Chapter 328
Yang Shoucheng arrived only a quarter of an hour later than Yin Wuyan. As Yin Wuyan, carrying Zhan Feiyu, just walked out of the winding sheep trail, they encountered Yang Shoucheng and his party.
"Father!" Yang Xu shouted hoarsely from his horse, his eyes red. After a night of death and escape, seeing Yang Shoucheng, Yang Xu finally found his anchor.
Yang Shoucheng dismounted and walked over quickly, patting Yang Xu's shoulder. "It's good that you're alright."
"But Brother Hu Zi and the others..." His voice choked. Lin Jiang and the others had protected Yang Xu very well. Although last night was exceptionally dangerous, Yang Xu had only sustained minor injuries.
However, three of the people protecting Yang Xu had died. Hu Zi, whom he mentioned, was only in his early twenties. He had been fatally wounded by an enemy's sword to the chest while protecting Yang Xu, dying on the spot.
Yang Shoucheng's hand on Yang Xu's shoulder tightened a few moments. Lin Jiang had already informed him of the deaths of Hu Zi and the other two. However, having experienced too many deaths over the years, Yang Shoucheng suppressed any further emotions.
Looking at his son, who was filled with guilt and self-blame, Yang Shoucheng knew that eventually, Little Xu would get used to it – accustomed to comrades dying on the battlefield, accustomed to relatives and clansmen dying under the enemy's blades. "Only to die for the country on the battlefield, why must our bodies be returned home in horse hides."
Patting Yang Xu's shoulder again, Yang Shoucheng then looked at Zhan Feiyu, who had been set down by Yin Wuyan, and bowed to her solemnly. "The Yang family will remember this kindness."
Lin Jiang and the others stood silently by. Zhan Feiyu had saved Yang Xu's life, and from now on, wherever the Yang family could be of use, they would not hesitate to repay the favor, even at the cost of their lives.
Only Wei Shuying, at this moment, was scrutinizing the fair-skinned Zhan Feiyu with a discerning gaze. This young girl clearly had been pampered and raised delicately, her skin so fair and tender it seemed as though one could squeeze water from it. Wei Shuying didn't believe, from the first glance, that she would risk her life to save Yang Xu at Aozi Pass.
However, Yang Shoucheng's attitude was evident. No matter how straightforward Wei Shuying's nature, she wouldn't speak out of turn. But the seed of doubt had already taken root in her heart, growing vigorously.
"Uncle Yang, you don't need to be so polite. Yang Xu and I know each other, and if he were in danger, I certainly wouldn't stand by. If I were in danger, I believe Yang Xu would risk his life to save me," Zhan Feiyu said with a casual smile. Her motive for saving Yang Xu was simple, but the premise was self-preservation. If it truly meant exchanging one life for another, Zhan Feiyu wouldn't be so selfless.
Yang Shoucheng nodded, then thanked He Nuan again.
"General Yang, there's no need. I was merely following my young lady's orders," He Nuan replied gently. Her ordinary face showed no hint of joy or pride, as if saving Yang Xu was as insignificant as saving a street beggar.
Tie Wen looked at He Nuan with surprise. With this life-saving favor, not to mention power and status, she could at least be freed from her servant status and live a life of wealth and honor. Yet, this maid showed no intention of seeking credit. Tie Wen could faintly sense the stiffness and coldness in He Nuan's voice. If she had a choice, she might not have even saved Yang Xu, as saving Yang Xu meant leaving Zhan Feiyu.
Yang Shoucheng's party had all arrived on horseback. After allocating a horse to He Nuan, Yin Wuyan and Zhan Feiyu shared another, while Yang Xu rode with Yang Shoucheng. The group then galloped towards Xiangwu County.
...
The return of Zhan Feiyu and Yang Xu brought joy to Qiu Zongxi and Old General Yang. They immediately ordered servants to prepare hot water and meals. Although they knew the two would be alright, their hearts couldn't be at ease until they saw them.
"Haha, we can finally prepare a proper New Year's Eve dinner," Qiu Zongxi laughed heartily.
The barbarians were either dead or captured. In Xiangwu County, apart from the dozen or so households whose houses were burned down, and the citizens who died defending the city, everyone else was safe and sound. Every household had prepared chicken, duck, and fish.
The citizens whose houses were burned took the five taels of silver temporarily issued by the county office and went to stay with relatives for the New Year. After all, even rebuilding houses would have to wait until after the New Year, until the snow melted and the temperature warmed up, otherwise, construction could not begin.
