In these times, working hard throughout the year doesn't necessarily guarantee supporting a family, let alone saving money. It's something one wouldn't dare to imagine.
Yet, Yucun now offers such an opportunity. As long as they help with the work, not only can they sustain their family with enough food but also accumulate money for a better life. Who wouldn't be tempted?
Those who couldn't secure a spot felt disheartened.
Soon, the hundred people began working, following Yucun's team to the western wilderness, starting cultivation in the area adjacent to the cotton fields.
Curious onlookers reported to their village leaders: "Is Yucun reclaiming the wilderness to the west of their village? Strange, what are they planning to do?"
"They're going to plant something? I heard Yucun planted a large area of white ball flowers there, maybe it's for that."
Many villages couldn't comprehend Yucun's actions, thinking they were mad to share food and money with outsiders just to plant those white ball flowers.
...
Barbarian Tribe Forest.
"Great Shaman, what is Lord Yusuo planning?" The leaders of several barbarian tribes gathered in the Beast God Temple, puzzled by Yusuo's actions.
The barbarian great shaman pondered, also uncertain.
Others discussed: "Those white flower balls are inedible and useless. Why is Lord Yusuo planting so many?"
"I think Lord Yusuo wouldn't do something pointless. Perhaps those white ball flowers have some use."
The barbarian great shaman, having interacted with Yusuo many times, agreed with the latter view.
He started contemplating the vast wilderness to the south of the forest. Maybe he could follow Yucun's example and cultivate that land for the same purpose?
The barbarian great shaman decided to inquire about the use of the white ball flowers from Yusuo before making a decision.
So, accompanied by his people, he went to Yucun and paid his respects to Yusuo.
"Lord Yusuo, I heard you're reclaiming the western wilderness. Is it for planting those white ball flowers?" The barbarian great shaman asked.
Yusuo replied, "Half and half. Why does the shaman ask about this?"
The barbarian great shaman smiled, "As you know, we also have a large wilderness to the south of our forest. We could also cultivate it. I want to know the purpose of those white ball flowers to consider planting them as well."
Yusuo raised an eyebrow; the barbarian great shaman was quite direct.
The barbarian tribe saw Yusuo as reliable, and he didn't mind helping them prosper. Yusuo explained in detail the many uses of cotton, expressing that if their cotton cultivation succeeded, they could exchange goods with Yucun's workshops, ensuring stable income for the barbarian tribe.
Grateful, the barbarian great shaman expressed his thanks and promised that the tribe would remember Yusuo's kindness.
...
Two to three months passed, and a significant portion of the western wilderness had been cultivated.
The hired outsiders received a monthly quota of salt, food, or money, dispelling the doubts some had about Yucun's promises.
"It's genuine food; I've seen it with my own eyes, no issues at all."
"The guy from the neighboring village, Shijiu, brought back a bag of money beads for his wife. She was so happy!"
"If I knew it was true, I would have gone too."
"There's no point discussing this now; Yucun is not hiring anymore."
As some regretted, the season shifted to autumn harvest.
At the marketplace, one could see Yucun's golden rice swaying in the breeze, resembling a vast golden painting.
Hekang and Xinya oversaw this year's harvest, and as the threshing machines clattered, countless outsiders marveled at the golden, plump grains.
Some eyes turned red with greed, contemplating ways to take some back home.
In the dead of night, individuals sneaked into Yucun's fields, attempting to secretly harvest and carry away the crops. However, the patrol team noticed them before they could do anything.
The patrol team silently appeared behind them, and seeing the thieves, sinister smiles appeared on their faces.
Before the thieves could react, the patrol team had them surrounded.
One of the thieves, sensing a chill behind him, turned to see a white giant wolf lunging at him.
"Ahh!"
"Ghost!"
"It's the patrol team!"
Screams echoed in the rice paddies as the wolves dealt with the intruders.
A thief who resisted was bitten in the neck by a wolf.
Others witnessing this scene were paralyzed with fear, trembling, and unable to speak. The patrol team disdainfully spat on the frightened thieves and dragged them out of the paddies.
"Bind these people and hang them on the posts."
"Captain, aren't we killing them?"
"Killing them now is too easy for them. Let those with twisted intentions see the consequences of stealing Yucun's food."
The next morning, the hanging bodies were discovered, ensuring that every outsider passing through the marketplace could see.
"Hiss, what's going on?"
"Seems like someone tried to steal rice last night. These hanged ones are lucky; one who attempted to escape was bitten to death by a wolf."
Hearing this, many felt a chill down their spine.
"Isn't this a bit too much?" Someone couldn't help but say.
"Pah! Thieves stealing food deserve to die." The barbarian people approached, casting a fierce glance at the speaker. "If it were me, I'd have killed those thieves and fed them to my barbarian tiger."
Anyone criticizing Yucun's actions shrunk back, avoiding further remarks.
The barbarian people snorted, muttered "coward," and withdrew their gaze.
He walked towards the patrolling team stationed under the pillar, chatting with the patrollers. Originally, some villagers who sympathized with the thieves wanted to plead, but seeing the situation, they retreated.
The patrol team member surveyed the onlookers and said, "Our captain said that those who dare to steal grain from Yu Village will reflect on the pillar for three days. If they survive after three days, they'll be spared; otherwise..."
Three days?
The onlookers shivered at the thought of hanging without food or water in broad daylight. Many who had dubious intentions turned pale witnessing this.
The patrol team aimed to set an example.
Who would dare to have ill intentions now?
...
When Yu Su was informed by Lu Yan about this, the thieves had already been hanging for a day.
Yu Su: "Why are you telling me now?"
Lu Yan innocently replied, "I just found out."
Yu Su: "..."
He shouldn't have believed him.
Lu Yan must have done it on purpose, probably afraid that Yu Su would go easy on those people.
Yu Su was not a fool; he wouldn't spare them.
Without some deterrent, people might think Yu Village was lenient.
Yu Su glared at Lu Yan and said, "Let them hang. Why keep it from me? Don't do this again in the future."
Lu Yan touched his nose, "Okay."
Seeing that Yu Su had no intention of letting them go, Lu Yan relaxed. "I'll help you dry your hair."
Yu Su had just showered, and his hair was still wet. Lu Yan covered Yu Su's head with a cloth and began drying his hair.
Yu Su's long, glossy black hair felt soft and exquisite. Lu Yan's fingers lightly stroked the strands through the cloth, his gaze subtly deepening.
Yu Su, preoccupied with thoughts of the thieves, didn't notice the change in Lu Yan's touch.
After a while, when the hair was dry, Yu Su finally realized Lu Yan's unusual behavior as his hand remained on his head.