novelraw Chapter 34: What a Waste of Good Deed!
Chapter 34: What a Waste of Good Deed!
Chapter 34: What a Waste of Good Deed!
Most large families migrating north would take the official roads, as they were unfamiliar with the terrain and lacked local guides or information. Traveling on official roads offered greater peace of mind.
Therefore, routes that deviated from the main roads and were unknown to outsiders had a low probability of being traveled. The cost of trial and error was too high, and they couldn't afford such losses.
Even if there were such travelers, they would likely be small groups that could quickly retreat if they encountered problems. Small groups could only carry limited supplies, which meant that Wen Gu and his group might be able to find some usable items here.
The small groups of the He and Yu families were already eager to try, their eyes practically glowing.
These people were sharp-minded but too unconventional, and they didn't consider others. If they were allowed to search for supplies as they pleased, it might cause trouble or even friction within the group.
Inefficient and disunited.
Wen Gu asked Little Liu and County Lieutenant Zhou to scout ahead.
These two had developed a tacit understanding. Little Liu waved his arm, directing the Ma Tuaner in the air to scout forward, while he and County Lieutenant Zhou paid attention to the dangers hidden on the ground.
Wen Gu then called He Da and Yu Er over.These two were already restless. Seeing Zhou Shan and Little Liu head forward, they also wanted to follow.
Wen Gu said, "County Lieutenant Zhou and Little Liu are just going to scout ahead and get closer, not to enter the town. We don't know how many evil creatures are hidden inside, and we are unfamiliar with the area. There are children in the group, and we have carts carrying supplies. We need to make a plan before proceeding."
The two could only suppress their eagerness. They did need to consider their younger siblings and nieces.
Wen Gu continued, "The small town ahead likely has supplies. This operation is very important. Our group is already small, and we need to work together."
The two considered it and nodded.
So, after entering the town, they wouldn't split up; they would work together. They understood.
The fact that they could get a cow and a cart from under the noses of both government officials and folk forces was not solely due to their own efforts.
"Scholar Wen, you've read a lot, so what you say must be reasonable. We'll listen to you," He Da declared.
If what he said wasn't reasonable, then that would be another matter.
Wen Gu smiled indulgently and said to He Da, "Since everyone agrees, we need to start assigning some tasks now. Your younger brother is good with numbers and writing. Would he be willing to handle the bookkeeping?"
He Da opened his mouth, "…Huh?"
Wen Gu patiently explained, "He'll be responsible for the team's inventory and accounts, recording income and expenses. After we start operating officially and distributing supplies based on merit, he'll record the details of everyone's distribution for reference."
He Da certainly knew what that meant!
It was like the accountants in large restaurants or the stewards in charge of finances for rich households.
He just hadn't expected Scholar Wen to assign such an important task to his younger brother!
Back in the county town, when he was called by the officials, his younger brother only handled copying some less important documents and letters. But now…
He didn't think his younger brother couldn't handle this task, he was just surprised by Wen Gu's trust in them.
He Da was overjoyed, thinking that this scholar named Wen had excellent eyesight to recognize his younger brother's talent.
In this group, besides Scholar Wen, who else could write and calculate?
There was no one else!
This way, not only would his younger brother's standing in the group increase, but doing such work would also come with a reward!
He Da grinned.
However, he was also a little disappointed. If their side found supplies, they wouldn't be able to hoard too much, which would put his younger brother in a difficult position.
Of course, compared to that, his younger brother's position was more important. As long as they could find supplies, that was good enough, and they were all part of the team anyway.
Yu Er, standing beside him, had no objections.
They really didn't have anyone capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility. Moreover, unlike He Da, Little Brother He was not as cunning. Besides, Scholar Wen had also stated that the accounts could be inspected.
He Da quickly called his younger brother over.
Wen Gu "borrowed" another charcoal pencil from Daoist Master Qingyi and taught Little Brother He how to hold the pencil and its usage techniques.
"It's okay if your handwriting isn't neat at first; you'll get better with practice."
Based on his observations these past few days, this Little Brother He had a good ability to learn and adapt flexibly.
"First, organize a roster to get used to it. When we officially enter the town to search for supplies, you can start making other records."
Little Brother He's face was solemn as he accepted the important task. Turning around, he couldn't help but grin.
His years of learning had found a purpose, he was trusted, and he could earn a reward. The fatigue from traveling had vanished, and he felt invigorated!
Wen Gu watched the energetic young figure and smiled with gratification.
It was great that another task had been delegated. Even if the personnel multiplied in the future, he would only need to speak.
Others would handle the work.
A moment later, Zhou Shan and Little Liu returned.
They hadn't entered the town but had only observed the surroundings. In this season when the vegetation was withered, various signs were easier to spot.
"There shouldn't be many living people or evil creatures."
Since that was the case, they drove the cart closer to the town.
However, they still didn't enter directly.
Afterward, three small groups each sent two people to form a six-person reconnaissance team.
Led by County Lieutenant Zhou, they went to scout the edge of the small town.
The Yu family had previously acquired a bow, and Yu Er's archery skills couldn't compare to Little Liu, a hunter, but he could still provide some ranged combat capability.
