Chapter 43: Help Me Out
A day later, at the entrance to Dawangzhuang, a crowd of surviving children and three villagers that had just awakened gathered by the entrance of the village.
"Fifth Uncle, if not for your protection, our entire clan would have perished that year. Before he died, Father told me that you aren't to blame for this disaster. If anyone's to blame, it's the world at large—it's Marquis Wu, not you," one of the survivors weakly advised Zheng Qian.
However, Zheng Qian only kowtowed to his remaining family again and again, tears splashing on the ground. He felt an infinite chasm of shame suffuse him, and he didn't know how he would ever be able to apologize for what had been done.
Xiao Nanfeng and the other disciples watched the scene from afar.
"I remember who Zheng Qian is now. It's a true pity," Ye Sanshui murmured, frowning.
"Senior Brother Ye, you're aware of Zheng Qian?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"I've heard of him. He was the top scholar of the last imperial examination of the Taiwu Empire, phenomenal at management and with sharp business acumen. When the empire fell and the Tianshu Empire took its place, Emperor Tianshu tried many times to recruit him to his service, but to no avail. Zheng Qian's loyalty to his empire meant that he was only willing to serve Marquis Wu, and he's made him innumerable wealth over the last few decades. How did he end up going against Marquis Wu in the end?" Ye Sanshui recollected.
"A genius manager and businessman, and loyal at that? A true talent..." Xiao Nanfeng murmured to himself, giving Zheng Qian an appraising look.
Xiao Nanfeng wanted to search for his parents, but this was a monumental task, one that he couldn't afford to do alone. He would need to recruit the capable in order to help him accumulate wealth and power, and Zheng Qian's resume was very impressive indeed.
Just then, several senior disciples brought the golden crow spiritbeast's carcass over.
"Junior Brother Nanfeng, you really are impressive! This golden crow had already congealed an inner core, but you were still able to take it down!"
"Even as an Ascension-realm cultivator, Senior Brother Ye was unable to do anything against it, but you killed it! It's truly impressive."
Ye Sanshui: …
"It was all luck. The golden crow spiritbeast ingested my purpleveil poison orb, or it wouldn't have died so easily," Xiao Nanfeng demurred modestly.
"But the fact remains that you forced it to ingest poison!" Yu'er replied.
"Third Uncle, if you don't stop this sort of behavior, you'll lose your leadership position entirely!" Ye Dafu whispered to Ye Sanshui.
Ye Sanshui glared at his nephew. What can I do? Don't you see that everything's going in Xiao Nanfeng's favor right now?
Just then, a junior disciple walked toward Xiao Nanfeng.
"Junior Brother Nanfeng, we've buried the fifty warriors of the crow troops. They had six thousand taels of gold on them in all, and their weapons and warhorses are worth an approximate four thousand. In all, you've made a bounty of ten thousand taels." A senior disciple handed him a wad of banknotes.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Xiao Nanfeng took the proffered notes with a smile.
Ye Dafu's eyes turned green with envy.
Just then, Zheng Qian and Old Wang walked up to Xiao Nanfeng.
"I apologize for only coming to you so late, my benefactor. Only when I heard Sir Zheng mention it did I understand that you had run off with Sir Zheng in order to save Dawangzhuang. I owe you the deepest of gratitude." Old Wang kowtowed to him.
"No, no, please get up. You allowed me to stay in your home for a night as a favor, and I was indebted to you." Xiao Nanfeng helped Old Wang up.
"A paltry favor for my life! Benefactor, I might be an old man from a rural village, but I know to be grateful. If there is anything I might do for you, please allow me to be of service," Old Wang stated.
"Old Wang used to be an imperial physician during the times of the Taiwu Empire, and he's an Acquisition-realm cultivator as well. When the Taiwu Empire fell, he returned to his hometown. Everyone here is part of his clan, and I have to thank you for saving them, Benefactor. Otherwise, I would be too ashamed to face my old friend." Zheng Qian kowtowed again.
"Do you have plans for the future?" Xiao Nanfeng asked them both.
"Once I make plans for the rest of my clan, I'll change my name and go into hiding, I suppose," Zheng Qian replied, smiling wryly.
"Sir Zheng, you won't be able to escape. Marquis Wu will not take this affair lying down, I assure you, and will surely give chase. Where might you hide? I may have to make plans to move my clan elsewhere, too..." Old Wang's face was a mask of pain.
"Zheng Qian, I have a proposal. Would you be willing to consider it?" Xiao Nanfeng requested.
