From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 704: Chapter 706: Entering the City

Wu Xiaoliu was the most destitute bandit leader in the nearby mountains. Other bandits had wanted to recruit his men, but Wu Xiaoliu refused.

He wasn’t clinging to his position as boss; rather, he didn’t want his subordinates to get their hands stained with blood. If that happened, there truly would be no turning back.

"While the weather is still decent, everyone hurry up and search for wild fruits and the like in the mountains," he ordered. "Just in case the news Lai San and the others received is wrong, we’ll at least have a backup plan."

"Boss, what if Lai San and the others fall into a trap?" Lai Dafu asked, somewhat worried. As excited as he had been earlier, now that he had calmed down, he felt something wasn’t quite right.

"Don’t worry!" Wu Xiaoliu said. "Lai San isn’t as stupid as you think. Besides, his Aunt Lai’s family lives at the foot of the mountain. Without absolute certainty, his aunt wouldn’t have called him down."

As the boss, he naturally understood his subordinates. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Lai San every time they needed to barter for goods.

Although Aunt Lai’s family was poor, they were a clan not to be underestimated in the village at the foot of the mountain.

Those at the bottom rung of society had their own survival wisdom. Aunt Lai had probably been keeping an eye on this matter for a long time. She definitely felt confident; otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to let her maiden family’s only nephew take action.

"Then why aren’t we going down together with them?"

"No rush," Wu Xiaoliu replied, having his own plans. "Rushing down so hastily would be a bit beneath our dignity. Let’s wait a little longer."

***

In Tukeng County, under the jurisdiction of Yongchang County, government officials had already set up a Dragon Gate Formation at the city gates. They had been heavily publicizing the policy for quite a while, yet the only ones actually coming to register and claim land were the impoverished commoners from the vicinity.

As for the bandits mentioned by the higher-ups, not a single one had shown their face yet. If the locals hadn’t been born and raised here, they would have thought there were no bandits in this region at all.

Once today’s round of registration was completed, constables would naturally go to the various villages to verify the information.

"We should be able to call it a day." Chief Chen casually snapped a twig by the roadside and used it to pick his teeth. "It’s all just the few neighboring villages. It seems the other villages are still taking a wait-and-see approach."

"Chief, will such a good thing always be available?"

"Who knows?" Chief Chen replied. "Although the land in the mountains doesn’t cost silver, the initial investment for farming tools is not a small sum.

"What? Are you having ideas, too? Want to go back and clear a few acres of wasteland for yourself?"

"How could I?" The little government official hastily waved his hands. "Even if I wanted to, my family doesn’t meet the requirements.

"It’s just that I have some relatives living farther away, and I haven’t seen them show up yet. I wonder if they just haven’t gotten the news."

"Heh, it’s impossible that they haven’t received the news. The village heads and village chiefs of every village were all summoned to the government office. If you ask me, these people are still hesitating.

"If you have relatives, hurry up and find a way to notify them. Don’t let all the good spots get picked over by others. Take the two mountains cleared earlier, for instance. A couple of days ago, when I went to take a look with His Excellency, the crops had already started sprouting."

The little government official couldn’t sit still anymore. "Chief, seeing as there’s nothing going on right now, how about I take a short leave? I’ll go back and tell my parents so they can inform our relatives and friends."

He secretly complained in his heart. Why were these people so guarded? He had told them a long time ago. Even if they had been watching from the sidelines for so long, they should have understood the situation by now.

Chief Chen looked at the empty city gates. "I’ll keep watch here then. You hurry back and pass the word.

"You should know that opportunities like this don’t come around often. In our entire lives, this is the only time we’ll ever encounter something like this. Don’t miss out."

His own relatives had already lined up early on. Some of those from poorer backgrounds had even finished clearing their land.

The little government official didn’t dare delay. He set down the pen in his hand and immediately headed out of the city gates. When he got back, he really had to give them a good talking-to. He worked in the government office itself—so why didn’t these people believe him?

Just as he was about to step onto a side path, he noticed two people not far ahead. They were carrying a sick person and struggling toward the city gates. He sighed silently. How poor must a village be to not even own a single ox cart?

There were far too many people like this; he couldn’t possibly sympathize with them all. Turning a corner, he followed the small path into a nearby village.

"Brother Da Wang, we’re almost there. Let’s hold on a little longer." Lai San walked in front. Having grown up in this area, he was familiar with the surroundings.

Originally, he had wanted to take a detour to Dahe Village to call his cousins over to join them, but carrying Zeng Xiaowang made it too difficult to take the long way around. They could only ask someone on the road to pass a message back to the village. The two of them had walked while carrying the stretcher, and now they were finally arriving at the county town.

"It’s good that we’re almost there. Once we’re in the city, let’s find a medical clinic to get him checked first. Xiao Wang’s face is burning red. I’m afraid he won’t be able to hold out much longer." Zeng Dawang gritted his teeth and endured the strain from the back. His heart was full of worry, and he was already sweating profusely from the anxiety.

Lai San had intended to stop and rest before entering the city, but upon hearing this, he too gritted his teeth and pushed forward.

Upon seeing the government official guarding the city gates, a wave of guilt washed over Lai San. There wasn’t a bandit in the world who wasn’t afraid of government officers. His hands and feet began to tremble slightly.

Chief Chen was standing in front of the desk, stretching his limbs. Seeing their posture, he knew they were in a rush to see a doctor.

He stood on his tiptoes to take a glance and noticed their scruffy appearance. The clothes on their bodies were completely ragged.

He frowned. If their living conditions were already this terrible, why hadn’t he seen these guys come to register before?

"Where are you from?" Thinking that since their lives were so bitter, he should help out if he could, he called out to stop them.

Lai San and Zeng Dawang’s limbs went soft at that moment. If they hadn’t considered the fact that Zeng Xiaowang was still lying on the stretcher, the two of them would have turned and fled.

"M-My Lord," Lai San’s heart leaped into his throat. "We came from Dahe Village. We’re heading into the city to see a doctor."

"What kind of illness?" Chief Chen walked closer for a look and noticed Zeng Xiaowang’s burning red face. "He has a high fever."

"He was gouged by a wild boar in the mountains. We are heading into the city to find a doctor to treat him." Lai San swallowed hard, trying his best to speak clearly and not stumble over his words.

"Gouged by a wild boar, huh." The constable, Chief Chen, now noticed the two cuts of wild boar meat on the stretcher. He waved his hand and said, "Then head straight in. About four or five storefronts down, Doctor Qian is the best at treating injuries."

"Th-Thank you, My Lord," Lai San quickly said. Leading Zeng Dawang, he was just about to hurry away.

"Wait," Chief Chen called out to stop them.

Lai San and Zeng Dawang were so anxious they were on the verge of tears, but they still obediently halted their steps.

"After you’ve seen the doctor, remember to come to me and register when you leave the city."

Lai San was so nervous that his hands were shaking. "M-My Lord, we haven’t done anything bad, have we?"

"It’s a good thing for you. Hurry and go." Chief Chen felt that he had just done a good deed and was in a great mood. Waving his hand, he told them, "Go quickly and come back quickly. Don’t make me wait here too long."

What else could Lai San and the others do? They could only bite the bullet, nod, and agree. "Okay..."