novelraw Chapter 334 - 326: Buying and Selling
Chapter 334 - 326: Buying and Selling
Cheng Xiaoxiao spoke while observing the expressions of the two people.
"Yang Ying, as the leader, is fined 100 work points and the probation period is extended to one year. The women who spread rumors for her are each fined 50 work points, and their probation period is extended to six months. The others involved in the square disturbance are each fined 20 work points. What do you think about the handling of this matter?"
The two bowed and cupped their hands in salute, replying in unison, "We have no objections. Thank you, Mr. Cheng, for your mercy."
Seeing that the two did not argue or show dissatisfaction, Cheng was satisfied, "By the way, they must earn their penalty work points themselves. No one is allowed to pay them off for any excuse. If discovered, they will be expelled from the camp immediately. Also, you two are fined 50 work points each for negligence. Do you accept this?"
"No objections!"
"That’s good, now get back to your work. It’s getting late; we don’t even know if the surface issues can be resolved before dark."
"We’ll gather the brothers to help right away."
The two hurried out of the tent.
The Lu Family also rushed back to pack up.
The members all withdrew as well.
Now only Cheng Xiaoxiao and Cheng Hao were left in the tent.
It was then that Cheng Hao snorted coldly, "They got off easy!"
"How is that easy? They’ve been fined so many work points; it’s enough for them to be eating gruel."
"If we hadn’t taken them in, they wouldn’t even be alive, yet they dare to threaten for power. How foolish."
Cheng Xiaoxiao chuckled, "Considering Yang Fan and Ming Shan work so diligently and without complaint, it’s fine to forgive them this one time."
Since his sister said so, Cheng could only let them go this time, "Being too kind-hearted isn’t good. In the future, with more people, there will be more trouble, Xiaoxiao, don’t go soft."
"Got it, second brother is so nagging."
"Do you want a beating?" Cheng Hao said, pretending to tap his sister’s head.
Cheng Xiaoxiao dodged just in time and shouted loudly, "Ouch!"
Cheng Hao thought his sister’s shout was abrupt, and then he saw their mother walk in after lifting the tent flap.
Seeing her second son chasing Xiaoxiao playfully, she frowned, "What kind of behavior is this? Your sister is now a captain, a leader. You should know your limits and not bully just because you’re a few years older."
"Yes, Auntie, second brother is bullying me." Cheng Xiaoxiao hid behind Liu Juan, looking aggrieved and even started complaining.
Cheng Hao thought: Xiaoxiao must have known Mother was coming and did it on purpose. He didn’t even touch a hair on her head; it’s unfair. Seems like someone is itching for a prank.
Liu Juan knew her son was steady but also pitied girls more. This girl was a major contributor to their family, so she had to admonish her son, "Isn’t there work to do? It’s so busy outside."
"Mother is right, I’ll get busy now."
As he passed by Cheng Xiaoxiao, he raised his hand holding a book, pretending to want to hit her, but Cheng Xiaoxiao was not afraid at all and made a face at him.
Second brother only acts weak in front of Auntie; otherwise, where would she get a chance to retaliate, hmph!
The posture between the two clearly showed they planned to watch each other closely.
Turning to Liu Juan, she said, "Auntie, is there something we’re short on?"
"Xiao, lately we’ve been consuming rice and fine grains too quickly. It can’t go on like this." She was really concerned; half a tent of grain was nearly gone in less than a month.
With no food during the freezing weather, bleak meals are understandable, but Xiaoxiao said the laborers must be well-fed and clothed.
She’d already instructed the women to make more coarse grain bread and bran cakes to reduce grain consumption, but they still ate too much.
"It’s no problem. If we want them to do physical labor, they need to eat well, right?"
"But didn’t you say the severe cold would last months? Will our grain last till next year?"
"Don’t worry, even if it doesn’t, I’ll find a way. By the way, I’ve put the grain in the underground storage. Auntie, could you have someone inventory it and enter it into the records?"
Seeing her niece’s resolve, she had to comply.
"Alright then, we’ve packed almost everything, let’s move them down."
"Yes, yes, ask second brother to send more people your way so we can hurry. I have a bad feeling."
"I wonder how little Fei is doing. There’s been no news for so long." Liu Juan sighed, worry lining her face. That child was practically family, and with no news in such bad weather, how could she not be concerned?
"No worries, they’re on their way back."
This was news Zhou Yanlan told her yesterday. Han Yi had passed it on, saying they bought nearly 2,000 slaves, picked up some people along the way, and were heading back.
Probably three more days to go.
"Really? That’s great."
Right at this moment, Cheng Dawei’s loud voice came from outside the tent, "Captain, Captain, Han Family Master is visiting."
Cheng Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, surprised he decided to show himself.
"I’ll get busy then." Liu Juan tactfully excused herself.
"Let him in."
The visitor must have seen everyone left in Taoyuan Village preparing to move to the Underground City and felt uneasy, prompting this visit.
Cheng Xiaoxiao turned and walked to the main seat, sitting upright on the carved wooden chair.
The visitor came in travel-worn, surprised for a moment, perhaps noticing the temperature inside the tent was much higher than outside, feeling puzzled.
Cheng Xiaoxiao picked up the thermos at her side and took a sip of hot water.
Then she sized up the newcomer; the Han Family Master’s face seemed even more worn and weary than before.
Han Xifeng didn’t beat around the bush, asking directly, "Is what Mr. Cheng said true?"
"Since the Han Family Master has come, it shows you have a plan in mind. Why ask vague questions?"
Han Xifeng choked.
The other party wasn’t making unfounded statements. If everyone’s moving to the Underground City, chances are the cold wave is indeed coming, and living above isn’t safe. His question was redundant.
Every time he faced this young woman, it left him, the head of a family, somewhat deflated.
He really doubted if she was merely a teenage girl.
The calm determination in her eyes, a natural composure that seemed ingrained, left a deep impression. Her wisdom and capability even surpassed those seasoned by decades of experience.
He gathered his thoughts, no longer mulling over questions without answers, focusing on resolving the immediate crisis.
"I have a business proposal for Mr. Cheng."
Cheng Xiaoxiao showed some interest. Did the Han Family have any other cards?
"What kind of deal? Let’s hear it."
She knew the purpose of his visit and wasn’t going to agree easily, nor would he expect her to.
After all, they were the ones who gave up first, so he shouldn’t blame her for hesitating.
Han Xifeng took a worn bamboo tube from his bosom, pulled out the stopper, and spread the map onto the low table beside him, "This is the map of Yuan Yang City, 50 kilometers southwest from Yuan Yang City, there’s a Little Ring Mountain belonging to a second-tier aristocratic family, the Wang Family."
"The Wang Family?"