Chapter 10: Refugees and Disciples
Yang Zhengshan was hesitating about whether to venture into the mountains when a 14- to 15-year-old boy arrived at his home.
“Grandfather Yang, my grandfather is looking for you!” the boy said.
The boy’s name was Yang Chengze, and he was Yang Zhengshan’s great-grandson.
“What’s happened?” Yang Zhengshan put down the axe in his hand and asked.
Yang Chengze quickly approached him and said, “Some refugees from outside the village have come seeking shelter.”
“Refugees? Where are they from?” Yang Zhengshan asked in surprise.
It was just after the autumn harvest, a time when ordinary people were usually at their wealthiest. For them to flee at this time, it must have been due to a disaster.
“They’re from Xiaolin Village,” Yang Chengze replied. “Last night, bandits attacked their village, burning it to the ground. Over a hundred people died, and only a dozen or so managed to escape. They’ve all come to our Yang Family Village.”
Yang Zhengshan’s brow furrowed. He had seen an announcement about bandits in the county town yesterday, and now he was facing the refugees they had created.
Xiaolin Village was located to the north of Yang Family Village, about ten or so li away. With winter approaching, the villagers who had escaped the bandits had no food, no homes, and were struggling to survive.
As the strongest village in the area, Yang Family Village was probably not the richest, but it was the most powerful. It was natural for Xiaolin Village to seek shelter here after being ravaged by bandits.
“Let’s go take a look,” Yang Zhengshan said, not refusing the request. He followed Yang Chengze out of the village.
Yang Zhengshan was now the elder of the Yang family, and Yang Zhengshan liked to involve him in his decisions. Yang Zhengshan’s thoughts were simple: he was old, and if he died, Yang Family Village would be left with only Yang Zhengshan as a martial artist. In the future, the Yang family would have to rely on Yang Zhengshan.
When they arrived at the village entrance, Yang Zhengshan saw a group of refugees standing in the open space, surrounded by villagers from Yang Family Village.
“Clan leader!” Yang Zhengshan walked into the crowd, greeting Yang Zhengshan.
Yang Zhengshan had a simple way of dealing with refugees: his village had experience with it. Most of the villagers were from the Yang family, but there were also seven or eight households from other surnames who had escaped difficulties in the past.
Taking in a few refugees was not a difficult task for Yang Family Village.
Of course, taking them in did not mean it was free of charge. All expenses would be lent to them, and they would have to repay them later.
“These two families are simple. There are two broken houses at the back of the village that can be lent to them until they can return to Xiaolin Village after winter,” Yang Zhengshan said, pointing to the two families.
These people could not stay in Yang Family Village permanently, as the surrounding land had already been divided among the villagers. There was no idle land left, except for some wasteland in the back hills that could be opened up.
Without land, there was no means of survival. They could temporarily stay in Yang Family Village, but they could not settle there.
“The problem is those three children,” Yang Zhengshan said, looking at the two boys and a girl around ten years old, carrying a crying infant.
The boy was named Lin Zhan, and the girl was named Wang Dalya. The infant was her younger brother, only three months old. Their families had all been killed by the bandits.
Yang Zhengshan felt sorry for the children, but he didn’t say anything. Although Yang Zhengshan wanted him to get involved in clan affairs, he didn’t want to be a village head who mediated neighborhood disputes, so he had been listening more and speaking less lately.
“Lin Zhan is quite a decent-looking kid. He’s about the same age as your niece Yunxue,” Yang Zhengshan said, suddenly changing the subject.
Yang Zhengshan was taken aback for a moment before understanding Yang Zhengshan’s intentions.
Lin Zhan was around ten years old, and Yang Yunxue was also around ten years old. Although they were not yet of marriageable age, it wouldn’t be long.
Was Yang Zhengshan thinking of taking him as a son-in-law?
Yang Zhengshan thought for a moment, feeling it was unnecessary.
He had money and grain, and the Yang family’s future was bright. He could help Yang Yunxue find a good husband; there was no need to take in a son-in-law.
A son-in-law’s position was too low, and if things went wrong, it could lead to enmity.
“Let’s forget about taking him as a son-in-law. I’ll just take two disciples instead!” Yang Zhengshan said carelessly.
Taking disciples was much better than taking a son-in-law. The Yang family was not lacking in food for three more people, and raising a few disciples was not a difficult task.
“Take disciples?” Yang Zhengshan didn’t expect Yang Zhengshan to take disciples. “You should take disciples from within the clan instead.”
Yang Zhengshan’s expression stiffened, and he realized he had forgotten about that.
If he took disciples, it was only natural to take them from within the clan.