In the front courtyard, in the study.
Yang Shoucheng came to the study after a perfunctory wash. Qiu Zongxi and Old General Yang were discussing how to compensate the deceased citizens.
"Father, Uncle Qiu, why don't we compensate each person fifty taels of silver first?" Yang Shoucheng knew that the citizens deserved credit for defending Xiangwu County. Especially since the deceased were either the pillars of their families or strong young men in their prime. Fifty taels of silver might sound like a lot, but who would willingly accept such "death silver"?
Qiu Zongxi did not object, merely scoffing, "I'm afraid the county office doesn't have much money. Perhaps it was all pocketed by that fellow surnamed Zhu!"
County Magistrate Zhu had initially gone up to the city wall. Later, seeing the three thousand barbarian troops outside the city, County Magistrate Zhu had fled amidst the chaos. Qiu Zongxi and the others had noticed him then but didn't have the time or energy to deal with the fleeing County Magistrate Zhu.
Since he couldn't escape empty-handed, he must have taken all his belongings with him. Moreover, given County Magistrate Zhu's greed, he likely wouldn't have spared the county office's treasury. However, Xiangwu County was a barren land, so the government office probably didn't have much money.
Old General Yang and Yang Shoucheng were both taken aback. The Yang family had not yet been restored to their former glory, so even if the Yang family could procure funds, they could not use them openly.
Qiu Zongxi was not short of money, but he was accustomed to a carefree life. In the early years, apart from festival gifts, his household also sent him money. Apart from his annual allowance, Qiu Zongxi returned any excess money.
After a few such instances, the Qiu household stopped sending extra money, only providing the income from Qiu Zongxi's private properties. This money was just enough for his expenses.
A rough estimate this time, excluding the injured citizens, the number of deceased on the city wall, including the citizens and constables, as well as the household guards and retainers of merchant families, was estimated to be over three hundred.
This was also because they held their ground on the city wall and did not venture out. If it had been a real battle, facing three thousand barbarian troops, even with a great victory, the death toll would have been at least two thousand.
Therefore, to come up with fifteen thousand taels of silver at once, and this did not even include the injured, Qiu Zongxi coughed dryly, a rare look of embarrassment on his wrinkled old face.
"Borrow from a bank or a merchant in the name of the Yang family or the government," Old General Yang suggested. Regardless of anything else, they couldn't let the citizens feel disheartened.
Qiu Zongxi, thinking of Zhan Feiyu, who was always so refined and particular about her food and clothing, couldn't help but say, "If not, let's borrow from Little Yu first. That little girl probably has some."
Suddenly realizing that he was not as wealthy as a young girl, the usually indifferent Qiu Zongxi felt a pang of poverty for the first time. Perhaps he should properly manage the shops and estates in Qianzhong Dao. Not to earn much money, but at least to have funds when needed, so he wouldn't be so stretched.
"If Little Yu has it, it would be more convenient," Old General Yang agreed with a nod.
Being so poor that he had to borrow money from a young girl, Old General Yang felt too ashamed to ask. He looked at Yang Shoucheng, who was seated below. "Little Yu saved Yang Xu, and with so many debts, we can't worry about one more. Shoucheng, you go and talk to her later."
Picking up his teacup and taking a sip, Qiu Zongxi pretended not to hear. He was practically half a teacher to the little girl; how could he borrow money from his disciple? Where would his dignity as a master be?
His father and Uncle Qiu were certainly not being polite. Yang Shoucheng could only accept the task. Regardless of status or age, asking to borrow money was always difficult.
Just as the three of them reached a consensus, footsteps were heard from outside the study. The steps were slightly heavy and even somewhat slow. Without looking, one could tell it was Yang Xu.
Upon receiving permission, Yang Xu entered the study.
"Your hair isn't even dry yet. What's the rush?" Qiu Zongxi observed Yang Xu, whose eyes were still bloodshot. The danger of last night had taken a toll on Yang Xu. He had likely encountered such a perilous situation for the first time in his life.
Head bowed, after a moment of hesitation, Yang Xu finally looked up at Qiu Zongxi and slowly said, "Grandpa Qiu, last night at Aozi Pass, Brother Qiu died tragically while protecting me."
Lin Jiang had already informed Yang Shoucheng in detail about Qiu Jinyu's death, but Yang Shoucheng hadn't had a chance to tell Qiu Zongxi.
