09. Rice troubles and deals

''The rice is of bad quality. How can you sell me a bag of rice for one silver if it has mould on it?'' the man pointed at the completely white ice in the bag.

The trader calmly stood there and just shook his head. ''The rice is fine. There is no mould on it.''

But the man pointed at a dirty spot on the side and started rising his voice so everyone could hear it. ''Look. This man is selling wet rice. Look how mouldy it is!''

Suddenly a cold voice could be heard behind him. ''If you don't like it, don't buy it. Go to Gong store and buy at his place. I heard they have rainbow rice and pearl beans. And the price fits the quality. Now, step aside if you don't want to buy this rice, I will. Uncle, one silver for one bag of rice? This is second quality white rice from Wennon Valley. This rice cost usually ten silver a bag and I will pay you that much. Could you bring me twenty bags to my carriage?''

The man smiled brightly but shook his head. ''Sorry. I have only fifteen bags of this rice and I will sell it to you one silver a bag as I sell everyone.'' He waned his hand and his two helpers stared unloading the rice.

But Mina was stubborn as well. ''Uncle. If you don't let me pay the fair price I won't buy it. And I need good rice. I just came to the north and heard that here winters are long. Do you want me to stay without food this winter?''

But the trader was stubborn as well. ''I got this rice carriage for the same price. I am selling this cheap as it is last years rice and I bought it only because of the carriage. Rice just became only extra earning.''

As they spoke the other man became nervous as he saw the rice been taken away. ''Wait I was first here to buy.''

Mina stepped on the side and nodded. ''If that is the case I will give up the rice but you have to pay the original price. No matter how much uncle is in denial, this is one of the best rice sorts for all kind of nice dishes. It can be cooked, steamed, fried. So you can buy it. Ten silvers a bag.''

The man flabbergasted looked at the young woman and shook his head. ''But he said one silver for one bag.''

Mina nodded. ''Indeed. But you said it yourself that you are not satisfied with the quality. Mouldy you said. Now you can pay or original price or let me. I am ready to buy it all for the original price. You do what you want to do. Speak now. Last chance.'' She carefully took out one paper bill and was about to pay when the man suddenly jumped and took the whole stack of paper bills.

''I am. I will pay. I will…'' He took one bill out and pointed at the rice that as already on the carriage. ''Take those to my home. I am paying the full amount.''

The man looked at Mina with complicated feelings and saw her nodding. ''Uncle, he was after all before me. I have to admit that fact. If there are no rules, this country would become a mess. He was first so I will let him buy it. Do you have any other rice I might be able to use? I need rice as well.''

The man took the paper money and gave him rest back calmly and as he was done with that he turned his head towards Mina. ''I have only left second-grade simple white rice, Third-grade brown rice, sorghum, white rice flour and some oils. And I got some salt.''

Mina sighed while she stared at the rice on the carriage that was about to leave. The annoyed man stepped in front of her and waved his hand so she would give up that idea, so she just sighed again and turned her head and body towards the man and winked mischievously. ''Then tell me how much is simple rice.''

''Simple rice is two silver a bag but this is second grade so one silver a bag. I have only nine bags of that rice. Next time I can bring more.'' He pointed at his carriage like he didn't see anything.

Mina held spiel on her face and nodded. ''Hmm. What about that fragrant rice from before. Do you have more of that?'' She could see the man still hovering around and listening to their words.

The man shook the head. ''Those bags were last ones. All I have now left is second-grade white rice and worse. Sorry.''

Hearing such words the man snorted, jumped at his horse and followed the carriage with a big smile while the man shook his head. ''I don't have it here, but I can always order or buy. I will get first-rate rice next week. Do you want me to leave some aside for you?''

Mina thought about it and nodded. ''Uncle, there is a man with name Passa…''

The man suddenly laughed. ''Passa is my cousin. That means he knows where you live. I can send the rice over as soon as I get it. How many bags?''

Mina thought about her small storage and sighed. But then remembered that there was an attic. ''I will buy this time only five bags of second rate rice. When you get the first-rate, send me at least twenty bags. Will you have that many?''

The man smiled. ''I will get about two hundred bags. If you want more tell me now.''

Mina looked at the paper money in her hand and realized she anyway planned to spend it so she smiled at him. ''Then fifty bags. What kind of oil and salt you have?''

''I have soy oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, linen oil and lard.'' He explained while pointing at big pots. '' All oils are the same price. Five silvers a pot. Lard is cheaper. Two silver a pot. Salt is ten silver a bag. I had some sugar and honey as well, but have none now.''

As he explained Mina smiled and nodded. ''Then you can send me some when you get or I will see in one month. I have some stuff to do so I won't come next couple markets.''

''Give me one pot of sunflower oil, one pot of sesame oil and two pots of lard.'' She suddenly had an idea but then sighed. ''I will have to wait for honey.''

The women came closer. ''We can sell you the honey. I have some at my stall. Do you need something else?''

Mina nodded. ''I need honeycomb as well if you have some.''

The woman nodded. ''A pot with honey is two silver and with honeycomb three silver. How many do you want.''

Mina thought about it and smiled. ''Five each please.''

The woman rushed away while the other women just nodded as they saw Mina's happy expression. Mina dint even tries to use their goodness. But when the woman came back with her husband and carriage she almost fainted.

There were ten big pots of honey. She sighed and took the money out. ''Auntie. You are selling the honey too cheap. Here I will give you a normal amount for so much honey. And if you don't take the money you will offend me. I know I am not from the north, but my money is fairly earned.''

She proudly held the money in front of her and pouted. She paid five times higher amount so the money in her pocket became almost liquid.

The woman started laughing and nodded. ''Fine. But for this amount, you will let us take the honey to your home. Passa's carriage can't hold so many pots.''

''Of course not. I didn't expect them to be this big.'' She murmured as she made plans for many things. ''I can make honey soap for my hands and then I can make winter sweets…''

The woman could her hear even if she just mumbled almost whispering. ''What is honey soap?''

The other women where curious as well as they heard those words.

Mina smiled as she realized they had no idea. ''I will need milk as well to make honey soap. I will gift it to you next time we see each other. It takes time to make good quality honey soap. When you wash your hands and face it becomes soft and comfortable. I think you will like it.''

''Then thanks in advance.'' The women smiled brightly at Mina while she made few more orders. She knew if she stayed longer on the market, she would spend even the last bit of her money so she just bowed politely and left towards Passa's carriage.

When she saw Passa's full carriage she sighed. ''Sorry. I really didn't expect to have bought so many things. Let's go home as long I still have money.'' She started laughing and Passa joined as well the two people that followed them.

When they came to her house it was not even close to midday, as she finished everything very quickly. She opened the gate and stood frozen in mid of the main gate...