Three days later, in a ruined temple in Crescent village, Land of Wind.
Dozens of villagers huddled in a corner, continuously watching the mobile phone in Araki's hand.
On the screen, there was first a scene of Land of Water soldiers beheading a spy at the border.
Then, there were workshops of a textile factory, where workers were busy chatting and laughing, their joy and happiness almost overflowing the screen.
In the farmland, harvesting machines shuttled back and forth...
Finally, in a medical clinic, a white-bearded doctor was treating a patient, with "Free Consultation" written next to him.
Araki held his phone higher and shouted, "I only dared to come back to everyone after working at the textile factory for over a month and receiving a salary of 62,000 ryo!"
The villager Eiji hugged his arms, took half a step back, and shouted, "Araki, you weren't tricked by the Land of Water people, were you?! Six times the salary is too outrageous, it couldn't be a trap, could it? Last time, someone even said that Land of Water soldiers came over to steal our food and money!"
These words were like a basin of ice water poured over them, instantly calming down the originally excited villagers. Many villagers' faces showed hesitation.
Although Eiji's words were a bit harsh, they were not without reason. What if this was a carefully designed scam?
Seeing this, Tatsuma quickly echoed, "Yes. Araki, Eiji also has a point. What if this is a trap set by the Land of Water? If we go, we might never be able to come back."
Araki took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He slammed the Land of Water banknotes and payslip onto the stone table nearby.
"Idiots! I risked my life to come back. Do you think it was just to brag to you? The story about stealing food is completely false. The Land of Water is so rich, why would they come over to steal the meager money you have?"
Seeing that his friends and family didn't believe him, Araki roared in anger, "You also know how strict the border is now! Once caught, it's a crime punishable by beheading! If I didn't want to bring you all to get rich together, would I gamble with my life?!"
"Eiji, if you don't want to live a good life, then stay in the village! My fields and house, I'll give them all to you!"
Eiji was startled by Araki's anger and took a step back.
He looked at the payslip with the red seal on the ground, then at the image of the beheaded spy displayed on the phone screen. His lips moved, but he couldn't utter a word of rebuttal.
Tatsuma, seeing the situation was not good, quickly interjected to smooth things over, "Araki, don't be angry. Eiji just heard rumors and is a bit scared. Also, this is a matter where heads can roll, so being cautious is understandable. And we do believe you, that's why we came here with you."
As he spoke, he winked at the other villagers, urging them to quickly express their stance.
Seeing this, the other villagers all chimed in, "Yes, Araki, we all believe you. That's six times the salary. Even if we die, it's better than starving together in this poor village."
Araki took a deep breath, and the anger in his heart subsided a little. He bent down to pick up the banknotes scattered on the ground, then put them into his pocket.
"Tatsuma-san, I didn't mean to lose my temper, I just felt wronged. We grew up together, you know what kind of person I am, how could I deceive you? Once we get to the Land of Water, you'll naturally know that everything I said is true."
...
That night, more than thirty villagers, carrying dry rations and luggage, hurried towards the border in the dark.
Eiji walked at the back of the group, quietly clenching the bundle in his hand. The doubts in his heart had long been replaced by the desire for six times the salary and a better life.
Such scenes were playing out daily along the borders of the Land of Wind, Land of Earth, and Land of Lightning.
The returning people's phones all contained videos of life in the Land of Water.
Seeing the prosperity of the Land of Water completely shattered the rumors created by spies. After all, there's no reason for a rich man to go and steal food from beggars.
The Land of Water's workers' monthly salary of 60,000 ryo, farmers' income of 50,000 ryo, and the immigration reward of 200,000 ryo, like a set of keys, unlocked the common people's desire for a better life.
For them, even at the risk of being executed, they had to smuggle themselves into the Land of Water. After all, they were tired of being poor.
—
A few days later, in the main hall of the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Earth.
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth, his face full of rage, threw a report in front of Ōnoki.
Ōnoki lowered his head, looking at the secret report: Spies captured... Immigration numbers surging... Millions smuggled...
"Ōnoki! Look at the good deeds you've done!"
Ōnoki's body trembled slightly, and cold sweat dripped down his wrinkles.
He spoke with some regret and self-reproach, "Daimyo, please calm your anger, it was my miscalculation. I didn't expect the Land of Water's reaction to be so swift and extreme, using a reward of 200,000 ryo per immigrant to snatch people."
However, the angry Daimyo had no desire to listen to his explanation. "You are the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki! Have you lived for 75 years in vain? You didn't even think of such an important matter!"
Ōnoki's lips moved, wanting to argue, but he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.
"The Land of Water's immigration reward is 200,000 ryo. As long as people go there, they get houses and jobs. This has caused people in the border cities to almost all run away. Now five border cities have become ghost towns! Even more than a dozen nobles with titles have fled!"
The Daimyo's emotions grew more agitated, and he fiercely smashed his teacup onto the ground.
With a crisp "snap," the teacup instantly shattered into pieces, and tea splattered wildly.
"Your previous plan to 'drag down the Land of Water' was to let them use high salaries to trick away our common people? And the Land of Akatsuki and the Land of Water also didn't fight. Ōnoki, do you want the Land of Earth to perish in your hands?"
Ōnoki's face turned pale, as if he might fall to the ground at any moment.
"This is my fault, I didn't foresee it."
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth had a constipated expression, his face terribly grim.
"Ōnoki, starting today, you must reflect well! I will send someone else to manage the border. If we can't stop the smugglers, none of us will live."
Ōnoki slumped in his chair, his lips trembling, unable to speak.
Facing a six-fold salary difference, even the strictest prohibitions couldn't stop commoners from seeking wealth.
...
On the other side, in the Daimyo's residence of the Land of Wind, Rasa sat slumped in his chair, as if he had lost all his strength.
Intel showed: "The Land of Wind has lost over 10 million common people in one month. The common people of over six cities have abandoned their homes..."