Zhou Shan led the reconnaissance team and quietly entered the town.
The town was quiet at the moment, not much different from many other small towns they had seen along the way. The traces of time on the streets and buildings suggested that a long time had passed.
However, they didn't let down their guard.
"Let's find a drugstore and a grain store first…"
Before Zhou Shan could finish speaking, they heard a roar that was sharper than that of a wild beast. It was clearly the roar of an evil creature.
Not only that, but there were also shouts from living people, though they couldn't discern what was being said.
The expressions of the six men changed drastically. They hid behind a shop and looked in the direction of the sound. They didn't dare to act rashly without understanding the situation.
Ahead, a figure was running, holding a cloth bag.
As the person ran, they grabbed something from the bag and threw it behind them, shouting loudly:
"Heaven and Earth have righteous energy, mixed and flowing!"
Another handful of white particles was scattered.
"Down below, it is rivers and mountains; above, it is the sun and stars!"
Another handful of particles flew out, hurled with speed and force, their movements as sharp as deadly hidden weapons.
However, it was useless.
Although the pursuing evil creatures had slowed down considerably due to the cold, the person running ahead was clearly in poor health, and the distance between them continued to shrink.
The runner's voice was hoarse, but they still shouted passionately:
"In humans, it is called the vast and mighty spirit, filling the heavens and earth!"
After a chase, the person and the evil creature were approaching Zhou Shan and his group.
At this moment, the six men also clearly saw what the person was scattering.
It was white, with full grains.
It seemed, perhaps, that it was likely... glutinous rice!!!
The moment they realized this, the six men were shocked and momentarily bewildered.
What kind of operation was this?
In the few seconds they were stunned, more handfuls of glutinous rice were thrown out.
Scattered on the bodies of those evil creatures…
Fallen on the dirty ground…
The six men felt their blood pressure surge.
"Holy crap!"
"Hurry, hurry, hurry, stop!"
"Kill them, kill them! Shoot them quickly with arrows!"
"What a waste!"
Yu Er, holding his bow and arrow, was so angry he wanted to shoot indiscriminately in that direction.
At this time, Little Liu displayed his excellent hunter's skills, and his hand did not tremble.
An arrow shot out, piercing the throat of the evil creature in front, but it did not die immediately.
Uncle Yu Wu, eager to prove himself, poked it with a spear modified from a farming tool, ending the evil creature's life.
The person carrying the rice bag, now panting, ran to the front of the six men and performed a scholar's bow.
Only then did they realize that this person seemed to be a scholar, living a difficult life in these times, with sunken cheeks and a weak constitution.
"Th-thank you all... for saving me!"
However, the six men looked at him with anger, as if he were an enemy.
He Da's eyes were blazing. They were fighting with beasts for scraps, and this idiot was still scattering glutinous rice!
Wasting food deserved a thousand cuts; he deserved to die!
Zhou Shan, having been a county lieutenant, managed to suppress his rage and asked stiffly, "What were you shouting earlier?"
Could it be a code with an accomplice?
The scholar recovered slightly and replied, "It was the 'Song of Righteousness' to ward off evil and cleanse impurities!"
He Da couldn't help but exclaim, "I don't care what song it is, was it useful? You used so much glutinous rice, all wasted!"
Saying this, he reached out to grab the rice bag, but couldn't.
The scholar's face turned red. He clutched the rice bag tightly with both hands and stammered:
"I once saw a book that mentioned glutinous rice could ward off evil. Today, I was fortunate enough to find a bag of glutinous rice used for sacrifices. In my panic... I didn't know why it was ineffective..."
Little Liu immediately "educated" him, "You don't know anything! Glutinous rice needs to be blessed with spells to ward off evil. You don't have any spells! It's pure waste!"
The scholar hung his head in shame.
Yu Er, who was close by, sniffed, "What's that smell?"
It was strange, yet familiar.
Upon hearing that he had a smell, the scholar lowered his head even further, his ears turning red. He didn't notice that the others in front of him smelled even stronger.
County Lieutenant Zhou said, "Let's retreat first."
Since there was a local survivor, they could provide more information. It would be better to plan first and then search the town with a purpose.
They took the scholar out of the town. The scholar wanted to run, but he was surrounded by the six men.
This scholar was quite peculiar.
Earlier, when facing evil creatures, he scattered rice with abandon, as if he were incredibly generous. Now, he clutched the rice bag tightly. He Da tried to snatch it several times but failed. After being warned by Zhou Shan, he restrained himself.
Zhou Shan was worried that the scholar was playing tricks and didn't know if there were any accomplices nearby, so he remained cautious, asking Little Liu to be on the lookout from the air.
However, no one followed them.
Upon returning to the group, Zhou Shan briefly explained what had happened.
They learned that the scholar had found a bag of excellent quality glutinous rice used for sacrifices that day, and now only a small bag remained, less than a third of the original amount. The lost two-thirds had all been scattered.
Not only did the others in the group feel their blood pressure surge, but even Daoist Master Qingyi felt a lump in his throat.
He gritted his teeth and cursed, "Prodigal! Useless beyond measure is..."
Catching sight of Wen Gu beside him, he swallowed the rest of his words.
(End of this chapter)