Picking Up the Family

Nangong Zhan solemnly accepted the items, packed dry rations, and galloped at full speed toward Azure County.

Three days later, Nangong Zhan arrived at the Azure County Office, identified himself, and successfully met County Magistrate Yang Yunlong.

After learning Nangong Zhan's purpose, Yang Yunlong did not dare delay in the slightest. He immediately ordered the yamen runners to prepare three spacious carriages, ample provisions and fodder, and guards, then head straight for Azure Creek Village.

Nangong Zhan had not expected Yang Yunlong to be so cooperative, saving him no small amount of effort.

"Many thanks, Magistrate Yang."

Nangong Zhan cupped his hands and thanked Yang Yunlong.

"You are too courteous, little brother. This is merely my duty. Rather, please convey my regards to Hundred-Man Commander Li."

Yang Yunlong wore an amiable expression, without the slightest hint of a county magistrate's lofty arrogance.

"I will truthfully report your words to Lord Li. Farewell."

Nangong Zhan did not dare waste time and quickly departed with the yamen men.

After Nangong Zhan left, the smile vanished from Yang Yunlong's face, leaving behind a grave expression.

"My lord, although Li Xuancang is a Hundred-Man Commander, was there really any need for us to cooperate with him so fully?"

Once Nangong Zhan had departed, Yang Yunlong's adviser beside him asked in confusion.

Li Xuancang was a Hundred-Man Commander, but Yang Yunlong was also a county magistrate, holding the power of life and death over a hundred li in every direction. His status was higher than that of a Hundred-Man Commander, so there was no need for him to curry favor with one.

"What do you know?"

Yang Yunlong rebuked him, then said slowly, "I received word from an official of the Commandery Governor's Residence that the commandery army will abandon Azure Cloud Ridge and withdraw into Profound Sun Commandery City."

At this point, Yang Yunlong's eyes filled with worry as he continued, "When that happens, every other region will become a place where Barbarians and Demons run rampant. We will soon retreat as well. If we do Li Xuancang a favor now, perhaps we will receive generous returns in the future."

Yang Yunlong had his own sources of information and knew that the commandery army was about to abandon Azure Cloud Ridge. He had to plan for what came next.

Once the army withdrew to the commandery city, they would inevitably have dealings with it. Befriending a Hundred-Man Commander brought nothing but benefits—why not do it?

Besides, what Li Xuancang had asked of him was merely a lift of the hand. Why offend a Hundred-Man Commander over something so trivial?

"What? The army is abandoning Azure Cloud Ridge? Doesn't that mean we're in danger?"

Upon hearing this, the adviser looked as though he had been struck by lightning, his face instantly drained of all color.

"What are you panicking for? When the time comes, I will naturally take you with me."

Seeing the adviser's panic, Yang Yunlong snapped at him.

Even if the Barbarians and Demons came killing their way over, officials like them would leave in advance. There was no need to worry.

"My lord is absolutely right. This lowly one lost his composure."

The adviser quickly calmed down. He was not an ordinary commoner; he would not have to stay behind and wait for death.

At noon, the urgent clatter of carriages and horses suddenly sounded outside Azure Creek Village, shattering the village's peace.

The villagers, already worrying over tomorrow's livelihood, poked their heads out one after another, their expressions instantly turning panicked.

A large party rode into the village. At its head was a Battle Soldier clad in armor, a long blade hanging at his waist.

His posture was upright, his face cold and stern, and he carried the iron-blooded Sha Qi unique to soldiers.

Behind him followed ten yamen runners from the Azure County Office, surrounding three broad, sturdy carriages draped with thick cloth curtains. Small flags representing military status were planted on the shafts, giving them an imposing air.

The villagers had never seen such a spectacle. Terrified, they all hurried back into their homes, peering secretly through door cracks and over courtyard walls, their faces full of alarm and bewilderment.

"Why have government officials come again? There are even soldiers—are they here to seize able-bodied men and collect taxes again?"

"It's over, it's over. We can barely survive as it is. Is the government still going to force us into a corner?"

"Keep your voices down. Don't let them notice you."

"..."

The villagers whispered among themselves in low voices, every face pale, every heart filled with fear.

The shadow of crushing taxes had long made them fear government officials and soldiers.

Taking it for yet another calamity descending upon them, the entire village fell into a tense, deathly silence. Adults covered the children's mouths, not daring to let out even the faintest sound.

Nangong Zhan had no time to care about the villagers' terror. He led his men straight to the entrance of the Li Family's small courtyard, dismounted, stepped forward, and knocked gently on the door, his tone respectful.

"Is Master Li or Madam Li at home? This subordinate is Nangong Zhan. By order of Hundred-Man Commander Li Xuancang, I have come to escort you both to the commandery city for resettlement."

