Turmoil: Encounter with Qiao Ziqiu and the Slave Trade

"This won't be a long-term livelihood. I'll turn eighteen by the end of the year and can join a boat to fish and make deliveries. It will surely support my parents. Your Grace, would you like a cup of tea? It's made with yellow flowers dried before the new year, and I found a few pieces of honey in the cliff crevices. May I brew you a bowl? The bowls are plain, but my father always keeps them in boiling water, so you can drink with confidence."

"Sounds wonderful. Lèi, could you add a few drops of honey? Chengtiān, would you like a bowl too?" Two bowls of tea were quickly brought over, and the sweet aroma of wild honey complemented the unfolding fragrance of the yellow chrysanthemum in the water. After taking a few sips, she walked over to feed Chengmo and asked, "How is it, Cheng East?"

"He's still too young to be the shopkeeper. Let's discuss who would be suitable. For now, let him learn from Uncle Zhong on how to manage things. Actually, I've been thinking of someone."

"Tong Chen."

"Tong Chen."

"Ah, Chengmo, we have a telepathic connection."

"Chengtiān, make arrangements. In three days, take them to the royal mansion and hand them over to the Maritime Department. Let's go, back to the city."

"Okay." Xiangbei was quite fascinated by Chengmo's decisive style. Cool, isn't it? She happily placed the tea bowl back on the table, "Mr. Yu, Lèi, we're leaving. Thank you for the tea; it was delightful. See you in a few days." Chengtiān put down the tea bowl and a small silver ingot, then mounted his horse and left.

Later, the local Dan people in Dongbin would recount how a bowl of wild chrysanthemum honey tea from Yu Lèi brought them a sweet life with land and boats on the shore.

After returning to the city, they went to Fuhai Tower in the county to have a look and eat something. As they entered, the shopkeeper warmly welcomed them. While observing the three-story brick and wood building, North noticed a familiar figure flashing at the street corner and hurriedly chased after.

"Brother Ziqiu? You're also in the county now."

"Oh, Xiangbei, what a coincidence. I'm helping my big brother, it's urgent. Come with me to buy someone. No time to explain now, I'll tell you later." Qiao Ziqiu, usually refined, now urgently pulled North and headed deeper into the streets.

"Ziqiu, let go for a moment. I can keep up. No matter how urgent, you should at least give me a general idea. Buying someone? It's not like buying vegetables. I won't buy anyone."

"Sorry, my big brother is anxious, I grabbed you suddenly. Did I hurt you?"

"No problem, not hurt. Let's walk quickly. What kind of person do you want me to buy for you? Can't you do it yourself?"

"Well, Uncle Fu used to be my father's personal guard. After being seriously injured on the battlefield, he retired and became the steward. My mother passed away early, and my father and brothers were often in the military. I grew up with him. After my big brother had an accident, my father and I were confined in the mansion for reflection. All the servants of the Qiao family were sold off, and we were never allowed to return. When my father and I regained freedom and were able to engage in business, Uncle Fu had already been sold somewhere. I received news of him only yesterday after ten years of searching. Currently, he is resold to a Yaren (toothman) establishment in Dongbin County, and my plea, Brother, is for you to intervene and buy Fubo back."

"So that's how it is, no problem. However, I haven't come of age yet. Can I independently purchase someone and have them under my name? Can I buy them and give them to you, or simply release them from bondage and grant them freedom?"

"You don't need to worry about that. When we signed the cooperation contract last time, Young Master Cheng arranged for Uncle Zhong to establish an independent female household for you. Not only can you buy slaves, but you can also fully own your private property and financial gains."

"Oh, really. So his identity as the Eastern Shore Mo Wang (Prince) is quite useful."

"Do you know he's Mo Wang?"

"Haven't you known that for a long time? You've been hiding it from me. This place is so small, did you really think you could keep it a secret?"