Chapter 4 Selling People

  Qin Yiren's tone was not loud, and even because of hunger, he didn't have the strength to say words with force, but it carried an unmistakable intention, no one dared to have any doubt.

  Kneel down and knock your head, this is begging for mercy, which will lose dignity and backbone. Although Qin Yiren was so hungry that his stomach was stuck to his back, he hated to eat a big meal, but still endured this fatal temptation and adhered to his dignity.

  "Good! Adopted!"

  Heibo, Meng Zhao, Ma Gai, Fan Tong and Mo Er's five people originally dull eyes were shining with excitement, loudly cheering.

  In the Warring States era, when evaluating others' speeches and debates, there were three levels. The highest level was to praise and applaud like this, the second level was to praise but not applaud, and the lowest level was to pretend not to have heard it and not comment on it.

  Without experiencing such hunger personally, one would not know that Qin Yiren overcame the temptation of food with great willpower. Heibo, Meng Zhao, Ma Gai, Fan Tong and Mo Er have experienced it personally, so they naturally know how much courage and willpower Qin Yiren needs to refuse so resolutely.

  If it were someone with a slightly weaker will, not to mention kneeling down and kowtowing, even being called an ancestor would be no problem, but Qin Yiren flatly refused, and no praise is excessive.

  "This... " The result was far beyond Zhao Ping's expectations. His mouth opened wide, his face full of surprise and incredulity.

  He understood Qin Yiren all too well, and was very clear about how strong the demand for food was for someone who had been tormented by hunger for three years. In his opinion, even if Qin Yiren wanted to save face and not lose the dignity of a prince, it was impossible. At least he wouldn't refuse so abruptly, without any hesitation.

  What surprised him even more was yet to come, as Qin Yi Ren struggled to get back up on his feet.

  Qin Yi had already lost all his strength, was on the verge of collapse, and even standing up was difficult. However, Qin Yi in front of him not only stood up with a straight back like a javelin, but also looked like a towering pine tree, his thin body like a bamboo pole gave people the feeling of being an immovable mountain.

  "This......" Zhao Ping and his red-clad attendants watched in stunned silence, their faces frozen in shock.

  In their memories, the former Qin Yi was like a walking corpse, whether he was alive or dead, he didn't care, and it was impossible for him to have such an aura as he did now. They thought they were seeing things, rubbed their eyes and looked carefully again, but it was true, Qin Yi's standing aura was extraordinary, like a mountain, like a peak.

  "Prince!" Hei Bo, Meng Zhao, Ma Ge, Fan Tong and Mo Er were all excited, with tears welling up in their eyes.

  Also don't know where to come up with a burst of energy, struggling to get up, standing behind Qin Yi, like a javelin straight, they held their heads high, chest out, back straight.

  Qin Yiren's originally lifeless eyes flashed with a hint of spirit, and he slowly said: "Zhao Ping, remember this for me: a gentleman can be killed but not humiliated. I'm putting this account on record with you today. If I don't escape this calamity, then so be it. But if I do manage to escape, hmph, I'll make sure to repay you double!"

  The tone is not high, nor is the speech hurried, but it conveys a sense of determination.

  "Prince......" The five black slaves could no longer hold back, and tears fell like broken strings of pearls.

  Qin Yi has a strong fighting spirit. With this spirit, there is hope. This is what the old Qin Yi lacked. If the five of them don't get excited, it won't work.

  "You..." Zhao Ping wanted to refute, but didn't dare look directly into Qin Yiren's eyes. He turned his head and avoided her gaze.

  Qin Yiren's gaze was not piercing, but Zhao Ping felt as if he were facing a knife or sword, and didn't dare to look straight at him, nor did he dare to avoid him.

  "Master... " Zhao Ping suddenly called out to the young master, and as soon as he spoke, he was shocked himself, silently wondering "What's wrong with me? Why did I call him 'young master'?"

  "...I came here today because there is something I want to discuss with you." What made Zhao Ping himself hard to believe was that his tone was no longer so arrogant and domineering, but rather very plain and humble, even using the word "discuss".

  Compared to Zhao Ping's overbearing and arrogant attitude, this was a 180-degree turn, with an air of respect. The several red-clad minor officials watched in amazement, but dared not raise any objections, for Qin Yiren's gaze made them tremble.

  "If you have any evil thoughts, it's better not to say them." Qin Yiren didn't catch the implication of his words.

