Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 124

They are prepared to wait for days if needed. And sure enough, no one opens the gate even when night falls.

The next day, they return early. Again, they are turned away.

Eventually, their patience wears thin. They stop requesting to see Ye Zhou and instead go to visit Chen Hou.

They have dealt with Chen Hou before and know he is a pragmatic man. They also understand that Zhao and Lu are now powerful, while Chen State holds little standing in comparison. So even in front of Chen’s officials, they boldly question, “Since arriving in Chen, we’ve asked to see the immortal for days, yet he never meets us—is this the immortal’s wish, or is it yours, Lord Chen?”

No one in court speaks.

Chen Hou simply smiles and replies, “Why say such things, Envoy Lu? Since he is an immortal, he certainly doesn’t follow my commands. If he did take orders from me, then he wouldn’t be an immortal—just a mortal.”

Jiang Hui smiles in return. “Then let’s make it clear. Chen State has had a good harvest this year, and the people are well-fed. But in Lu State, the land is barren, and the people are suffering. If Chen State cannot help, then the people of Lu will continue to endure hardship.”

Finally, one Chen official cannot take it anymore and shouts, “If you want to buy grain, then fine. But Lu isn’t short on money—why resort to robbery?”

Jiang Hui looks at the official in confusion and sighs. “Lu State has fought to protect Chen for years. Many of our best men have died in that struggle. We are brother countries, and brothers should help each other. If one is struck, the other cannot just stand by.”

The official cannot refute him, but there is little they can do.

Though most of Chen’s officials come from aristocratic families, the younger ones still hold ideals about strengthening the country. They understand Jiang Hui’s point but feel powerless to act.

Some clench their fists in silence. They feel insulted, but have no choice but to swallow their anger.

“Oh, about the grain.” Chen Hou looks as if he has just remembered something. He sighs and says, “The envoy of Lu is also aware that my Chen State has given a lot of grain to Zhao and Lu over the years. The people of Chen also need to eat. Without food, they won’t have the energy to work or farm, and there will be no grain.”

Jiang Hui interrupts, “Lord Chen, don’t make excuses. I came to Chen this time just to negotiate the grain issue. Lord Chen, please consider it carefully. Otherwise, should the Zhao army arrive at the gates of Linzi one day, Lu will not come to Chen’s aid as it once did. We’ll merely stand by and watch.”

Chen Hou replies, “Hey, Lu Envoy, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. The people of Chen have not been living well in recent years. How about you go back to the inn and rest first? We’ll discuss a plan to see how much food we can give to Lu. Then, Lu Envoy can go back to report. How about that?”

Jiang Hui looks at Chen Hou, suspecting that he lacks the courage to go against Lu. He merely says, “Then please consider it carefully, or else…”

He doesn’t finish the sentence, nor does he say farewell. He turns and sweeps his sleeves as he leaves.

After Jiang Hui leaves, a long silence fills the room before someone finally speaks: “Your Majesty… do you know the immortal’s opinion?”

Compared to other countries, everyone in Chen now believes Ye Zhou is an immortal—especially the officials who have attended court with him.

As for why the immortal wants to become prime minister?

Immortals can do whatever they want, and mortals are always curious about new things. So why can’t immortals be the same?

Besides, Ye Zhou never attends court during his time as prime minister. It seems he is only curious about the position and has no real desire to stay in office.

The Marquis of Chen only says, “Today’s new grain must be kept in Chen State, no matter what. If we send it out, most of our common people will starve to death next year!”

The older ministers advise, “Your Majesty, you cannot do this, you cannot do this!”

“Your Majesty, please think it through!”

“Your Majesty, Zhao and Lu are only asking for grain. Our land in Chen is fertile. If they want it… then… we should just give it!”

The young ministers immediately speak up, “Give it this year, give it next year, give it every year. When will it end?”

“That’s right! No matter how much grain we send, they will never respect us. They will only think of us as cowards!”

“Many of our common people have already died of hunger this year. Our land is fertile. As long as Zhao and Lu don’t come asking for food, even the people of Chen will live better than those in other countries! If we don’t stand up for once, they will think we’re easy to bully!”

“Bullying our Chen like this is a disgrace!”

The older ministers shout, “Zhao and Lu are both wolves and tigers. The wolf is insidious and cunning, and the tiger cannot tolerate two. We cannot afford to offend either of them! Your Majesty, for the sake of Chen’s future prosperity, please endure this momentary anger!”

