Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 21 Placement
About an hour later, the cavalryman who returned to Wuheli to report the news led 19 people back to the ancestral hall.

One of them was about forty years old, with long and thin cheeks, and was carrying a medicine box in his hand. The others were carrying stretchers, bamboo baskets, tiger-splitting shovels and other items.

Si Qing was checking the injuries of two seriously injured cavalrymen. Seeing this, he hurriedly called out, "Doctor Li, come and see my two brothers."

The doctor hurried forward and after a careful examination, he twirled his beard and said, "Don't worry, my lord. Your life is safe."

Si Qing breathed a sigh of relief and ordered people to put Shen Lian's body on a stretcher. He discussed with Zhao Cuo, "Xiao Cuo, sending Shen Lian back to the king's residence now will only cause his family grief. Why not take him to Wuheli first? After the young master has properly settled him, he can be buried with dignity. This way, you can also give his family an explanation."

Zhao Cuo clasped his fists with gratitude and said, "I'll follow your arrangements, brother."

Si Qing looked at Xu Sheng and Zhang Ying again: "Where are you two planning to go first?"

Xu Sheng and Zhang Ying looked at each other and said, "There's nothing to do in Changshouli. Let's go with Xiaocuo."

"Good!" Si Qing nodded. "In that case, let's go back to Wuheli immediately."

After a simple packing up, Zhao Cuo carried Tao Sang on his back, and two cavalrymen carried Shen Lian's body down the mountain. Other cavalrymen would take care of all the matters on the mountain.

After going down the mountain and returning to where the horses were tied, I saw two new cavalrymen looking after the horses, three of which were pulling a carriage.

Everyone put Shen Lian's body on a carriage, let Tao Sang get on another carriage, and rode their horses towards Wuheli.

When we returned to Wuheli, it was already dark.

Around the wooden platform, more than a thousand people had not yet dispersed. Firewood and candles were scattered everywhere, and torches were like a forest, illuminating the surrounding area as if it were daytime.

About three or four hundred people were still waiting in line at the complaint counter and the recruitment counter.

The rest of the people sat in groups of three or five, or seven or eight, in various places, some engaged in lively discussions, others enjoying bean cakes, pickled vegetables, or wooden cups filled with water.

An acquaintance came towards him and greeted Zhao Cuo with a smile on his face.

Zhao Cuo couldn't help but ask, "Seventh Uncle, why are you so happy?"

The middle-aged man, known as Seventh Uncle, smiled and said, "Young Master set up a complaint office and returned the extra acre of land occupied by the Fei family to me. He also exempted everyone from property tax and several city taxes. Everyone feels hopeful and is very happy. The refugees are even better off. Young Master has exempted them from all taxes this year. Wow, that's unheard of!"

Zhao Cuo screamed and opened his mouth wide. Xu Sheng and others beside him also showed surprised expressions.

Everyone hurried to the wooden platform and saw Yan Yi sitting at a desk in the middle of the platform, looking through bamboo slips.

Si Qing turned around and said a few words to Xu Sheng and others, then walked up to the wooden platform, bowed to Yan Yi, and then recounted what happened in the afternoon in detail.

"Zou Ta secretly sent roving soldiers disguised as bandits to plunder our territory, and also planted spies to collude with local officials to oppress the people. This is a sign of undermining our foundation and starting a war." Yan Yi pondered.

Si Qing agreed, "Zou calls himself the Benevolent King of Eastern Wu. He has great ambitions and must be guarded against!"

"He's been out in the wild for too long, and he's set his sights on the juicy Wucheng! If he joins forces with Qian Tong, they'll have an army of 10,000, comparable to ours, so naturally he'll be emboldened." Yan Yi sneered, "But victory or defeat in military strategy isn't determined solely by numbers."

Si Qing frowned and said seriously, "This matter is probably related to the young prince's upcoming garrison at Haiyan. After the young prince and his deputy commander leave for Haiyan, Wucheng will only have 7,000 soldiers left, and they will also face external pressure from Yuan Shu and Wu Jing. For Zou Ta and Qian Tong, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise an army."

Yan Yi nodded slightly: "You are right!"

"What does the young master plan to do?" Si Qing asked worriedly.

Yan Yi pondered and said, "We'll discuss this matter after we return to the city."

He looked at the audience and found that Xu Sheng and Zhao Cuo were watching the applicants drawing bows and shooting arrows with great interest. A smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Go and call Xu Sheng and the others." Si Qing took the order and left.

Yan Yi put down the bamboo slips, picked up a piece of bean cake from the table, and chewed it slowly.

When Si Qing led Xu Sheng and the other two over, he smiled and pointed at the mats around the table: "Everyone, please take a seat."

Zhao Cuo and Zhang Ying seemed a little reserved, while Xu Sheng was more calm. The three of them walked to a mat and sat down.

Zhao Cuo looked in surprise at the table filled with bean cakes, vegetable soup, and a few grilled fish, which were considered the only meat. "Is this what the young master usually eats?"

"These are gifts from the people. How can I refuse such a kind gesture?" Yan Yi smiled and said, "You must be hungry too. Fill your stomachs first. Someone, bring some wine!"

Two strong maids hurried to the cart and brought over two jars of wine.

As soon as the seal was removed, the aroma of wine filled the air.

Xu Sheng leaned forward slightly, sniffed the aroma of the wine, and said excitedly, "Good wine!"

Zhao Cuo's eyes widened and he licked his lips. "Of course it's good wine! This is the Ruoxiachun wine from our Wucheng, brewed with the best glutinous rice. This is the wine we pay tribute to the emperor. I've never tasted it in my life!"

Si Qing picked up the wine jar and filled the bowls in front of everyone.

Yan Yi raised his bowl and said, "Everyone has done a great job in eliminating the bandits. Cheers to you all!"

"It is my duty to eliminate the thieves for the people. Thank you, Young Master!"

Everyone picked up their bowls and drank it all in one gulp.

After drinking two jars of wine, everyone was a little drunk.

Zhao Cuo, a knight-errant, was often looked down upon by his fellow villagers, who thought him idle. But now, seeing the envious looks of the villagers below him, he felt the greatest joy of his life, and his face flushed with excitement.

After a satisfying meal and a few drinks, Yan Yi summoned Cao Qiu and recounted Shen Lian's story. He instructed, "Shen Lian died while eliminating the bandits. Announce this at the village pavilion so everyone in the village knows. Also, grant his family 300,000 coins, exempt them from taxes for three years, and give them a lavish burial! You will personally oversee this matter."

Cao Qiu was taken aback, wondering who this person was and why he was treated so kindly by the young master. He straightened his face and said, "Don't worry, young master. I will definitely take care of this matter!"

Zhao Cuo was deeply moved and bowed to the ground: "Shen Lian was able to leave a good name in the world, and his family was able to be supported, all thanks to the grace of the young master. Zhao Cuo thanks you!"

Xu Sheng and Zhang Ying also bowed down.

Yan Yi's kindness to Shen Lian was obviously due to ulterior motives. After helping the three of them up, he said, "I have a separate courtyard in Wucheng. Tao Sang can live there first. If she wants, she can also work in my house. When to return to Changshouli is up to her."

Zhao Cuo didn't know what to say anymore and his heart was filled with gratitude.

Yan Yi stood up and said, "Come with me."

Everyone quickly followed.

Yan Yi arrived at the recruiting platform and saw dozens of people standing in a semicircle, watching a young man in brown clothes and straw sandals carrying a stone lock.

"Come on, just five more lifts and you'll pass!"

(End of this chapter)