Chapter 188: Selling Has Become My Instinct

“Alright!” Yan Lao’er agreed readily, then asked, “Why was the line moving so slowly up ahead?”

“I heard that some of the disaster victims from Gufeng have contracted an epidemic. Yongning has tightened its defenses, so now, anyone entering the city must undergo inspections. Locals like us are fine, but outsiders—especially those coming from Gufeng—are being scrutinized strictly.”

Yan Lao’er thought to himself: I see, they’re checking household registrations up ahead. But the problem is, these documents haven’t even been issued yet. Even if they were, a Hukou from Crouching Tiger City might not be enough to enter Yongning.

There’s also the issue of travel permits. Without one, people can’t just wander around as they please—only scholars have that privilege.

Normally, these entry inspections aren’t too strict, but in times like these, things get complicated.

An epidemic!

The disaster victims in Gufeng are facing an epidemic?

Then what about the batch of refugees that just arrived in Crouching Tiger City?

Yan Lao’er couldn’t help but worry about Old Yan.

He decided that once the replanting work was done, he’d have to make a trip to Crouching Tiger City to check on things.

But first, he had to deal with getting into the city—he couldn’t afford to make this trip for nothing.

“Old man, I left in a hurry and didn’t hear any news beforehand, so I wasn’t prepared for this. What do you think…”

The old man glanced around and whispered, “No worries. The three of us come here often, so we’re familiar with the gatekeepers. When the time comes, I’ll handle the talking. You step aside a bit and let my Da Chun sit up front with you.”

“Alright!” Yan Lao’er enthusiastically called over the man named Da Chun and even helped his son onto the cart.

What was once an empty ox cart was now fully packed with people and goods.

This was the typical way for country folk to enter the city. The way he had arrived earlier was far too conspicuous.

As they got closer to the city gate, Yan Lao’er observed the movements of those counting coins, calculating in his mind.

He discreetly pulled out ten copper coins and slipped them to the old man.

The old man’s hand moved like lightning, taking the money in an instant.

Before the people ahead of them had even finished their inspection, the old man nimbly jumped off the cart, put on a cheerful smile, and exchanged a few warm words with the guards. He gestured toward the ox cart and then slipped the coins into one of their hands.

The guard weighed the coins in his palm, nodded, and said something to the others. When it was Yan Lao’er’s turn, they waved him through without even stopping to check.

As the old man climbed back onto the cart with a few quick steps, Yan Lao’er sincerely praised him, “Old man, you’ve got real influence! Even the officials are friendly with you. That’s impressive! I’d be too nervous to pull that off—if I had to do it, I’d probably stutter and end up annoying them.”

The old man chuckled. “You just need more practice. You’re not young anymore—you’ve got kids of your own, right? If you don’t learn to take the lead when bringing them into the city, they’ll pick up on that and grow up timid.”

“You’re absolutely right. My brother used to handle these things, but lately, he’s been away. I’ve been fumbling in the dark. Good thing I ran into you today—otherwise, I’d have made this trip for nothing.”

The old man nodded. “About that sapling you asked about—I just remembered. My grandson and I once did some short-term work for a wealthy family, and I overheard them mentioning that they had just received some new saplings. You could go ask around. But isn’t this the wrong season to be transplanting trees?”

Yan Lao’er laughed heartily. “We just built a house, and the elders in the village say it’s good luck to plant a few trees for the home’s prosperity. I figured, if we’re planting anyway, why not go for fruit trees? That way, the kids will have something to snack on in the future.”

The old man agreed. “That makes sense. The elders in your village are wise.”

By the time they parted ways, the two of them were chatting like old friends. The old man even gave him five copper coins and told him that they often found work in the south part of the city—he was welcome to visit anytime.

Following the old man’s directions, Yan Lao’er found the wealthy family’s estate.

He circled around the house but hesitated to knock on the main gate.

Instead, he went to the back door and waited there for a long time.

Finally, he spotted an older woman carrying a basket.

Delighted, he quietly followed her.

It wasn’t until she stopped at a butcher’s stall to buy meat that he spoke up.

“Auntie, do you need wild boars, rabbits, or pheasants?” Yan Lao’er asked in a hushed tone.

The woman was sharp—she kept a neutral expression, paid for her meat, then glanced at him. Without a word, she led him away from the butcher’s stall. Only after turning a corner did they stop.

She immediately scolded him, “What are you thinking, talking about that near the butcher? If that Wang the Butcher overheard, he’d beat you until you couldn’t find your own teeth!”

Yan Lao’er repeatedly admitted his mistake. “Yes, yes, I was too impatient.”

The woman eyed his ox cart and asked suspiciously, “Are you a hunter?”

“My main trade is charcoal burning, but I occasionally hunt in the mountains. I happened to get some game this time and wanted to sell it for some extra silver. The taverns were offering too low a price, so I thought I’d try my luck with you.”

“You sell charcoal too?” the woman asked casually. “How much for a hundred catties?”

“Three qian per hundred catties.”

She looked at him in surprise. “Three qian per hundred catties?”

Yan Lao’er smiled. “Yes, you heard right—three qian. It’s more expensive in winter, but this season, that’s the going rate.”

“So, do you want any game? I only heard about your household because some of your workers mentioned that your family often buys meat. They also said your master is kind and pays fairly, so I figured I’d ask…”

The woman nodded in understanding. “Ah, that explains it. No wonder you came straight to me—someone pointed you in the right direction.”

She sized him up for a moment and then said, “Alright, follow me.”

Yan Lao’er, ever quick-witted, asked, “Auntie, do you need anything else? Hop on—I’ll take you there.”

She appreciated the offer, and her expression softened into a smile.

Climbing onto the ox cart, she directed him back to the estate.

“I’ve bought almost everything I need. Let’s head back. Since you gave me a ride, I won’t let you go empty-handed—forget the wild game for now, but I’ll help you sell some of your charcoal first.”

…

Yan Lao’er left the city and headed straight for the manor the woman had directed him to, grinning from ear to ear.

He hadn’t expected that searching for saplings would lead to such a pleasant surprise.

Not only had he secured an order for a thousand catties of charcoal, but he had also found a buyer for the game he hadn’t even caught yet.

Originally, he had planned to ease into the conversation, using the wild game as a way to build rapport before bringing up his real question.

Different people react differently—some are happy to share information, while others prefer to stay uninvolved.

But when the woman asked if he was a hunter, his instincts kicked in, and he seized the opportunity to sell his charcoal instead.

As for everything that followed… well, it was just the natural instinct of a seasoned salesman.

Rule number one: never show too much interest in any single product, or you’ll end up selling it whether you planned to or not.

His relentless pitch about wild game was precisely what made him seem both simple and familiar, reinforcing the idea that he had been introduced by someone trustworthy.

Otherwise, how could a stranger gain someone’s trust so quickly?

Of course, the ox cart helped, too.

He had noticed the change in the woman’s attitude—if he had approached alone, things might not have gone so smoothly.