Chapter 105: Bai Yuan Seeks Help
This evening, as I was preparing for bed, I suddenly heard a cicada chirping outside my window. As it chirped, another joined in, making two cicadas sing together. This must be a propitious sign from heaven, hinting that I should add another chapter. So... here's one more update!
----
As evening settled, Li Daoxuan dragged his weary body home.
During the day, he'd met Cai Xinzhi by the Jialing River. The two old friends had enjoyed the crisp autumn breeze, chatting idly over brewed tea, their spirits light. They'd even sampled Zibo barbecue, not returning home until the sun was dipping below the horizon, thoroughly content.
Once home, he habitually settled beside his diorama box.
He first surveyed Gao Family Village, ensuring its routines were undisturbed. Then, he shifted his view to Zhengjia Village, observing the nascent autumn wheat fields. Just then, he caught sight of more than twenty villagers from Zhengjia Village, riding Solar Car No. 2, making their way back home beneath the lingering glow of the sunset.
“Faster! The sun’s almost gone!” Gao Chuwu urged, agitation clear in his voice. “If we’re any later, the whole car will be stuck out here.”
Zheng Daniu replied, “I’ve already pulled the solar panels open as wide as they go. We’re at maximum speed!”
Gao Chuwu grumbled, “How can maximum speed be *this* slow?”
The two earnest men were practically bathed in sweat, yet the other passengers burst into hearty laughter, completely unconcerned. With such a large group, even if the sun did fully vanish, they could easily push the vehicle the rest of the way. But they kept their counsel, clearly finding amusement in the pair’s frantic worry.
Li Daoxuan couldn’t help but smile. Shifting his view back to Gao Family Village, he saw Gao Yiye playing jump rope with a cluster of children. She was increasingly letting her true self shine, no longer deliberately maintaining the dignified facade of the Saintess. Instead, following the Heavenly Lord’s divine mandate, she was embracing the vibrant girl she’d always been.
She was, after all, the most headstrong, playful, and delightfully mischievous girl in Gao Family Village, far from a mere decorative figure. She loved nothing more than to join the children in their games of jump rope.
As the children skipped rope, their voices rang out with a lively Pinyin song: “Open wide, aaa! Round mouth, ooo! Flat lips, eee! Teeth together, iii...”
Their joyful chorus was abruptly interrupted when Mr. Wang, the village teacher, stormed out of Gao Family Fortress, brandishing his disciplinary cane. “Gao Sanwa, you scoundrel! In the homework you submitted, you actually used ‘ya’ as a substitute for the character for ‘duck’! How preposterous, utterly preposterous!”
Gao Sanwa, flustered, tried to duck behind Gao Yiye. But she, with a mischievous grin, simply hauled him forward and deposited him before Mr. Wang. “Teacher, give him a good whack, hahaha!”
Mr. Wang’s cane sliced through the air with a sharp *thwack*, instantly reddening Gao Sanwa’s palm. Still seething, the teacher added, “Now, go write the character for ‘duck’ one hundred times!”
Li Daoxuan chuckled heartily. “Gao Sanwa’s childhood is officially complete,” he muttered.
He shifted his gaze once more, watching a group of craftsmen gathered in the Craftsman Well, chatting casually as the sun dipped. “Luo Leg Hair,” one called out, “why are you always running off to the county seat these days? You’re a registered artisan, bound by your duties. You’ve evaded your service for two months! Aren’t you afraid of being caught if you return?”
Luo Leg Hair chuckled to himself. “There are so many refugees in the county seat now, all waiting for the magistrate to distribute gruel. I just blend right in, and no one bothers to check on me. My trips back were to seek out some old artisan friends and tell them all about Gao Family Village. In a few days, they’ll be here too.”
Li Da laughed. “If you truly manage to bring in more craftsmen, the Heavenly Lord will surely be delighted and reward you handsomely.”
Luo Leg Hair smiled too. “Rewards or no rewards, it matters little. Our lives are so much better now, all thanks to the Heavenly Lord. Though I am but a humble man with limited strength, if I can do anything to please the Heavenly Lord, I would brave fire and flood without a moment’s hesitation.”
