Chapter 109: Linking the Framework (Part 2)

Wan'er saw Jian Yu and the others' faces turn ashen, about to erupt, and seized the moment before they could speak, saying: "Could it be that the Young Marshal is not very satisfied with this place? The Lord learned from General Zou that the Young Marshal's purpose in coming is mainly to train troops. Since it is training, shouldn't it start with the most basic task of establishing a camp? It's like, if we were to launch another expedition to Luo Ping Hai, once we go in alone and have no engineers here, the Lord would certainly roll up his sleeves and build a fort to repel enemy troops. {hand. /hit/okayShouda8. Comfirst release} So this place was specially prepared by the Lord for the Young Marshal's training. Of course, if the Young Marshal is dissatisfied, there are other places to garrison."

Jian Yu said: "The Young Marshal already has the natural bearing of a commander; does he still need to practice something that ordinary people can do? Since there are other places to garrison, take us to another spot and have a look."

Wan'er led them out of the forest, heading toward Shalanjiang, and while walking said: "This place is not like Sky City. When we first arrived, it was all wilderness. The Lord barely managed to lead us to build a camp from this barren land and carve out this road; other places are also wild. If the Young Marshal had let the Lord know earlier that he would come here, we could have prepared sooner. A few days ago we just brought those villagers here, and the Lord did nothing; it was only the day before yesterday that he finally built enough houses for the villagers to live in. He should have freed some houses for the Young Marshal. You should know that when we first arrived we were attacked by barbarians, and knowing the Young Marshal is a benevolent man who cares for the people, he would never seize civilian houses. This place is full of forests, with no open ground to station troops; fortunately there is a vacant spot by the river, and its scenery is beautiful, I'm sure the Young Marshal will like it."

Li Bucai had Wan'er receive the Young Marshal instead of Yan Qiu because Wan'er is eloquent, while Yan Qiu is overly loyal.

These words forced the Young Marshal to have to lead his people to garrison by the river; with their troops there, they could further bluff, and anyone thinking of scheming against him would have to weigh it. Seize this period; before the Young Marshal departs, develop quickly. Tan Jiang's grievance must be reported, otherwise letting their brothers grow big would be detrimental to the lords, and for these civilians it would also lead to unwarranted slaughter. From the Undead we heard that a place with a Buried Corpse leads to ten thousand Buried Corpses; to buy ten thousand Buried Corpses requires many people. The Tan family brothers will never feed only their own civilians, but will plunder other Territories; the neighboring Territory will be the first to suffer misfortune.

The water camp at Sanshui Pass has Undead stationed, with no spare barracks; the adjacent fishing village has long been inhabited by fishermen. Wan'er led the Young Marshal and others through the fishing village, and to the west of the village lies a plain.

"This meadow can be garrisoned by the Young Marshal anywhere at will, but for the Young Marshal's safety, it's better to keep the fishing village nearby; the water camp's people can attend to this place at any time. The fishing village just dug a deep well, so drawing water will be more convenient."

Jian Yu said: "Ridiculous, who is the Young Marshal that needs you to look after him? As for water sources, we will figure it out ourselves; you can rest assured. Who knows whether Li Bucai might be scheming against the Young Marshal and tampering with the well."

Wan'er gave her a secret glance, then suddenly said: "Ah, damn it, the Lord prepared a modest gift for the Young Marshal yesterday, but Dream Princess's meddling made us forget it. If the Young Marshal has no other business for now, allow Wan'er to go back and fetch it."

The Young Marshal had not considered lodging before arriving here; what they were concerned with was how to avenge the humiliation inflicted by Li Bucai. Now, although it's no longer a forest without even a patch of ground to settle, it's an open plain, and they have not a single tool at hand. Jian Yu and the others muttered that Li Bucai is no good, daring to neglect the Young Marshal.

The Young Marshal herself need not worry about these trivial matters; seeing the beautiful scenery, which is novel to a girl who has lived in the palace for a long time, she nodded to Wan'er, handed full authority over the camp construction to Jian Yu and Jingyi, and, surrounded by a few attendants, rode her horse along the riverbank admiring the view,

"How many tents did you bring?"

"Besides the Young Marshal's main tent, the rest can only accommodate twelve of us."

"I told them we needed to bring people who know how to build a camp, but the Young Marshal insisted that just these few people would suffice. Now, we have no axe at all, only half a day, how can we build so many houses?"

