Be a lord in the world of Indian mythology

Chapter 73 Inspection

To be honest, Vijay has only had a few days of pure enjoyment since arriving here.

I've never felt this relaxed before.

The fatigue from days of travel, the anxiety of dealing with others, and the fear of life and death hanging by a thread seemed to be gently blown away by the wind in Mittal Village.

Looking up at the rising sun, I suddenly felt a loss of the urgency to move forward, leaving only a sense of peace and relief.

You've become a little complacent!

As a minor lord in a serfdom society, shouldn't it be time for him to start enjoying life?

Vijay's gaze swept across the empty courtyard, then over the Bim family.

It's not time to let our horses roam freely yet...

He thought of the large number of Dalits in the village, and the still high-ranking upper class in Harappa City.

If we don't improve, it's only a matter of time before we're swallowed up!

Moreover, now that I have come here and inherited everything from Mittal Vige, it is my duty to restore Mittal Village to its former glory, let the villagers live in peace and prosperity, and let this land regain its vitality.

Only with a solid foundation can one withstand wind and rain!

Thinking of this, Vijay stood up, slowly walked out of his house, and strolled along the stone-paved road in the village. The stone slabs under his feet had been worn smooth and warm by the years.

The area is lush with vegetation on both sides, carrying the unique moisture of the Heng River tributary. The air is filled with the fragrance of soil, the freshness of plants, and a faint scent of sandalwood incense.

Every blade of grass, every brick, every inch of land here bears the blood, sweat, and imprint of Mittal's ancestors.

Memories of Mittal Vijay flickered in his mind, from childhood, running and playing on this land, listening to the teachings of his ancestors, and feeling the connection of his tribe's bloodline.

Compared to the bustling and noisy cities outside, this simple and peaceful village is the root of his birth and upbringing, the most secure home in his heart, and the homeland he will always cherish no matter how far he goes.

He turned to look at the old servant Bim beside him.

Throughout the days, Bim remained loyal and devoted, always staying by his side and never abandoning him.

Vijay spoke gently, with genuine concern: "You've been working so hard these past few days. Go back and rest for a few days. We can discuss everything later."

Bim bowed deeply, his back slightly hunched, the white hair at his temples particularly striking in the sunlight, his eyes filled with relief and respect: "May Shiva bless you, Master! It is my honor to have followed you through so many dangers."

After watching Beam leave, Vijay's gaze swept towards Rajan, who was under the shade of a tree not far away.

Vijay raised his hand and said calmly, "Rajan, come here."

Upon hearing this, Rajan immediately stepped forward, a respectful and eager smile on his face, and bowed deeply, his posture humble: "Brahma blesses you, Master, you have finally returned safely!"

Vijay could sense the reverence in Rajan's words, so he nodded slightly and said calmly, "During my time away from the village, I will tell you about everything that happened there."

Rajan immediately straightened his back, patted his chest, and said with a confident tone, as if he were taking credit for something: "Rest assured, Master! Since you left the village, everything has been running smoothly and in an orderly manner! The important matters you entrusted to me before you left have all been taken care of!"

"The saplings in the fields are growing vigorously, so there should be no problem with this year's tribute; the hundred sacred oxen have been settled; and the construction of the logging camp is on track!"

Vijay's heart stirred slightly, and he was quite curious. He had accomplished both of these things through the system, so how exactly did he do it?

Where did the sacred cow come from?

Rajan scratched his head, paused, and seemed not to have grasped Vijay's meaning: "Just as you arranged, on the fifth day after the caravan left the village, a group of Vaishya merchants arrived with a hundred sacred bulls. The leader said that you had pre-ordered these sacred bulls and had paid the full amount, so you came to deliver them, and there was not a penny missing."

"I've already checked! The sacred cows are all healthy, mature animals; there's not a single one that's faulty!"

Vijay understood. The system operated covertly, utilizing such channels for the transaction—extremely secure and leaving no trace. He pressed further, "What about the logging camp?"

"I went to find the craftsman as you instructed, and he said you have already paid!" Rajan exclaimed joyfully. "Brahma above, you are truly farsighted and have a long-term vision!"

"This Vaishya craftsman is highly skilled. He and his team of artisans are working day and night, and the main structure of the logging camp and the storage sheds are all completed. It will be officially operational in less than a month!" Rajan's tone became increasingly excited. "However, the craftsman won't allow me to send Dalits to assist them..."

