Chapter 8 Transaction

  A true nobleman always keeps a low profile and never shows off in public. Su Tiancheng believed that the old man in front of him was absolutely not simple, and might have an extraordinary background. Although the old man claimed to be a beggar, his demeanor was entirely that of a superior person.

  The old man's skill is not worth mentioning, two strong men, in the blink of an eye, fell down in front of the old man, how could this be done by ordinary people, if it were oneself facing him, one would not know what happened.

  The horse market is a mixed bag of good and bad people, who knows if the imperial court will send someone to keep an eye on this place.

  An opportunity once lost will never come again, having traveled through time and space to the Great Ming Dynasty, I must find an extraordinary relationship.

  Su Tiancheng removed his bamboo hat and veil, stood up, and bowed to the old man.

  "I am Su Tiancheng, a student from Pingyang Prefecture, with the courtesy name Kunyuan. I am fortunate to have received your favor, sir. Whatever you say, I will naturally follow and carry out. I have five Mongolian horses, awaiting your arrangement."

  The old man narrowed his eyes and looked at Su Tiancheng.

  The inn was very quiet at this moment, and most people were sleeping soundly.

  After a while, the old man spoke again.

  "Su Gongzi, you're quite bold! Originally a scholar, I didn't expect you to come to Xiangling County to trade horses. How interesting! It's really interesting. No wonder you're not afraid of anything. Old Beggar wouldn't dare do this. Since you trust Old Beggar, I won't be polite either. You wait here, and I'll go and come back."

  The old man did things decisively, stood up and left directly.

  A moment later, the old man brought in another person who was also wearing a conical hat and had his face covered. Judging from his build, he too was young.

  Su Tiancheng had already put on his bamboo hat, he trusted the old man, but didn't dare guarantee what kind of person the old man would bring.

  Su Tiancheng has already put on a bamboo hat, covering his face. The old man nodded in satisfaction.

  "Sir Su, this is Qu Qingze, he wants to buy your Mongolian horse."

  Su Tiancheng stood up and bowed with his fists clasped together.

  "Sir, don't you think you should take a look at the horses before making a decision?"

  Qing Ze shook his head and pulled out a brocade bag from his body, placing it on the table.

  "Master Su, here are 50 taels of gold. Please count them and if there's no mistake, I'll follow you to receive the goods right away. Originally, I should have invited Master Su to drink a few rounds, but I don't have time now as I need to leave Xiangling County immediately. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will definitely invite Master Su to drink."

  "Master Qi is being polite, with Old Man's introduction, I am absolutely trustworthy, Master Qi please follow me."

  Watching the clear and calm figure ride away on his warhorse, Su Tiancheng felt a slight pang in his heart. In fact, he had really wanted to keep these warhorses, but unfortunately it was not possible now. All troubles and disasters were caused by being too outstanding.

  When the foundation is not solid, the earth shakes and the mountains tremble.

  In the horse market deal, he had left a deep impression on him, waiting for the right moment to make a move, now it's not several hundred years later, there are still people who may reason with you.

  The old man still hasn't left, standing off to the side. Qū Gōngzǐ has walked far away and can no longer be seen. Sū Tiānchéng removed his bamboo hat and face veil.

  "Thank you, sir."

  "Haha, no need to thank me, one favor deserves another. An old beggar like me knows how to repay kindness. Master Su, the transaction is complete, it seems you're preparing to head home. If I have the chance in the future, I'll come to your estate to ask for food, don't refuse me, young master."

  "The old man said so, and I am ashamed. It's still early now, I invite the old man to have a drink."

  "Haha, drinking is what old beggars love most, what's wrong with that?"

  The old man said and walked out of the inn, continuing to drink wine. It was not suitable to continue drinking inside the inn at this time. At this moment, the city gate should have been opened by the patrol officer's yamen, and it was possible to go into the city to find a wine house to drink.

  Su Tiancheng hastily beckoned Su Er'tong who was waiting in the main hall to follow him into Xiangling County.

  "Facing the wine, singing a song, how many years of life are like morning dew, when gone, bitter and numerous, sighs should be loud and clear, worries hard to forget, what can dispel worries, only Du Kang..."

