The soldier leader felt uneasy, but smiled sheepishly. “This is an exile village.”

Zhou Yu was stunned. An exile village was a place where exiles lived. Exile to Nanzhou wasn’t enough for the three thousand li (approximately 1,500 kilometers) of exile; the place of exile was determined by the nature of the crime. Being exiled to Nanzhou meant the crime was relatively minor.

In recent years, very few court officials had been exiled to Nanzhou; most had their properties confiscated and their families wiped out. Even those who were exiled were sent to extremely cold places. In recent years, the Emperor’s actions had become increasingly ruthless.

Hearing about an exile village today, Zhou Yu fell silent. Exile was better than death.

Zhou Yu stood there for a while, and the soldier leader became increasingly uneasy, urging, “There are more villages ahead. Let’s speed up, and we can get there before dark.”

Zhou Yu noticed some people looking around in the village. “Okay.”

After Zhou Yu turned around, the soldier leader waved his hand behind his back, signaling the villagers to go back.

The caravan set off again, and only then did the soldier leader feel completely relieved. What bad luck today! How did we end up in an exile village by chance!

The soldier leader couldn’t help but glance back at the village. Their general had been secretly protecting the people of the exiled village. The villagers were literate, and some even knew medicine. Every now and then, the general would send soldiers over to learn basic medicine and arithmetic. Even he himself had learned arithmetic in the village.

Inside the Zhou family carriage, Yang Xi lowered her voice, “There’s a secret here.”

Zhou Yu nodded. “General Zhang of Nanzhou is no simple man!”

The exiled village was indeed something to avoid, but from another perspective, it was a treasure. Those who entered officialdom were all well-educated, and if they were lucky enough to have a royal physician exiled there, it was a wealth that couldn’t be bought.

Yang Xi lowered her voice again, “General Zhang wants grain. I think it’s not just for sustenance, but also to store some grain as a precaution. What do you think?”

Zhou Yu nodded in agreement. Those with foresight could see the situation clearly in this year’s chaos. Once things really got out of hand, the garrison’s food and pay would be gone.

In less than half an hour, the caravan arrived at Xiahe Village. The houses in the village looked nice, and children could be seen playing.

Yang Xi immediately understood; Xiahe Village wasn’t a military village.

He also noticed that the people of Nanzhou weren’t as afraid of soldiers as those in other states. Upon entering the village, some villagers even gave the soldiers rations, further increasing the impression of General Zhang.

The soldier leader, seeing everyone staring at him, scratched his head. “Our general said that when we protect Nanzhou, we protect not only the land but also the people.”

Zhou Yu really wanted to meet General Zhang, but unfortunately, he didn’t have the status to approach him. “Your general is benevolent and righteous.” Hearing this, the soldier leader was even happier than if he’d been praised.

Yang Xi negotiated the rent with the villagers, bought firewood from the soldiers using the rations, and also bought several fish from the villagers to make fish soup that evening.

The two hundred soldiers were taken in by the villagers, and two houses in the village were vacated for them to live in.

Third Yang carried two fish over and returned, saying, “They only eat palm-sized pancakes for one meal, and only two pancakes a day. When I delivered the fish, I heard a lot of slurping sounds.”

Yang Xi asked, “You didn’t just deliver fish, did you?”

Third Yang chuckled, “I also bought four catties of sorghum from the village. I’ll add extra water and cook it into porridge so it’ll warm their stomach.”

Zhou Yu asked, “What do you think of General Zhang?”

Third Yang wilted and said, “Jiefu, General Zhang is kind-hearted to both his soldiers and the people. I admire him greatly.”

He mingled among the soldiers, hearing mostly about how great their general was, and the soldiers genuinely respected him.

Zhou Yu took the opportunity to lecture him, “There are always people more capable than you, and there’s always something to learn.”

Third Yang’s face was serious. “I will study diligently and never be arrogant or complacent.”

Yang Xi smiled, smelling the fish soup. “Go wash your hands; dinner’s coming soon.”

