The Red Lands

For the next two days, Chu focused on self-education. Although it seemed like he was literate in front of Griz, he was merely filling in words to make his translations flow. If Griz had actually tried to test him, he would have been screwed.

The language in this world seemed to be based on a picture shows a thousand words format. It was similar to those seen on Egyptian hieroglyphics and the thousands of years old Chinese writings. Such penmanship would tend to steal a creative mind.

Unfortunately, Chu did not have time for reminiscing and romanticism. One of his set requirements to leave this outlying village lay in having a good grasp of reading and writing. Being literate meant double the intake of information; reading and talking. It can also open new opportunities.

On the night after he recruited Clod and the others, Chu took Lucy and Ming along to the Trading Post to meet Griz. There, the two bantered back and forth until they reached the desired agreements. Money passed, and services offered and arranged.

All his focus shifted to learning. Tired of reading, he traced letters in the ashes near the fire using a stick.

Clod and Ming loitered outside the shack. These past few days, they sold a convincing act on how they would kill any wolf that tried to enter the slums. Running around with the wooden spears, they probably had everyone thinking they had succumbed to madness. Ming supported this theory when he ventured untimely into the forest for firewood, only to share it away to the elderly in the shacks.

Chu had Lucy take the girls singly during the day into the village and the Trading Post. They procured proper boots from the cobbler, clothing, and basic sleepwear. These they brought back under their ragged robes. Of course, they never had any money on them; the Trading Post covered their expenses.

In the evening, they left the ranting Ming while tripping away to the Trading Post to return with bundles of old clothes and rags. The best ones requiring little patching they kept, the others they handed over to Ming to share out during his insane 'bouts of madness.'

They may be filthy rich in the eyes of the villagers, but that never prevented Chu from saving money. He always reminded them that the money in hand arrived from risking their lives. If everyone wanted to face death to earn a couple of silvers, then this village would be either rich or empty of life.

Chu visited the Trading Post the night before the departure. He haggled with Griz for the equipment he wanted and a few weapons. Making arrangements for the horse and cart, he went into the village.

Since being dumped into this world and body, Chu rarely interacted with its previous owner's family. Given the circumstances, he was not entitled to anything of worth except maybe more debt and burdens. His routine remained in simply dropping off the copper coins and leaving.

His family fell into the list as one of the many who struggled to keep their status from falling into the slums. This strain hit them doubly hard, given the loans they had borrowed when his father was injured. This trouble led to the young Chu's baffling decision that landed up in the slums.

Even though his ailing father remained a shadow of his former self, he still emitted an imposing aura. The man did belong to the hard occupation of a woodcutter after all. With Chu's help, the family's debt was lessened, and they had enough not to starve during winter. Hugging his little sister, Chu told them his plan of hunkering down during winter.

"Come home. You shouldn't be stubborn anymore. It would be the same if you were still here."

His old man rumbled.

His mother continued the pleas. No matter what, he was still her son.

"Why don't you return. Everyone knows how dangerous the slums get in winter. What about food? How would you keep warm? At least stay in the house."

Poor and struggling as they were, this was their bond of blood, sweat, and tears.

"I have found a safe place. When the weather is good, I will visit."

Chu felt the warmth of his family. All they wanted was for him to return. They were not heartless in expecting him to work during winter and still deliver money when the whole village bunkered down.

"I will be ok, Mom. Take care of my little sister until my next visit."

"You talk differently, like you have grown up."

His mother looked at him curiously. Her child was not as hot-blooded as he normally was.

"Well, I am off now. Father, please come with me to the Trading Post. I need your help with something."

Chu paid his respects and said goodbye. He then walked down to the Trading Post with his father. He got his old man to borrow an old cart to use.

"I need help choosing some tools. Please come with me."

His father nodded as he followed him into the store.

Chu used the old man's experience as a woodcutter to select small axes and other tools. These were placed together with his other purchases to collect in the morning.

The old man was shocked as his son conversed with the Master of the Trading Post as if they were equals. He nearly fainted when his son started haggling over the price. When they finished, Chu sat down with his father on a bench in the corner.

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"Did you finish? Why do we have to wait?"

"He is bringing something over for us. It may take some time."

The two waited in silence. The old man reeled from shock and confusion. His son brought him here and shopped for tools without paying. Instead, they were piled up neatly in a corner. He argued with probably the most powerful man in the village as if they were acquaintances.

Now they were quietly sitting in the warmth of the store, waiting and soaking in the heat. Most villagers would have already been kicked out and told to wait outside until called. Even the most domineering clerks steered clear of them and nodded respectfully as they rushed past.

He stared at his little boy, who was sitting on the bench, casually drumming his fingers.

A loud voice cut through his thoughts.

"Hey, Brat! Your package is here, one shoulder leg cut with half a rib. Make sure you take note."

The man had a clerk at his side carrying a large package securely wrapped in canvas. With a thud, it was placed onto the counter as the clerk huffed under the weight.

"Mr Griz trust me, a poor kid like me can only be miserly with food. Would you still rob me after getting those things for free? I have the utmost trust in you."

The man snorted and stomped off with a huff.

"Father, take this with you, but don't open the bag until you reach home. Take this pouch and hide it in your shirt."

