Chapter 227

Chapter 227

Tang Family Village.

In the courtyard of Tang Lao Liang's house, an ox was led out and tied to a wooden stake with a rope.

Seeing the ox was large and strong, Tang Ruiwen's words proved true; it was indeed a fine ox. Pei Yan couldn't help but feel a bit tempted.

As the news had just been released, only a few people from other villages had arrived. Most of those gathered around the courtyard and at the gate were the men and elders of Tang Family Village.

Miao Qiulian, being older and having come with Gu Tieshan and her son and son-in-law, had no intention of stepping back. She focused entirely on the ox, marveling at its excellent condition and steady temperament. Despite the crowd talking, the ox showed no signs of restlessness.

"Old Lao Liang, how about selling it to me?" a young man from Tang Family Village said with a grin, acting unseriously as he came forward to shake hands with Tang Lao Liang to discuss the price.

Their hands touched briefly under the cover of their sleeves. Tang Lao Liang, angered by the joke-like offer, immediately withdrew his hand, puffing up his cheeks and glaring as he scolded, "Rascal! You're not even fully grown yet, how dare you make such a low offer? Go away, don’t cause trouble."

Seeing the man get scolded, several other young men burst into laughter.

Tang Lao Liang's husband brought a bundle of grass for the ox and placed it on the ground. Seeing the ox eating, he watched it for a while before turning to go inside without saying a word. Those nearby noticed his red eyes, a clear sign he had been crying.

The ox was raised by him from a calf, tended to every day for four years. Now, needing money, they had to sell it.

Tang Ruiwen said, "My father bought a calf a few years ago to raise. Though it’s also good, seeing this one grow up, he envied it every day. If we didn’t already have an ox, he would definitely buy it back."

He added with a smile, "Today, my father is sighing and stomping at home, unwilling to come see the excitement."

Gu Tieshan and the others chuckled.

Pei Yan examined the water buffalo, finding no signs of illness or weakness. With Gu Tieshan present, he turned to look at him, his gaze clearly asking for his father-in-law's opinion.

Gu Tieshan nodded slightly, and Pei Yan nodded in return. Encountering such a good ox, not buying it would indeed be a pity.

Most of the villagers from Tang Family Village had come to watch the excitement. Tang Lao Liang knew this and focused his attention on the few outsiders.

Seeing that they were brought by Tang Ruiwen and hearing their conversation, he realized they were his in-laws. The other few men, both old and young, either stood with their hands behind their backs or walked around inspecting the ox. Some were interested, while others were hesitant, considering the significant amount of money involved.

Pei Yan stepped forward, making a gesture of invitation. From a distance, he hadn’t felt it, but as he approached, Tang Lao Liang couldn’t help but marvel at his height.

They moved aside a couple of steps, shaking hands to discuss the price. Buying livestock—especially an ox—required keeping the price secret from irrelevant people.

"Payment upon signing the contract, no delay," Pei Yan whispered, having brought enough money today.

Tang Lao Liang thought for a moment, then extended his hand again. Their hands touched under the sleeve, and Pei Yan made another offer.

Tang Lao Liang glanced at the other potential buyers, then at Pei Yan, knowing the latter had brought enough money. If sold today, he could get the money right away, and the price offered was reasonable.

An elderly man with his hands behind his back also approached. Pei Yan stepped aside, his gaze returning to the water buffalo.

The elderly man and Tang Lao Liang extended their hands, gesturing prices under their sleeves. In the end, Tang Lao Liang shook his head, indicating the price was too low. The elderly man seemed reluctant, thinking the price was too high. Neither tried to hide their expressions.

A bull like this typically sold for over twenty taels, and one of this age and quality would easily fetch more than twenty-five taels.

Though Tang Lao Liang needed money urgently, he wasn’t foolish and would only sell for a fair price.

Two more people came forward to make offers, leaving Tang Lao Liang indecisive. He hesitated, pulling out his smoking pipe from his waist, not bothering to light it, and pondered deeply.

"I say, Old Lao Liang, this price is quite reasonable," a man from another village said, eager to get a definite answer after coming all this way. If it worked out, great; if not, he had work to do at home.

For someone impatient, waiting was the hardest part. However, he didn’t push too much, understanding that selling an ox was a major decision requiring careful consideration. Some might even wait a few more days to sell at a higher price.

"This…" Tang Lao Liang stroked his smoking pipe, still hesitating when he saw his husband bringing half a bucket of clean water to feed the ox.

His husband patted the ox’s back and horns, his face marked by years of hardship, his expression filled with reluctance.

Knowing his partner couldn’t bear to part with the ox, Tang Lao Liang sighed heavily. It was better to sell it sooner, so it could be taken away quickly, sparing them the pain.

He tucked the smoking pipe back into his waistband and beckoned Pei Yan, "Everyone, this ox has found a buyer."

The impatient man, knowing his offer was lower than Pei Yan’s, didn’t argue and hurriedly picked up his hoe leaning against the wall and left.

The other two outsiders didn’t leave immediately, watching from the side.

Pei Yan turned around, facing away from the crowd, took out his money bag, and looked at Tang Lao Liang, asking, "Do you have a scale?"

"Yes, follow me," Tang Lao Liang said, leading the way into the main room.

Inside the main room, blocked from outside view by windows, Pei Yan opened the money bag and counted out twenty-eight taels of silver.

