Chapter 9: Give them wealth and goods, bind them with grace and righteousness!

Returning to the dormitory, Lin Dao opened his computer and checked the trauma treatment procedures.

He reviewed his own treatment process to see if there was anything wrong.

After all, it was a human life!

In the chaotic era of Yonghe Spacetime, human lives were as cheap as mud, even sold by the pound.

But Lin Dao was a person living in the Modern World, and his moral values were far higher than those of people in the Yonghe World.

As for why he valued Sun Dalang so much, it was naturally spending a thousand gold to buy a horse's bone.

As his business grew larger and larger, his safety issues became increasingly important.

After checking the materials for a while, he felt there were no major problems.

Lin Dao got up and stretched, washed up, and went to sleep.

At noon the next day, Lin Dao, having finished his work, rode a tricycle to Nongmao Market to restock.

His liquid funds were nearly exhausted; recently he had to make a trip to Jinrong Gang to exchange for funds.

Upon arriving in Yonghe Spacetime, he first handed over the grain to Qin Lang and the others.

Exchanging it for Gold Cakes, he took them to the Small Courtyard intending to melt them into Small Yellow Fish for easy selling.

The people gathered outside the Small Courtyard were still many.

The way everyone looked at him was scorching hot.

Lin Dao had just stepped into the Courtyard Gate when someone behind him shouted, "Lord, we also dare to kill Hu Cavalry; will you accept us?"

He stamped his foot and turned around.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and Lin Dao said emphatically, "Still the same words: whoever can bring me the head of a Hu Cavalryman, I will take them in!"

Not a few people showed fearful expressions.

After all, those were Hu Cavalrymen; how could they be so easy to kill!

But many people had fervent gazes.

They had been tormented by hunger for too long; just to eat a full meal.

Let alone Hu Cavalrymen, even if the Buddha came, Ye Dei would knock bumps all over his head!

Right then and there, not a few people turned and left, preparing to take a gamble.

This was exactly the effect Lin Dao wanted.

His business would only grow bigger and bigger in the future.

Being eyed by others was inevitable.

Besides his own protection, he also needed loyal dead soldiers to protect him.

How to recruit dead soldiers?

Give them wealth and goods, bind them with grace and righteousness!

Arriving at the West Room of the Main House, Sun Dalang leaned against the Couch, while a petite girl held a bowl feeding him porridge.

"Lord!"

Sun Dalang, whose face clearly had more color, struggled to salute.

"That's enough, wait until your injury heals to say more."

Lin Dao's attempt to stop him was not successful; Sun Dalang insisted on saluting, so he pulled over the girl beside him.

"Lord, this is my younger sister Sun Rong."

"Little sister, quickly pay respects to the Lord."

The girl put down the wooden bowl and respectfully saluted Lin Dao.

"Greetings, Lord."

"Lord saved my elder brother; this great favor and virtue are unforgettable. Slave is willing to tie grass and carry a ring to repay Lord's great favor."

Lin Dao's expression turned strange.

These words sounded somewhat familiar.

A handsome man saving someone means offering oneself in marriage.

An ugly man refusing to save someone means tying grass and carrying a ring to be an ox and horse in the next life?

He was letting his thoughts wander here, thinking of strange and odd things.

But Sun Dalang thought the Lord had taken a fancy to his younger sister.

After all, his younger sister was beautiful and gentle in character; the Lord taking a liking to her at first sight was truly a great thing~~~

"Lord."

Sun Dalang's one sentence woke Lin Dao up.

"Tonight, let my younger sister serve Lord."

Lin Dao wanted to laugh; someone so eagerly offering their sister like this, he truly had never seen before.

He didn't know that the wonderful life in this Small Courtyard had long spread throughout the nearby Weichang.

Eating well, dressing warmly, not suffering any bullying, and not having to do hard labor.

This was simply an Immortal from heaven descending to save the common people.

Encountering such a good thing, of course, if there was an opportunity, they would desperately hold onto the thigh.

