Free Web NovelChapter 197: Chapter 197
Chapter 197
For Mu Heng, he felt that he had said everything that needed to be said. Therefore, he had no reason to stay any longer. Additionally, the journey to the capital was very important. The widespread disease didn’t kill people quickly but gradually weakened their bodies, making them unable to fight in the end.
Because of this, there weren’t many deaths. However, if care was delayed, recovery would also be slow. Of course, there were those who did die, and the number wasn’t small. Finding people whose bodies could fight off this plague was very difficult; otherwise, it wouldn’t have spread so far and lasted so long.
With the production of herbs under his wife’s supervision, it seemed that this problem could be resolved in at least four months. In the first month of their long journey, upon returning, they would have enough herbs to treat a significant number of early infections.
In the second month, they could start selling herbs to other places, and this consistent production would prevent the capital from hoarding supplies, thereby reducing fear. By the third and fourth months, this plague should be entirely curable.
This journey to the capital was to reassure the influential figures there. They needed to know that Red Earth City was very capable and could guarantee effective treatment.
They couldn’t cooperate with the various tribes by bypassing the true rulers of the Regions. Otherwise, charges of rebellion could lead to their downfall. Reporting to the higher-ups first would also make it easier for them to gain credit. Mu Heng anticipated that within half a year, he would surely be promoted!
Ah, actually, saying ‘promoted’ might not be entirely accurate...
Once Red Earth City became a highly productive city with many goods to offer, it would grow into a great city in the future. Many people wanting to showcase their abilities would see this opportunity, and naturally, the position of the governor would be contested under various pretexts.
In the position of administration, it was impossible for them to see outsiders as better than the native people of the Regions. They tolerated it now because Red Earth City couldn’t contribute much at the time.
As previously mentioned, everyone used to view those sent here as being punished. However, in the future, this perception will change. As long as this position becomes highly lucrative, many people will try to reclaim it.
Mu Heng was not worried about that. His goal was never to stop at the position of governor in the first place. Furthermore, Red Earth City would always be a source of income for them. As someone who had bought a lot of land, he did not intend to change his registration as a government official. He could be exempted due to his operational orders.
However, his path should not be a bad one. Even if his position was taken, his merits would earn him a better job. It was just a matter of which position would be most suitable. frёeωebɳovel.com
In this situation, even though Mu Heng wanted to leave, would the representatives of the tribes let him go so easily? Not only did they block the exit seriously, but their words began to change as well.
"Governor of Red Earth City, what exactly do you want? This matter can still be discussed."
"I have long known that your Red Earth City and the Bai Regions need many horses. You have tried hard to acquire them in the past, but now that we are offering them to you, are you playing hard to get?"
"Governor of Red Earth City, I think you should reconsider this matter. When it comes to cooperation, I believe you will gain more benefits than losses."
They all spoke in unison, indicating that before they came, they had decided to offer some benefits in exchange for the medicine. Hence, they all rushed to present their offers like this. They seemed confident that the benefits they were offering were highly motivating.
However, Mu Heng simply waved his hand lightly. He spread his arms to prevent the crowd that wanted to surround him from touching his beautiful wife.
"Have I not made myself clear?" Mu Heng’s tone and eyes changed as he felt threatened.
Normally, even though Mu Heng was the governor, he always conducted himself humbly with others and never used his power or released his killing intent. If he truly wanted to, the killing intent he had learned from his master would be enough to prevent ordinary people from standing up.
Previously, he had only released his killing intent once, and that was when he learned that Yueqian had been ambushed. He was furious and wanted to deal with everyone who dared to harm his wife. If it weren’t for Yueqian stopping him and suggesting a more painful and beneficial way to handle it, he would never have let those scoundrels who dared to attack his loved one go unpunished.
If he couldn’t kill them directly, he would have thought of assassinating them secretly. When he was just an ordinary villager, he had used a hoe to strike down those who dared to speak ill of his wife. Let alone want to kill someone because they had evil intentions towards his wife.
Of course, after listening to Yueqian’s advice, Mu Heng realized that he was thinking too narrowly. If he dealt with them secretly, it would only end with their deaths. They wouldn’t receive the proper punishment they deserved, nor would they gain any compensation. Moreover, there would be others who would continue to come after them.
But if he reported it to the authorities and it resulted in a royal decree, would those people dare to move against him again? They would all understand his power and capability, knowing that they couldn’t bully him easily!!
