Yan Prefecture

048 Yan Prefecture

The plan was to build a ring of small towns around Baishi Village. Baishi Village would be the center of a tic-tac-toe grid, with roads extending outward along the outside of the village's four walls, creating four main avenues.

The four streets would divide the area into eight new districts. Everyone newly entering Baishi Town would have to live in the district at the northwest corner, followed by an observation period of three to six months.

The observation would cover not only whether they had complicated backgrounds or ulterior motives, but also what skills they possessed.

At the same time, it would give them a chance to adapt to the rules of Baishi Town.

In troubled times, severe measures were necessary, so Ming Shu had everyone handle affairs more strictly. The rules had not yet become too complicated, but once someone made a mistake, the punishment would be heavier.

The rewards had also been increased. Anyone who made a contribution would be commended and publicly praised.

The three districts south of the town were all residences for official members. The western district was the market, where merchants from outside could set up temporary stalls. Anyone with goods to trade would come here as well.

The eastern district served as the guards' camp. The northern and northeastern districts had been reserved and were still being planned.

These were merely the outlines cleared from the ruins of the original town. A high wall would still be built around the outskirts to defend against outside enemies.

This place had neither advantageous terrain nor natural barriers to provide protection. They could only continue rammed-earth construction and build walls.

The Butcher and the others naturally did not have to wait, but there were not enough completed houses, so they could only be dispersed and squeeze in wherever they could.

Although the Hunter had died, quite a few hunters remained among their group. Ming Shu had Zhao Dun and Zhao Chuan select several elites to reinforce the two of them, while the rest formed hunting teams.

They would hunt in the nearby forests. Hunting did not only mean pursuing ferocious beasts—wild chickens and rabbits counted too. Spirit Fruits and Spirit Medicines found in the wilderness could also be gathered. Hunting and gathering went hand in hand.

Ming Shu had also included this in the youths' education program—hunting and gathering.

He had not even had time to cultivate properly. When Little Zhao returned with a reply from Li Jixu, Ming Shu began preparing to visit the prefecture seat.

Donghai Prefecture's seat was in Tancheng. The round trip would take two or three days, and that was only because Little Zhao was quick-witted and fortunate enough not to suffer much delay.

Thus, Ming Shu estimated that this outing would take several days.

Although the outside world had not truly fallen into chaos yet, they still had to be prepared.

In his letter, Li Jixu told Ming Shu to go first to Huai Ren County, meet with the county magistrate, and then travel to the prefectural city together.

Ming Shu entrusted the household affairs to his wife, Zhao Siqi, and the chief steward, Old Zhao. He himself set out with Little Zhao and Chong Li. Ren Yuan was still recovering from his injuries, and as their main combat strength, he had better remain behind at the main base.

They headed south, crossed Wenzhuang, bypassed Stone Bridge Town, and then went east to Huai Ren County. When he had first arrived, he could not even name these places. After several months here, he had already figured them out.

Carrying the prefectural governor's letter to the county office, he finally got to meet the county magistrate this time. The magistrate was named Fan Jin.

He was also a scholar from Qi Lu Academy, with the cultivation of Scholar Fourth Tier [Mid-stage Jinshi Realm]. Ming Shu had learned this key detail from the Life Book.

It was also possible that Lord Fan Jin loved to show off and had revealed his strength voluntarily, allowing Ming Shu to sense it passively.

"Master Zhang, since Lord Li has just taken office and summoned us personally, we should hurry and set out!"

What Ming Shu had not expected was that this county magistrate had not arranged a carriage. Like everyone else, he rode his own horse. The party was not large either. The County Assistant stayed behind to handle affairs, while the adviser had to accompany him.

With a six-man escort squad added in, the group was already pared down to the bare minimum.

Judging from his style, Ming Shu would have believed it if someone told him he was a military officer.

It seemed that the last time Ming Shu had come, he really had been busy rather than brushing him off.

Although he was already middle-aged and had quite a sizable belly, Lord Fan Jin placed one foot in the stirrup and vaulted onto the horse in a single leap. His movements were nimble, and he did not even need a guard to help him up.

