Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

Shen Qing skillfully maneuvered the reins, blending seamlessly with the numerous caravans, and again slowly approached the gate of Taiping County.

The arched gate was wide open, revealing the dry road beyond.

Over the years, the gray brick-paved road had been worn shiny black, with snowmelt accumulating in the cracks between the bricks.

Upon closer inspection, there were also a few piles of horse dung scattered about.

The guards, clad in old-fashioned armor, stood inside the gate, either leaning against the walls or sitting on simple wooden stools, showing no intention of cleaning up.

The horse dung was continually crushed by the passing carts' wheels, turning into green manure water.

The guards' gazes drift nonchalantly between the pedestrians and the goods passing by.

They would occasionally look up lazily to ask a few questions, perfunctorily checking the luggage and waving through anyone who paid the city entrance fee.

At this moment, it was the morning rush hour to enter the city, and the flow of people was considerable.

Shen Qing and his two companions had to wait for about a quarter of an hour before their turn came.

"Whoa!"

Shen Qing halted his cart and confidently pulled out the silver he had prepared in advance, proactively handing it over before the guard could speak, his movements smooth and natural.

"Half a tael of silver, I know the rules," Shen Qing said with an indifferent smile, his voice seasoned and unconcerned: "I am a disciple from Linfeng Hall, brother, do me a favor."

The guard took the twenty large coins, quite pleased with Shen Qing's understanding.

He then habitually muttered "Go on in," and lazily waved him through.

After paying the city entrance fee, Shen Qing drove his horse slowly through the gate.

Since he entered the city quite early this time, he managed to catch the morning market.

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Upon entering the gate, a wave of noise surged toward him like a tsunami.

The cacophony of hawkers' cries, shouts, and laughter mingled together, making it especially noisy and chaotic.

The air was also filled with the smell of various fried pancakes.

On the main street, there were no nobles or young lords, mostly stall vendors, as well as some woodcutters carrying wood through the streets, and servants out shopping.

Compared to his initial awkwardness and displeasure, having walked through once already, Shen Qing was now very familiar with the routes inside the city.

He briefly checked the location, then led "two tigers" towards the direction of Wanfeng Building.

On the way, Shen Qing casually bought three pancakes, which served as a quick breakfast for them.

After walking for a while, they arrived at the entrance of Wanfeng Building, and after stating their purpose, they went directly to the backyard of Wanfeng Building.

Now was the peak period for winter hunting, so there were no fewer than seven or eight hunters from other villages in the backyard of Wanfeng Building.

However, they were mostly individuals. None, like Shen Qing who had brought a whole cart, were present.

Even so, seeing this atmosphere, Shen Qing already had a bad feeling.

He consulted briefly with the people around him, learning that the buying price for mountain goods had been lowered.

After doing the math, Shen Qing realized that his earnings had nearly halved.

Previously, he could make close to 700 cents; now, it was barely 200 cents, and he might not make any money at all.

Wasn't this outright bullying?

"That's a total of 120 wen!"

In the backyard, Wang Qiyao was holding an abacus, tallying up the goods' value.

An accountant beside him was writing down the accounts with a brush, ready to pay out the silver for settlement.

"These are a whole eighteen wild rabbits, how can it be only 120 wen?"

The hunter was reluctant, trying to bargain for more.

"So you won't sell then?" Wang Qiyao glanced at him, walked past, and called out: "Next."

The overlooked hunter hurriedly rushed forward, clutching at Wang Qiyao's sleeve and pleading, "Please, please, let it be 120 wen then."

Wang Qiyao flicked his sleeve, shaking off the hunter's hand, and glanced sideways as he said, "It's not that I intentionally want to pay less, but now is the season when you mountain drivers have the best yield. Everyone is rushing to sell to me, which naturally drives the price down. Once spring comes, the prices will naturally bounce back."

The hunter's face showed a trace of contempt.

He knew Wang Qiyao was right, but by the time spring arrived next year, hunting would be prohibited in the mountains.

By then, those who dared to go up the mountain were either well-connected or outright desperate, risking their lives for it.

The county government of Taiping was adept at finding any pretext, without saying.

If they got you in their grasp, they wouldn't let go until they had squeezed you dry.

By that time, for these rootless people going into the mountains, even if it didn't ruin families, it would likely cost them heavily, barely leaving them alive.

It seemed as though the hunter had resigned himself to his fate as he handed over the goods and, taking the 120 wen payout, left despondently.

Wanfeng Building's manager, Wang Qiyao, seemed quite accustomed to this, casually instructing about the delicacies just as the hunter was leaving and started selecting the next candidate.

Shen Qing, with a keen eye, noticed that the hunter was carrying a splendidly feathered wild hen, which was in good condition. In the past, it could have sold for 150 wen, but Wang Qiyao offered only eighty wen.

The hunter's face turned from green to white.

But he was completely helpless.

In the county, the only ones buying mountain goods were the Song family; if he didn't want to sell, his only other options were to consume it himself or let it rot, without making a single penny.

Ultimately, the hunter could only swallow his frustration and accept the deal.

Just then, a hunter changed his mind and wanted to return to cancel the deal and take his goods back, but the servants of Wanfeng Building stopped him, and Wang Qiyao loudly scolded, "Once the money and goods have been exchanged, these goods belong to the boss and have nothing to do with you, throw him out."

The servants of Wanfeng Building rushed up, punched him to the ground, lifted him directly, and threw him high, tossing him over the courtyard wall.

"My arm, my arm..."

Shen Xiaohu and Tian Xiaohu, hearing the continuing cries and screams outside the wall, couldn't help but change their expressions.

This place truly showed no mercy at all.

Shen Qing watched all this unfold, clear that Wanfeng Building was exploiting the change in supply and demand to force prices down.

They surely had a specialized ice cellar, buying up large quantities of mountain goods at very low prices at this time, to then sell at high prices once shortages occurred in the market after the spring.

The money made in between came off the backs of these unconnected lower-class hunters.

In plain terms, it was the Song and Dong families exploiting and bullying the market.

As he was thinking this, it was his turn to sell to Wanfeng Building.

Shen Qing tucked away his thoughts and walked forward with a beaming smile, "Manager Wang, long time no see, I've come to bother you again."

"You are..." Wang Qiyao found Shen Qing slightly familiar since he met many people daily inside and outside, and he didn't quite remember him.

Shen Qing introduced himself, "I'm Shen Qing, from Hongshan Village."

"Oh, it's you," Wang Qiyao immediately recalled, showing a hint of recognition.

"I didn't expect Manager Wang to remember me. Please take a look, these are this season's mountain goods from our village. We have deer, rabbits, mountain goats, wild hens, and even rare items like mushrooms and Lingzhi mushrooms. It would be a great help if you could price them for me," Shen Qing said respectfully.

Wang Qiyao picked and chose, his face showing no emotion.

Clickety-clack.

He moved his abacus quickly and then announced, "You've brought quite a lot of goods here, all together worth three taels and five maces."

Shen Qing's face darkened slightly.

Previously, similar goods had brought in ten taels silver, but now they were only worth three taels and five maces; this was not just a small difference, it was practically a discount.

"Manager Wang, could you possibly raise the price a bit? This price is too low," he said.

"Low? Your cartload is all common mountain goods, and our caravan has already collected plenty from various villages. I have even quoted a bit more for you," Wang Qiyao turned towards Shen Qing with a confident look and asked, "Are you going to sell?"