Chapter 23

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Zana is a genuine Mongolian man. To come to the horse market, he prepared for half a month, driving fifteen fat sheep from the White Earth Factory Pass into the Great Wall, and after a journey of fifty to sixty miles, he finally arrived at the horse market.

The weather was bitterly cold, and he had braved the wind and snow all the way. Zana was frozen to the bone, with frost covering his nose, mouth, and even his eyelashes. Despite such hardships, Zana could endure them; he only wanted to sell these sheep to buy an iron pot and some clothes for his family. If there was any money left, he would buy some New Year's goods... but that seemed unlikely.

He had heard that the Han people were the most cunning, that they would try to lower prices and sell junk to the Mongolians, and that this often led to conflicts every year.

Zana entered the horse market with some unease. Before he had taken ten steps, a burst of fragrance wafted over, and a group of children began shouting.

"Passing Mongolian friends, come and have a bowl of hot tea, it's free!"

Zana understood some Chinese, but when he heard the word 'free,' he shook his head vigorously. How could the cunning Han people do something that would lose them money!

He didn't believe it and was about to leave when a half-grown boy brought a steaming bowl of tea to him.

"Have a bowl to warm yourself up."

"Is it for me?" Zana was surprised.

Huzi smiled and nodded, "Brother Zhang told me to, it's not easy for anyone to travel far."

Zana was indeed thirsty and cold. He picked up the tea bowl and drank it in a few gulps. A warm current rose from his esophagus, and the big man couldn't help but smile.

"Kid, you're a good person!"

Huzi quickly said, "What do you want to buy? Come and take a look at our stall!"

Sure enough, the Han people are really devious!

Zana's face suddenly changed, and he grabbed Huzi's collar.

"Kid, does drinking your tea mean I have to buy something from you? Are you trying to trick me with junk?"

Zana's grip was astonishingly strong, causing Huzi to cry out in pain, "Let me go, don't ruin the clothes Brother Zhang bought for me!"

Huzi's cries alarmed Zhang Ke, who walked over in a few steps. "Sir, please let the child go. If you have any issues, talk to me!"

"You!"

Zana sized up Zhang Ke, seeing his clear and handsome features, and said angrily, "Why did you trick me into drinking tea? Are you trying to deceive me?"

"Every passerby is given free tea. How is that deception? You can look or not look, buy if you like it, and leave if you don't. There's no forced buying or selling."

Zana released Huzi, staring at Zhang Ke with suspicion. "Can I leave now?"

"Of course, please do as you wish!"

Zhang Ke smiled, turned, and led Huzi back to the stall.

"Brother Zhang, I'm useless, I can't even explain myself!"

"Ha ha ha, don't blame yourself. Adapting to new things takes time. Don't be discouraged, keep offering tea to the next customer. I don't believe we can't attract anyone!"

Huzi smiled again, picked up another bowl of tea, and turned to welcome the next customer. Suddenly, a big, dark-skinned man appeared in front of him—it was Zana!

"We Mongolians value trust. I drank your tea, so I'll take a look, but don't think you can trick me with junk."

The big man's face was full of arrogance. Jiaofu wanted to say something, but Zhang Ke stopped him.

"We are in business, and the customer is king!" Zhang Ke smiled at Zana. "We mainly sell used clothes and stoves. Feel free to look around!"

Zhang Ke hoped Zana would like the stoves, but to his surprise, Zana only glanced at a few clothes and said, "I want to buy new clothes for my children!"

"Alright, I won't keep you. Please come back if you need anything!"

Zana turned and left with his flock of sheep.

Jiaofu sat down dejectedly and said, "Brother Ke, we've given out tea and smiled, but no one has bought anything. We've lost a lot!"

Zhang Ke shook his head indifferently, "What's the loss? At least he looked, which means our strategy is working! Everyone, keep offering tea!"

Huzi and the others perked up, offering a bowl of tea to every Mongolian who came from afar. However, these Mongolians were mostly surprised and didn't show much interest. Only a few came to look at the goods. By noon, there was still no improvement, and even the experienced Jiaogui couldn't help but speak up.

"This isn't working. I think we should pay for a better spot. The grain in front has already sold five to six shi in the morning."

Zhang Ke stubbornly shook his head, "I don't believe this method won't work. I'll go and offer tea myself."

Holding a bowl of tea, Zhang Ke was about to go out when Zana, the Mongolian man, came back, looking dejected. Seeing Zhang Ke, his eyes lit up.

"Are there still used clothes?"

"Of course, please come this way!"

Zana walked to the stall and said angrily, "I used eight sheep to get an iron pot, and the remaining money isn't enough to buy new clothes. You Han people are too greedy."

While complaining, Zana picked up a dress. It felt smooth and looked like good material.

"How much for this?"

Zhang Ke smiled, "Do you want to pay with silver or sheep?"

