Chapter 1077: Fangjia Town, Zhangqiu County

He had even been targeted several times by Wei Zhongxian's rival Wei Chao. Once Wei Zhongxian rose to power, this Lou family grand-uncle, who held military authority in the inner court, was valued even more. With this connection, Lou Daliang soared to success. Shandong Commander Yang Guodong had suffered several defeats in Shandong, and although Yang Guodong was Wei Zhongxian's adopted son, it still infuriated Wei Zhongxian. Seizing this moment, the Lou family grand-uncle recommended his own nephew to come to Shandong as Vice Commander to assist Yang Guodong.

The timing was perfect. Lou Daliang jumped two ranks straight to Deng-Lai Vice Commander. The reason he aimed for the Shandong Commander position was that this region handled the defense against Liaodong, where vast supplies were concentrated and the profits were rich. Moreover, the Lou family were originally natives of Zhangqiu County, Shandong, so this also counted as returning home in glory.

Some things can be understood without asking around. Originally, as Shandong Commander, Yang Guodong's word was law in Deng-Lai Garrison. With his status as Wei Zhongxian's adopted son, no one could restrain him — prefects, circuit officials, even the Shandong Governor were beneath his notice. But after several defeats, a Vice General who was also a follower of Wei Zhongxian was dispatched to his side. His power was bound to be divided and weakened. Yang Guodong and Lou Daliang were certain to find each other an eyesore.

And the matter of Lou Xianqi leading men to besiege the inn and tearing all face with the Xuzhou contingent would definitely give Yang Guodong an excuse to strike. This Xuzhou Zhao Camp was someone even Eunuch Wei had to treat with caution. The two sides had only just managed to coexist peacefully, and you, disregarding the bigger picture, nearly caused a major disaster over a woman. How would that responsibility be accounted for? Even without hearing anything or any rumors, one could imagine the scene: Yang Guodong pressing aggressively, Lou Daliang swallowing his anger, and then furiously cursing and punishing his own son.

Thinking about it was indeed satisfying, but then again, this meant the offense was deep. The Lou family had been keeping Yang Guodong pinned down in Deng-Lai Garrison, and suddenly this incident let Yang Guodong turn the tables. Thinking of the cause, they would surely gnash their teeth in hatred toward the Xuzhou side. Though they wouldn't dare openly tear face, there would certainly be no shortage of underhanded sabotage in the dark. Troubles of one kind or another were bound to come in the future — just thinking about it was worrisome.

Since the situation was already like this, the Liaodong refugees they had recruited now had to set out as quickly as possible to avoid further complications. The more refugees they could secure now, the easier future recruitment would be. Every single one was a seed that would take root and sprout in the future.

Supplies for the road had been mostly purchased. It was somewhat absurd and bitter to say: there were so many Liaodong refugees inside and outside Dengzhou Prefecture, and the local people also lived in hardship, yet supplies were extremely abundant. The resources the Great Ming court had extracted through every means were all gathered here, but they never reached those who truly needed them. They were only used by the relevant people to make great fortunes. As long as you had silver, you could easily buy them.

The next day, more news came: Lou Xianqi had been flogged several dozen times and was confined at home recovering from his wounds. After hearing this, the innkeeper and staff became considerably more attentive — they hadn't expected the Xuzhou name to carry such weight. However, the Xuzhou contingent issued orders throughout that they must hurry and set out on the road.

Counting those who had arrived earlier, there had been two hundred forty-five people in total when they came. When they left, there were two hundred thirty-one. Including the refugees, the total was seven hundred forty-one. To the eyes of the inn and various interested parties, all these Xuzhou people had left. In reality, however, over a dozen people had remained hidden. The original plan had been to openly leave a rear guard at the inn, but the current situation did not permit it.

When they left Dengzhou Prefecture, snowflakes were drifting down again. Fortunately, the snow was not too heavy. The Liaodong refugees traveling with them were organized to help push carts and clear snow from the road. Some, deemed trustworthy enough, even joined the Li family members and several dozen Liaodong people who had been to Xuzhou in escorting and guarding the column's advance.

When this large group left the city, some Liaodong people by the roadside and nearby, alert and perceptive, actually took the initiative to come and join them. The Zhao Camp side welcomed all comers. A few questions from the earlier Liaodong people easily distinguished truth from falsehood. Moreover, the powers within Dengzhou Prefecture likely hadn't had time to set anything up yet. By the time the main column truly got on the road, the group numbered nearly a thousand.

Though the numbers were large, silver was ample, and provisions, carts, and horses were no problem. The Liaodong refugees, able to eat their fill, were full of energy, and the entire column advanced smoothly. That Old Peng even knew to warn them, saying that so many people passing through prefectures and counties would easily draw the attention of the authorities and invite trouble. But the Zhao Camp had long had a plan for this. The various counties and departments of Yanzhou Prefecture had already issued documents stating that local casualties were severe and they needed to recruit refugees for land reclamation. With official seals and gentry petitions, even if the government offices throughout Shandong knew the truth, they would have to hold their noses and accept it.

