Chapter 103: The larger your ambitions, the smaller the world

第一百零三节：野心一大，世界就小

Translator: Skyfarrow Editor: Skyfarrow

The wine tavern wasn’t big, but it was in a good location; it was at the eastern side of the village near the eastern gate.

酒肆并不大，但位置很好，位于山寨东侧，靠着东大门。

The flow of people was the largest at the eastern and northern gates. Thus, the wine tavern’s business was pretty good whether it was day or night.

东大门和北大门，是人流量最大的两个寨门。因此每当午后，或者傍晚，酒肆的生意都会不错。

“Young lord, please take a seat.” An old man lowered his head to Fang Yuan.

“少东家，您请坐。”一位老汉对方源点头哈腰。

Few waiters wiped the benches and tables with a fawning and flattering smile towards Fang Yuan.

几个伙计将板凳和桌子都用力擦了擦，对这方源谄笑，一脸讨好。

Fang Yuan shook his head. He didn’t sit, but walked around the tavern, sizing everything. He thought inwardly, “This is my wine tavern.”

方源摇摇头，并没有入座，而是在这家酒肆中，随意漫步，四处打量。心中暗道：“这就是我的酒肆了。”

This wine tavern only had one floor, but it had an underground wine cellar.

这酒肆只有一层，但有地下酒窖。

Huge and square black tiles covered the floor. There were eight square tables; two tables were set against the wall and other six tables were surrounded by four benches.

地面上铺着大而方的青砖，摆着八张方桌，有两张方桌靠着墙壁，其余六张桌子，都围着四条长凳子。

A dark brown, long sales counter could be seen immediately upon entering the wine tavern. There were papers, brush, ink stones and also an abacus on the counter. Behind the counter was the liquor cabinet where all sizes of wine jars were displayed. Some of these were large wine jars of black pottery, and some were small and bright porcelain wine bottles.

入了酒肆的门，就能看到一个暗棕色的长条柜台。柜台上摆着笔墨纸砚，还有算盘。柜台后就是酒柜，上面摆着大大小小的酒坛。有的是黑陶的大酒坛。有的是亮瓷的小酒瓶。

Fang Yuan was walking around as he wished; the old man and waiters didn’t dare to sit, they could only follow close behind.

方源随意地走着，老汉和几个伙计当然不敢坐下，都亦步亦趋地跟着。

They were restless, the news of the landlord changing was too abrupt. The previous landlord Gu Yue Dong Tu was cunning as a ghost, he was strict and acrimonious; they were under a lot of pressure. This boy in front of them was actually able to take the wine tavern from Gu Yue Dong Tu’s hands. Such a method of snatching was shocking. So these people’s gazes towards Fang Yuan carried unease and fear.

他们都忐忑不安，酒肆易主的消息来得很突然。上一个东家古月冻土，精明似鬼，严苛刻薄，他们被压得喘不过气来。眼前这少年，居然能把酒肆从古月冻土的手中。硬生生地抢过来，这个手段可不得了。所以这些人望向方源的目光中，就带着不安和畏惧。

Fang Yuan suddenly stopped, “It is good. But this store is a bit small.”

方源忽然停下脚步：“不错，但就是这铺子小了点。”

The old man immediately walked forward and bowed to answer, “Young lord, we put sheds outside every summer and lay tables and benches. But it is winter now and the wind is biting cold, no one would sit outside even if we put up sheds. So we took them down.”

老汉连忙上前，躬身答道：“是这样的，少东家。每年到了夏天，我们都会在外门搭上棚子。再摆些桌凳。但现在这会冬风凛冽，搭了棚子也没人坐。所以就撤了。”

Fang Yuan slightly turned. He glanced at this old man, “You are the shopkeeper?”

方源微微侧身。扫了这老汉一眼：“你就是掌柜？”

The old bent his waist even lower and said even more respectfully, “I dare not, I dare not. Young lord, this wine tavern is yours, whoever you choose as a shopkeeper is the shopkeeper.”

