Chapter 272: Once Is Enough For Certain Kinds Of Losses
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Lian Shen’s vigorous words resonated in the freezing wind, but there was no response from the open gate for a long time.
Lian Shen raised his head and looked in the direction of the gate. He then kowtowed several times. “Your Highness, please return and help safeguard the territories of our Chu State.”
The sound of galloping horse hooves could be heard as a black horse with plumes of white mist spewing out of its nostrils trotted out of the gate, carrying on its back an all-too-familiar figure.
Xiao Jin came up to the kneeling figure and looked down at him. “Lian Shen.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Where’s the thing?”
Lian Shen was stunned for a moment. However, he quickly regained his senses and took out half of the tiger tally, the token of military authority, with gritted teeth. “I beg Your Highness to return. After the battle, His Majesty will definitely clear Your Highness’s name.”
Xiao Jin’s dark eyes looked icily at the tiger tally that was gleaming with a chilly glint. The other half was probably in the hands of General Yong Wu.
He swung the spear in his hand and flicked the half of the tiger tally up into his hand.
“Let’s go.”
Jiang Yang and the remaining troops spurred their horses out of the Tiger Base and galloped past Lian Shen.
A shower of snow was kicked up by the horse hooves and sprayed all over Lian Shen’s face, stinging his face until it hurt.
Lian Shen clenched both his fists tightly, stood up, and mounted his horse to follow Xiao Jin’s group.
After all the people left, Meng Zi and his men closed the gate.
Zhou Xing looked at the departing troops with a puzzled expression. “Area Chief, didn’t they say that Prince Qi colluded with the enemy to commit treason? Why did they still allow him to go back?”
Meng Zi gave a scornful sneer. “These people who play with power have always been like this. When they think you’re useful, they will triple-kowtow three times to you. When they think you’re a threat, they will persecute you endlessly.”
“Then won’t Prince Qi’s trip back be very dangerous?” Even if he won the battle, would the Chu State’s Emperor become ungrateful again afterward?
“Sometimes, suffering once is enough for certain kinds of losses.”
After Xiao Jin left, everything in Sky Alpha City went on as usual.
“City Lord, the tribal chiefs of the various tribes request an audience.”
“Send them in.”
The hall doors opened, and the tribal chiefs of the various tribes walked in.
As soon as the group entered the inner hall, they greeted Su Ying in their respective tribe’s manner.
“Everyone, there’s no need to be so polite. Please have a seat.”
Among these tribal chiefs, the one who had the most interactions with Su Ying was the Taloh Tribe Chief Zhang, so he was also the one speaking on the other chiefs’ behalf.
Tribal Chief Zhang said, “Thank you for taking care of our tribes during this period, City Lord. You even handed over our enemies to us and helped avenged us. We will remember your great kindness in our hearts.”
He paused for a moment before continuing. “It’s already the beginning of spring. It’s time to plant many medicinal herbs. After some discussion, we still want to return to our original tribal villages to facilitate the planting of medicinal herbs.”
Su Ying quietly listened to him until he finished before saying, “I respect your decision, but I only have one question. If such a thing happens again in the future, are you guys able to deal with it? Even if the Li Clan is destroyed, won’t there be a second Li Clan?”
Tribal Chief Zhang looked troubled as he replied, “But planting medicinal herbs has been the foundation of our survival for many years. If we don’t do it, how can we continue to survive? We can’t always rely on the City Lord’s support.”
“My plan is for you guys to send a portion of people back to continue planting medicinal herbs. The remaining old, weak, women, and children can continue to live permanently in the city. When they are safe, you guys can also do your work with more peace of mind. I only have two conditions. Firstly, the people living here must register and abide by the rules and regulations of the city. Secondly, the medicinal herbs you guys plant must be sold to me first if the price offered by the foreign traders is the same as mine.”
Su Ying’s words caused the various tribal chiefs to hesitate for a moment. During this period, they had left their homes to live here, but they didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Even if there were still tribesmen who yearned for their past village lives, they had to admit that the place they were living in now was much more comfortable and safe.
They didn’t have to worry about ferocious beasts attacking them, about the heavy snow making the roofs collapse, or about outsiders coming to bully them. However, they weren’t sure what Su Ying was thinking, so they didn’t dare to think too much about staying here.
Su Ying could tell that they were tempted and continued, “As all of you can see, my city is very big and needs fresh blood. If you guys are willing to stay, I welcome you with open arms.
“Not long from now, there will be a street for trading in the city. At that time, you can rent a shop with money and let your people in the city run a business. This way, you won’t have to worry about lacking food and clothing.”
“Just like the traders in those states?” Tribe Leader Zhang said somewhat excitedly.
Su Ying nodded. “That’s right. As long as you lodge your household registration, you’ll be a resident of my Sky Alpha City from then on. Your children can learn to read and write, and they can learn a skill to make a living, giving them more possibilities in the future.”
“Reading and writing… What use are these to them?” Some tribal chiefs were puzzled and asked in genuine ignorance. They were not like those people from other states who could soar high up after passing the Imperial examinations. What was the use of studying then?
“How are they useless?” Su Ying took out a book on medical know-how and slammed it on the table. “You don’t know how to read. Do you know what’s written in this medical book? Do you know that there is a lot of life-changing content recorded in the book? Don’t tell me you guys only wish your descendants to grow medicinal herbs for the rest of their lives?”
Su Ying’s words made everyone fall silent. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but they didn’t dare to think about it. In the past, they couldn’t even fill their stomachs, so how could they talk about their future and dreams?
“Now, there is a chance for you guys to change. Whether you cherish it or not depends on yourself.”
“Here… We are no longer rootless people, are we…”
“Yes.”
“We can also be protected…”
“That’s right.”
“The Taloh Tribe is willing to become the City Lord’s subjects.” Tribal Chief Zhang was the first to kneel down.
“The Shinloh Tribe is also willing.”
Gradually, more and more tribal chiefs knelt down.
Su Ying’s lips faintly curled up. Tiger Might and the others had finally settled them down after much hardship, so how could she let them leave again?
“Everyone, please rise. Next, I will explain the rules of Sky Alpha City to you.”
Su Ying took out several books and instructed the Green Guardian to read them out. These were the rules and regulations that had been written down in the Tiger Base.
The Green Guardian read out every single rule. If the tribesmen had any questions, they could raise them publicly. If they couldn’t accept any rule, they could note it down first and discuss all of them later.
In the beginning, these tribal chiefs thought that it was some harsh system. To their surprise, after a careful study of every rule, they found that many of these rules were beneficial to them. At least, to a large extent, it was a form of protection for them.
“There are many more of these books. In a while, each of you will bring one back. Find someone in the tribe who is educated and tell him to disseminate the contents to all the tribesmen. What I want is for everyone to follow the rules without exception.”
The tribal chiefs took the books from Su Ying’s hands one after another. “Don’t worry, City Lord. We’ll make sure everyone knows what’s going on.”
“Good.”
After the tribal chiefs left, Wang Su walked in.
Xiao Jin left with Jiang Yang and the others, leaving Wang Su and Zhao Neng behind.
Before Zhao Neng could speak, they heard Zhu Lin shouting outside the hall, “Cousin-in-law, Cousin-in-law!”
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