Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 98

The snow begins to melt, dead branches are rejuvenated, and new buds emerge, trembling in the breeze.

The scouts ride back after confirming that the road ahead is clear.

The mountain summit is in good condition, and the soldiers who have been resting through the long winter are ready to set out. Despite living in the ice and snow, they have not only maintained their weight but have grown stronger. They eat well and train whenever there is nothing else to do.

Whenever he has time, Zhou Yuanhe checks in to examine them for any lingering ailments.

At the very least, all the parasites in the soldiers’ bodies have been thoroughly purged.

The day they are dewormed, the entire camp is filled with screams of pain and horror. None of the soldiers can believe they have so many worms inside them. What starts as simple diarrhea turns into a full-blown nightmare of vomiting and collapsing once they see the parasites. Everyone in the tent is drained for days.

Since then, they grow increasingly convinced that the people living in the “Immortal Palace” are no ordinary humans.

What kind of “physician” can draw worms out from the human body? Who in the world can do that?

Every time Zhou Yuanhe visits the camp, the soldiers hold him in both respect and fear. In addition to his mysterious aura, he always appears on the verge of death, which makes the soldiers hesitant to even touch him, fearing he might die from the slightest contact.

Looking at the nearly two thousand soldiers ready to depart, Ye Zhou also packs away the supermarket.

With the press of a button, the supermarket shrinks to the size of a keychain in ten minutes. When needed, another press of a button returns it to its original size, provided it is placed on a flat surface.

To prevent accidental touch, an added layer of security requires Ye Zhou’s iris to be scanned before the supermarket can be resized.

Only Ye Zhou, the owner of the supermarket, has the ability to adjust its size.

Two days before their departure, Ye Zhou prepares horses and carriages for everyone in the supermarket.

But the carriages he buys are nothing like the ones Chen Hou and the others have seen before.

Ye Zhou buys carriages modeled after those from the Daliang Dynasty. They are fully enclosed on all four sides, and he quietly adds a shock-absorption system. After all, these carriages are meant for children—comfort matters. He worries the kids might get shaken up too much and fall ill.

The moment Chen Hou sees the carriages, he can’t help but exclaim, “Truly ingenious craftsmanship! They even have doors and windows!”

Ye Zhou later learns that, at this point in history, carriages don’t have enclosed compartments. Rather than carriages, they’re more like open chariots—just a wooden frame with no cover. If conditions allow, cloth can be hung around them for some minimal protection, and that would already be considered a luxury.

Although Chen Hou also wants to try riding in one, he can’t bring himself to squeeze in with the children once he finds out they’re meant for them.

The children are lifted into the carriage by their parents. It’s their first time riding in one, and they are filled with curiosity. The carriage is padded with thick soft cushions, ensuring they won’t get hurt even if they roll around. There are pillows, small toys, and their quilts tucked inside.

There are two carriages in total, more than enough for the children.

As for Ye Zhou and the others, they travel light. With the dimensional box, there’s no need to carry luggage.

Perhaps because he has already come to accept Ye Zhou’s divine status, Chen Hou is surprised when he sees the supermarket shrink but doesn’t seem stunned. Instead, he grows more respectful, though still a bit fearful.

“Let’s go.” Ye Zhou mounts his horse, looking toward the distant mountains, aware that the journey ahead won’t be easy.

The sun bathes Ye Zhou in a thin golden glow as he gently urges his horse forward. The horse neighs softly and leaps ahead.

As Ye Zhou leads the way, the rest of the group mounts their horses. Zou Ming follows closely behind him, with Sarah riding next to him.

Chen Yan helps Chen Hou onto his horse, but his eyes linger on the group from the “Immortal Palace.” He whispers, “Their saddles… they seem different from ours.”

Chen Hou, steady on his mount, nods. “I asked, and the immortal told me it’s called a stirrup. It helps people stay stable on the horse’s back and prevents them from falling off. I heard it’s not difficult to make. When the time comes, I’ll have the craftsmen of Chen State replicate them for our cavalry!”

At present, saddles and stirrups are unheard of. Riding a horse is a difficult skill, and it’s not uncommon for cavalrymen to fall off and die in battle.

Training a cavalryman requires immense resources, and even then, it’s not guaranteed to be useful.

Though Chen State boasts 50,000 soldiers, fewer than 1,000 are cavalrymen. Good horses are rare, and true cavalrymen even rarer.

“The cavalry of Lu State mimicked the Hu people. Duke Lu wore Hu clothes, rode, and shot arrows, and only then are they able to raise thousands of cavalry. The hardship is nothing.” Chen Hou says with a smile, “If we can make saddles and stirrups, we won’t need to envy Lu State anymore!”

Chen Yan smiles as well. Though this is his first time on the battlefield, he grows up in a military camp, and he knows better than most the significance of saddles and stirrups for cavalry.

Riding isn’t the hard part—what’s hard is staying mounted while the horse gallops. What’s harder still is fighting from horseback.

“All countries know the importance of cavalry, but none have figured out how to solve these problems. That’s why on the battlefield, cavalry can’t be used in large numbers. They’re mostly relegated to scouting,” Chen Yan says, pleased with the knowledge he has gained. “This time, I’ve learned a lot from the disaster.”

Chen Hou nods but soon sighs. “I wonder how my wife is doing after so long.”

• • ··

An ornate lacquered table with cloud-pattern carvings is kicked over. The bronze kettle on top crashes to the ground, rolling a few times before hitting the wall and stopping.

Madam Hou is panting, one foot on the overturned table, her face flushed with rage as she shouts, “Call Zuotu to me! Bring him here! How dare he imprison the consort of the ruler? What does he intend?!”