Lin Dao waved his hand, "I need to go out for a few days to restock; you just take good care of your health."

"Lord, rest assured!"

Sun Dalang immediately straightened his face and declared, "With this servant here, I will absolutely not let anyone take Lord's goods!"

Lord had the grace of saving his life toward him.

And gave him rice to eat, a bed to sleep on, a warm quilt to cover, and rice porridge to eat.

This grace, I, Sun Dalang, will surely repay with my life!

Modern World, Hai Gang Cheng.

Hai Gang Cheng, gradually declining in recent years, remains highly developed in finance.

Lin Dao brought gold bars to the Gold Shop to exchange for cash, easy and convenient, attracting no attention.

"Let's go."

Holding Su Tongtong's hand, Lin Dao generously hailed a car, "To Tai Gu Plaza."

The malls here at Tai Gu Plaza have many brand-name boutiques and high-end restaurants, a famous tourist check-in spot.

The cliché in novels of shopkeepers looking down on the protagonist did not happen after Lin Dao produced stacks of Gold Cows.

Instead, they were very enthusiastic.

Xiang Nainai's clothes, big H's bags, Dior's cosmetics gift sets.

The shop assistants' faces held only smiles, their eyes only envy.

While eating at the internet celebrity restaurant, Su Tongtong was still a bit dazed.

She thought Lin Dao would buy her gifts, but never expected them to be so expensive!

'Sizzle~~~'

Double-headed abalone from Australia sizzled on the iron plate.

The chef displayed superb knife skills, constantly handling the nourishing ingredients.

Su Tongtong brushed the hair by her ear, turned her head to look at Lin Dao's face, "Why are you so good to me?"

Lin Dao answered frankly, "Because you're pretty."

Being pretty is the premise; more importantly, you can add bricks and tiles to my career.

Shopping for gifts, checking in and taking photos at the internet celebrity restaurant.

Next, naturally, discussing life philosophy in the hotel room.

At Tai Gu Plaza, hotels are the least lacking thing; there's one right upstairs from the internet celebrity restaurant.

More than half an hour later, Lin Dao sat smoking.

The sound of water in the bathroom gradually faded; in his mind, he began considering the next work arrangements.

"Grain cannot be given all at once; the Begging-for-Life Army is no saint."

"Nor can we let Shi Hu truly wipe out Guangzong County's Begging-for-Life Army; they are now my most stable customers."

"We can provide them with a batch of arms."

"The dead soldiers guarding me over there also need to be carefully recruited."

"Personal bodyguards cannot be neglected either; we must find a way to get Truth in hand."

"Without enough military force to protect me, over there I am just a big fat sheep."

"As for here, money is not yet enough; for now, keep a low profile and develop."

The Begging-for-Life Army is a vagrant group.

A vagrant group like Huang Chao and Li Zicheng.

The reason they could not become mobile is that their opponents were too powerful, not that the Begging-for-Life Army are all good people, moral gentlemen.

In this chaotic era of living in constant danger, where are there good people? The good die fastest.

Doing business with them is fine, but self-preservation absolutely cannot be relaxed.

Su Tongtong, drying her hair with a towel, walked out.

"Quickly put away the scary things~~~"

Her skin was white and tender as if about to drip water; on her rosy little face was full of a happy glow.

Extinguishing the cigarette butt, Lin Dao raised both arms; Su Tongtong leaned against his embrace like a little bird.

"Help me do something."

"Say it."

"I want to register a trade company on this side of Hai Gang Cheng, and you be the Legal Representative."

Su Tongtong raised her head and stared at him, her expression complex.

"Don't worry." Lin Dao whispered in her ear, "Absolutely nothing illegal."

He did not lie; there is indeed no law prohibiting Time-Space Trade.

Since there isn't, it is naturally not illegal.

Su Tongtong hesitated, her expression complex.

She knew very well that once she truly became the Legal Representative, if Lin Dao did anything illegal, she definitely could not escape.

