Chapter 96: A Letter from Home Worth Ten Thousand Gold·The Southward Relocation Begins

The setting sun was like blood.

It dyed the earthen walls and humble dwellings of Jiao Tu Zhen with a layer of warm golden light.

On the open space in the center of the town, crowds of people stood packed tightly.

Everyone's gaze fell on Zhao Dayan, who had just dismounted, dusty and weary from travel.

"Brother Dayan is back!"

"It's Chief Chen's man who has returned!"

A stir of unrest rose in the crowd, filled with anticipation and anxiety.

Zhang Cheng pushed through the crowd and hurried forward to meet him.

He grabbed hold of the panting Zhao Dayan.

He said in a low voice:

"Dayan, you've worked hard!"

"How is Brother Wen over there?"

His voice was steady, but his slightly trembling hand betrayed his inner tension.

These past two months, Jiao Tu Zhen appeared calm.

In reality, everyone's heart hung with a huge stone.

——Chen Wen was alone outside, his future uncertain, and the fate of the whole town rested on him alone.

Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Zhao Lao Nian, the core members, quickly gathered around, their eyes blazing.

Zhao Dayan didn't even have time to take a sip of water, he vigorously wiped the sweat and dust from his face.

He cracked a weary yet exceedingly excited smile, reaching into his inner clothing pocket.

He carefully took out a letter tightly wrapped in oilcloth:

"Success! Brother Wen……"

"No, Chief Chen has succeeded!"

He handed the letter with both hands to Zhang Cheng:

"It's the Chief's own handwriting!"

"He met a noble person in the southwest, the Military Governor of Chan Prefecture, Chai Rong, Prefect Chai!"

"Prefect Chai greatly esteemed the Chief and has appointed him as Assistant Military Officer, in charge of the new recruits camp!"

"The Chief orders us to prepare immediately, relocate the whole town southward, and rendezvous at Chan Prefecture!"

"Whoa——!"

The news was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a boiling oil pot, exploding instantly.

The crowd first fell silent, then burst into a huge cheer.

"Military Governor! Is that a very high post?"

"Assistant Military Officer! Chief Chen has become a high official!"

"Southward relocation! We're going to Chan Prefecture!"

"Great! Finally we no longer have to live in fear!"

Worry, fear, and confusion all turned into ecstasy and hope at this moment.

Many were moved to tears, patting each other's shoulders; women embraced their children, laughing and crying.

These past two months, they have barely held on by relying on Chen Wen's lingering prestige and their own unity.

But the covetousness of surrounding forces, the scarcity of supplies, and the uncertainty about the future have continually loomed over their hearts like dark clouds.

At this moment, this letter is like sunlight piercing the clouds, bringing clear direction and strong reliance.

Zhang Cheng took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and carefully unfolded the letter.

The handwriting on the letter was familiar, steady and forceful; its content matched what Zhao Dayan said, but more detailed.

In the letter, Chen Wen briefly described how he met Chai Rong.

He emphasized Chai Rong's great talent and his trust in him.

He also detailed the route for the southward relocation, the means of rendezvous, and the settlement support promised by Chai Rong.

At the end of the letter, Chen Wen's greetings and instructions to the old brothers are filled with deep trust and expectation.

"Everyone!"

Zhang Cheng raised the letter high, gathered his strength, and his voice rang across the whole scene, silencing the clamor.

"What the Chief said in the letter, everyone has heard!"

"This is wonderful news!"

"The Chief has already opened up the situation and laid the foundation for us in Chan Prefecture!"

"Now it's up to us!"

His gaze swept over Wang Ru, Shi Dun, and the others:

"Following the Chief's orders, effective immediately, Jiao Tu Zhen enters a wartime relocation status!"

"Wang Ru, you are in charge of personnel registration and organization; the elderly, weak, women, and children must be specially cared for, not a single one may be missing!"

"Understood!"

Wang Ru replied in a crisp voice, her eyes sharp, and immediately began to calculate the list in her mind.

"Shi Dun, you will lead the Elite Soldier Battalion, responsible for security and escort throughout the journey."

"At the same time, inventory all weapons and supplies in the arsenal, and prepare them for packing and transport!"

"Leave it to me!"

Shi Dun answered in a deep, resonant voice, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

Qian Gui, send your Inspection Bureau out to scout thirty li ahead.

Qian Gui, send your Inspection Bureau out to scout thirty li ahead.

