Chapter 118: You Are Not In Exile You Are Clearly Traveling!
Chapter 118: Changes in Xu Tian
"Through this distribution of ginger soup, we have seen which people are not suitable to be employed, and which ones are," Chen Yuan nodded, indicating his agreement. They had already discussed during the distribution of ginger soup that Chen Xue and the guards would observe the prisoners to determine who was worth employing.
During this process, they could discern the characters of these people from their behavior. For example, some people threatened their wives and daughters to bring them the ginger soup.
Or they would hold their children in their arms while their wives brought out the ginger soup, pretending to feed it to the children but actually drinking it themselves.
Some even drank their own portion of ginger soup, pretended to slip, pretended to spill the soup, and asked for another bowl.
Chen Xue saw all this but did not intervene. After all, it was just a bowl of ginger soup. She wanted to see how others would react to these people's behavior.
Sure enough, some people saw the woman's behavior and imitated her, pretending to slip and spill the soup, then asking for another bowl.
Some knew there was only one bowl of ginger soup, but they had two children, one boy and one girl, so they gave the soup to their son.
Of course, there were also some good behaviors.
Some women, upon knowing there was only one bowl of ginger soup, gave it to their children.
And if there were multiple children, they let each of them have a few sips, truly ensuring that everyone had a fair share.
Therefore, the behavior of these people was noted by Chen Xue and the others.
For this reason, Chen Xue even spent contribution points to exchange for a small camera to record the behavior of these people so as not to forget later.
So, this distribution of ginger soup was still very meaningful. Not only did they know who could be used, but it also rallied a group of people to their side.
"Master Chen..."
Xu Tian suddenly ran over again, "We are now facing a big problem, the prisoners lack clothing..."
Although it was not snowing now, the temperature was still very low, and everyone was wearing thin clothes.
But luckily, many people had drunk the ginger soup and were gathered around the fire. However, the main issue was what to do when it snowed again at night. Additionally, what would they do when they resumed their journey?
During the journey, they couldn't carry the fire with them. If these people were wearing thin clothes, they would either freeze to death or get frostbite.
If they caught a cold, it would be over for them.
In this era, catching a cold was as deadly as an incurable disease.
If they were lucky, they might survive. If not, it would be game over.
They could only hope for a better life in their next reincarnation.
"Hey, who is the captain after all?" Chen Xue rolled her eyes beside him. "Whenever you encounter a problem, you ask my father. What's the use of you being the captain?"
Although the Chen family treated Xu Tian well, they hoped he could grow up and at least be capable on his own without having to ask them for everything.
Although this was beneficial to the Chen family since Xu Tian listened to them, the whole exiled team was under their control, but at the same time, they had secrets and often needed to enter the space. If Xu Tian asked them about everything, what secrets could they have?
When Xu Tian heard Chen Xue's words, he felt embarrassed. It seemed true that he relied on Master Chen for everything. Wasn't he too useless?
So, he lowered his head and started to ponder.
"The team will rest here, and I will send someone to Wenzhen to buy some clothing, then we will continue our journey."
Soon, Xu Tian came up with a solution. They were too far from the next county, so Wenzhen was the closest option.
Unless he could conjure up clothing out of thin air, they would have to return to the county to buy clothes for so many people.
"How do you plan to do that?" Chen Yuan asked, "There are so many people, each needing a piece of clothing, that's hundreds of pieces. Are you going to pay for it yourself?"
"I..."
Xu Tian was stunned. He did think so, but when he felt his pockets, it seemed that he didn't have enough money.
So, he turned to look at Chen Yuan and Chen Xue.
"Do you want to borrow money?" Chen Xue interrupted him before he could speak, "My father is broke, where would we get the money to lend to you?"
Lending money to Xu Tian to buy clothing for the prisoners was no different from being overly benevolent. These prisoners not only were ungrateful but would continue to demand things in the future. If they didn't comply, they might turn against them. If Xu Tian fell from power, it would only bring harm to their family.
"That's right!"
Xu Tian nodded. He had forgotten that Chen Yuan was broke. Suddenly, he felt a headache.
Master Chen timely reminded him, "Go find those prisoners and tell them that you plan to go back to the county to buy clothing for them, and they need to pay for what they want."
"Will they agree?" Xu Tian hesitated.
"If they want it, they will pay. If they don't, let them freeze," Chen Xue said disdainfully, "Didn't you realize this before? Be firm when necessary."
"What if no one wants to pay?" Xu Tian was helpless. "We can't buy nothing for them, right?"
"It won't happen," Chen Xue shook her head. "They know your character, so your reputation is like a golden signboard. They will be willing unless they are being unreasonable."
Xu Tian opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but Chen Xue and her father turned and entered the carriage.
Xu Tian wanted to catch up, but the guards directly stopped him. He could only watch Chen Yuan enter the carriage and disappear from sight.
He didn't blame Master Chen. He knew that Master Chen leaving was to let him make his own decision.
In the end, he gritted his teeth and gathered the prisoners together. After briefly explaining the situation, he spoke loudly.
"Winter is here, it's snowing, and it will probably get colder. I plan to send someone to the county to buy clothing."
Upon hearing this, the crowd cheered, "That's great!"
"But..."
Xu Tian's tone changed, and after hesitating for a while, he continued, "You need to pay for the clothing yourselves."
"Why?"
Li Ming jumped out, dissatisfied, "Why should we pay ourselves? You are the officials; you should be responsible for providing our clothing."
As soon as this was said, many people echoed, "That's right, our money has long been taken by you. We don't have any left."
"Yes, you still have the nerve to ask for money. How shameless."
One by one, they expressed their opinions, clearly feeling that they should not pay and that Xu Tian should foot the bill himself.
Seeing this situation, Xu Tian felt somewhat expected it, but not completely. Not a single person supported him.
He wasn't a fool or a saint. His repeated kindnesses were met with such a response. How could he not be angry?
So, he angrily said, "Those who want it, pay for it themselves. Otherwise, figure out how to survive until we reach the Southern Barbarians!"
After speaking, he left, not turning back no matter what these people said.
Seeing Xu Tian leave angrily, the crowd looked at each other, some regretful and even blaming Li Ming.
They all rushed over, expressing that they could pay for it themselves. After all, compared to their lives, this money meant nothing.
If Xu Tian got angry and refused to buy for them, it would be a loss for them.
PS: Is anyone reading? Seeking support (﹏)
Thanks for the translation.
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