Chapter 1475– Chapter 1475. The things done become the results (4)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"Line up there, line up!"
"There is enough grain! There's no need to hurry!"
"Those who've received grain can come this way to get daily necessities! Don't come this way first, line up over there!"
The mountains of grain piled along the street were being systematically distributed to the arriving crowds.
"...Good heavens, they're really giving out grain."
Those who came to the distribution point clutching their wooden plaque tags blinked in disbelief. Even at first glance, it was obvious that the amount of grain being distributed wasn’t small.
“And that’s not all. I hear they’re even giving out items you need right away?”
"They give houses and food, so what more could be needed?"
"Isn't Shaanxi a northern region compared to Hubei, so it's much colder? They say they're also distributing clothing so people don't harm their health."
“Hu… Huhu. This is….”
It was hard to tell whether they were refugees or honored guests visiting Shaanxi. Naturally, this raised a question.
“No, why are they treating us so well?"
If the flocked-in refugees knew how to wield even a sword, it would be understandable. The world today was clearly one in which the martial artists were given preferential treatment.
But most of those lining up for rations were peasants whose only weapon was a plow.
“Well, who knows. We’re just taking what they give.”
"....They really kept saying Heavenly Comrade Alliance this, Heavenly Comrade Alliance that...."
"Enough talk, let's hurry. What if we delay like this and the grain runs out in front of us?”
“Right.”
The people who were talking joined the line with quick steps.
* * *
"We're short on grain!"
"What are those sent to Luoyang doing?"
"Lu- Luoyang isn't some neighborhood in front, and to return would take quite a while......"
"What kind of nonsensical talk is that! Don't think of resting and Send word immediately telling them to bring it quickly!"
"We're critically short on cotton cloth too."
“The ones who went to Xi’an to buy it should be arriving soon! For those who haven’t received any, make a list of names and distribute it later! For now, divert all remaining cloth to children’s clothing!”
"There's no water! The speed at which it decreases is faster than the speed at which the well fills. Rather than doing this now, we need to transport water from somewhere!"
Hwang Jongwi turned his head and shouted at the general chief.
"Didn't I tell you to assign manpower separately earlier?"
"We have assigned them separately. However, carrying water with manpower has its limits..."
“Then assign more, more! If we’re short on people, add more! What about you? What else is the problem?"
Many are falling ill from traveling long distances without rest. The physicians in Huayin are woefully insufficient in manpower. We need to bring physicians from other places right now."
“U- Um. That’s...”
Hwang Jongwi, who was giving instructions while sweating profusely, momentarily paused. His face twisted as he turned around.
On the makeshift bed behind his office, someone had been lying slanted all along. Munching on an apple deliciously with crisp crunches, the man noticed Hwang Jongwi’s gaze and spoke lazily:
“Huh? What?”
Hwang Jongwi's eyes twitched.
Of course, it wasn’t that that human has a particular job he must do right now. But while others were working until their clothes were soaked with sweat, he just had to be lounging around behind them...
“General-nim… W- We're short on physicians, but we can't just summon physicians at will whenever we want them."
“Bringing in physicians? Why? We’ve got more than enough physicians here, don’t we?”
"...Yes?"
“Hmm. Let’s see... Hey, you.”
"Yes? Yes!"
The person who was reporting to Hwang Jongwi answered in surprise.
"Please write up a complete list of people who say they're sick. Separate out the ones who are seriously urgent, and for the ones who seem like they’ll last a day, just tell them a physician will visit their home tonight.”
“T- Tonight, General-nim? Why at night?”
"Because physicians only have free time at night. They have to build houses during the day."
...Ah, Tang Family.
Right. Tang Family's medical skills are exceptional. But...
'During the day they're forced to work as carpenters, and at night they have to see patients without even time to rest?'
At this point, wouldn't it be more strange if Tang Family didn't siide to Evil Tyrant Alliance?
"Well that solves that. Any other problems?"
"That’s..."
Hwang Jongwi was strangely restless.
"Everyone out!"
"Yes!"
“The General Chief stays behind!”
"Y- Yes, Sangdanju-nim."
The bustling place was instantly emptied and quiet. Hwang Jongwi grabbed Chung Myung and spoke to him as if pleading.
"General-nim. How many more refugees are you planning to accept? We can't endure like this."
"Sahae Merchant Guild people seem to be arriving now too, why are you making such a fuss. Back in my day, y’know?"
"Ah, please stop with that damn 'back in my day'! It's not a problem of manpower; the finances can't endure! You can't just make non-existent money right now with sheer grit, can you! How much on earth are you planning to pour on those people?"
“Huh?”
Chung Myung made a sulky face. But Hwang Jongwi did not back down easily.
"The funds you previously provided are already exhausted. We're currently covering expenses with our merchant guild's own money, but that will hit rock bottom soon too."
"How much money have I already given, and you're already making crying sounds as if to prove you're a merchant."
"Aigoo, General-nim! Do you think these people will just stay a day or two before leaving? We'll need to support them for months at minimum, but grain prices are skyrocketing and logistics costs are endless… I'm not doing this simply out of worry for the merchant guild. At this rate, Heavenly Comrade Alliance will also be shattered."
“Eii. Don’t worry. Heavenly Comrade Alliance has a lot of money. I’ve extor... I mean, received tribute... no, wait... anyway, I’ve got funds requisitioned from all the sects.”
“General-nim!”
Hwang Jongwi pounded his chest as if frustrated.
“Having money isn’t everything! General-nim, accounting is perhaps unfamiliar to you and you may have difficulty understanding it, but money is just a piece of paper if you can’t use it when you need it. Can we find people in this vicinity right now who will exchange that silver in Anhui for grain? Just confirming it with our eyes would take several months, wouldn't it?"
