Volume One, Chapter 12: The Meng Family of Chengyang
At this moment, the vast majority of the lords were still solo commanders, possessing only a single bronze recruitment order initially granted through the virtual panel to enlist their warriors.
Like Ningxia, whom Lin Xuan had encountered today, only a few had managed to establish refugee camps.
Most of the lords were still in the stage of reclaiming wilderness, whereas Lin Xuan had already embarked on the path of warfare.
...
The next morning, Lin Xuan watched as Jiang Feishang led fifty soldiers, their group moving out in a grand procession from Lin Family Village.
Lin Xuan did not intend to participate in this battle. On one hand, he was scheduled to receive new villagers shortly; on the other, he was afraid of death.
If he were to be struck down by a treacherous arrow from some hidden enemy, it would be too late to regret.
Bathed in the morning sunlight, the entire Lin Family Village appeared vibrant and thriving.
After receiving the new batch of villagers, Lin Xuan observed as some went hunting, others gathered timber, some patrolled the village entrance, and two tended to food preparations for the midday meal.
He could sense that the village was gradually filling with the warmth and bustle of daily life.
The new villagers, like yesterday’s group, totaled nine, six of whom possessed special skills.
However, only one had a formal profession, and that person, like Wang Yan, was a blacksmith.
[Chu Ran]: 39 years old
[Territory]: Lin Family Village
[Loyalty]: 91
[Profession]: Blacksmith
[Strength]: 59
[Intelligence]: 47
[Leadership]: 51
[Politics]: 53
[Specialty]: Forging
Although both were blacksmiths, Chu Ran and Wang Yan specialized differently.
One focused on ironworking, the other on forging.
“I wonder which of them will first reach the level of Master Forger,” Lin Xuan murmured softly.
Having spoken, Lin Xuan withdrew his gaze and stepped out of the smithy.
Outside, he headed directly to a residential home, knocked on the door, and then entered.
The residence was a standard four-person room. Inside, Lin Xuan saw the girl whom Jiang Feishang had rescued yesterday.
She sat at the bedside and turned her head upon hearing the knock, meeting Lin Xuan’s eyes.
“I heard from Xiaofei that you didn’t have breakfast. Are you feeling unwell?”
Besides the girl, the room was shared by Zhang Xiaofei and her two sisters, Zhang Xiaoling and Zhang Xiaoyan. Lin Xuan had arranged for them to live together so the sisters could look after the girl.
The girl remained silent at Lin Xuan’s words.
Most girls in this era were introverted, and after yesterday’s ordeal, she was still shaken and hadn’t yet recovered.
Yet she knew that Lin Xuan’s people had saved her, making him her savior.
Though she said nothing, she rose and took the teapot from the table, serving Lin Xuan a cup of tea as a host would for a guest.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m not going to eat you,” Lin Xuan smiled at the girl’s hesitant attempt to offer him tea without stepping forward.
“This girl is quite adorable!” he thought.
She was naturally delicate and gave off a gentle, obedient impression, which, coupled with her shy demeanor, made her all the more endearing.
“I... I... I’m not... afraid!” she stammered.
Despite her protest, her nervousness was evident, making Lin Xuan feel a bit embarrassed himself.
He silently wondered, “Do I really look that scary?”
“I heard from Xiaofei that you’re from the city, out for a spring outing, but were attacked by bandits. Do you remember the way you came?”
Since yesterday, the girl had only exchanged a few words with Zhang Xiaofei, mostly casual chatter, so Lin Xuan still knew little about her.
Only that she lived in the county seat and appeared to come from a decent family.
“I ran very far, and Lang Shu and Sister Yuan died holding off those bandits to help me... and Ada and the others are dead too!”
“I kept running and running, so far I don’t even remember how far or where I was going!”
Her words implied she had no idea of the path she had taken.
Lin Xuan frowned and then asked, “Do you know which county your home is in?”
The girl didn’t understand why Lin Xuan asked these questions, but she trusted him and answered without hesitation, “Chengyang City.”
“Chengyang City... Looks like there’s more than just Jiyin City near the village!” Lin Xuan pondered deeply.
He then looked up at the girl. “Do you know how far Jiyin City is from where you live?”
When he brought the girl to the village yesterday, Lin Xuan had already decided to send her away promptly. He didn’t want her to learn too many of his secrets.
The girl shook her head. “My brother said Jiyin City is the capital of Jiyin Prefecture, right next to Chengyang City.”
“But I’ve never been there and don’t know how far Jiyin City is from Chengyang.”
...
They talked extensively afterward. During their conversation, Lin Xuan learned the girl’s name was Meng Jin.
According to Meng Jin, the Meng family was a prominent clan in Chengyang City, with elders serving as officials there.
Besides the Meng family, there were two other great families in Chengyang: the Wangs and the Hes. But combined, these two families were not as powerful as the Mengs.
After learning this, Lin Xuan promised Meng Jin he would send her home in a few days.
Meng Jin also told him that if he did so, her father and brothers would surely repay him generously.
This conversation not only provided Lin Xuan with information about Chengyang City and the Meng family but also highlighted a crucial point.
“If those bandits didn’t exist here before, their sudden appearance leaves only two possibilities.”
“Either they have just arrived recently... or they’re connected to the virtual panel!”
Lin Xuan stepped out of the room, pondering aloud.
“If only I had gone with Feishang and the others, maybe after seeing the bandits, the virtual panel would have given me the answers I seek.”
Regret filled him for not joining Jiang Feishang’s assault on the bandit stronghold.
Glancing at the time on the virtual panel, he said, “By now, Feishang and the others should be returning.”
P.S. A note here: all these cities and such are fictional settings. This world is not entirely the same as the Three Kingdoms period.
In the actual Three Kingdoms era, Jiyin Prefecture governed counties such as Dingtao, Yuanju, Chengshi, Juyang, Chengyang, Youcheng, Linqiu, Lihu, Chengwu, Shanfu, and Jishi.
But Jiyin itself belonged to Chenliu Commandery.