CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48 MY MASTER MADE A DECISION AGAINST THE ANCESTORS_1

「Maple City.」

Before dawn, the tents set up for disaster relief were already surrounded by people.

"The anticipation is palpable!"

"I heard Landlord He’s father died, and today he’s treating the whole city to a feast—white rice, large steamed buns, and even pork and vermicelli stew!"

"TSK, TSK. Old Landlord He was a miser his whole life, but his son is generous. What a big spender!"

"My good son, make sure your mother eats her fill this time!"

"Darling, when they’re handing out the food, bat your eyes at the young man serving it. Get him to give our family a few extra pieces of pork!"

The buzzing crowd wore faces of blissful anticipation. Gazing toward the large tent, they looked less like they were awaiting disaster relief and more like they were attending a grand feast.

Of course, there were also refugees on the verge of starvation, trembling at the very back of the line and hoping for a handout to survive. But covered in filth, they were driven away with disdain by the locals before they could even get close. Even if they managed to reach the end of the line, others would cut in front of them time and again. Some were even beaten and kicked by the city’s thugs.

It must be said that xenophobia and the practice of bullying the weak while fearing the strong exist everywhere, and they are especially prevalent at events like this. After all, what sort of upstanding person would lower themselves to snatch relief supplies from refugees? Most were just local thugs, ruffians, and scoundrels. For them, there was no moral dilemma in oppressing outsiders.

"Filthy beggar, stay away from me!"

"You outsiders probably have the plague!"

"Get lost, get lost! You stay behind me, and I swear I’ll send you to your grave with one punch!"

"Look, look!"

"It’s the He Family’s caravan! The servants from Landlord He’s estate are here!"

Under the crowd’s eager watch, a line of carriages appeared on the street, flanked by guards in the impressive He Family livery.

However, when the guards placed the heavy wooden barrels inside the tent and lifted the lids, everyone was stunned.

The barrels were not filled with white rice or large steamed buns, nor the promised pork and vermicelli stew. Instead, they contained a sticky, gray congee mixed with vegetable scraps, radishes, coarse rice, and... a large amount of bran, fit only for livestock.

In an instant, the entire queue erupted in anger!

"What the hell is this!"

"Weren’t we promised white rice, large steamed buns, and pork and vermicelli stew?"

"The pork and vermicelli stew turning into coarse rice congee is bad enough, but you’re even adding bran! Are you treating us like livestock? The He Family has gone too far!"

"If you don’t give us an explanation today, we’ll surround He Manor!"

"That’s right! Surround He Manor!"

Just as the crowd grew agitated and seemed about to riot, a servant of the He Family pulled a yellow talisman from his robes, tore it, and tossed it into the air. Instantly, thunder cracked in the clear sky, the sound so powerful it felt like it would shatter their eardrums.

KRAKOOM!

The celestial might of thunder was an absolute deterrent to the common folk. In that moment, all the troublemakers clapped their hands over their ears and scrambled back. No one dared to besiege the relief tent any longer, and even the clamor died down.

"Quiet down!" the servant announced calmly, surveying the crowd. "Using coarse rice congee for disaster relief is an order from a True Disciple of the Sanqing Immortal Sect, and the Immortal Sect has already given its approval."

"If you have any objections, you are free to protest at the headquarters of the Sanqing Immortal Sect."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding townsfolk, though visibly resentful, no longer dared to cause trouble.

After all, this world had no imperial court. The various cultivation factions carved up the lands and governed their own territories. City Lords and law enforcement teams were all appointed by the Immortal Sects. In other words, the Immortal Sect was the ultimate authority in Maple City, and they had no right to defy a decree it had sanctioned.

Of course, while they didn’t dare to riot, they couldn’t help but whisper complaints among themselves.

"What a disappointment!"

"They promised pork and vermicelli stew, but we get coarse rice congee mixed with bran. That He fellow is even stingier than his father!"

"Using bran for relief aid is shameless. I’m never buying pork from the He Family again."

"A man like that will get what’s coming to him!"

Seeing the murmuring crowd, another He Family servant announced, "Furthermore, to repay our fellow townsfolk for their years of support for the He Family..."

"Our master has made a decision that goes against our ancestral traditions."

"Starting today, the He Family will slaughter three thousand pigs and sell them to our friends and neighbors at a super-low discount of twenty percent off."

"And we won’t be taking money, only coarse rice of an equivalent value."

"All the coarse rice we receive in exchange for the pork will be used to make congee for disaster relief for the refugees in Maple City. The He Family will not keep a single grain for itself."

"However, there are only three thousand pigs available for trade, only three thousand!"

"When they’re gone, they’re gone! Not one pig more!"

"Folks who want to trade should hurry. If you’re late, you’ll miss out!"

"Buy pork at a discount, contribute to a charitable cause, and accumulate merit and virtue... where else in the world could you find such a wonderful deal? Let’s go, everyone!"

Twenty percent off!

Twenty percent off!

Twenty percent off!

After hearing the servant’s speech, the eyes of many townsfolk lit up with interest.

In an era where animal husbandry wasn’t particularly developed, pork was a true status symbol. It was a valuable commodity. For a common family, bringing a cut of pork as a gift when arranging a marriage would bring them immense prestige.

Trading coarse rice for pork at a twenty percent discount?

When they did the math, they realized it would save them a lot of money. What a steal!

With this in mind, the once-complaining crowd scattered, all rushing home to get their coarse rice. As they left, they chatted excitedly amongst themselves, their tone now full of praise.

"I knew it!"

"This young Landlord He is a capable master, much better than his father."

"Twenty percent off! That’s really something! When old Landlord He celebrated his fiftieth birthday, the pork was only discounted by five percent."

"I haven’t had pork in months. I’m taking advantage of this sale to have a real treat!"

In just a few moments, the crowd of townsfolk that had surrounded the relief tent had vanished completely.

Only a few ragged refugees remained, standing far off, staring at the pot of gray congee and swallowing hard.

"What are you all standing around for? Come and get some congee!" a He Family servant called out with a smile, handing them steaming bowls.

The refugees looked at the steaming, thick, sticky congee of coarse rice and bran. It didn’t smell pleasant, but to the starving men, it was like the finest feast imaginable. After a few hesitant glances toward the He Family servants, they began to wolf it down, tears streaming down their faces as they ate.

Soon, their bowls were empty. Seeing their expectant gazes, the servant smiled. "I know you’re not full yet," he said gently. "But don’t rush. You’ve been starving for a long time. If you eat too much at once, you could burst your stomach."

"From now on, the locals won’t be here to compete with you for this food."

"For the next half a month, the He Family will be here every day to distribute this relief congee. Remember to come get it."

Tears streamed down the refugees’ faces, their bodies trembling with gratitude.