Chapter 66: Everything On Track (Combined)

Jiang Jinshi reached up to wipe, discovering it was light red lipstick; he guessed he must have accidentally smeared it while hugging Tang Xiao Yu last night.

He casually wiped it off, then Jiang Jinshi continued coaxing: "Uncle Huasheng, let's go together! I can also help you carry something!"

"Okay!"

The two walked side by side; Jiang Jinshi knew persuading an honest man like Huasheng to join the stronghold wasn't easy, so he had to bring out some heavyweight arguments.

"Sorry, Uncle Huasheng!"

Jiang Jinshi silently apologized in his heart, then opened with a heavy blow.

"Uncle Huasheng, how much silver do you earn each month now?"

Huasheng gave an embarrassed smile: "Xiao Shi, you know the village situation—people hardly get sick, I don't charge consultation fees, I only make a little from medicine sales."

"Mm! I got it, so Uncle Huasheng, exactly how much silver can you make a month?"

"Um… maybe a few dozen wen or about a hundred wen! Xiao Shi, why are you asking this?" Although embarrassed, Huasheng still told Jiang Jinshi the truth.

Jiang Jinshi kept jabbing at his heart: "Can that little be enough for the family? I remember you have two kids, Uncle Huasheng."

Now Huasheng lost even his embarrassed smile, letting out a helpless sigh.

"Ah! Xiao Shi, I won't hide it from you… actually… we're almost unable to keep the pot boiling.

"If it weren't…

"Before I got back this one tael of silver for medicine, my family had already gone two days without food, just drinking water for two days."

Jiang Jinshi hadn't expected Huasheng's family to be so dire; it seemed their usual stores were also low, and suddenly he recalled that when he first arrived, his own household seemed even worse off.

Thus Jiang Jinshi steered the conversation toward work: "Uncle Huasheng, why not open a clinic in the city? With your skills there shouldn't be a problem."

Huasheng turned his head and waved a hand: "I can't manage that; I can handle minor aches and pains, but I fear delaying treatment for serious illnesses. Moreover…"

"City shops aren't cheap, and medicinal ingredients also cost a lot!"

Huasheng never had a teacher, so he felt he'd only learned the basics and dared not practice medicine in the city, lest he offend the nobles and officials.

"Then that's no solution either! Adults can eat less, but children can't go hungry!" Jiang Jinshi decided to appeal through the children—everyone says kids are parents' hearts, and Huasheng surely dotes on his two kids.

But Jiang Jinshi didn't expect that this dose would reduce Huasheng, a man of his age, to tears.

Huasheng stood where he was, his voice choking: "I… I'm useless, letting Huzi's wife follow me and suffer… the two kids are sensible, never crying of hunger."

Huasheng wiped away a tear, a sobbing sound spilling from his throat.

"I'm starving—how could the kids not be hungry!"

Jiang Jinshi hurried to comfort Huasheng: "Uncle Huasheng, I've got a good job—if you're willing to take it."

"Really? Xiao Shi, don't joke with Uncle—I can do anything, as long as it lets the kids eat their fill."

Huasheng grabbed Jiang Jinshi's arm, lifted his head to meet his gaze, eyes still glistening with tears.

Seeing the faint light flicker in Huasheng's eyes, Jiang Jinshi nodded firmly.

"Uncle, I'm not joking—each month you'd get one tael eight mace of silver."

Huasheng stared, dazed—"That isn't sixty wen a day?"

"That way my whole family could eat their fill; if I and Huzi's wife ate a little less, we'd have some left over, making it easier later to arrange Huzi's marriage."

In an instant Huasheng thought of many things, then hurriedly asked Jiang Jinshi for details: "Xiao Shi, what kind of job is this? Do you think my build can handle it?"

Honest Huasheng assumed it would be manual labor, since aside from a bit of medical know‑how he couldn't do anything else.

Even if it were manual labor he wouldn't mind enduring hardship; he just feared working too slowly and letting Xiao Shi down, after all Xiao Shi was the one who brought him here.

Jiang Jinshi laughed: "Uncle, it's got nothing to do with your physique—just do what you're used to, see patients and such!"

"Where would I see patients? Which clinic or drugstore?" Huasheng was half‑believing, half‑doubting: who'd want his mediocre skills, and still pay such high monthly wages?

"Live in the stronghold and treat the bandits there—Uncle Huasheng, dare you?" Jiang Jinshi said this still lacking confidence, afraid Huasheng might walk off any second.

"Fine! I have no problem."

Jiang Jinshi had thought he'd need to sweet‑talk him, but Huasheng agreed so readily.

In fact, Huasheng and the folks' thinking weren't nearly as hidebound as Jiang Jinshi imagined; this place is far from the capital, most people don't even know what the emperor is called, so there's little reverence or loyalty to speak of.

Simply put, whoever can feed me, I'll listen to.

