Chapter 155: Ghost Flames
” Move on! Move on!”
” Bring all the goods here!”
The villagers discussed with each other with enthusiasm. They were worried that the Cai Family would purchase their goods at the lowest possible price.
However, They heard that the Cai Family would give them an amount of money that would be considered slightly lower than the market price.
” It was truly foolish of me to doubt Magistrate Cai’s Family.”
” Indeed, the Cai Family never turned back on their words.”
” Long live Cai Family!”
Some of the older men estimated and realized Cai Family gave out over four hundred thousand taels of gold and distributed it among the villagers.
They were concerned as they knew Cai Family’s financial situation wasn’t much better. However, they were more happy to receive their money.
But there are many who raised their doubts. After all, Cai Family only purchased a a fourth of the total products from them. If they were unable to sell the remaining ¾ products, it would be a terrible loss.
” What if they don’t buy anymore?”
” Why would they do that? They already assured us.”
” I doubt though.” Someone explained. ” We know it’s a complete losing deal for the Cai Family. Why would they suffer loss for us peasants?”
” What if this is all they going to buy?”
” Don’t jump to conclusion.”
” Yeah, the Cai Family is a noble military family. They are not like those greedy merchant bastards.”
Li Rou looked at the scene as she couldn’t help but sigh. ” Haah, It’s really putting us in a tight place.”
” Jia Hao helped us a lot.” Cai Yixue nodded as she stood beside her. ” He alone gave two hundred thousand taels of gold.”
” Interesting, Where did he hide so much gold?”
” Who knows?” Cai Yixue mused.” However, I have to admit. His expression was pretty ugly when he was giving the money.”
” All men are like this.” Li Rou laughed lightly. ” However, It’s truly a blessing that he is willing to share your burden. He really cares about you.”
” He does…” Cai Yixue’s voice became a whisper. Li Rou shook her head, knowing that Cai Yixue feeling conflicted emotions.
” But Yixue, is this really ok? I mean, What exactly the plan is?”
” It’s bizarre.” Cai Yixue shook her head. ” He only told me to enjoy the view in the night.”
” How strange…”
Soon, the merchants of the Shen Family came and took away all the goods. They transported all the cotton and silk to the workshop of the Niu Family, where the threads of silk and cotton were woven.
It’s more or less like a factory, with around a thousand people working all the time. As the goods reached there, Niu Chao looked at Shen Ming with a smile.
” Haha, Elder Niu, It looks like the Cai Family finally admitted defeat.”
” Of course, did they have any other choices?” Niu Chao laughed with a snort. ” Either, they have to appease the angry mob, or have to suffer loss after selling the goods to us.”
Shen Ming was the second young master of the Shen Family, who was currently overseeing the deal with the Cai Family.
” However, It would be best to see the goods, no?” Shen Ming raised his concerns. ” We can’t deny that Cai Family might plot something.”
” Why not? Let’s go and see them together.” Niu Chao nodded as he brought Shen Ming with him.
As they stood near the carts, Niu Chao signaled his servant. The servant nodded as he opened the crates, showing the row after rows of silk cocoons inside them.
Casually picking some cocoons, they sliced it open.
” See? Such a good quality of silk.” Niu Chao couldn’t help but praise. ” And, We already checked everything. All the crates are clean.”
” It’s just that…Why all of these are so moist?” Shen Ming pointed at it.
” Eh? Now you say so…” Niu Chao rubbed his chin. ” Ah, Perhaps to not let them catch fire? You know, these things are very flammable. A single spark can easily burn everything down.”
” Ah, You are right.” Shen Ming also thought it was reasonable. After all, silk is the same as gold here. Why not take some precautions?
” Haha, Young Master Ming, why not come to our house?” Niu Chao smiled. ” We can have some drinks.”
” After you, Elder Niu.” Shen Ming smiled as he followed him.
As soon as the goods arrived, all of them were washed out first. After washing them with special medicated water, all the cocoons and cotton flowers were sent to the warehouse to get dry.
The process of silk weaving is pretty delicate and time-consuming. So the work happens in the shifts, with hundreds of them working in the daytime and others in the night.
After passing the final inspection, the silk cocoons were stored in the warehouse along with the remaining ones.
” Hah, They recruited over a hundred more laborers today.”
” Of course, Why wouldn’t they?” Another worker spoke. ” Niu Family is going to earn a huge chunk of money after selling all this silk.”
” So, they are hiring workers to work faster and more efficiently.”
” Yawn, It’s kinda hot tonight, isn’t it?”
” Yeah, I’m feeling a bit sweaty. Not to mention these vats here which are boiling the silk cocoons. They are giving off more heat.”
Using the boiling vats, the silkworm dies inside the cocoon, making it easier to extract the silk.
However, at that moment, something unexpected happened.
Thanks to the workflow and environment, the warehouse inside was very warm.
Suddenly, a silk cocoon wriggled as wisps of smoke started to come out of it.
Slowly, green flames appeared around it, burning down the cocoon. The green flames looked very eerie, like ghost flames of fairy tales.
The ghost flames slowy spread as other cocoons also got caught by the green flames.
With a loud explosion, the entire warehouse suddenly caught fire as the green flames swept across the silk cocoon.”
” Wh-What’s happening?”
” Heavens! Smoke! Smoke is coming from the warehouse!”
” Hurry up and bring the water! It’s fire! IT’S FIRE!”
” Fuck! What sort of flame is that? Why is it greens!”
” Ghost flames! These are ghost flames!”
Cai Yixue looked at the night sky as she sat in her balcony. However, she suddenly looked around and saw Minmin rushing towards her.
” Youn-Young Miss! Can you see there?”
Minmin panted as she pointed at a distant direction. Cai Yixue felt like there is particular bright point there.
” Yeah, What’s with that?”
” That’s…Niu Family’s warehouse.” Minmin spoke with an excited voice. ” It’s burning.”
Cai Yixue’s mouth became wide as she looked at Minmin and again looked back at that direction.
” Where is he?”
” He…” Minmin pouted.
” I heard he went to the Phoenix Cloud Pavilion again.”
Meanwhile, In Phoenix Cloud Pavilion.
Jia Hao’s expression was ugly as he saw sitting before a familiar young man.
” We met again, Brother Jia.”
It was none other than Li Qing, the Crown Prince of Great Yan.
‘ Fuck my life.’
