Chapter 73: Chapter 72: The Calm Before the Storm Chapter 73: Chapter 72: The Calm Before the Storm In the spacious hall, Zhou Lan was dressed in a light blue, tightly-fitting attire, which made her appear less valorous and bracing than when she wore armor, but somewhat more gentle and soft.
“I’m already aware of the matter with the supplies; you handled it very well!”
Sitting at the head of the room, Zhou Lan tiredly massaged her temples as she spoke.
She thought Yang Zhenshan had come to explain the situation with the supplies. It was a minor issue to her, so she mentioned it offhandedly.
Yang Zhenshan didn’t say much, but simply asked, “Does the General have any other orders?”
He just felt that since Zhou Lan had returned, he, as her subordinate, should come to see her and check if there was anything he needed to do.
Relying on someone else’s grain and eating their food, one naturally should take the initiative.
“Nothing at the moment?”
Zhou Lan waved her hand, but then added, “There’s been some disorder in the city recently. Try to avoid going there if you can!”
Yang Zhanshan’s heart grew cold, recognizing this as Zhou Lan’s kind warning.
Why would the city be in disorder?
It was naturally because of defeat.
Now that both Zhang Shouwang and Zhang Yude had returned, the court has presumably been informed of the defeat already.
What reaction the court might have was still unknown, but it was foreseeable that there would be changes among the high ranks of Chongshan Town.
Zhou Lan was probably troubled by this issue.
“Your subordinate understands!”
Yang Zhanshan replied and then got up to take his leave.
After leaving the hall, Yang Zhenshan went to check on Zhao Yuan.
Zhao Yuan also had a face full of worries. Although he was merely a Bazong, he was, after all, the son of a noble and had his own sources of information, giving him a broader understanding of the court and the high ranks of Chongshan Town.
“Cough cough, it seems Marquis Zhang may not be able to stay in Chongshan Town any longer!” said Zhao Yuan gloomily.
Yang Zhenshan’s hand paused as it stroked his beard; somehow, he seemed to have grown increasingly fond of doing so.
As he aged, his heart aged too, and even his behavior gradually aligned with that of an elderly person.
Marquis Zhang was also known as Zhang Shouwang.
Someone had to take responsibility for the debacle at Fushan City, and Zhang Shouwang, as the Great General who led the troops, was the prime candidate.
“General Zhou won’t have any trouble, right?” asked Yang Zhenshan.
Compared to Zhang Shouwang, he was more concerned about Zhou Lan.
Zhou Lan was his support; if she were gone, his life in Chongshan Town would certainly become difficult.
Zhao Yuan shook his head, “General Zhou will be fine, but with Marquis Zhang leaving, it definitely won’t be as easy for her as before.”
Yang Zhenshan understood.
Zhou Lan was not the main commander of this expedition, so she didn’t have to bear the primary responsibility. Moreover, the Left Camp had made significant achievements in this battle; even if there were to be any blame, it wouldn’t fall on Zhou Lan.
Besides, Zhou Lan had the backing of the Duke Ning Mansion; as long as it stood firm, Zhou Lan would not be wronged.
“As long as General Zhou is fine!”
Yang Zhenshan didn’t know what else to say and could only offer such words of comfort.
Zhao Yuan was very downcast, becoming drowsy after only a few words. Yang Zhenshan helped him lie down on the bed and waited for him to fall asleep before leaving.
…
In the following days, the chaos in Chongshan Pass City gradually subsided. Although Chongshan Town had been defeated, the East Sea Hu Clan had also suffered losses, and both sides had entered a temporary truce.
For a time, the city was unusually calm, yet everyone knew that this calmness was the lull before the approaching storm.
However, more than the impending storm, Yang Zhenshan was worried about the drought in Chongshan Town.
It hadn’t rained for months in the lands beyond the pass, and the situation was nearly the same within.
The wheat seedlings in the fields around Linguan Castle were turning a withered yellow, and the streams at the foot of the hills were nearly dried up. If it didn’t rain soon, not to mention irrigating the fields, even drinking water would become a problem.
