The truly capable forces in the southeastern area were actually the former Black Wolf Stronghold and the burned-down Wild Tiger Stronghold. Both had been wiped out by Huo Shu in one fell swoop. The scattered bandits originally didn't even dare to easily provoke these two strongholds, so how would they dare to provoke Huo Shu.
After all, they were merely bandits. A single stronghold could not support too many members, any group large enough to nurture greater ambitions would not have been satisfied with just being bandits.
Now that Huo Shu's reputation was established, he chose to press his advantage. He systematically cleared out the remaining scattered bandits in the southeast, eliminating those who resisted and absorbing those who surrendered.
By the spring of the following year, he had fully pacified the southeastern area.
As for the northeast, that was Duan Chi's territory, and it wasn't his concern.
After the spring began, the village became busy. It was the first year of planting, and everyone wanted to rush to sow on time. Having already missed one spring planting and autumn harvest cycle, now that they could finally farm again, how could they not be eager to hurry?
The village had also dug connecting irrigation canals and installed waterwheels, making everything very convenient.
"Village Head, my family wants to buy some more bean seeds for planting."
"Our family also wants to add some vegetable seeds."
Early in the morning, Ji Yangzong had just finished breakfast and was preparing to go check on the fields to see how the spring planting was going this year.
His family had many people bought by Huo Shu, so he didn't need to farm the land himself.
But several women and fulangs from the village came, clamoring to buy this and that.
Ji Yangzong said: "We just went to the county seat for supplies on the first day of the month. How many times have I said it? Tell us clearly what you need so we can buy it properly. Today is only the third! Look how few days have passed!"
The farmers were also somewhat embarrassed: "In the past, the village had everything. We all saved some seeds from the previous year for vegetables, melons, etc. If we didn't have something or didn't have enough, we could borrow or buy from neighbors. But after coming here, we have nothing ourselves, even a single vegetable seed has to be bought again. We only remember we don't have the seeds when it's time to plant."
"We feel bad always troubling the procurement team. It was fine before when we went out every ten days or half a month to buy things, but now it's the spring planting season. We can wait that long, but the season won't wait for us."
The farmers suggested: "We heard Brother Huo has mostly cleared out the bandits in the southeastern area. It must be much safer than before. How about letting us go buy things ourselves?"
Ji Yangzong understood the farmers' difficulties, but he was hesitant. He sent them back for now and went to discuss it with Huo Shu.
"This area is indeed much safer now. But the county seat is far away, and ordinary farmers don't know how to ride horses. If they rely solely on walking, a round trip would be difficult to complete in a single day."
Their location was very well hidden, which was good because it looked like barren wilderness, but consequently, there were no wide roads suitable for carts and carriages.
When they first arrived, it took great effort; all goods were transferred onto pack animals, and the carts were disassembled and brought over.
Carts and carriages had to be pushed and pulled by people.
If they were to build a road connecting to the official highway, even though there are no bandits causing trouble now, the authorities would surely come to investigate along the newly built road, and then their existence would become known.
They had come as refugees and had not registered their household registration with the local authorities. If the government found out, they would inevitably face suppression.
To put it nicely, they were refugees. To speak plainly, in the eyes of the authorities, they were no different from the bandits and robbers infesting the hills.
Furthermore, their descendants would not be allowed to study or participate in the imperial examinations.
Ji Yangzong sighed: "I also know that most of us who came here still miss Tongzhou deep down. If we register our households here, I'm afraid it will be difficult to return in the future. But Tongzhou is still controlled by the rebels right now. The court hasn't even managed to defeat the external enemies yet, who knows when they will recapture Tongzhou."
"But if we don't register, it's still inconvenient for everyone to go out. We can't always rely on the procurement team forever."
Huo Shu hadn't thought about it so much before—in these chaotic times, being able to live peacefully for one day counted as one day.
Perhaps after having Xiao Taohe, he also began to make longer-term plans.
After pacifying the southeast, he had also thought about this problem.
If they truly wished to settle here and live in peace, securing proper household registration was an unavoidable step, now or in the future.
It wasn't that Huo Shu had long placed his hopes on his child being able to study, take the imperial examinations, and achieve fame. Rather, as parents, they should not, from the very start, cut short the paths available to their child that were open to others.
Being suited for scholarly pursuits and examinations was one matter, having the eligibility to pursue them was entirely another.
Of course, this was a consideration from a long-term perspective. From the more immediate and practical needs of the present, the farmers living here now also needed to be able to live openly and legitimately in order to build a better life.
"Here is my plan," Huo Shu said. "I will go to the county seat first. I need to test the local officials' current stance towards refugees and understand how the county government is dealing with them. While I am there, I will also purchase the supplies everyone needs."
Ji Yangzong nodded: "Alright. I'll inform everyone then."
"I want to go too!"
When Ji Taoyu saw that Huo Shu was going to the county seat, he quickly voiced his own idea.
Afraid Huo Shu would refuse, he quickly added: "To buy some things for Xiao Taohe."
Huo Shu thought that Ji Taoyu hadn't been out since arriving here, and now that his health was much better, taking him out for a trip wouldn't be a problem.
But hearing that he wanted to buy things for Xiao Taohe, he became amused and raised an eyebrow, asking: "Buy what? Is there anything he lacks?"
Thank you for the update!!
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