APSIL -Chapter 58 The Past and a Decision

There had been thirty-two horses in total.

Of them, twenty-seven were either completely unharmed or only lightly injured. Another two had broken legs from falls, while three had suffered fairly serious external wounds.

After all, although the blow darts had been aimed at the riders rather than the horses, once the fighting broke out at the bamboo grove entrance, it had been impossible to avoid hitting every mount. Considering the circumstances, this haul was already excellent.

These horses were the spoils left behind for Rongshui Village after Commander Xiong Yi’s cavalry escorted the prisoners away.

Since everyone except Zhang Chen and Lu Sanlang had slept through the previous night’s battle after being drugged unconscious, the other young nobles already felt shameless enough accepting a share of the credit. None of them had the nerve to ask for a share of the spoils as well.

Even neglected illegitimate sons like Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu, who were genuinely short of money, dared not bring it up.

As for Zhang Chen and Lu Sanlang, one was wealthy and powerful, while the other prided himself on his intelligence. Neither was interested in fighting over a few horses.

So when Zhang Shou gathered Old Yang and the villagers to explain that the warhorses would remain temporarily in the village, even the perpetually money-loving old man was overjoyed, as were the others.

But after Zhang Shou clapped his hands, everyone immediately quieted down.

“Commander Xiong only took the prisoners, not the horses, but strictly speaking, these horses still belong to the Linhai Camp. So for now, we can only consider them borrowed.”

“I’ve already discussed it with Yingying. The lame horses and the badly injured ones will be sent back to Linhai Camp later.”

“As for the remaining horses… they’ll belong to the village for everyone’s use.”

Before the delighted villagers could thank him, Zhang Shou continued.

“I told Commander Xiong we’d use these horses to plow fields as compensation for the damage the rebels caused. But you all know that warhorses aren’t necessarily trained for farming, and feeding them is expensive.”

“So rather than wasting them in the fields, it’s better to keep only a few for plowing and use most of them to pull wagons.”

“We’ll transport this year’s newly harvested rice, vegetables, and all the silk thread and other goods we’ve accumulated over the years directly to the capital.”

Rongshui Village had very few draft animals, especially ones suitable for long-distance transport.

If Madam Wu hadn’t been such a kindhearted landowner—always lending out her horse to villagers so they could haul goods to market—their lives would have been even harder.

The moment they heard Zhang Shou’s plan, the villagers became even more excited.

When he added that he himself would accompany them to the capital, everyone understood immediately.

This trip would save them a fortune—and earn them another one.

After all, with Zhang Shou present, Duke Zhao’s household would certainly provide protection. Perhaps Miss Zhu would come as well.

If so, they wouldn’t be extorted at the city gates, and no market bully would dare cheat them.

“That’s all.”

“Go home and start sorting your goods.”

“Tomorrow is the sixteenth day of the eighth month. We’ll probably leave on the seventeenth or eighteenth. Spend the next two days feeding the horses well and preparing your cargo.”

“As for who goes and who stays behind, discuss it among yourselves.”

The villagers dispersed happily.

Only Old Yang lingered.

After walking a few steps away, the village elder suddenly turned back.

Seeing Zhang Shou still standing at the village entrance, watching the women clean up the remains of the birthday feast, seemingly lost in thought, the old man coughed lightly.

“Young Master… do you still have something left unsaid?”

“No.”

Zhang Shou glanced sideways at him.

“I think the better question is whether there’s something you’ve never answered.”

Then he got straight to the point.

“You’ve been dodging this for a long time.”

“You—and many others in this village—were all placed here by Duke Zhao to look after my mother and me, weren’t you?”

This time, Old Yang neither changed the subject nor avoided his gaze.

After sighing, he rubbed his mostly bald head.

“That’s right.”

“But back then, the Duke never said he was asking us to look after his future son-in-law.”

“He only said it was the wife and child of an old friend.”

“A widow and orphan with quite a bit of land, who might easily be bullied.”

Zhang Shou listened quietly without interrupting.

“I and the others all served under the Duke back in the day.”

“He was still young then.”

“Following Emperor Ruizong on campaign, he fought fearlessly and earned countless military achievements.”

“He never acted like some pampered imperial relative.”

“The best thing about him was how well he treated old soldiers and the wounded.”

“When many of us were injured during the northern campaign—including me—the Duke personally petitioned Emperor Ruizong for compensation in grain and silver.”

“…Ah.”

“It’s a pity Emperor Ruizong died so early.”

“And the circumstances of his accession…”

The old man coughed awkwardly.

