Chapter 718: Salvaging the Situation

"I... I..." Cai was scolded so severely he couldn't say a single word; the main thing was that he had never expected the outcome to turn out like this. He had only wanted to stand up for Changle, and as for earning credit for himself, he hadn't even considered such a thing.

The other Artisans on the side saw the situation and could only rush forward to mediate: "Hey, Yanggou, we really didn't do the right thing in this matter. The main thing is that we didn't think it through. The most important issue now is how to resolve this matter; otherwise, saying anything else is useless."

Yanggou let out a long snort, then said: "I have already told Xuanyuan that we will provide some compensation to those who were punished. This is not to say they were not at fault, but because of us, the punishment they received was a bit too severe. Only by doing this can we see if we can salvage the situation."

"However, the Prince does not need to go. The Prince is not at fault; we are the ones at fault. So, Cai, you will come with me to send some food and supplies to those people as compensation for them. But this is only compensation, not an apology."

Cai stood dazed for a few seconds, then said: "Alright, I will go with you. When? Now?"

"We have to wait for the Xuanyuan Tribe to finish counting their people first. Besides, he has to let their people follow us, otherwise we won't even be able to find the people."

Cai smashed his head a few times and said: "Fine, I'll do as you say. Just call me when it's time to go. I can't use my brain anymore in the future; it seems I don't have that ability. I'll do as you said, I'll change my name. From now on, don't call me Cai, just call me Chai."

This mention of changing his name actually caught Yanggou by surprise, but he couldn't be bothered to care: "Change your name to whatever you want, it's none of my business." Having said that, he turned and strode away.

The entire process of this matter was heard by those apprentices of the Xuanyuan Tribe. It was only now that they knew everything was Cai's own decision and not an order from Changle, or rather, Changle didn't know about this at all. By the time he knew, all the pressure had fallen on him.

Yanggou arguing with Cai so openly and without avoidance also had this intention. He knew there were many people from the Xuanyuan Tribe at the construction site, and he could use their mouths to spread the truth of this matter to the people of the Xuanyuan Tribe. In fact, the whole incident, from the beginning to now, had not spread widely within the Xuanyuan Tribe because everyone was busy and the spread of news was slow, so only a portion of the people inside Qingqiu City knew.

Once these people go back, they will surely pass the truth on from one to ten, and ten to a hundred. Perhaps by the time the entire Xuanyuan Tribe knows about it, it will already be a complete story, in which Changle only played the role of an initiator and was even actively mediating, not a negative figure.

As for all the infamy, it should all be borne by Cai, as well as that fisherman who struck first. No matter how the people of the Xuanyuan Tribe scold them, it doesn't matter, because once their work is finished, they will return to the Xuanyuan Tribe, and they won't have much interaction with the ordinary people of the Xuanyuan Tribe. Dahong won't make things difficult for Cai because of this matter; after all, Cai not only has to build the Embassy but also help the Xuanyuan Tribe build other things. As for the suggestions and help Cai has given the Xuanyuan Tribe, the value already far exceeds those tribesmen; even if a hundred more died, it wouldn't be considered a loss.

Yanggou went to their Soldiers' camp, saw that it was almost finished, and felt relieved. Then he returned to Changle's room and knocked on the door.

After Changle let him in, Yanggou told Changle the whole process of the matter and stated his remedial plan.

After listening, Changle's mood finally relaxed. As for staying or leaving, the result was now very clear. He had come with a purpose, and his father had finally supported him with difficulty. If he were to go back now, he feared he would really have to wait another year or two if he wanted to come again.

As for the predicament encountered in the Xuanyuan Tribe, if this plan is adapted, the effect should be quite significant. One of the main reasons is that human life in this era is not as valuable as one might imagine. They have great resentment now because they feel too wronged and too stifled. If enough food is sent over, the families of those killed will naturally not hold a grudge over a name and food.

And those who were injured will only be even happier, perhaps feeling that a blessing has come out of a misfortune. After all, whenever Huaxia takes action, they are certainly not stingy with food. This time, what they brought the most was Soybean Oil. As ordinary people, they might never have a chance to see it in their entire lives, yet Huaxia can generously give it to them as compensation.

As long as the parties involved don't feel there is a need to continue pursuing this matter, will the others who share a common hatred still look for trouble? They made things difficult for Huaxia merely out of shared hatred for the dead and injured tribesmen. If the tribesmen have no hatred, where would their hatred come from? As long as the Huaxia people who have arrived give some benefits, they will return to their previous enthusiastic state, because they know that even if a conflict arises due to a misunderstanding, Huaxia will provide compensation.

Changle gave Yanggou the answer to stay, and Yanggou immediately set about preparing for the remaining work. However, Changle saw the exhaustion on Yanggou's face and advised him not to be so anxious, to take it slow, and to have a good rest today.

The next day, Dahong and another person from the Xuanyuan Tribe came over, saying they would take Yanggou and the others to compensate those people. Dahong had originally thought that Huaxia might just be doing a token gesture, but he didn't expect Huaxia to bring out oil dregs and Soybean Oil, and in such large quantities. According to Yanggou's intention, those who were killed would be given a jar of Soybean Oil plus a bag of oil dregs, and that bag of oil dregs weighed over sixty catties.

Those who were injured would be given half, but even so, it was not a small amount, because the total number of people punished was nearly twenty. Huaxia was truly spending a fortune. According to the price, such a jar of oil could completely buy a strong laborer, but Huaxia was only giving it as compensation for someone who had already died.

Dahong also didn't know what to say for a moment. After all, praising Yanggou for being generous would make their own Xuanyuan Tribe's people seem worthless, so he simply said nothing. Since Huaxia is so wealthy, let them bleed a little.

On the way, Yanggou mentioned Cai's unauthorized actions again. Of course, it wasn't that straightforward, but he revealed the news between the lines. The Xuanyuan tribesmen's view of Changle is one thing, but the views of these leaders are even more important.