Huo Shu actually suspected that Duan Chi, knowing he had brought people to Yuchang for such a long time without ever asking for his help, probably wouldn't agree to go fight a war.
The reason he still proposed it was merely to set up the subsequent request.
Comparing staying in Yuchang and going off to war, the former was indeed easier to accept. Having refused one request, it would be harder to refuse another outright, especially since he owed Duan Chi a favor. If not for leveraging Duan Chi's influence, his caravan wouldn't have been so smooth initially.
Ji Taoyu's eyes lit up: "That's wonderful!"
"If the turmoil in Tongzhou can be quelled, then those who wish to return can do so, and they aren't necessarily stuck here. And those who were originally rescued from bandit lairs here in Yuchang can also obtain proper civilian household registration and are free to live here."
Huo Shu agreed: "Yes, we just need to wait for Tongzhou to be pacified smoothly."
In early the fifth month, Huo Shu took some men on a trip to Wayang Stronghold.
Since he had agreed, there needed to be some handover.
Duan Chi was currently rallying his men, preparing to set off on the appointed day.
The atmosphere in the stronghold was solemn with the warriors preparing to depart.
However, the serious mood was soon broken by a loud commotion.
"Duan Chi, your son is missing again!"
"You might as well just take him with you to war when you find him."
"My life is so bitter, becoming a young widow with my husband dead out there at a young age, and now my son is lost~"
"What's the point of living like this? I'd be better off dead and at peace."
Duan Chi was inspecting weapons when the wailing and lamentations started again from within the stronghold. He initially wanted to finish his task first, but after hearing a few more cries, he couldn't take it anymore.
Clad in heavy armor, he looked even more imposing as he strode purposefully towards the source of the noise.
"Five women are watching the child, how could he be lost so easily? Maybe he was taken for a nap?"
"I'm not dead yet, why do you keep crying about being a widow every day!"
Ji Taoyu, riding on Huo Shu's horse, heard the commotion from the stronghold and pressed his lips together tightly, thinking that Tian Yin really hadn't changed.
They went to announce their arrival, and Duan Chi hurried out to meet them. Bypassing pleasantries, his face was a mix of irritation and helplessness: "Little Physician Ji, you've come at the right time. Quickly, go give Tian Yin a couple of acupuncture needles. He's having one of his fits again all day long!"
Ji Taoyu smiled: "My skills are lacking, I wouldn't dare to intervene."
Tian Yin, surprised to see Ji Taoyu had also come, temporarily stopped his clamor in excitement.
As soon as Huo Shu dismounted and helped Ji Taoyu down, Tian Yin grabbed Ji Taoyu's hand and pulled him towards the main courtyard: "It's been so long since I've seen you! Are you tired from the journey? Come on, quickly, let's go inside for some good food. The weather's getting hot, I just had the kitchen prepare sour plum soup and grilled meat skewers."
Watching the two walk away, Duan Chi said, "Alright, let's take whatever peace we can get, even if it's just for a while."
He clapped Huo Shu on the shoulder: "Come, let's go see if the men in training are up to scratch."
Huo Shu followed Duan Chi to the training ground.
Over the years, under the guise of being bandits, Duan Chi had raised a considerable number of men. Having made preparations early, they naturally had strong weapons and armor.
There were already several hundred men now, all equipped with weapons and well-trained. Their skills were visibly refined, this was clearly an elite troop.
Although the numbers weren't huge, they were far more formidable than a hastily recruited, largely unwilling, and hastily assembled militia.
In battle, each could potentially hold off several enemies, their impact wouldn't be small.
The Sixth Prince had led 200,000 troops south, plus the garrison forces from Tongzhou, the military strength was already substantial.
Fighting the pirates at sea, the capital's troops were inexperienced in naval warfare and suffered heavy losses. The Sixth Prince's ability to lead them to victory was clear proof of his talent.
But the remaining forces were greatly reduced. After nearly a year of fighting, the soldiers were inevitably weary, both physically and mentally, and there were many wounded.
The old emperor ordered him to continue recapturing Tongzhou. This region was once fertile land, rich with money and grain. Furthermore, the rebels had conducted massive recruitment and had the benefit of almost a year of training.
Although most of the recruits were farming peasants, after such prolonged training, if nothing else, they should at least be able to face the enemy.
Tongzhou wouldn't be easy to take back.
However, Duan Chi's men had been training for more than just a year or two. Elite soldiers and strong generals would be a significant boost.
The fact that the Sixth Prince even summoned Duan Chi for support showed his great determination to reclaim Tongzhou.
"The men Brother Duan has trained are certainly not lacking."
Duan Chi laughed: "Hearing you say that adds another two points to my confidence."
Duan Chi left in early the fifth month. To ensure the stronghold's security, he left behind a group of his most capable warriors in addition to the regular farmers
However, Wayang Stronghold had built up a fearsome reputation over the years, so it was unlikely anyone would dare to attack.
The war was being fought in Tongzhou, with Lianping Prefecture in between, so the sense of war in Yuchang was actually not strong.
Apart from frequently going to the county town to gather news, Huo Shu's days weren't much different from before.
But now that Tian Yin and Ji Taoyu had connected, he often brought Duan Chi's two-year-old son to the village, where he mixed with Jin ger, Ji Taoyu, and Ji Wanglan, causing all sorts of mischief every day.
Even Ji Taoyu was led somewhat astray. He used to only read books on healing and saving lives, but now he was even reading all sorts of unorthodox and strange texts.
Summer arrived quickly. The war in Tongzhou raged on, intense and fierce, with no clear winner emerging for a while.
A turning point only came in the eighth month, when a faction of the rebel army defected, severely damaging morale.
The rebel army was large, but a significant part consisted of conscripted peasants. These people didn't truly want to rebel against the court. The true brutality of war made them long for peace, as they were originally from peaceful times. Consequently, many followed suit and surrendered to end the fighting.
The news arrived while Lin Village and Caochang Village were joyfully harvesting their crops.
This was the first year harvesting grain. The land they had tended for over half a year was fertile, and with ample water for irrigation in the summer, the harvest yield was substantial, filling everyone with joy and excitement.
The threshing ground was covered with the harvested rice grains, plump and large, a reward for all their hard work.
"Our family's grain amounts to a full eighty dan! Even more than what we had in Tongzhou!"
They had tenant farmers and had opened up more land, so their harvest was naturally larger.
Ji Taoyu kept the accounts, saying happily, "This is truly adding joy on top of joy."
"The villagers said they would contribute twenty percent as tribute. I calculated it today, the two villages together can yield over two hundred dan."
Huo Shu acknowledged with a sound, then said, "Duan Chi previously sent a letter saying the army's provisions were insufficient and had already requested support from the court. I wonder how that turned out."
Ji Taoyu said, "In warfare, provisions come first. The court understands the importance of army supplies. The situation in Tongzhou is improving, and the autumn harvest is abundant. There's no reason for them not to support the army."
Although Huo Shu thought the same, he felt a vague unease. Perhaps it was due to his many years in the military, having seen too many instances where provisions were manipulated, making him particularly sensitive on this matter.
He hoped he was overthinking it and didn't want the war situation to change or for unexpected complications to arise.
However, his worst fears were ultimately confirmed.
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