Chu looked on as the man hefted the canvas bag over his shoulders. His father was still strong enough to handle a load like this. Besides, he had the cart outside to aid him.

"I promise to visit during winter. Keep safe and don't forget to keep this a secret."

Chu looked on as the old man separated from him at the village entrance. Like this he had made sure that the previous owner would be able to rest in peace.

When Chu's father returned, he was blowing like an ox. Only when he rested the bag on the stout wooden table did he sit and relax in the small kitchen.

"What is that thing?"

His wife asked as she approached.

"I have no idea. That son of mine.... I don't know what to say."

As he replied, he opened the strap and unfurled the canvas.

"What the......."

"By godddd!"

This was the second time he had almost fainted tonight. His wife being a noob stifled a scream with her hands as she fell. She didn't see the events at the Trading Post to reduce her surprise. After the shock, they both stared at the cured meat covering the table and hanging over.

"Great horned Deer....."

The old man choked. Only a great horned deer would have a shoulder leg this big. This was meat he would never eat even if he lived ten lifetimes. Now, nearly a quarter of this deer was lying in his small house.

"How..."

That was all his wife could whisper. Then her mind cleared as it jolted her into action. She gasped as she ran to the door and blocked it. Their situation was now totally different from nearly everyone in the village.

This was like standing in the middle of a wolf pack holding a meaty bone. If anyone knew they had this much food, not to mention the quality, it would start a riot in their part of the village. Even the mayor would not hesitate to jump in for a cut.

The man finally composed himself and looked at his wife covering the windows.

"Your son. It came from our son."

He quickly covered it up. Hoisting it up, he carried it to the food storeroom and hung it up. Satisfied it was safely hidden, he returned.

"Chu gave you this? Where did he steal it? Has our son joined the bandits?"

"Calm down, no, he got it from the Trading Post, he has some dealings with the Master."

Remembering the pouch, he fished it out from his shirt. In silent anticipation, he slowly and carefully emptied the contents on the table. Copper and silver coins rolled out and settled on the surface.

His parents may not be able to count very high, but Chu had given them two hundred copper coins and two hundred silver coins. This was more than enough for them to rally out the winter in comfort until he returned. The copper and silver coins would not attract attention like a single gold coin.

Those were nearly exclusively used by merchants and high class mercenaries in these parts.

The two parents stared in shock and disbelief into each other's wide eyes. Chu's mom was the first to speak after pulling her open mouth closed.

"What, what the heck kinda work does our son do?"

Chu had no idea of the shock he had caused. All he wanted was for this boy's parents to be comfortable during winter. That was his means of sowing karma. His main priority was to make the move to the barn as efficient as possible.

The next day, Chu gathered all of them into the shack and made sure they had a good breakfast. Each person had a canvas bag with the supplies they had accumulated. All clothes, pots, and items were packed and ready. Chu led all of them to the Trading Post stable. Ming was left to guard the remaining bags.

He planned their departure when everyone in the slums was out to secure the firewood and get food supplies before winter.

After organizing with Griz, all the loads were stacked in the cart. Leaving Clod to hitch the horse, they made another trip to the shack, stripping down all they could carry. Chu then collected and paid for the supplies in the store. Checking the meat under the scornful eye of Griz, they set off.

Chu didn't expect they would have a full cart. This cart was, after all, the huge one that brought in the Snowbear.

He had purchased tools, weapons, and even lumber for repairs. It was all those boards and thick planks that took up the most amount of space. His plan was to secure under the barn platform like a strong, impenetrable fence and cut the trapdoor to the top. This was like a double defense and allowed time to enter the cellar.

They walked as Clod drove the cart slowly behind. They were not traveling on the roads but cutting across the grassland. On their way, they collected the firewood they had stored. When anyone was tired, they rested on the cart. This way, they arrived at the Barn without problems.

Chu sent Lucy and Ming to scout if there were any signs of beasts or humans who had been around. Lucky, the sands were undisturbed, and there were no footprints.

The cart was quickly unloaded and sent back. Since they started early, just as everyone had left for the forest, it was still morning. Chu sent back Ming with Clod to return the cart. Even with Clod's lame leg, they should be back long before dark.

"Lucy, get some torches lit and show Sue the cellar. Let her start sorting the foodstuff. "

Before the boys left, Chu had them carry the cured meat down to the cellar. In all their baggage, that was the heaviest and needed the strength of all of them.

"Sakura, help Sue down there. The rest of us need to carry all the stuff to the cellar. The lumber will remain inside the barn. Miki, stand guard for us outside."

With the move complete, Chu breathed a sigh of relief. They were long finished sorting by the time the boys returned. Clod was weary as he dropped onto the barn floor. The long walk was the hardest thing he had ever done since his accident. Sue had fallen into her job as cook, and they all enjoyed a bowl of meat soup with provisions.

"Ahhhhhh! Good job, Sue. That was the best. Remember, you always have to give me more cause I'm the biggest."

Chu cracked him a slap on the back of the head.

"Stop trying to fool the Cook. And if you eat the food like a king now, you will be the first person to eat snow for lunch."

Not worrying about food, a warm bed, and safe shelter. With the stress of those worries gone, the children were starting to act their age.

At least it was a positive start.