Father Li and Mother Li had already been alerted and were about to open the door. Upon hearing Nangong Zhan's words, they froze.

"Bang!"

After a moment of stunned silence, the two were overwhelmed with excitement and hurriedly threw open the courtyard gate.

Mother Li's face flushed red as she seized Nangong Zhan's arm.

"You came from the borderlands? Do you know whether my son is well?"

Father Li was equally excited, his reddened eyes fixed tightly on Nangong Zhan, wanting to learn more news of his son from his mouth.

Though Mother Li had grabbed his arm, Nangong Zhan did not pull away. He answered respectfully.

"Master Li, Madam Li, Lord Li is perfectly well. He specially sent me to bring you to Profound Sun Commandery City to enjoy a life of comfort."

The news that the army was abandoning Azure Cloud Ridge had not yet spread, and Nangong Zhan could not make it public, so he found a reasonable excuse.

"This is Lord Li's handwritten letter and token. Please examine them, honored elders."

Father Li and Mother Li accepted their son's handwritten letter and token with trembling hands, tears nearly bursting from their eyes.

They read every word with great care, as though they could see their son, who had been away from home for more than two years, within the letter.

"The government people came for the Li Family. Everyone, don't worry."

"Could something have happened to the Li Family boy? Has the government come to deliver news of his death?"

"Even Battle Soldiers came. This must be no ordinary matter."

"..."

Seeing the government party head toward the Li Family, the villagers gradually relaxed.

Some harbored vicious thoughts, hoping Li Xuancang had died on the battlefield and the Li Family would fall from its pedestal.

Some villagers could not suppress their curiosity and headed toward the Li Family's small courtyard.

Seeing the curious looks on the villagers' faces, Nangong Zhan called loudly to those gathered around.

"Fellow villagers, Hundred-Man Commander Li has repeatedly won extraordinary merit at the border and received great rewards. He specially sent me to escort his family to the commandery city so they may live in peace. There is no need for alarm."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire village erupted. Their panic turned into shock and envy, and discussion rose and fell without end.

"So the Li Family boy sent people to fetch his family. No wonder such a grand procession came."

"That Li Family boy is truly filial. He fights at the border himself, yet he has not forgotten to bring his parents away to enjoy a better life."

"The commandery city is safe. The Barbarians and Demons cannot fight their way in there. The Li Family is going to live peaceful days now."

"..."

The villagers watched as the yamen runners carefully loaded the Li Family's belongings onto the carriages and helped Father Li and Mother Li aboard. Their eyes were full of envy, along with deep helplessness.

They too wanted to go to the commandery city and no longer worry about whether they would survive from one day to the next, but even entering the county town was difficult for them, much less the commandery city.

"Let's go!"

With the yamen runners helping, the household's belongings were quickly packed up.

The four members of the Li Family quickly boarded the carriages and departed without speaking to the villagers.

In his letter, Li Xuancang had instructed Father Li and Mother Li not to speak with the villagers and to leave with Nangong Zhan at once.

Father Li and Mother Li firmly obeyed their son's arrangements, saying nothing and giving the villagers no chance to question them.

"Will the Li Family ever come back after leaving?"

As the carriages slowly departed Azure Creek Village, the villagers stood at the village entrance and watched them for a long time, their discussions never ceasing.

Nangong Zhan guarded the carriages and did not dare delay for even a moment. Before long, they reached the neighboring Zhang Family Village.

Their arrival at Zhang Family Village similarly caused panic among the villagers, who gathered to watch and talked heatedly.

When Nangong Zhan explained that he had come to take Li Xiu's family with him to the commandery city, the Zhang Family Village villagers became even more envious.

"Xiu'er, we have land and livestock in Zhang Family Village. If we leave this place, how are we supposed to live in the commandery city?"

It was hard to leave one's native soil, and Zhang Erzhu did not want to leave Zhang Family Village.

They still had several mu of land to make a living from in Zhang Family Village. If they left, they did not even know how they would survive.

"Don't worry! Lord Li has already arranged everything. Hurry and go!"

Nangong Zhan only wanted to bring them to Profound Sun Commandery City and complete Li Xuancang's instructions, so he coaxed the Zhang Family.

It was not exactly a lie. Given Li Xuancang's status, arranging some work for the Zhang Family in the commandery city would be as easy as turning over his hand.

"Father, Elder Brother, hurry up! Sister-in-law's younger brother is a Hundred-Man Commander. How could he let us go hungry?"

Zhang Cuihua kept urging them, her eyes full of anticipation. She could no longer wait to head for the commandery city.

"This... very well!"

Though Zhang Erzhu and his son were reluctant, they did not dare resist and could only follow along.

After Nangong Zhan confirmed that both families' relatives were all present, he immediately waved his hand and led the three carriages and the yamen runners away at a gallop, leaving behind nothing but a village full of discussion and envy.