Cheng Hao's words stunned the villagers present, their breaths catching in their throats. After a long pause, the old village chief, his voice trembling, seemed to age several years in an instant. He stammered, "The days ahead will truly be difficult..."
The other villagers' faces turned pale. They had harbored a sliver of hope, planning to defend themselves and then evacuate the entire village. They had thought it was all an absurd farce. But now, it was real? How could they possibly go on?
Chen Sheng's eyes were deep, his expression suggesting he was lost in thought.
The old village chief was still thanking Cheng Hao for informing them and asking what they needed. "It is a great fortune for our village that you are willing to tell us. Please, tell us what you need. If it is something we can spare, we will trade for it."
Cheng Hao then spoke directly, "With your words, Grandpa Chen, I will be bold enough to say: we are in great need of salt."
At these words,
Silence fell over everyone.
The child named Chen Sheng immediately objected, "Since you know you are being bold, why do you still dare to ask? Salt is such an important commodity! It's as vital as grain. If we cannot trade our grain with you, then can we trade our salt? If war truly comes, where will we find salt?"
Before anyone else could speak, he was already blustering. However, the other villagers did not step forward this time, clearly unwilling to trade.
Cheng Hao was not in a hurry. Laifu and Jiawang, loyal to their master, were restrained by the rule of not speaking out of turn. They could only grumble inwardly, "If they don't want to trade, so be it. Why the yelling?" "Exactly, no one is forcing them to trade."
They were still in discussion, and the other side was already shouting at them several times?
Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi also felt indignant. When doing business, there was always room for negotiation. They weren't bandits, and they were in the process of talking. Why the hostility?
They dared not speak, but they could glare at Chen Sheng with their eyes.
The four young lads exuded resentment, wishing they could drag Chen Sheng out and beat him.
The old village chief was still pondering. His reaction time wasn't as quick as it used to be, and he was still reeling from the news of the city's fall. It was only now that he intervened.
He reprimanded, "Chen Sheng! Child, why aren't you quieting down? You are impolite! This noble guest has just informed us of this news, saving us from relying on vague words from passing travelers. This is already a great kindness!"
He scolded him to show respect. Without this clear warning, if they returned to the village to collect supplies next time, and the visitors were enemy soldiers, they would have already been killed. They might even be forced to reveal the villagers' hiding places. In a more severe case, it could lead to the complete annihilation of the village!
Chen Sheng's eyes showed struggle, but he finally turned away, saying no more.
He was clearly still unconvinced.
After enduring for a long time, he finally spoke with a barely discernible choke in his voice, "But if we trade it to them, where will we find more? They have traveled a long way and might be able to trade with others ahead. Everyone nearby has already left. Where can we buy salt?"
As he spoke, he vigorously wiped his eyes with his sleeve, making the corners of his eyes turn red.
The old village chief sighed.
Cheng Hao, however, remained calm and said, "We are not asking to force a trade, nor are we asking for all your salt. If you are willing, Grandpa Chen, we wish to trade for some, enough for us to use for a while. We do not ask for much. However much you can give us, we will trade for. Salt is as precious as grain, so we will use grain to trade. As for how we will trade, we can discuss it."
Though the young man's physique was slender, he was as resilient and dependable as a green pine, speaking neither hastily nor with arrogance. His words alone brought a sense of peace.
Chen Sheng fell silent.
There was no fault to be found in his words, which only made his own impetuosity and recklessness more apparent.
Young people care about their pride.
He turned his head and paid no further attention to the matter.
The old village chief couldn't help but sigh. Both were young men, not much different in age, yet Chen Sheng and this noble guest were incomparable.
"If that is the case, we will trade some to you. At most, we can spare half a jin of salt. What grain do you have to trade?"
"We have white flour and rice. Which type of grain do you want?"
The old village chief and the villagers were stunned. "Only these two?" They exchanged glances, unsure what to do.
Laifu was astonished, "What? White flour and rice are not enough to trade for salt?"
It was no wonder he didn't know. Although he was a servant, he had lived in the manor his entire life. While his food was inferior to his master's, it was considered fine grain by farmers. Therefore, he naturally didn't understand why the villagers were so shocked and conflicted.
The old village chief, fearing misunderstanding, quickly said, "No, no, no..."
In his haste, he stammered.
Cheng Hao then understood and thoughtfully said to the elder, "Don't rush. Are you concerned that our grain is too good? That it cannot be exchanged for much grain?"
The old village chief nodded vigorously, finally finding his words. "Yes, yes, yes. Such good grain. We are of humble lives, usually eating bran cakes or cakes made from coarse grain flour. How can we be so fortunate as to enjoy such things..."
As he said this, he still felt that exchanging such fine grain for a little salt wouldn't even be enough to fill a few people's mouths. He truly couldn't bear to make the trade.
However, a burly man from among the villagers suddenly spoke in a deep voice, "I'm willing to trade! My wife's family took me in, and I've lived with my wife for so many years. I have no special skills, only strength. I haven't achieved much. In my life, I've never been able to let her eat steamed buns or cakes made from white flour. I still have some salt at home. I am willing to trade half a jin of white flour with you."
But he said he could only give them two liang of salt and asked if they were willing.
Cheng Hao knew salt was precious and readily agreed, "Alright!"
The others in the small group dared not speak, as he was the one in charge. Cheng Fengtai and Li Datou, who had quietly emerged, were now too scared to make a sound and discreetly moved to the back of their group, fearing they would be mistaken for thieves.
They felt quite uneasy. In an abandoned village, one could claim to be scavenging. But in a village with people, it would be considered stealing. Both were afraid of being discovered, of losing face, and were truly ashamed.
The others' attention was on Cheng Hao and the old village chief, so they didn't notice this.
Seeing that Cheng Hao and the man had successfully completed the trade, the old village chief had a flash of inspiration. "In that case, I will go and ask the other villagers if anyone is willing to trade. Although white flour and rice are valuable, there are always people who want them."
As he spoke,
Chen Sheng, though still reluctant, did not let the old man run errands. He simply told him to wait and said he would go ask everyone's opinion first.
He then dashed off.
Everyone let him go. The old village chief merely offered Cheng Hao an apologetic smile, "This child is just too impetuous and his words are sharp, but his heart is good. He is thinking of the village's well-being, which is why he is so fierce."