Chapter 298: Reward And Punishment ( 2 )
This was the reason why she didn’t buy guns from the auction for her husband and opted to exchange armor and weapons in the border market instead.
As a system, it lacked the cunning of humans. Seeing how uninterested its Host was, the system finally added, "800,000 merit points. That’s the lowest price I can offer you."
When she heard this, Yao Zhi narrowed her eyes and asked, "System, did you inflate the price first and then give me a discount to make me grateful?"
"Host, this system is an honest system," the system protested unhappily.
"By revealing the world’s secrets, we have to pay the price to appease the Heavenly Dao. The merit points the Host pays are used to patch up the crack on this world so you are not struck by heavenly lightning."
After hearing its explanation, Yao Zhi learned something new.
She had always thought that her system was omnipotent since it was not something under the control of this world’s Heavenly Dao. Unexpectedly, even as an otherworldly being, it still had to follow rules and pay a price for its every action.
Reaching this conclusion, she thought about all the things she had done before and asked, "System, I did a lot of things that changed many people’s fates. Will the Heavenly Dao punish me one day?"
"Host, as long as you don’t hinder the development of this world by introducing technology too advanced for this era, the Heavenly Dao won’t interfere."
After a moment of pause, the system continued, "Also, when you do something that saves the fate of this small world, the Heavenly Dao will reward you. So, you don’t have to worry about being punished. All the things you did before were approved by the Heavenly Dao."
Yao Zhi thought for a moment and asked, "So, you mean that those reward and merit points were from the Heavenly Dao?"
"Well, it’s not entirely right, but also not entirely wrong. Anyway, you can get the list by paying 800,000 merit points. Just think it over. If you want the list, summon me anytime."
With this conversation, Yao Zhi felt relieved. As long as she followed the system’s suggestions, she shouldn’t be struck by heavenly lightning.
She considered the pros and cons and decided to get the list.
She could obtain more treasures, but if she did something wrong and got punished, that would be her end. Her mortal body wouldn’t be able to withstand being struck by lightning.
After she made up her mind, she used the personal assistant to help her auction off the treasures she had obtained from the General’s mansion.
She put the leather, silk, paintings, and jade accessories up for sale first. These things were cheap in this era, so she could just buy more later.
Afterward, she put the items produced in her system’s farmland, system’s animal farm, and system’s orchard up for sale next.
When she was done, she closed the system and waited. It would take several days for her personal assistant to complete the transaction.
Yao Zhi stayed in Zhu’an town for another 6 days and continued to distribute porridge. It was a month after the landslide that the Emperor issued an edict to release grains for disaster relief.
On the 21st day after she started distributing the porridge, the Magistrate finally opened the granary and distributed grains to the refugees.
With the Emperor’s edict, he had more freedom to settle the refugees and distribute the land. Although the land distributed to the refugees was wasteland, it was better than nothing.
When they finished the last pot of porridge, Yao Zhi closed the store and said, "Today will be the last day we distribute the porridge."
"In two days, it will be the sacrificial ceremony day. Everyone has been working hard in the past weeks. So, take a rest and enjoy your holiday."
After she said this, Yao Zhi gave them their monthly salary and bonus. Everyone received 50 taels of silver, with Ling Shijiu earning a total of 100 taels of silver. He earned more because he went to investigate cases for her. Even Xi Si earned the same amount as the rest.
When she was done, she turned to Ling Shi’er and said, "Shi’er, you can stay here and spend time with your brothers."
Hearing this, Ling Shi’er bowed and said, "Master, I want to go back with you."
"Are you sure you want to go back with me?"
Just after Yao Zhi asked this, Ling Shiqi and Ling Shijiu said in unison, "Master, we also want to go with you."
Yao Zhi thought for a moment before she said, "In that case, let’s go back together. We can spend the holiday having a hotpot. It will be more lively."
When they heard this, everyone nodded and agreed immediately. "Thank you, Master."
With so many people going back with her, they had to drive 2 donkey carts. No one asked why she didn’t use her horse carriage and took in the village’s scenery.
Although the sun had set, a villager still saw the group and went to inform the village chief.
Yao Zhi let Xi Yi, Xi Si, and Xi Qi sleep in the same room as her. As for the Ling squad, they had to share the newly built rooms.
Just after she finished washing up, Yao Zhi heard someone calling for her. Hearing the familiar voice, she put on her cloak and went to open the gate.
Seeing the Village Chief and a group of villagers were also present besides Wang Shen, she asked with doubt, "Village Chief, Aunt Wang, it’s already so late. What brought everyone here?"
Wang Shen stretched her neck to check the situation inside, but couldn’t see anything. She hesitated for a moment and said, "Yao Girl, we heard that you brought back a group of men. Is that true?"
When she heard this, Yao Zhi knew that someone must have reported her to the Village Chief. She had no intention of hiding her people and nodded.