"Otherwise, the progress could be even faster!"

This "divine artifact" seems quite practical!

Next, we need to focus on how to make good use of "artifacts" to accelerate the development of Mital Village!

Vijay nodded slightly. The two of them had already walked to the village entrance. Their gazes swept over the fields in the distance, and he said in a deep voice, "Besides that, what else is happening in the village? Report the truth."

Upon hearing this, Rajan's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a troubled expression and a tone tinged with complaint and disdain: "Master, everything else is fine, but those Dalits are truly a headache!"

"They are lazy by nature, gluttonous and lazy, only knowing how to shirk their duties and have no diligence whatsoever! When sent to manage the fields around the village, they do a perfunctory job! When asked to repair sheds, they procrastinate and shirk responsibility, outwardly comply but inwardly defy, and even incite gang fights, steal grain, and cause trouble, resulting in many incidents."

"In recent days, dozens of Dalits have either died from illness, died in fights, or escaped due to their inability to be disciplined. They are unruly and difficult to control!"

"Only that Dalit named Treebeard is somewhat useful! He'll even help me out..."

It's rare to hear Rajan say a word of praise for Dalit.

Vijay frowned slightly, his expression darkening.

It's not that I hadn't considered the trouble these penniless people from the bottom rungs of society might cause.

But at the time, I simply didn't have the time to deal with these issues.

Furthermore, this surname system is deeply ingrained, like an invisible shackle, binding the entire society.

Under the constraints of millennia, Dalits either become numb and lazy, giving up on themselves, or develop resentment and take risks—all are states of existence under long-term oppression.

This is not something that can be resolved in a short time!

But we can't leave it unresolved!

Others may not understand, but Vijay knows what the power of the masses is, what the vast ocean of people's war is.

Since others don't value this social class, if I can develop them, I will undoubtedly occupy a natural treasure trove.

Don't forget that there's a character like Shu Hu among them...

Vijay paused for a moment, then said, "We still need to turn them into the people, into the masses!"

Lost in thought, Vijay spoke calmly, yet with an undeniable firmness: "Rajan, I have my own plan for this matter."

Rajan was taken aback upon hearing this, and respectfully bowed his head.

Vijay said no more and continued walking towards the fields outside the village.

The area around the village was still deserted, with hardly any pedestrians in sight.

Upon reaching the edge of the village, the scene before him brought Vijay some comfort.

The once parched, cracked, barren fields are now lush and green, with thriving rice seedlings growing vigorously.

The fields are neatly arranged, and the soil is moist, a world of difference from the desolation and ruin when he left the village.

Rajan followed closely behind and quickly explained, "Master, after you left the village, I arranged for Dalit to dig several deep wells, but the results were not good. We can only transport water from the village's ancient well to barely irrigate the fields... Water resources are limited, and we can only protect the core fertile fields to ensure this year's offerings."

"Just enough to sustain the offerings!" Vijay had very low requirements for food. The grain stored in the warehouse was enough to feed the entire village for several years, so there was absolutely no need to worry. However...

Vijay paused. "Has the river not recovered yet?"

The air isn't as dry as it used to be; perhaps it's because the seasons are about to change.

"No!" Rajan replied hastily, "The riverbed is still dry!"

Vijay nodded, silently noting down the task of dredging the river. His gaze fell on a messy, dilapidated shack area not far away, and his brows furrowed again.

That was the place he had designated for the Dalits to live.

Looking around now, countless makeshift shacks are piled up haphazardly on what was once an empty wasteland.

The shacks were built from dead branches, rotten leaves, rough logs, tattered burlap, and discarded thatch. They were crooked, dilapidated, and on the verge of collapse, offering almost no shelter from the wind and rain.

Between the shacks, sewage flowed freely, garbage was everywhere, feces piled up, and flies and mosquitoes swarmed. The air was filled with a pungent, nauseating stench of rot, sweat, feces, and mold.

The ground was uneven, and under the scorching sun, sewage evaporated, creating a foul stench and breeding grounds for disease.

Through those gaps, one could see countless Dalits lying down, sitting, curled up, or standing numbly in the shadows of the shacks, their clothes tattered and barely covering their bodies.

Many more people, regardless of age or gender, are naked and let flies crawl all over them.

Vijay approached slowly, a profound sense of heaviness and sorrow welling up within him.

The old man is kind-hearted, so naturally he can't bear to see this!

