Chapter 51: The Strategy of Advancing Through Retreat

Wang Keyue knew that persuading this capable clan chief to put aside his doubts was not an easy matter, nor something that could be accomplished with a few words. If she wanted to successfully recruit this talented subordinate, she needed to come up with other methods and present something convincing enough for him to believe.

“Ha, to be honest with you, Chief Wen, I’ve already secured the right to reside in Wang Family Village. This time, I brought my apprentice out on the orders of my employer to check on the situation in the county and to purchase some supplies,” Wang Keyue spoke while carefully observing the clan chief’s expression.

“If you’re willing to lead your people to live in Wang Family Village, you may let me know at any time. But you’ll need to decide quickly, for in five or six days, I’ll be heading home!” Wang Keyue’s tone was gentle, even tinged with a trace of cheerfulness.

Yet this sense of cheer did not spark any similar feeling in the clan chief. His brows furrowed even deeper.

The art of retreating to advance, Wang Keyue had mastered perfectly. She did not continue to plead. Sometimes, a melon forced off the vine is not sweet. In the end, they had to figure things out for themselves and choose their own path.

“Doctor Wang, is it so soon? You’ll leave in just five or six days?” Chief Wen had hoped to hear more about that village, or perhaps pick up some urgency in this old doctor’s words that might allow him to persuade her to stay. But, who would have thought she would stop talking altogether.

At that moment, the clan chief felt conflicted, and unexpectedly moved. The words Doctor Wang had spoken earlier lingered in his mind: there is land to till, clothes to wear, food to eat…

Wang Keyue did not speak further. The two of them repeated their actions mechanically, and soon, a rich medicinal aroma emanated from the large pot.

The bitter scent of herbs snapped the clan chief out of his reverie. He lifted his head and said to Wang Keyue, “Doctor Wang, please allow me a day to consider. Early tomorrow, I’ll discuss the matter with my clan. No matter the outcome, the Wen clan will always be grateful to you for pointing us toward another path to survival.”

After speaking, Chief Wen hunched his back, stood up, and gave Wang Keyue a deep bow.

Wang Keyue immediately supported him with both hands. “Go back and consult with your people. Wang Family Village truly is a good place.”

She had no doubt about the clan chief’s gratitude, for the system was cheerfully announcing in her mind that she had gained the heart of gratitude.

The large pot of herbs was finished boiling, and Chief Wen directed a strong man to pour the remaining water from the large vat into the pot for a second batch. Wang Keyue raised her eyebrows—they were preparing to brew another pot.

“Chief Wen, are there many of your people who are ill? These herbs are for wind-cold fevers, skin irritation upon heat, red blisters all over the body, with severe cases presenting cough and diarrhea. If there are other symptoms, the medicine should not be taken indiscriminately.”

This explanation from Wang Keyue was crafted based on the information provided by 9538.

“Ah, Doctor Wang, rest assured. We had a doctor here before, who treated some of the villagers. Our group all suffer from the same type of illness,” Chief Wen explained.

From their conversation, Wang Keyue learned that the Wen clan numbered about two hundred people, forced by famine to come to Kangle County in search of a way to survive, only to be turned away.

What pained Chief Wen most was that some children and elders had fallen ill, and dozens had died one after another. Their old village doctor caught the illness while treating them and passed away within two days.

Now, everyone truly had nowhere to turn. Just yesterday, Chief Wen had gathered a group—including Little Tiger’s parents—to send them out to search for herbs along the road.

But a day and night had passed, and the group had yet to return.

As they boiled the medicine and chatted, the second pot was soon ready.

By now, it was very late, probably past midnight. Wang Keyue could no longer resist her body’s fatigue; she was drowsy and exhausted, her eyelids drooping.

She called Da Li, who was boiling herbs in a small pot nearby, and handed him the last bit of medicinal herbs she had brought.

Wang Da Li was now able to brew the medicine on his own, so Wang Keyue felt confident entrusting the task to him.

Watching the busy crowd, Wang Keyue seized a moment when no one was paying attention and quietly stepped away.

Under the cover of night, she walked to a small grove a dozen meters away. It was called a grove, but upon closer inspection, the trees were long dead; the whole area was lifeless, the wind cold and bleak.

From her space, Wang Keyue took out more medicinal herbs, bundling them into a small pile that resembled a stack of firewood.

She filled several empty leather bags with water, making sure to add plenty of real Western medicine powder to treat the illness.