The refugees dispersed, and the weather in Yao County grew colder with each passing day.
Although the refugees had retreated, they left a significant shadow over the people of Yao County. Coupled with the current grim situation, Magistrate Cheng discussed the matter with Jiang Pan and Yan Li, deciding to recruit a batch of strong men throughout the county to train them. These men would patrol various parts of Yao County daily to prevent any more refugees from intruding.
Such a move, in the past, would have been a grave taboo, suspecting private stockpiling of troops.
However, with the imperial court on the verge of collapse and the officials of Yao County having lost contact with the central government, they understood that the Daliang Dynasty's mandate was nearing its end, and it would inevitably be replaced by a new regime.
They could have easily abandoned the city and fled.
But under a collapsing nest, how could any egg remain intact? The outside world was in chaos; would fleeing bring them any good fortune?
It was better to hold onto their base, which had not yet been significantly affected, unite the people's hearts, advance and retreat together, and defend this land. No matter how chaotic the outside world became, as long as the land beneath their feet remained orderly, life could go on!
The county deputy and others did not agree with this idea.
They were timid and fearful, worried about being accused of rebellion and held accountable. Therefore, they refused to participate.
The county deputy and county captain were not appointed officials of the imperial court; they were assistants promoted by the former county magistrate.
Magistrate Cheng already had considerable opinions about them, so he seized this opportunity to strip them of their positions and directly promote Jiang Pan and Yan Li.
Thus, Jiang Pan transformed into the county deputy of Yao County, and Yan Li became the county captain.
The original county deputy and others, having lost their official positions, were naturally resentful and even wanted to cause trouble. Yan Li and Jiang Pan, like two stern gods, said, "Do you also wish to taste what it's like to be hung on the city walls?"
With those words, the individuals trembled and dared not voice any further objections.
In this manner, without much effort, Jiang Pan and Yan Li smoothly took up their posts, becoming Magistrate Cheng's trusted aides. The three middle-aged men even felt a sense of camaraderie, forming a sworn brotherhood in the peach garden. Jiang Pan became the eldest brother, Yan Li the second, and Magistrate Cheng, holding the highest official rank, became the third.
While the Jiang family was repairing their house, Yan Li purchased a plot of land next to the Jiang residence and hired craftsmen to build a house.
There were only the two of them, so the courtyard and house were not large, resulting in a short construction period. Within a few days, the new house began to take shape.
For Jiang Wan's house, craftsmen were hired to dismantle all the broken doors and windows and replace them with new ones. The walls of the house were also re-sanded and repainted. The bricks and stones previously laid on the ground were dug up and discarded. A thick layer of quicklime was spread for disinfection. After a few days of settling, new flooring would be laid.
All the furniture was moved out. Chen Yuezhi told the villagers that anyone who needed it and didn't mind could come and take it. Within an hour, the discarded furniture was completely taken.
After all, the Jiang family's furniture had only been bought a few months ago and was brand new. Although it had been polished by the refugees, it would be clean again after a good wash and polish at home.
The damaged areas in the courtyard were also repaired. The ground was dug up, and quicklime was spread for disinfection.
After more than half a month of continuous work, the Jiang family finally moved back into their own courtyard.
Accompanying them was Scholar Zhou.
His house had been burned down and was uninhabitable, requiring a complete rebuild. However, craftsmen were difficult to find at the moment, so he had to temporarily reside elsewhere.
After the Jiang family moved out of the Cheng Residence, he found it inconvenient to live there alone. Magistrate Cheng was rarely home, and only Madam Cheng was in the residence, which he felt was inappropriate. Therefore, he also moved to the inn.
When the Jiang family moved back home, they invited Scholar Zhou along.
The Jiang family had ample rooms. Third Son, respecting his teacher, vacated his room for Scholar Zhou and moved into the storage room himself.
Yan Li and Gu Chenzhou also returned to the small mountain village and stayed in the Jiang family's storage room.
Suddenly, the Jiang residence was home to fifteen people, making it quite lively.
It was now the twelfth lunar month.
The first joyous occasion after moving back home was to hold Jiang Yao's full moon banquet.
Given the tense situation, a grand celebration was out of the question. Thus, the Jiang family set up three or four tables, invited the Cheng family and Doctor Jin, and also the village chief's family and Wang Hongye's family for a simple celebration.
Although Madam Su felt a bit regretful, she didn't say anything.
After the celebration, the Jiang family returned to their normal lives.
The Wangxiang Tower reopened, and Eldest Son returned to manage the restaurant's affairs.
Second Son did not return; instead, Magistrate Cheng assigned him to train the militia.
The idea Magistrate Cheng and his colleagues came up with was greatly supported by the people. The strong men at home were idle, so it was better to learn some skills. Moreover, the magistrate had said that meals would be provided!
Winter was a time with little to do. By joining the militia camp and learning skills, and if they gained the magistrate's favor, they might even become constables in the yamen.
Even if they didn't get into the yamen, the skills they learned were their own. Having a man in the family who knew martial arts significantly increased their sense of security.
When Second Son first received this order, he was stunned. It took him a while to come to his senses, and then he rushed to the training camp. He replicated the entire set of techniques that Jiang Wan had taught him, making the nearly three thousand-strong contingent cry out in agony.
After half a month of training, not only did the militiamen make rapid progress, but Second Son himself also underwent significant changes.
The former Second Son appeared somewhat simple and honest, lacking in maturity. Now, he had settled down, like a sword that had just been forged. Although still a bit blunt and dull, one could immediately see its future sharpness and brilliance.
Not to mention others, Jiang Pan, just by observing Second Son's changes during this period, had eyes filled with relief.
Time quickly passed to the end of the twelfth lunar month, and the new house for Yan Li and his disciple was completed.
This master and disciple did not have high demands for the house and were eager to move in, so the small courtyard was built somewhat crudely, but it did not affect its habitability.
After a simple tidying up and several days of vigorous heating with braziers, the master and disciple officially moved into their new house before the Lunar New Year.
On the moving day, Yan Li found two cooks from the county to prepare several tables of banquet dishes. He also invited the guests from Jiang Yao's full moon banquet for a lively housewarming feast.
After the guests dispersed, Gu Chenzhou stood at the entrance of the new house, gazing out at the entire village.
From now on, they would live here for a long time.
Jiang Wan came out of the courtyard and saw Gu Chenzhou standing there, his body straight, like a small pine tree. She grinned, took a few steps forward, and skillfully tugged at his clothes.
She hadn't expected Gu Chenzhou to become a neighbor, and his master had become sworn brothers with her father. They had unexpectedly become like siblings.
From now on, she could interact with him openly and without reservation.
Thinking about absorbing abilities every day from now on, Jiang Wan felt that life was wonderful.
Gu Chenzhou saw her smiling foolishly while holding his clothes and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.