Chapter Eighty-Five: Shock

Over three hundred people suddenly rushed into Pingba Village, naturally drawing the attention of all its residents. In an instant, nearly everyone in the village stepped out of their homes to watch the scene unfold.

Many worriedly asked, "Why have you all moved out from Chu Family Town? Has a war broken out over there? Is the battlefield coming our way? What should we do?"

The people from Chu Family Town hurried to explain, "There’s no war in Chu Family Town. The reason we’ve moved is because someone from our town has been granted the title of Earl. The Earl, remembering his ties of kinship and friendship, wishes us to accompany him to his fief, and so we set off together."

Upon hearing this, the villagers of Pingba breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, some grew curious and asked, "Why travel such a long way to his fief? Isn’t life just fine in Chu Family Town? And wherever you go, isn’t it the same farming and paying taxes? Besides, the journey must be arduous and costly— is it really worth it?"

Soon, a Chu Family Town resident explained, "The Earl has promised us thirty years of tax exemption, and his fief’s land is fertile, capable of producing better grain. As for the journey, it seems the Earl intends to provide for our food, so it shouldn’t cost us much."

The villagers of Pingba exclaimed in astonishment, "What? Thirty years of tax exemption? He’s going to provide food for you all along the way? That’s unbelievable! Is he really that generous?"

A Chu Family Town resident replied, "Our Earl truly is remarkable. To ensure we arrived here before nightfall, he set up a reward: the first households to arrive would receive three knife coins, or two people would get three taels of grain."

The Pingba villagers were even more incredulous. "Your Earl is too good! Who is he?"

The Chu Family Town residents pointed to Chu Yun. "That’s our Earl!"

The Pingba villagers turned to look at Chu Yun.

They saw Chu Yun speaking loudly to three people, "Wencai, Lefu, Cuihua, let everyone rest for half an hour, then distribute the grain, light the fire, and cook the meal."

Chu Wencai hesitated, "Earl, we ate at home before setting out from Chu Family Town this morning. On the road just now, we already had our second meal today. There’s no need to eat again."

Chu Yun snorted, "I said light the fire and cook, so do it. No more talking. Are you going to defy my wishes?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Wencai quickly bowed, "No, not at all, Earl. I simply feel two meals a day is enough; many usually only have one. And our grain supply isn’t abundant— at this rate, it will be gone in two days..."

Chu Yun thundered, "Still daring to argue?"

Chu Wencai immediately fell silent.

Chu Yun continued, "I’ve only bought six hundred pounds of grain. Even one meal a day won’t be enough to get everyone to my fief."

"The reason I bought so little is because I plan to pass through every village, town, and city with abundant harvests along the way, purchasing grain and replenishing supplies as needed."

"Traveling is exhausting, and physical strength is quickly depleted. My requirement is to eat three meals a day along the journey whenever possible. If the grain runs out, we’ll buy more as we go."

"Alright, after half an hour, you three arrange for everyone to light the fire and cook the meal."

"I will go find the Baron of Pingba Village and procure more grain from him."

The three household heads promptly replied, "Yes, Earl!"

Chu Yun nodded calmly, "Adjust the portions according to the last meal. Try not to waste, but don’t let anyone go hungry. Understood?"

"Understood, Earl!" the three responded in unison.

Chu Yun said, "Lefu, Cuihua, you can go inform everyone that we’ll soon be cooking. Wencai, stay for now."

Chu Lefu and Chu Cuihua acknowledged and left.

Once they had gone, Chu Wencai bowed, "Forgive me, Earl, for my earlier behavior."

Chu Yun patted his shoulder, "Wencai, you are a learned and cultured man in Chu Family Town, a true talent. I appreciate you."

"I know your words were for my benefit. But you must remember: I am the Earl, and you are one of my people. You must obey my orders unconditionally."

"If you have suggestions, discuss them with me privately. Never contradict me in public, or how will I maintain my dignity?"

Chu Wencai quickly nodded, "Earl, I apologize. My conduct was indeed inappropriate."

Chu Yun waved his hand, "No matter, just be mindful in the future. Go ahead."

The people of Pingba Village had been secretly observing this exchange.

They saw Chu Yun instruct everyone to light the fire and cook, and when someone suggested two meals a day, he insisted on three meals, even scolding those who objected. They were stunned.

They never imagined the Earl would be so generous, not only providing for everyone’s food but insisting they eat three times a day.

Three meals a day— what did that mean?

Even though Pingba Village sits beside a river and its land is much more fertile than Chu Family Town, yielding far more grain, life remained exceedingly difficult for its residents. Heavy taxes meant they could only eat once a day, or occasionally twice. Three meals was something they never dared dream of.

"It seems they really will get thirty years of tax exemption!"

"Such a wonderful Earl— I can’t help but want to follow him."

"Me too!"

"And me as well. Who wouldn’t want to follow such an Earl..."

The villagers of Pingba discussed animatedly, and by the end, they were all greatly tempted, wanting to join Chu Yun and become his subjects.

Soon, a few approached Chu Yun and bowed, "Earl, may we follow you to your fief?"

Chu Yun smiled slightly upon hearing this.

But the villagers’ eagerness to follow him was hardly unexpected.

However, he would not take them along. After all, he was about to buy grain from the Baron of Pingba Village— how could he poach his subjects?

He smiled and said directly, "My fief lies to the west, less than two hundred miles from the battlefield. Are you certain you wish to follow me?"

Upon hearing this, the Pingba villagers were stunned, then turned and left.

Less than two hundred miles from the battlefield— surely a place of chaos and danger, with bandits everywhere and little safety. Following him might well mean courting death; it was better to stay in Pingba Village.