老汉腰弯得更低了，越加恭谨地道：“不敢当，不敢当。少东家这家酒肆是您的，您属意谁当掌柜，谁就是掌柜。”

Fang Yuan nodded then glanced at the waiters; they all seemed to be competent.

方源点点头，又扫了其他伙计一眼，看起来都是些精明能干的伙计。

If it was on earth, he would be anxious that this shopkeeper and the waiters would team up and scheme against him, the owner. But in this world, Gu Masters were high and mighty, killing mortals would only require a thought. Even if Uncle and Aunt egged them, these mortals wouldn’t dare to go against Fang Yuan.

若是在地球上。他要担心这掌柜和伙计联合起来，欺瞒自己这个主人。但是在这个世界。蛊师高高在上，打杀凡人只是一念之间。就算是舅父舅母撺掇指使。这些凡人也绝不敢针对方源。

“Alright, bring the accounting books and bring me a pot of tea.” Fang Yuan sat down.

“好了，去把账簿拿来，再给我倒上一壶茶。”方源坐了下来。

“Yes, young lord.” The shopkeeper and waiters moved hurriedly.

“是的，少东家。”掌柜和伙计都是一阵忙乱。

There were as much as sixteen account books, and every book used bamboo papers which had a light green hue. The bamboo papers were more brittle than Xuan paper and were suitable for the damp atmosphere of the Southern Border.

账簿足有十六册，每一册都用的竹纸，透着淡淡的绿意。拿在手中，比宣纸要脆硬许多，适合南疆这样潮湿的气候。

Fang Yuan casually picked up a few books and skimmed over them, asking some questions occasionally.

方源随手取出几册，稍微浏览了一些，问了一些问题。

The shopkeeper gave prompt replies; soon, his forehead was covered with sweat.

掌柜的连忙对答，不多时，就满头的大汗。

Fang Yuan had created the Bloodwing Demon Sect and taught countless people in his previous life. He was rich in experience and his eyes were shrewd. Others might be confused and dazzled when they see the account books; but in his eyes, all the doubtful points were as clear as crystal.

方源前世创建血翼魔教，教众数十万，自然经验丰富，目光老辣，区区账簿别人看了或许一头雾水，眼花缭乱。但在他眼中，什么疑点都是明察秋毫，洞若观火。

This wine tavern was the second biggest asset after the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass; Fang Yuan naturally wanted to firmly grasp it.

这酒肆是排在九叶生机草后，第二大进项，方源自然要牢牢抓着。

There were only some small problems in the account books which could be attributed to mistakes and negligence. These mortals didn’t dare to be presumptuous.

这账簿上的问题并不大，属于一些错漏。这些凡人还不敢放肆。

However, when Fang Yuan turned to the last page, he saw that this month’s income had already been taken by Gu Yue Dong Tu.

只是方源翻了最后一页，发现这个月的进账都被古月冻土提走了。

“Young lord, the previous landlord personally took it. We didn’t dare to resist.” The shopkeeper replied while wiping his sweat. His aged body was already trembling and his face had become very pale.

“少东家，这是上一位东家亲自来提的，小的们也不敢违抗啊。”掌柜一边回答，一边擦着汗，他年迈的身躯，早已经在微微的颤抖，脸色苍白得很。

Fang Yuan was silent, he put down the account books on the table and glanced at the shopkeeper.

方源沉默不语，轻轻地把账簿放在桌上，扫了掌柜的一眼。

The shopkeeper immediately felt a huge pressure as if a mountain was pressing down on him. He was scared witless, kneeling on the ground.

掌柜的顿时感到一股庞大的压力，简直是山一样的压来。他心惊胆战，扑通一声跪倒在地上。

Seeing the shopkeeper kneeling down, the waiters also astutely knelt down one by one.

见掌柜的都跪了，其他几位伙计也是精明伶俐的，旋即一个个都跪了下来。

Fang Yuan calmly sat and turned his gaze towards them.

方源安然地坐着，转过视线，扫视他们。

The waiters immediately felt like they were in a world of ice, they couldn’t resist Fang Yuan’s aura. They were all silent.

