Usually, Mrs. Qiu makes a living by doing business at a price that is 20% lower than that of other ferrymen. Although she is concerned about her reputation, she likes to be cheap. She eats and sleeps on the water.
"If there is anyone who is willing to take over Song Yushan's business, it's only Mother Qiu. What do you think, Miss Song?"
Shui Sheng introduced Qiu Niang's situation without any concealment, and he still had some confidence in his heart.
Miss Song is the only woman in the county who has a female household, and she is Granny Hua's apprentice. Her reputation is not very good, she is very independent, and she will definitely not mind Mother Qiu's reputation.
She is willing to pay a lot of money to rent a boat. If Qiu Niang can make a lot of money, her life will be better.
Of course, Song Yushan would not have any opinion about Qiu Niang because of the rumors about the death of the star. She died first of her relatives and then her master. The fate of the evil star that was too strong to defeat her relatives was much more unlucky than Qiu Niang in the eyes of some people.
Not only didn't he mind, but he also became a little curious about it, especially after hearing that Mrs. Qiu had safely sent people to the county town.
Before her death, her mother-in-law specifically told her that she had to advance to the Qi Condensation Stage, learn the Heaven Eye Technique and the Paper Tie Technique, and only have a small degree of success in both techniques before she could go to the county town. This showed that the road was difficult and dangerous.
But Qiu Niang was able to come and go several times without any risk. How could Song Yushan not be curious?
Both my mother-in-law and Uncle Jin said that there are no other practitioners in Fushui County.
Could it be that this Lady Qiu is a demon?
But Shuisheng said that Qiu Niang was five years older than him. They were both children who grew up near Fushui, and she didn't look like a demon in disguise.
When Song Yushan looked at Shuisheng like this, his understanding of Qiu Niang seemed to be fake.
Shui Sheng seemed a little unsure. Could it be that he had made a mistake? Ms. Song's family is also someone who follows what is said and is taboo about those people?
He was a little disappointed: "If you don't want to consider Mrs. Qiu, please don't tell me that I'm looking for you for her today."
There were many disputes in front of the widow. He was not worried about himself. He was only worried about causing trouble to Qiu Niang. Women always suffered more. If word spread about him speaking for Qiu Niang, the neighbors would say that Qiu Niang was a seductive vixen. .
"Tell me where Qiu Niang's boat is parked, and I'll go and see it myself. If it's really suitable and the deal is concluded, you can go to Fumanzhai and have a big meal for free." Song Yushan said.
Shui Sheng was willing. Even if she didn't mind Mother Qiu's reputation, Mother Qiu might still mind that what she was about to do was unlucky. Even if she didn't fish or sell fish, it was normal for her to be superstitious about making a living on the water.
When Shui Sheng heard this, he knew there was something going on, and he immediately became happy: "As long as you don't worry about those nonsense rumors, Ms. Qiu will definitely satisfy you. If she succeeds, I won't go to Fumanzhai for a free meal. Please come here I would be very grateful if you could take more care of Mother Qiu for the shipping fee!"
Song Yushan agreed.
Shuisheng came out of the alley and headed home with a cheerful expression. Song Yushan and Jin Da then left the alley and headed to the dock.
Mrs. Qiu often moored the boat at the ferry south of the pier, next to the grove, with the carp lantern hanging on the bow.
When Song Yushan and Jin Da arrived there, they saw a awning boat with lanterns hanging on it. The boat was farther from the shore than others. A young woman wearing a woman's bun was weaving fish baskets on the deck.
Although the skin is slightly dark due to the wind and sun on the water, it can't conceal her beautiful face. Sitting on the boat, it is a beautiful scenery.
Song Yushan glanced at Jin Da.
Jin Da shook his head.
Song Yushan understood.
It's a human being, not a monster.
The boatmen at the ferry attracted many customers, but Song Yushan and Jin Da with the urns were kept at a distance.
This morning, Granny Hua passed away and she did not want to take care of the funeral arrangements. Song Jia Yushan took her ashes home and followed her last wish to scatter the ashes in Fushui. The news has spread throughout the pier.
Seeing Song Yushan and Jin Da walking towards Mother Qiu's place, many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Mrs. Qiu does not solicit customers, and mostly only does business with acquaintances. She usually picks up people to go to the county town for the market at regular intervals, and then sends them back later.
She just sent someone here today, and that person will go back by boat tomorrow.
Madam Qiu was a little surprised to see Song Yushan and Jin Da coming over. She had a bad reputation in the county. Except for shopping, she rarely went ashore to the dock, so she didn't know the fresh gossip this morning, and she didn't know Song Yushan and Jin Da either.
Song Yushan told him his purpose of coming, and because of what Shuisheng said, he paid twenty taels of silver at the beginning.
Mrs. Qiu agreed to go out on the boat without any hesitation, but she had objections to the fare: "I only go downstream to the middle of the river for a while. One coin is enough, and twenty taels of silver is enough for me to travel to the county town."
Song Yushan clearly saw that the clothes on her body had been mended many times, and the boat was very simple, but he was still able to accept this job and only charged the usual price. It was really admirable.
The more this happened, the more she wanted to spend the money.
"We have to take the ashes on the ship, which may have an impact on your future business. It is appropriate to pay more for the ship. This will make me feel more at ease."
Seeing her like this, Mrs. Qiu took a step back: "One or two silver at most. No matter how much, Miss, you will feel at ease, but I won't."
Song Yushan said helplessly: "I've never seen you doing business like this. I'm afraid I'll make too much money. Do you know that apart from you, apart from buying a boat, I'm afraid I won't be able to find anyone willing to take over my business? In a separate business, you It can be done if the price is higher."
Qiu Niang asked her back: "I heard from the scholars rushing for the exam that the paper books in the Song Family Bookstore are cheaper than those sold in the county. It is also a unique business. Why doesn't the Song Family Bookstore just raise the price? "
Song Yushan smiled: "That's all. One tael of silver is just one tael of silver. Can you let us get on the boat?"
She underestimated Qiu Niang. Although Qiu Niang was poor, she had ambition. She should be respected instead of throwing money at her thinking she was helping.
Mrs. Qiu then docked the boat and asked them to get on the boat. She was very capable in her work.
The boat rowed slowly towards the middle of the river. Out of curiosity, Song Yushan asked Qiu Niang about the waterway to the county town.
"From here to the county town, we can travel along the river, whether it's sunny or rainy. It can take a month at the fastest and forty-nine days at the slowest. There are many areas with fast currents and steep terrain. Many boatmen never come back. , much more dangerous than the land route.
However, my father has taken me through this waterway since I was a child, so I can pass it safely, but I haven't encountered any ghosts or ghosts like you mentioned. "Qiu Niang said.
Song Yushan just thought that she was lucky, or that she was an ordinary person who did not encounter those things, so he asked her about the situation in the county.
"I have only stopped at the pier in the county town. The pier alone is bigger than our entire Fushui County. There is also the big river. You can't see the other side at a glance. Some of the high-rise boats passing by on the river are larger than those in our county. The tallest building is still tall, very spectacular..."
Mother Qiu spoke vividly, and both Song Yushan and Jin Da were fascinated.
Just listening to her talk about the scene at the pier and the river, one can get a glimpse of the prosperity of the county.
