Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 408 - 400: Happy Cooperation

Now it’s already March, but the temperature hasn’t rebounded at all. No one knows how long this extreme cold will last. If it continues like this, once the leftover grain is consumed in over a month, will it truly lead to a dead end? I fear by then, more people will die.

Even if, taking a huge step back, the temperature somewhat eases after a month, who knows what disasters melting ice and snow might bring?

Moreover, the fields of the common people are ruined, and even with seeds, they cannot be planted immediately.

There is an even more critical issue: less than one-tenth of the surviving population knows how to farm, leaving behind only wealthy merchants, soldiers, and rough men, along with the ladies of each household.

Sighing, just thinking about these matters makes Governor Zhao feel as if his head is as heavy as an ox.

For a place to develop economically, first, people must be adequately fed and clothed. Without solving the basic need for food and warmth, how can one speak of romance and poetry?

"What Lord Zhao said is indeed the situation at present. However, this doesn’t include Phoenix City. To be frankly truthful, Phoenix City is an underground city with its own production methods and development channels, unaffected by external adversities, storms, and extreme cold. All you need to consider is whether or not to agree to this trade."

Lord Zhao, hearing this, nearly spilled his tea, jumping up excitedly: "Young Master Cheng, are your words true?"

Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t answer Governor Zhao’s question, only steadily meeting his gaze with unyielding eyes.

Cough! Cough!

Governor Zhao, realizing his lapse in composure, coughed twice.

It’s not surprising he was so excited.

Self-sustaining and unaffected by disasters — isn’t that a paradise on earth?

Anyone hearing that couldn’t remain calm, eager to fly to Phoenix City to see for themselves.

Even without witnessing it, if it’s all true...?

This would be hope found in desperation!

It must be seized.

"Sorry, Young Master Cheng, it was my misstep,"

Governor Zhao slowly sat back down, calming his mind.

"Young Master Cheng, how do you wish to trade? Whether it’s gold and silver or antiques and paintings, as long as it can be gathered, I’ll try my best to fulfill it."

"Though Phoenix City’s productivity is good, we lack talented artisans. So, I hope you can part with some, helping me find skilled craftsmen with exceptional craftsmanship.

To clarify, the people I need are to be taken back to Phoenix City, so regardless of whether they have service contracts, they must sign a lifetime labor contract with me.

They will then be considered people of Phoenix City, no longer staying in Dayan City, or even as Great Xia people. This is crucial for me, so you must think carefully.

Another point, I do urgently need skilled workers, but I’m not heartless. If they have families, I can bring them along too."

These words from Cheng Xiaoxiao cooled Governor Zhao’s heated mind somewhat.

Indeed, Young Master Cheng represents Phoenix City.

He is a Tianqi Country person.

If he recommends these people, would it be betraying Great Xia?

Letting Great Xia’s embroidery skills pass to Tianqi might make him a traitor to Great Xia, a crime no less than treason.

However... can he just watch this life-saving opportunity slip away? That makes him feel unwilling.

They desperately need food and warm clothing, otherwise, what good is discussing betrayal when lives are at stake?

"I believe Young Master Cheng has his own personnel. Can you send people on your side while I send people to teach here?"

Direct skill transmission carries far less risk than sending people.

Cheng Xiaoxiao shook his head.

"Lord Zhao knows Phoenix City is tens of thousands of miles away. How could we possibly send people to study, which would take several months just for the round trip and expose us to enormous risks during the journey. Do you think it’s worth it?"

"This..."

At that moment, a figure dressed in moon-white slowly entered, and a magnetic voice softly echoed around the two.

"Father, consent to her."

"Ling-er, why have you come?"

Governor Zhao was very surprised, as his son should be at the disaster site, not returning to the manor suddenly.

Zhao Wuling didn’t explain his sudden appearance, nodding slightly towards Cheng Xiaoxiao as a greeting.

Then he spoke, "Young Master Cheng, how much sincerity can you show?"

Governor Zhao immediately chimed in, "Ling-er, we need to deliberate further on this matter."

"Father, what time is it already? If our Zhao family says we don’t have those empty things, then we don’t have them. The court is now overwhelmed and wouldn’t pay attention to such trivial matters."

Zhao Wuling earnestly explained.

"But..."

Zhao Wuling interrupted his father’s unspoken words, "This batch of embroiderers and brocade masters will be reported as casualties in the recent earthquake."

Cheng Xiaoxiao gave Zhao Wuling a thumbs-up.

"Mr. Zhao is indeed a straightforward person."

This is truly a bold individual!

She likes to deal with people like this. In these times, without some boldness and decisive hands, wanting to protect the people under one’s care and ensure their survival — all those gentle diplomacy and recompensing grievances with virtue policies would only lead to downfall.

"Young Master Cheng is too humble. So, let’s discuss how to conduct this transaction."

"Of course, of course, here I have a contract, oh, a contract document, already drafted. Mr. Zhao, see if there are any improvements or additions or deletions needed."

Zhao Wuling raised an eyebrow, taking the contract Cheng Xiaoxiao handed over, and the two began their discussion.

As a bystander, Governor Zhao was quite speechless, scratching his head on the side. Such a big issue, and the two of them were so calm. It was as if they were discussing what to eat today, or haggling over a piece of land purchase.

Is he getting old?

If Cheng Xiaoxiao heard such thoughts, she would certainly respond: You could be washed ashore on the beach.

Hmm!

Following the back-and-forth bargaining, cough, but rather the coming and going negotiations, they finally confirmed it, dealing at 580 jin of grain per person.

"Pleasant cooperation!"

Successfully closing a deal, Cheng Xiaoxiao was in an extremely good mood.

Some habits naturally formed in a previous life now surfaced involuntarily.

When she realized such etiquette was somewhat abrupt in ancient times, the other party had already extended his hand.

"Is this the way to exchange in Phoenix City?"

Zhao Wuling was quite surprised by the young lady’s boldness before his eyes.

Cheng Xiaoxiao, feeling guilty, gave a vague explanation with a laugh, lightly shook hands with the other party, and then separated.

Could she say this was a professional habit from a past life?

Zhao Wuling clasped the hand that shook with the small girl behind his back, rubbing his palm with his fingertips, feeling it carefully, the touch of fingertips slightly cool, warmed by the palm, refined and dainty.

An exceptionally different experience, making Zhao Wuling, who has never been close to women, sprout unique thoughts.

So it turns out a woman can also be open and honest, not pretentious or coy.

"Mr. Zhao, then it’s settled, in three days’ time, I’ll dispatch someone to transport the equivalent amount of grain to Ten-mile Village, outside Dayan City, and transact there."

"Alright, it’s a deal!"