He cracked his whip and set off, decisive and clean, without the slightest trace of hesitation.

Ming Shu and Little Zhao could only chase after him from behind.

The group hurried eastward. After a day and a night, they reached the Mu River and lined up to wait for the ferry.

Once they crossed the river, they would be within Tancheng's boundaries.

A black carriage, drawn by a pair of galloping horses, suddenly cut in from the side and shoved Lord Fan Jin out of the way.

The adviser was about to explode, but Fan Jin immediately grabbed him and indicated that he should let it go.

Instead, he straightened his clothes and bowed respectfully.

Only after the carriage and horses had boarded the ferry and departed did Fan Jin explain, "That is the carriage of the Yan Prefecture Princess. Don't provoke her. You need not worry about my dignity."

Over the past two days, Ming Shu had also learned that Fan Jin's background was not impressive. He had only entered officialdom in middle age, clawing his way up step by step to the present. Becoming a county magistrate was already a stroke of incredible luck.

It was simply that no one wanted to come to Donghai. Since he happened to be from Qi Lu Academy, he had been shoved over here to serve as county magistrate.

His political achievements were negative year after year. This was probably his final appointment.

If he did not cooperate with the pirates, he could only be a poor county magistrate with no benefits to skim. So long as he did not foolishly throw himself into the pirates' pit and oppose them, they could not be bothered to pay him any attention.

Judging by the situation, Lord Fan probably had not brought any gift for Governor Li either.

Ming Shu certainly could not show off. He had no intention of doing so anyway. As long as he did not happen to bring something out for comparison, everything should be fine.

They could only wait for the next ferry.

Ming Shu quietly asked Chong Li beside him, "Isn't Yan Prefecture in the north? How did they end up here?"

Ming Shu had no clear idea where Yan Prefecture was, but he knew that from here, they would have to cross the Yellow Dragon Great River to the north, then continue a considerable distance farther.

Yan Prefecture had been established in the north to concentrate all military and administrative power and resist invasions by the northern barbarians. As a result, present-day Yan Prefecture was practically a nation within Great Jin, with an exceptionally high degree of independence.

Its strength also placed it among the most powerful of Great Jin's various feudal lords. Perhaps only Marquis Qin in the west, who resisted foreign enemies, could compare.

The recent information transmitted by [Starfall] included news that Marquis Qin had been elevated to Duke of Liang.

That was a direct leap from a Principal Fourth Rank marquis to a Subordinate Second Rank duke. This news also gave Ming Shu his first realization that strong soldiers and sturdy horses were the true source of confidence.

Even without being given anything, one could still forcefully take it.

After the Han Clan was lost, the power of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty had weakened, while King Chu in the south had grown stronger, forcing the Sacred Reign Emperor to make this move.

Without confidence in facing both the northern barbarians' advance south and King Chu's rebellion at the same time, he had resorted to this absurd arrangement.

The intelligence from the Sky-Toppling Observatory also said that the Wei Clan would move west to take over Marquis Qin's task and continue resisting the enemies in the northwest, while Marquis Qin would head south, occupy Bashu, and resist King Chu's advance up the Azure Dragon Great River.

Although the armies had not truly begun clashing, the undercurrents surging throughout the various regions had gradually risen to the surface.

The King of Yan probably could not hold back from heading south either. In name, he was merely the Duke of Yan, but his strength was sufficient for everyone to call him the King of Yan. Everyone tacitly accepted it.

Moreover, in reality, the Young King Yan was the one running things. The Old King Yan was already at the stage where he was merely clinging to life. He simply refused to let his title be downgraded any further.

If the Young King Yan inherited the title according to procedure, all that would remain was a Principal Third Rank prefectural duke.

By then, Yan Prefecture might even be divided into several pieces.

The good news was that the late Emperor, who had fought with the Old King Yan for his entire life, had departed first, leaving behind a complete mess. The current Sacred Reign Emperor was still negotiating with Yan Prefecture. If he restored the royal title, Yan Prefecture would probably acknowledge him.