The setting sun cast its dying rays, bathing half of Tongzhou city in red.
Huo Shu sat on his horse, looking at the prefectural city he had left for over a year, as if it were only yesterday.
It felt like just an ordinary busy day in the autumn month—he had finished work at the shop, and after closing up, he was heading home before dark.
The city was the city, the buildings were the buildings, Tongzhou didn't seem to have changed much.
However, when his horse entered the city, it was a different world altogether. Six or seven out of ten shops along the main road were locked, with thick layers of dust accumulated on their doors and thresholds.
The once bustling main street was now as desolate as the new street where their shop was located. Pedestrians were few and far between, a far cry from the formerly lively and prosperous Jiangnan city.
After the recent war, Tongzhou was occupied by rebel forces. The merchants who had the means to leave had already done so, those who couldn't were trapped within the city walls, subjected to exploitation by the new administration.
Farmers were forced onto the battlefield, so how many people had the leisure to enter the city for casual shopping and pleasure? The entire prefectural city was shrouded in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
Huo Shu's heart felt heavy as he headed towards the new street. This street was even more desolate, like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, with hardly any pedestrians in sight.
He rode in and pushed open the gate to the horseback archery range. Inside, the layout remained exactly as they had left it, yet a thick layer of dust coated every surface after such prolonged neglect. The practice grounds were now overgrown with wild grasses and weeds.
Had it not been constructed just two years prior, the decay would have been far more severe. Left unchecked for much longer, the encroaching vegetation and inevitable infestation of insects and snakes would have rendered the place truly bleak and desolate.
Huo Shu said nothing. He went to check the bow workshop. The goods in the shop had been taken away for self-defense when they left, and now the shelves were empty, covered with cobwebs.
This place wasn't as well-ventilated as the archery range, and the room smelled musty.
Suddenly, a loud burst of firecrackers sounded. Huo Shu heard it and walked out, standing at the door to listen for a while.
Perhaps it was because Tongzhou was no longer as prosperous as before, making the sound of firecrackers particularly clear and loud when they went off.
"Boss Huo, is that you?"
Huo Shu heard someone call out from ahead and turned to look.
"I didn't think it was really you. When did you get back?"
The speaker was a middle-aged man, a merchant from further up the new street. Being on the same street, they had seen each other coming and going occasionally and were acquainted.
In the deserted street, the man laughed cheerfully. "The war in Tongzhou is over, and peace has been restored. The day we got the news, people in the city set off firecrackers all night, even more lively than New Year's."
"Now that the news of the pacification is slowly spreading, those who fled to other places to avoid the war are gradually returning. Those who travel fast have already entered the city. See, another family has returned, hence the firecrackers."
It was only then that Huo Shu understood—the firecrackers were being set off by families returning to the city.
This was a welcome sign. The festive sound of firecrackers could not only dispel some of the gloom of war but also let everyone know that people were coming back.
"Uncle Fan, A-Shou, you few don't need to return to Yuchang with me this time. Take the men and get the shops back in order."
Uncle Fan acknowledged the order. "What about the village? Should we tend to it there?"
"Of course we must."
In the middle of the month, the army finished mopping up operations in Tongzhou and stationed troops back in the city.
The Sixth Prince returned to the capital in triumph, and the Emperor intended to reward the three armies.
"Are you really not coming to the capital?"
On the journey north, Duan Chi asked Huo Shu once again.
"If you hadn't donated provisions, the army wouldn't have achieved victory so quickly. You also led troops to raid the rebel army's supply lines and devised the plan for the army's ambush. The Sixth Prince speaks very highly of you."
Huo Shu, riding on his horse, looked at the boundary marker of Lianping Prefecture, calculating in his heart how much longer it would take to return to the village.
Hearing Duan Chi's words, he said, "If it weren't for your request and my promise to lend assistance if things changed, I wouldn't have made this trip."
Duan Chi laughed. "Since you're already here, why give up these military merits?"
Huo Shu then said meaningfully, "If we must talk about rewards for military merits, I would prefer it if that person were the one bestowing them."
Hearing this, Duan Chi's smile widened. "The situation is very favorable. However, there will inevitably be some maneuvering back in the capital. Since you have this intention, I will not let you down."
Huo Shu didn't confirm or deny, just smiled.
He wouldn't interfere in the capital's affairs anymore. If one couldn't secure that position even at this critical juncture, perhaps they weren't entirely suited for it. Doing more would be pointless.
Nevertheless, he kindly reminded Duan Chi: "What about you? Are you following back to the capital?"
"I said I would assist His Highness until the very end."
Huo Shu said, "In that case, wouldn't it be better for you to return to Yuchang first?"
Duan Chi asked, "What do you mean by that?"
"The military provisions were lost in Yuchang. Why not go back to look for clues and follow the trail?"
Huo Shu said casually, "If you can uncover something then, the crime of tampering with army provisions alone should be enough to bring someone down."
Duan Chi smiled. "No wonder His Highness praises you."
When the army reached the border of Lianping Prefecture, Huo Shu took his leave from the Sixth Prince.
Ultimately persuaded by Huo Shu's advice, Duan Chi decided to return to Yuchang first. So they galloped straight back towards the southeast.
Huo Shu had promised Ji Taoyu a return within half a month, guaranteed safe and sound. But in a blink, an entire month and a half had passed, he was a full month overdue. Having failed to keep his promise, he felt ashamed.
Therefore, after leaving the army, he whipped his horse and, with his men, headed southeast almost without a moment's rest.
However, just as they reached the area of Lincun, they saw the tunnel entrance heavily guarded.
Huo Shu's heart tightened. When he saw that the guards were dressed as government yamen runners, his heart settled a little.
He exchanged a glance with Duan Chi, and the group hurried over.
Thank you for the update!!!
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