Chapter 15 The Weining Ding Family

"Old man, don't worry, sit down first." Chen Xiaolai pulled the old man to a rock on the side and sat him down, subtly positioning himself between the group and Ye Tao. Liu Yong revealed a hint of appreciation in his eyes, while he himself had cleaned his hands and stood beside Ye Tao.

"Old man, what's going on? How did you provoke these people?" Chen Xiaolai asked.

"They are from the Flying Tiger Camp of the Western Route Army of Northern Liao…" The old man's voice trembled, still shaken from his near-death experience. "They've been chasing us ever since we crossed Qingning Ferry, and they finally caught up here. Fortunately, we met you. Are you… are you guards of Lord Ye, the Pacification Commissioner of the Northern Frontier?"

"Indeed." Chen Xiaolai casually flipped his hair, but in that fleeting moment, he had already exchanged a look with Liu Yong. As for Ye Tao, he was still wearing his mask. "Old man, where are you from and where are you going? To warrant the Flying Tiger Camp chasing you across the border, you must be no ordinary people, right?"

"This…" The old man scanned the surroundings. The warriors of the Guard Battalion had finished the battle and were beginning to clean up the battlefield. In truth, the warriors of the Guard Battalion still didn't know whether the people they had saved were friend or foe, but relatively speaking, at least they weren't from Northern Liao. While providing simple treatment to the wounded, some were already looking around, observing and monitoring these people. The old man had some discerning ability and immediately noticed that the quality of these soldiers was distinctly different, and although they looked similar in clothing and weaponry, their temperament was completely different. Especially those seemingly harmless fellows, the light flashing in their eyes was definitely that of seasoned Jianghu (martial world) figures. If not for Ye Tao's Guard Battalion, the Yun Province army probably wouldn't have such a unit. "We are from the Ding family of Weining. Northern Liao is in turmoil, and our family is simply unable to bear the burden. We originally wanted to take advantage of the war to retreat to a corner, to avoid being affected. What we didn't expect was that Northern Liao, in its all-out preparation for war, actually wanted to use families like ours, who have our own difficulties, as an example to warn others. We got the news quickly and escaped separately. The route south by sea was blocked, so we took a big detour west. After crossing Qingning Ferry, we thought we could escape, but unexpectedly, we attracted the Flying Tiger Camp. We don't know where to go. We were thinking that if we could reach Tianling Fort, we would probably be safe. However, our group is old and young, and we are really lacking in strength."

The Ding family of Weining? Wasn't that a very famous clan in the east of Northern Liao? Their family possessed enormous wealth and operated in a wide range of fields, including traditional fields, horse farms, workshops, and maritime trade. They could be considered one of the top ten families in Northern Liao. Such a large family could be considered one of the pillars of Northern Liao, but unexpectedly, they were now being chased for thousands of miles, fleeing into Yun Province. This sounded… too legendary.

"Although the Ding family can't be said to hold power over the court, they are deeply rooted and have widespread influence. How could they fall to this state?" Chen Xiaolai asked in disbelief. "Tianling Fort… is the Ding family acquainted with the Dai family?"

The old man hesitated, sighed, and said, "Young man, the Ding family has money but wants to force self-preservation, while Northern Liao is preparing for war but lacks money. No one in the court speaks for us. Aren't these reasons enough? Now the Ding family is divided into three, each fleeing separately. Real estate, shops, goods, everything is gone, and many family members, I don't know how many will survive. The Ding family has some contact with the Seven Seas Trading Company in business, but they are all shady dealings. Lord Ye is an executive of the Seven Seas Trading Company and the son-in-law of the Dai family. Although he is not very familiar with the Dai family, there is still that relationship. We still hope that the Dai family can take care of us. This is really a dead end… Our group is still being followed. If we go straight to Gangdu, we would probably be arrested and questioned. We don't care, but the old people and children in the family can't take it."

The old man's explanation was quite clear. The old man clearly saw that Liu Yong and Ye Tao were standing aside listening, but he obediently didn't point it out. Instead, he spoke loudly and conversed with Chen Xiaolai, making everything clear. He was definitely a sensible and perceptive fellow. Chen Xiaolai then asked, "I haven't asked for your name, old sir."

"I dare not. This old man is Ding Wei, the chief steward of this group of the Ding family. Young man, may I have a few words with your superior? … Now, we really can't afford to delay. We hope you can take us in and protect us. Also… can the Ding family stay in Yun Province?"

