Chapter 50: Killing Three Birds with One Arrow

Wang Keyue immediately glanced at the clan chief’s expression and found him looking earnest, with a hint of embarrassment on his face. “Doctor Wang, our Wen Family Village is remote and the people here are not wealthy. I know that, in times like these, these little things are hardly worth any money at all. But… but these are the best things the villagers could gather, Doctor Wang…”

“Ding dong! Detected: one energy-rich mineral. It is recommended that the host collects it.” System 9538’s voice chimed in real time.

Wang Keyue was delighted. Following the system’s guidance, she selected three white-gray stones from the bundle and, pretending to make a difficult choice, picked out a relatively clean cotton blanket as well. “Alright! I’ll take these. These stones contain some useful medicinal components. If you have more, feel free to bring them to me. I can exchange more herbs with you. Of course, you’ll need to provide more people to help with the decoction.”

Her ambiguous reply not only dispelled the villagers’ doubts but also inspired them to work harder. Most importantly, it gave her an opportunity to find the precious energy stones she needed—killing three birds with one stone!

“Alright! Alright! Doctor Wang, don’t worry. Some children found these stones in the wild hills behind our village. When everyone recovers, I’ll organize some men to search for more,” said the clan chief, overjoyed at the unexpected value of the unremarkable stones.

“Ding dong! Received one genuine token of gratitude from Clan Chief Wen.” System 9538’s voice rang out. The corners of Wang Keyue’s mouth lifted in a smile. She felt truly fortunate that, on her journey, most people she had met were kindhearted. Anyone capable of gratitude could not be a bad person.

A group of villagers began to set up a new stove on a nearby patch of ground, securing a large iron pot and beginning to boil herbs under Wang Keyue’s supervision.

Only now did Wang Keyue discover that the clan chief was quite resourceful. The large pickling jar he had brought was not filled with pickles, but with water—an entire vat of it.

After examining it, Wang Keyue found the water to be reasonably clean. Seizing the moment, she poured an entire packet of Western medicinal powder into the water. The powder dissolved instantly, leaving no trace.

“Clan Chief Wen, where did you manage to get so much water?” Wang Keyue asked, making conversation as she quietly slipped a packet of anti-inflammatory medicine into the vat. When she had emptied two full packets and the system indicated that the dosage was sufficient, she finally relaxed.

The people tending the fire and arranging the stove nearby noticed nothing unusual.

The clan chief, straightforward as ever, replied with a touch of relief, “We squeezed this out from every household’s meager supply. Every two days, the local officials give each person a bowl of thin porridge and a bowl of water.”

One bowl of porridge and one bowl of water every two days—Wang Keyue could hardly believe it. How could anyone survive like this for so long?

Given these circumstances, she was even more impressed by the clan chief’s foresight in storing water. His life experience and wisdom were truly remarkable.

A sense of respect rose within her, and she became even more determined to recruit him.

“I’ve heard that the whole of Kangbei Town is suffering from severe shortages of food and water. There are still a few ancient wells in the town, but they barely produce any water at all!” The clan chief sighed.

“Then why don’t you move into the town? Life might be easier there,” Wang Keyue suggested.

“In the past, for a couple hundred coins, we could get in. But just yesterday, the city gates were closed. They said they were afraid of refugees causing unrest and would only let us set up tents outside the gate,” the clan chief explained.

“If the gates never open again, have you thought about what you’ll do in the future?” Wang Keyue asked, handing a bundle of herbs to a man nearby without pausing in her work.

The man accepted the herbs and, under her guidance, carefully placed them into the pot.

“The future… who can say what it holds? We just take one day at a time,” the clan chief replied, his voice low and weary.

“Clan Chief Wen, I have traveled here all the way from the Qin Dynasty. About ten days’ journey from here, I once came upon a village called Wang Family Village. It’s shrouded year-round in heavy white mist. I was fortunate enough to enter, and the people there live in peace—they have fields to farm, clothes to wear, and food to eat. Most importantly, the head of the Wang Family Village is still recruiting people to help with the farming,” Wang Keyue recited in one breath. There was some truth to her words and some embellishment, but the story sounded enticing all the same.

“Doctor Wang, are you… are you telling the truth?” The clan chief looked at her in disbelief.

Who could blame him? To say that just ten days from here—between the Qin Dynasty and Beiping Commandery, in a region so desolate and war-torn—there existed such a tranquil and prosperous village was almost beyond belief. The clan chief was understandably skeptical.