(Translator’s Notes: Zuotu (左徒)In ancient Chinese bureaucracy, was a title referring to a high-ranking court official, often an advisor or assistant to the ruler. The term is most notably used in pre-Qin and Han texts to denote a senior counselor or minister.)

The palace maid stands frozen in terror, only stepping forward after a few moments. Eyes brimming with tears, she grabs Madam Hou’s sleeve. “My lady! Please, you must take care of yourself! Think of the young master—yes, the young master! Think of him!”

Only then does Madam Hou calm down. Once the rage dissipates, she collapses weakly to the floor like her bones have been removed.

Staring blankly at the maid, she asks, “My son… how is my son? That old bastard Zuotu! He… he wants to use my son to control the court? The ruler’s coffin still rests in the central palace. My husband hasn’t even been buried yet—how can the new ruler ascend?! My father? Hasn’t my father come to the palace?” she asks the maid.

The maid bursts into tears. Her voice is hoarse. “The old Grandee… after learning of His Majesty’s death, he passed away yesterday and followed him in death.”

Madam Hou is stunned. In just half a year, she’s lost her husband and now her father.

In this harem, she has no one left. Even her son has been taken from her. All that remains are eunuchs and palace maids. Her mother’s family is barred from the palace.

Since Zuotu returns from escorting the coffin, she has been locked in her chambers. None of her clan or any officials are allowed to see her.

“Zuotu… Zuotu Zhao Mu, you treacherous wolf! Treacherous wolf!” Madam Hou cries, “My lord! You trusted the wrong man! You trusted the wrong name!”

Suddenly, Madam Hou straightens up with resolve. She has no one left to rely on. Her young son is still in Zuotu’s hands. She glares at the maid. “Go call Chou’nü. Discreetly—don’t let anyone else see.”

The maid nods quickly. “Yes, madam, I’ll go at once.”

“No need!” A booming voice echoes from outside.

An elderly man with a wrinkled face but vigorous presence enters, followed by his trusted armored guards. He smiles as he steps into the chaotic room and sighs in mock regret. “Is madam dissatisfied with the gifts I prepared? That lacquered table was a gift from a merchant of Wei. Outside the palace, it would be worth a hundred gold.”

Madam Hou, hair in disarray, glares at him. “Pah! You old bastard! Why aren’t you dead yet? Give me back my son!”

“Mind your words,” one of the guards warns.

Madam Hou laughs bitterly. “Oh, how wonderful! Now that Zuotu holds the court in his hands, he even dares come bully a widow?”

Zhao Mu, the Zuotu, shakes his head and sighs. “Though His Majesty has passed, the court cannot be left leaderless. Until the new king ascends, loyal ministers must hold things together. Why must madam see us as traitors? With madam overseeing the harem and me stabilizing the front court, the crown prince will ascend with the people’s full support. Madam, do not act rashly in your grief.”

Madam Hou bursts out laughing. “Fine words, Zuotu. But who do you think you are? You think you can threaten me? Zhao didn’t want you. His Majesty only fed you out of pity because of your age. And now you repay kindness with such treachery?!”

Zhao Mu straightens, face cold. “Madam, watch your tongue. Though I am of Zhao, I have served Chen with unwavering loyalty. The heavens bear witness to my devotion. If madam is willing, we can govern together. If not…”

Madam Hou locks eyes with him. “What will you do?”

Zhao Mu: “His Majesty is lonely in death. And Chen has precedent for burying consorts with the king.”

Madam Hou grits her teeth. “You wouldn’t dare! Zhao Mu, if you harm me, my son will one day avenge his mother!”

Zhao Mu shakes his head. “I would not wish for that. If madam agrees, you may move freely in the palace. Men!” Zhao Mu calls out.

Several eunuchs enter carrying a large wooden chest. Zhao Mu nods, and the chest is opened—revealing gold ingots and a dazzling array of jewelry.

He gestures again, and a group of tall, handsome men dressed in eunuch grey enters.

The lead man cautiously approaches Madam Hou and lifts his head, revealing his Adam’s apple.

Madam Hou looks momentarily stunned, then turns to Zhao Mu. “A fine scheme you’ve devised.”

Zhao Mu sighs, “Madam, what more could one want from life than wealth and beauty?”

He signals the remaining “eunuchs,” and they step forward, surrounding Madam Hou.

“Think it over carefully, madam,” Zhao Mu says with a bow. “I’ll take my leave.”

He bows, steps back, and exits with his guards.

Only Madam Hou remains, surrounded by the beautiful young men.

She clenches her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

Through gritted teeth, she whispers, “Old bastard… I swear I’ll kill you.”

The “eunuchs” say nothing. They don’t dare. Before entering the palace, they were slaves promised a life of comfort if they served a noble well. Years of slavery made them timid. If the noblewoman didn’t want them, they wouldn’t dare to approach.

If Zhao Mu hadn’t been watching, they wouldn’t have dared step forward at all.

Madam Hou glares at them. “What are you still doing here? Get out! Out!”

The one who first knelt before her rushes to beg. Crawling forward, he clutches her leg and cries, “Madam! If you drive us away, we’ll be killed. Please show us mercy!”

Madam Hou looks at them and suddenly restrains her rage.

They’re just male pets. Zhao Mu probably doesn’t care much about them.

She has no one left. If used wisely, these men could serve as her eyes and ears.

She must get a message out of the palace—her maternal family needs to know her plight. If the worst comes to pass, her brother must lead troops to storm the palace.

She smiles at the “eunuchs.” “Why are you crying? You’re all so handsome—how could I bear to part with you? Yan’er, find them rooms. Tell them to visit me later.”

The maid hesitates. “But… madam…”

Madam Hou snaps, “Go!”

After the maid leads them away, Madam Hou begins to tidy herself.

She takes a deep breath. All the exhaustion she refuses to show anyone now seeps through.

She’s barely holding on.