Ning Que looked at the man and said honestly, I have to admit, your compensation is very generous.

The man laughed and answered, I work for the government, so of course my actions are for the good. Ill tell you this young owner, the government is not lacking in funding and I dont need to earn much from the transaction. If you are willing to move, then the price can still be changed. In the end, it will be good for you, for me and for everyone else.

To be honest, the price that the man gave was fair, or even more than fair. If Ning Que was willing to move out of the Old Brush House, not only would he not lose anything, he would actually earn a good amount of money. But he knew as well that his shop was a card in the mans hand. Although it wasnt a big card, when the man argues with the government, he could hold his ground. If it wasnt for this reason, the small card wouldnt be worth this much money.

He instinctively looked at Sang Sang and wanted to ask for her opinion. However, Sang Sangs face was still expressionless and it was hard to determine if she was for or against it. Suddenly, Ning Que remembered the landlord that had walked into the Old Brush House when it was opened for the first day and felt that there are some hidden meanings behind this.

The man looked at Ning Que and wrinkled his eyebrows, Young owner, no matter yes or no, wont you make a decision?

Ning Que got closer to the man and lowered his voice, Brother, I am from a small village and I dont want to go against you and your purpose. I am just curious, if this trade goes unsuccessful, then what would you do?

If this sentence was said by some rich and fat shop owner, then the man would probably find the owner aggravating and slap him on the spot. But Ning Que used his young age as his advantage and the man started to explain seriously, We will probably dump garbage in front of your shop, and throw bricks at your windows at midnight. These actions are unavoidable. If we are truly angry, then we could sneak into your shop and destroy the well in your backyard. You know, young owner, we make a living from this business.

Hearing this answer, Ning Que was stunned. He said to himself quietly, If there is a bright moon in the night sky of Tang Empire, then the moon shined upon the Tang and the past is same as present.

(Translator: The author was referencing an Tang Poem by the famou Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The meaning of the original poem is that when the people are looking at the never changing moon they would express their thoughts on the shortness of life and people should value the previousness of time. However, Mao Ni changed the words and order of the poem slightly to remark that the business of the dismantler was the same as the past as the present. In addition, in the world of Jiang Ye there is no moon present in the night sky, thus Ning Que said If there is a bright moon in the night sky of Tang Empire. Lastly, since Ning Que was originally from the present time and was warped to the world of Jiang Ye, he was commenting upon the similarities and the forceful actions of dismantlers from the present and past when a resident decides not to move.