Seeing Vijay trying to approach the shack, Rajan quickly stepped forward to stop him, his expression tense yet tinged with disdain: "Master, your noble status is not to approach this place! This place is filthy, inhabited by lowly people, and would tarnish your status and bring you bad luck!"

Vijay didn't have this taboo, but a gust of wind brought a stench that pinned him to the spot.

How could this place have turned into such a horrible mess in such a short time!

Vijay didn't quite understand.

Just then, a small figure timidly emerged from behind the shed.

It was a Dalit girl, naked and covered in dust and grime, her black hair disheveled and tangled, her fine facial hair covered in dust, only her eyes were clear, bright, pure and flawless.

The little girl, Vijay, remembered that it was he who personally gave her water and bread and saved her.

At this moment, she held a simple wreath in her hands, which was carefully woven from unnamed wildflowers and grasses from the fields. Its colors were light and its workmanship was rough.

The little girl timidly raised her head, her clear eyes cautiously looking at Vijay, her gaze filled with extreme fear and humility, as well as a trace of pure respect.

She dared not approach, her steps hesitant, and slowly walked to a place a few steps away from Vijay before stopping.

Then, she knelt down, prostrating herself on the ground, her small body pressed tightly against the muddy and filthy earth, her hands raised high above her to hold up the wreath.

Seeing this, Rajan stepped forward, blocking Vijay's path to prevent Dalit from touching Vijay's shadow. He shouted sternly, his face full of disdain: "Insolence! You lowly girl, how dare you disturb your master! Get out of here at once!"

"Rajan!"

Vijay raised his hand to stop Rajan, slowly squatted down, gently reached out his hand, and tenderly took the flower wreath from the little girl's hand.

Countless eyes in the shack witnessed this scene.

What a kind gentleman!

The little girl trembled with shock. She looked up, her clear eyes filled with disbelief, ecstasy, and gratitude. Tears streamed down her face. She quickly got up and ran back to the shed.

Vijay handed the wreath to Rajan beside him, his expression serious: "This place is filthy, a breeding ground for disease that spreads easily. It must be cleaned up as soon as possible! Clean up the filth, build neat shacks, dig drainage ditches, and level the ground—at least make this place look more comfortable!"

"But only Dalits live here..." Rajan looked bewildered.

Vijay glanced at Rajan sideways, not scolding him, but feeling that the task ahead was indeed arduous.

"Where is the sacred cow pen?"

"Master, over here!" Rajan realized what was happening and hurriedly pointed to the upwind side of the Dalit shack.

Vijay turned and walked toward the sacred cow's pasture.

Not far away, Vijay saw a simple wooden fence enclosing an area where a hundred sacred cows were being raised together with the dozen or so cows that originally belonged to the village.

The sacred ox is golden all over, with a robust physique, curved horns, and gentle eyes; it is a superior breed.

Upon closer inspection, the scene was chaotic and extremely filthy.

The cattle pen was piled high with manure, sewage flowed freely, the stench was overwhelming, and flies swarmed everywhere. The air was filled with a strong, suffocating stench of manure and fishy smell.

Several Dalits were busy cleaning the sacred cow, wiping its body with precious clean water, and even secretly kissing it with awe, completely disregarding the hygiene of the enclosure, as if the concept of hygiene was simply not in their minds.

Vijay frowned, his expression growing increasingly serious, as he finally understood the source of some of the stench he had just smelled in the shed!

"Master!" A clear voice rang out, and Shu Hu ran over quickly.

He already knew that Vijay had returned, but because of his Dalit identity, he didn't dare to go into the village to pay his respects.

Upon seeing his master, he rushed over at a speed almost comparable to that of an ordinary samurai.

He knelt prostrate before Vijay, his voice choked with emotion: "Master! You have finally returned safely! Thank you, Brahma, for your protection!"

Vijay took two steps forward, helped him up, and praised him gently, "Looks like you did a good job!"

"It's all thanks to our great master!" Shu Hu said very modestly, quickly declining the offer.

"But I hope you do better!" Vijay looked at Treebeard, then at Dalit kneeling in the cow dung, and at the messy shack not far away.

"I want you to select twenty capable Dalits, like yourself, find them, and then report back to me!"

"Now that I'm back, I can no longer let you continue to be so lazy!" Vijay certainly wouldn't do anything outrageous right away.

He had to use language that the Dalits could understand, and proceed slowly, little by little!

"As you wish, my supreme master!"