Ensure the migration route is safe; focus on guarding against any possible movements from the mountain leopard side.

Ensure the migration route is safe; focus on guarding against any possible movements from the mountain leopard side.

I'll take care of it right away.

Meaning: "Subordinate will go handle it immediately!" Or "I'll take care of it right away!" So translation: "I'll take care of it immediately!" Or "Subordinate, I'll go handle it right away!" The speaker is Qian Gui replying. So "I'll get on it right away!" We'll translate: "I'll take care of it immediately!"

Qian Gui bowed, accepted the order, and vanished into the crowd.

Meaning: "Qian Gui bowed, accepted the order, and his figure quickly disappeared into the crowd." So translation: "Qian Gui bowed, accepted the order, and his figure quickly vanished into the crowd."

Old Zhao, organize all the artisans and able-bodied workers.

Meaning: "Zhao Lao Nian, you organize all the artisans and strong laborers." So translation: "Zhao Lao Nian, organize all the artisans and strong laborers."

Disassemble the tools and equipment that can be taken, especially the water hammer and looms.

Meaning: "Disassemble the tools and equipment that can be taken, especially the water hammers and looms." So translation: "Disassemble the tools and equipment that can be taken, especially the water hammers and looms."

Pack the vehicles and count the livestock.

Meaning: "Pack up the vehicles, tally the livestock!" So translation: "Pack up the vehicles, count the livestock!"

Don't worry, Brother Cheng, I guarantee not even a single nail will be left for those bastards.

Don't worry, Brother Cheng, I guarantee not even a single nail will be left for those bastards.

Thus translation: "Don't worry, Brother Cheng, I guarantee not even a single nail will be left for those bastards!" Or "Rest assured, Brother Cheng, I guarantee not even a single nail will be left for those bastards!" We'll choose: "Don't worry, Brother Cheng, I guarantee not even a single nail will be left for those bastards!"

Old Zhao slapped his chest, his eyes flashing with shrewdness.

Meaning: "Zhao Lao Nian patted his chest, his eyes flashing with a shrewd light." So translation: "Zhao Lao Nian patted his chest, his eyes flashing with a shrewd light."

Orders were issued clearly and efficiently.

Meaning: "Orders were issued one after another, clear and efficient." So translation: "Orders were issued one after another, clear and efficient."

This machine in Jiao Tu Town, after initial chaos and subsequent break-in, is now completely transformed.

Meaning: "This machine of Jiao Tu Zhen, after experiencing the initial chaos and later break-in, has long since changed beyond recognition." So translation: "This machine of Jiao Tu Zhen, after undergoing the initial chaos and later break-in, has long since changed beyond recognition."

Under clear orders, it immediately sprang to life, running swiftly and orderly.

Meaning: "At this moment, under clear orders, it immediately began to operate at high speed and in an orderly manner." So translation: "At this moment, under clear orders, it immediately began operating at high speed and in an orderly manner."

In the following days, Jiao Tu Town was plunged into unprecedented busyness.

Meaning: "In the coming days, Jiao Tu Zhen fell into an unprecedented busyness." So translation: "In the coming days, Jiao Tu Zhen fell into an unprecedented bustle."

Every household was packing their belongings and luggage.

Meaning: "Every household was packing up their belongings, bundling their luggage." So translation: "Every household was packing up their belongings, bundling their luggage."

The town treasury's gates stood wide open.

Meaning: "The town treasury's gates stood wide open." So translation: "The town treasury's gates stood wide open."

Crates of grain, salt and iron, and money were carefully packed and sealed.

Meaning: "Box after box of grain, salt and iron, money and valuables were carefully packed and sealed." So translation: "Box after box of grain, salt and iron, money and valuables were carefully packed and sealed."

In the artisans' workshop, the clanging never stopped as important tools were dismantled and tightly bound.

Meaning: "In the artisans' workshop, the clinking sounds never ceased; important tools were dismantled and tightly bound." So translation: "In the artisans' workshop, the clinking sounds never ceased; important tools were dismantled and tightly bound."

Women and children were producing dry rations and mending clothes.

Meaning: "Women and children were producing dry rations, mending clothing." So translation: "Women and children were producing dry rations, mending clothing."

Under Stone Sentinel's leadership, the Sharp Soldier Battalion reinforced the town walls and made final defensive preparations.