Zhou Yu watched Third Yang go to wash up, then said to his wife, “This kid isn’t discouraged by the huge gap in abilities; he can still reflect on his shortcomings. Very good.”

Yang Xi nodded, her tone slightly downcast. “I quite like Nanzhou, but it’s a pity it’s not a place to live.”

Nanzhou’s geographical location was too important; its importance meant it was a strategically vital location.

Zhou Yu said, “Ruizhou would be even better.”

Yang Xi smiled. “Yes.”

After resting for a night, they set off before dawn the next day. Having spent a considerable amount of time in Nanzhou, Yang Xi and her group quickened their pace.

They soon arrived at Shanxian County, and beyond that, they had passed through Nanzhou.

Yang Xi and her group had to part ways with the soldiers. The Nanzhou soldiers, due to their strict discipline, had won the favor of Yang Xi and her group, allowing them to enjoy plenty of food and drink.

Yang Xi sometimes muttered to herself, “These escorting soldiers are all so kind; they’re probably also thinking of getting some free food!”

After resting for a day in Shanxian County and traveling for another half day, the soldiers could no longer escort them.

Zhou Yu handed the donkey cart to the soldier leader. “This is your reward.”

The soldier leader was dumbfounded. The grain on the cart, plus the grain sacks piled on the ground, amounted to at least six taels of silver. Adding the donkey itself, his heart pounded. “No, we’ve already eaten quite a bit of your grain.”

Zhou Yu smiled. “You’ve a long journey back. Take it.”

The garrison of Nanzhou protected the people of this region, and he was happy to give more, especially since war was imminent, and he didn’t know how many of these vibrant lives would survive.

Third Yang also came over. Li Zheng was carrying two bags, which Third Yang gestured to be placed on the donkey cart. “These are the shoes I bought. This is a small token of my appreciation. Thank you for instructing me in martial arts.”

The soldier leader felt conflicted. He instructed Third Yang because Third Yang had grown up in the military, and it reminded him of his own child. He wouldn’t have instructed anyone else, partly because this child was too adept at handling situations.

The soldier leader laughed heartily. “Alright, I’ll remember your kindness. We’re not allowed to use our names outside; at home, I’m called Seventh Brother. You can call me Seventh Brother, too.”

Zhou Yu said, “See you again someday.”

The soldier leader smiled; he didn’t think there would be another chance. This group was heading south to settle down and probably wouldn’t return.

The soldier leader watched the group leave. Someone couldn’t help but stare longingly at the bags. “Boss, can we get new shoes?”

Seeing his companion’s eager eyes, the soldier leader looked down at the shoes with exposed toes and waved his hand. “Change them.”

Even after the caravan had gone far away, the cheers could still be heard. Yang Xi smiled and said, “There are good and bad soldiers, too.”

Even in an era where bandits roamed!

Zhou Yu hugged his wife; he still regretted not being able to meet General Zhang.

After passing Nanzhou, they traveled for three more days through the mountains. Plains came into view, and the group couldn’t help but look back at the endless mountain ranges. Attacking Nanzhou would be difficult!

After three more days of travel, the group reached the riverbank. They needed to cross by boat, but crossing by carriage was expensive—150 coins per carriage, plus extra for each person. Children under thirteen were free, while those over thirteen paid five coins each.

Crossing the river was a significant expense; families without means couldn’t migrate south, even if they begged their way across, they would still need money to settle down upon arrival.

Yang Xi looked at the sky. “Let’s hurry and cross the river. Only by crossing can we feel secure.”

Zhou Yu thought so too. Although there were officials guarding the docks, fights were frequent. River transport was highly profitable, and various factions fiercely competed for it.

Yang Xi and Zhou Yu went to pay and get tickets. The tickets were pre-copied, with separate tickets for horses and people. Several carriages received several tickets, and donkeys were charged the same price as horses. Their group was quite large, so they paid and received a bunch of tickets.

Yang Xi looked at the river. “Building a bridge would be much more convenient.”

A low laugh came from behind, muttering, “Ignorant.”

(End of Chapter)

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