Transmigrated To Ancient Time: Thrive With An Auction System!

Chapter 232: Buying Slaves ( 5 )

Yao Zhi waited until the price hit 500 taels of silver before she raised her jade tablet and said, ”Light the flower lantern!”

The moment she said this, everyone was shocked. Lighting the flower lantern meant that she would pay 50 taels more than whatever price the other party bid.

From the moment the slave market opened, there had only been one person who lit the flower lantern. Now, they finally saw the second person light the lantern.

Although they could continue bidding to raise the price, everyone knew that offending someone who could light the flower lantern was not a wise move. So, with a flower lantern hung on her balcony, the auction for the slaves also came to an end.

Five minutes later, after several knocks, the door to her private room was opened, and the manager walked in, followed by a staff member. The manager cupped his fists and greeted her. ”Greetings, Young Master.”

Yao Zhi stood up and returned his greeting.

The manager gestured to the staff member while saying, ”Young Master, these are the slaves’ deeds and their background information.”

Yao Zhi nodded and checked the deeds. On the deeds were the official stamps of several ministries. After she checked them, she asked, ”Have you calculated the total price?”

The manager smiled and replied, ”Young Master, you bid on a total of 20 male slaves, each at 400 taels of silver, totaling 8,000 taels of silver.”

After he said this, the guard brought in 7 female slaves.

The manager gestured to them and continued, ”Young Master lit the flower lantern and bid on 7 female slaves, each at 550 taels of silver, totaling 3,850 taels of silver. The total price is 11,850 taels of silver.”

He paused for a moment before asking, ”Young Master, do you want to pay now, or should we visit your house later?”

Yao Zhi waved her hand and said, ”I will pay now.”

Using her sling bag, she took out 11 pieces of 10-tael gold ingots, 1 piece of a 5-tael gold ingot, 3 pieces of 1-tael gold ingots, and 5 pieces of 10-tael silver ingots from her system’s storage.

Then she placed the gold and silver ingots on the table. The manager had already received a report from the staff about someone placing a deposit using gold ingots.

At first, he was skeptical. But when he saw how casually this honored guest took out the gold ingots, he no longer had any doubts.

”Sir, see if the amount is correct,” Yao Zhi said.

The manager checked the stamps on the ingots and returned two 10-tael gold ingots to her. ”Young Master, you placed a deposit before, so we can just deduct it directly.”

Yao Zhi nodded and said, ”I ordered sweet soups for my men. How much is it?”

Facing such a generous customer, the manager knew what to do. He smiled and replied, ”Young Master, you don’t have to pay for the snacks. You are our honored guest. It’s only right for us to serve you well.”

Hearing this, Yao Zhi didn’t insist on paying and accepted the gesture readily. ”Thank you, Manager.”

”Young Master is too polite.”

After she settled the account, Yao Zhi left the slave market, followed by her newly bought slaves. The moment they left the building, she noticed them shivering. Their clothes were tattered and too thin to withstand the cold temperature.

She looked at the youngest girl, who almost fainted, and took off her cloak. When she used it to wrap the girl, the slaves were surprised.

Yao Zhi saw the oldest woman holding the girl tightly and said, ”She is too young and can’t withstand the cold. If you want her to stay alive, don’t resist.”

When she heard this, the woman finally let go and muttered hoarsely, ”Thank you, Master.”

Yao Zhi wrapped the girl and carried her personally. Feeling how light the girl was, her heart clenched. Living in this imperial era was too dangerous. One wrong move, and the entire clan was doomed.

She walked to the nearest inn in large strides. When she entered the inn, she placed a 10-tael silver ingot on the counter and said, ”I want all the rooms.”

The clerk’s eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded. After he put the silver ingot in his sleeve, he took all the keys and said, ”Young Master, this way, please.”

Seeing that no one was moving, Yao Zhi turned to her slaves and asked, ”What are you all doing standing there? Come in.”

After saying these words, she went to the second floor. Soon after, the slaves followed her. Each room had two beds, so she let them share the rooms.

She let the girl stay with her mother. Before leaving the room, she gave the female slaves a cup of water mixed with spiritual spring water.

When she was done, she went to find the clerk and said, ”Bring hot water, porridge, and some side dishes to their rooms. Don’t give them greasy food, just light food.”

The clerk nodded. ”Understood.”

Yao Zhi needed to buy winter clothes for them. Judging from their condition, they wouldn’t be able to travel right away, so they had to stay at least two days in this town first.

Now that she bought slaves using Lei Feng’s name, she had to give him an identity. Thinking about this, she went to the yamen.

During winter, even criminals were too lazy to cause trouble, so the yamen was deserted and the gate was closed. She knocked on the gate and waited for a while before it opened, and a yamen runner came out.

”What are you doing here?”

Yao Zhi cupped her fists and said, ”Greetings, Sir. I came to report a thief. My belongings were stolen, including my money, introduction letter, and household register.”

The yamen runner raised his eyebrows and said, ”You can only get your household register from your hometown.”

”Sir, I came from the south. Without an introduction letter, I can’t travel far. Please help me.” As she said this, Yao Zhi shoved two pieces of broken silver into the yamen runner’s hand.