Chapter Two: Selling the Cow

Unable to resist the lure of the bustling metropolis, Sha Ler finally decided to head south to Guangzhou to find work. At this age, who wouldn’t want to experience the dazzling lights and vibrant life of a big city? There were many people in Guangzhou, and many trying to make a living there, but the money was certainly easier to come by than in the countryside. Sha Ler did the math: back home, the three acres of rice paddies could, at best, yield 5,000 catties of grain a year. Even if he sold it all, it wouldn’t fetch more than four thousand yuan. After deducting the cost of pesticides, fertilizers, and electricity (since they needed to pump water during droughts), two thousand yuan was the most he could hope to make, even working himself to the bone. Add in some small change from raising pigs, chickens, and ducks, and the total income would barely reach three thousand yuan. He’d heard from those working in Guangzhou that as long as one stayed out of trouble and worked hard, a net monthly income of a thousand yuan was entirely possible.

Sha Ler was no fool. Others could rely on their parents and elders, but though he, too, had parents, he was no different from an orphan. He didn’t want to remain a bachelor his whole life, which meant he had to earn himself a marriage fund.

A marriage fund was no small amount. With nothing but a few shabby old clay-tiled houses, who would want to marry him? Without a proper little villa, there was no hope of any girl coming to his door. So, even before he could save for a wife, he first needed to save enough to build a house.

Hearing he wanted to sell his ox, the cattle dealers came calling. The first to arrive was the village’s infamous “Second Uncle Blackheart.” His real name was Sha Shengshui, and he made a living trading cattle. Ruthless and sharp, he’d squeeze anyone for money—even his own father or father-in-law—and recognized no kin when it came to profit. He’d done well for himself, not quite on par with the local foreman Qiang, but still one of the wealthier men in the village.

“Second Uncle, what brings you to my humble shed today?”

“You little rascal, can’t your uncle come see you?” Second Uncle Blackheart’s face split into a wide grin. “I heard you want to sell your bullock, so your uncle came to have a look. Where is it?”

“Please have a seat, Uncle. Let me bring you some water.”

“You rascal, at least you’re considerate.” Second Uncle Blackheart took the bowl of water, grinning like a fox from the opposite hillside. “You’re not so young anymore, you know. I have a niece—she’s quite pretty. Maybe I’ll talk to my nephew Longzi’s uncle and have her marry you. How does that sound?”

Longzi—Sha Long’er—was his son, also working in Guangzhou.

“Your niece? Zicao, right? Pretty, you say? Her skin’s darker than mine, her teeth stick out, and her eyes are uneven—don’t think I don’t know! If I married her, I’d have nightmares. Second Uncle, even you shouldn’t try to make money off your own niece. If you have business, let’s talk business. If not, don’t make fun of my poverty.”

“Hey, you rascal, how am I black-hearted? I’m speaking from the heart.” Second Uncle Blackheart wasn’t offended; to him, harmony meant profit. “I’m serious. Zicao may be a bit dark, and her teeth a bit prominent, but her features are delicate, her waist is slim, big hands and feet, wide hips, and a full chest. She’s the kind to bring prosperity to her husband. Marry her, and you’ll have both happiness and wealth. Besides, with your situation, you want a flower for your vase? You need to accept your fate. And anyway, can you eat or drink a pretty face?”

His words, though harsh, were not without reason. In the countryside, pretty faces were admired, but for a hard life, it was better to have a hardworking, ordinary girl. Given Sha Ler’s circumstances, just bringing a woman home would be fortunate enough—he had no right to be picky.

Yet, Second Uncle Blackheart’s words stoked Sha Ler’s anger.

“So, Uncle, you think I’m doomed to a life of poverty, with no hope of rising above?”

He spoke through gritted teeth, his voice low. Second Uncle Blackheart was startled, realizing he might have ruined the deal. He was here to buy an ox, not arrange a marriage, and honestly, his brother-in-law would hardly want his daughter to marry this poor lad. He was just using the idea to build rapport and drive down the price, not out of sincerity.

“Rascal, what’s with your temper?” Second Uncle Blackheart was famous for his patience; for money, you could spit in his face and he wouldn’t get angry. “I’m only thinking of your best interest. I know you’re a capable lad—supporting yourself since fourteen, making extra money on the side. You’re bound for success.”

At that moment, three more cattle dealers arrived. Though not from the same village, Sha Ler recognized them—two from Shangtao Village, one from Qingshan, just a few miles away. Sha Ler greeted them warmly, fetching stools and water, calling them uncle and elder.

“Second Uncle Blackheart, you got here early!”

The speaker was Zhihe, from Shangtao.

“Heh, you all want in on this too? Don’t forget, Ler is my own nephew—do you think he’d sell his ox to you lot?”

Though he spoke thus, Second Uncle Blackheart was nervous. Ler’s bullock was strong, with good teeth and build, only four years old. At the cattle market, with their silver tongues, it would fetch a fine price.

But the three new dealers were no pushovers either, which made the price uncertain.

