Volume 1, Chapter 64: Millions Kneel to See Him Off!

Sifang County?

One can only say, it feels so good to be home.

Finally.

Zhang Muyang dismounted in front of a familiar rice shop, smiling, "Boss, give me some of your finest millet and coarse grain, and make the portions generous."

"We'll buy some too."

"Yes, yes, we'll all buy some."

Now that they had their military pay and their purses were bulging, having finally made the trip back to their hometown, they naturally wanted to buy extra grain to bring back to the village.

Conditions in the village were still far too harsh, especially during this bitter winter when the ground was frozen solid, making it impossible to go into the mountains to forage for wild vegetables or hunt. For the villagers, even eating coarse grain rice was a luxury; being able to have a bowl of thin porridge every day was a supreme extravagance, and people starving to death was a frequent occurrence.

When the state prospers, the people suffer; when the state perishes, the people suffer.

The shopkeeper was extremely generous, personally helping his clerk weigh the goods and loading bags of coarse grain and millet onto the men's pack baskets and horsebacks.

Zhang Muyang asked, "Boss, how much is the total? Let me settle the bill with you."

"No money! No money!" The shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly.

"How can that be? You run a small business, waking up early and working late is not easy."

"I really don't want your money!"

The shopkeeper was deeply emotional. "Commander Zhang, you and the soldiers are risking your lives on the front lines, shedding blood and making sacrifices, so that we in the rear can run our businesses and live our lives in peace! These grains are just a humble token of my appreciation! You must accept them!"

The shopkeeper's attitude was resolute, and no matter what, he refused to take the money.

Deeply touched yet unwilling to let the common folk suffer a loss, Zhang Muyang had no choice but to take advantage of a moment when the shopkeeper wasn't looking, quietly stuffing a dozen silver ingots into the rice vat in the corner of the counter. Only then did he lead the others out of the rice shop, intending to head to the market to buy some meat and pastries for the children back in the village.

Who would have thought that the moment he stepped out of the shop, he would be startled by the sight before him?

Outside the shop, who knew when it had happened, but the streets were already surrounded three layers deep by townsfolk who had caught wind of the news!

A veritable sea of people blocked the street completely.

Even the magistrate of Sifang County himself had rushed over upon hearing the news, pushing through the crowd with an excited expression and stepping forward to cup his fists in salute. "Commander Zhang! It truly is you! This official has prepared a modest feast at my residence; I beg all you brave soldiers to honor us with your presence and share a cup of wine before you leave!"

That was the magistrate of the county, the father and mother official of the district!

And yet, he was treating a common-born officer with such humility and even a hint of reverence—something Zhang Muyang, Zhang Xiaobei, and the others would never have dared to dream of.

Zhang Muyang hurriedly returned the salute. "Your Honor's profound kindness is deeply appreciated by us all! But military intelligence is urgent, and we must return to Zhangjia Village immediately without a moment's delay. We truly cannot attend the banquet, and I hope Your Honor will forgive us."

"Just a simple meal, it won't take long..."

"The war in the northern border is pressing; we dare not disobey military orders. When we return victorious, we shall drink to our heart's content with Your Honor!"

"Very well! Since that is the case, this official will not press you further!"

The magistrate was also a straightforward man. He turned back and shouted, "Bring wine! This official will personally see the brave soldiers off!"

A yamen runner immediately brought forward an empty bowl.

The magistrate personally filled a bowl for each of them, then raised his wine bowl high and declared in a ringing voice, "On behalf of the elders and people of Sifang County, I toast all the brave soldiers who protect our homes and country without fear of death! Bottoms up!"

"To Your Honor! Bottoms up!" Filled with heroic spirit, Zhang Muyang tilted his head back and drained his bowl in one go.

"Bottoms up!"

Zhang Xiaobei, Gou Sheng, and the others also excitedly drained the wine in their bowls.

However, when they prepared to mount their horses and leave, they were deeply shaken by an even grander and more moving spectacle.

Along the long street, even more townspeople had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Shoulder to shoulder, a churning sea of heads.

They held various items in their hands: some carried jars of wine, some held cured meats, some cradled freshly steamed buns, and others clutched hard-earned eggs... They had brought the best things their households had to offer, swarming forward to present them.

"Soldiers, please accept this!"

"Soldiers, just a small token, you must take it!"

"Soldiers, take these for the road!"

The townspeople called out one after another, their gazes sincere and fervent.

Looking at this scene, Zhang Muyang, Su Ying, Bai Zhi, and the others felt an indescribable surge of warmth rise in their chests; their noses stung, and their eyes instantly reddened.

All the hardship, all the bloodshed and sacrifice, seemed entirely worth it at this very moment.