The guides sent by the Qingzhou magnate were even more nervous than the Zhao Camp people. They knew the consequences of offending Deng-Lai Garrison. "Those soldiers are nothing but desperate bandits. They do whatever they want, lawless and unchecked. Villages and stockades are often mysteriously bloodily wiped out by mounted brigands — how would outlaws dare commit such major crimes? It's all those soldiers themselves making a fortune. In the last two years, they've even come up with a new trick, using these Liaodong savages to do the work, so they don't even have to fear the consequences."

However, the Xuzhou men had cowed the government troops with mere words and made them pay compensation — these Qingzhou Prefecture guides had witnessed it themselves and were utterly awed. Only because of this did they not immediately flee, but instead continued escorting and guiding according to the original agreement. Their dozen or so men might not be of much use in a fight, but in guiding the way, taking everyone to roadside villages and stockades to purchase supplies, and borrowing ground to set camp and rest, they were invaluable.

Once they left the borders of Dengzhou Prefecture, everyone relaxed a little. After entering Qingzhou Prefecture from Laizhou Prefecture, they relaxed even more. The farther they were from Deng-Lai Garrison, the less likely the other side would seek revenge or cause trouble. By rights, once they reached Qingzhou Prefecture, that magnate would have fulfilled his goodwill. But this magnate understood Xuzhou's weight far better than his subordinates. Besides entertaining them warmly and doing his utmost to supply them, he also arranged for guides to escort them all the way to Jinan Prefecture.

The stretch from Xuzhou heading north all the way to Lixia County, the seat of Jinan Prefecture, was flat, open terrain, with only scattered hills here and there. But the line from Jinan Prefecture to Dengzhou Prefecture ran along the mountainsides. Crossing over the mountains was obviously impractical. If they traveled by sea, it would save more than half the time.

But there was no helping it — Xuzhou currently could not produce enough ships to transport this many people, and the weather was unsuitable. Besides, although the Liaodong refugees had all fled by ship, they were certainly unwilling to board ships again to go south. Fear of the unknown was enough to deter many. So they had to take the land route and scout the path in advance.

After entering Jinan Prefecture, the entire Xuzhou column was already quite relaxed. Still, they remained attentive where they should. For instance, when making camp, they made sure to stay close to towns and villages with dense populations, even if it meant being questioned and watched. Though it brought more trouble, in such places with many eyes, even if someone wanted to make a move, or if bandit gangs, blinded by greed, wanted to take a risk, they wouldn't dare act recklessly here.

The night they passed through Zhangqiu County, it was already mid-eleventh month. The weather grew increasingly cold. Although the Liaodong refugees had lived for many years in a bitterly cold land, they could not endure the cold of Shandong. Yet they knew this was no time to complain and could only grit their teeth and press on. But the children in the group could not bear it. Some couldn't help crying and fussing; others had fallen ill from the cold. Fortunately, the illnesses were minor, and hot soup and hot water could see them through.

After discussion, the several Xuzhou leaders in charge of the column decided to spend a bit more silver. They bought two sheep in Fangjia Town, Zhangqiu County, slaughtered them on the spot, and stewed them in large pots as a reward for the refugees — a kind of encouragement to boost everyone's morale. Naturally, they rested that night by the edge of Fangjia Town.

Everyone got at least some mutton and offal. Bones tumbled in the large pots, and the aroma wafted everywhere. The Zhao Camp side spared no expense, adding ample salt and spices, which made everyone eat with even greater delight. The previously gloomy, enduring mood was swept away entirely. Many people gathered around those Liaodong people who were speaking from personal experience, listening to them tell of how peaceful and prosperous Xuzhou was and what kind of settlement they themselves might have in the future. No one dreamed of eating meat at every meal once they got there. The Liaodong commoners who had fled here only sought a place to settle and make a living, not the despair of an uncertain future in Dengzhou.

"Once we reach Dongchang Prefecture and travel south along the canal, everything will be easy. Before that, we cannot relax in the slightest. Remember Third Master's instructions before we left: this place is enemy territory — we must not be careless!" The several Xuzhou leaders in charge encouraged one another.

Just as they were speaking, someone came running quickly toward them. It was a sentry assigned to keep watch in the surroundings. The household soldier looked somewhat tense. He approached and said in a low voice, "Several horses just galloped past. They should have entered the town."

"Jinan is the provincial capital, and we're traveling along the main road. There are bound to be plenty of couriers on fast horses. No need to be too concerned," someone said.

"After today's reward, everyone's spirits are up. Let's leave early tomorrow. The closer we get to Dongchang Prefecture, the more at ease I'll feel," another said in a muffled voice. Everyone agreed.

After eating and drinking, the campfires were kept burning for light and warmth. The Liaodong people were also assigned night watch duties, and the sentry posts showed no slackness whatsoever. However, much like the entire journey before, the night passed peacefully without incident.

The next morning, everyone rose and busied themselves. Each person dealt with their own private matters first, then lit fires and prepared food, ready to set out. Spirits were still high. The mutton soup in the pots was rich with fat and had salt in it. Coarse-grain flatbread and gruel became delicious when added to it.

But just as the mutton soup in the pots began to boil, a crowd surged over from Fangjia Town, heading this way with menacing momentum. The sentry posts immediately spotted something wrong, and the Xuzhou column reacted at once. The household soldiers and the like all went to grab their weapons. Among the Liaodong refugees, some took up tools, while others shielded the women and children — all in good order.

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