伙计们顿感自己如置身冰天雪地当中，难以抵挡方源的气场，俱都噤若寒蝉。

To these mortals, the wine tavern’s work was both stable and safe, the ideal job. They didn’t want to lose this job.

酒肆的工作，对于他们这些凡人来讲，不仅稳定而且安全，最为理想不过。所以他们都不想丢掉这份工作。

Fang Yuan stopped upon seeing that his authority had been established, going too far could end up being detrimental. He slowly spoke, “I won’t bother about the past matters. I saw that your wages are somewhat low; waiter’s wages will be raised by twenty percent and the shopkeeper’s by forty percent from now on. Work properly and you will get more benefits.”

方源见立威的效果已到，过犹不及，便缓缓开口：“过去的事情，就算了，我不计较。我看了账簿，你们的工钱有些低了，今后伙计的工钱提高两成，掌柜的提高四成。好好的干活，会有你们的好处的。”

Fang Yuan stood up and walked to the entrance.

说完，方源起身，向门口走去。

The group of people kneeling on the ground were stunned for a good while before coming back to their senses. All of their eyes brimmed with tears that flowed down their faces.

众人跪在地上，楞了半晌，这才明白过来，各个泪水喷涌，在脸上横流。

“Thank you young lord for your great kindness!”

“谢谢少东家的大恩大德啊！”

“Young lord is compassionate, we will definitely work with all our strength!”

“少东家仁慈宽厚，小的们一定全力干活！”

“Young lord, you are our benefactor, please take care.”

“少东家您就是我们的再生父母，请您慢走。”

Tearful sounds came from behind, there were also crisp sounds of forehead smashing on the black tiles from continuous kowtowing.

身后传来众人感激涕零的声音，还有不断磕头，额头碰到青砖的响声。

Use might alongside mercy, this was the only way the top controlled its subordinates no matter in which world. Might was the foundation and under this might, any small kindness would be magnified by countless times.

恩威并施，不论哪个世界，都是上位者驭下的不二法门。这其中，威才是基础，在威凌之下，任何一点点小小的恩惠，都会被放大千万倍。

A benefit without might would only give a title of a good samaritan. But as time passed, people would no longer feel grateful for such kindness and it would instead result in greed and disaster.

没有威的施恩，只会得到一个烂好人的名号。甚至久而久之，如此施恩，不仅不会引来感激，反而会引起觊觎和灾祸。

“But these ways to control people are all unorthodox methods. It would be highly esteemed on Earth, but in this world, raising one’s own strength is the one true way. No, even on Earth, strength is first.”

“不过这些御人的手段。都是些小道。放在地球上会被世人推崇，但在这里，唯有提高自身的力量，才是大道。不，就算是地球上，也是力量第一。”

Fang Yuan thought of the Scarlet Red Imperial Ancestor. (1)

方源不禁想到红朝赤祖。

In those days, the Scarlet Red Imperial Ancestor had gone through and experienced a trial and he had come to a conclusion: Political power comes from guns!

当年赤祖亦是历经一番磨难，得出一个结论：枪杆子里出政权！

This was the naked truth — strength was the foundation of any political power. So-called authority is only an accessory to strength.

这就是赤裸裸的真理了——任何政权的基础，都是力量。所谓的权利。不过是力量的附属品罢了。

Actually, not only authority, wealth and beauties were also derivatives of strength.

事实上，不仅是权利，财富和美色，亦都是力量的衍生物。

Fang Yuan headed towards the three bamboo houses after leaving the wine tavern.

离开这间酒肆，方源又去了那三处竹楼。

These three bamboo houses were rented out by uncle and aunt; they were practically full.

这三栋竹楼都被舅父舅母租了出去，几乎住满了人。

This world paid attention to more birth. To the ever-growing huge population, the space in the village seemed narrow.

这个世界，讲究多生多育。对于日益庞大的人口。山寨的空间就显得狭小了。

The clan had the system of the eldest son inheriting the property. Other sons and daughters would have to rely on their effort. Even if a lot of people relied on clan politics to get a meager split of the family assets and work hard outside, they might not even be able to save enough to buy a bamboo house in their whole life.

