Chapter 86: The Clever One

Baron Cheng Qiong, the lord of Pingba Manor, became anxious and somewhat angry when he saw some of his subjects wishing to follow Chu Yun and leave. He feared that Chu Yun would truly lure his people away. After all, only with people could production thrive, the land develop, and he receive more taxes. He even suspected that Chu Yun had deliberately set up a fire and cooked at Pingba Manor for ulterior motives.

However, when Cheng Qiong saw Chu Yun directly telling his people that his fief lay near the war-torn region, and his subjects immediately turned away, unwilling to go, he realized he had misunderstood Chu Yun.

Knowing that Chu Yun was searching for him, Cheng Qiong took the initiative to greet him. Chu Yun, after all, was a count—a full two ranks above him—so Cheng Qiong owed him due respect.

"Your Excellency Count," Cheng Qiong said politely, bowing, "I did not know you would come; forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"

Chu Yun returned the bow. "Baron Cheng Qiong, passing through your treasured land, I must apologize for any disturbance."

The two exchanged polite words. Then Chu Yun went straight to the point. "Baron Cheng Qiong, I would like to purchase some grain and waterproof tents from you."

Cheng Qiong frowned upon hearing this. "Your Excellency Count, I can sell you some grain, but as for waterproof tents, I must decline. Your Excellency surely knows that waterproof tents are military supplies, forbidden from casual trade. If anyone were to discover it, it would be a capital offense."

Chu Yun had expected this outcome, as he had already tried to buy waterproof tents in Chu Family Town, without success.

He sighed inwardly: "It seems I'll have to pay close attention to the weather, and ensure we find shelter before any rain, or else everyone will suffer from colds, which would be troublesome."

Chu Yun smiled and waved his hand. "No matter, just sell me the grain. How much can you offer?"

Cheng Qiong replied, "How much do you wish to buy?"

Chu Yun thought for a moment. To avoid being unable to buy grain in Nanhua Town, and to keep the Witch Doctors from guessing his movements and launching a sneak attack, he said, "Ten bushels!"

A large bushel was equivalent to sixty pounds in the twenty-first century; ten bushels made twelve hundred pounds.

With each person eating four ounces per meal, this was enough for three thousand meals.

It would be enough for all of them to eat for at least three days. Three days would suffice for them to reach their next two destinations, Dagong Town and Linshui Town, after Nanhua Town.

Cheng Qiong nodded with a smile. "No problem. I will have people fetch the grain from the granary at once."

Chu Yun then asked Cheng Qiong about the price of the grain. As it turned out, the prices here were much lower than in Chu Family Town. Clearly, the land here was fertile, the harvests abundant, and grain was not as expensive as in Chu Family Town.

Yet looking at the way people lived here, their hardships were evident—the taxes must be heavier than in Chu Family Town.

Chu Yun felt even more grateful to the owner of the rice shop in Chu Family Town, who had plotted a route for him and helped him buy more grain for less money.

Chu Yun paid Cheng Qiong, who accepted the coins and quickly sent people to fetch the grain from the granary. Then he said, "Your Excellency Count, it is my honor to have you pass through my lands. Please rest tonight in my humble home, so I may fulfill my duties as a host."

Chu Yun waved him off. "Forgive me, Baron Cheng Qiong, but I have decided to stay with everyone. I must decline your kind offer."

Cheng Qiong was taken aback. "Your Excellency Count, did you say you wish to stay with everyone? Your status is so distinguished—how could you sleep among the common folk?"

Chu Yun smiled. "I wish to share both hardship and joy with the people."

In truth, he wanted to say, "We are all human; there is no distinction of status," but he knew saying such things here would be heresy.

He kept silent, lest someone overhear and give the Witch Doctors an excuse to exploit it.

Cheng Qiong bowed to Chu Yun. "Admirable, truly admirable! Then perhaps another time, we may dine and drink together."

"Agreed, we have a promise," Chu Yun replied, bowing with a smile.

Then he said, "Baron Cheng Qiong, could you find us a place in Pingba Manor that shelters us from wind and rain? I'm worried it might rain tonight. I wanted to buy waterproof tents to set up shelter for everyone."

Cheng Qiong was momentarily startled. "Your Excellency Count, look at the starlit sky—countless stars, not a cloud in sight. Surely there will be no rain tonight?"

Chu Yun replied, "It is late spring, and the weather is unpredictable. Better to be cautious."

He had sensed the moist air—a sign of imminent rain.

Cheng Qiong nodded. "On the west side of Pingba Manor, there is a vacant courtyard. It should house your three hundred people, though it is a bit dilapidated."

Chu Yun said, "A little dilapidation is no matter, so long as it shelters us from the weather."

He then took out a silver coin and handed it to Cheng Qiong.

Cheng Qiong waved his hand. "Your Excellency Count, you are too generous. I will not accept this coin. I only hope that if ever I need your help, you will lend me your aid."

Chu Yun thought for a moment and pocketed the coin again. "Very well. I agree that Baron Cheng Qiong is someone worth befriending, and I now owe you this favor."

The two parted ways; Chu Yun returned to his group, and Cheng Qiong to his manor.

On the way, Bai Hao said to Chu Yun, "Count Chu Yun, if I were to step in, you could have purchased waterproof tents."

Chu Yun glanced at him and nodded. Bai Hao was captain of the personal guards—a soldier—so he could have justified buying military supplies.

But Bai Hao continued, "Still, I'm concerned that buying waterproof tents would give the Witch Doctors a pretext to attack you openly, unleashing their full strength. That would be troublesome."

Chu Yun thought this reasonable. "It seems I must be even more careful on the road ahead, never giving the Witch Doctors any excuse. Luckily, Baron Cheng Qiong did not sell me the tents."

Bai Hao chuckled. "If he had tried, I would have warned you and stopped the deal."

Meanwhile, Cheng Qiong’s steward asked him, "Master Cheng, why did you not accept that silver coin? Though not much, it is still money."

Cheng Qiong snorted, "You know nothing. Rumor has it Chu Yun received a divine inheritance. He went to the royal capital to cure an important person, and was granted the title of count by the King of Qi. Such a remarkable man—a favor from him is worth far more than a mere silver coin."

The steward said, "Even so, he has offended the Witch Doctors. He may not live long!"

Cheng Qiong replied, "He does not seem the sort to die young. That is why I did not sell him the tents, lest the Witch Doctors use it as an excuse to attack him."