Chapter 80

C80 – 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?”

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!