  "Mr. Yiren, give me a moment." Zhao Ping's attitude was even better, and he actually used the word "please".

  Hei Bo, Meng Zhao, Ma Gai, Fan Tong and Mo Er five people, you look at me, I look at you, with a face of incredulity. In their memory, Zhao Ping has always been punching and kicking them, scolding them severely, never so polite as this time, even using the word "please".

  "Amazing! What an extraordinary aura!" The five members of the Black Tiger Gang were overjoyed and secretly admired Qin Yi's extraordinary aura.

  "Young Master, I don't need to tell you about your current situation, you must be aware of it yourself. If you don't eat anything again, it's likely to end in disaster." Zhao Ping carefully chose his words, trying to be as respectful as possible: "I am willing to pay ten gold coins for her." He pointed at Chao Mei'er.

  "Shut up!" shouted Hei Bo, Meng Zhao, Ma Gai, Fan Tong and Miao Er in unison.

  "Are you buying her?" Qin Yiren was somewhat perplexed.

  "The young master doesn't know, in the hundred years of the Warring States period, seven major powers rose and fell, how many small countries were destroyed? How many aristocratic families were ruined? Zhao Ping hurriedly explained: "Miss Mo knows books and etiquette, is familiar with palace rituals, just needs a little more time to rest and recover. Miss Mo's appearance I have seen before, she is a perfect beauty, if we let her pretend to be a small country princess, there will be no problem."

  In the Warring States period, seven major powers vied for dominance. Many small countries were destroyed and many aristocratic families fell. As a result, princesses from small countries and daughters of noble families were in high demand. It was easy to pass off Mo Er as a princess from a small country, and she could be sold at a good price.

  "How much did you gain?" Qin Yiren asked.

  "A hundred taels." Zhao Ping hastily replied. Seeing Qin Yiren staring at him without speaking, he quickly changed his words to: "Five hundred taels."

  "A thousand pieces of gold."

  "Three thousand taels of gold."

  "The number of five thousand gold."

  "Eight thousand pieces of gold."

  "If you're lucky and meet a big spender, even tens of thousands is possible."

  Zhao Ping made one concession after another, with an increasing number of them.

  A young and beautiful girl like Xiang Mei, who is good at singing and dancing, and familiar with the etiquette of the palace, impersonating a princess of a small country, meeting a big tycoon, selling for a huge sum of money is very likely.

  "You've profited so much, yet you only give me ten pieces of gold. You're really ruthless." Qin Yiren's eyes sparkled with light.

  "Sir, this can be negotiated. I'll give you 10%, no, 20%, or even 30%." By a strange coincidence, Zhao Ping did not reveal his ferocity as before, but instead continued to increase the stakes.

  "Mo Er, Zhao Ping is despicable, but he's right." Qin Yiren pondered for a moment before rushing to Mo Er and saying: "You know our current situation, without food, we'll eventually starve to death..."

  "Prince, you wouldn't..." He Bo, Meng Zhao, Ma Gai and Fan Tong's faces changed drastically as they stared at Qin Yiren.

  Miao Er burst into tears and sobbed quietly.

  "This thing is vicious and hard to accept, but it's a way out." Qin Yiren sighed.

  At present, Qin Yi has no money on him and nothing to eat. Following Qin Yi will only lead to death sooner or later. If selling Mei Er is indeed a way out.

  What's the point of dying? If you can live, then live.

  Zhao Ping's eyes sparkled with joy, and his eyes were filled with golden pancakes.

  Hei Bo, Meng Zhao, Ma Gai, Fan Tong and Mo Er's faces were filled with increasingly intense disappointment.

  "However, this is up to you! If you're not willing, I'd rather starve to death than force you. If you're willing, I'll give you back your freedom." Qin Yiren's voice suddenly rose, loud and clear: "Moyu, tell me, are you willing or not?"

  "Bang!" Mo Er knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Qin Yi Ren and said: "Young Master, Mo Er is your person in life, your ghost in death, I will never leave you!"

  The tone is not high, but it's firm and unshakeable.

  "Zhao Ping, did you hear that? Mo Er doesn't want to, and from now on, don't you dare try to control her again. Otherwise, I, Qin Yi Ren, will definitely kill you." Qin Yi Ren's eyes suddenly widened, his right hand pointing towards the door as he shouted loudly: "Get out!"