Tang Lao Liang took the scale, and they weighed the silver together, ensuring the correct amount. Seeing paper and pen on the table, Pei Yan called Dog'er to write the contract.

Tang Lao Liang called an elderly man from the courtyard to witness. The man was from their village, respected and virtuous, often overseeing contracts and seals in the village.

When Gu Lan Yu wrote the contract, Gu Tieshan came in to take a look. He couldn’t help but admire the literacy, as few farmers could write.

However, he and Pei Yan glanced at the calligraphy hanging in the main room. Tang Lao Liang’s eldest grandson studied in town and did well. They heard from Tang Ruiwen that the money from selling the ox would support his education. The calligraphy indeed gave the house a scholarly air.

Though they couldn’t create such art themselves, they admired Dog'er’s handwriting, which the teacher praised during private tutoring.

Gu Tieshan thought about it, but with the more accomplished Tang family’s grandson, he restrained his pride.

Pei Yan glanced at it, having never studied and unable to judge its quality. He waited for Dog'er to finish writing the contract and affix the seal, after which the ox would belong to them.

Tang Lao Liang’s husband, seeing the deal finalized, knew the grandson’s education couldn’t be delayed. He understood, though it pained him.

With the red seal pressed onto the paper, the contract was irrevocable.

Tang Lao Liang received the money, and Pei Yan got the ox, each holding a copy of the contract.

Apart from them, only Gu Lan Yu and the elderly witness knew the sale price. Being principled, they wouldn’t reveal it to anyone else.

Qian had been given, and it was time to leave. Pei Yan was quite happy and very grateful to his second brother-in-law, Tang Ruwen.

Tang Ruwen's donkey cart was still parked at the door. His in-laws had come along, and he was very hospitable, inviting them to go home with him for a meal before sending them back, saying that Xiuer was waiting at home.

Miao Qiulian and Gu Tieshan could leave their chores behind to visit their daughter and grandson, but Gu Lanshi, Zhu Ge'er, and Hua Xishuang were all at home. So, they sent Pei Yan and Gu Lanyu to take the ox back and start working. Spring had arrived, and there was much work to be done.

Lao Liang untied the ox rope and handed it to Pei Yan: "Let's go."

Pei Yan pulled on the rope, but the ox did not move.

Perhaps sensing it wasn't going out to graze but being sold, the ox let out a long moo, its head and neck stretched forward by the rope, but it stubbornly refused to leave.

"Go!"

Having already received the money, Lao Liang raised his hand in anger and slapped the ox. A whip was lying on the pile of firewood nearby, but he didn't see or remember it. His hand landed on the ox without causing any pain.

The water buffalo shook its head, trying to break free from the rope. Pei Yan didn't pull too hard, loosening the rope slightly. Dealing with an unfamiliar large water buffalo required patience; one couldn't overpower an ox.

Lao Liang grew even angrier and slapped the ox again, becoming impatient. "We've already taken the money, so what are we doing here?"

"Moo!" The ox called out again.

His wife watched from behind, wiping her eyes with her sleeve, then stepped forward, holding back tears as she patted the ox. "Go. From now on, follow your new owner."

The ox stopped calling. Pei Yan gently tugged on the rope, and the ox lifted its feet, following him step by step out the gate.

The others dispersed, but Lao Liang's wife kept wiping her tears, her sleeve soaked. Lao Liang sighed and closed the courtyard gate.

*

When Gu Lanshi saw the ox, he was holding Xingxing under the apricot tree, admiring the blossoms. Hearing the dog barking and running out, he thought it was a stranger, but when he reached the fence gate, he saw Pei Yan leading a large water buffalo back.

"Woof!" Xingxing, who had never seen an ox, stared at it with wide eyes, both puzzled and curious.

"Bought it?" Gu Lanshi was delighted but mindful of the child in his arms, so he lowered his foot and kept examining the water buffalo.

As Pei Yan approached the gate, he moved aside, still keeping some distance from the ox. Seeing no one around, he couldn't help asking, "How much?"

"Twenty-eight taels." Pei Yan said, walking steadily, matching the ox's pace.

"That expensive." Gu Lanshi was surprised. After the ox passed by, he noticed its excellent condition and remarked, "Yes, it's only four years old and strong. It's just right for field work this year."

Pei Yan smiled and said, "Yes, I think this price is fair for us."

Huīhuī and Huáizǎi ran around, barking at the ox until Pei Yan whistled to stop them. They tilted their heads, curiously watching the water buffalo.

Dàhēi, seeing Pei Yan leading the ox back, remained calm beside Gu Lanshi, knowing it wasn't being led away by someone else.

Gu Lanshi stayed behind, not getting too close, but he was elated. "First, tie it up. Let's go gather grass. Unfortunately, we haven't built a shed yet. Where should we tie it?"

Pei Yan continued walking, saying, "I'll hammer a post into the ground and tie it in the northwest corner of the backyard. Tomorrow, we'll start building the shed over there."

He glanced back at the ox and added, "This ox is gentle. While building the shed, we can tie it anywhere. If it rains, we can put it in the donkey shed with the donkey."

"Alright." Gu Lanshi was very pleased and followed Pei Yan to the backyard, grabbing a handful of fresh grass cut earlier today, moving closer to let Pei Yan feed the ox.

The ox looked at him for a while, strong and powerful, yet silent and docile in front of its new master.

Seeing the ox start eating, Gu Lanshi's eyes curved into a smile. It truly was a fine ox.