"Please, Benefactor!"
"I'd like to hire your services."
"Ah?" Zheng Qian stilled, clearly not having expected such a request.
"We will sign a contract for ten years of service, with no obligation beyond that. Further, I promise you will never be forced into anything unethical. For these ten years, I will guarantee the safety of your clan and that of Dawangzhuang," Xiao Nanfeng offered.
"Ten years? Benefactor, it is an honor, but considering how many members are in our clans..." Zheng Qian trailed off.
"I am a disciple of the Taiqing sect. I've inquired with my master, and there are plenty of deserted islands around Taiqing Island, which are used for various businesses off-island. I can rent out one such island as a temporary residence for all of you, and even Marquis Wu will have to think twice about encroaching upon Taiqing territory. You may relax." Xiao Nanfeng dispelled Zheng Qian's worries immediately.
"Benefactor, in that case, I would be happy to serve you for a decade." Zheng Qian's eyes brightened. He bowed in gratitude.
"Old Wang, since you used to be an imperial physician, please help treat Zheng Qian. If you need any herbs or medical supplies, you may purchase them in my name from any Taiqing apothecary. As more people arrive on the island in the future, I would like to task you with providing your services for them all," Xiao Nanfeng requested.
"Of course, Benefactor. I'll do my best!" Old Wang replied seriously.
"Zheng Qian, I'll give you these six thousand taels of gold, along with the warhorses and weapons of Marquis Wu's crow troops. Use them to furnish the island. I'll have some nominal disciples guard you and bring you there soon enough."
"Understood!" Zheng Qian accepted the gold, and the two of them began preparing the rest of their clans for the travel ahead of them.
Ye Dafu, by his side, widened his eyes in shock. "Has this poor bastard lost his mind? That much money, all at once?"
The other disciples didn't understand Xiao Nanfeng's intentions, either. Even Yu'er grumbled, "Nanfeng, you've handed them all your money?"
"I have other plans in mind," Xiao Nanfeng replied, in way of explanation.
"What do you mean, other plans? You spent all that gold all at once! Why didn't you leave a bit for yourself? You're infuriating!" Yu'er grumbled.
Xiao Nanfeng smiled, but didn't explain further. He needed manpower, and he knew how hard talented people were to obtain. Money could always be made easily, but talents might be lost to the world.
The next morning, Xiao Nanfeng and Zheng Qian had a private conversation.
"Zheng Qian, conditions on the island will surely be difficult at first. I approve your use of these ten thousand taels of gold to improve your lifestyle and to help ensure sustainable development. I don't care much for gold; take this as a test to demonstrate your skill," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.
"I won't disappoint you, Benefactor," Zheng Qian replied confidently.
"Then I look forward to your progress. Alright, I've arranged for a group of nominal disciples to guide you. Prepare to be on your way." Xiao Nanfeng patted Zheng Qian's shoulder lightly.
Zheng Qian seemed to want to say more, but he hesitated as he grimaced. Eventually, he asked, "Benefactor, are you headed to the city of Taiwu?"
Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "What's the matter?"
"The taxes that Marquis Wu levied on the common people were all used to improve the strength of the crow troops. He never cared about the common people's suffering, and I grew so disappointed in him that I stole all the gold from his treasury before giving up my position and returning to my hometown," Zheng Qian began.
"All of it? Really?" Xiao Nanfeng was astonished.
"That's right. I wasn't able to bring it with me, but I made use of my authority to hide it while the marquis' manor was being expanded, so as to make them think that I've stolen it all. Actually, it's right under their noses, but no one knows of it."
Xiao Nanfeng's eyes brightened. "It's all there to be claimed, then?"
"Yes, precisely, and in a heavily guarded location to boot. Please allow me to divulge its whereabouts to you, Benefactor, that it might protect you in a time of need," Zheng Qian offered.
"Protect me?" Xiao Nanfeng seemed perplexed.
"I don't know why Marquis Wu would invite you to raid Mt. Crow, but I know that he deeply loathes the Taiqing sect. How could he want to employ you, of all people?" Zheng Qian continued.
"Oh?"
"Marquis Wu is focused only on enhancing the strength of the troops under his command, in an attempt to revive the Taiwu Empire. He hates Emperor Tianshu, and naturally also loathes the Taiqing Immortal Sect, to which Emperor Tianshu used to belong. Be ready for what may await you in Taiwu," Zheng Qian advised.
Xiao Nanfeng was silent for long moments.
Zheng Qian continued in a hushed tone, "The gold is located in..."
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