Chapter 63

Old Hu Tou was dragging a small cart, struggling to walk out of the small courtyard.

Yang Shouwen quickly handed the reins to Yang Rui, then hurriedly walked forward, reached out to pull the cart, and with a bit of effort, pulled the cart out of the yard.

"Old Hu Tou, what are you doing?"

"Hehe, naturally, I'm going into the city."

"Ah?"

"Just now, I saw County Magistrate Yang in a hurry, and I felt that something was happening. Do you remember two years ago? When the Khitans attacked, County Magistrate Yang had the same expression, and he brought your family into the city. I'm old, and I don't want to go through that again. Xi Zi, I want to talk to you about something. I plan to join your family. Even if I just become a gatekeeper, it's better than living in constant fear like this."

As the saying goes, the older one gets, the more cunning one becomes, and Old Hu Tou is just like that.

Yang Shouwen still had some memory of what happened two years ago.

At that time, Grandpa Yang Dafang had already passed away, and the Khitans had broken through the Juyong Pass, advancing to the outskirts of Changping. Yang Chenglie hurriedly brought Yang Shouwen and his two companions to the county town, where they stayed for about ten days. Later, the Khitans left, and Yang Shouwen returned to Hu Valley Mountain. He vaguely remembered that Hu Valley Mountain was in a mess, and many people had died.

Just as the Han people viewed the Hu people as barbarians, the Hu people also viewed the Han people as lowly.

The war between the Han people and the barbarians had never stopped since the time of the Xiongnu. During the Five Barbarians' invasion of China, the barbarians were even more brutal, treating the Han people as two-legged sheep, and slaughtering them to the point where only one in ten survived, severely weakening the Han people.

After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he initiated the Zhenguan era of governance, proclaiming himself the Heavenly Khan, and made the barbarians submit.

If the Li family still ruled, the Tujue, Khitans, and other ethnic minorities, including the Tibetans, would be more obedient. However, it is now the era of Empress Wu Zetian. As the old saying goes, this is like a hen crowing at dawn. The border tribes are once again eyeing the Central Plains, especially in recent years, with constant rebellions and increasingly frequent conflicts.

"Old Hu Tou, you..."

Old Hu Tou chuckled and said, "Xi Zi, I know what you want to say. But now that you are awake, you need someone to run errands for you. Although I am old, I was once a strong man. I can at least help with cleaning the courtyard and guarding the gate."

He then lowered his voice and whispered, "Besides, I see that you have many creative ideas, and you need someone to help, don't you?"

A smile appeared on Yang Shouwen's face.

The old man liked to boast, but his skills were indeed not inferior to those of the craftsmen in the city.

"Old Hu Tou, have you thought this through?"

"Ha, what's there to think about? I'm just an old man. Having a place to live and a way to make a living, I'm happy enough."

Yang Shouwen was still hesitant when he saw Lady Song lift the curtain of the carriage and stick her head out.

"Xi Zi, since Old Hu Tou is willing to join our family, it's a good thing. We need help at home, so let him come... Er Lang, take a bull over and hitch it to Old Hu Tou's cart."

Lady Song's words left Yang Shouwen with no choice but to agree.

Indeed, it was time for him to find a helper, or rather, a retainer.

As the eldest son of the Yang family, how could he always be alone? Although he had Yang Molihua, what could a thirteen-year-old girl do? Having an old man around could sometimes be a good thing.

Thinking about this, Yang Shouwen pointed at Old Hu Tou and said, "Old Hu Tou, don't regret it later."

"Hehe, as long as you don't kick me out, I won't regret it."

There were two yellow bulls at home, just enough to hitch to two carts.

After Old Hu Tou hitched the cart and sat down, Yang Shouwen signaled Bodhi to get in the cart, then lifted the four puppies onto the cart, and finally mounted his horse.

"Er Lang, let's go."

"Okay!"

Despite his young age, Yang Rui was very skilled at driving the cart.

Lady Song's carriage led the way, and Yang Shouwen followed behind Old Hu Tou.

"Old Hu Tou, I don't even know your real name."

Old Hu Tou laughed and said, "My humble name is Hu Lian. You can still call me Old Hu Tou; it sounds more pleasant to the ear."

