Chapter 14: Fairness, Fairness, or Damn Fairness!

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“Ling suggests that we first collect all the supplies uniformly, then ask the people to report their lost belongings. Any items with clearly identifiable owners should be returned in full, while unclaimed goods will be requisitioned for military use. Additionally, for families who cannot clearly identify their losses and are struggling to make ends meet, we should distribute a certain amount of relief supplies to help them through the hardship. I believe everyone will be grateful to their benefactor.”
— “Such scholarly idealism is naive!”
Cheng Lian scoffed.
“Coins don’t come stamped with names. If you ask each household to report their losses, who would admit to losing less than they actually did? How will you assess the damage? How will you distribute the aid? If some get more and others less, and complaints arise that you’re unfair, what will you do then?”
“This...” Wang Ling was speechless.
Did the distribution in this game have to be so complicated?
Distribution, from ancient times to the present, has always been one of the most critical matters— the foundation of stability for any group, society, or even a nation’s regime. It is truly a profound subject.
When distribution is done well, everyone is motivated and united, flourishing with lasting peace.
When done poorly, grievances abound, unity dissolves, and collapse follows.
Su Yao had heard these grand principles many times in class, but when it came down to practical implementation, how exactly should it be done?
Was this game company expecting too much from the players?
Why not just offer a preset plan... something like distribution based on labor, or according to need, simple and straightforward with just a tap?
Looking at Wang Ling and Cheng Lian, both waiting for his decision, Su Yao cleared his throat.
“Wang Ling’s heart is good, and his direction is right, which I appreciate. We are all soldiers of the Han family; how can we be like the barbarians, robbing our own countrymen?”
Wang Ling’s eyes brightened, and Su Yao continued:
“But Cheng Lian’s point is valid as well; the difficulty lies in implementation.”
Cheng Lian glanced at Wang Ling, snorted lightly, and crossed his arms.
At the same time, Su Yao turned his back to them and spoke gravely:
“Confucius once said, ‘Do not worry about scarcity, but about uneven distribution; do not worry about poverty, but about unrest.’
For these villagers, we must not only address their unrest but also their inequality. Therefore, this matter must be handled well, to honor the teachings of the Sage.”
Wang Ling and Cheng Lian exchanged a glance, seeing in each other’s eyes a flicker of surprise and shock.
They never expected such a battle-hardened, ruthless, and unconventional man to speak with such sage wisdom.
“What? Don’t understand? Let me put it simply: my opinion on this matter is summed up in two words—
Fairness! Fairness! And, damn it, fairness!”
Su Yao turned to Wang Ling and said sternly,
“Wang Ling, listen carefully!”
“... Wang Ling present!”

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“This matter is yours to handle accordingly. No matter what, it must be done well. I don’t want to hear a single complaint from the people. If there is any, you will be held accountable!”
“Me? Handle it?” Wang Ling swallowed nervously.
“What, is my logistics officer quitting on me? Should I take charge personally? Or are you one of those who talk big but can’t deliver?”
“Talk big?” Wang Ling was stunned, then his face flushed beet red.
“No, sir, with your trust, Ling Ming is deeply grateful and will not fail this mission!”
“Good! No wonder you’re a son of the Wang family.” Su Yao smiled and beckoned Cheng Lian. “Do you have the military order? Let him sign it.”
“Here!”
Thus, the hot-blooded youth Wang Ling signed the first military order of his life.
...
“Are you crazy? You actually dared to sign such a military order?!”
Late at night, in Wang Village’s Wu Fort.
When Wang Ling returned home with the order to consult his grandfather, he was scolded soundly.
“This is a matter involving a huge amount of military resources. Do you know mishandling it could get you executed?”
The old village chief had had a day full of twists and turns.
With his seasoned judgment, he saw at a glance in Su Yao’s skill that this young man’s future was limitless.
The reason was simple: the Han Dynasty was established by the sword, valuing military achievement above all. Since the Oath of the White Horse under Emperor Gaozu decreed that only those surnamed Liu could be kings, and that only military merit could grant marquis titles, military achievements have always been the most valuable currency in Han.
Did you not see how the famed General Li Guang ultimately fell short on the battlefield of merit, leaving a regret for all ages?
Therefore, when the old chief witnessed the young man’s effortless and artful slaughter, he immediately resolved to ally with him.
He allowed Wang Ling’s actions, hoping to plant a seed of the Wang family of Qixian County in this youth, anticipating future harvests.
— Yet now, he had reaped a bombshell!
Not even a full day had passed.
The old chief tugged at his beard, staring blankly, unsure whether his grandson was too young or the youth too cunning.
Who would have thought to sign a military order? It was like betting on the Wang family’s future!
“You foolish boy, what unclaimed property? Those are all family assets!”
“Ah?”
Wang Ling, who had never cared about clan affairs, had never considered this connection.
“Never mind, never mind. Learn from your mistake. Didn’t he chase us for a reward? Consider it money spent for safety; at least we’ve recovered some losses.”

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The old chief was rather magnanimous. Compared to lost money, the people saved were the most valuable asset.
“I’ll find a way to handle the rest. Tomorrow, just go all out and get it done.”
The old chief patted Wang Ling’s shoulder.
“Don’t mind the idle gossip of others. Remember, your family is your strongest backing.
If anyone has complaints or dissatisfaction and you can’t resolve it, tell them to come see me. Our family affairs should be settled within the family, no need to trouble outsiders.”
“Yes, Grandfather. Ling will not let you down!”
...
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
Time’s wheel spun swiftly, and when Su Yao opened his eyes again, it was already the next morning.
“GOGOGO!”
With a somersault, he bounced out of bed and headed to the door, but suddenly furrowed his brow and muttered under his breath,
“Sleeping with auto-change clothes on?”
Su Yao turned back to his bed, quickly donned his neatly prepared gear, checked his status once more, and stepped outside.
Moments later, chaos erupted inside Wang Village’s Wu Fort.
“?! Captain, allow me to eat first...”
“?! Sir, let Ling change clothes first...”
“?! Brother, wait! Where are you going?”
“To kill barbarians!” Su Yao, dressed entirely in barbarian cavalry attire, brandished his saber.
“...”
Where were the barbarians anyway?
Zhang Yang watched Su Yao lead his dozen horsemen on an early morning expedition, stunned for a long moment before coming to his senses.
He pressed his temple and turned to Wang Ling, whose hair looked like a bird’s nest.
“Is Brother Su always this decisive and swift?”
“...”
Wang Ling was silent for a long time, then finally blurted out four words,
“I have no idea.”