Chapter 58 – Reaping the Harvest (3)

Chapter 58 – Reaping the Harvest (3)

The Hanzhong legion finally began its deployment. It was a substantial force of about thirteen thousand soldiers. The remaining two thousand stayed behind to defend the fortress alongside the Patrol Corps.

Since the news had spread two days prior, the citizens' support was overwhelming. A massive crowd packed the streets, cheering enthusiastically with raised hands.

"General, please return safely!"

"Protect us!"

"You will surely be victorious!"

It was a stark contrast to their first deployment. The crowd lining the streets numbered in the tens of thousands. The soldiers' hearts swelled with pride, and their morale soared to the heavens.

At the vanguard alongside General Jang Yang was a cavalry unit of two thousand. Behind them, the infantry began to march out.

The vanguard of the infantry was led by the Wolf Fang Squad. Their popularity was no less than General Jang Yang's.

"Look, the Wolf Fang Squad is over there!"

"I heard they are the invincible infantry!"

"Give those Hui bastards another beating this time!"

As the squad members waved to the citizens, someone suddenly laughed and shouted, "Haha! Brothers, look over there!"

Everyone turned to look at a platform about five zhang to the right. A dozen citizens stood in a row, dancing and beating drums. On one side, street performers played flutes to cheer them on. Various forms of encouragement were displayed continuously.

Behind the Wolf Fang Squad, the swordsmen, spearmen, and archers marched in succession. The newly formed medical unit could also be seen. At the very rear of the column were the supply wagons of the logistics unit.

A logistics soldier had been tilting his head in confusion for some time.

"Don't you hear snoring from somewhere?"

Indeed, a distinct snoring sound could be heard from nearby. However, no matter how much he searched the surroundings, he could not find the source.

An officer of the logistics unit glared at him.

"Stop slacking and pull the wagon!"

"Yes, sir…"

Leaving Hanzhong Fortress, the legion pressed forward.

It would take four days to reach their destination. Most of the surrounding villages had not yet evacuated.

After half a day of marching, a scout quickly rode up to Jang Yang to report.

"General, villagers are blocking the road ahead with three wagons. I will take some men to disperse them."

Jang Yang spoke calmly, his expression unchanged, "No. Let them be. We will find out what it is about once we arrive."

Half an hour later.

Just as the scout had said, three wagons were blocking the road, accompanied by about twenty villagers.

Jang Yang rode to the front and asked, "What is the matter that brings you all here?"

The villagers bowed repeatedly and said, "General, we are farmers from Sohwa Village. This is only a small amount of grain, but it is our sincerity. Please accept it."

Jang Yang's heart swelled. In this time of war, their lives could not be easy, yet their gesture was deeply moving. He immediately dismounted and grasped their hands with both of his.

"Thank you, truly. Your support gives us great strength."

"Stay strong, General!"

"We are always cheering for you!"

The legion's provisions were already more than sufficient. For some reason, they had deployed with far more grain than necessary. Yet, Jang Yang did not refuse their gesture.

"Thank you, thank you. The enemy's invasion will begin soon, so please evacuate to Hanzhong Fortress within seven days."

The three wagons joined the logistics column.

The legion resumed its march, but before long, the road was blocked once again, first at Muhyeon Village, and then as they passed Danghwa Town. In every village they passed, the residents brought grain, horse feed, and snacks for the soldiers. Each time, Jang Yang accepted the wagons while continuing to encourage the citizens to evacuate.

The legion had started with thirty wagons from the camp, but after a single day, the number had doubled.

Yang Yeon-jeong approached and asked, "General, we have too much grain. What do you intend to do with all of this?"

Jang Yang's gaze drifted toward the horizon.

"The villages near Hanzhong are relatively well-off, but the further we go, the more impoverished the people's lives are. And most of them are in no position to flee…"

For the impoverished villagers, their village itself was their entire livelihood. They might temporarily seek shelter, but they would never abandon their land entirely.

Understanding his intent, Yang Yeon-jeong did not raise any more questions.

"Understood, General."

The scenes that followed were exactly as Jang Yang had predicted. The citizens' support remained constant, but after a certain point, no more wagons appeared. The further they traveled from the fortress, the poorer the villages became.

When the column reached the crossroads of Yangcheon Town, Jang Yang halted the march.

"From here, distribute the wagons to the villages according to their size."

"Yes, General."

Yang Yeon-jeong rode to the rear to instruct the logistics officer.

"Deliver five wagons of grain to this town."

"Yes, Adjutant!"

About thirty soldiers entered the town with the wagons. Since about a hundred citizens had already gathered on the streets to cheer them on, it did not take long. Watching the residents receive the grain from afar, the soldiers wore warm smiles.

Some of the villagers wiping tears of gratitude could be seen as they led the wagons away.

Yang Yeon-jeong rode back to the front, looking at Jang Yang.

"This is a happy event. Why do you sigh?"

"This is only the beginning. The further we go, the poorer they are. Imagine how harsh life must be for the villages that were pillaged…"

"If we can win this defense, we must reclaim Chang'an as quickly as possible."

"Indeed. My heart aches for these people who suffer despite working so hard…"

Jang Yang stopped mid-sentence, unable to control his rising emotions. Yang Yeon-jeong understood him well.

"From here on, I will lead the way."

***

The residents of Yangcheon Town were swept with emotion. It was the first time in the town's history that the military had distributed food to the civilians.

Thousands of residents began to gather at the square in front of the community center. The crowd was still growing.

