Chapter 65

Edited and Proofread by KitKat

During the mid-month of June, Shen Tu Xu had finally escorted the ten thousand “prisoners” to Yanzhou.

Although they managed to keep their lives, they were nevertheless convicted and exiled. The treatment they received along the way was largely cruel. By the time they reached Yanzhou, they were malnourished and dressed in rags.

After both sides had tallied the prisoner count and exchanged documents, Shen Tu Xu’s task was completed. And since there were matters to take care of back in Suzhou, he took his leave thereafter.

Xiao Zhige then assigned officers to make arrangements for these civilians.

Yanzhou’s expansion had not begun while the newcomers were fairly populous. They had not figured out where to allocate them and it was not advisable to abruptly introduce them into the city. It was a good thing that they had prepared a temporary shelter at the city outskirts with residents ready to guide them.

Although the exiled people were unhappy about leaving their home, they dared not step out of line in front of the Northern Warlord. Everyone had resigned to their fate. They complied with the soldiers’ instructions, leading them towards the city’s border.

They thought that they would have to live without a shelter over their heads and labor away day and night. But when they arrived, they saw that a massive stretch of land had been filled with rows of well-made thatched huts. Furthermore, over ninety giant pots of boiling porridge were spread evenly across the whole area.

The people’s despondent expression soon began to change. They looked eagerly at the thatched huts and hot porridge and wondered if those were prepared for them. 

Since this group of people consisted of civilians from different provinces around Kangyong County, Xiao Zhige believed that instead of appointing his men to take charge, it was best to let them manage themselves.

After the group had quietened down, the people at the front, who were mostly elderly men, cautiously stepped forward. They looked at Xiao Zhige with the eyes of a prisoner waiting to be executed.

It was at this point that An Chang Qing’s role became prominent. He gathered the village chiefs and others who had gained considerable reputation during the rebellion and discussed the arrangements with them. After which, they would return and relay to their respective groups.

Having heard An Chang Qing’s speech, these people were all surprised. They had thought that after being exiled, they would just have to wait for their death and there was little hope for a better future. They had never thought that when they reached Yanzhou, not only had they not been treated as criminals, they were also given a path to continue their livelihood!

The village chiefs and leaders were so touched that they were speechless. They bowed appreciatively and said, “Thank you Wangye and Wangfei for your benevolence. We will never forget your kindness!”

An Chang Qing let them leave to relay the details to their people which they did so with enthusiasm. 

Upon hearing about the plans An Chang Qing had for them, the general masses were filled with joy. They had thought that they were doomed, having turned into convicts and exiled, but after arriving at Yanzhou, their hopeless situation had turned for the better.

An Chang Qing and Xiao Zhige stood side by side watching the people queuing up for food with smiles on their faces. They couldn’t help but feel deeply moved. It had taken An Chang Qing many days to formulate and organize the arrangements for these civilians. But the happiness he felt having convinced the senior officials to accept his proposals was nowhere as satisfying as witnessing this scene.

Seeing the plans he worked so hard to develop being carried out to serve the people and filling their eyes with hope again, no amount of praise could give a higher sense of achievement.

Although An Chang Qing was silent, Xiao Zhige could see the shine in his eyes. He looked at the civilians receiving their food and patted him on the shoulder, “Nuo Nuo did great this time. In the future, I’ll leave them in your hands.”

An Chang Qing regained his composure and turned to look at him. He raised his lips and said, “I’ll do my best.”

…..

When the newcomers had settled down, and taken a few days’ rest, they commenced work on building Yanzhou’s outer city and reinforcing the city walls.

The reinforcement of the city walls had been put on hold for many years due to the shortage of manpower. Now that many young and robust individuals had come to Yanzhou, they could provide the labor and in turn, receive pay and food.

And because the outer city would provide settlement for them in the future, this gave them even more motivation than the apportioned food and wages. The earlier they could complete the construction, the sooner they would have a stable home. As such, everyone was diligent in their work. And even if someone dared to misbehave, they would be put in place by the others.

As the construction of the outer city progressed without a hitch, they also received news from Chang Zai Cang that the first batch of raw jade had been mined and was ready to be delivered to the south. This first shipment was meant to open up a path for them to do business with the southern merchants, therefore, it was imperative to send someone proficient. Xiao Zhige had many talented individuals under his command but their talents were for leading troops into battles. The only probable candidate was Xie Ling. However, Xie Ling was a high commanding officer, it would draw too much attention to send him all the way from the North to the South.