However, Yang Xu and Zhan Feiyu had returned, but Qiu Jinyu and his attendants had not. The outcome was self-evident.
Qiu Zongxi silently put down his teacup. He did not favor Qiu Jinyu, but since he had come, and considering Qiu Jinyu had saved Yang Xu on his way to Xiangwu County, Yang Xu had also grown fond of him. Therefore, Qiu Jinyu staying at the Qiu residence was something Qiu Zongxi treated as if the person didn't exist.
Normally, when Qiu Zongxi taught, even if Qiu Jinyu attended, Qiu Zongxi would not question him or grade his essays.
...
...County Magistrate Zhu had initially gone up to the city wall. Later, seeing the three thousand barbarian troops outside the city, County Magistrate Zhu had fled amidst the chaos. Qiu Zongxi and the others had noticed him then but didn't have the time or energy to deal with the fleeing County Magistrate Zhu.
Since he couldn't escape empty-handed, he must have taken all his belongings with him. Moreover, given County Magistrate Zhu's greed, he likely wouldn't have spared the county office's treasury. However, Xiangwu County was a barren land, so the government office probably didn't have much money.
Old General Yang and Yang Shoucheng were both taken aback. The Yang family had not yet been restored to their former glory, so even if the Yang family could procure funds, they could not use them openly.
Qiu Zongxi was not short of money, but he was accustomed to a carefree life. In the early years, apart from festival gifts, his household also sent him money. Apart from his annual allowance, Qiu Zongxi returned any excess money.
After a few such instances, the Qiu household stopped sending extra money, only providing the income from Qiu Zongxi's private properties. This money was just enough for his expenses.
A rough estimate this time, excluding the injured citizens, the number of deceased on the city wall, including the citizens and constables, as well as the household guards and retainers of merchant families, was estimated to be over three hundred.
This was also because they held their ground on the city wall and did not venture out. If it had been a real battle, facing three thousand barbarian troops, even with a great victory, the death toll would have been at least two thousand.
Therefore, to come up with fifteen thousand taels of silver at once, and this did not even include the injured, Qiu Zongxi coughed dryly, a rare look of embarrassment on his wrinkled old face.
"Borrow from a bank or a merchant in the name of the Yang family or the government," Old General Yang suggested. Regardless of anything else, they couldn't let the citizens feel disheartened.
Qiu Zongxi, thinking of Zhan Feiyu, who was always so refined and particular about her food and clothing, couldn't help but say, "If not, let's borrow from Little Yu first. That little girl probably has some."
Suddenly realizing that he was not as wealthy as a young girl, the usually indifferent Qiu Zongxi felt a pang of poverty for the first time. Perhaps he should properly manage the shops and estates in Qianzhong Dao. Not to earn much money, but at least to have funds when needed, so he wouldn't be so stretched.
"If Little Yu has it, it would be more convenient," Old General Yang agreed with a nod.
Being so poor that he had to borrow money from a young girl, Old General Yang felt too ashamed to ask. He looked at Yang Shoucheng, who was seated below. "Little Yu saved Yang Xu, and with so many debts, we can't worry about one more. Shoucheng, you go and talk to her later."
Picking up his teacup and taking a sip, Qiu Zongxi pretended not to hear. He was practically half a teacher to the little girl; how could he borrow money from his disciple? Where would his dignity as a master be?
His father and Uncle Qiu were certainly not being polite. Yang Shoucheng could only accept the task. Regardless of status or age, asking to borrow money was always difficult.
Just as the three of them reached a consensus, footsteps were heard from outside the study. The steps were slightly heavy and even somewhat slow. Without looking, one could tell it was Yang Xu.
Upon receiving permission, Yang Xu entered the study.
"Your hair isn't even dry yet. What's the rush?" Qiu Zongxi observed Yang Xu, whose eyes were still bloodshot. The danger of last night had taken a toll on Yang Xu. He had likely encountered such a perilous situation for the first time in his life.
Head bowed, after a moment of hesitation, Yang Xu finally looked up at Qiu Zongxi and slowly said, "Grandpa Qiu, last night at Aozi Pass, Brother Qiu died tragically while protecting me."
Lin Jiang had already informed Yang Shoucheng in detail about Qiu Jinyu's death, but Yang Shoucheng hadn't had a chance to tell Qiu Zongxi.
However, Yang Xu and Zhan Feiyu had returned, but Qiu Jinyu and his attendants had not. The outcome was self-evident.