After a long silence, Su Tongtong leaned against Lin Dao's embrace, whispering softly, "You must be good to me from now on~~~"

Lin Dao said nothing, instead using action to express his firm determination.

Su Tongtong went busy registering the company.

Lin Dao, meanwhile, pondered how to get Truth.

No way, he truly could not use swords, spears, or halberds; only Truth, fast and accurate within seven steps, suited him best.

As an outsider visitor, wanting to find the path to purchase Truth was almost impossible.

He couldn't just go down the street asking everyone where to buy Truth, could he?

Wandering about blindly for two days, naturally he had no clue.

Seeing the visa was about to expire, he could only leave first.

Yonghe Spacetime, Guangzong County.

These past few days the weather warmed, and the snow on the ground gradually thawed and melted.

The road was terribly muddy.

Lin Dao rode the tricycle back to the Small Courtyard all the way, and the wheels were already covered in mud.

There weren't many people gathered outside the Courtyard anymore.

Those who dared to go kill Hu Cavalry had already departed, and even those who left early had already returned.

Those who didn't dare go naturally each returned home, lying in bed to reduce energy consumption.

"Don't know if they'll ever repair the road; what do the people in the Weichang do all day long."

Wiping the mud off his shoes, Lin Dao walked into the Courtyard complaining.

"Master~~~"

The busy people in the Courtyard all saluted.

After a few days, Sun Dalang, whose injuries had improved, was already able to go out on his own.

He came before Lin Dao and saluted respectfully, "Master, someone brought back Hu captive heads; how should they be settled?"

"Oh."

Lin Dao recalled his earlier promise, "Then accept them as guards."

He patted Sun Dalang's shoulder, "You'll be the Protector Chief."

Sun Dalang immediately grew excited, "Thank you, Master!"

"Right." Lin Dao smiled, "Any injuries?"

"A few injured."

Sun Dalang replied indifferently, "Two had bad luck, severely wounded; they handed in the heads upon return and died."

"The other few, after medical treatment can still drink porridge."

Jin Lian, desperately showing off at the side, Xiao Yi muttered, "Master, it was Slave who treated their injuries."

Lin Dao pinched his fingers.

In this era, lives fade away too simply.

These are the ones who returned alive; those who died in the process of hunting and killing Hu captives, who knows how many.

Silent for a moment, Lin Dao called out, "Sun Dalang, go summon everyone."

"Jin Lian, go find Grand Marshal Feng, tell him I want the courtyards on both left and right sides."

Shi Hu has a cruel and tyrannical disposition, slaughtering those who offend him at the slightest provocation.

This time the Qi Huo Army refused Shi Hu's order, war may well break out.

Lin Dao needs to strengthen his guard force as soon as possible.

Fairly dense footsteps transmitted over, Sun Dalang led ten-plus men in vine cloth hemp clothing inside.

"Pay respects to Master~~~"

"Good."

Lin Dao spoke gently, "Since you are willing to follow me, I will not mistreat you."

"Each person first receives two bags of rice, send them home."

"Later come for a feast, I'll treat you to meat and wine."

Didn't hand out money directly.

On one hand, prices in this era have collapsed; it's said in Luoyang City one dou of rice costs a thousand cash.

Give too little and it's meaningless, give too much and he couldn't produce that much copper coin.

Moreover, give copper coins and there's hardly anything to purchase in the Weichang.

Most importantly, the hard currency of this era is grain.

Lin Dao's are all fifty-catty bagged rice; two bags is a hundred catties, roughly equivalent to nearly one shi.

In the Qi Huo Army lacking food and clothing, which family could have one shi of stored grain~~~

And it's all refined rice that only Nobles are qualified to eat.

Carry a bag of refined rice over, enough to exchange for a wife to bring home.

"Sun Dalang." Lin Dao instructed, "Those two who died of severe wounds, send four bags of rice to each of their families."

"Received the order!"

Walking into the Main House East Room, Lin Dao returned to the Modern World.

(End of Chapter)