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“Each item here is usually priced at around 160 to 170 wen, even up to 200 wen. If you’re willing to buy now, you can take it for the discounted price of 150 wen. If you’re feeling lucky, you can try your hand at a game,” Wei Wanshun explained.
“For just 10 wen, if you manage to ‘poke’ the item, you can take it home. If you miss, the 10 wen goes to me…”
Jiang Mixia’s eyes lit up as Wei Wanshun finished explaining. “They have a game of chance here?”
“Miss, this is not just any game of chance, it’s ‘poking’,” an elderly lady nearby explained with a smile. “It’s quite popular in the capital and the prefectural city, and we have it here in our county town too, though not as widespread.”
“Poking?”
The name was indeed quite unique.
Jiang Mixia nodded with a smile, “I see.”
“For just 10 wen, if you manage to ‘poke’ the item, you can take it home. If you’re lucky, you won’t lose out, right?” Someone who was unfamiliar with ‘poking’ raised a question.
The elderly lady chuckled, “Who can be that lucky?”
“True, if someone is willing to deal in ‘poking’, they must have their own ways…”
Indeed, the buyer isn’t always smarter than the seller. Anyone engaged in this trade must have some tricks up their sleeve.
Whether these tricks rely on luck or skill is hard to say.
Many onlookers shook their heads and left, but there were also some who couldn’t take their eyes off the items and, fishing out 10 wen from their pockets, decided to give it a try.
Before long, more than a dozen people had attempted to “poke” an item, yet not a single one had succeeded.
Even though no one managed to “poke” an item, the stall owner, Wei Wanshun, didn’t let them leave empty-handed. Instead, he gave each person a pastry, saying it would bring them good luck even if they hadn’t succeeded.
Although they hadn’t won anything, receiving a pastry lifted the spirits of those who had initially felt dejected, and they left after thanking Wei Wanshun.
Observing the “poking” game with great interest, Song Jingyun tugged at Jiang Mixia’s sleeve. “Wife, I reckon someone is bound to succeed.”
“Why do you say that?” Jiang Mixia raised an eyebrow. “After all this time and not a single success, there must be some trick to this ‘poking’ business.”
“That’s exactly it. After this long without a win, someone is bound to succeed,” Song Jingyun finished his chestnut cake and wiped his hands with a handkerchief. “If he doesn’t let anyone win, this business won’t last, will it?”
There’s some truth to that!
Even if it’s a scam, occasionally throwing in a couple of genuine wins is necessary; otherwise, it lacks credibility, and people won’t fall for it again.
Surprisingly, even my little husband has become quite clever.
Jiang Mixia felt quite pleased.
As they conversed, Wei Wanshun approached. “Young sir, care to give it a try? For just 10 wen, if luck is on your side, you could take home something worth 150 wen!”
“Me?” Song Jingyun was initially taken aback. After confirming that Wei Wanshun was indeed addressing him, he vigorously shook his head, “No, no, my luck isn’t good. I’d surely end up wasting that 10 wen.”
“How could that be? I see an aura of fortune around you; you must be a lucky person. You’re sure to win,” Wei Wanshun persisted, noticing Song Jingyun’s reluctance. “Seems like you’re afraid, young sir. With your wife here, you dare not even play this game.”
“You shouldn’t say that about my wife. A man should be given some face outside. Don’t be too strict with him; otherwise, it would be said that you’re not virtuous…”
It’s okay to talk about him, but not about his wife!
Song Jingyun’s expression changed at once, and he retorted, “My wife is very virtuous and kind to me. Don’t talk nonsense.”
“If she’s so good to you, why doesn’t she allow you to play this game? I know you care about your image, but don’t be too stubborn. If she truly cared, she wouldn’t mind the loss of this small amount,” Wei Wanshun continued.
“You…” Song Jingyun’s face turned red with anger as he turned to Jiang Mixia. “Wife, give him the ten wen. Show him that you care about me!”
Jiang Mixia thought to herself, just a moment ago she was praising his cleverness, and now he’s fallen for the stall owner’s provocation. It seemed that guiding her little husband would be a long and challenging process.
But guidance should be given at home, not here. It was important to preserve his dignity. Moreover, she had observed that her little husband was the luckiest person she had ever met. This stall owner’s attempt to provoke them might not necessarily end in his favor.
After a moment of consideration, she took out thirty wen from her purse. “Play three times, and then we’ll leave.”
“Alright!” Song Jingyun nodded at Wei Wanshun, pride evident in his demeanor. “See, my wife is good, isn’t she?”
Wei Wanshun was left speechless.
Was her husband lacking in wits?
His wife was clearly treating him like a child and placating him, yet he seemed so delighted, as if he didn’t believe he was being treated as such. It was truly pitiful.
Having secured the business, Wei Wanshun didn’t say much more to Song Jingyun. He amiably accepted the money, explained the rules of “poking” to Song Jingyun, and then inquired, “Which one would you like to ‘poke’?”
“We’ll take that assortment box,” Jiang Mixia decided for Song Jingyun.
Of course, her little husband would choose something related to food.
Seeing Jiang Mixia’s choice, Song Jingyun shot her a glance.
Truly, his wife understood him!
“Alright,” Wei Wanshun smiled, though he inwardly sighed once again.
Listening to everything his wife said was truly embarrassing.
Without dwelling on it too much, Song Jingyun reached out to spin the wheel. “Here I go.”
“Wishing you good luck,” the stall owner offered a flattering remark.
As the words fell, Song Jingyun vigorously spun the wheel.
With surprising strength, after a couple of turns, the wheel creaked and wobbled to a stop.
When it finally settled, the pointer landed firmly on the red line.
No deviation, no error.
“I got it!” Song Jingyun exclaimed, thrilled.
A full box of assorted pastries was theirs!
“He got it!”
Someone in the crowd shouted excitedly.
“After all this time, finally someone’s won.”
“Yeah, I was starting to think this ‘poking’ business was a bit fishy, but it seems there are winners after all.”
“Should we give it a try later?”
“Why not? It’s just ten wen…”
The crowd buzzed with discussion, and Wei Wanshun, now coming to his senses, rubbed his eyes and hurriedly checked the wheel.
Indeed, it landed on the red line. It was a win.
But that shouldn’t have happened…
He had tampered with the wheel. He wanted people to win. If he didn’t want them to win, even with the best of luck, they wouldn’t. But now, he hadn’t removed the magnet, so how did this happen?
Had the magnet suddenly stopped working?
“Poking”: Similar to a paid lottery, it became popular during the Song Dynasty, and as it grew, some even used houses, land, and concubines as stakes, making it almost indistinguishable from gambling…