Chapter 16: Tea Money, Please

Chen Wuji took one look at the visitor's clothing and knew this person was exactly the genuine customer he had been seeking.

He immediately took the wrapped muntjac meat out of the basket.

"You're pretty resourceful, even knowing to use water to keep the meat fresh—this meat is indeed good." The middle‑aged man glanced sideways, turning the meat over in his hands and gave it a positive assessment.

Huo Sanniang seeing this, immediately said, "Sir, this is meat from the Mountain God, it's spiritual, and we happened to obtain it by chance."

Her mind had also turned the corner.

Regardless of whether the Mountain God would blame us, first let's get this tax money out, then we'll talk.

"Mountain God?" the middle‑aged man chuckled lightly.

"Oh, I recall now—the red muntjac has a touch of the supernatural, so some places in the southern mountains worship it as the Mountain God. Young lady, I ought to tell you this: that Mountain God meat is tasty; you could sell it cheap for twenty cash."

"But since you've already posted your prices, I'll take this bargain. Hey there, lift this carrying pole, find something to seal the jar's mouth so no water splashes out."

Without checking the weight, the middle‑aged man had his servant lift Chen Wuji's stall and take it all away in one go.

Huo Sanniang saw this and instantly flared up in anger.

Just as she was about to speak, Chen Wuji grabbed and stopped her.

One look at him showed he wasn't short of money; he might even give them a lasting source of income, so there's no need to antagonize him over such a trifle.

Even if the other side doesn't intend to compensate for the carrying pole and jar, he's willing to accept this loss.

"Young man, take this—inside are five hundred cash. Your carrying pole, basket and jar are worth only fifty cash, and the meat—you should have weighed it already; I estimate about twenty jin, is that right or not?" The middle‑aged man handed over a money bag.

Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised; this uncle's eyesight really is good. "Correct! Just off by two jin."

All together there were thirty‑one jin of meat; he had previously sold off nine jin in bits and pieces.

Chen Wuji handed the money bag to Huo Sanniang, asking her to give change to the middle‑aged man.

Fifty cash for the carrying pole and such—Chen Wuji accepted it; he still had profit to make.

Plus the price for twenty‑two jin of meat at four hundred forty cash, making a total of four hundred ninety cash.

The middle‑aged man calmly took the copper coins, nodded and said, "He's an honest person."

Chen Wuji thought the man would at least announce his name and add something like "I'll send you game when I have some," but he said nothing at all—no extra words—and left with his servant.

Chen Wuji gave a wry smile; it seemed the man just wanted to show off his skill and didn't regard this poor hunter at all.

"Wuji, we… are almost there." Huo Sanniang joyfully grabbed Chen Wuji's arm.

"How much have we earned?" Chen Wuji steadied his racing thoughts and asked.

"I don't know either; I'll count." Huo Sanniang was so delighted she almost jumped up.

She had never seen so many copper coins in her life; even when her family's money was at its most, it was only a hundred cash.

But in just this morning's work, they had received two bulging money bags.

Even those money bags themselves were worth a cash each.

"Wife, what if bandits rob us? Let's go home and hide them to count." Chen Wuji said solemnly, a simple grin tugging at his mouth.

Huo Sanniang snorted a laugh, "Wuji's right—we'll go home and hide them to count."

In fact, Chen Wuji already had the total figured in his mind.

The coffin shop owner took the yellow weasel and five jin of muntjac meat, giving them three hundred cash.

Afterward they sold off another four jin in bits and pieces, earning eighty cash.

Yesterday San Shu gave them a mixed sum of one hundred sixty‑three cash; adding just now's four hundred ninety cash.

That makes one thousand thirty‑three cash!

Chen Wuji's family still had ten cash left from the original owner's inheritance; adding that in, they were only ten cash short of the silver needed for the tax.

The good news is only ten cash remain.

The bad news is, damn it, they're still short by ten cash!

Chen Wuji regretted leaving too much meat on the bones while processing the muntjac.

If there had been another jin, the tax money would have been made up.

But things just happened to work out that way.

He had picked only the good meat to sell, putting nothing from the neck area into it.

Also, to coax Huo Sanniang into eating a couple bites, he left nearly a finger's width of meat on the bone while trimming.

Although he regretted it, Chen Wuji soon let it go.

Everything is fated; being short ten cash is just ten cash.

Tomorrow, if we go back into the mountains and manage to hunt a yellow weasel, that money will also be made up.

The two didn't linger at the market; they tucked the money bags away and hurried back to the village.

The carrying pole and basket are essential household items, but Chen Wuji didn't go buy new ones.

In these special times, saving a copper coin is a gain; if you have free time, just make it yourself.

None of these are highly technical tasks.

All the way hurrying home, before even reaching the gate, Chen Wuji saw a group of people cooling off under the big willow tree at the entrance—a woman in cangues, a clerk in black‑constable uniform, and the plump and skinny Yuan Laoer brothers.

"Wuji, there's someone at the gate." Huo Sanniang also noticed.

"Oh no, this is the county sending you a bride! What now? You said we're already married—can we call off this engagement?"

Chen Wuji gave a wry smile, "Honey, you seem to have forgotten I'm an idiot."

"I don't want it!" Not knowing what else to say, he bluntly declared his stance to Huo Sanniang.

But since the clerk has come to the door, calling off the engagement won't be easy.

Let's see how it goes first.

Chen Wuji and Huo Sanniang walked over.

Before they got close, Yuan Laoer, with two huge black eye sockets, darted out like a vicious dog.

"Chen Wuji, where the hell have you been? You've made the Xianya constables wait here for a full hour—do you know your crime?"

"Chen Wuji shook his head."

"I didn't even know you were coming; why so fierce? Do you want to bite me to death?"

"Yuan Laoer choked for a moment, then flared up, eyes wide with anger: 'You damn idiot, you want to act tough, huh? Watch out, or I'll beat you to death!'"

"'Then I'll kill you, kill your whole family, bury you alive!' Chen Wuji jerked his neck forward, instantly raising his momentum."

"Old-timer, you're playing tough with a fool like me, huh?"

"Come on, give it a try."

"'Shut up, second!' the Village Chief barked, striding over with an air of superiority."

"'Chen Wuji, the constables have come to bring your betrothal gifts. Do you have the tea money? They've been waiting so long they're thirsty—let them wet their throats first, then we'll talk about your marriage.'"

"Chen Wuji was so angry he almost wanted to grab a wooden spear and poke a hole in that guy's head."

"We couldn't even afford a basket to save money, and you're demanding tea fees?"

"King Yama's easy to deal with, but these little devils are a handful, right?"

"You damned old fogey, I'll have you gelded sooner or later."