Chapter 482: East Sea Tao Clan

East Sea Commandery, Mianyang County

Thick walls of the fortified manor isolated an independent little world; under the persimmon tree, a stone bench held a four- or five-year-old child, whose big eyes blinked as he listened to his young uncle tell a story. It was rare that he was obedient today; Tao Ying, to prevent him from going back to disturb his sick elder brother, fabricated the story ever more bizarre and mystifying, so that the uncultured child was left dazed and bewildered.

Come on, let's take you back for lunch.

See Father first, then eat?

Sure.

Tao Ying took the child's chubby hand and went to the inner courtyard; upon entering, before reaching the room of the current head of the Tao family, he already smelled a strong medicinal odor.

A maid came out from the inner chamber holding a tray; Tao Ying glanced at her, his expression turning grave. The maid looked at the young master in her hands, wanting to speak but hesitating; Tao Ying shook his head to indicate he understood, no need to say more.

The child happily flung himself into the inner chamber, and Tao Ying hurriedly followed.

The person on the bed was none other than Tao Yan, the master of the Tao family's fortified manor; his face was ashen, his body wasted away, and at only thirty years old he was already exhausted, his oil spent, his wick burnt out.

The Tao family is a distant branch of the Danyang Tao clan, and the largest landowner in Mianyang.

In the East Sea Commandery, the Tao family is not considered a major aristocratic clan, and in the whole of the Great Jin they don't even rate a name. Nevertheless, having been passed down for several hundred years, they are deeply rooted and prosperous, with immense wealth.

The frail man gasped two breaths before beckoning his young son, 'A-tan, come here.'

The child ran to the bedside and lay on the edge, asking, 'Father, are you feeling better today?'

... Better. A-tan, from now on listen to your uncle's words; no matter where you go or what you do, do not disgrace the Tao name... In the future, when the world is at peace, do not forget that our branch's roots lie in Mianyang... You must return to Mianyang to visit your father, understand?

A-tan was at a loss, 'Do we have to be separated from Father?'

Yes.

Tao Ying sighed, 'Elder brother!'

'He's not little anymore; this world has no room for innocence and naivety, nor for growing up slowly.'

The atmosphere in the room grew ever heavier.

'Chaotic times are coming… The Prince of Guangling in the south has already risen to power, while the Wang clan of Langya in the north is striving to gather strength for Chang'an. The Prince of Guangling has seized Nine Rivers, and the Wang clan is openly recruiting troops in Yan County; between them lies our East Sea Commandery, which will sooner or later become fodder for the two tigers. Year after year of drought leaves the people without livelihood; at any moment someone may turn to banditry or become a refugee. We hide in this little fortified manor—can we truly escape?'

His face worsened as he spoke; after catching his breath he continued: 'The princes' chaotic war is imminent. The Prince of the Northern Border, though mighty enough to issue a warning to the world, cannot change the situation now—what's spilled cannot be gathered back. Even if the Northern Border cavalry is fierce, they must be checked by the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, and the various Western Regions states. The aristocrats value clan over state, and the great turmoil of the world cannot be stopped. While the winter weapons have not yet fully erupted, act soon!'

'Elder brother, do you still want me to sell the family estate and take A-tan south to avoid disaster?'

'Yes. Never changed.'

Tao Ying gave a wry smile: 'Never mind the distant roads to the southern frontier—it's hardly a utopia. Have you not considered that a rebellious land might also be a place of stability? Why not choose the fief of a powerful prince to temporarily take refuge?'

'Who? Follow the refugees to the Northern Border?'

Tao Ying shook his head: 'Too late. Elder brother, you don't know that a large influx of people has entered the Northern Border, and the court, upon hearing the news, is furious—it has already sent troops to guard the passes to the Northern Border. What I mean is, we might as well take temporary refuge in Guangling.'

'Impossible! How the Guangling Prince's forces are concealed and how strong they really are is unknown. Moreover, the Jin family gathers the wealth of the world; whoever shows strength will turn toward Guangling, for it is a huge piece of fat meat!'

'Then we'll just stay here as a family… In any case, when that day comes, we still have a retreat by sea.'

The two brothers could not convince each other; although Tao Ying had begun to settle the family estate, he was unwilling to leave his seriously ill elder brother behind, knowing that this departure would be an eternal farewell.

Tao Yan looked anxiously, able only to hope that these anti-kings would truly take the threat of the Northern Border Prince seriously, and grant the Tao family a little more time.

That day Tao Ying was busy when the household guards reported that a large ship had docked at the seaside of Mianyang County.

The East Sea Commandery lacks a major pier; indeed, aside from the Northern Border, the whole of the Great Jin has no decent harbor. The treasure ship's tonnage cannot approach directly; it must transfer via smaller boats, which is troublesome. This time the Great King brought a landing ship, and simply dispatched one to dock directly for resupply. With this landing behemoth, they could simply find any spot and pull alongside.

Since the Tao family's fortified manor lies far from the county seat, hidden in a scarcely populated seaside, the Great King, upon arriving in a landing ship, quickly spotted the manor not far from the coastline.

The Great King raised his binoculars and observed for a while, 'These aristocrats really love building fortified manors; this scale isn't small either. If they had this money, wouldn't it be safer to pool it and build a city wall instead of this little thing?'

Wei Chen sneered, 'If they were of one mind, wouldn't the Bai Li clan lose even more sleep?'

The Great King instinctively nodded, then realized and flared with anger, 'Whose side are you really on?'

Wei Chen tugged at his clothes, 'Definitely the opposite side! I'm not having it—why do you two get to play the young master ashore while I have to play the guard?'

Great King: 'Who would believe I'm old enough to play a guard?'

Wei Chen: 'Then why don't we two play brothers and Wei Ke play the guard?'

Great King said earnestly: 'I look more like my elder cousin! The guard looking like the master—that's another story altogether!'

Wei Chen pondered seriously, 'What story?'

Wei Ke stepped forward first from the boat, 'You can stay behind; we don't need one more guard.'

The Great King made a face at him, then ran after Wei Ke, 'Elder brother, wait for me~'

'You're getting into character quickly!' Wei Chen turned to Zhao Bao beside him, 'You tell me, who's better‑looking, me or Wei Ke?'

Zhao Bao: ……

Judging by temperament alone, you two are like real brothers.