Chapter 105

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Xu Ran got up early this morning. He put a pot of pickled bamboo shoots to the carriage. Then, he cooked the pigweed for feeding pigs and horses as well as released the chickens and ducks out of the poultry houses. After making and having breakfast with his two kids and the old, Xu Ran prepared to go out.

Liu Tong was still asleep. Ever since Xu Ran knew that Liu Tong was pregnant, he managed to have Liu Tong develop the habit of sleeping late.

Liu Tong had been keeping an accurate biological rhythm these years. Although he was awake, he had to listen to Xu Ran and keep himself on the bed.

Pregnant men got sleepy easily, and Liu Tong got used to this new normal now.

At first, Liu Tong was worried about being lazy after having such a habit, but Xu Ran said that he wanted his son to have enough sleep since he was in his daddy’s womb so that he wouldn’t sleep late after birth.

Although he knew that Xu Ran’s words didn’t make any sense, Liu Tong had no idea to refute them.

Xu Ran got into the carriage with Foreman Li, who was going to the town to buy some food.

Before getting into the carriage, Foreman Li said some flattering words to Xu Ran.

Xu Ran sat in the driver’s seat with Foreman Li next to him. Then, they were talking on the way.

Foreman Li told Xu Ran something about Zhang Yue after that incident.

Xu Ran had been extremely busy these days, and he had paid little attention to Zhang Yue.

Foreman Li had lived in Xu Village for two months. He liked chatting with other villagers when he was free. Now, he was much familiar with people in this village.

When Xu Cheng was prisoned in the ancestral hall, Elder Daddy Xu and Xu Houcai made a scene. Seeing nothing changed, they gave up and went back home. Soon, they went to the hospital in the town and saw Zhang Yue lying on the bed, who was still in a coma and bandaged by the physician. Zhang Yue’s wounds looked very serious, and the physician explained the condition of Zhang Yue to them two.

Actually, Elder Daddy Xu and Xu Houcai had come to visit Zhang Yue because they didn’t believe what Xu Ran had said. However, they could do nothing but believe it now. After all, the physician wouldn’t tell a lie.

Then, they started to hesitate again. They couldn’t afford Zhang Yue’s medical treatment now, unless they sold their fields, which were actually of little value.

Even worse, there wouldn’t be an instant buyer, so they could only sell their fields to the government, which meant that they would earn less money. They felt upset enough just thinking about it.

However, they had to sell the fields for supporting Zhang Yue’s medical treatment, or the latter would die. Then, their beloved son would go to jail and even have his life ended. No! No way! The two of them made up their mind to save Zhang Yue by hook or crook. Therefore, they went back to Village Xu to visit the village head.

The village head explained the implications of this event, which frightened the couple of elderly Xu. Immediately, they took the title deed and prepared to sell their fields.

The village head knew that the couple of elderly Xu was poor. Besides, they were of the same village and on good terms. Therefore, he offered a fair price and paid the part which should have been given to the government to the couple of elderly Xu.

With ingots of silver in their hands, the old couple went home. However, they kept cursing along the way. Someone heard it and told it to the village head. Upon hearing that, the village head got furious and said that he would never help the couple anymore.

However, the old couple were still arrogant, as if nobody in this world was right except for themselves.

Hearing that, Xu Ran smiled gently. He knew that Xus had been always like this. Perhaps they would not change until they die. What a pity! The original owner of his body was born in such a miserable family and had his life ended at a young age.

“However, if this fool didn’t die, I wouldn’t come to this world,” Xu Ran thought and rejoiced suddenly.

He had no intention or ability to help the couple of the elderly Xu. All the money should be saved for his pregnant spouse now. How could he help them?

The Big Black trotted much faster than Wu Mei’s old bull. Xu Ran and Foreman Li  arrived at the town soon.

Chained the Big Black, Xu Ran asked Foreman Li to wait for him after shopping, and he would come back soon.

Then, he rushed to Mr. Chen’s restaurant with his pack basket.

Xu Ran brought only two pots of pickled bamboo shoots in his basket. He was not sure whether his pickles would be popular. After all, no one had eaten them before, although he himself liked them very much.

The pickled bamboo shoots were prepared by Liu Tong. Xu Ran was sure that Liu Tong was the best pickle expert he had ever seen.

