting everything else aside, there are plenty of maids, servants, and old women; getting people wouldn't be a problem.
A conflicted look appeared between Wen Luozhi's brows. Given Yan Feng's personality, he would definitely ask a few people to come and help without hesitation, but...
People feel more at ease using things they own.
Yan Feng seemed to have thought of this as well. The people in his manor had all signed indentures, and it was indeed inappropriate for the two of them to be in a cooperative relationship now.
Thinking of this, he said to Wen Luozhi, "I know a very reliable yamen runner in Sanli Lane; we could go and buy a few people."
"The price is so-so, and I feel safe using it since I've signed a contract."
Wen Luozhi's eyes lit up when she heard that! That's right, she could buy people!
Although she, as a modern person, finds it hard to accept, that's just how reality is.
As Yan Feng said, once you buy it and sign a contract of servitude, it becomes your own person, so there's no need to worry too much.
The two walked and talked about business, and soon arrived at Sanli Lane.
Yan Feng had already sent someone to inform them, and the young man greeted the two of them warmly.
"My name is Wu, you can just call me Wu San," he said, rubbing his hands together eagerly.
He knew Yanfeng; wasn't that the ice business that had been making headlines recently? They had met several times before, and a boss like that wasn't short of money.
As for this young girl, he had already inquired about her; her family owned two shops, both of which were very successful.
He'd better treat them well; who knows, he might be able to buy people from them in the future!
"Mr. Wu, this is the owner of Dessert Wonderland. He's here today to buy a few people from you."
You can't lie to them.
Wu San grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth. "Mr. Yan, you're too kind. I'll take you two to see the person right away."
When Wen Luozhi arrived at the place where people were being held, her pupils dilated upon seeing the scene before her.
Big and small, old and young, were all locked in cages like the stray dogs she had seen before, their eyes revealing helplessness and despair.
Upon seeing someone approach, a woman suddenly reached out from the cage with her filthy hand and grabbed Wen Luozhi's skirt:
"Girl, buy me, buy me!" The voice was hoarse and shrill. Wen Luozhi looked down and met a pair of eyes as fierce as a wolf's.
The woman's cloudy eyes held a hint of shrewdness and calculation, yet she pleaded pitifully with her when facing her.
"What are you doing?! If you scare this girl, I'll beat you to death!" Wu San lashed the woman's hand with his whip, and she immediately pulled her hand back in pain, squatting in a corner of the cage, too afraid to go any further.
Wen Luozhi frowned. Everyone else was in a cage with several people, but this woman was alone. She seemed to be someone special.
Seeing that she was looking at the woman from before, Wu San assumed that she wanted to buy her and quickly said, "If Boss Wen wants to buy someone, you can't buy her. This woman is very vicious!"
After saying that, he spat, "This woman is such a nuisance! She used to be a concubine in a wealthy family, but was later sold here."
They're not being honest at all! He led the two of them to look at other things.
After looking around, Wen Luozhi picked out several people who looked pleasing to the eye. Wu San released the people and made them stand in line to listen to Wen Luozhi's instructions.
"Anyone who knows martial arts, come out!" Wen Luozhi shouted as she stood in front of them.
She plans to assign two people with some martial arts skills to each shop, so that they won't be too passive if someone causes trouble.
Upon hearing this, three men stepped forward. Wen Luozhi glanced at them and saw that they were in good physical condition. She suggested that if they ate more, they should be able to handle security without any problems.
She was still one short, so she looked into the cage again and finally chose one that was a bit thinner.
She selected two older, clean-looking girls to help Daya and Erya with chores, and a hardworking and honest middle-aged couple to help out at the shop near the academy.
After selecting so many items at once, Wen Luozhi felt her eyes were already blurry, and she couldn't possibly look at any more.
Wu San smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits; this was the biggest deal he'd made in days!
After settling the money, he rounded down the difference of one tael of silver, and Yan Feng nodded in satisfaction.
This kid is quite savvy; it's no wonder he sent the steward here so many times to buy servants.
The total cost for the eight people was thirty taels of silver, with the four young men being the most expensive.
After completing the handover procedures, she was about to leave with her people when a young yet firm voice came from behind her as she was about to step out the door:
"Sister, please take me with you."
Wen Luozhi stopped and turned around, wanting to see who it was, when a little boy stretched out his thin hand from the cage and waved, "Sister, it's me."
She walked over and squatted down in front of the cage, looking at the little child with a dark face.
Although he was in a cage, he sat upright, unlike the others who were leaning against the cage in a crooked manner.
The little guy looked at her with a determined and longing gaze, as if saying, "Buy me, buy me, buy me!"
Wen Luozhi found it interesting, and she asked with a smile, "Then tell me, why should I bring you home?"
Mo Li thought for a moment, then opened her small mouth and said fluently, "I'm educated, I can read and write, and I can do accounting. Most importantly, I can do any kind of work and I don't eat much."
Because he was the youngest here, ate the least, and didn't cause any trouble, the young men responsible for looking after him rarely hit him.
Wen Luozhi laughed out loud. This little guy is clever enough to promote himself without taking a break.
"Boss Wu, how much is this child?" She stood up and pointed to the little guy in the cage.
Wu San looked somewhat conflicted, but still said, "This little kid only costs eight taels of silver, but he needs to bring an elderly person along."
After he finished speaking, he pointed behind Mo Li. Wen Luozhi looked over and saw that there was indeed a thin old man curled up in a ball behind him.
"Sister, please take me and Grandpa with you. I'll do whatever you say. Please save my grandpa!"
Grandpa will die if he doesn't get treatment soon. What will he do then? He can't even imagine it.
Wen Luozhi looked at the grandfather and grandson in the cage, and Mo Li kowtowed directly to Wen Luozhi in the cage, her little head hitting the ground with a loud thud.
Wen Luozhi was about to stop him when the old man behind Mo Li coughed a few times, his voice aged but firm, "Xiao Li, don't worry about Grandpa. You're doing well, Grandpa can rest in peace now."