Both the older and younger ministers petition together: “Your Majesty, Zhao and Lu are bullying our Chen State, and we cannot compromise easily. Otherwise, they will become more aggressive. We are willing to die for you and for Chen!”

Chen Hou looks at the young ministers, full of vigor, and then at the older ministers, who seem to have lost all hope. He waves his hand. “I have my own plans. You can all leave now.”

With that, he walks down the steps, leaving the room.

Chen Hou walks through the corridor and sees a familiar figure sitting at a stone table. He breathes a sigh of relief and strides toward the man.

“Have you thought it through?” Ye Zhou asks while sipping his tea.

On the table are some pastries—recipes that Ye Zhou has instructed Cao’er Niang to teach the locals.

Now there are many more vendors in Linzi City, and the people have learned to make tofu. Beans are cheap and easy to obtain. If simply cooked and eaten, they don’t fill you up, but only make you gassy. However, when made into tofu, they become an excellent dish.

The tender tofu can be eaten with a little sauce. It can also be pressed and made into old tofu or dried bean curd, which can be stored for a long time. Some people even learn to make fermented bean curd on their own, just to preserve it longer.

After learning to make maltose, many people in Linzi go from street to street selling it. However, maltose requires grain and is expensive, so it doesn’t sell much. A few families might pool money together to buy some for the children.

Chen Hou smiles at the snacks made of glutinous rice flour. “I’ve thought it through. My Chen State will change, starting this autumn.”

Ye Zhou doesn’t respond immediately. He has told Chen Hou that he will be leaving soon.

“And where will the Immortal be going?” Chen Hou asks cautiously.

Ye Zhou understands what Chen Hou is thinking, but he isn’t upset. He simply says, “Not here.”

Chen Hou breathes a sigh of relief. “In that case, please inform me before you depart. I ask that you inform me—so I may at least escort you a short distance.”

He is terrified that Ye Zhou might go to another State.

Ye Zhou replies, “There’s no need for that. As for what I’ve left behind, Lord Chen needn’t follow it all to the letter. Use what is useful. If it’s not, put it aside and take your time.”

In addition to the imperial examination, Ye Zhou has left behind plenty of resources for Chen Hou. It will take more than ten years, or even decades, for Chen to grow stronger and reach the level of Zhao and Lu.

Chen Hou adds, “There’s one more thing I must tell you, Immortal. Our craftsmen have already completed the design draft, calculated the dimensions, and are ready to erect a statue in your honor.”

Ye Zhou is taken aback. Why are they so obsessed with building a statue?

In his previous dimension, people also wanted to build a statue for him.

But considering the carving skills of this dimension, Ye Zhou doesn’t stop them.

Seeing that Ye Zhou doesn’t refuse, Chen Hou asks, “Does the immortal have a Dharma name?”

Ye Zhou shakes his head slightly. “Lord Chen, decide as you see fit.”

He doesn’t know how awkward it would be to give himself a name.

The two don’t talk much longer. Chen Hou personally escorts Ye Zhou out of the palace and even all the way to the supermarket.

News that the immortal has left the palace quickly spreads, and the streets fill with people, including scholars who surround Ye Zhou.

Jiang Hui and Zhao Xian are caught in the crowd. They can only see a carriage leaving in the distance.

As the crowd disperses, the two smile bitterly and say, “We thought we might be able to intercept the carriage.”

In the end, they can’t even squeeze through.

Zhao Xian asks, “From the look of things, Brother Jiang must have reached an agreement with Lord Chen?”

Jiang Hui gives a faint smile. “It’s not a matter of reaching an agreement. What does Chen have to bargain with? No soldiers, no weapons—if they truly offend Lu, then forget the grain, we’ll just take their land instead!”

Zhao Xian suddenly sneers. “Brother Jiang, be careful with your words. I’m a Zhao envoy.”

Jiang Hui replies, “Chen stands between Zhao and Lu. Why don’t Zhao and Lu form an alliance and divide Chen?”

Zhao Xian smiles. “That’s a good idea. I’ll go back and ask the king.”

The two part ways, both with cold expressions.

Divide Chen?

To them, Chen is already within their grasp. To divide it with the other would mean gaining nothing.

Only if one side has it, and the other doesn’t—that would be victory.