A portly Persian merchant with a bulbous nose was peddling his wares to passersby in broken Tang Dynasty Mandarin. Behind him stood a group of ragged foreign women – his merchandise.
Fang Er merely glanced at them and continued on his way. He wasn't interested.
Foreign women, with their coarse pores and strong body odor, he disliked them. Were Han women not fragrant enough?
He hadn't walked far when he noticed a merchant standing behind a group of black slaves. They were all emaciated, each clad only in a loincloth, barefoot. As people passed, their eyes held a hint of entreaty.
"This young master, our Kunlun slaves just arrived yesterday and have already been trained. They are obedient, eat little, and are strong. They'll do whatever you ask. How about buying a few to take home?"
The merchant, seeing Fang Er staring at the black slaves, quickly stepped forward to greet him.
"These skinny things, like black monkeys, and strong? They'll probably just collapse from exhaustion after a couple of days of work! kanδん"
Fang Er scoffed.
He would believe they were strong, provided they were properly fed for some time.
But as for these people, who in his past life would work for a day and rest for two, quitting the moment they got paid, Fang Er genuinely didn't believe they'd do whatever was asked.
He waved a dismissive hand at the merchant and continued walking.
"You damned wench! How dare you run? I'll beat you to death!"
Just then, a furious roar echoed from not far away.
Fang Er hadn't taken more than a few steps when he saw a merchant whipping a young girl.
Upon seeing the girl's appearance, Fang Er froze.
"This… this is… she looks too much like someone from my past life!"
He then noticed the two large mounds on her chest, quite developed for her age. "Such substantial assets at such a young age!"
Fang Er swore to himself that he was only struck by her resemblance to someone from his memories. The large mounds were truly inconsequential.
Yes, this was the honest truth.
At this moment, more and more people began to gather.
The merchant, raising his whip again, struck the girl across her back.
"Stop!"
Fang Er couldn't bear to watch. This was simply detestable. How could such a flower-like girl be treated this way?
If anyone was to be whipped, it should be done at night, in private, with a small leather whip and a candle.
Alright, that thought was a bit wicked.
Lost in thought, a slight wicked smile crept onto Fang Er's face.
Seeing someone intervene, the merchant was about to retort angrily, but upon observing Fang Er's attire, his expression instantly changed.
With a fawning smile, he approached Fang Er and bowed. "My name is Zhang. I am the proprietor of this agency. Has the young master taken a liking to my little maid?"
"It's not a matter of liking. I simply cannot stand by and watch you bully a weak woman. Tell me the price. If it's reasonable, I'll take her."
Shopkeeper Zhang carefully examined Fang Er's clothing. The fabric and style were unlike anything he had ever seen. He then noticed the palm-sized crouching tiger embroidered on Fang Er's chest, exquisitely done, clearly indicating its great value.
"One hundred taels of silver! This is a girl from a respectable family, skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her father committed a crime, implicating the entire family. Such a commodity is rarely available. How about it? Will the young master take her home as a bed warmer?"
Shopkeeper Zhang leered at Fang Er, giving him a knowing wink.
"What a load of nonsense, 'you know what I mean.' Am I that kind of person?"
Hearing Shopkeeper Zhang's quoted price, the surrounding onlookers looked at Fang Er as if he were a complete fool.
"Heh heh, old Zhang is truly ruthless. Seeing the young master's fine clothes, he's already starting with an exorbitant price."
"Indeed. But speaking of which, the young master's clothes look truly spirited. And the fabric, I've never seen anything like it. Look at the craftsmanship of that embroidered crouching tiger, it's exceptional. I wonder where it's from."
"Yes, I'll have to ask him later."
"Do you think this young master will pay a hundred taels?"
"How could he? A hundred taels is enough to visit the Wangxian Tower and spend a night with the courtesan. He's not stupid!"
"Heh heh, you guys don't understand. These young masters from wealthy families enjoy acquiring maids to 'train' for their amusement."
A few onlookers, indulging in the spectacle, chattered amongst themselves, discussing Fang Er and his attire.
Fang Er's face turned green. "Damn it, why do I feel like I'm being treated like a complete idiot?"
"That's not important. I just can't stand seeing you whip her. A hundred taels is too much. Twenty taels. If it's agreeable, it's a deal. If not, you can keep her and continue whipping her."
Fang Er didn't want to be ripped off. From the shopkeeper's expression, he knew the man was preparing to fleece him.
However, the girl's striking resemblance to someone he knew made him feel strangely drawn to her.
"My good sir, how can you bargain like that, cutting the price in half? Add a bit more, fifty taels. Not a single copper less!"
Upon hearing Fang Er's counteroffer, Shopkeeper Zhang's face immediately fell. He then looked at Fang Er with resolute determination.
"Hu Zi, let's go!"
Fang Er stopped haggling and gave Hu Zi a look, then turned to leave.
Inwardly, he was repeatedly thinking, "Hurry and call me, hurry and call me, don't let me go!"
"Young master, please wait! Twenty taels it is! Seeing your distinguished demeanor, I'll consider it making a friend!"
As expected, Shopkeeper Zhang called out from behind him.
Fang Er was overjoyed.
"Twenty taels, that's only about twenty thousand yuan. In my past life, that wouldn't even be enough for the 'three golds' when marrying a wife, let alone the betrothal gifts. Now, I can buy one and bring her home, without needing to buy a car, a house, cosmetics, or bags. I'm making a huge profit." kΑnshu伍.ξà
"Hmm? You agreed so readily? Did I offer too much?"
Fang Er feigned regret, turning back to look at Shopkeeper Zhang.
Shopkeeper Zhang gritted his teeth and shouted to a nearby attendant, "What are you standing there for? Have you no eyes? Go fetch the maid's contract!"
A young attendant quickly ran into the back of the shop, retrieving a contract and handing it to Shopkeeper Zhang.
As he took the contract, Shopkeeper Zhang said to Fang Er, "Young master, twenty taels. It's a loss for me. Please don't tease me any further."
Fang Er didn't believe him. Anyone who did was a fool.
Nobody willingly engaged in a losing business.
After paying, Fang Er pocketed the girl's contract and then looked at Shopkeeper Zhang. "Does your establishment have any male servants suitable for bodyguards?"
Why bother many when one could serve? He wanted to minimize his errands.
Upon hearing Fang Er's words, Shopkeeper Zhang's face lit up with joy.
He quickly pulled Fang Er into the shop.
Hu Zi followed, while Da Li remained outside to watch over the newly purchased girl.
Shopkeeper Zhang led Fang Er past the main hall of the shop and directly into the inner courtyard.
In the inner courtyard, groups of prospective servants were gathered here and there.
"Young master, these are all of our best stock. Strong and healthy, with complete documentation. The price is fixed: five taels for men, ten taels for women. How many do you require?"
Shopkeeper Zhang pointed to these individuals and introduced them to Fang Er.
This price was quite reasonable.