From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 505: Chapter 506: Complaining of Hardship

Only then did Ah Liu remember that there were several other places he hadn’t delivered the medicine to. ’This is really a thankless job,’ he grumbled.

With that, he had the two Government Officials at his side help him carry the medicine barrel. "Send some to the prison cells, too. We can’t afford to lose a single one of them. This year’s grain harvest depends on them..."

After Ah Liu left, the prison chief on guard started hurrying them along again. "Don’t just stand there! Get back to work!"

"Hey, Officer, we just drank the medicine. Shouldn’t you let us rest for a bit? It wouldn’t be good if we actually got sick, right?" Having just been praised by Ah Liu, Tian Er was feeling a bit cocky and blurted out the words without thinking.

"What’s not good about it?" The prison chief cracked his whip on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. "Drinking the medicine means you won’t die, so get back to work! Anyone who slacks off had better watch out for this whip in my hand."

Those who had been feeling apprehensive began to relax when they heard this. ’That’s right, our lives are still useful. It seems these Rong Dynasty officials don’t want us to die just yet.’

Mountain Leader, however, was thoroughly frustrated. He thought he had finally found the perfect opportunity, but who knew things would change so quickly.

’Now that their lives are safe for the moment, will they still be willing to take a risk with me?’

"I think we should forget about that plan of yours for now." Mountain Leader never imagined that Mr. Lang would be the first one to back out.

"Why? We can take advantage of their relaxed guard and make a break for it all at once."

"Hah! What are those eyes in your head for? Which one of them saw them relax their guard? When we were outside, didn’t we see that they’ve added more checkpoints?

The most important thing for us right now is to stay alive. If we escape, do you think they’ll still give us this plague-curing medicine?"

After weighing his options, Mr. Lang naturally chose the path to survival.

Trying to escape was a near-certain death sentence. Laying low here, at least they could stay alive and hold on to the infinite possibilities of the future.

Mountain Leader said, "...What if the medicine is fake?"

"Are you worried they’re poisoning us?" Mr. Lang asked with a self-deprecating laugh. "We’re far more useful to them alive than dead right now.

Besides, it’s been over an hour since we drank it. Look around, everyone’s alive and kicking."

Mountain Leader was bewildered. ’Could it be? The plague that makes people on our island turn pale at the mere mention of it... can actually be cured here?’

That day, everyone remained safe and sound. The next time a large barrel of medicine was placed before them, they all voluntarily came forward with their bowls.

Similar scenes played out simultaneously in the other wastelands. After drinking the medicine for three consecutive days, they were told they were fine. What awaited them once more was the harsh, arduous life of reclaiming the land.

Jin Qianqian hadn’t expected her small suggestion would lead Ancient Wen Heng and Zhou Shixiong to take things this far.

"Is the medicine... reliable?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Of course it’s reliable. One bowl was enough to cause permanent sterility, but just to be safe, we prepared two extra days’ worth.

We had a few physicians examine them afterward, and it’s confirmed. Even if a miracle-working doctor were here, these people have no chance of ever having children again."

Jin Qianqian was speechless for a moment. "...Well done."

Ancient Wen Heng also felt they had handled the matter well. The only ones who knew the truth were Brother Zhou’s most trusted men. The deed was done in complete secrecy, eliminating a major threat to their future.

"What about the ones in the prison cells? The same?"

"Of course," Ancient Wen Heng confirmed.

At a loss for words, Jin Qianqian could only give him two thumbs-up.

It wasn’t that they were cruel, but the future crimes of this island country would be too numerous to record.

By helping to reduce its population now, they were, in a way, performing a good deed and accumulating karmic merit.

In Lu City, Jin Qianqian was arguably the lady of the highest status. The families of the other garrison commanders were all in the Capital; the women who accompanied the commanders here were merely concubines, and Jin Qianqian naturally wouldn’t associate with them.

The officials under Ancient Wen Heng had their families with them, but the difference in status was so great that few dared to take the initiative to invite her to social events.

With no social obligations whatsoever, Jin Qianqian had to find something to occupy her time.

Coincidentally, many merchants had recently moved out of Lu City, so she was able to acquire several storefronts at extremely low prices and slowly began to establish her own businesses there.

Upon arriving in Lu City, Bai Jinglie happened to be there for the grand opening of Jin Qianqian’s soap shop. Now, their party was seated in a private room at the recently opened Tianfu Restaurant.

Looking at Bai Jinglie, who had grown a beard, Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but glance at Ancient Wen Heng’s clean-shaven chin.

’Maybe... just maybe... I really can’t stop him for much longer. Growing a beard seems to be the trend, after all.’

Ancient Wen Heng knew what she was thinking with a single glance. Seizing the moment Bai Jinglie looked down to lift his cup, he gave her a quick wink.

Bai Jinglie never would have imagined this couple would reach their current status, and with such infinite potential for the future.

"Brother Gu, the saying ’one should see a scholar in a new light after just three days’ is no exaggeration. It looks like I’ll be counting on you for help from now on."

Ancient Wen Heng smiled. "You jest, Young Master. It must have been an arduous journey. Please, let me offer you a toast."

Although Bai Jinglie was a Marquis Heir, his official position was only that of a fifth-rank official.

"Not at all. We brothers haven’t seen each other in a long time. Let’s raise our cups together."

After spending the last few years out in the world, Bai Jinglie had become much more reserved than before.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two finally got down to business.

Bai Jinglie asked, "Regarding the sea trade, how confident are you?"

Ancient Wen Heng shook his head. "I can’t give you a definite answer on that. There are too many variables, from natural disasters to human error. No one can make absolute promises."

"I remember back when we were in Sea City, I was always so envious of those foreign merchant ships," Bai Jinglie said, leaning back in his chair. "But they were never willing to cooperate, and wouldn’t even give us a chance to go aboard for a look.

Now you’re talking about going out to sea and building your own ships, but you haven’t even started yet. Isn’t this all a bit... speculative?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "There’s risk in any venture. If there were silver just lying on the ground for the taking, who would bother to work hard?"

"But basing everything on a single blueprint, even a practical one, seems a bit like child’s play, don’t you think?"

"If you don’t believe in it, Prince Bai, then why bother making this trip at all?"

...

"Sigh," Bai Jinglie conceded. "It’s been a while. Brother Gu, you’ve become more and more silver-tongued.

The orders for my glass workshop are dwindling by the day. If I don’t find another source of income, my silver is going to get tight."

"It shouldn’t be that bad," Ancient Wen Heng countered. "Sales might level off, but you’ll still have a stable customer base. You just need to temper your expectations."

Although he wasn’t directly involved, he had run the numbers in his head.

The initial novelty and the desire to keep up with others might have faded, but it’s not like the glassware is unbreakable. People will always need to buy replacements.

Besides, they still had mirrors as a core product. Even if business slowed down, it wouldn’t be as dire as Bai Jinglie made it out to be.