Chapter 58

Originally, it was just a normal barter, but since these people were so flattering, Lin Bei felt a bit embarrassed and decided to treat them to a good meal.

These people had set out from Xishan Township early in the morning and arrived here by noon. They might have brought some dry rations, but if someone was treating them, they wouldn't pass up a free meal. So when Bian Fuzi announced Lin Bei's intention, these people almost all cheered, because Lin Bei was going to treat them to meat.

People at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty were very poor. Although Xishan Township was close to Fushan, it wasn't easy to have a meal of meat. The people who came here were not well-off, and perhaps getting a piece of meat during the New Year was already quite good. Anyway, when Bian Fuzi announced it, Lin Bei clearly saw that many people's mouths were watering, probably out of hunger.

Cui's Alán and the others seemed quite normal, as they had already been treated to several meals by the adults, all of which were meat. So they didn't find it strange at all and quickly started the fire, then asked these people to go collect dry firewood.

Lin Bei went out for a walk and returned after about two hours, bringing back a water deer.

There were still quite a few deer in the forest. Originally, wild boars were the most common, but since Bian Fuzi said that pork was a low-quality food, they decided to use deer meat. According to what Lin Bei knew, deer were highly valued wild animals in ancient times.

Sure enough, when they saw it was a water deer, everyone's eyes lit up like 100-watt light bulbs, and even Bian Fuzi looked at it several times.

This water deer weighed at least 200 pounds. When Lin Bei killed it, he was very careful not to damage the deer's hide, only breaking its head. After removing the internal organs, there would still be about 150 pounds of meat left, definitely enough to feed these people until they were full.

The slaughtering was definitely not something Lin Bei would do; the hunters took it over on their own, and Lin Bei just needed to watch.

Bian Fuzi stood next to Lin Bei and sighed, "Sir, you are too good to these people."

"It's just a meal," Lin Bei said. "Fuzi, tell them to add salt and roast it, just like last time."

Bian Fuzi could only nod. Now he felt more and more that this sir was truly generous, as he could casually give away things they considered precious.

Cui's Alán used a pottery bowl to collect several bowls of deer blood, then walked over with a full bowl and offered it to Lin Bei, "Sir."

"Ah, what do you want to give me this for?" Lin Bei asked in surprise.

"Deer blood is a great tonic, only the most honored guests can drink it," Bian Fuzi explained. "This is the hunters' heartfelt gesture. Sir, don't you eat blood food?"

Lin Bei shook his head, "If you like to drink it, go ahead. I'm allergic to blood food; I only eat cooked food."

"Fuzi, what do you think?" Cui's Alán was a bit embarrassed.

"Since the sir doesn't drink it, you can drink it. It's a good deal for you."

Seeing that Lin Bei really wasn't going to drink it, Cui's Alán happily took it back and told the hunters, who started drinking it with satisfaction, looking as if they were enjoying a grand feast. Lin Bei felt a bit nauseated.

"Sir, you are indeed different from the demons I know," Bian Fuzi said softly.

"It's just a case of hearsay. The demons you know are all passed down by word of mouth among humans, but no one has actually seen them. After being passed around, they became fierce and evil. Now I am living proof, so if Fuzi writes a book in the future, you must tell these things to avoid misunderstanding. You must believe that many demons are good. Seeing is believing, and hearing is just a rumor," Lin Bei tried to change Bian Fuzi's mind.

"Seeing is believing, and hearing is just a rumor," Bian Fuzi repeated, his face full of admiration. "Sir's words are truly profound. Even if Zhang Yi and Su Qin were reborn, they could not surpass this."

Lin Bei was embarrassed. It was clearly a compliment, but it sounded like an insult.

Several bonfires were already burning, the flames roaring. The water deer was divided into several pieces. The hunters had eaten once before, so they taught these people how to roast the meat, their faces flushed from the heat but all beaming with joy. Lin Bei felt very satisfied; now this place was bustling with activity, which was great.

Cui's Alán walked over, calling out "Sir" in a somewhat bashful manner.

"What is it?" Lin Bei asked.

"Sir, the hunters asked me to ask if we can also catch locusts."

Lin Bei smiled, "You were thinking the same thing, right?"

"Indeed, I cannot hide anything from Sir," Cui's Alán was a bit startled.

"Of course, you can. But Cui Lan, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please speak, Sir."

"Will you work for me?"

"What does 'work' mean?" Cui's Alán naturally didn't understand this term.

"It's like this. My place is far from Xishan Township. If these people catch locusts and want to trade immediately, it would be very inconvenient. So, you can be my representative. You can keep the locusts they catch at your place, and when there are enough, you can transport them here. This is called working for me. I will pay you... monthly wages, no, that's too long. I'll pay you each time, which is called a reward. What do you think?"

Cui's Alán opened her mouth wide. Bian Fuzi explained Lin Bei's intention, and she finally understood, but said, "Sir, I can't read or write, and I don't know how to do math."

"Uh..." Lin Bei looked at Bian Fuzi.

"Why are you looking at me? Does Sir want me to... work for you?"

"I was asking if you haven't taught her."

Bian Ji was sweating profusely, "Cui is a woman."

"So what? Education should be for all. Don't you understand?"

"Sir, women should stay at home and take care of their husbands and children. Reading and writing are probably..." Bian Ji was a bit embarrassed.

Lin Bei ignored him and asked Cui Lan, "Do you want to learn to read?"

Cui's Alán didn't even think about it, "Sir, I do."

PS: Thank you again to the generous readers Qiqing Liuyu, Shiguang in, and a1821. Thanks a lot. Also, please consider adding this to your collection and recommending it. Don't be annoyed, okay?

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