Immediately Jiang Jinshi enthusiastically began introducing Yangguangzhai: "Uncle Huasheng, don't be nervous—the folks in the stronghold are all easy to get along with."

"It's fine, I'm not nervous."

"In the stronghold, food and lodging are provided—you can stay alone, or bring your aunt and two younger brothers to live together."

"And food too?"

"Yes, the whole family is covered."

"Xiao Shi, promise Uncle one thing!"

"Uncle, say it."

"Please be sure to give me this job; I'll take even less pay."

What does "food and lodging provided" mean? It means the monthly salary can be saved in full—one tael eight mace per month, so how much per year, how much per decade?

By the time Huzi grows up, how much silver will I need to have saved!

Huasheng felt as if a sudden lump of silver had hit him, his head all muddled, not even knowing how to spend the money.

After calming down, Huasheng planned to go alone first, leaving the family behind, to scout the situation up the mountain.

It wasn't that he distrusted Jiang Jinshi; rather, in his life he'd never encountered such a windfall, and without checking it out first his heart wouldn't be at ease.

Thus Jiang Jinshi followed Huasheng into town, accompanying him to buy some grain.

Huasheng didn't buy much grain; Jiang Jinshi helped carry it, and the two left the city.

Upon returning to Da Jiang Cun, Huasheng put the grain away, told his wife, then rushed out again with Jiang Jinshi.

Jiang Jinshi had wanted to go home and look around, but Huasheng was too anxious, afraid the cooked duck would fly away.

In Huasheng's view, Xiao Shi must have met some bandits, learned from them that they needed a doctor who could treat illness and injury, and so Xiao Shi came to him.

He never thought that this stronghold was built by Jiang Jinshi in that regard, so he wanted to settle the matter quickly; otherwise he couldn't sleep.

As for the possibility that Jiang Jinshi was deceiving him, Huasheng didn't think so; after all, they were from the same village, he himself had no money and was almost starving—what would there be to gain by deceiving him?

When passing through Jiangcheng, Jiang Jinshi took the opportunity to bring Tang Xiao Yu along, preparing to bring her up to the stronghold together.

Returning to the stronghold at this time would work, letting the brothers start work on road banditry so they wouldn't just train all day without doing anything, and meanwhile have someone follow Huasheng down the mountain to gather needed medicinal herbs.

Most importantly, he needed to have Wang Hou bring some people down the mountain to make preparations for the subsequent actions.

Having one's own people active in the city would also be more convenient; otherwise, whenever something came up, he'd have to run back to the stronghold himself, wasting a lot of time on the road.

Thus the three set off together for Lianhuan Shan, and Huasheng, looking at Tang Xiao Yu, seemed to also understand where the lipstick on Jiang Jinshi's neck came from.

Huasheng wanted to speak but held back, thinking he should advise Jiang Jinshi to prioritize family, yet in the end he couldn't bring himself to say it.

All he could do was sigh, pitying Li Xinyue, that poor girl.

Although having three wives and four concubines was normal in this era, one should know that Jiang Jinshi and Li Xinyue had only just gotten married not long ago!

Amid Huasheng's wandering thoughts, the three finally arrived at Yangguangzhai.

At that moment, the gate of Yangguangzhai stood wide open, with horse after horse loaded with goods being moved inside.

Who would have thought that County Magistrate Liu, though greedy for wealth, handled affairs quite efficiently.

Tang Lin was standing beside the unloaded supplies, taking inventory, completely unaware of Jiang Jinshi and Tang Xiao Yu.

Seeing her brother again after so many days, Tang Xiao Yu could no longer hold back the tears of grievance.

"Brother!"

A familiar voice sounded in his ear, and Tang Lin turned his head in disbelief; when Tang Xiao Yu's face clearly appeared in his eye sockets, Tang Lin's eyes reddened for the first time in front of Jiang Jinshi.

He didn't cry when his limbs were broken, nor when his tongue was cut off, nor even when he was pulled into his pants pocket; now he couldn't hold back his tears.

The reunion of the siblings made Jiang Jinshi feel relieved, yet also a bit guilty, as he had almost caused a major mistake.

Not far away, several squad leaders were training their men; upon seeing Jiang Jinshi arrive, they moved over to this side.

Seeing these bandits all fierce and menacing, Huasheng instinctively slipped behind Jiang Jinshi.

"Chief, you're back?"

"I was just going to ask, where did these supplies come from?"

Huasheng's facial expression was priceless; he never expected such a grand stronghold, and Jiang Jinshi turned out to be the chief.

Jiang Jinshi smiled and replied: "We'll talk about that later; first help move everything inside."

Upon hearing this, several people hurriedly called their men to move the goods, while Jiang Jinshi went to the horses and greeted the steward.

"How should I address you, big brother?"

"Just call me brother; we're all working for the master, and the chief can call me Lao Huo."

Jiang Jinshi nodded: "Then I won't stand on ceremony, Lao Huo—do you have everything ready here?"