Yet they could not accept them—they truly could not. The lives of the ordinary people were just as austere and bitter.

Zhang Muyang took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his churning emotions, and cupped his fists. "Elder folks and fellow villagers! Guarding the borders and protecting our homeland is the duty of us soldiers! To eat the ruler's grain is to bear the ruler's worries; keeping the people safe is our bounden duty! We accept your kind intentions, but we can absolutely not take these things!"

"We promise you that we will never let the thieves of Northern Yan and the Rong barbarians cross North-Facing Pass to invade the south! This is the pledge of every single soldier in the Jingbian Army to you! As long as we are still standing, we will never let the flames of war reach our homes!"

"Accept them! If you don't take them, we won't get up!"

"Right! If you don't take them, we won't get up!"

Thud! Thud!

It was unclear who initiated it, but the townspeople began to kneel down one after another, holding their offerings high in both hands.

Seated upon his horse, Zhang Muyang gazed at the sea of elders and fellow villagers kneeling before him, his throat choked with emotion. For a moment, he didn't know what to say; any words seemed pale and feeble.

An elderly woman in tattered clothes and with hair as white as snow walked tremblingly to the front of Zhang Muyang's horse, shoving a few still-warm eggs into his hand. With a trembling voice, she said, "Child, take them, you must take them. My grandson died defending the northern border years ago, and when I look at you, it's just like looking at my grandson... You must take good care of yourselves, stay safe and sound."

"Granny..."

Zhang Muyang's tears could no longer be held back, instantly spilling over and streaming down his face.

He dismounted and knelt on one knee before the elderly woman, his voice shaking with emotion. "Old mother! From this day forward, I, Zhang Muyang, am your own grandson! All of us in the Jingbian Army are your children!"

"We are all your children!"

Zhang Xiaobei, Gou Sheng, and the others also dismounted and knelt on the ground.

The old woman tightly grasped Zhang Muyang's hand, her voice choking with sobs. "Since you're all Granny's children, can Granny give her grandchildren a few eggs? Can you refuse to take them?"

"We'll take them! We accept them!" Zhang Muyang nodded heavily, his tears splashing onto the snow.

"What about ours?"

"Take ours as well!"

Seeing this scene, the townspeople surged forward even more emotionally, eagerly holding out their offerings.

To accept, or not to accept?

With his heart pounding with emotion, Zhang Muyang suddenly stood up and shouted aloud, "Fellow villagers, we accept your kind intentions! But we cannot take them for nothing! We have returned this time to recruit new soldiers, expand our army, and better defend our homeland! If you truly wish to support us, then let the fine young men of your households sign up for the army! Join us in guarding our soil and defending our country!"

"I'll join the army! I want to enlist!"

"I want to enlist too! Count me in!"

"And me!"

Zhang Muyang's words acted like a blazing fire, instantly igniting the passion and blood of all the young men present. The scene instantly turned turbulent and surging with excitement.

Who should stay behind to take charge of the recruitment?

Zhang Muyang looked at Zhang Xiaobei, Gou Sheng, and the others. Each of them had expectant and eager gazes, longing to fly back to Zhangjia Village immediately to see their long-separated loved ones. He lacked the heart to leave any of them behind.

"I'll stay!"

Su Ying took the initiative, cupping her fists and volunteering, "Commander Zhang, as a Duwei, it is most appropriate for me to stay and oversee the recruitment matters!"

Bai Zhi also softly chimed in, "I shall stay behind with Duwei Zhang Ying as well; perhaps I can be of some help recording the roster."

"I'll stay too!"

"Count me in!"

Immediately, several more squad leaders hailing from Zhangjia Village stepped forward, their attitudes resolute.

Deeply moved, Zhang Muyang heavily clapped them on the shoulders. "Good! Good brothers! Then I leave this hardship to you! Keep these silver taels; anyone who signs up for the army and passes the preliminary screening shall immediately be given one tael of relocation money in advance!"

"Understood! Commander, rest assured! We will not fail this heavy trust!"

Su Ying, Bai Zhi, and the others cupped their fists in acknowledgment of the order, their gazes firm.

Zhang Muyang, Zhang Xiaobei, Gou Sheng, and the others were finally able to break away. Firmly refusing all items from the townspeople under the pretext of urgent military affairs and the need to travel light, they spurred their horses and charged out of the county town amidst the lingering, reluctant gazes of the people.

Is Han Li doing well?

How are Yang Wenxiu and Yang Wenjuan?

The mere thought of soon seeing the family members they had yearned for day and night made Zhang Muyang's heart swell with irrepressible excitement. He whipped his horse into a gallop, speeding away in the direction of Zhangjia Village...