Chapter 13
Delusion
However, Liu Yong begged to differ. He felt that he was hardworking, a quick learner, smart, and full of ambition. Yet, because of Shu Wanniang’s words, he was forced to stop in his tracks. This made him feel angry and resentful towards Shu Wanniang.
Now that the patriarch was no longer willing to help him, he could only think of a way himself. He forced his parents to raise money to send him to the county academy to study. However, the Liu family was poor and could not even afford the tuition. Moreover, he had to buy pens, ink, paper, and inkstones to go to school. They might not be able to afford these expenses even if they sold off everyone in his family.
Unexpectedly, Liu Yong came up with the idea to sell his younger siblings. The nine-year-old Liu Yong had a younger sister who was eight years old and a younger brother who was six years old. At that time, he tricked them into going to town to sell them to the broker.
The children in the village were free to roam around, and their parents would only call for them when they needed them to do something, or when food was ready. That day, Third Uncle Liu and his wife had gone to the fields and were not at home. When they returned in the evening, they saw that the three children were not at home and did not take it to heart, thinking that they had gone out to play.
However, when they finished cooking, the three children were still nowhere to be seen even when the sky turned dark. It was then that Third Uncle Liu and his wife panicked and quickly asked the villagers to help look for them.
Liu Yong didn’t hide from anyone the fact that he brought his younger siblings to town. When the adults saw them, they thought that Third Uncle Liu and his wife had asked them to buy something in town, so they didn’t take it to heart. When Third Uncle Liu asked, they naturally told him.
The patriarch’s intuition told him that something was wrong. He led Third Uncle Liu into town. On the way, he encountered Liu Yong, who was carrying a bag. When he opened it, he saw that it was filled with brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and books.
Third Uncle Liu looked at his eldest son, who had his head lowered, and felt an ominous feeling in his heart. However, he still asked with a trace of hope, “Where did you get these? Also, where are your younger siblings? Didn’t you bring them to town?”
Liu Yong looked at his father calmly and said, “I bought this, because I want to study and become a High Scholar. I sold my younger siblings. They’re only suffering for the time being. When I succeed in the Imperial Examination and become an official, I’ll naturally redeem them and let them live a good life.”
Third Uncle Liu widened his eyes in disbelief. His fingers trembled as he pointed at his eldest son, unable to speak. The patriarch beside him could not help but secretly feel glad that they had not decided to support him, for it would certainly bring trouble for the clan.
How old were his younger siblings? They had grown up together, yet he actually sold them just like that. What atrocities would he commit as an adult when he was already capable of such a vicious act at such a young age?
Seeing that Third Uncle Liu was actually a little dazed after suffering such a blow, the patriarch hurriedly slapped him awake and shouted at Liu Yong, “Who did you sell your younger siblings to? Hurry up and tell us! How can you be so ruthless when they’re only so young?”
Third Uncle Liu came back to his senses and realized that the most important thing now was to get his children back. Glaring at Liu Yong with red eyes and a fierce gaze, he demanded to know, “Tell me, where did you sell your brother and sister?”
Fear seized Liu Yong’s heart due to the look in his father’s eyes. The calmness he had displayed just now was merely an act. His palms were already sweating, but he thought that since his younger siblings had already been sold, his parents would not beat him to death now that he was the only child in the family. At most, they would beat him up.
Now that his younger siblings were gone, he would be their only son. They would send him to school then.
Liu Yong encouraged himself in his heart. Then, he raised his head and said, “I have no idea. I sold them to a passing broker and he has long left. I’m your only son now.”
Unable to take it anymore, Third Uncle Liu pounced forward and grabbed his eldest son’s neck, pressing him to the ground. His eyes were red, and his ferocious face was twisted. He roared, “How did I give birth to such an unfilial son like you? If I had known, I would have strangled you to death when you were born. I’ll strangle you to death. Tell me, who did you sell your younger brother and sister to? Tell me!”
