Chapter 9: Since We Are Here, We Must Make the Best of It

After walking for a while, the sound of rushing water could be heard, and the air, rich with moisture, blew in their faces. Halong Bay was a small village nestled in a valley between two mountains. The mountains to the north were vast and green, while those to the south were lush and verdant. The sound of the river came from the north of the village. The river was called Jishui, and on the other side lay the city of Qin Prefecture. Jishui flowed eastward, merging with the Wei River after a hundred miles. If not for the threat of the Tangut people, this would have been a very livable village. However, being on the frontier, the villagers lived in constant fear.

"Truly, it is the Northern Song Dynasty..." He Fang sighed. In the future, Shaanxi was the heartland of China, a place where one did not need to worry about external threats. In that era, as long as one lived a peaceful life, there was no danger, and war was a distant concept known only through news and books. But now, it was a real issue he had to face.

Unfamiliar sky, unfamiliar land, and an unfamiliar era... He Fang's mood suddenly turned somber. He stumbled on a stone, nearly falling. But a pair of small hands reached out from behind, steadying him.

"Third Brother, be careful. Watch your step..."

"Um..." He Fang responded, turning to look. Han Yunniang had followed him without his noticing. Her expressive eyes were filled with concern.

Right! At least there is family. He Fang turned his head to look at the young girl who was carefully supporting him. In this era, there were still family members who, though unfamiliar, held a place in his heart.

'Well... since we are here, we must make the best of it...' He Fang couldn't quite tell if he was feeling resigned or accepting. A thousand years had passed. If this was the will of heaven, what could he do even if he was unwilling?

"Since we are here, we must make the best of it!" Standing by the gently flowing Jishui River, he held the shoulders of the young girl and gazed at the city on the opposite bank. The autumn breeze carried a sweet scent of osmanthus from somewhere. His wide blue robe fluttered in the wind, but his slender frame stood firm, unwavering.

Although He Fang wished he could be reborn into a wealthy family, the chance to live again was a great fortune. An extra life was something to cherish. Moreover, he had a family that cared for him. Greed might bring disaster. He Fang was very open-minded, one could say he was magnanimous. Since he had mysteriously arrived in this era and had no idea how to return to the 21st century, all he could do was make life better for himself and his family here. The first step was to abandon his old self and accept his new identity:

"...I am Han Gang... I am Han Yukun..."

After wandering by the river for a while, He Fang, determined, decided to return home to continue his studies. Han Yunniang also needed to go back to tidy up the house, so she supported He Fang as they walked toward the village.

Just as they reached the village entrance, a man approached from the downstream ferry. Seeing him, He Fang's steps involuntarily halted, and the young girl suddenly hid behind him, trembling.

The man's face was covered in lumps, his eyes bulged, and his mouth protruded. A brown silk robe with a floral pattern could not hide his prominent belly. At first glance, he looked like a fat toad about to hibernate in autumn. It was rare for a person to look like this. He Fang recognized him from his predecessor's memories; he was Li Laizi, who had been constantly urging the Han family to sell their land.

Li Laizi was the wealthiest man in the village, with a face full of lumps like the inside of a pomegranate, earning him the nickname "Toad." Over the years, few people even knew his real name. His reputation in the village was not good, but he had married into the family of Huang Deyong, the head of the county office, who was known as "Big Tumor." Through Huang Deyong, Li Laizi had connections with Chen Ju, the clerk in Chengji County, whose family had held the position for three generations!

Chen Ju was a well-known figure in the Guanzhong region, famous for his generosity, though his wealth came from exploiting the people of Chengji County.

Chen Ju inherited his father's and grandfather's positions, controlling the affairs of Chengji County for thirty years. He had caused two county magistrates, seven chief clerks, and a county lieutenant to be dismissed for crimes. One unfortunate magistrate had his official status revoked, and his records were erased from the official registry, which was even more terrifying for officials than being dismissed, as there was no chance of rehabilitation. Another clerk was exiled to Qiongzhou and never returned.

After that, no subsequent county magistrate, chief clerk, or county lieutenant dared to provoke Chen Ju. Chen Ju, in turn, was reasonable; as long as the officials above him behaved, he would not bully them too much, and thus they coexisted peacefully.

Li Laizi, having connected with Chen Ju, became the village head of Halong Bay four years ago. Relying on Chen Ju and his in-laws, he shifted many of the village's duties and taxes onto others, causing much harm to the villagers. However, if not for the critical illness of the third son of the Han family, who needed money, the Han family would not have been bullied by Li Laizi.

Perhaps influenced by his predecessor's body, or due to the information he had gathered over the past few days, He Fang had no good feelings toward Li Laizi. For a piece of land, he was willing to resort to murder and arson. Such people existed in any era, whether in his past or present. If it hadn't affected him, He Fang wouldn't have cared. But Li Laizi had used almost fraudulent means to gradually take over the Han family's land and property. He Fang had already made a vow to repay him in kind.

In front of his enemy, He Fang was even more polite. He clasped his hands and greeted Li Laizi: "Village Head Li, it has been a while. How have you been?"

"Ah, Han... Third Brother of the Han family! Good, good, all is well." Li Laizi responded awkwardly. His voice was hoarse and unpleasant, and his gaze was filled with resentment.

He Fang noticed Li Laizi's expression. He was puzzled; Li Laizi had already succeeded in taking the Han family's land and property, so it was natural for the Han family to hate him. But why did Li Laizi hate him? Could it be because he was worried that the Han family would redeem their land?

He Fang clasped his hands again, feigning sincerity: "I have been ill for half a year, and during this time, our family has been much indebted to you, Village Head. When I have the chance, I will certainly hold a banquet to thank you. I hope you will not refuse."

"Of course, of course!" Li Laizi frowned. The third son of the Han family had always been a talented individual, both literate and martial, but he was somewhat arrogant and didn't socialize much. He hadn't expected him to become so eloquent after two years of studying outside.

In Li Laizi's eyes, the third son of the Han family was thin from his long illness, his blue robe and wide sleeves hanging loosely on his frame. Despite his frail appearance, his tall, six-foot frame still gave Li Laizi a sense of oppression. His skin was pale from lack of sunlight, and his face was gaunt, with prominent cheekbones casting deep shadows. Only his sunken eyes, framed by thick, dark, and sharp eyebrows, seemed deep and inscrutable, making Li Laizi feel uneasy.