家族中，都是大子继承制。其他的子女就得自力更生。很多人就算是仗着家族政策。分了些微薄的家产，在外辛苦打拼，但终其一生，其积蓄也不够买一栋竹楼。

On one hand, raising Gu consumed a lot and on the other, the village had limited space, so the house prices were very expensive.

一来，养蛊消耗甚大。二来，山寨中空间有限，房价金贵。

They could naturally build house outsides the village but that was not safe. Wild beasts and snakes would always roam around and could intrude into the houses. Above all, every time a beast tide occurred, all the houses outside the village would be destroyed.

当然了山寨外。自然可以随意搭建房屋，但是那很不安全。总会有野兽毒蛇出没。闯入民宅。尤其是每次兽潮一过，不管寨外什么房屋。都会被摧毁冲垮。

Extending the village was the only way to solve this.

山寨扩建是唯一的解决之道。

But extending meant the area to defend would increase and the village wouldn’t be able to defend against beast tide’s attacks. Moreover, if the area was big then it would be difficult to guard against and search for infiltrating Gu Masters of other villages.

但是一旦扩建，外围防御的地方就多了，兽潮袭来，以山寨的力量，根本就防御不住。再者，地方大了，若是有其他山寨的蛊师潜入，也难以警戒搜查。

Gu Yue village had extended several times in history but had been devastated by beast tides. After learning from this lesson, the current village size was already the largest.

历史上，古月山寨几次扩建，都被兽潮摧垮。汲取了经验教训之后，现在的山寨已经是最大的规模。

Fang Yuan skimmed through it and after understanding some situations, he already got the picture.

方源浏览了一遍，了解了一些情况后，心里就有数了。

These three bamboo houses were operated very well by Uncle and Aunt. The rent was also customized to get more profits, so he might as well just let it run like that. He calculated that the earnings from these three bamboo houses were not as much as the wine tavern but the difference was not much.

这三栋竹楼都被舅父舅母经营得很好，租金也定制得敲到好处，索性就照此发展。他算了一下，这三栋竹楼给他带来的收益，虽然没有酒肆的多，但也相差不了多少。

The overall situation was much better than Fang Yuan’s original expectations.

总体情况，比方源原先料想的，要乐观得多。

Just the day before yesterday, he was left with nothing and had become so poor that his primeval stones count didn’t even reach five. But now, all of a sudden, he rose to the list of richest people in the clan.

就在前天，他还只是一个两手空空，身上元石不足五块的落魄穷小子。如今却一下子跻身到族中小富豪的行列。

The female tenants in these rented houses were all Rank two female Gu Masters in difficulty. After knowing Fang Yuan’s identity, their gaze towards him turned amorous.

那些租房的女房客，都是辗转颠沛的二转女蛊师，得知了方源的身份后，看向他的目光都带着媚色。

If they could be near to Fang Yuan and get married to him, then they would no longer have to rush about facing danger; their lives would be smooth and steady.

只要能傍上方源，嫁给方源，对于这些女蛊师来讲，今后也就不用在外奔波，冒着死亡的危险，至此过上安稳的生活。

Such a life was what they were pursuing and using all their strength to fight for.

这种生活，也是她们奋力拼搏，一直想追求的东西。

That is to say that if Fang Yuan wanted, he could retire and live a rich life now like his uncle used to.

也就是说，现在只要方源愿意，他甚至可以马上退隐，过上舅父曾经享受的富足生活。

With a tap of a finger, many female Gu Masters would flock to him.

他勾一勾手指头，就会有许多的女蛊师蜂拥而至。

“But that is not what I want.” Fang Yuan stood at the second floor of the bamboo house, letting female Gu Masters’ provocative gazes fall upon his body. He frowned as he held the railings and gazed afar.

“但这一切都不是我想要的呀。”方源站在竹楼二层，任由女蛊师们火辣辣的视线落在自己的身上，他眉头紧锁，手扶栏杆远望。

Far away, stretched of green mountains went on continuously, looking like a sleeping giant with the gray-blue sky as its quilt.