Third Uncle Liu had suffered a huge blow and used too much strength, causing Liu Yong’s eyes to bulge slightly. He felt that he was really going to die. In his panic, he lost control of his bladder and his entire body reeked of feces and urine. If not for the patriarch and a few clansmen holding Third Uncle Liu back, Liu Yong would definitely have died.
The patriarch called for others to pull Third Uncle Liu away. He said to Liu Yong, who was lying on the ground half-dead, “Liu Yong, you’d better tell me clearly who you sold your younger siblings to and who linked you to that person. If you don’t tell me, your father will definitely beat you to death. Your parents are still young. At most, they can have a few more children.”
Merely nine years old, even if Liu Yong was more mature than others, he could not help but panic after that near-death experience. He said in a hoarse voice, “I really don’t know who that person is, only that everyone calls him the Yellow-teeth Man. I brought them to Procuress Fang’s house in town, wanting to sell them to her. But she didn’t want them, for she said that it would only count if the adults came. Just as I was feeling helpless, I happened to bump into the Yellow-teeth Man coming to choose people when I came out. I made a note. After he came out, I followed behind him. He is also in the human trafficking business, and had come to look for Procuress Fang to buy people. I followed him to his courtyard and sold Brother and Sister to him. Then, I brought the money to the county to buy pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.”
Having just sold his younger siblings for 10 taels of silver, Liu Yong was overjoyed. At that time, he couldn’t help but take a donkey cart to the county to buy a set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. He even bought two books.
Upon hearing this, everyone felt their hearts turn cold. The fact that this person could actually buy things so happily after selling his younger siblings, showed just how cold-blooded he was.
“Patriarch, let’s go look for Procuress Fang now. She definitely knows who that Yellow-teeth Man is.” Third Uncle Liu did not want to waste another moment. Knowing his daughter and youngest son had always been timid, he could only imagine how frightened they were.
Understanding that he was anxious, the patriarch immediately handed Liu Yong to his son, Liu Dazhuang. “Take him back and guard him. Then, go and invite Shi Tou. He often travels outside and knows many people. Perhaps he might know about this.”
Liu Dazhuang agreed and carried Liu Yong on his back before rushing to Nearhill Village.
The patriarch also rushed to town with the remaining people.
The people bought by the Yellow-teeth Man were sent to the palace and those filthy places, so Procuress Fang did not like to do business with him. When she heard that the two kids were sold to him, she immediately said, “Then you should hurry to the south. I heard that he intends to set off today and rush back to the south as soon as possible. However, he’s a miser. Since he spent money to buy them from you, there’s no way he will let them go for free. If he bought them with 10 taels of silver, expect to pay at least 12 taels of silver to buy them back.”
The patriarch, Third Uncle Liu, and the others’ expressions changed drastically. Even if the entire Liu family took out everything they had, they could not afford the 10 taels of silver.
Shuddering, the patriarch said, “Quickly go back and ask Liu Yong how much money remained from the sale. We’ll gather the money from other sources and chase after him tomorrow morning, traveling along the main road. Don’t worry, we’ll find him eventually.”
Third Uncle Liu gritted his teeth and knelt in front of the patriarch. “Uncle, I know this is a presumptuous request, but I really can’t wait any longer. I’m going to chase after them overnight. I’ll have to trouble you to go back and help gather the money. Tell the villagers that I, Liu San, will pay back the money I owe even if I have to work as a slave for the rest of my life. I only hope that they can save my daughter and youngest son first.” As he spoke, he kowtowed to the patriarch.
Clenching his teeth, the patriarch replied helplessly, “Alright, go chase after them with your fifth brother. I’ll go back and help you gather the silver. Once I gather the money, I’ll come for you. Don’t be anxious even if you catch up to them. Calm them down first and tell them politely that we’ll pay for their ransom with silver.”
Third Uncle Liu could only kowtow to him to express his gratitude.