Xiao Zhige, who was now accustomed to discussing Yanzhou’s affairs with An Chang Qing, would naturally tell him about this predicament. An Chang Qing pondered briefly and said with a little hesitation, “Actually, there is someone suitable for this job.”

“Who?” Xiao Zhige raised his eyebrows, not expecting An Chang Qing to have someone suitable in mind.

“Zhou He Lan.” An Chang Qing replied.

Zhou He Lan had come to Yanzhou with him but An Chang Qing had no businesses to run in Yanzhou. There was nothing for him to do and hence, he had been taking care of the general management of the manor.

An Chang Qing felt that keeping Zhou He Lan by his side was a waste of his talents. After coming to Yanzhou, An Chang Qing had asked if he wanted a position in the government or the army. After all, in his previous life, Zhou He Lan was honored by Yu Ze’s Emperor as the national teacher. Rather than being a caretaker for the General’s manor, his ability would be put to better use working under Xiao Zhige.

However, Zhou He Lan refused.

In the past few months, Zhou He Lan had grown up considerably. Although he was younger than An Chang Qing, his tall build and lack of expression caused him to seem rather mature. He was still skinny and quiet but a lot more composed, certainly a big difference compared to when An Chang Qing had seen him in his previous life.

Since he did not want to, An Chang Qing did not force him either. The Zhou He Lan of this life was different and although he was leading another path, he still should have the right to choose. An Chang Qing also believed that with Zhou He Lan’s personality, he would not lay low forever. 

And now the opportunity had come.

Xiao Zhige listened to An Chang Qing’s proposal and carefully considered it. Zhou He Lan was still young but he was serious in his work. The General’s Manor had been well-maintained under his supervision. He had also assisted An Chang Qing with managing the shops back in Yejing. And most importantly, he was undoubtedly loyal to An Chang Qing.

After some deliberation, Xiao Zhige made his choice and said, “Let’s pick him.”

An Chang Qing called Zhou He Lan and the three of them discussed the matters that would follow in secret. This time, Zhou He Lan did not refuse.

Other than picking the person in charge, they would also need a few helpers. Since it was nothing urgent, Xiao Zhige let Zhou He Lan evaluate and pick out his team.

When preparations were done, it was the beginning of July. Zhou He Lan gathered his team and bid farewell to An Chang Qing and Xiao Zhige, departing for Liangzhou with a seal from Xiao Zhige.

Having sent Zhou He Lan off, An Chang Qing dragged Xiao Zhige to the fields outside the city for a walk. The weather in July was hot and sunny, allowing the sweet potato vines to grow rapidly. The greenery spreading across the fields and the half-built outer city were pleasant sights to behold. The smile on An Chang Qing’s face could not be erased.

By the time they returned to the manor, it was already noon. An Chang Qing only had two bowls of rice before he left and his stomach was now growling.

Anfu was asked to bring snacks to the pavilion where An Chang Qing was resting. Xiao Zhige was free this afternoon and was accompanying him. He observed An Chang Qing gulping down two plates of snacks and frowned, “Eat less, careful not to get indigestion.”

An Chang Qing did not seem to realize how much he had eaten and mumbled, “I didn’t eat that much. I’m still a little hungry.”

Xiao Zhige had been with him for so long, naturally he would know of An Chang Qing’s regular appetite. His frown deepened and he said, “Have you not noticed that lately your appetite has increased considerably? And also your sleep.”

An Chang Qing thought back and agreed. He hesitated and said, “It does seem like I’m eating a little more than before. I also don’t feel restless and could sleep a lot better.”

Isn’t this a good thing though?

An Chang Qing looked at Xiao Zhige with a confused look, not knowing what he was worried about.

Xiao Zhige sighed inwardly. After Hu Shifei’s diagnosis back in May, he had dug up mountains of medical records but could not find any clues. When they went to speak to  Yu Xiao, he was not able to explain many things due to his age. He insisted that he could feel the baby inside Wangfei because his father was also pregnant before. But when they asked about his father’s origin and how he could become pregnant, Yu Xiao was unable to give a clear explanation.

A man being pregnant was simply inconceivable. Hu Shifei had since taken An Chang Qing’s pulse many times and they all turned out to be smooth pulses. However, it had been two months and An Chang Qing’s belly did not grow any bigger and hence, they were at a loss again.

Because they have not found out the root cause yet, Xiao Zhige still had not told An Chang Qing about the red mark behind his ear. Telling him would just make him worry. Xiao Zhige wanted to wait till they had more information before letting him know.

Xiao Zhige was still in deep thought when he heard someone calling him. 

“Wangye! I’ve found it!” Hu Shifei’s voice had reached them before the man himself could be seen.