Just then, a sound broke the quiet...
From beyond the fortress walls, the urgent clatter of hooves announced an arrival. A carriage thundered into view, flanked by several swiftly ridden horses. As it pulled up before the gates, a figure leaped down, his white robes flowing around him. It was Bai Yuan.
The moment his feet touched the ground, he threw his head back in a triumphant laugh. “Hahaha, what a magnificent ride! It seems my mastery of ‘charioteering’—one of the gentleman’s six arts—remains as sharp as ever!”
Inside the fortress, San Shier, already alerted by the sentries, emerged with Tan Liwen, his clerk, to welcome the visitor. “Mr. Bai, it has been too long! Your distinguished bearing remains unchanged. What auspicious wind brings you to us today?”
Bai Yuan’s spirits seemed to lift. He offered San Shier a quick, respectful fist-and-palm salute, then straightened, gazing up at the sky, and performed a profound bow. Only then did he speak: “I have come to Gao Family Village today with a matter of great urgency, a request I hope you will consider.”
Li Daoxuan inwardly mused: *This must be a serious affair. He’s even brought a carriage, which means his wife and son are surely with him.*
“What troubles you?” San Shier inquired.
“I wish to place my wife and son under the care of Gao Family Village,” Bai Yuan explained. “I humbly request that Manager San oversee their well-being.”
Indeed, San Shier was now universally addressed as "Manager," his former title of "Strategist" having faded into the past.
San Shier’s heart lurched at the news. “What has transpired?” he pressed. “Your wife and son actually require sanctuary?”
Bai Yuan sighed heavily. “Bai Family Fortress sits right next to Huanglong Mountain, as you know, correct?”
San Shier nodded grimly. “I am aware.”
“In recent days,” Bai Yuan continued, “a formidable band of ruthless bandits has gathered on Huanglong Mountain, numbering in the thousands. Heaven alone knows when they might descend to attack my Bai Family Fortress. After long and careful deliberation, I concluded it would be far safer to send my wife and son to Gao Family Village first.”
San Shier started, his eyes widening. “Thousands? That many?”
Bai Yuan nodded, his expression grave.
“But the new magistrate, Liang Shixian, has ceased demanding taxes and is now distributing gruel throughout the county,” San Shier mused, bewildered. “The common folk of Chengcheng County should be able to live. So why would rebels gather in such numbers? Could it be Wang Er, returning once more? We share some history with Wang Er, and you even risked your life to save him in the mountains. He surely wouldn't...”
Bai Yuan lowered his voice. “No, it’s not Wang Er from Baishui. These are people from Luochuan County to the west, and Yichuan County to the north. You rarely venture out, so your intelligence is lacking. While Chengcheng County has found some stability, the situation in several northern counties is utterly dire: Luochuan County, Yichuan County, Qingjian County, Fugu County, Mizhi County... rebels are swarming everywhere, in an even worse state than Chengcheng County was just two months ago.”
San Shier was thoroughly startled. “So many counties, all engulfed in chaos? I... I honestly thought our Chengcheng County was the only one stirring up trouble.”
Bai Yuan shook his head slowly. “You underestimate the far-reaching impact of Wang Er’s rebellion,” he said. “His reputation among the outlaws is immense; he needs only raise his arm, and the entire land fragments.”
Hearing this, Li Daoxuan couldn’t help but frown, a quiet sigh escaping him. *Ah, some things are inevitable.* Bai Yuan’s mention of Mizhi County meant that the formidable figure who shared his own surname [Li Zicheng] was likely already beginning his ascent. If only his current field of view could extend to Mizhi, perhaps he could intervene, but alas, it was not possible.
Besides, the Great Ming Dynasty’s decline was the culmination of disastrous policies interacting with relentless natural calamities; it wasn’t something that could be salvaged merely by stopping one influential leader, no matter how pivotal.
Even if that particular 'great figure' were somehow contained, it wouldn’t halt the Ming’s inexorable collapse.
“In summary,” Bai Yuan stated, his voice tight with worry, “Bai Family Fortress could be attacked by these rebel forces at any moment. I have no choice but to entrust my wife and son to Gao Family Village. Please, I implore you!”
Comments