Selling Tiger Hide

Walking down the streets of the county town with his hunting pack, Luo Yi keenly sensed that compared to the prosperity and liveliness he experienced the last time he visited Yunlu County, the town now held a more somber, grim atmosphere.

Soldiers in county guard uniforms patrolled the streets intermittently, and the usual bustling traffic had thinned considerably, with fewer pedestrians.

Simultaneously, many raggedly dressed people appeared on the streets, wandering near the entrances of various shops, incessantly begging the shopkeepers for food or money.

Following his previous memories, he quickly arrived at the "Qipi Collection Shop," where he had previously sold "Wolf Hide" with the hunting team.

He saw two burly men guarding the entrance, constantly driving away beggars from the county town.

Ignoring the others, Luo Yi walked straight in. As he reached the entrance, he was stopped by the guards.

"Get lost, get lost! We don't welcome beggars here." The guards assumed a stance as if they were about to attack.

"I'm looking for your shopkeeper, Li Hui. Is he in the shop today?" Hearing that the person was looking for shopkeeper Li and could accurately state his name, the two guards' faces instantly broke into smiles as pleasant as chrysanthemums. "He is, little brother. I'll go inform the shopkeeper. Please, come in."

Thanking them, Luo Yi stepped into the shop.

Li Hui, who had just finished attending to a distinguished guest, emerged from the back hall.

He recognized Luo Yi at a glance and quickly greeted him, "Little Luo Brother, you are a distinguished guest! What brings you to the shop today? Are you looking to buy something, or do you have some fine pelts to sell me?"

After a brief chat with the shopkeeper, Luo Yi placed his backpack on the ground and took out a complete Tiger Hide.

"Shopkeeper Li, take a look," Luo Yi said, handing the Tiger Hide to Li Hui.

Seeing the pelt Luo Yi offered, Li Hui didn't reach out to take it. He quickly called to a nearby shop assistant.

"Little Li, fetch the largest display rack from the back storeroom and hang the pelt on it."

"Yes! Shopkeeper." After the shop assistant's efforts, the Tiger Hide was fully displayed on the rack.

"Good stuff, truly good stuff," Li Hui murmured, circling the display rack and examining the Tiger Hide.

"Little Luo Brother, your pelt this time is very complete, and its texture is soft and delicate. Apart from some areas not being handled properly during tanning, causing some flaws in the entire Tiger Hide, the flaws do not overshadow its merits. This Tiger Hide is indeed a rare find."

Listening to Li Hui's praise, Luo Yi was somewhat surprised. Before coming, he had expected Li Hui to find fault and deliberately lower the price. He hadn't expected such a positive evaluation of the Tiger Hide.

Luo Yi nodded. "Shopkeeper Li, what price are you prepared to offer for this pelt?"

Without immediately answering Luo Yi's question, Li Hui walked to the counter, took out an abacus, and began to calculate. Finally, he said:

"Little Luo Brother, when this Tiger Hide meets a buyer who likes fur, it can sell for at least around Two Hundred Taels of Silver. Normally, it's around a hundred taels of silver. However, the quality of your Tiger Hide is quite good. I can offer you two selling methods:

First method: You can consign the Tiger Hide with us, and we will take a 10% commission from the final transaction price.

Second method: Our shop will purchase this Tiger Hide for One Hundred Twenty Taels of Silver."

After hearing Li Hui's two proposals, Luo Yi thought about consigning the Tiger Hide. He didn't know how long it would take to sell, and the silver he had left at home was dwindling. It was better to get the money first.

"Shopkeeper Li, I choose the second method."

"Good, Little Luo Brother, you're truly straightforward. Then I, as your elder brother, will take advantage of you."

"Little Li, go fetch the accountant to bring the money." Following the shopkeeper Li's instructions, an old man soon emerged from the back of the shop and looked at Li Hui.

Li Hui nodded at him. The old man handed Luo Yi a bank note of one hundred taels and four ingots of five taels each.

Luo Yi accepted the silver, cupped his hands towards Li Hui, and said, "Thank you, Shopkeeper Li. Luo will take his leave now."

"Walk slowly, Little Luo Brother. Li won't see you off. Remember to come back to our shop next time you have anything good."

Nodding, Luo Yi walked out of the shop.

Just as he exited the Qipi Collection Shop, Luo Yi keenly noticed that among the people squatting at the shop entrance, a few looked at him with unusual expressions.

As soon as he left, the people squatting at the entrance exchanged glances and quietly followed Luo Yi.

Pretending not to notice their pursuit, Luo Yi headed towards the grain store not far from the Qipi Collection Shop.

Arriving at the grain store, Luo Yi recalled the strangeness he had felt in the county town that morning. Fearing that something bad might happen, he decided to buy more provisions to stock up, just in case.

He found the shopkeeper and purchased Five Jin of Coarse Salt, One Jin of Spices, Three Shi of Fine Rice, One Shi of Wheat, Five Jin of Brown Sugar, and Five Jin of White Sugar.

After buying and paying, these items cost nearly ten taels of silver. Luo Yi carefully examined the prices on the sign at the door and realized that the cost of living in the county town had increased significantly. Originally, the grains and seasonings in the county town's grain store were cheaper than in Dongsheng Town. Now, they were even more expensive than in Dongsheng Town.

Having bought a large quantity of food, Luo Yi did not linger in the county town. Carrying two shi of grain in each hand, he walked towards the alley leading to his home.

The five people following Luo Yi saw him emerge from the grain store with large bags and packages. Greed flashed in their eyes, and they closely followed Luo Yi.

As they arrived at the alley near his home, wanting to prevent these people from knowing his exact address, Luo Yi cautiously observed the men following him. He pretended to notice them, then ran into a dead-end alley in a panic, placing his food on the ground, and waited for them to enter.

Seeing that the person they were tracking had discovered them, the five men suddenly accelerated and ran into the adjacent alley. Fearing they would lose their target, they rushed towards the alley where Luo Yi was.

The five men reached the alley where Luo Yi was. It turned out to be a dead end. The young man was cornered by them.

"You brat, you really know how to pick a spot to get yourself into. Why aren't you running anymore? Hand over all the silver on you, and we brothers can spare your life."

"Otherwise, you look so fair and tender. One of us brothers is into male-male love. You know what the consequences will be then."

A youth with a scabby head spewed threats at Luo Yi.

Among the five, a stout man with a full beard and a mustache stepped forward.

"Lai Brother, this kid's face is so handsome. You must leave him for little sister here to savor."

Hearing the words of the bearded man, Luo Yi felt a churning in his stomach, almost throwing up.

Seeing them continue their trash talk.

Luo Yi, a man of action rather than words, drew the Dao from his waist and, with a frontal slash, split the effeminate "bearded" man in two. Blood sprayed out, dyeing the others nearby into blood-soaked figures.