Chapter 80 - Need to Considerate Further
After finishing breakfast, the group pressed on. The road to Qinyang City grew increasingly serpentine, traversing mountains and ridges. In certain areas, even carriages couldn't navigate.
Wang Zizhao had forsaken his horse and taken to a sedan chair. Tang Yue still rode his young horse, trailing nervously amidst the group.
During the journey, they passed through a small village. Hu Jinpeng ordered a halt, suggesting the group rest briefly. Simultaneously, he dispatched individuals to request water from the village's residents.
“Why's the village so eerily quiet?” Hu Jinpeng inquired. Zhao Sanlang dismounted and approached the village entrance, spear in hand, scanning his surroundings.
Zhao Sanlang had been brimming with enthusiasm since departing from the village. He occasionally sat astride his horse, engaging in poetic sparring with Tang Yue. At times, his behavior resembled that of someone with mental instability.
Fortunately, the group was sizable, and few took notice of his eccentric demeanor. Tang Yue made an effort to avoid provoking him, fearing that he might lose control if provoked.
Hu Jinpeng dispatched a squad of twenty to investigate. Observing Zhao Sanlang's nervous grip on his weapon, he offered reassurance. “Perhaps the villagers were taken aback by our arrival.”
The thousands-strong procession moved in unison, a conspicuous presence along the way. Wherever they ventured, the populace swiftly evacuated, more fearsome than predatory beasts.
Zhao Sanlang leaned his rifle against the ground, wiping sweat from his brow. He bemoaned the unseasonably hot late autumn weather.
He was no Noble Heir of State Duke Heng, and perspiration seemed to flow the instant he stirred.
“Brother Hu, do you reckon those bandits might show up today?”
“It's tough to predict if they'll make an appearance today, but we'll definitely be passing through that area within the next two hours.”
“Then… If we don't run into them, could we take a few days' rest in Qinyang City before making any plans?”
Hu Jinpeng cast a calm gaze upon him and replied without a hint of disturbance, “Our journey isn't pressing, there's no need to enter the city for rest. His Highness prefers not to inconvenience the townsfolk.”
Now that Wang Zizhao was rescued, Zhao Sanlang dared not voice any objections. He intended to shadow Wang Zizhao closely from this point onward. As for the task of dealing with the bandits, he decided he would find someone who was severely wounded to take credit for it when the bandits were on the brink of defeat. After all, there was no rule specifying who had to eliminate the bandits; it was just about getting the job done.
He couldn't help but feel quite clever.
Zhao Sanlang rushed back to share this idea with his newfound brother and even shot a smug glance at Tang Yue, leaving Tang Yue bewildered. He wondered if Zhao Sanlang had suddenly developed a medical condition.
The individuals who had entered the village soon returned carrying several pots of water. One of them handed the container to Hu Jinpeng and reported, “General, there are only elderly, infirm, women, and children in the village. I haven't spotted a single young, able-bodied man.”
“Oh? May I ask why that's the case?”
“An elderly woman mentioned that the young folks in the village have ventured out to earn their livelihoods. They only return during festive occasions.”
Such situations were far from uncommon, particularly during the Catastrophe. When the harvest was meager, people living off the land often resorted to taking on odd jobs in town to provide for their families.
Hu Jinpeng glanced at the sun and suggested to Wang Zizhao, “Your Highness, how about we break for lunch here and then continue our journey?”
Venturing further would increase their likelihood of encountering bandits, potentially leading to a skirmish.
Wang Zizhao concurred, saying, “Agreed. After lunch, let's have everyone inspect their gear and the hemostatic medicine Tang Xiaolang prepared. Make sure to bring some along.”
Tang Yue had organized this prior to their departure. His plan was for every soldier to carry a first-aid kit containing essential medical supplies. In case of injury, they could mitigate the severity and await rescue.
On the battlefield, an extra minute of life translated to an additional opportunity for success. Both sides were competing for time and survival.
However, resources were limited. Preparing sufficient hemostatic medicine for over a thousand individuals was no small feat. Tang Yue's supply had been developed based on his own formula. Given the time constraints, the quantity of medicine they could produce was constrained.
They kindled a fire in the village's open area, setting up a makeshift cooking area to bake biscuits and boil hot water for their meal.
Tang Yue noticed villagers occasionally casting curious glances their way, particularly when they were dining. Their gazes were intense, as if they could burn holes through his hands.
Tang Yue put down his food and quietly inquired of Wang Zizhao, “Do we have enough provisions? Can we share some with the villagers?”
