43: Chapter 43 Is life really that valuable?

Shang Youjun's eyes welled up.

He really wanted to cry.

He wanted to see this city.

He wanted to see the City Lord.

He wanted to see what this place, which made him feel the color orange, actually looked like.

However—

Shang Youjun dug his nails deep into his palms.

He suppressed that urge once again.

His father's words echoed in his ears:

"Youjun, only by blinding these eyes can you continue to live well."

"Remember, it is better to live in disgrace than to die."

Father said, do not restore your sight, never.

Otherwise... disaster will befall you.

Shang Youjun did not understand what disaster meant, but he believed his father.

Therefore, even though he longed for the light at this moment... he could only bury that longing deep in his heart.

Curiosity killed the cat, and it would kill him too!

...

After the registration was completed, it was time to assign work.

The new citizens lined up and approached the Official of Works one by one.

They were responsible for assigning suitable work based on each person's physical condition and specific skills.

"What did you do before?"

"Reporting to you, sir, I was a carpenter."

"Good, go report to the Tiangong Department; they are short-handed there. Next."

"And you?"

"I used to farm, sir."

"Fine, go clear land outside the city. Next."

...

The line moved forward slowly, and the new citizens were assigned to their respective posts one by one.

Next, it was Shang Youjun's turn.

The Official of Works looked up, glanced at him, and was immediately stunned.

The youth in front of him was twelve or thirteen years old, with a delicate face, but his eyes were tightly shut.

He wasn't just closing his eyes to rest, but...

"Your eyes..." the Official of Works hesitated.

"Reporting to you, sir, I am blind," Shang Youjun replied calmly.

The Official of Works frowned.

He looked down at the register in his hand, then looked up to size up Shang Youjun, his gaze filled with a bit of difficulty.

A blind youth... what work could be assigned?

Moving bricks? He couldn't see the road and would easily trip.

Manual labor? He couldn't see things and would easily make mistakes.

Farming? Even less likely.

The Official of Works hesitated for a moment, and just as he was about to say something, Shang Youjun spoke first:

"Sir, although I cannot see, I can do anything."

"Moving things, washing clothes, cleaning... I can do all these tasks."

"I do not want to eat and drink for free; please give me a job, sir."

Hearing this, the expression of the Official of Works sank slightly.

"This is not a matter of what you think." His tone was somewhat stern,

"You are blind, and many jobs carry risks. If I assign you work beyond your capabilities and you make a mistake, that is a small matter..."

He paused and emphasized his tone.

"But if you get hurt, or even face a life-threatening situation, I would be held responsible!"

Shang Youjun was completely stunned.

He opened his mouth but couldn't say a single word.

Held responsible? A life-threatening situation?

This Official of Works... was he worried about his safety?

Shang Youjun's mind went blank.

When he was in Liu City, apart from his family, no one had ever cared whether he lived or died.

Those managers and overseers looked at him as if he were just a tool.

If he could work, he was worked to death; if he couldn't, he was kicked out.

Who would ever care if he got hurt? Or if he was in danger?

Yet this Official of Works before him... although his words were stern, the meaning between the lines was that his life and safety were far more important than the work itself?

Shang Youjun could not understand.

He was just a blind person, a refugee, someone at the very bottom.

Was his life... really that valuable?

...

Just then, a familiar voice came from the side.

"What is going on here?"

Shang Youjun recognized it; it was that chubby Minister Wang.

Minister Wang Fugui walked over, his gaze scanning back and forth between Shang Youjun and the Official of Works.

The Official of Works quickly stood up and saluted: "Minister Wang."

"Hmm." Minister Wang Fugui nodded, "What is going on? Stuck?"

The Official of Works sighed,

"This little brother is blind, and this subordinate really does not know what work to assign him."

Minister Wang Fugui finally noticed Shang Youjun's tightly shut eyes.

He was stunned for a moment, then frowned.

"Blind?"

He looked at Shang Youjun suspiciously.

"Isn't there black jade connection paste that can be used? Why not use it?"

"Is it not enough?"

His tone was somewhat urgent, "If it is not enough, this official will go ask the City Lord for instructions and get a few more boxes!"

Shang Youjun's body trembled slightly.

He lowered his head, his lips moved, but he didn't know how to answer.

"It's not..." His voice was very soft, almost like a mosquito buzzing.

"Then what is it?" Minister Wang Fugui pressed.

Shang Youjun's face flushed red, and he stammered, unable to speak clearly.

He just lowered his head, his hands tightly gripping the corners of his clothes, his knuckles turning white.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward for a moment.

Just then, a calm voice sounded from the side.

"Perhaps it is like me; it had no effect when used."

Minister Wang Fugui turned his head to look and saw Strategist Zhu Ge's wheelchair slowly being pushed over.

Strategist Zhu Ge glanced at Shang Youjun, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, and then said to Minister Wang Fugui:

"Although the black jade connection paste is miraculous, it is not omnipotent."

"Some injuries cannot be completely healed by the medicine's power. My legs are like that."

He patted his own legs, which resembled withered wood, "I imagine this little brother's eyes are in a similar situation, right?"

Shang Youjun was slightly stunned, then nodded gratefully in the direction of Strategist Zhu Ge.

Minister Wang Fugui listened to Strategist Zhu Ge's explanation and nodded thoughtfully, "So that is how it is."

He pondered for a moment and suddenly said: "Since that is the case, let's not assign work to these two."

The Official of Works was stunned: "Minister Wang, what do you mean..."

"Their wages will be recorded under my name."

Minister Wang Fugui waved his hand, his tone casual, "This official will just deduct it from my monthly salary."

Once these words were spoken, the Official of Works widened his eyes, looking at Minister Wang Fugui with total disbelief.

This Wang Half-City... he hadn't been possessed by some unclean spirit, had he?

Minister Wang Fugui felt a bit uncomfortable under his astonished gaze, cleared his throat, and said irritably:

"What? Do you have an objection?"

"No, no!"

The Official of Works hurriedly shook his head, withdrew his gaze, "This subordinate will go register it now."