Chapter 438: Chapter 364: My Trust Was Misplaced

Wu Yue’s spirits lifted instantly. ’In that case, I’ll have to plan this out properly.’

Seeing her crafty expression, Yuan Lang couldn’t help but laugh. "What mischief are you plotting now?"

Wu Yue gave him an irritated look. "Hey, watch it. What do you mean, ’mischief’? I’m just thinking we can’t let them live on our tribe’s territory for free."

Yuan Lang shook his head. "You can’t charge them for that. At every trade fair, the host tribe is expected to provide living quarters and a trading area."

Wu Yue chuckled slyly. "Of course I know that, but we can build different *tiers* of living quarters and trading areas!

We’ll section off an empty plot for a standard trading ground and an area for them to pitch their tents.

Then we can build some small rooms to serve as paid lodging. They’ll have to pay a certain amount of goods each day to stay there. The same goes for the trading spots."

Yuan Lang’s eyes lit up. ’Aren’t those just inns and shops?’ 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

He nodded immediately. "That could work."

And so, the initial idea for the trading grounds and living quarters—which the beastmen of other tribes would come to both love and hate—was born that day.

After resting for a day, Wu Yue couldn’t wait to head to the taro fields the next day.

The slaves had built simple thatched huts at the edge of the taro fields. They would rest and eat there every day, which made it easier to tend to the taro.

Thanks to their meticulous care, the taro in the fields was growing exceptionally well.

Wu Yue’s heart filled with anticipation as she looked at the vast patch of taro flowers, with wild bees and butterflies flitting about.

"Lord Wuyue."

Seeing her approach, Chang Ye led the other slaves over to bow in greeting.

The day before, the tribespeople had learned that Wu Yue had been designated as the Snow Tiger Tribe’s next witch.

The slaves were both happy and thrilled. ’With a witch who is so good to us,’ they thought, ’our lives won’t be so hard anymore.’

"When did these taro plants get so tall..."

Wu Yue carefully inquired about the taro’s growth, having the System record it all.

It was only then that she discovered the taro’s growth time here was as if someone had pressed the fast-forward button compared to in Hua Country.

She discovered that only a small portion of the taro leaves had small holes chewed into them by bugs. Aside from those holes, there was basically no other sign of pest damage.

’The slaves must have picked them off,’ she thought. ’Handling a pest problem by hand... these slaves have really worked hard.’

When they saw her staring at the small holes in the leaves, Chang Ye and the surrounding slaves all grew a little nervous.

"L-Lord Wuyue, those leaves... it’s because we were too slow that the bugs ate them. Please, punish us."

Wu Yue smiled upon hearing this. "You’ve all done very well. Why would I punish you? I actually expected to see a lot of bugs, but I never thought you would manage the taro fields so well."

They had expected to be punished but received praise instead. The slaves were greatly relieved, and joyful smiles appeared on their faces.

Looking at the slaves before her, Wu Yue suddenly announced, "I’m going to prepare a potion to repel insects. If we sprinkle it on the taro seedlings, you won’t have to work so hard to get rid of the bugs."

She then smiled at the slaves standing behind Chang Ye. "You can all go back to your tasks."

Turning her head to Chang Ye, she said, "You, come with me for a moment."

Chang Ye bowed and complied. After instructing the other slaves to get busy, he followed behind Wu Yue, walking toward the next thatched hut.

"Have you all still been helping to make the unfired bricks and tiles recently?"

Chang Ye shook his head. "We don’t have to go anymore. A few days ago, the taro fields had a lot of bugs, so we all came back to catch them. Making the unfired bricks and tiles has been handed over to the males of the tribe."

Wu Yue hummed in acknowledgment. After a long pause, she spoke again, "What kind of houses would you all like to live in?"

Hearing this question, Chang Ye felt as if he had been struck by lightning, leaving him utterly dazed.

His face, tanned dark from long-term work in the taro fields, was a mask of sheer astonishment. His lips parted and closed several times before he finally found his voice. "A... a house? We can live in houses like those, too?"

Amused by his look of disbelief, she laughed. "And why not? You’re all part of the Snow Tiger Tribe, too.

Once we have the pest-repelling potion, the taro fields won’t need as many people. You can assign some to go make unfired bricks and tiles, and I’ll talk to Teng Qian and Teng Kun about helping you fire them.

As for where to build, just ask Teng Qian directly. All you’ll need to do is move the finished bricks and tiles there."

Wu Yue had planned the slaves’ living quarters from the very beginning. They would be on the tribe’s outermost periphery, built as a series of small, individual rooms. Each would have a heated brick bed and a simple stove, and a separate room would be left for storing firewood.