NOVGO.NET Chapter 1398: Side Story: Fan Zijin (14)
Chapter 1398: Side Story: Fan Zijin (14)
Editor: Atlas Studios
There were also several gangs among the refugees. Usually, those from the same hometown would gather together to help each other out.
As for the two thieves, they came from Xingyuan Prefecture. Three years ago, they had followed their families to the south to avoid the war. However, in the process of escaping, their parents, siblings, had starved to death and died of illness. Only they had made it here alive.
They had come here on foot three years ago. Because they had been on the road for three years, they appeared to be around 20 when they were actually only 16 years old this year. The exhaustion from the journey made them look prematurely older.
Their parents had starved to death on the road and they only managed to survive with the help of their fellow villagers, so when they grew up, they took care of people younger than them or those who were already old and weak.
According to the two of them, there were originally more than 300 people who had escaped from Xingyuan Prefecture, but many had left with their families. There were also many who could not bear the burden and left. Now, they were the only ones left. If they left too, those children and elders would most likely not be able to survive.
It was not that no one had been beaten to death or injured for stealing, but compared to hunger, the fear of being beaten to death seemed to be insignificant.
But no matter what, they did not want to die. They looked at the two youths pitifully, hoping that they would be merciful and let them go.
However, Qi Haoran ignored them. As Fan Zijin was running a low fever, Qi Haoran knocked the two of them unconscious, then stuffed them under the bed and opened the door to get the waiter to call the doctor. Only then did he bring over hot porridge to feed Fan Zijin.
Fan Zijin waved his hand away and took the bowl himself. He said, “Don’t be so kind. Even if what they said is true, it has nothing to do with us. At most, we’ll let them go and not pursue this matter.”
Qi Haoran scratched his head and nodded solemnly.
Fan Zijin had always been cautious. Now that he was sick and stuck here, he was naturally unwilling to let news of their presence here leak. Hence, the two thieves had been locked in the room. From time to time, Qi Haoran would untie them to let their blood circulate. Because there was something to eat and the two of them could tell that the two young masters had no intention of killing them, they were very obedient and did not cry or make a fuss. Sometimes, they would even take the initiative to serve the sick Fan Zijin.
It couldn’t be helped. Fan Zijin and Qi Haoran were used to being served by servants. Now that he was sick, not only did he have to brew medicine, but he also had to drink water from time to time, as well as lower his temperature. Qi Haoran was very flustered.
The two thieves had experience taking care of children. After trembling in fear and serving them twice, Qi Haoran simply untied them so that it would be more convenient for them to take care of Fan Zijin.
Fan Zijin raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw that they didn’t run away, and his impression of them improved a little. After thinking for a while, he took out two large silver ingots from his pouch and tossed them to them. He said, “Cousin and I didn’t bring any servants with us when we went out. Now that I’m sick, if you serve me well, these two silver ingots will be rewarded to you. If you still have any other crooked thoughts.” He smiled faintly and said, “You’ve seen my cousin’s ability. Surely, you won’t wish to experience it again, right?”
The two of them shivered and shook their heads.
Satisfied, Fan Zijin pointed at the medicine bag on the table and said, “Go brew the medicine.”
He really didn’t want to see the room filled with smoke again. Even if he didn’t die of illness, he would die from the smoke from Qi Haoran brewing the medicine.
One of the thieves hesitantly went to get the medicine jar. Seeing that the two young masters weren’t objecting, he immediately took the herb packet and left. The other consciously stayed behind to take care of Fan Zijin.
Fan Zijin said to Qi Haoran in private, “It’s fine if they’ve changed for the better. But if they still have evil intentions, you mustn’t be soft-hearted.”
Qi Haoran nodded solemnly, and Fan Zijin went to sleep and recuperate. He had been in a daze the entire day, and because his heart had been constantly hung up on this matter, he could not rest well at all.
The two thieves seemed to have calmed down and followed behind the two of them to serve them. When they slept at night, they obediently curled up in their chairs and did not dare to move.
Fan Zijin’s illness made them stay in the town for three days. The two thieves did not go back to inform their gang, and no one came to look for them either. Fan Zijin could not help but ask curiously, “Won’t your friends worry about you if you don’t go back?”
The two thieves said calmly, “They might think that we’ve left. We usually won’t look for the people who left. If something happens, they’ll definitely hear the news since it’s not a big town.”
Fan Zijin nodded in understanding. Since the two of them barely appeared outside, their accomplices probably thought that they could not withstand the pressure and left.
At this moment, he felt some sympathy for them and suggested, “You can’t keep doing this. You can’t even support yourself by doing odd jobs, let alone raising so many children and elders. It’s fine if you steal for a while, but eventually something will inevitably happen. Didn’t you say that someone in your gang was caught and beaten to death for stealing?”
The two thieves lowered their heads in silence. This was already the best way they could think of to protect most people.
“If you want to survive, there are only two ways. One is to buy a farm here and have a long-term livelihood. The other is to continue migrating, either going west or continuing south. There are fewer wars there than in the north. Moreover, since the land is vast and the people are sparse, perhaps you can find a way to survive.”
The eyes of the two youths reddened as they said in a low voice, “Young Master, neither is feasible for us. The former costs a lot of money, and as for the latter, we don’t have any grains. If we migrate rashly, there will only be more casualties.”
Their previous experiences were an example—almost two-thirds of them died on the way from Xingyuan Prefecture to Jiangnan.
Fan Zijin frowned. Qi Haoran tugged at his sleeve and pointed at his chest.
Fan Zijin frowned even more and said disapprovingly, “You can’t even support yourself and you’re thinking of giving away more of your money?”
Qi Haoran, on the other hand, was very open-minded. He shook his head and said, “We can always make more money. Just because I don’t have the ability to earn money now, it doesn’t mean that I won’t be able to become rich in the future.”
Fan Zijin scoffed and said, “When you manage to save up 100 taels of silver, I’ll believe what you said today.”
Qi Haoran immediately patted his chest and hinted, “There’s more than 100 taels right here.”
“You didn’t earn it. If Uncle knew that you stole so much money, he would definitely break your legs.”
“Since it landed in my hands, of course I earned it.” Qi Haoran lowered his voice and said, “These are all unexpected gains. Considering we’ve been delayed here for so many days, what do you think our chances of being captured and forcefully brought home are?”
Fan Zijin’s heart jumped.
Qi Haoran continued, “If we’re really unfortunate enough to be arrested, do you think we can still keep this money?”
Fan Zijin felt a little guilty because they had been held up due to his illness. Considering they had stayed here for three days, bought clothes, shoes, socks, and medicine, and saw a doctor, there were too many traces left behind. They might be discovered at any time.
“Big Brother and I definitely won’t get a share of the money in my father’s hands. Since it’ll all be left for Qi Shaosheng and Qi Shaotai, it would be a waste not to spend it. I might as well use this money to do something good before they find us. In any case, we’d be accumulating good karma.”
Fan Zijin’s heart ached when he thought of that thick stack of banknotes. “Still, you can’t distribute your money like this.”
After all, they could also use the money on themselves.
However, Qi Haoran never paid attention to personal enjoyment. He tried his best to persuade Fan Zijin. “It’s better than being confiscated by my father. If he takes the money away, it will all land in Madam Wu’s hands.”