Meaning: "The soldiers of the Sharp Soldier Battalion, under Shi Dun's leadership, reinforced the town walls, making final defensive preparations." So translation: "The soldiers of the Sharp Soldier Battalion, under Shi Dun's leadership, reinforced the town walls, making final defensive preparations."

They cleaned their weapons, and the patrol range doubled.

Meaning: "They wiped down their weapons, and the patrol and guard range doubled." So translation: "They wiped down their weapons, and the patrol and guard range doubled."

The whole town buzzed with a tense yet hopeful atmosphere.

Meaning: "The whole town was filled with an atmosphere that was tense yet full of hope." So translation: "The whole town was filled with an atmosphere that was tense yet full of hope."

No one complained about the hard work; everyone's eyes shone.

Meaning: "No one complained about the hard work; everyone's eyes shone with light." So translation: "No one complained about the hard work; everyone's eyes shone with light."

Southern migration meant leaving the land they had rebuilt with their own hands, where blood and sweat had flowed.

Meaning: "Southern migration means leaving this land that they rebuilt with their own hands, where blood and sweat have flowed." So translation: "Southern migration means leaving this land that they rebuilt with their own hands, where blood and sweat have flowed."

Surely it's hard to leave, but it means embracing a safer, more hopeful future.

Meaning: "Although it is painful to leave, it means embracing a safer, more hopeful future." So translation: "Although it is painful to leave, it means embracing a safer, more hopeful future."

It meant reuniting with their trusted leader, Chen.

It means reuniting with their trusted leader, Chen.

Zhang Cheng stood on the town wall, gazing at the bustling preparations below, his heart filled with myriad emotions.

Meaning: "Zhang Cheng stood on the town wall, looking down at the bustling preparations below, his heart filled with myriad emotions." So translation: "Zhang Cheng stood on the town wall, looking down at the bustling preparations below, his heart filled with myriad emotions."

He was a dying defeated soldier, saved by Chen Wen, and has come all the way to today.

Meaning: "He, from a dying defeated soldier, was saved by Chen Wen, and has come all the way to today." So translation: "He, from a dying defeated soldier, was saved by Chen Wen, and has come all the way to today."

Becoming the overall commander of the migration of thousands, it all felt like a dream.

Meaning: "Becoming the overall commander in charge of the migration of thousands, all this feels like a dream." So translation: "Becoming the overall commander in charge of the migration of thousands, all this feels like a dream."

He touched the letter in his pocket that had been read many times, his gaze growing steadier.

Meaning: "He touched the letter in his pocket that had been read many times, his gaze becoming ever more resolute." So translation: "He touched the letter in his pocket that had been read many times, his gaze becoming ever more resolute."

Brother Wen, rest assured.

Brother Wen, rest assured.

He silently recited it in his heart.

Meaning: "He silently recited it in his heart." So translation: "He silently recited it in his heart."

The brothers and sisters of Jiao Tu Town, not a single one missing, must be brought in full to Chan Prefecture.

The brothers and sisters of Jiao Tu Town, not a single one missing, must be brought in full to Chan Prefecture.

This foundation we built together; once we reach Chan Prefecture, we will surely help you gain an even greater foundation.

Meaning: "This foundation is what we earned together; upon reaching Chan Prefecture, we will surely help you earn an even greater foundation!" So translation: "This foundation is what we earned together; upon reaching Chan Prefecture, we will surely help you earn an even greater foundation!"

The sunset sank below the horizon as night fell.

Meaning: "The sun sank completely below the horizon, night fell." So translation: "The sun sank completely below the horizon, night fell."

But inside Jiao Tu Town, the lights stayed on and people moved about.

Meaning: "But inside Jiao Tu Zhen, lights remained bright, figures moving to and fro." So translation: "But inside Jiao Tu Zhen, lights remained bright, figures moving to and fro."

The prelude to the southern migration has already begun.

Meaning: "The prelude to the southern migration has already begun." So translation: "The prelude to the southern migration has already begun."

The gears of fate for thousands turned anew upon receiving this letter from afar.

Meaning: "The fateful gears of thousands of people, with this letter from afar, began a new turn." So translation: "The fateful gears of thousands of people, with this letter from afar, began a new turn."

The road ahead is long, the dangers unknown.

Meaning: "The road ahead is long, the dangers unknown." So translation: "The road ahead is long, the dangers unknown."

But hope, like a torch in the dark night, guides them south, south.