“Where does this river originate from?”
Beside the stream, Yang Zhenshan looked at the riverbed, now reduced to a few shallow puddles, and asked Old Li.
Old Li pondered for a moment before replying, “It seems that on the mountains near Yingshan Castle, there are a few springs that serve as the source.”
Yingshan Castle is situated about a hundred miles west of Chongshan Pass; the mountains there are somewhat more substantial and forested, a stark contrast to the low mounds of soil around Linguan Castle.
Yang Zhenshan squatted down, digging through the parched mud of the riverbank. After digging down about a foot, astonishingly, no water emerged.
“Let’s dig a well!”
The river was crucial not just for irrigating the fields but also for the drinking water supply of Linguan Castle.
There were still a few small puddles to use for now, but in a few more days, it was anticipated that even these puddles would be gone.
He stood up and surveyed the surroundings, then pointed to a somewhat flat area of the riverbank nearby and said, “Let’s dig a deep well right there!”
Digging a well on the riverbank would be a hassle, but it was expected that the area’s underground water reserves would be much larger.
Yang Zhenshan did not harbor hopes of ensuring a good harvest; the fields around Linguan Castle were poor, and yields were always meager to begin with.
His only wish was to make sure that the military households within Linguan Castle would not run out of water to drink.
Old Li wiped the sweat rolling down his forehead, breathing somewhat laboriously.
It was far too hot today; even after spending over a decade in Chongshan Town, this was his first encounter with such scorching weather.
Yang Zhenshan looked up at the blazing sun and turned towards Linguan Castle to return.
When he arrived back at Linguan Castle, Yang Minghao was just about to set out in search of him.
“Dad, Shopkeeper Luo is looking for you!”
“Shopkeeper Luo? What does he want with me?” Yang Zhenshan asked with confusion.
Shopkeeper Luo, also known as Luo Shang, was the owner of the Luo Family Fabric Store in Chongshan Pass City; he had previously helped with selling cloth shoes on behalf of Linguan Castle.
“I have no idea; he seemed very anxious!” Yang Minghao also felt it was quite peculiar, as aside from their business partnership, they hardly had any other interactions with Luo Shang.
This sudden visit from Luo Shang gave him a sense of unease.
Luo Shang was indeed in a hurry; before Yang Zhenshan could reach the government office, Luo Shang had already stepped out to meet him.
“Master Yang!”
“What is it that Shopkeeper Luo wishes to discuss with me?” Yang Zhenshan did not bother with formalities and asked directly.
Luo Shang hesitated and followed Yang Zhenshan back into the government office.
Upon entering the study, Yang Zhenshan washed his face first and then looked at Luo Shang somewhat curiously, “Shopkeeper Luo?”
That fellow seemed lost in thought, zoning out.
He was so eager just a moment ago, yet now he wasn’t speaking.
“Ah, Master Yang.” Luo Shang snapped back to reality, bowed, and said, “I would like to ask for Master Yang’s assistance!”
“My inferior self!”
Yang Zhenshan found it even more peculiar now.
‘My inferior self’ is a self-deprecating form of address. However, it is rarely used since it greatly diminishes one’s self-worth.
Typically, only servants or individuals of very low status adopt such self-referential terms.
Although Luo Shang was a merchant, and even though such tradesmen have money, and their social status is low, they would not willingly belittle themselves.
“Just speak plainly, Shopkeeper Luo. If I am able to provide assistance, I most definitely will not refuse,” Yang Zhenshan said.
Whether he could help, wanted to help, or was willing to help—these were secondary considerations; he first wanted to hear what trouble Luo Shang was facing.
Luo Shang hesitated for a moment before saying, “I wish to gift my fabric store to Master Yang!”
“Gift!”
Yang Zhenshan looked at him in astonishment.
Although Luo Shang’s fabric store was neither large nor situated in an excellent location, it was still a fairly decent shop that could sell for about 400 to 500 taels of silver.
And Luo Shang was no rich merchant; he was merely a petty tradesman.
To him, the fabric store should have been his most valuable asset. How could he possibly give it away so readily?