### Chapter 204: The Business Brokerage Agent Visited

### Chapter 204: The Business Brokerage Agent Visited

Zhang Laosan was taken aback, then his face immediately lit up with joy.

"Good, good! Thank you, Brother Qin!"

Zhang Laosan's wife also looked at Qin Dahu with surprise and gratitude.

"Thank you, Brother Qin!" She echoed her husband's thanks.

Qin Dahu glanced at the two of them.

"Don't thank me yet. That job isn't easy to handle."

As he spoke, Qin Dahu explained the situation at the dock to the couple.

After hearing him out, the couple paid no attention to whether the work was tiring; they only cared about the ninety coins per day in wages.

Ninety coins! Even if it meant working like an ox plowing fields, they would be happy to do it!

This was Zhang Laosan's current mindset.

"Alright. Once we finish things here, I'll take you to try the job." Qin Dahu said.

Although Zhang Laosan wasn't very strong, he had a sturdy build. He might just be able to handle the work at the dock.

This time, the other party had done such a big favor for their family. He was willing to help them in return.

"Great! Thank you, Brother Qin!" Zhang Laosan thanked him again.

Then he started talking about the situation in Zhang Village with Qin Dahu.

"Several families in the village have run out of food. People have been going into the mountains to dig for wild vegetables and tree roots recently."

"I heard that almost everyone in Qian Village has left. Some people from our village have already talked to the village chief, intending to leave too." Zhang Laosan added.

If they could endure it, who would want to leave their hometown?

But if the drought continued, and there was no hope in sight, they would have no choice but to leave to find a way to survive.

Qin Dahu frowned, feeling a sense of sorrow.

It seemed not only were the townspeople struggling, but the villagers were suffering even more.

Suddenly remembering something, Zhang Laosan looked at Qin Dahu again.

"Oh, by the way, things aren't looking good for the Zhang family either. Last night, my aunt mentioned seeing a business brokerage agent visit their home."

Qin Dahu was taken aback.

"A business brokerage agent?" he asked.

"Yes! My aunt said it was likely an agent from Zhao's Business Brokerage in town. They specialize in buying and selling women and children."

Hearing the word "children," Qin Dahu's expression darkened.

If the Zhang family dared to touch his father's child, he would make sure they paid dearly.

Seeing Qin Dahu's expression, Zhang Laosan knew he had misunderstood.

He clarified, "It's probably not about the child in Zhang's belly."

"Even if the child is born, it would be just a baby, hard to raise."

Qin Dahu looked puzzled.

"Then what—"

A hint of disdain flashed in Zhang Laosan's eyes.

"My aunt thinks it's likely that Zhang Dashui wants to sell his daughter. And—"

Qin Dahu frowned, then understood.

Girls were never valued in the Zhang family. Previously, Zhang had almost been sold to pay off Zhang Ershui's debts.

If his father hadn't taken a liking to Zhang and paid the dowry money to the Zhang family, she would have been sold then.

"And what else?" Qin Dahu asked.

Though he asked, he wasn't particularly interested in learning more since Zhang Dashui's daughter had nothing to do with him.

"And, my aunt said the Zhang family might sell Zhang as well." Zhang Laosan said hesitantly.

Qin Dahu was startled.

"My aunt said she saw Zhang Dashui leading the agent to see Zhang. Later, they talked for quite a while."

"If this is true—" Zhang Laosan looked at Qin Dahu with concern.

"Whether it's true or not, my father has already given the divorce papers to the Zhang family. How they choose to deal with Zhang is none of our business."

Selling her would be better. Hopefully, the agent would take her far away.

That way, she couldn't cause trouble for his father or his soon-to-be-born brother or sister.

Hearing this, Zhang Laosan's expression relaxed somewhat.

"That family, they’re all no good!" Then, he cursed.

Qin Dahu glanced at Zhang Laosan and didn’t respond.

After a moment, he asked, "Has there been any movement from Zhang Ershui lately?"

Hearing Qin Dahu mention Zhang Ershui, a look of disgust flashed across Zhang Laosan’s face.

"Tch! That kid has always been a thief. After losing his hand, he only stayed quiet for less than half a month before causing trouble again in the village."

"The vegetables in my field haven’t been spared either."

"And the chicken we lost before was also taken by him."

Being neighbors with that family has truly brought me eight lifetimes of bad luck.

After losing a chicken, I decided to sell the remaining chickens in town the next day to prevent them from falling into that kid’s hands again.

Now, I’ve harvested all the vegetables from the field too.

Let’s see if that kid can still steal anything from my place!

Hearing this, Qin Dahu wasn’t surprised.

After all, he knew Zhang Ershui had a bad reputation in Zhang Village.

"Hasn’t he gone back to gambling in town?" he asked.

Zhang Ershui is a gambler.

Even though he lost a hand, it’s not easy for someone like him to quit gambling.

"How could he not go?!" Zhang Laosan immediately replied.

"I even saw him at the gambling stall on the street corner in town recently."

Qin Dahu nodded, understanding the situation.

No wonder the Zhangs are selling someone; perhaps it’s to pay off Zhang Ershui’s new gambling debts?

If that’s the case, it’s quite something that Zhang Dashui would sell his daughter to help his brother repay his debts.

As they chatted, it soon became noon.

Qin Dahu declined the invitation to eat together with Zhang Laosan’s family.

He took out some flatbreads and spicy sauce, adding a century egg to the sauce.

He ate them together.

Seeing the little child staring hungrily at him, Qin Dahu hesitated slightly and then shared some food with the family.

The Zhang family was incredibly grateful.

Tasting the flatbread, spicy sauce, and century egg, they praised them highly.

"All of these were made by my youngest sister, who sent a lot to our house."

"On this trip, I didn’t know how long I’d be staying, so my father packed most of it for me."

"I estimate I can last four or five days with this," said Qin Dahu.

Talking about the century eggs, Qin Dahu couldn’t help but praise his youngest sister.

"My youngest sister is truly remarkable! She dares to think big and act boldly, single-handedly supporting our entire family."

Hearing Qin Dahu’s words, Zhang Laosan and his wife were deeply impressed.

They heard that Qin Xiaoyao had many ways to make money, and their family never lacked food or drink, while still caring for their natal family. They envied them greatly.

They became even more certain that Qin Dahu was their benefactor.

They needed to stay close to Qin Dahu to have a better life.

Thus, Qin Dahu received even better care at Zhang Laosan’s home.

The next day.

Before dawn, Qin Dahu heard commotion coming from the neighboring Zhang household.

He got out of bed, and as soon as he stepped outside, he saw Zhang Laosan rushing in excitedly.

"It’s happening! Brother Qin, Zhang’s labor has started!" Zhang Laosan exclaimed excitedly.

Qin Dahu was momentarily stunned.

Then he quickly regained his composure.