Chapter 248. Accomplices
The meeting lasted for over two hours. With the Seventh King present, all the people were earnest about the task assigned by the Sixth King. Li Chengru also promised that they could do it boldly because they didn’t need to be responsible for the result. Even if they failed, it would be the Sixth King who bore the loss.
Then, they decided detailed arrangements and division of labor, including who purchased cattle, who cheese, and who cotton. Tarico was in charge of the affairs of the Tianshan tribe, but he couldn’t manage it alone and needed to hire some people. Therefore, he suggested inviting Dilly’s family to join them.
The officials who had come with Li Chengru would gather the refugees in this tribe and ask them to help Ye Xiaoxian to dry beef, pick cotton and so forth. These refugees would be paid salaries rather than getting only two naans a day by herding.
Wong Mudan and some other women were still responsible for logistics. The Sixth King would provide food for them to cook in the early stages. If they needed help, they could also hire some refugees.
After the discussion, everyone knew their respective responsibilities. Then, they began to busy themselves with their jobs.
In Mahal’s house.
Dati had been worried for days because Ji hadn’t returned with the camel team and nobody had told her why. No one cared about this widower or bothered to report anything about him to Mahal. Even so, Mahal and Dati couldn’t take the initiative to ask Ye Xiaoxian where Ji had gone.
Helpless, Dati was overwhelmed by anxiety.
One day, she said to Mahal, “Ji has disappeared for half a month. Shall we send somebody to ask about it?”
Mahal was somewhat angry about her thoughtlessness. “No! What if Ji was killed when he tried to murder them? If we ask them about him, they will suspect us of being his accomplices!”
“But you’re the tribal leader. You have the responsibility to care about your people.”
Mahal didn’t care about whether Ji was alive or not. “I’m not going to ask. Or, at least, I should wait a while first.”
Soon, Dati and Guri found that Ye Xiaoxian and her companions were busy again. The tribe also became lively. First, the officials asked Mahal to gather all the refugees and told them they could work for Ye Xiaoxian from then on. Then, Tarico advertised job openings among the tribe and finally hired Dilly and her family, several butchers and some camel drivers.
Mahal asked an official, “Sir, what is going on in our tribe? Are you supporting the Xiaos’ and the Lius’ business?”
The official said, “Yes, but to be exact, they are working for the Sixth King now. You’re the leader here. If they need your help, please do your best to assist them.”
“Ah? Why don’t I know about that?” Mahal was surprised. How could he know nothing about something which even Tarico knew? At the same time, he believed those people could earn a lot of money by working for the Sixth King. Why was it not him doing this enviable job?
The official said, “The Seventh King is responsible for this. I also don’t know why you’ve not been informed. Perhaps he will soon tell you. Now that you’re the tribal leader, he will need your help.”
Upset and stubborn, Mahal secretly pressed a gigot into the official’s hand. “Sir, I feel that the Seventh King doesn’t like me, but I can’t figure out why. Is it because I didn’t treat the Xiaos and the Lius well at first? I corrected my mistake afterward. Sir, could you tell the Seventh King that I’m experienced and capable in the tribe and will help him a lot?”
The official didn’t want to take the gigot. But Mahal insisted, so the official could only agree to speak for him if there was any chance.
One day, Mahal happened to meet Tarico outside. On seeing Tarico, he gnashed his teeth with jealousy. Tarico had become a success in the tribe. Many locals scrambled for the jobs he posted and even fawned over him. But Tarico insisted on his principles and just asked them to raise more cattle, milk more goats and pick more cotton. Some people believed his words and actually bought more calves.
“Hey, Tarico!” Although Mahal hated Tarico, he had to approach this man for some reason today.
Although Tarico was busy, he stopped and asked, “Yes?”
Looking at Tarico’s face, Mahal felt even more envious. Since Tarico began cooperating with Ye Xiaoxian, he had become more confident and even his eyes appeared more firm. In the past, he had been a flippant man, goofing off by fishing, herding and singing folk songs.
“Well, it’s nothing particular. Do you remember Ji? He went across the desert with you, didn’t he? But yesterday, when I walked past his house, his neighbor told me he hadn’t been back for a long time. Do you know where he is now?”
“Oh, he’s enjoying his life in the Central Plains. He said his life in the tribe was too boring. Now that he’s earned some money, he just settled down in the big city. Perhaps he’s now savoring fine liquor and holding a beauty in his arms.”
Mahal asked in disbelief, “Really?”
“Yes. You can ask the others if you don’t believe me,” Tarico said.
Actually, he had discussed with Ye Xiaoxian in advance how to reply if someone asked about Ji, and they had worked out a solution. They could say that Ji didn’t want to come back and had stayed in the Central Plains.
That was because Tarico thought that some people might have colluded with Ji. After all, Ji couldn’t take care of so many camels alone and must seek one or more conspirators to run the business. Tarico thought they might wait and see who was the first to ask about Ji.
Ji was a widower who held bad relations with his neighbors and was always out. Who would care about where he was? The one who cared about him most must be working with him. As such, Tarico’s suspicion was aroused when Mahal revealed a look of doubt.
But Mahal’s face soon became calm again. “I see. I’m just checking. After all, I’m the leader and have a responsibility to care about my people. If you disappear one day, I’ll also ask about you. Now that he’s living a good life there, I’m relieved.” Then, he looked at Tarico again. “Has the Sixth King really invested a lot of money in your business?”
“Yes,” Tarico replied as he continued with his work. “I’m just an assistant. Little Ye is the chief.”