As the two were fretting, faint sounds of logging drifted from Sanshui Pass.

"How about we ask the villagers for help?"

"But we have the Three Articles of Agreement."

"It's just asking them for help, not bullying them."

"Alright then, I'll prepare here and first set up the Young Marshal's main tent; you go take a look."

Jingyi nodded, then urged her horse toward the source of the sound, turned around the foot of the hill, and after a short walk saw about two hundred villagers cutting trees by the river.

Jingyi dismounted and approached, asking the villagers: "Do you have anyone in charge here?"

One of them stopped his work and replied: "No."

Jingyi asked oddly: "No one supervises you, yet you cut trees so desperately; don't you already have a place to live? Why keep cutting these trees?"

"This is our job; as long as we can cut enough timber each day, we receive the corresponding wages. The shop has newly stocked many goods; we cut more timber to earn extra money to buy household items."

"So you're saying these trees aren't required for you to cut?"

"Our job is to obtain timber, but the daily quota isn't high; we met today's quota in a morning, and now we earn a bonus."

"How much is your bonus?"

"In half a day, at least each person can get three coins, I guess."

Jingyi nodded slightly and said: "Then this afternoon, give me all the timber you have harvested, and I will pay you double wages. How does that sound?"

The villager hesitated: "This… might be difficult. Although the superior officer allows us to help others in our spare time, everything in the Territory, even a single grass or tree, belongs to the Lord. We can cut the trees for you, but the timber… without the Lord's permission cannot be given to others. So even if you pay us wages, the timber still belongs to the Lord. You should first go find our Lord for a certificate; if the Lord agrees to give you the timber, then we will help you."

"Since your Lord is absent, is there anyone else who can make decisions?"

"This… you would have to ask Madam Yan Qiu."

"Where is she?"

"Because the fishermen will set out to fish tomorrow, Madam Yan Qiu is currently coordinating fishing gear in the fishing village; you can find her there."

"Thanks." Jingyi immediately returned to the fishing village.

In the central largest room, the lintel prominently displayed the three characters "Fishery Office", and Yan Qiu was discussing tomorrow's fishing plans with the fishery official.

Jingyi knocked and entered, explaining her purpose.

Yan Qiu replied reluctantly: "The Lord hasn't returned yet; we left in a hurry and didn't have time to leave a message. I'm just a servant, so I probably shouldn't make decisions on my own."

Jingyi, helpless, returned to the clearing; everyone had neither tools nor materials. After erecting five tents, they could only stand there fretting.

While they were fretting, Wan'er arrived leading two wagons loaded with ceramic utensils and some food.

"Gentlemen, the Lord mentioned yesterday that these two wagons contain local specialties. The Young Marshal is a distant guest, and this is a modest gift prepared for the Young Marshal. It might be useful; that's all, please don't be embarrassed."

These bowls and plates are indeed essential items, but there are too few, not enough for five hundred people. Wan'er explained that the rest had already been sold to a shop that placed an earlier order, so for now only these are available.

Jian Yu accepted the items, and Jingyi raised the timber issue with her, but Wan'er could not make a decision.

As time ticked away, they had no choice but to propose buying with cash. However, since this land introduced its own currency, any purchase must exchange Cross Coins for Huachi Coins at a rate of 10 copper for 1 qian; one qian can buy five basic logs. Building housing for five hundred people requires a massive amount of timber. She had promised to pay the villagers double wages; just for two hundred loggers, it would cost 1 gold and 20 silver to exchange Huachi Coins for their wages. Loggers alone are insufficient; to erect the dwellings quickly they also need to hire builders, carriers, carpenters, whose skilled labor rates are high—wages alone consumed five gold coins, plus the cost of timber. Jingyi instantly exchanged Huachi Coins worth 20 gold coins.

The group worked together and managed, before nightfall, to erect one hundred shacks on the clearing. Because time only allowed them to build frames and put on roofs, they could barely spend the night inside; to make them more comfortable would require a few more half‑days.

Sky City suffers a severe shortage of supplies, yet gold coins are countless. Moreover, the Young Marshal, being a descendant of the Emperor, would naturally not mind a few gold coins. After admiring the scenery for half a day, still yearning for more, they returned to the camp. From the prototype wooden houses one could envision the future appearance—certainly far more elegant than the wooden houses in the large camp at White Horse Crossing. Coupled with the picturesque riverside scenery, the Young Marshal nodded in satisfaction.