CHAPTER 276: CHAPTER 273: TRUST

After a day of tossing about, the sky darkened.

A campfire was lit in the mountains, with Song Xian and Old General Zhang gathered around the fire.

The old man with white hair sat on the ground, holding the dry cake Song Xian handed to them, chewing vigorously.

These cakes were brought by Song Xian from Daqi. Because they had to pass through checkpoints, movement was inconvenient, so he carried only non-perishable dry food.

The dry food was cold and hard, requiring a long time in the mouth before it could be swallowed.

But for Old General Zhang and his men, this was a full meal they hadn’t had in a long time.

Having been stationed in the territory for many years, Old General Zhang and his men were long unacquainted with comfort, constantly traversing the mountains and woods, skirmishing with the previous dynasty’s army, surviving only because of this.

After Old General Zhang and his men were full, Song Xian walked over to speak with Old General Zhang.

Old General Zhang, holding the remaining half of a cake, said, "This cake is made very differently."

Song Xian nodded, "These are made in Zhenzhou, baked a bit harder for convenience, used by the army with holes in the middle for easy carrying."

Old General Zhang nodded, habitually tucking the half cake back into his bosom.

Old General Zhang said nothing, and Song Xian was not in a hurry, just sat quietly next to him.

The fire crackled with the sound of burning wood, apart from that there were no other movements.

Song Xian’s men stood around like sculptures.

Without asking, Old General Zhang understood a bit about Song Xian. This person was bold, meticulous, and commanded his troops well, no wonder he had gained such fame at a young age in the army.

The Emperor of Daqi sending such a main general to attack the eight states showed a firm resolve to reclaim the territory.

Old General Zhang said, "General Song seems anxious, otherwise he wouldn’t take the risk of entering Dai State with just a few men."

Song Xian nodded, "Indeed anxious, especially after passing Baimaling and seeing the situation here, I’ve become even more eager to go home."

Upon hearing the words "go home," Old General Zhang was visibly startled, unexpectedly scrutinizing the young man beside him who now seemed different from the sharp killer moments ago.

Old General Zhang frowned, "If you want to go home, why did you bring troops here to fight?"

Song Xian replied, "Precisely because I miss home, I can’t allow Zhenzhou to become like this, with years of war forcing the people of eight states to be displaced. If we don’t save the eight states today, it might spread to Zhenzhou tomorrow."

"We just quelled the northern unrest, started having our fill, living stable lives—solve the hidden threats early, and I can marry and have children soon, sleeping until noon."

Upon hearing these words, even the men beside Old General Zhang couldn’t help but laugh.

"That’s a good thought," said one of the men, "I want the same."

Chang An looked at his grandpa, wishing it were daylight so he could see if the grandpa’s skin was thickened by the border winds.

But grandpa’s words weren’t a joke; thinking about marriage and children even amidst battle—it truly is adulthood.

If this longing reached the old lady’s ears, she would surely smile broadly.

Old General Zhang reached out to pat Song Xian’s shoulder, using substantial force, yet Song Xian’s body remained unmoved.

Old General Zhang asked, "Are you aware of my troops stationed nearby?"

Song Xian replied, "On the other side of the mountain."

Old General Zhang hesitated, "How do you plan to help us?"

"The previous dynasty’s Imperial Family knows the old general’s troops are in Dai State. Failing to catch the old general, they’ll surely send more troops. We must hide our men and equipment before they arrive and collaborate from inside and outside when Daqi soldiers attack Xinzhou."

Song Xian said, taking out a secret letter and map from his bosom, "The old general’s whereabouts were leaked by Princess Jiahui’s people. Before anything else, the old general must capture the spies among you."

"I didn’t bring many men, but we can help."

With a decision made, Old General Zhang hesitated no longer and ordered everyone to get moving.

Old General Zhang asked, "How is Xu Tingzhen now?"

The old general remained cautious, probing before fully trusting Song Xian.

Song Xian replied, "Mr. Xu opened the Familiar Medicine Institute in Chen Family Village, taking on a disciple. The pair made finished medicine and recently quelled an epidemic in Zhenzhou with their medicine."

Song Xian handed a medicine bottle to Old General Zhang, his eyes closely watching the old general’s hands as the old general intended to tuck away the bottle, reaching out to retrieve it.

The bottle was made for him by Liangchen, absolutely not to be given away, not even to Old General Zhang.

Old General Zhang wanted to ask more.

Song Xian asked, "Have you heard about Zhenzhou while in Dai State?"

Old General Zhang nodded, hearing that Daqi was mobilizing forces and sending generals to the eight states, being queried by both the previous dynasty’s Imperial Family and himself.

He heard most about Song Xian, Song Qizheng, and Cai Rong among them; suspecting Song Qizheng at first, surprised it turned out to be Song Xian at twenty.

Given the court appointed Song Xian, he must possess outstanding qualities.

News arrived from border soldiers at Baimaling about Qi Land’s prosperity—seeing people digging and gathering herbs even at the pass.

Merchants infiltrating the eight states spoke of Zhenzhou-related matters.

Like spinning wool into thread tassels and such—though mere fragments, it showed Zhenzhou was well governed by Song Xian.

Song Xian continued, "Then you must have heard of Chen Family Village. Liu Erniang and her brother Gouzi have now registered in Chen Family Village. Before I came here, Liu Erniang expressed that she hoped the people of eight states could live like those in Chen Family Village."

Old General Zhang paused in silence before saying, "In that case, tell me about Chen Family Village!"

Along the way, Song Xian told Old General Zhang all there was to know about Chen Family Village, including what Liu Erniang was doing now, even mentioning Old Man Liu’s death, Gouzi staying at the Familiar Medicine Institute sorting herbs, Mr. Xu and Xie Liangchen giving Gouzi acupuncture daily, hoping his eye condition would improve.

Liu Erniang went to the Xingzhou warehouse, where she met Cui He and persuaded him to infiltrate the eight states.

The person able to say these things not only knew Chen Family Village well but also cared about it deeply. Old General Zhang didn’t easily believe people, but he encountered countless people over the years and believed he wouldn’t misjudge. He trusted the Song Xian before him to help them, not to exploit them, different from Princess Jiahui’s people.

Old General Zhang led Song Xian into the village.

Song Xian’s eyes fell on the villagers, noting their thin frames and wary eyes, reminding him again of Chen Family Village.

...

Back in Chen Family Village at this moment.

Chen Yongsheng was stealthily transporting grain into the mountains.

After the autumn harvest, part of the northern grain was to be sent into shelters, which Miss Xie referred to as the charitable granary.

Having just come down from the mountains, Chen Yongsheng was about to count heads when he bumped into another group.

Both groups were startled, almost crying out together.

In the moonlight, Chen Yongsheng glanced and discovered it was Fan Lizheng.

Fan Lizheng grabbed Chen Yongsheng, exerting full force in his grip, "We also need to enter the charitable granary."