“It’s getting warmer and warmer now. Perhaps the pickles won’t be kept well for a long time. There are still a lot of pickles at home. Maybe besides turning to Mr. Chen, I have to find more buyers,” thought Xu Ran.

Of course Xu Ran had thought of other ways. He had even planned to have the bamboo shoot salted, but he gave up. Different from dried vegetables, bamboo shoots were rather delicate, which could only be kept by being soaked or dried. No way. The vacuum package had not been invented in this world.

Arriving at Mr. Chen’s restaurant, Xu Ran first talked about the happy event in his family, and then gave Mr. Chen the pots of pickled shoots.

Xu Ran had told Mr. Chen about the pickled bamboo shoots before, so the latter was not surprised upon seeing it. He took the chopsticks to have a try; then he received the two pots of tasty pickles happily.

Moreover, Xu Ran offered Mr. Chen a few recipes, and he didn’t bargain because he was in a hurry. As a result, he accepted Mr. Chen only 200 taels of silver as before.

Xu Ran also told Mr. Chen that he could provide more pickled bamboo shoots. Hearing that, Mr. Chen patted his chest and promised Xu Ran to help sell them, which made Xu Ran relieved; he also promised Mr. Chen to sent the rest in a few days.

In fact, not only himself, but also Wu Mei and others needed Mr. Chen’s help.

However, Xu Ran was in a hurry now. He had to rush to Zhuo Yun’s home immediately.

Zhuo Yun didn’t intend to go out until Qin Shuwen gave birth. Hearing the servant said that Xu Ran came to visit him, he came out happily right away.

Xu Ran left some pickled bamboo shoots for Zhuo Yun. The scent of the pickles was strong, which was smelled by Qin Shuwen soon.

Xu Ran took the pickle pot out quickly, which made Qin Shuwen satisfied.

Xu Ran explained his purpose straightforwardly to Zhuo Yun that he wanted to hire a Ge’er who had experience in giving birth to serve Liu Tong.

Zhuo Yun knew that his pregnant spouse, Qin Shuwen, also needed someone beside him at all times, so he agreed with Xu Ran’s idea.

And Zhuo Yun came up with a good idea, “well, Ran! Why don’t you buy a maternity matron to serve your spouse? You know, it will cost a lot of money to hire someone. Secondly, how can you assure that the person you hired is honest and wholehearted? What if he makes a mistake? What if he steals your property and runs away? If this happened, you wouldn’t even be able to find him!”

Xu Ran agreed with Zhuo Yun, but he was still reluctant to take part in human trafficking. After all, he had gotten used to the modern law.

This was completely different from his accidental transmigration into this world. It was true that he was able to adapt himself to different circumstances, and he was equipped with the memory of the previous Xu Ran, so he could accept all of these easily. However, buying people still made him uncomfortable.

Zhuo Yun also perceived something abnormal from the awkward expression on Xu Ran’s face. He said, “Don’t you know, Ran? People are unequal at birth. They should be ranked! And of course the people of the lowest-grade can be trafficked. You know, their only wish is to have a good master and to live a peaceful life. Save your sympathy, Ran! They only way to show your mercy is to buy them.”

Xu Ran nodded. He understood it. He also knew that this crucial fact could not be changed by him or because of him. Perhaps even if he wanted to change it, the so-called “inferior” people would not be willing to be saved.

Thinking of this, Xu Ran asked Zhuo Yun how much it would cost to buy a maternity matron.

“Not much. The expensive ones are only a few dozen taels of silver. How about buying a few more people, Ran? Don’t you want some servants to help harvest your strawberries? You can’t manage it alone!” advised Zhuo Yun.

Xu Ran smiled and said, “of course I want helpers! But you know, even if I have enough money, I don’t have enough rooms for them. My house is still under construction. It’ll take at least a few months to be finished.”

Zhuo Yun agreed and said, “Fine! Let’s buy a maternity matron first. I’ll go to the servant market with you.”

Then, Zhuo Yun turned back and said a few words to Qin Shuwen, telling him not to eat too much sour food, or he would have a toothache. Seeing Qin Shuwen nodded and agreed, Zhuo Yun rested assured and went out with Xu Ran.

When reaching the courtyard, they happened to see Housekeeper Zhuo passing by. All the servants in the Zhuo Mansion were bought by Housekeeper Zhuo, so Zhuo Yun brought the him with them since he himself wasn’t familiar with buying servants.