From this perspective, it’s clear that Mu Heng dealt with anything affecting his beautiful Yueqian decisively and passionately, showing his utmost protectiveness. If it weren’t for Yueqian reminding him and bringing him back to his senses each time, who knows what kind of demon Mu Heng might have become by now?
"Dear, I think their offer might be very interesting," Yueqian lightly touched her husband’s arm, not making it seem out of the ordinary, before pretending to suddenly remember something with a start.
"Ah, but the offer from the capital is even more interesting. Besides, if we dare to disregard the capital’s orders, the death penalty would surely await us. No matter how good someone’s offer is, it can’t be better than keeping our lives, right?" Yueqian suggested, providing an exit for her husband, who was exuding a full killing aura.
Mu Heng understood and pulled himself back, letting out a dry laugh.
"Yes, and that’s why it’s so pathetic!" He mocked.
This made the representatives freeze in place. Now, they seemed like villains. Their words were meant to paint Mu Heng as an evil person for not helping those who were dying in front of him. However, after hearing this conversation, it became clear that if Mu Heng did decide to help, they themselves would become rebels, eventually leading to their families being executed. In this case... even a fool could see what decision Mu Heng should make.
Seeing everyone fall silent again, Keos, who had been waiting, stepped forward. His face still held a smile, but he also displayed seriousness.
"Governor, make the right decision. After all, Red Earth City is part of the Bai Regions. It wouldn’t be right for you to act as a rebel."
Hearing Keos speak like this, his two older brothers wanted to grab their younger brother’s head and punching him in the face. No! If he dared to say such things, they should kill him instead!
To vie for the position of tribal leader, he dared to use the lives of the tribe members as playthings. Such thoughts were unforgivable!
Of course, the two didn’t understand Keos. They didn’t know his motives. However, Keos knew exactly what he was doing. Judging by the straightforward nature of the Governor of Red Earth City, playing tricks or bargaining was useless. Trying to negotiate resource exchanges? That was even more impossible. Not only would they be accused of rebellion, but how could their offer compare to that of the Bai Regions?
Knowing this was the likely outcome, wouldn’t it be better if he expressed his sincere thoughts? Of course, he wasn’t giving up; he just hadn’t had a chance to speak yet.
"Seeing that you speak so straightforwardly, from which tribe do you come, and what is your name?" Mu Heng appreciated people like this. The other party seemed smart and knew when to advance and when to retreat. Working with someone like this would be more beneficial.
"Governor of Red Earth City, my name is Keos, from the Keta Tribe," Keos introduced himself formally again. Mu Heng nodded in understanding, committing to memory who this man was and where he came from.
"This person has shown great sincerity to our family. May I speak a few words to him?" Yueqian said with a faint smile on her face.
Mu Heng nodded in agreement, lovingly and respectfully embracing his wife. This further confirmed his reputation as a governor who adored his wife. If the development hadn’t come from both of them, having a governor so enamored with a woman would have led to strong opposition from the townspeople. Traditionally, men who were infatuated with women were not respected, due to the old belief that women were the cause of calamities. This created a negative image.
Previously, many people thought this way, but they eventually realized it wasn’t true. The current state of Red Earth City was proof. Many had broken free from old beliefs, and now the city was a place where everyone was happy.
"Go ahead," Mu Heng did not object to his wife. He was fully supportive.
Once Yueqian received permission, she looked around at the people before smiling at Keos. Her beauty was enough to captivate people, but Keos felt something stronger—it was not a fascination with appearance, but a clear fear of her.
In front of this governor’s furen, it was as if he was standing naked before her. No matter what he tried to hide, the other party seemed to see through it all, even his deepest thoughts.
"Since you have spoken so sincerely, we see that you are worthy of friendship. The Red Earth City truly wishes to cooperate with you. However, it is not easy. With rare and insufficient herbs, even if the emperor sends a request to the Hu Regions, we would only receive a small amount of herbs in return."Therefore, the remaining medicine we have is extremely valuable. The capital summoning us likely involves medicine as well. This alone shows the importance of medicine, does it not?" Yueqian mentioned the summoning, indicating that Red Earth City was now recognized by the Bai Regions. They couldn’t act independently. A wise person would understand this sentence because it was a warning... Unfortunately, only one person grasped this meaning.
