From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 745: Chapter 747: Pinched Until Swollen

The reason the border city commanders had intervened previously wasn’t just because Gu Wenheng held the authority to mobilize troops. There was another layer to it: most of the garrison commanders here were Cao Xiangqian’s former subordinates, which was why they handled things with such exceptional efficiency.

Having borrowed their manpower, Gu Wenheng naturally had to pay them a visit to express his gratitude upon arriving in the area. After all, he would still need to rely on these garrison commanders to help clear out the wild beasts in the mountains across this region in the future.

"Mr. Gu, you are being entirely too polite," General Yun said. "This was something we local garrison commanders ought to do anyway. It was just that since the local officials hadn’t spoken up before, it wasn’t our place to step in." General Yun hadn’t expected Gu Wenheng to be so generous, actually bringing over tens of thousands of pounds of grain on this visit.

Truth be told, they hadn’t lost out when they helped clear the wild beasts from the mountains. For those few days, the troops in their military camp had enjoyed a massive improvement in their meals. The aroma of meat graced their dining tables every single day. He truly hoped that if such good things happened again in the future, they could reap the rewards once more.

As border city commanders, they could not leave their posts without an official transfer order, let alone venture deep into the mountains for such large-scale hunting.

"You’ve all worked hard in this place," Gu Wenheng said. "What I can do is limited. This grain was purchased with my private funds, just so the soldiers can have a few full meals."

Having spent time in Lu City, Gu Wenheng deeply understood the hardships faced by these border city commanders. Although the few small bordering countries in this area were usually well-behaved, the region itself was extremely impoverished. Aside from the military rations allocated from above, they typically had to grow vegetables and forage for mushrooms nearby just to sustain themselves.

For these soldiers, the absence of war also meant the absence of extra income. Relying solely on their meager military salary day after day made it quite difficult to support their families.

Of course, Gu Wenheng wasn’t just here to hand out charity. Since He Xi Henan County bordered this border city, he would largely be relying on them in the future. It was essential to build a good relationship. Using the game they had hunted along the way, he shared drinks and conversation with the officers. By the end, both sides were thoroughly satisfied before they finally dispersed.

Gu Benluo supported a slightly tipsy Gu Wenheng back into the yurt, carefully helping him onto the bed. He was just turning around to pour some water when he saw Gu Wenheng already opening his eyes and sitting up.

"Dad, you’re not drunk?" Gu Benluo breathed a sigh of relief but still poured him a cup of tea. "Have some water first."

Gu Wenheng finished the water in the cup. "When we’re out traveling, when have you ever seen your father drunk?

"The accommodations here are limited. Don’t go back and squeeze in with your brothers. Just make do here with me for the night."

Gu Benluo’s eyes sparkled at those words. "Dad, does this count as giving me special treatment?"

Gu Wenheng rewarded him with a flick to the forehead. "I’m thinking of your brothers. You’re a restless sleeper. With so many people crammed together, you’ll end up disturbing everyone’s rest. I’m worried it would delay our journey tomorrow."

Gu Benluo rubbed his slightly stinging forehead and complained, "Dad, I’m a very well-behaved sleeper.

"You just haven’t slept in the same room as my older brothers. When they sleep, they grind their teeth, snore, and randomly blurt out sleep talk. I have to plug my ears every time just to get some proper rest.

"And Dad, didn’t we just arrive at the border city? Why are we leaving so soon? Can’t we stay a few more days?"

Having spent a few years in Lu City, Gu Benluo had followed Zhou Shixiong into the military camps many times. He harbored a natural fondness for military generals and naturally wanted to linger here for a few more days.

Gu Wenheng replied, "With so many of us here, we’re just creating a burden for others.

"If you like it so much, I can have someone stay back with you here for a while longer. What do you think?"

Gu Benluo immediately made up his mind. "Dad, if you’re not here, what’s the point of me staying alone?

"Besides, I haven’t seen Mom and my little brother in a long time. I miss them dearly."

Gu Benluo knew in his heart that this place was vastly different from Lu City. The military camp over there was filled with familiar uncles, whereas everyone here was a stranger to him. They would warmly entertain him out of respect for his father, but it just wasn’t the same.

"Dad, you said Mom has already opened the restaurants and inns. Does that mean we can just go back and enjoy ready-made feasts?"

Gu Benluo had truly endured his fair share of hardships lately. Although they were received as guests everywhere they went, Gu Wenheng never granted the youngsters any special privileges, forcing them to eat and sleep alongside the subordinates. At first, they could still use their own pocket money to improve their meals. But as time went on, everyone’s pockets gradually emptied out. Aside from the occasional wild game they hunted to satisfy their meat cravings, their tastebuds were practically dying of boredom!

"Can’t handle it anymore?" Gu Wenheng patted his head. He, too, missed his wife and youngest son back home. "I seem to recall that when you first came out here, you were having such a blast that you didn’t even remember to write a single letter to your mother."

Gu Benluo hastily defended himself. "Dad, I can handle the hardship! I just miss Mom.

"We should be able to make it home in another ten days or so, right?"

Gu Wenheng nodded. "If there are no unexpected incidents along the way, we should be able to arrive just before the Preliminary New Year. It’s just that we might have to travel a bit faster from here on out."

At the thought of returning to the estate soon, Gu Wenheng found the boy in front of him much more agreeable to look at. "You need to eat a little more these next few days. Your frame has gotten sturdier, but you’re all dark and scrawny. Don’t let your mother think I abused you when we get back."

As he spoke, he reached out and pinched Gu Benluo’s cheek. The once chubby face was now quite difficult to pinch.

Gu Benluo turned his head, shaking off Gu Wenheng’s mischievous hands, and quickly covered his cheeks with both hands. "Dad, then you have to give me more good food. Trying to pinch my face until it swells won’t work."

Gu Wenheng laughed and scolded, "You brat, if pinching it could make it swell, I would have squeezed you a few more times.

"Isn’t it just some good food? Starting tomorrow, I’ll have someone send you some pastries every day."

"Ah, pastries?" Gu Benluo complained, looking rather dissatisfied. "That’s girly stuff. If I’m going to eat, I want big chunks of meat! That’s the only way to grow taller."

Gu Wenheng reached out, pressing down on the boy’s small head and ruffling his hair. "What kind of beautiful dream are you having? We’re out traveling; just having a full meal is good enough. Yet you’re still dreaming of big chunks of meat.

"Or do you plan on eating huge chunks of meat all by yourself while your brothers just watch you?"

Gu Benluo sighed. "...Alas, Mom is definitely going to feel sorry for me when we get back..."

Gu Wenheng remained speechless.

「Meanwhile, back in Yi Province.」

Jin Qianqian, of course, had no time to think about him. The end of the year was fast approaching, and this would be their first New Year spent in Yi Province, meaning many local customs and habits had to be learned from scratch.

The entire estate was being swept and redecorated from top to bottom. Various preparations for the upcoming New Year were in full swing.

Over at Tianfu Restaurant, business was getting better with each passing day. In contrast, the Tianle Restaurant directly across the street—despite appearing packed with guests recently due to their massive discount promotion—was actually bleeding money every single day.

What infuriated Manager Huang the most was that these people happily took advantage of the bargains while acting completely entitled. They would frequently ask when the next promotion would be held. After all, who wouldn’t be thrilled to enjoy top-tier restaurant services for the exact same amount of silver they would normally spend on everyday household meals?

Looking at the complete lack of profit in the account books, he had no idea how he was going to face his boss’s wrath.