Chapter 191: The Main theme is a foreign trend

Chapter 191

Little Fox was not familiar with the idea of drawing a sword to help the distressed. But she really could not bear to see the three scrawny little kids being whipped with tree branches.

On those dark skinny arms, red welts were already visibly appearing, just looking at them made one wince in pain.

"Who are you to them?" Little Fox sternly asked, "I suspect you are a human trafficker!"

The man with the mustache coldly laughed. "Miss, don't let my ugly looks deceive you. I'm an honest businessman."

Er Wang stepped forward and stood in front of Little Fox. He asked in a deep voice, "What business are you in?"

"Human trade."

Li Yao frowned. The so-called human traders made a living by trafficking people. Of course their "goods" came through official channels - they had paid the families and obtained signed contracts.

After purchasing people, they would usually resell them at the human markets.

If they failed to sell them or did not get the expected price, they would keep them to work for themselves.

This mustache man was clearly the latter kind.

"Since you claim to be a human trader, and these kids were purchased by you, surely you have their contracts?"

"Who are you?" the mustache man said coldly. "If you're not an official, I advise you not to meddle into other's business!"

Er Wang's brows furrowed. He was indeed not an official.

But if he turned a blind eye to things like this, how could he serve the common people when he became an official in the future?

So he sorted his thoughts, stepped forward and said, "I'm not an official, but I suspect you of child trafficking. I have the right to stop it and report it. I'll send someone to report this now. You'll have to wait until the officers get here and verify they were legally purchased before you can leave."

Perhaps realizing Er Wang was educated and reasonable - likely a scholar who could become an official in the future - the mustache man became a little nervous.

Because in most people's eyes, scholars were weaklings without power. But they could become officials! Many of them also had powerful friends and families.

It was not worth provoking someone like this for a small human trader like himself.

"I don't have time to wait," the mustache man said, taking out three contracts from his pocket. "See for yourself."

Er Wang took them and saw they were indeed human trade contracts, with the household steward's seal on them, proving they were real.

Now it was a bit tricky.

"Brother Er Wang," Little Fox whispered at this time, "Since he legally purchased them and has the contracts, he must be planning to resell them."

As soon as Er Wang heard this, he understood her implication - she wanted to purchase the three kids as well.

The three children nodded timidly.

Little Fox brought them food from a nearby shop, letting them eat their fill. Then she went to the fabric shop and bought two sets of new clothes for each, before bringing them back to the inn.

The full stomachs, new clothes and high-class lodging greatly relaxed the three kids. No one was scolding or beating them.

Little Fox then asked about their backgrounds.

They were from counties worst hit by the recent locust plague, on top of poor harvests last year. Their families were already struggling to feed them. With this year's crops ruined by locusts, they were sold without choice.

The boy was named Wu Tong. Ten years old, over a year older than Little Four. He was the most sensible of the three.

"Wu Tong, have you studied before?" Little Fox asked.

"Never," Wu Tong shook his head. "We were very poor. I worked the fields soon as I could walk. Hard labor since young."

"Oh? Tough life huh," Little Fox looked at his hands and smiled. "You'll be a big help with chores for sure."

"Mm," Wu Tong nodded. "Sis, I'll work hard, since you spent money to buy me."

"Good then."

Little Fox smiled satisfiedly and asked the two girls.

Both were eight years old. One named Hong Yan, the other Xiang Nan - nicknames given by the human trader. Those sold off weren't allowed to keep their original names and family names.

"What awful names," Li Yao said upon hearing them. "They need to change."

"Mother, please give them new ones then."

Li Yao thought for awhile and said: "The one on the left is Anna, the right one Elsa."

Little Fox: ......

Everyone: ......

What weird names. They sounded odd.

Seeing the confused looks, Li Yao decided not to explain. She rather liked her creativity.

The maidservants should have some exotic flare after all.

Unlike Wu Tong, Anna and Elsa were very quiet, answering softly in one or two words. Many questions they couldn't even respond clearly to.

"Alright, Anna and Elsa, you two room with me tonight," Little Fox finally said. "Wu Tong, you take the floor in the boys' room. Little Two, get him a mat and blanket."

"Thank you, sis."