SFS Chapter 19 Buying the Estate
Chapter 19 Buying the Estate
After leaving Zhangtai Palace, Ying Wuyou returned to her own courtyard. The palace maids and eunuchs were still busily packing, as Ying Wuyou would be moving into Chaohua Palace in a few days. These were things Ying Wuyou didn't need to handle herself. So, after returning from Zhangtai Palace, Ying Wuyou washed up and went to bed early.
Ying Wuyou slept soundly and woke up early, feeling refreshed! Since she hadn't asked for leave from the palace school yesterday, she instructed Cui'er to find a eunuch to go to the palace school to ask for leave as soon as she got up this morning. Cui'er quickly gave the order.
Ying Wuyou then began to dress up. The maidservant who did her makeup was a newcomer named Liuli, and her makeup skills were quite good. Ying Wuyou had initially stayed on because she liked the maidservant's name. Unexpectedly, this maidservant gave Ying Wuyou a very pleasant surprise.
As per Ying Wuyou's instructions, Liuli began to dress up as a man. She finished quickly and was very satisfied with the young boy in the mirror. The little maid's makeup skills were so good that she could not be recognized as a woman at all. She looked like a handsome young gentleman. Ying Wuyou generously rewarded the little maid Liuli with two taels of silver.
This was Ying Wuyou's first time leaving the palace. Since she didn't know much about the outside world, she brought two guards with her. Both guards were tall and imposing, and looked like they were not to be trifled with. Ying Wuyou felt very safe with these two guards with her.
After showing their tokens, the three exited the palace from the back and easily left Xianyang Palace. They quickly walked out of the palace gates, and Ying Wuyou began to stroll around, inquiring about Xianyang City. Seeing that Ying Wuyou was handsome, dressed in silk, and spoke pleasantly, many people were happy to chat with him. Before long, Ying Wuyou learned that: [Xianyang City is divided into two markets: the East Market mainly deals in the buying and selling of people, livestock, blacksmiths, carpenters, and houses, among other large-scale markets; the West Market mainly deals in cloth, grain, clothing, cosmetics, brothels, writing implements, and other small shops.]
Ying Wuyou first went to the West Market. The West Market was bustling with children and women, and the streets were crowded with people. Ying Wuyou sighed again: "In the Qin Dynasty, women were indeed subject to far fewer restrictions. They could go out shopping, and if their marriages were unhappy, they could divorce. Their families wouldn't gossip, and they could remarry. In some ways, women's status was even higher than it is in modern society."
Along the way, Ying Wuyou looked at this and touched that, wanting to buy everything, but his money was indeed limited. This time, the King of Qin gave Ying Wuyou a thousand taels of silver before leaving the palace. It seemed like a lot, but Ying Wuyou was involved in large-scale transactions, and this was quickly not enough. He had to be very frugal with his money.
After strolling around the West Market, Ying Wuyou bought a box of rouge, intending to give it to Lady Wang, and also some pastries that looked good, to present to Prince Qin. Then he led his entourage to the East Market.
Compared to the bustling prosperity of the West Market, which showcased the power of the Qin Dynasty, the East Market was a place of congested streets, slaves locked in cages like animals, their heads covered in grime and being bought and sold, while the livestock were all groomed, their fur smooth and clean. [Slaves are indeed inferior to livestock!] Ying Wuyou thought to himself.
Ying Wuyou certainly can't solve these problems right now. Even the King of Qin can't issue an edict to abolish slavery, as it involves the interests of too many people. He can only take it one step at a time.
Ying Wuyou continued strolling through the East Market. Following the directions of passersby, he found a broker's shop. The broker, seeing that the visitor was dressed in fine silk, knew that he must be a nobleman. Naturally, he was extremely enthusiastic and hurriedly asked, "Is the esteemed guest looking to buy an estate or a mansion?" Ying Wuyou replied, "Shopkeeper, do you have any large estates outside the city? Preferably none nearby, and close to the city as well!"
Upon hearing Ying Wuyou's request, the broker thought for a moment and said, "There really is such a place. Would you like to take a look, esteemed guest?" Ying Wuyou nodded in agreement. The broker said, "This place is twenty li outside the city. Do you have a carriage, esteemed guest? If not, you can rent one at the shop ahead. Just mention my name, Liu Er. The shopkeeper knows me well and will give you a discount!" Ying Wuyou nodded and said, "Thank you for reminding us, Shopkeeper Liu. We really didn't bring a carriage with us. We'll go rent one then." The broker bowed and scraped, hurriedly agreeing, "Please take your time, esteemed guest. I'll close the shop right away and head over there. I promise I won't delay your business!"
Ying Wuyou nodded and left with his two guards. Turning a corner, he saw the carriage rental place Liu Er had mentioned. He asked the innkeeper about the price; a four-person carriage would cost two taels of silver a day. Ying Wuyou mentioned that Liu Er from next door had recommended it, and the price immediately jumped to one tael and five mace of silver. Ying Wuyou remarked, "That Liu Er really knows how to do business!"
Soon Liu Er arrived, and the group set off in a swaying carriage. Ying Wuyou, being a first-time traveler, looked around curiously. Liu Er, observing the young man, figured he was probably a young master from a wealthy family who rarely went out. So, Liu Er began to describe the scenery along the way, "Honored guest, look at these mountains! This is a feng shui treasure land of our Great Qin! It's said that our Great Qin's current prosperity is inseparable from the protection of these mountains. Look at their tall, majestic shape, as imposing as our Qin King himself, thus protecting the people of Great Qin!"
This person had an excellent speaking ability; he could tell a legend about every mountain, river, plant, and tree, and he would also exaggerate the Qin Dynasty and its king. Everyone on the way, whether it was Ying Wuyou or the two guards, listened and nodded in praise.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the manor Liu Er had mentioned. Liu Er introduced it, saying, "Honored guest, this manor is said to have once belonged to that god of war. After his death, the manor was sold by his clansmen and changed hands several times before finally ending up in my hands. The small hill behind the manor is also part of the manor. The entire manor covers twenty acres, including the nearby fields. Are you satisfied, honored guest?"
Ying Wuyou looked at the vast expanse of land with great satisfaction. She nodded and asked, "Manager Liu, what's the price?" Liu Er smiled and said, "Honorable guest, let me be frank with you. The market price for one mu of land is 60 taels of silver. I bought it for 1100 taels of silver. I won't raise the price; it's the original price of 1100 taels of silver. What do you think?"
Ying Wuyou pondered for a moment before agreeing, and the group strolled around the manor area. The more Ying Wuyou explored, the more satisfied he became. The manor had a good location, the surrounding area was open and the ground was flat. If the small hill were planted with fruit trees, it would be perfect. Ying Wuyou was very happy. They had a simple lunch at the manor. An elderly couple was currently looking after the manor, and Ying Wuyou gave them each an extra two coins a month to continue tending to it.
Then the group rushed back to the city to hand over the land deed to the government. The government registered it, and the estate was officially transferred to Ying Wuyou's hands. Of course, Ying Wuyou did not use his real name, but used the name "Qin Wuyou".