"I won't go even if you give me more silver. People will die when the mountain torrents rush down!" the boatman said with a steely face.
Su Jiu turned and looked at the turbid and turbulent river. She thought for a moment before asking, "Then are you willing to sell the boat? I will pay any amount of money you ask!"
"You are going to row across the river yourself?" The boatman stared at her in astonishment, and said, "Young lady, I advise you not to do it. The mountain torrents are not a joke. The river has been rising greatly these days. It's more than dozens of yards wide now already. No one will save you if you fall into the water!"
"Just tell me how much you want for the boat." Su Jiu's eyes were bright and determined.
The boatman sized Su Jiu up and saw that she really seemed to have urgent matters across the river. He stopped dissuading her and only said, "I won't cheat you. This is an old boat. I will give it to you for one tael!"