"With sheep."

"Alright, one sheep for one piece of clothing."

"Ah!" Zana was surprised. He had just asked, and new clothes required three sheep. The used clothes were well-made and of good quality, and only one sheep was needed. What a fair price!

Zana finally smiled widely, "I'll take five pieces, three for men, and one for a woman!"

No shop remains unsold forever.

Hearing Zana's words, not only Zhang Ke but also Jiaofu and the others were delighted. Zhang Ke personally helped Zana select the clothes and even added two pairs of shoe soles when packing them.

Zana was quite moved. From start to finish, Zhang Ke had a smile on his face, showing no impatience, and the goods were genuine. The treatment he received was far better than what he had experienced before. He suddenly raised his hands over his head, then covered his chest with his right hand, and bowed deeply.

"Kind Han people, please forgive my rashness. You are trustworthy merchants!"

Getting a five-star review, Zhang Ke was particularly happy.

Zana turned to leave, and suddenly another group of Mongolians came from the market. Seeing Zana, the front person started to complain.

"Brother Zana, I bought two cotton jackets from the Han people, but they put this inside!"

Zana hurriedly looked over and saw that the sleeves of the jackets were torn, revealing clumps of white stuff—white reed flowers! How could this keep you warm!

"Huge, didn't you go to the merchant who sold you this?"

"He ran away!" Huge said through gritted teeth. "The Han people are too cunning. We've already discussed it!"

Huge suddenly whispered in Mongolian, "We'll wait outside the horse market and rob the Han merchants tomorrow. We'll make them taste our strength, not only taking their goods but also cutting off the heads of the greedy merchants!"

Huge was gnashing his teeth, and the Mongolians behind him were also indignant, clenching their fists.

Zana frowned and said, "Brother Huge, not all Han people are bad. I don't agree with what you're planning!"

"How can you speak for the Han people, Zana?"

"Why can't I speak for them!" Zana said, placing the package of clothes on his hand.

"Look, this is the clothing I exchanged for, one sheep per piece."

Huge picked up a piece of clothing and said in surprise, "This is silk, smoother than a mirror, and it only costs one sheep. You got a great deal!"

Hearing this, Zana showed a simple and proud smile.

"I told you, there are also kind and honest Han merchants."

Huge quickly asked, "Where did you exchange them?"

"Right there!"

Zana pointed to Zhang Ke and his team, who were indeed in a slightly remote location, but Huge and the others didn't care. They followed Zana back to Zhang Ke's stall.

Suddenly, over a dozen people came, and the quiet stall finally became lively. Huzi and his friends happily served tea to everyone.

After drinking the hot tea, Huge and the others felt much better, but they were still interested in the clothes on the stall. Huge was somewhat knowledgeable and picked up a long robe made of Songjiang cotton. It was heavy and clearly made with high-quality cotton, though the cuffs were a bit worn, it was still a top-notch item.

"I'll take this robe. Two sheep for it?"

Another Mongolian picked up a dark red piece of clothing, his eyes brightening as he said, "I want this one. I'll give it to Una; she'll love it!"

They became more and more excited as they chose, buying more and more, and eventually, they started to fight over the items. Zhang Ke and his team's smiles grew wider. With more people, the stall became lively, especially with the hot tea, more and more Mongolians gathered.

An old man didn't look at the clothes but focused on the stoves.

Finally, someone came, and Jiaofu perked up. "Sir, please take a look. This stove will definitely satisfy you!"

He placed a new stove in front of the old man and introduced it with a smile, "Look, this stove can hold a piece of dry cow dung, perfect for a delicious stew. And this..."

Jiaofu set up a meat rack, gently shaking it as he said, "We've tested it; it can roast a whole lamb leg, very convenient. After the fire is out, you just need to open the grate, and the ashes will be cleared in no time!"

Jiaofu demonstrated enthusiastically, and the old man watched greedily, fiddling with it for a while and then looking at the other stoves that were boiling water. Jiaofu was waiting for him to buy.

But suddenly, the old man stood up and turned to leave.

"Sir, why aren't you buying? Do you think our products are not good?" Jiaofu asked anxiously.

The old man smiled bitterly, "Young man, the products are too good. I'm afraid I can't afford them."

"Sir, this stove costs only 4.5 taels!"

"How much?" The old man's eyes widened.

Jiaofu clenched his teeth and said, "4.5 taels!"

Initially, Zhang Ke and Liu the blacksmith had agreed on 3 taels per stove, and Jiaofu had raised the price by half, ready for haggling.

But when the old man heard the price, he trembled and reached into his chest.

"I want one, no, I want two!"

When 9 taels of silver landed in Jiaofu's hands, he couldn't believe it, pinching his thigh hard, wincing in pain.

"Ha ha, making money is so easy!"

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