远处，青山连绵一片，宛若横卧的巨人，把灰蓝色的苍穹当做被褥盖在身上而酣睡。

The endless rivers and boundless earth, when can I move unhindered on them?

万里江河，苍莽大地，何时才能任我纵横？

Amidst the winds of change, dragons and snakes rise from the lands(2), when can I look down upon all living things?

风云变幻，龙蛇起陆，何时才能睥睨众生？

“Since rebirth, I have been drifting with the waves like a rootless duckweed. I spared no effort to get the family assets; with this base, I can be said to have become independent and gained my footing. Next would be to unearth the Flower Wine Monk’s inheritance and put all my effort in cultivating to Rank three, then I can leave this village and go out to the wide world!” Fire burned in Fang Yuan’s deep black eyes.

“重生以来，如无根浮萍，随波漂流。如今竭心尽力，有了这家产，可称基业，算得上成功自立，站住了脚跟。接下来，就是挖掘出花酒传承，奋发图强，修到三转，闯荡天下！”方源深黑的双眸中，燃烧着火焰。

Qing Mao mountain was one of the countless mountains in the Southern Border. And the Southern Border was only a corner of this world.

青茅山，不过是南疆十万大山的一座。而南疆，亦不过只是天下的一隅。

Too small, too small! How could such a place sustain his lofty ambitions?

太小了，太小了！这种地方怎么能承载住他的勃勃野心？

Compared to his ambitions, these family assets – which others were cracking their brains to obtain, which was a thing of yearning – was as tiny as dust.

和他的野心相比起来，这些许的家产，旁人争得头破血流，朝思暮想的东西，渺小得如同一粒尘埃。

“Big brother, come down, I need to talk to you.” At some point in time, Gu Yue Fang Zheng had reached the bamboo house. He looked up at Fang Yuan and yelled.

“哥哥，你下来，我有话跟你说。”不知何时，古月方正来到了竹楼下，仰着头对方源喊道。

“Hmm?” Fang Yuan’s train of thoughts were broken, he looked down at Fang Zhen with an indifferent look.

“嗯？”方源被打断了思绪，面目冷漠，看向楼下的方正。

The brothers’ eyes met; it was silent…

兄弟俩四目相对，一阵无言……

Younger brother Fang Zheng was downstairs and was shrouded by the shadow of another house. He was facing up; his eyebrows were raised and his two eyes were flickering with light.

弟弟方正站在楼下，被另一栋楼的阴影罩住，他仰起的脸庞上，眉头紧皱，一双眼睛闪烁着光。

Big brother Fang Yuan was upstairs; sunlight shone on him, his slightly drooping eyes had pupils as dark as night.

哥哥方源站在楼上，阳光沐浴着他，他微垂的眼帘下，瞳眸漆黑如夜。

Similar faces reflected in each other’s eyes.

相似的面容，彼此倒映在相似的眼眸中。

As to his little brother’s appearance, Fang Yuan wasn’t surprised. Fang Zheng was a weapon of Uncle and Aunt to fight for family assets.

对于弟弟的出现，方源丝毫不觉得意外。方正就是舅父舅母争夺家产的一件利器。

And yet, so what?

然而，又能如何呢？

Fang Yuan looked down at Fang Zheng, sighing inwardly, “A grade aptitude, but is nothing more than a pawn…truly insignificant.”

方源居高临下，俯视着方正，心中则发出一声轻轻的叹息：“甲等资质又如何，左右不过是颗棋子……真是渺小啊。”

(1) It’s referring to Chairman Mao. Writing his name directly in chinese texts are taboo, it seems.

(2) 龙蛇起陆 – It’s along the meaning of ‘an earthquake is about to happen, and all kinds of living creatures feel fretful and uneasy, they start to move about lively. It’s a visualisation description.

《蛊真人》中英文对照版 第一百零三节：野心一大，世界就小

《蛊真人》中英文对照版第一百零三节：野心一大，世界就小