"Pretty much all set; let me know when you've finished checking your side so I can report back to the master." After saying that, Lao Huo turned his head and continued watching the unloading.

Obviously the man was a man of few words, and Jiang Jinshi didn't mind.

"Did you run into any trouble on the way here?"

Lao Huo paused a moment before answering: "Yes, they said it was the Scorpion Stronghold."

Jiang Jinshi narrowed his eyes: "And then?"

"I told them we were delivering goods to Yangguangzhai, and they let us pass." Lao Huo answered truthfully.

Jiang Jinshi realized that it seemed County Magistrate Liu also wanted to test Yangguangzhai's strength, arranging for people to deliver goods without prior notice.

If the goods were robbed midway, that would only show that your Yangguangzhai lacks strength, and other strongholds wouldn't give you face.

Besides, I've already given you everything you needed; if it gets stolen, you'll have to figure out how to get it back yourself—I certainly won't give it again.

If the goods are delivered safely, then the cooperation between the two can be considered officially started.

However, why would the Scorpion Stronghold let us go, given that we currently have no dealings with them at all.

But no matter what, I consider this a favor I owe; I'll repay it when the chance arises.

Tang Lin didn't delay too long; he let his sister rest aside while he continued inventorying the supplies.

When the supplies were mostly inventoried, Jiang Jinshi persuaded Lao Huo to leave two more horses.

Lao Huo was reluctant at first, since the horses weren't his and losing them would surely bring him blame, but Jiang Jinshi insisted he stay and keep the two horses.

Finally, Jiang Jinshi had Lao Huo go back and tell the master that the horses would be deducted from next month's supplies, after which Lao Huo reluctantly went down the mountain.

These horses were not sturdy-backed, short-legged warhorses, but rather dedicated transport horses, differing considerably in appearance.

Even so, Jiang Jinshi was still delighted; owning his own horses felt like having a cart in his previous life, especially since he hadn't spent a penny on them.

Gathering everyone in the main hall, Jiang Jinshi first introduced the two newcomers to the crowd.

"This is Tang Xiao Yu, sister of Tang Lin; everyone, please look after her."

Tang Xiao Yu nervously stood up, bowed to the crowd, and said: "Sorry to trouble you all, elder brothers."

"Eh, no problem; my sister is also in the stronghold, so later you two can keep each other company."

"If anything comes up, just say so; Tang the steward's sister is our sister."

Jiang Jinshi continued: "This is Huasheng, my fellow villager, the doctor I invited back; from now on, for any injuries or illnesses, go to him."

Several people then politely greeted Huasheng, since as a doctor he's bound to get injured in this line of work; sooner or later they'll have to come to his door, so being courteous now hopes to leave a good impression.

"I have a few things to arrange upon my return." Jiang Jinshiyi's face turned serious.

Seeing Jiang Jinshi so solemn, everyone stopped joking and waited quietly for him to speak.

"First, our Yangguangzhai has temporarily reached a cooperation with County Magistrate Liu of Jiangcheng; I believe this news will soon spread throughout Lianhuan Shan."

"So from now on, Yangguangzhai will abide by the rules of Lianhuan Shan; when we go down the mountain to bandit, we'll be careful, as face is given mutually."

Hearing this, everyone nodded, feeling somewhat excited; finally they could go down the mountain to bandit—spending all day holed up in the mountains hardly counts as being bandits.

Moreover, just eating and drinking to excess every day, where would the income come from if we didn't rob such a large stronghold?

"Second thing, Wang Hou, how many people are in your team now?"

"\"Including me, only eleven people. \" Wang Hou felt a bit embarrassed; that number was indeed too small, but he had no choice. In his view, people with talent were truly few.

"\"Hmm. \" Jiang Jinshi nodded, tapped his fingers on the table a few times before continuing, \"This time you and I will go down the mountain, go to Jiangcheng to handle business, and bring the brothers along. \"

"Alright!"

"Third thing, recruitment cannot be neglected; we now have money and food, and must increase our strength to boost our influence in Lianhuan Shan."

The others nodded in acknowledgment, and Jiang Jinshi continued, "The matter of raiding the road down the mountain you can arrange yourselves, but you must leave people in the camp; after all, the camp houses the brothers' families, and this cannot be taken lightly."

This, of course, is of utmost importance; after the main base was robbed, Yangguangzhai truly has no face to keep on muddling along.

"Wang Sixi, you find some people and go down the mountain with Huasheng, help him haul some medicinal herbs back, and collect the money from Tang Lin's side."

Wang Sixi and Tang Lin nodded to show they understood, and Jiang Jinshi took a deep breath, "Training must not be neglected; falling behind means getting beaten, so sweat more in daily life, and you'll bleed less when fighting."

"The final thing, the Sunlight God told me that all of you are extremely loyal to Yangguangzhai, so I have decided to grant you divine power!"