Jiang Jin raised an eyebrow.
Dong Si mainly pointed out two things. First, the price was very cost-effective. Going to the slave market to buy people, the price of an ordinary servant was generally around 8 bolts of silk.
Silk during this period was about 200 coins per bolt, so 8 bolts would be 1600 coins. Of course, the price would fluctuate depending on the quality of the servant.
For example, someone like Heiya, generally speaking, no matter how low the price was, no one would want her because buying her meant spending money on medical treatment, otherwise she would more than likely not survive.
On the other hand, some maids with special skills or good looks could be sold for over ten thousand coins, so prices could not be generalized.
Of course, this was talking about the slave market, in those cities where trade was still possible.
In fact, for refugees fleeing disaster, it was common to sell their sons and daughters for just two flatbreads.
Then there was the price of grain. Due to the war, the price of grain had risen from 200 coins to about 500 coins per shi.
That was about 50 coins per dou. Calculating it, she only spent 25 coins plus a bowl of meat to buy Heiya.
The second point Dong Si made was the usefulness of these two girls. Of course, he didn't say it was to prepare maids for Jiang Jin, but rather that they could help the group start fires and cook.
Only then did Jiang Jin realize that she had completely underestimated the capability of teenage girls in ancient society. Here, thirteen or fourteen-year-olds could marry and were basically used as adults.
Jiang Jin thought about it and felt Dong Si made sense, but she still haggled out of habit: Two people, two bowls of meat, and I'll give you 4 dou of grain. Not a bit more.
The old woman's face lit up with joy. She thought there was no hope, but she didn't expect this woman to counteroffer. Although the price was lower than what she had in mind, getting 4 dou of rice was not bad. Nowadays, grain was more useful than money.
Afraid that Jiang Jin would go back on her word, she didn't dare to haggle further.
Just as Dong Si was about to write the deed of sale according to the old rules, he heard someone shout, Wait.
A middle-aged man stepped forward with a woman and their son.
The middle-aged man took a deep breath and made up his mind: I want to sell myself.
All the villagers looked at him in astonishment.
The old woman and the old man were also dumbfounded by him. The old man could no longer maintain the calm on his face and angrily rebuked, What did you say?
The middle-aged man's voice was even louder this time: I want to sell myself.
Saying that, he pulled the woman and his son down to their knees before Jiang Jin: I beg the noble lady to buy us. We are very cheap, all three of us for just one copper coin.
Seeing their parents and brother kneel, Daya and Erya also knelt down.
The old man trembled all over with anger, stepping forward and slapping him: You unfilial son, are you trying to force me to death?
The middle-aged man took the slap without dodging, keeping his head down: Aren't you the one forcing us to death? Even if they are girls, they are still my daughters.
The woman was already in tears: I... I am also willing to sell myself. I beg the noble lady to buy us, we only ask that our family stays together.
I disagree! the old woman objected loudly. If the eldest son's family all left, who would do the chores at home? Who would carry the family belongings on this escape journey?
And for one copper coin! Those were three real strong laborers! They were the main workforce of the family.
Although she had two biological sons, they had never really endured hardship. The heavy and tiring work at home was usually done by the eldest.
She glared fiercely at Daya and Erya, gnashing her teeth: Fine, eldest son, are you threatening me?
That's right, I'm not your biological mother after all. Raising you this big and pouring my heart out to you still couldn't warm your heart. Fine, then we won't sell them. From now on, you can be the master of this house!
Hearing her words, a trace of bitterness flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes. He had truly had enough of these days. In the past, he endured it for his children.
But, their family lived so humbly, yet still couldn't escape the fate of their daughters being sold.
He had once thought about dividing the household, but the word filial piety could crush him to death. As long as his father disagreed, he couldn't divide the family.
Without dividing the family, his father and stepmother had the right to sell his children, including selling him.
If they didn't sell them this time, what about the future?