“Come now, Second Uncle Blackheart. Don’t try to play the family card. I know you and Ler share the same surname, but you’re separated by at least seven or eight generations. If you’re such a caring uncle, why have you never looked out for Ler before?”

The dealers started bickering in earnest. Sha Ler watched their squabble with satisfaction—the more they argued, the better his chances for a good price.

The crowd of onlookers grew. Gang Mengzi also arrived.

“Ler, these cattle dealers are all sharks. Why don’t we just take the ox to the market ourselves?”

“Let’s hear their offers first,” Ler replied confidently. “If the price is too low, we’ll take it to market.”

Hearing this, the four dealers grew anxious, but their faces remained composed—they were seasoned businessmen.

“Ler, we’ve seen the ox—it’s a fine animal, but it’s autumn now, no plowing to do, so the price is down,” said Tao Zhihe.

“Yes, Ler, name your price first, and we’ll see,” added Second Uncle Blackheart.

“One price, three thousand,” Sha Ler replied firmly.

“Three thousand... You’re asking too much!” Second Uncle Blackheart’s eyes widened. “Ler, even for a golden ox, that’s a stretch.”

All four dealers immediately protested the price as too high. In truth, they all knew the market, and whatever the final buyer, they’d always try to drive the price down.

“Two thousand at most, that’s the limit.”

“I’ll go a bit higher, twenty-one hundred, but not a cent more.”

“Uncles, the ox is mine, the money is yours. If you think it’s too expensive, keep your money, and I’ll keep the ox. If no one buys at three thousand at the market tomorrow, I’ll just stay home and not bother going to the city. It’s not like the ox will run away,” Ler said, smiling.

The four dealers were momentarily stunned, but as professionals, they had tricks up their sleeves.

They knew the ox was worth three thousand—just in beef, it would yield over five hundred catties, and at six yuan per catty, that was at least three thousand. As a plow ox, it was worth even more—come spring, it could sell for four thousand or more.

Raising an ox in the country cost next to nothing—just take it up the hill to graze, throw it some straw in winter. Every dealer had several oxen waiting for the right time. One more or less made no difference, and come spring, profits would be handsome.

But naturally, they hoped to earn as much as possible.

The haggling began, with offers creeping up from two thousand to twenty-three hundred, but Ler stood firm at three thousand, not budging a cent. The crowd grew. Gang Mengzi’s father arrived—Ler’s paternal cousin, named Sheng Tian, who’d always looked out for him. Ler quickly served him water.

“Second Brother, be reasonable—Ler insists on three thousand, not a cent less. Who does business like that?”

Second Uncle Blackheart tried to win him over.

“Second Brother, don’t be so greedy. This bullock is a steal at three thousand.”

“Easy for you to say, Second Brother—three thousand! You think it’s gold? Who would pay that much? I might not even be able to resell it at that price.”

“Shengshui, don’t be so ruthless. Ler is like an orphan—selling the ox isn’t easy for him.”

“And my money comes easy, does it?”

The two parted on bad terms. Second Uncle Blackheart drifted back to the other three dealers. The four of them huddled together, hands slipped into each other’s sleeves to signal prices in silent negotiation.

The offer climbed to twenty-five hundred, but Sha Ler still wouldn’t yield.

“Rascal, why are you so stubborn? Where in the world does anyone get exactly what they ask for?” Second Uncle Blackheart was getting angry.

“Don’t be mad, Uncle,” said Sha Ler with a smile. “If you take it, I’ll knock off twenty yuan.”

“Twenty... How generous. Fine, keep it. We’re not buying.”

The four dealers refused to go higher and left.

But Ler knew they’d be back—this was just their tactic. So, he wasn’t worried, and cheerfully saw them off.

Before deciding to sell, he’d checked the market—three thousand was a price any dealer could accept.

“Ler, are you really not selling?” Gang Mengzi was worried. If Sha Ler didn’t sell the ox, he couldn’t go to the city with him.

“Why are you so anxious!” his father barked. “You should learn from Ler—be patient. Especially when you go out to work, use your head.”

“Don’t worry, Mengzi. They’ll be back, and before long, Second Uncle Shengshui will return tonight,” Ler said with a grin. “Second Uncle, don’t go yet. Stay and have a drink with me—I’ve caught some eels.”

“You rascal, you’ll go far. You’re seventeen now, right? Once things settle, I’ll ask your aunt if there’s a suitable girl for you.”

Sheng Tian smiled as well, showing his approval.

“No rush, Uncle. I’m only seventeen. I can wait until I have money.”

“True enough—when you’ve got money, you’ll have girls lining up at your door.”

“Dad, I’m seventeen too. Why don’t you find a matchmaker for me?” Gang Mengzi chimed in, disgruntled.

“You’re always in a hurry!” his father glared. “You don’t do a thing—who’d want to marry you?”

“Fine, fine. I’ll go to Guangzhou, find myself a pretty one. Hmph, as if I care!”

Gang Mengzi stomped off, muttering. His father sighed, while Sha Ler watched his back, laughing.