From calling him Xi Zi to calling him Young Master, Old Hu Tou's change in address was smooth and natural.

"Old Hu Tou, you're not really just looking for a place to live, are you?"

Old Hu Tou, seeing that Lady Song's carriage was some distance ahead, lowered his voice and said, "Indeed, I can't hide anything from Young Master... To be honest, if there's another war, I don't want to be conscripted again. Every time I was conscripted, it felt like I was dying. Two years ago, I went to Lulong with the imperial army. If I hadn't been smart, I would have died there.

I'm this old now, and I just want to live a few more peaceful days.

Joining your family can help me avoid conscription... It's better to be in the county town than to be out in the open, exposed to the elements."

Yang Shouwen immediately understood Old Hu Tou's intentions but didn't take it to heart.

In these times, it was common for people to sell themselves to officials' families to avoid conscription, and Old Hu Tou's choice was not wrong.

"Old Hu Tou, have you prepared everything?"

Old Hu Tou raised his eyebrows and whispered, "Young Master only gave the order yesterday. I planned to gather the materials after the Mid-Autumn Festival, but... Don't worry, Young Master, I have all the tools with me. Once we get into the county town, it will be faster."

Yang Shouwen nodded lightly.

The production of horseshoes was imperative. Before, he didn't have a horse, but now that he did, it was the perfect time to put them to use.

The group, with two carts, headed straight for Changping along the official road.

When they reached the outskirts of Changping, Yang Shouwen saw that many people had gathered outside the city gate, seemingly waiting to enter.

In the past, due to the attack on the county office, the atmosphere in the county town was tense.

But now, it wasn't just tense; it was oppressive.

The news of An Lushan's rebellion and the rebellion of Murong Xuanyi of the Jingnan Army must have spread. Changping was not far from the Jingnan Army's base, so any news from there would quickly reach Changping.

"Eldest Brother, are you going into the city?"

The guard at the city gate was still Zhu Cheng.

Seeing Yang Shouwen and his group arrive, he quickly dispersed the crowd outside the gate and walked up to Yang Shouwen.

"How is the situation?"

"County Magistrate Yang has just ordered a strict inspection of people entering and leaving the county town. Non-residents are temporarily not allowed to enter... The County Magistrate has ordered the establishment of a camp outside the city for refugees from the Jingnan Army. The city is in a state of panic, but fortunately, there hasn't been any chaos."

Yang Shouwen nodded in approval.

"Then what about us..."

"Eldest Brother, what are you talking about? Even if others are not allowed to enter, you must! Hurry up and go in. More people are gathering here, and I'm worried about trouble... By the way, the goods have been cleared. Lady Song's husband sent someone to pick them up yesterday. But the Song family is too unreasonable, demanding the release of Song Sanlang. In a fit of anger, I had his family beaten."

Yang Shouwen smiled and said softly, "Well done. When I get back, I'll make sure Song Sanlang stays in there a few more days."

As he spoke, two strings of copper coins silently fell into Zhu Cheng's hands.

Zhu Cheng's eyes narrowed into slits, and he skillfully put the money in his pocket. Then he turned around and shouted, "Move, move, don't block Eldest Brother's carriage."

The gate at the city entrance was immediately opened, and Yang Shouwen led the horse and the cart into the city.

Outside the city gate, a chorus of angry voices could be heard.

"Why can they enter the city? We've been waiting here for a long time, why can't we enter?"

"Yes, we want to enter the city!"

The guards and militiamen at the city gate were polite to Yang Shouwen but not to the ordinary people. They picked up their sticks and beat the people at the front, dispersing them. Zhu Cheng, with his belly sticking out, shouted fiercely, "Are you blind? Don't you see who just went in? That's the family of County Magistrate Yang. How can they not enter the city?

Wait your turn. If the County Magistrate orders it, you will be allowed in."

The sky had already turned dark.

Bonfires were lit at the city gate, casting a bright glow.

Yang Shouwen mounted his horse and couldn't help but laugh.

In his previous life, he hated those second-generation rich kids, but now, after being reborn, he was actually enjoying the benefits of being one.

He didn't dare to delay and spurred his horse forward. "Er Lang, speed up... Let's go home first."