There was clearly still grain at home. They wanted to trade their daughters for grain before reaching the final moment. Then in the future, if they truly reached a dead end, would they not hesitate to exchange their children to eat?!
Thinking of the fate their family would face in the future, he shuddered.
No matter how much he contributed to this family, he could not determine the fate of his children, nor his own fate.
Anyway, at home they were enslaved, and when needed, they would be the first to be abandoned.
In that case, it would be better to choose for himself once. This noble lady looked extraordinary; at the very least, they could have a full meal.
Thinking this, the middle-aged man shook his head: I want to sell myself. I beg the noble lady to buy our family; we are willing to be your slaves and maids.
The old man angrily pointed his finger at him: You unfilial, you... you rebellious son.
The village head sighed and advised the middle-aged man: Li Dalang, have you thought this through? If you sell yourself, your life and death will no longer be yours to decide.
The middle-aged man smiled bitterly: Village head, do you think that at home, I have a say in my own life and death, or the life and death of my children?
The village head fell silent. Being from the same village, he naturally knew the situation of Li Dalang's family.
Li Dalang's stepmother was a formidable one. She had given birth to two sons and had several grandsons and granddaughters.
If it really came to a critical moment, Li Dalang's family would definitely be the first to be abandoned.
If they were only abandoned, it would still be fine. The fear was that his cruel stepmother would trade their family of five one by one to others for meat.
Thinking of it this way, Li Dalang selling himself now was indeed a good choice.
Moreover, his approach was very smart. Asking for only one copper coin was a way to curry favor with the noble lady.
Jiang Jin found it interesting. She looked at Li Dalang: The three of you, for one copper coin?
Li Dalang nodded: Yes, just one copper coin.
Jiang Jin nodded: Alright, I'll buy you. Dong Si, write up the deed of sale and have them press their fingerprints.
Dong Si bloomed with a smile, writing the deed of sale at flying speed. This deal was a massive profit—three strong laborers for one copper coin! It would be great to have a few more like this.
The old woman quit: No, no, I'm not selling anymore. I won't sell Daya and Erya.
Jiang Jin was even more satisfied. It was good that the old woman wasn't selling; there were always people who could sell. She looked at Li Dalang.
Li Dalang was quite smart and immediately understood her meaning: Then I will sell them. I am the father of Daya and Erya, I can make the decision. The two of them are also one copper coin.
Anyway, he didn't intend to keep the money and grain from selling them for himself. He would give this money to his father as the final repayment for giving him life.
So whether it was a lot or a little, there was actually no difference.
The old woman's crying and making a scene paused. She looked at Li Dalang in astonishment, as if knowing this stepson for the first time.
The old man was so angry he was about to spit blood: You unfilial wretch, no, I won't sell.
He turned to look at Jiang Jin, his voice carrying a plea: I'm not selling my son or my granddaughters. You can't force a purchase. I am his father; if I don't sell him, no one has the right to buy him.
Li Dalang shook his head: You have the right to sell me, and I also have the right to sell myself. Today I will bear the title of being unfilial. I am selling myself voluntarily, and everyone can testify for me.
Some villagers who could no longer stand the behavior of the old woman's family immediately chimed in, "Yes, exactly! We can testify."
Meanwhile, Dong Si finished drawing up the deed of sale, and Li Dalang's family affixed their thumbprints to it without a moment of hesitation.
No matter how the old man and the old woman tried to stop them, it was of no use. The matter was officially settled.
Li Dalang solemnly handed the two copper coins he had received to the old man. "Father, this is the money from selling ourselves into servitude. I am giving it all to you as repayment for the life you gave me!"
"This is the last time I will ever call you Father. From now on, we are no longer family. Take care."
With that, he led his wife and children to kneel and kowtow three times to the old man.
The old man was so furious that words failed him, his vision swimming with dark spots.
The woman hesitated for a moment before saying, "We... we would like to go and fetch our clothes and bedding."
The old woman jumped up, entirely exasperated and furious. "Yours? Where do you get the nerve to claim those things are yours?"