“Let’s not talk about old history.”

“My family wasn’t wealthy.”

“When the Duke found me later, my two sons had just become fathers, and we were desperately poor.”

“So when he asked whether I’d move here to help look after a widow and child, I agreed immediately.”

“I brought my whole family here.”

“Later we met Deng Erniu and the others.”

“To be honest…”

“I’ve watched Young Master grow up since childhood.”

“You were shy and frail when you were little, hardly ever leaving the house.”

“After recovering, you started going out more.”

“These past three years you’ve grown more and more like an immortal from a painting.”

“You even taught our children.”

“I never dreamed they’d learn arithmetic and memorize poetry.”

“I truly never imagined the person entrusted to us by the Duke would actually become his future son-in-law.”

After listening to the old man’s rambling, somewhat disorganized recollections, Zhang Shou finally asked, “But Duke Zhao had you move here to protect us.”

“He never really looked after your families.”

“Didn’t you ever feel life here was too hard?”

“My dear Young Master…”

Old Yang shook his head.

“How much more could he have done?”

“I wasn’t some famous general who captured enemy banners.”

“I was just an ordinary soldier.”

“By the time I got old, I wasn’t much use anymore.”

“The Duke still remembered me.”

“That alone made me grateful.”

“If I hadn’t moved here, both my grandsons would’ve starved to death.”

“Where else could we find such kind masters as you and Madam?”

Zhang Shou paused before smiling bitterly.

“That’s not the point.”

“My mother and I were only a widow and orphan.”

“In any ordinary village, we’d probably have been stripped of everything.”

Old Yang chuckled easily.

“Everyone got what they needed.”

“My family survived.”

“So did everyone else’s.”

“Over the years, except for those who died of illness or old age, we’ve all lived peacefully.”

“You grew up safely.”

“You met Miss Zhu.”

“You’ve taught students.”

“You’ve suppressed rebels.”

“I’ve only helped a little where I could.”

“When I think about it…”

“It’s all thanks to Duke Zhao.”

“You’re right.”

Zhang Shou nodded.

“It’s all thanks to Duke Zhao.”

He hadn’t learned exactly what Old Yang had done in the army, but he’d already discovered nearly everything he wanted to know.

There was no need to keep digging.

The old man cheerfully bade farewell and shuffled away.

After walking quite some distance, however, he suddenly turned around once more.

A crafty smile appeared on his deeply wrinkled face.

Zhang Shou’s heart stirred.

He immediately turned around.

Sure enough—

Zhu Ying was standing quietly beneath a nearby wall.

Her eyes were slightly red.

He froze briefly before walking over.

Without saying a word, he simply took out a handkerchief and offered it to her.

Unexpectedly, she didn’t accept it.

Instead, she pulled another handkerchief from her own sleeve and held it up.

“You already gave me one last night.”

“Forgot?”

Seeing Zhang Shou laugh awkwardly, she took a deep breath.

“I only happened to see you two talking and came over to listen.”

“Who knew that old man could still hear so well at his age?”

“He obviously noticed me but pretended he hadn’t.”

“A-Shou…”

“Thank you.”

“You had so many questions yourself…”

“But last night you were still comforting me.”

Words no longer seemed necessary.

Smiling gently, Zhang Shou quietly put his own handkerchief away.

“Yingying.”

“I don’t know whether you heard this part.”

“In a couple of days, when the villagers go to the capital to sell their goods…”

“I’m planning to go too.”

“I want to see the capital.”

Zhu Ying froze.

Joy immediately appeared on her face, mixed with a trace of hesitation.

He smiled.

“If Mother hadn’t kept such a close eye on me these past few years, and if Old Yang and the others hadn’t been watching me all the time…”

“I would’ve gone long ago.”

“A-Shou…”

“I miss Father.”

“And my elder brother.”

“I want to know exactly how they’re doing.”

“So…”

“I’ll go to the capital with you.”

Finally making up her mind, Zhu Ying raised her head earnestly.

“I’ll talk to Aunt Wu.”

“If she’s worried, she can come too.”

“Everyone can stay at my home in the capital for a couple of days.”

“Of course…”

“If you’re worried about all the politics and gossip around my family, I’ll simply rent a clean, elegant inn for you and the villagers.”

“That way nobody can spread rumors.”

Looking at the decisive young woman before him, Zhang Shou suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to hug her.

It was a feeling he had never experienced in this new life.

But in the end…

He simply smiled.

“All right.”

“Then let’s go together…”

“…and see the place where you grew up.”