Ye Tao winked at Chen Xiaolai, agreeing. Although Chen Xiaolai was just an ordinary rookie guard, this exchange was very appropriate in front of Ding Wei. In addition, Chen Xiaolai's valiant performance during the battle today, the praise for him should… should not be so enviable. The veterans of the Guard Battalion knew that Ye Tao lacked someone who could be his adjutant. This person had to be capable both in writing and martial arts, had to be somewhat capable in dealing with people, and had to have a good image… Chen Xiaolai seemed very suitable for such a role. Although that was definitely a promotion, it also meant that he would basically not be able to fight on the front lines for three or five years.

"If what this old man said is true, then there will be fun to watch. The domestic situation in Northern Liao is unstable, and the economy is on the verge of collapse. They are already relying on confiscating the assets of large aristocratic families to survive. And, judging from the sound of it, those with grievances and doubts will definitely not be limited to the Ding family alone, there must be others." Liu Yong said to Ye Tao while Chen Xiaolai was leading the old man to assist in settling the wounded and the healthy refugees.

Ye Tao took off his mask and helmet, holding them in his arms, and said, "Uncle Liu, I will definitely keep these people. Not only must we give them a way to survive, but we must also make them live as well as possible. We must also spread this news to Northern Liao. Shaking the morale of the Northern Liao army and civilians is much more difficult than making the Western Route Army surrender, but this is a good opportunity."

Liu Yong smiled. In fact, he didn't expect to encounter this kind of thing today. Encountering such a thing made Liu Yong feel that he was really too adapted to the atmosphere in Yun Province. When the entire army of Yun Province was actively preparing for war, preparing to accumulate strength and descend, destroying Northern Liao, everyone had become accustomed to facing the Western Route Army, such a special opponent. A very good opponent. They were used to the face of the Western Route Army, as if they would shed the last drop of blood for glory and victory, from top to bottom, their bodies filled with military courage. But today, the sudden appearance of the Ding family seemed to be a reminder that things were not entirely like that. Within Northern Liao, there were still many people who were afraid that the war with Dongping would destroy their homes, destroy their families, and destroy everything they had worked so hard to build. Naturally, among this group of people, the strongest emotion was definitely that of the Lord of Northern Liao, otherwise, he would not desperately resist Dongping, and even start trying many irrational actions. In this space-time, no matter what the reason, taking action against powerful aristocratic families to obtain their wealth was definitely a major taboo. Even the change of national regimes sometimes could not shake a family. Many families often bet on both sides when the four major countries of Central Earth began to expand their territories in those years. There are still many families who have their branches in two or even multiple countries at the same time. Some are self-governing in various countries, declaring to the outside world that they have separated and are already different clans. But there are also some families who clearly want to mix in several sides, and everyone regards it as a matter of course. Disciples from such families can definitely not rise above the middle level in the officialdom and the army, but as long as they do not endanger the country, generally everyone turns a blind eye. Like the Lord of Northern Liao now, actually wanting to destroy even families who just want to retreat and protect themselves, it is really hard to say whether it will bring an improvement or a decline in morale to Northern Liao.

"Thinking about the Lord of Northern Liao, it's really a bit sad. In desperation, he actually wants to destroy even the families who are not of one mind with him. He even plays the trick of chasing after them across the border. He wants to kill one to warn a hundred, but wouldn't that push those who are hesitant and watching towards our side? Wouldn't those who already harbor resentment and families escape even faster and more joyfully?" Ye Tao said with disdain.

"Well… you are a good person." Liu Yong suddenly said.

This good person card startled Ye Tao. He frowned and asked, "Uncle Liu, why do you say that? I've always been like this, right?"

"Those who are hesitant and watching always need a reason, something to make them completely lean to one side. Then, it will be easier to take action. Cleansing has always been like this. Whether it's fleeing or avoiding, since Northern Liao has already taken action against the first person who is not of one mind, then the second and third will be no different. This knife must still be so fast." Liu Yong teased, "It's a pity that you actually have the title of historian, how can't you see through this?"

Ye Tao shrugged, saying indifferently, "When it comes to an individual, it's murder for money, but when a country takes action against a family, it becomes the elimination of evil… He who steals a hook is executed, he who steals a country becomes a lord, the ancients did not deceive me. But, whatever, I'm probably not as good a person as Uncle Liu thinks. Otherwise, I would have to send troops to attack Liao now. This also carries a great reputation, called rescuing the people from suffering. Unfortunately, I still think that the lives of our own soldiers are more precious."

Liu Yong didn't take it to heart, and he somewhat appreciated Ye Tao's spirit of self-deprecation. He said, "Northern Frontier Pacification Commissioner's Office, Northern Liao is not under your control now, you can let them go to hell."

"Don't, absolutely don't, and it's best if it never comes under my control in the future." Ye Tao said with a wry smile.