“...That’s true.”
"No matter how much wealth is written in the ledger, it's useless. What's needed now is physical goods that can be exchanged for grain or goods right away..."
"Oh, tangible goods."
Chwareureureureuk!
At that moment, something poured out of the chest that Chung Myung had lifted and scattered in front of Hwang Jongwi.
Gold, gold, gold... and more gold. Countless gold ingots. Hwang Jongwi was momentarily stunned into silence.
“Uh...?”
“Here you go. Tangible goods.”
Hwang Jongwi, who was only blinking his eyes while looking at the yellow-shining gold pieces, slowly opened his mouth. If all of this is real gold ingots, just how much money would this be?
"...Wh- Where did all this come from..."
"Well, you don't need to know things like that."
Chung Myung grinned slyly.
"This should work for now? If it’s not, should I give you more?”
"Tha- That's right. It's enough. Of course, it's enough... Huh? There's more, you say?"
Hwang Jongwi's complexion momentarily turned deathly pale.
No matter how he looked at it, this seemed like money of questionable origin. How had he managed to accumulate so much? And it wasn't in promissory notes or land but in gold.
“Wha- What exactly is this...”
“Let’s just plug the urgent matter with this. If you need more, just say so."
"N- No, to give this money to those people... honestly, I find it too precious. If it's going to be like this..."
"Gosh. This is why these yangban merchants!”
Chung Myung cut off his words as if there was nothing more to hear and glared.
"Does money multiply by itself when stacked in warehouses?"
“...”
"Since Sangdanju-nim is a merchant, you might not know well, but money has no meaning if you're not going to use it where it's needed! Money should be spent at the right time!"
Hwang Jongwi flinched. These were words his father Hwang Mun-yak had often said in the past.
‘…A Taoist really is a Taoist after all?’
Chung Myung was so unlike one that Hwang Jongwi often forgot, but in any case, Chung Myung is a genuine Taoist who received the teachings of Mount Hua Sect. Petty material desires and such...
"That's how it returns two-fold! Three-fold! You know? Then you can rake in gold like this with a rake! Sweep it all up!"
Chung Myung's eyes sparkled wildly with desire. Hwang Jongwi smiled with satisfaction.
That's just like you.
"Anyway, use this first and don't skimp on generosity."
"...Yes. I understand what you mean."
“And count this properly and record it in a separate ledger. I’ll be collecting it back later with interest.”
… Hwang Jongwi nodded weakly. Chung Myung looked at him with a gentle smile.
"Then you understand roughly what you need to do and how, right?"
"Of course. But... are you planning to do something else?"
“I think I’ll have to step away for a bit.”
“Oh, are you leaving Huayin? May I ask where and why?”
“To harvest.”
“...Harvest?”
Chung Myung nodded with a smirk.
"I didn't just sow seeds among the commoners. Might as well reap everything now."
Hwang Jongwi, who didn't understand the meaning behind his words, could only stare blankly.
* * *
“Henan?”
"You're going to Henan at a time like this?"
A look of bewilderment appeared on Five Swords's face. It was understandable.
With refugees continuing to pour in, it was difficult to spare even one hand. But in the midst of this, does it make sense that Chung Myung was leaving Huayin?
In the past maybe, but now Chung Myung was Heavenly Comrade Alliance's general. It was unthinkable for someone in such an important position to withdraw at this critical moment.
“No, you crazy bastard. I don't know what kind of trouble you're trying to start again, but for now, after this place is sorted out..."
"Sahyung."
Chung Myung cut off Jo-Gol's words and looked at Yoon Jong.
“Don’t you think Sahyung running his mouth too much these days?”
"Understand him. Don’t he earned himself a nickname now?"
“Ah, so that’s why.”
“No, you bastard! And Sahyung, what are you saying things like that for!"
Jo-Gol shouted, feeling wronged. Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
"Fine, don't come if you don't want to. I'll go alone."
“No… Sasuk! Don’t just stay still, say something!”
"...Let him be. He'll get himself killed anyway."
Baek Cheon, who had been burying his face in his hands, replied without lifting his head. Only after a moment did he slowly raise his head with the expression as if all the world’s suffering was etched into it. He asked.
“...But seriously, why are you going to Henan? Shouldn’t we at least know the reason?”
"Weren't you listening? I told you. I'm going to harvest."
"What's there! What on earth is there, you crazy bastard! Surely you're not planning to drag the commoners in Henan here too?"
“Oh? Wow, Dongryong.”
Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung as if he had seen this coming.
“So it’s true. Yes, now I can see your thoughts as if looking the back of my hand...”
“I think you've gotten dumber lately. Ask Tang Gaju-nim to check your pulse.”
“...”
Baek Cheon looked up at the sky in a daze.
Southern Edge Sect has lifted its seclusion, so wouldn't he be accepted if he goes now?
Yoon Jong noticed Baek Cheon's thoughts and approached before quietly patting his shoulder.
“It’s too late now, Sasuk.”
"...They say the moment you think it's too late is actually the earliest."
“It’s just too late. Please accept it."
Baek Cheon silently wiped the corners of his eyes. Chung Myung looked at him with a pitying gaze and said.
"People are done. Now I have to retrieve something else. Because that place is the core right now."
“Huh? The core?”
Chung Myung smiled faintly.
"You'll understand when we get there. In fact, those yangbans might be eagerly waiting for us right now."
"No..."
Chung Myung waved his hand as if he didn't want to bother explaining further.
"Enough! So, are you going or not?"
Five Swords all hung their heads low in unison.
"...I really wish he'd just die."
It was no longer surprising that these words came out of Yoo Iseol's mouth.
|Note
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