Chapter 72: The Calm Before the Storm
In the spacious hall, Zhou Lan wore a light blue attire, which was less majestic compared to her previous armor. She looked more gentle and less imposing.
“I’ve already taken care of the grain and fodder. You’ve handled it well!” Zhou Lan said, sitting on the main seat, rubbing her tired eyes.
She thought Yang Zhengshan had come to explain the grain and fodder situation, which wasn’t a big deal to her, so she casually mentioned it.
Yang Zhengshan didn’t say much, only asking, “Does the General have any other orders?”
He felt that since Zhou Lan was back, he, as her subordinate, should come to see her and check if there was anything she needed him to do. After all, he was living off her resources and eating her food, so he should be more proactive.
“For now, there’s nothing,” Zhou Lan replied, waving her hand, but then added, “Recently, there’s been some unrest in the Fortress City. Try to avoid going there if possible.”
Yang Zhengshan’s heart skipped a beat, knowing this was Zhou Lan’s kind warning.
Why was the Fortress City in chaos?
It was likely due to the defeat in battle.
Now that General Zhang Shou Wang and Zhang Yu De had returned, the news of the defeat had probably reached the imperial court.
Although the imperial court’s reaction was still unknown, it was predictable that there would be changes in the upper echelons of the Heavy Mountain Fortress.
Zhou Lan must be worried about this too.
“I understand, General,” Yang Zhengshan replied, then took his leave.
Leaving the hall, Yang Zhengshan went to see Zhao Yuan, who was also filled with anxiety. As a battalion commander, he had his own sources of information and was more aware of the imperial court and Heavy Mountain Fortress’s high-level news.
“Cough, General Zhang will probably not be able to stay in the Heavy Mountain Fortress,” Zhao Yuan said gloomily.
Yang Zhengshan stroked his beard, unsure when this habit had started. As he grew older, his heart had also grown old, and even his behavior had become more like an old man’s.
General Zhang referred to General Zhang Shou Wang.
Someone had to take responsibility for the defeat at the Fortress City, and as the commander of the Northern Expedition, General Zhang Shou Wang was the most likely candidate.
“Will General Zhou be in trouble?” Yang Zhengshan asked, more concerned about General Zhou Lan.
General Zhou Lan was his backbone, and if she were to leave, his life in the Heavy Mountain Fortress would not be easy.
Zhao Yuan shook his head, “General Zhou won’t be in trouble, but with General Zhang leaving, General Zhou won’t be as carefree as before.”
Yang Zhengshan understood.
General Zhou Lan wasn’t the main commander of the expedition, so she didn’t need to take primary responsibility. Moreover, the Left Vanguard of the Prefectural Banner had made significant contributions, so even if there were consequences, they wouldn’t fall on General Zhou Lan’s head.
Besides, General Zhou Lan had the backing of the Ning Country Duke’s Manor, and as long as the duke’s manor stood, General Zhou Lan wouldn’t be wronged.
“It’s good that General Zhou is safe,” Yang Zhengshan could only offer this comfort.
Zhao Yuan’s spirits were low, and after a few words, he became lethargic. Yang Zhengshan helped him to bed and waited for him to fall asleep before leaving.
…
In the following days, the chaos in the Fortress City slowly subsided. Although the Heavy Mountain Fortress had lost the battle, the Eastern Sea Hu Tribe had also suffered significant losses, and both sides entered a temporary truce.
For a while, the Fortress City seemed especially calm, but everyone knew this calm was the precursor to a storm.
However, Yang Zhengshan was more concerned about the drought in the Heavy Mountain Fortress.
There had been no substantial rainfall outside the Fortress City for months, and the situation inside was similar.
The wheat fields around the Fortress City had turned yellow, the small rivers were almost dry, and if it didn’t rain soon, not only would irrigation be a problem, but even drinking water would become an issue.
“Where is the source of this river?” Yang Zhengshan asked Old Li, standing by the riverbank.
Old Li thought for a moment before replying, “It seems to be on the mountain in the Ying Shan Fortress, about a hundred li west of the Heavy Mountain Fortress. The source is several springs on the mountain.”
Yang Zhengshan squatted down, digging into the dry riverbed, but even after digging a foot deep, he didn’t find any water.
“Let’s dig a well!”
This river wasn’t only crucial for irrigation but also for the Fortress City’s drinking water.
There were still a few small water pools left, but if they waited a few more days, even those would dry up.
Yang Zhengshan stood up, looked around, and pointed to a relatively flat area on the riverbank, “Let’s dig a deep well there!”
Digging a well on the riverbank might be more troublesome, but the underground water storage should be more substantial.
Yang Zhengshan didn’t expect to guarantee a good harvest, as the land around the Fortress City was thin and had little yield anyway.
He only wanted to ensure that the military dependents in the Fortress City wouldn’t run out of drinking water.
Old Li wiped the sweat from his forehead, still panting, and nodded.
The day was too hot, and he had been in the Heavy Mountain Fortress for over a decade, but this was the first time he had experienced such heat.
Yang Zhengshan looked up at the scorching sun, then turned to head back to the Fortress City.
When he returned to the Fortress City, Yang Ming Hao was about to leave to find him.
“Father, Rou Zhang is looking for you!”
“Rou Zhang? What does he want with me?” Yang Zhengshan asked in doubt.
Rou Zhang was the owner of the Rou’s Cloth Shop in the Fortress City, which had been helping the Fortress City sell cloth shoes.
“I don’t know, but he seems urgent!” Yang Ming Hao replied, feeling perplexed.
Yang Zhengshan didn’t know what to say, so he asked, “What’s the hurry, Rou Zhang?”
Rou Zhang had already come out to meet him, his face flustered, before Yang Zhengshan even returned to the office.
“Yang Officer!” Rou Zhang exclaimed, bowing.
Yang Zhengshan entered the study room, washed his face, and looked at Rou Zhang with confusion, “Rou Zhang?”
Rou Zhang seemed to have lost his train of thought, hesitating before speaking.
“Ah, Yang Officer, I want to ask for your help!”
Yang Zhengshan felt even more suspicious.
Rou Zhang used the humble title ‘small person,’ which was usually used by servants or people of very low social status.
“Why would you call yourself ‘small person,’ Rou Zhang?” Yang Zhengshan asked, intrigued.
Rou Zhang hesitated again before speaking, “I want to give my cloth shop to Yang Officer…”
“Give it away?”
Yang Zhengshan was stunned, looking at Rou Zhang in disbelief.
Rou Zhang’s cloth shop might not be large, but it was still a decent business, worth around four to five hundred silver taels. As a small merchant, Rou Zhang’s cloth shop was his most valuable asset. Why would he give it away?
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