A merchant family, in itself, has committed no sin.
However, since they were associated with that old scoundrel Nan Tianyuan, it was evident that in Qingning, they had often used their connections to bully the common people and reap ill - gotten gains.
Zhao Shuning demanded two hundred gold coins from them.
She simply intended to take from the people and give back to the people.
On the way here, the roads were full of potholes, the fields were barren, and there were farmers who had starved to death by the roadside.
But look at the things Nan Tianyuan used to entertain guests at home. They were all top - grade tea leaves, top - grade pastries, and even the tables were carved from fine pear wood.
This was exactly what was described as "While the rich feasted and wasted, the poor starved on the roadside."
Zhao Shuning nodded, and the merchants quickly summoned the servants accompanying them in the yard, ordering them to go back and fetch the ransom to save themselves.
Situ Yun frowned.
"What are you doing? Robbing them?"
"Of course not."
Zhao Shuning took a few steps forward and approached Nan Tianyuan.
Nan Tianyuan involuntarily took a step back.
"Miss Zhao, you previously said you wouldn't take my life."
"Of course. Why are you in such a hurry, Master Nan? I just want to do a deal with you."
"A deal?"
Zhao Shuning turned around, sat back in the main seat, crossed one leg over the other and swayed it back and forth absent - mindedly. "I've heard that the granary of Master Nan is the fullest, the largest, and stores the best grain in Qingning."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I'm not robbing. I'm here to buy this grain from you."
"How much do you want?"
"Not much. Three thousand two hundred dou."
Upon hearing this, Nan Tianyuan almost lost his composure. His Nan family only had three thousand five hundred dou. With a large population, if she took all but three hundred dou, wasn't this just robbery?
"Master Nan, don't look so distraught. Three hundred dou is enough for your Nan family to get through this year."
It was true that they could get through this year's difficulties, but what about next year? Next year, the Nan family would have to collect grain all over again.
"Besides, I'm buying from you, not robbing."
"I'll calculate it at the price you paid when you bought from the common people. One gold coin for a hundred dou."
One gold coin for a hundred dou was even worse than selling at a rock - bottom price!
"What? Not willing? Isn't this the price you paid when you bought from the common people? Why do you think it's not worth it now that the situation is reversed?"
Nan Tianyuan was so angry that his hands trembled, and he couldn't say a word for a long time.
Situ Yun asked, "Little girl, what do you need so much grain for?"
"To sell to the common people."
"To make a profit?"
"Of course not. Once this grain is in my hands, it can't be bought with money."
"What do you plan to do?"
"Well, I'll have to trouble the gentlemen present here."
Zhao Shuning rolled her eyes and came up with a new idea.
She asked each of the merchants who were on good terms with Nan Tianyuan to take out two hundred gold coins, and then used some of this money to buy the surplus grain from Nan Tianyuan.
After that, she asked the servants of these merchants to help cook porridge or distribute rice. Those who came to receive had to bring work - points.
What were work - points? The common people had to earn them through manual labor.
They repaired roads and built houses, and Zhao Shuning would give them corresponding work - points. At the end of each day, they would receive their work - points, and the servants of these merchants were responsible for supervision to ensure no one slacked off.
Finally, they could exchange work - points for grain.
Situ Yun was stunned after hearing this.
Everyone present was also stunned.
This little girl didn't want the grain for herself?
Moreover, how did she come up with such a good and compromise solution in such a short time?
When Situ Yun came here, he also saw that the common people in Qingning had been greatly affected by natural disasters. But he thought that as a single person, he was powerless and couldn't save the entire Qingning area.
But this little girl had made this extremely difficult matter seem so easy in less than an hour.
"I've observed before. Most farmers' crops were destroyed and their houses were washed away. So their top priorities now are to solve these two problems. There will surely be an excess of labor force, so we'll add road - building to the list."
In this way, the labor force of the common people could be put to good use.
Zhao Shuning didn't want to be a naive good - Samaritan who just gave out money and grain for free. Although this might help build her good reputation, in the end, it would also raise a lot of lazy people who wanted something for nothing.
She would never do such a thing.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap..."
Situ Yun stood up and started to clap.
At this moment, his expression was no longer just admiration. Now, Situ Yun felt that the person standing in front of him was not a child but a future business magnate.
As long as this little girl had ambition, she would be an excellent leader.
"Little girl, I, Situ, am truly impressed. Impressed."
"How did you come up with such a method?"
Zhao Shuning asked in confusion, "Isn't this just normal practice?"
"Previously, I, Situ Yun, was narrow - minded and misunderstood you, little girl. You're a kind - hearted person. That young man following you will one day have his edges and corners smoothed out by you, and he'll become a person like you."
Zhao Shuning naturally hoped so.
But she also had some concerns.
Mo Bai had a cruel nature. Not only could she see it, but even Situ Yun beside her could clearly tell. Zhao Shuning had brought Mo Bai with her.
There were two possible outcomes.
Either Mo Bai would be influenced and educated by her and become gentle and kind.
Or she simply couldn't tame him. In the end, not only would he not change for the better, but she would also be hurt all over by Mo Bai's sharp edges.
She hoped that she would be the lucky one in the first scenario.
"Ningning—"
As if seeing through Zhao Shuning's thoughts, Mo Bai came up like a little spirit beast and squatted in front of Zhao Shuning. His beautiful eyes just stared at Zhao Shuning.
At this moment, there was such purity in Mo Bai's eyes, without a trace of hostility.
Zhao Shuning stroked Mo Bai's hair and said, "Don't worry. Since I've decided to take you out of that dark cave, no matter what happens, I will never abandon you."
Mo Bai happily spun around.
Then Zhao Shuning said, "But you have to be obedient and well - behaved, okay?"
Mo Bai nodded firmly.
"You're so good."
Not long after, the family members of the major merchants in Qingning sent the ransom. Under Zhao Shuning's arrangement, the granary was opened, and the news was spread. The whole thing was proceeding in an orderly manner.
With Situ Yun and Mo Bai around, although Nan Tianyuan was dissatisfied, he didn't dare to say anything.
In the evening, in the small house where Zhao Shuning was staying.
She picked up a pen and calculated many times at the table.
Finally, she threw down the pen and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha—Finally calculated. Five hundred gold coins. There's still five hundred gold coins left. Hahaha—"
Mo Bai didn't know what Zhao Shuning was laughing about. Seeing her laugh, he also showed a smile.
"Five hundred gold coins. I'll use them as the start - up capital for Du She's Shuiyunsheng. Hahaha. It wasn't a wasted trip after all."
Zhao Shuning thought that after doing so much for Qingning, it should be okay to take a little advantage from those heartless merchants, right?
The way Situ Yun looked at her today was really different from before.
Zhao Shuning wanted to do good deeds, but if she could also gain some benefits while doing good deeds, that would be even better.