  The old man was reciting Cao Cao's "Short Song" and slowly walked towards the direction of the county town.

  The old man finished reciting and looked at Su Tiancheng who was following beside him.

  "Su Gongzi, you are a scholar, the old beggar has finished reciting Cao Chengxiang's short poem, and now it's your turn to compose a poem to express your feelings with wine."

  Su Tiancheng's body trembled slightly, and he opened his mouth without thinking.

  "A wine cup made of jade, a lute played on horseback, don't laugh at me for being drunk and sleeping in the battlefield, how many people have returned from ancient wars?"

  "Haha, Wang Han, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty from Taiyuan Prefecture. Su Gongzi indeed has grand ambitions! The border, the border... now there is no peaceful day anymore."

  Su Tiancheng had a thread of anxiety, in this era that he was still unfamiliar with, whether singing to express one's aspirations was a sin.

  The old man was very familiar with Xiangling City, and he took Su Tiancheng and Su Er Tong directly to a wine house. It's worth knowing that the wine house opens at Chen time, so there can't be many people.

  Su Er Tong refused to enter the luxurious room, in his opinion, his own family's silver was not abundant, so he had to be frugal and save as much as possible. Moreover, the eldest lady was too overbearing, her own expenses and those of her parents, including the monthly allowance, were all deducted from the young master's thirty taels of silver each month.

  "Mr. Su, the old beggar and you are quite compatible, thank you for your concern, there are a few words that must be said."

  Su Tiancheng was about to stand up, but the old man waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to.

  "The old beggar thinks that you are a person with great ambitions and responsibilities, and also a bookworm. The majestic and generous atmosphere is revealed, at such a young age, you are not surprised by changes, bold and generous, most importantly, you have a good sense of timing and can identify the right people."

  "What happened at Horse Market today, the old beggar suggested, just forget about it, don't mention it to anyone. That little fellow, the old beggar thinks is very good, absolutely loyal. Such a servant is hard to come by."

  Su Tiancheng nodded repeatedly, although the old man's words were not very nutritious.

  "The old beggar likes to talk too much, some words, having been said, young master please don't mind, just saying today's matter at the horse market, the old beggar thinks that young master has three places where he did not do well."

  "This is the first, brocade clothes and imperial robes go to the horse market for trading, put on anyone's body, are suspicious, either it is a young master, who owes debts outside, steals and sells his family's fine horses, or the origin of the horses is not proper, in short, they are all unsightly, since wearing brocade clothes, where do you still need to go to the horse market for trading?"

  "This is the second, after entering the horse market, leading a fine horse to walk around everywhere, but not mentioning transaction matters, looking east and west, particularly concerned about people's transactions, this is the biggest taboo. The transaction in the horse market was originally not allowed by the government office. The young master led the warhorse, and others thought, was it someone from the government who came to investigate?"

  "This is the third, not familiar with the horse's situation, but dare to come to the horse market for trading. If it were those who are familiar with fine horses, after asking a few questions, the young master would have nothing to say. Not familiar with horses, yet leading a warhorse for trading, the courage is indeed not small. Moreover, the transaction of fine horses should be conducted in public places. In that dark place, who knows what will happen?"

  "The old beggar felt that the young master was a great talent in the making and couldn't help but say these words."

  Su Tiancheng stood up and made a fist at the old man as a salute.

  "The junior thanks the elder for his teachings and will remember them forever."

  "Heh heh, the old beggar likes to talk too much. There are two more questions, young master, please don't mind. Firstly, where did these five Mongolian horses come from? Secondly, you look tired and haggard, obviously you've been working hard through the night. You scholars only care about reading books and don't pay attention to outside matters. The imperial exam is next year, how could you have time to worry about horse trading?"

  Sū Tiānchéng's forehead broke out in a cold sweat; for the time being, he was unable to answer these two questions.

  "The old beggar didn't really want the young master to answer, just asking casually."

  The old man looked at Su Tiancheng, a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

  "A great man stands in the world, he should despise evil like an enemy, uphold justice and righteousness. Young master, remember this: there are things you should do and things you shouldn't."