OFTLHFRO C141

Chapter 141: Do You Wish to Live?

The couple went out early every day and returned late, often taking their three children along.

Though it was a bit cold outside, Luo Mingchen thought that having the children idle at home was no better than taking them out to observe how the farming was done. Ideally, they should learn a bit, so as to avoid being like him—clueless and relying solely on confidence to farm, which was utterly disgraceful to their ancestors.

Though Luo Mingchen thought this way, he ultimately couldn’t bear to let the children work too hard.

In the end, it was Huo Xiang who suggested wanting to work.

Huo Yuhui was a step slower to make the request.

Luo Mingchen found it puzzling. At home, Huo Xiang was not particularly lazy, but neither was she especially diligent. It was strange that she would take the initiative to ask to work earlier than Huo Yuhui.

Before Luo Mingchen could ask, Huo Xiang cheerfully said, “Daddy, ten wen a day!”

Luo Mingchen was speechless.

As expected…

Hearing there was money involved, Huo Xinyue waddled toward Luo Mingchen with her short legs, exclaiming, “Daddy! I want to earn some money too!”

Luo Mingchen crouched down to her level and advised gently, “Xinyue, you’re still small, and if your hands get dirty, you’ll have to wash them. Be good and help your brothers count the seedlings here. See how many they actually planted. When it gets warmer and you grow up, you can come earn money, alright?”

Huo Xinyue sighed, “Alright then.”

Luo Mingchen smiled as he gently touched her cheek. “Good girl.”

While leading the children to farm, a local soldier hurried over to Luo Mingchen, who asked curiously, “What’s the matter?”

Upon seeing Luo Mingchen there, the soldier visibly relaxed and said, “Lord Luo, people from Bingcheng have come, saying that an epidemic has broken out in the military camp and they’re here seeking medicine. The General and General Hu have gone out on business. We don’t know what to do.”

Luo Mingchen had heard from Huo Yan about this—some merchant caravans were illegally trading salt, silk, and tea despite imperial orders.

When seeking medicine, they heard that a bandit group was wreaking havoc near Yancheng, so the two generals took troops to deal with that.

Normally, someone should be left behind in Hancheng, but Huo Yan suspected something fishy about the smuggling, so she requested General Hu to accompany her, leaving Luo Mingchen and the two strategists in charge of Hancheng.

Since strategists couldn’t make decisions, the local soldier came straight to Luo Mingchen.

“The medicine is ready, but General Wu wants us to sign a document in exchange for it.”

They had long anticipated Wu Qing’s demand for medicine, and of course, they had a copy of that document ready.

Luo Mingchen knew the messenger couldn’t decide on this matter, so he ordered the medicine, face masks, and special protective clothing to be fully prepared for the journey to Bingcheng.

“Daddy!”

Huo Xinyue clung to Luo Mingchen’s leg in reluctant protest, “I want to come too!”

Luo Mingchen picked her up, “People over there are sick, and Daddy has to deliver medicine and handle some business. Their disease is contagious.”

With a small frown, Huo Xinyue said, “Then Daddy won’t be in danger?”

“The adults aren’t as vulnerable as the children.”

Luo Mingchen comforted her, then reassured Huo Yuhui and Huo Xiang before leading the group out toward Bingcheng.

The soldier who came with the urgent news was frantic, pacing like an ant on a hot pan. Seeing Luo Mingchen finally ready to leave, he couldn’t help but ask, “This is a matter of life and death, why leave so late?”

Luo Mingchen sneered, “Wasn’t your General indifferent? Saying an epidemic was a trivial matter? Now you realize it’s about life and death? If you say another word, I won’t go. After all, it’s not my family who’s dying.”

Another soldier frowned, shooting a glance at his companion, then forced a smile, “Sir, we’re anxious too and spoke thoughtlessly. If you would kindly help, we accept any punishment. Please, hurry. There are dozens in our camp with high fevers that won’t subside. They’re half dead, talking nonsense, and even the army doctors are helpless.”

Hearing how serious it was, Luo Mingchen no longer dwelled on the earlier complaints, saying simply, “Lead the way.”

“Yes, sir!”

They hurried to Bingcheng, where the streets were nearly deserted and the citizens mostly stayed indoors.

Upon reaching the military camp, even before entering, Luo Mingchen heard coughing inside.

If these were people from Beiyue, Bingcheng would have immediately fallen.

Few were standing, all filled with anxiety.

Li Yunde, who had accompanied Luo Mingchen, was speechless at the sight.

They had heard in Hancheng that Wu Qing was as foolish as a pig, but they hadn’t expected him to be so careless even in the face of an epidemic.

Previously, it was less serious because those who died were outside the city, but this year was different. Those who went out returned, and the patrolling soldiers inevitably contacted townspeople, spreading the disease.

Luo Mingchen and his group went straight to find Wu Qing.

They saw Wu Qing lying in bed, eyes bloodshot. Hearing the door open, he weakly looked over.

Seeing Wu Qing’s miserable state, Luo Mingchen raised an eyebrow.

He thought that if Wu Qing hadn’t been infected, he would have had to reason much harder with him, but now, with Wu Qing desperate to survive, whatever Luo Mingchen said would be accepted.

He sent Li Yunde and others to wait by the door, then approached Wu Qing’s bedside, holding medicine in one hand and a document in the other, smiling gently, “Do you want to live?”

Wu Qing, his mind blurred, murmured, “… Yes.”

“Sign this.”

Squinting, he barely read the words “debt owed.” He shook his head, “You’re taking advantage of the situation! Cough, cough, cough!”

Luo Mingchen withdrew the medicine, “Then go die. We won’t pay for everything.”

A nearby deputy general quickly said, “General! He means we should cover the cost of the medicine, that’s doable!”

Wu Qing frowned, “We don’t have that kind of money.”

“It says here that if you have no money, the fields of Bingcheng will be mortgaged, rented out for two years.”

Hearing this, Wu Qing’s slow mind processed it and said, “Alright! I agree.”

Luo Mingchen said, “Then please have the General stamp it and put a seal.”

Though Wu Qing wanted to protest, his weak body wouldn’t allow it. He could only be helped to sign and stamp.

After finishing the formalities, Luo Mingchen gave them the medicine and told Li Yunde, “Distribute the medicine.”

“Yes!”

The medicine made by Hua Yaoyue worked quickly.

Not long after taking it, Wu Qing regained some strength and carefully examined the document Luo Mingchen had left on his bed, realizing that they not only had to pay for this medicine but also for previous medicines used by Bingcheng’s people.

He bitterly regretted not recording the prescription when he received it before, now suffering this fate.

The thought stung like a needle in his heart.

Luo Mingchen commanded the soldiers in Bingcheng to burn what needed burning, apply medicine where needed, clean and isolate, and boil bowls and chopsticks.

After finishing all this, Luo Mingchen led his group back to Hancheng.

Before leaving, he reminded Wu Qing, “We hope General Wu will honor the agreement.”

“… Oh.”

To be honest, Wu Qing wanted to break the deal, but having witnessed Luo Mingchen’s strange and unbeatable fighting skills, he had no choice but to concede.

Fortunately, what Luo Mingchen demanded was mostly land rent for two years, not money.

Empty fields are better used than left idle.