However, he didn’t want to take disciples; he just felt sorry for the children and wanted to take them in.
But since he had already spoken, it seemed unsuitable not to take them as disciples.
“There’s no need to take disciples from within the clan. Just select a few outstanding younger generations and send them to me. I’ll take three of them, around fifteen years old,” Yang Zhengshan thought of a compromise.
“Excellent!” Yang Zhengshan stroked his long beard and laughed.
Yang Zhengshan was willing to help the clan educate the younger generations, which was a good thing.
Yang Zhengshan had also educated the clan’s younger generations in the past, but it seemed he didn’t have the talent for teaching. He had taught over ten people, including his own sons and grandsons, but failed to cultivate a single martial artist.
He didn’t know if Yang Zhengshan could cultivate martial artists, but he was happy to see him willing to make an effort.
Yang Zhengshan didn’t say much, just told the three children, “Follow me!”
Lin Zhan nodded and immediately followed Yang Zhengshan, while Wang Dalya was a bit timid but followed with her brother.
Yang Chengze also led the two families away.
Yang Zhengshan’s home was located at the back of Yang Family Village, closer to the mountains. From the village entrance to his home, they had to pass through the entire village.
Yang Zhengshan didn’t speak, just walked with his hands behind his back.
Lin Zhan closely followed behind him, his bright eyes filled with expectation.
He didn’t hear Yang Zhengshan’s conversation with Yang Chengze, but he knew he needed someone to rely on, and the elderly person in front of him was likely to be that person.
In comparison, Wang Dalya was much more timid, only knowing how to follow quietly.
Yang Zhengshan observed the two children, thinking that Lin Zhan was a child with a mind of his own, while Wang Dalya’s timidity was understandable. She was only ten years old, had experienced a great disaster, and lost her family; her fear and panic were reasonable.
“Father, who are they?” Yang Mingcheng asked, looking at the three children.
“Let’s talk inside,” Yang Zhengshan said, walking into the main room.
The crying sounds of the infant immediately drew everyone’s attention, and they all came out with curious expressions.
“How old is the child?” Yang Zhengshan gently asked Wang Dalya.
Wang Dalya looked down and stuttered, “Three months old…”
Yang Zhengshan nodded, then told the curious Yang Shifu, “Yang Shifu, you can take care of this child.”
The person who could provide for the child’s food in the house was only Yang Shifu.
Yang Shifu didn’t ask much, just went forward to take the child from Wang Dalya’s arms.
“He’s hungry!” Yang Shifu said gently.
Wang Dalya looked at her, hesitated for a moment, then let go of her brother.
Yang Shifu took the child and went back into the house. The crying sounds soon stopped.
Yang Zhengshan then asked Lin Zhan and Wang Dalya about their situation.
Both were nine years old, and their families had been killed by bandits while protecting them.
However, their situations were different. Lin Zhan was the one being protected, while Wang Dalya was the one protecting her brother.
Lin Zhan’s responses were the main ones, although he was also nervous, his words were quite logical.
“Have you studied?” Yang Zhengshan asked Lin Zhan.
“My father taught me,” Lin Zhan replied.
Yang Zhengshan’s expression changed slightly. “You’re the son of Lin Xiushi?”
There was a Lin Xiushi in Xiaolin Village, although Yang Zhengshan had never met him, he had heard of him.
“Yes…”
Mentioning his father, Lin Zhan’s emotions became slightly downcast.
“Do you want to continue studying?” Yang Zhengshan continued asking.
“I’m willing to follow your arrangements, uncle,” Lin Zhan respectfully replied.
Yang Zhengshan’s mouth curved up slightly. This was a smart kid, quickly knowing how to curry favor.
“From now on, call me Master. My Yang family has a tradition of martial arts. You’ll follow me to learn martial arts first, and we’ll talk about studying later.”
Studying and practicing martial arts didn’t conflict. Whether or not to support Lin Zhan’s studies would depend on Lin Zhan’s character. If Lin Zhan was a grateful person, Yang Zhengshan wouldn’t mind supporting him.
Yang Zhengshan was very pleased, and Lin Zhan quickly kowtowed, saying, “Disciple pays respects to Master!”
In comparison, Wang Dalya was slower, only kowtowing after Lin Zhan did.
“Get up,” Yang Zhengshan said, satisfaction in his eyes. He turned to Yang Mingcheng and said, “Prepare a room for Lin Zhan to stay in.”
“Yunxue, Dalya will live with you from now on.”
The family naturally didn’t dare disagree with Yang Zhengshan’s decision, and Yang Mingcheng and Yang Yunxue immediately agreed.
(Chapter Ends)
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