Wang Zizhao regarded them with surprise. They had gone to great lengths to avoid camping in the village precisely to prevent such a situation.
Life was harsh for the civilians. Those lacking sufficient food and clothing struggled to keep warm. Whenever people were around, especially soldiers from humble backgrounds, they invariably felt compelled to extend help.
However, when an army ventured forth, carrying more grain was an impossibility. They were already being considerate by refraining from requisitioning food from local homes, so there simply wasn't surplus food to offer.
“The world is vast, but how many can you truly assist? Even if we distribute all our provisions, it will only stave off their hunger for a day or two. What happens afterward?”
Tang Yue understood that he had asked an impractical question. In his previous life, he hadn't engaged in many charitable acts. Volunteering or rescuing stray dogs had never been his forte. He only donated when the school solicited contributions. How could he be so indifferent in a different setting?
“I understand. I spoke too hastily. Please don't take it to heart,” Tang Yue said. He broke off a piece of cake and consumed it. The brown rice bread was dry and parched, requiring water to be swallowed.
In his view, such rudimentary fare was a luxury beyond reach for many households. China's five-thousand-year culinary heritage had largely been confined to the nobility and the affluent.
“Tang Xiaolang, do you think Southern Jin is impoverished?” Wang Zizhao clenched his fists and gazed intently at Tang Yue.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I perceive compassion and sorrow in your eyes,” Wang Zizhao gazed deeply into Tang Yue's eyes. “Someone who lacks adequate food and clothing may believe they have no right to empathize with others. An orphan without parents may think they have no right to feel sadness for others.”
Tang Yue unconsciously touched his eyelids. Had he been so emotional just moments ago? Or perhaps Wang Zizhao possessed an exceptionally keen insight into human emotions?
“Do you… harbor doubts about my identity and background?”
Wang Zizhao nodded candidly, but he added, “As long as you don't pose a threat to South Jin, I don't care about your origins or background.”
Tang Yue understood what was on his mind and felt reassured hearing those words.
“I will explain everything when the opportunity arises. The people and slaves in South Jin are the ones who truly suffer. The nobility is affluent and lacks nothing, enjoying various privileges. There's a poem that goes: ‘The nobles feast while the commoners freeze.' It accurately reflects the reality.
However, I recognize that this isn't anyone's fault but a characteristic of the era. Our only recourse is to boost productivity, allowing the commoners to produce more food and textiles. When resources are abundant, they can escape hunger and cold to the greatest extent possible.”
“The nobles feast while the commoners freeze!” Wang Zizhao pondered the lines for a moment. Although such a poem didn't exist in this era, its meaning was clear.
“Nobles rightfully possess certain privileges, but you're correct. Commoners are also South Jin's citizens. I'll do my utmost to safeguard their interests, ensuring they have enough to eat and keep warm.”
Tang Yue knew that Wang Zizhao would be a rare benevolent ruler. Meeting such a person was his good fortune.
He believed that if he was a good-hearted individual, then Wang Zizhao was too.
These two terms appeared similar, but Tang Yue perceived a distinction between them. Kindness, in his view, belonged to those of higher rank, while ordinary individuals like himself had a claim on compassion.
“So, are you willing to assist me in governing this region and uplifting the common people?” Wang Zizhao suddenly broached an ambiguous proposition.
Tang Yue found himself momentarily perplexed. He couldn't discern whether this invitation entailed a role within the court or a position as an advisor for generating ideas.
Regardless of the specifics, it didn't align with his career aspirations. He was merely a surgeon.
Observing Tang Yue's silence, Wang Zizhao pressed on, “I am poised to become the most influential figure in South Jin, and your wisdom surpasses ordinary bounds. With me, your ideas can be realized, and you can aid me in realizing my ambitions. It's a symbiotic relationship.”
How had it evolved into a symbiotic relationship? The sudden elevation to the ruling class made him feel somewhat uneasy.
Tang Yue pinched his thigh in an attempt to maintain composure. “This… necessitates further discussion.”
Wang Zizhao narrowed his eyes, exhibiting a sentiment that eluded Tang Yue's understanding. He parted his lips slightly, uttering a single word, “Agreed.”
That single word alleviated Tang Yue's concerns. He had worried that the prince might harbor the mindset of “submission or death.”
Such individuals were accustomed to exercising control over those they could, and in their imagination, they disposed of those they couldn't control through fatal means.
This was so-called: If I can't get it, no one else can!
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