Surrounding the five wagons, many of them had red eyes, and some were already weeping.

The town head approached, gently touching one of the wagons, and spoke in a trembling voice, "I have lived my whole life as an orphan. So I always wondered what it felt like to have parents… but now, for the first time, I think I understand that feeling…"

To them, the wagons represented a parent's care. And it was only natural for children to want to do something for their parents.

Just then, someone in the crowd shouted at the top of his lungs, "Shouldn't we do something to help the General too?!"

The crowd stirred.

However, there was little they could do. They possessed nothing.

While no one could answer easily, a loud voice responded.

"Let us raise a militia!"

All eyes turned to the speaker. It was a middle-aged man wearing a simple white robe.

Everyone recognized him. It was Yang Heung, a retired veteran who had once served in the legion.

The citizens raised their hands one after another, expressing their willingness to join.

"I will join!"

"I will fight too!"

Yang Heung quickly waved his hands to calm them down.

"It is too dangerous for those who have not trained in martial arts. Let us gather martial artists and veterans from the surrounding villages instead."

Just then, a middle-aged man in a blue martial robe stepped forward. It was Jin Baek, the leader of the Jaecheon Sect.

The Jaecheon Sect was the only martial sect in Yangcheon Town, and its members were strictly third-rate.

"It will not be easy. Most first-rate masters belong to the Martial League, and others won't want to join an unnamed militia."

Yang Heung nodded in understanding.

"Naturally. A hastily raised militia has its limits in combat. However, the militia work I am referring to is not combat."

Curiosity flared in Jin Baek's eyes.

"Then what do you mean?"

"The regular army will handle the fighting. We can support the struggling villages and help the residents evacuate. That alone will be a significant contribution."

"Mmm. If the army doesn't have to waste troops on secondary tasks, it will certainly help the General. I will lend a hand as well."

"Having Sect Leader Jin join us is reassuring. Who else will join?"

The gathered residents desperately wanted to participate, but since it was dangerous for ordinary people, they could not step forward. Understanding their feelings, Jin Baek looked around and said, "Go to the neighboring villages and tell anyone with some skill to gather here. I will assemble those who have trained in martial arts in Yangcheon Town."

"Understood, Sect Leader Jin."

"I am glad we can help in some way."

"Leave it to us."

The citizens united with one mind. The thought of being able to do something for the Hanzhong military filled them with joy.

The town head spoke with a bright expression, "Thank you. Having the two of you lead us gives us great confidence."

Yang Heung bowed to Sect Leader Jin Baek and said, "It would be best if Sect Leader Jin serves as our militia commander."

"For a leader of a third-rate sect like me, that is too grand a title. To lead these hot-blooded militia members, the strongest among us must lead. We will select the commander tomorrow morning, so please hurry. We have no time."

The citizens dispersed. The five wagons were moved to the community center's storehouse.

Half an hour later.

A strange movement occurred inside the storehouse. The straw covering one of the wagons began to wriggle. Soon, the straw was pushed aside, and a small face like a sparrow's peeked out.

"Phew…"

Leaping down to the floor, So-so placed her hands on her hips, falling into thought. Slipping onto the wagon to follow them had worked well, but she had accidentally fallen asleep just before they reached Yangcheon Town.

She let out a sigh. Rather than fear at being left alone, she felt disappointed that she hadn't been able to keep up with her father and uncles.

Stepping out of the storehouse, she saw the quiet town.

After walking for a while, So-so spotted an elderly woman steaming something in a pot in front of a humble house. She trotted over and asked, "Grandmother! I need to go to Hanzhong. What should I do?"

The grandmother, holding the pot lid, looked at the child in surprise.

"Hanzhong is a two-day walk in that direction, child. But where are your parents?"

"Sigh. They left me behind."

The grandmother's face filled with pity. Though rare, it was not unheard of for parents to abandon their children during times of war.

So-so clasped her hands politely and bowed.

"Thank you~"

"Sigh. To abandon such a lovely child… how can there be such terrible parents in this world…"

Watching So-so's retreating back, the grandmother sighed in pity.

"I'm hungry…"

Walking weakly, the child rubbed her stomach with her small hand. The grandmother could not let her go like this.

"Child! Wait a moment!"

She quickly lifted the pot lid and wrapped two dumplings in a cloth.

"Eat this on your way! If you get hungry, come back here. Understood?"

So-so's mood instantly brightened.

"Hehe. Thank you for the food, Grandmother."

Watching the child skip away with the dumplings, the grandmother's eyes welled with tears.

She desperately wanted to take the child in and raise her, but she knew all too well that she was in no position to do so.

So-so climbed up a massive birch tree at the entrance of the town. It was the guardian tree of the town. Sitting on a branch, she ate the dumplings and thought.

There was no need to return to Hanzhong. No one was there to play with. Furthermore, if her father wanted to return to the camp, he would have to pass through this town again anyway. It made sense to wait here.

Before she knew it, the sun began to set. Slipping off her shoes, So-so lay down on the branch. Wiggling her tiny toes, she spent a long time watching the night sky.

Once her stomach was full, sleepiness washed over her. Soon, her eyes closed, and she fell into a deep sleep, snoring softly.

Some time later, So-so was awakened by a commotion nearby. Birds were chirping, and the morning sun was bathing the town in light.

It was a clearing about ten zhang away. She saw about two hundred sturdy men gathered, focused on something.

"From now on, we will select our militia commander through a martial contest!"