Chapter 370: No Disturbing the People

The news that the bandits were repelled came back, and the entire county seat instantly erupted with thunderous cheers.

The common folks rushed out from their homes, cheering and jumping in the streets.

Many people gathered around the yamen runner who had brought the news.

The yamen runner sat on his horse and spoke loudly, “Today’s battle was fought so smoothly; the bandits were driven back into the water before they could even stand firm on shore. Haha, that Gaojia Village Militia…”

He blabbered on, vividly telling the story of the battle at Qiachuan Port.

Gao Yiye and the two girls Qiu and Dong had little interest in warfare; they were still sitting in the shop eating “Fresh Water Hele” and didn’t feel like joining the excitement. But Li Daoxuan shifted his attention over and listened as the yamen runner embellished the tale for a long while.

This time, he clearly heard the details of the battle at Qiachuan Port.

Great; it seemed his own people had suffered at most a few arrow wounds with no major casualties, so he could relax.

As a Deity who favored his own, he least wanted to see his people die.

He was the kind of man who would cry for half a day if one of his own cats or dogs passed away.

“Yiye, it seems Heyang County is safe for now,” Li Daoxuan said with slight delight, directing, “Those livelihood matters I had you and Thirty-Two arrange earlier can now be implemented immediately.”

Gao Yiye put down her bowl with a clang, “Alright!”

Li Daoxuan looked closer; her bowl of “Fresh Water Hele” was already finished, with the soup completely drunk.

“Sigh! Didn’t you say earlier that you were full and wanted the girls Qiu and Dong to help you eat some?”

Gao Yiye, “But this Fresh Water Hele is so tasty; I found I could eat again.”

Li Daoxuan, “…”

Just what kind of person was she.

Wait, they say modern girls have two stomachs: one for staples and one for sweets. So ancient girls should also have two stomachs: one for ordinary food and another for exotic fare.

Girls were truly amazing creatures!

After the county seat bustled with excitement for a while, the first to return were the cavalry camp led by Zao Ying and the Gaojia Village Militia led by Cheng Xu. They were headed back to Gaojia Village, but returning wasn’t as urgent as rushing to reinforce the place, so they didn’t have the cavalry gallop ahead while the infantry caught up slowly; instead, they all reunited and walked back together.

They didn’t circle around the city; they entered directly through the county seat, intending to rest here before continuing on to Gaojia Village.

The Gaojia Village Militia was quite large, with fifteen hundred men. After entering the city, Cheng Xu loudly said, “Ground Rabbit and Zheng Gouzi, take your one hundred guards of the Saint Lady, and come with me. We’ll meet up with the Saint Lady.”

Ground Rabbit and Zheng Gouzi quickly obeyed.

Cheng Xu turned to Gao Chuwu, Zheng Daniu, and the other Militia Soldiers, saying, “Disband on the spot and take your own rest. Gather at the city gate in one hour to continue the journey. Remember, do not disturb the people. The Deity cherishes the common folks greatly. If any of you mistreat good citizens like the officials do, prepare to become labor offenders.”

Gao Chuwu chuckled with his big mouth open, “How could we? We study the three major disciplines and eight points of attention daily; it’s impossible for us to bully the common people.”

Zheng Daniu also grinned widely, “Bullying others is so tiring; you have to swing fists. Better to find a place to eat something delicious.”

Everyone laughed.

Then the Gaojia Village Militia scattered with a roar.

Seeing the militia disband, Zao Ying figured her cavalry camp should also relax and rest, so she waved her hand, “Cavalry camp, rest for one hour too. Don’t disturb the people.”

The cavalry agreed and dispersed separately. They had an extra horse, so they couldn’t stroll as easily as the infantry; walking around required holding the reins with one hand, making it inconvenient.

But that extra horse seemed like an added status symbol. In those days, common folks couldn’t mess with anyone who owned a horse. As they wandered around holding horses, pedestrians on the streets kept their distance.

Zao Ying frowned, a bit worried these men would disturb the people. She trusted the hundred and eighty new recruits well enough, knowing they wouldn’t cause trouble, but wasn’t so sure about her hundred and twenty old subordinates.

After thinking, she whispered softly to Cheng Xu, “Convey my greetings to the Saint Lady for me. I need to roam the city and keep an eye on my old subordinates. They originated as horse thieves; it’s easy for them to disturb the people. Only if I watch them will no problems arise.”

Cheng Xu chuckled, “Alright, Instructor Zao better keep a close watch on them. The Deity is usually kind and gentle, but if he encounters anyone mistreating good citizens, he gets furious. I’ve seen him personally crush returning bandits who oppressed the common people without any mercy.”

Zao Ying nodded, “After staying in Gaojia Village for a while, I roughly understand the Deity’s temper. And we’re no longer bandits; we’re a proper army now—can’t act like we used to.”

Cheng Xu nodded, he he laughing, “I used to have loads of bad habits, but they all changed after coming to Gaojia Village. Even my best trick, falsifying battle exploits, was…”

Zao Ying, “Falsifying battle exploits?”

Cheng Xu caught his slip and quickly shut up, giving a couple of awkward laughs.

Zao Ying had long suspected his identity was odd since he always wore a mask, but she didn’t expose it, just smiled and clasped her fist in salute, dismounted, led her horse with one hand, and began wandering aimlessly through the county seat…

Cheng Xu smiled, then took Ground Rabbit and Zheng Gouzi into the yamen. Gao Yiye and Thirty-Two were already waiting inside. Ground Rabbit puffed out his chest proudly, “Saint Lady, your guards are back! Your safety is now entrusted to the invincible Rabbit.”

Gao Yiye smiled, “The news bearer said you won neatly and added that you used the bomb meant for the cannon as a grenade, disrupting the bandits’ formation and earning great merit.”

Ground Rabbit threw back his head and roared with laughter, his nostrils pointing skyward, “When Rabbit steps forth, no army dares oppose him.”

Nobody paid attention to him after this laugh. Thirty-Two walked up to Cheng Xu, smiling, “With Wang Jiayin defeated so badly, he must be terrified. He won’t return soon, right?”

Cheng Xu nodded, “I think he won’t come back. There are plenty of places along the Yellow River to attack besides ours. Unless he’s lost his mind, Wang Jiaying will surely try landing elsewhere.”

Thirty-Two said, “That’s good. Your men are heading back to Gaojia Village in an hour? Take me along. The Deity has given many directives about economic affairs; I must hurry back to prepare. Our focus from now on should be on Heyang County.”

Cheng Xu nodded, “Heyang County has Qiachuan Port, making transportation much more convenient than in Gaojia Village. It’ll definitely be our new center of gravity.”

He lowered his voice, leaning close to Thirty-Two, whispering, “County Magistrate Feng Jun of Heyang isn’t fully one of us yet; we still probably need to… heh…”

Thirty-Two nodded, “Understood. We’ll handle this person slowly and deliberately.”