44: Xishan Guiyi

The bitter wind whistled, but it could not sweep away the gloom hanging over the village.

Almost everyone spent their days in terror; those who had lost Family members or had loved ones abducted went to the county magistrate's office every day to protest alongside people from other villages.

At first, the county magistrate's office offered polite reassurances, promising to send help.

Later, they simply began driving the people away, even barring them from entering the city.

Lu Dafu organized men to temporarily build several shelters for them, but if things continued this way, those who had lost their homes would not survive the winter.

The imperial court's cold-bloodedness spread by word of mouth among the villagers; there were even rumors that they were merely gifts from the court to the Barbarians, traded in exchange for peace.

Whenever the Barbarians were hungry and lacked food, they would come down from the mountain to capture them.

These rumors made the remaining villagers even more terrified.

"Fellow villagers, do you still remember the proposal from the Lu Family?"

At night, a middle-aged man gathered some of the villagers who owned more land; under the dim oil lamp, pairs of fearful, weary eyes were reflected.

"Now that the imperial court ignores us, or rather, cannot spare the effort to manage us, we must save and protect ourselves. The Lu Family is our choice."

The middle-aged man's words were like a pot of fine wine, enticing everyone.

"But that Lu Xuan wants our farmland!"

A voice rang out at this moment, causing everyone to hesitate once again.

"Compared to our lives, what is land worth? Besides, if we join the Lu Family, our children will have clothes to wear, be able to practice martial arts, and we will have enough to eat—what do we need land for?"

"What can those few acres of yours actually do? Your grandfather had more land, yet look at you now—it's the same."

The middle-aged man snorted coldly, but the others' eyes lit up.

That's right; they only wanted land to have enough to eat. But if they joined the Lu Family, not only would they be well-fed, but their descendants would have the opportunity to practice martial arts, and most importantly, they could save their lives.

Those who had gone to the county town to file complaints knew that it wasn't just West Mountain Village; all the villages near the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range were in trouble. Some villages with few people and no Martial Artists had been completely slaughtered.

"Count me in. I'll do it. I'm just a peasant anyway, so I'll gamble once for the sake of my children and grandchildren."

"I'm joining too."

"Me too."

More and more people joined. Those who had originally wavered were swept up by this sentiment and joined as well.

"Good. If you all trust me, I will go find Lu Dafu first thing tomorrow morning to join the Lu Family. With the Lu Family's protection, we won't have to fear the Barbarians anymore."

The next day.

"Clan Chief, these are all the land deeds and the population registry for West Mountain Village."

Lu Dafu could not hide the excitement in his eyes.

He and Lu Dahe had carried in the land deeds for tens of thousands of acres of farmland and countless forests.

Lu Xuan did not look at these items.

In the face of absolute power, these were merely formalities.

"Go and notify Ye Wentao to return. Have him sort through these things over the next few days, and gather everyone for a meeting in three days."

"Yes, I will handle it immediately."

After Lu Dafu left, Lu Xuan sat alone in his study, tapping his fingers on the table as he pondered how to manage these people.

He picked up a brush and wrote: "Management Methods for West Mountain Village..."

Three days passed quickly. Everyone in the village knew that the Lu Family was going to take over the entire village, and they spent these three days in trepidation, unsure of what their future fate would be.

Some regretted joining, but fearing Lu Xuan's strength, they dared not speak out and could only endure until the results were revealed.

Before dawn broke, the chickens and dogs in the village began to call out. The men of every household got up, ready to attend the meeting, but everyone knew this would be a one-man show for the Lu Family; they only needed to listen.

People arrived in twos and threes; both the wealthy and poor households of the village were all present.

Lu Xuan also rose early today. Su Jing personally adjusted his clothes, her eyes filled with irrepressible love and excitement.

Lu Xuan looked at her and held her hand.

"My wife, you have worked hard."

"It's not hard; I am very happy."

Thinking back to when she had just married Lu Xuan, their Family had nothing. Every time she wanted to visit the neighbors, they thought she was there to borrow grain. Over time, she had washed clothes and raised their children alone; only she knew the bitterness of those days.

Fortunately, Lu Xuan was capable. In just over a decade, he had developed their small Family into what it was today, and she was proud.

Lu Xuan held her hand back. "Come out with me."

"No, I shouldn't go."

She shook her head slightly; it was improper for a woman to show her face on such an occasion.

"You are the Matriarch of the Lu Family, and from now on, the Matriarch of West Mountain Village. If you don't go with me, who will? Not only must you go, but everyone must go."

Lu Xuan's tone allowed no room for doubt; he wanted to establish the Lu Family's ruling position here once and for all.

"Alright."

Hearing Lu Xuan's domineering words, Su Jing felt as if she had eaten honey.

As the first rays of sunlight spread over the earth, Lu Xuan led Su Jing, all their children, Ye Wentao, and the others up to the high platform and sat in the main seats.

Lu Dafu led the Martial Guards to maintain order.

"Fellow villagers, I thank you for trusting me, Lu Xuan, and joining the Lu Family. From now on, you are people of the Lu Family and will be under the protection of the Lu Family."

As Lu Xuan's voice faded, the shills arranged by Ye Wentao in the crowd shouted: "Greetings, Clan Chief!"

The others realized what was happening and knelt to the ground one after another.

"Greetings, Clan Chief!"

"Everyone, please rise. We are all fellow villagers; you are too kind."

Although he said this, Lu Xuan remained seated in his chair without moving an inch.

After accepting the kneeling obeisance of the crowd, Lu Xuan took out a document and handed it to Lu Dafu.

"Lu Dafu is the Chief Steward of the Lu Family; he will announce the following matters."

After saying this, he left with his Family, while Lu Dafu straightened his back and stood on the platform.

One must maintain a sense of distance from those below to rule them better. If one became brothers or friends with them, how could one manage them?

This was also the reason he had entrusted the matter to Lu Dafu.

"Wen Tao, select one hundred men from the able-bodied youths of West Mountain Village. Together with the fifty existing Martial Guards of the Family, that makes one hundred and fifty men. Train them with all your might; the Barbarians will not give us much time."

"Yes, Clan Chief. But what about the distillery in the city?"

"Leave that to Jing'an and Ye Feng."

"Yes."

"Wang Weifeng,"

"Clan Chief."

"You will temporarily serve as the instructor for these Martial Guards, assisting Ye Wentao. At the same time, starting tonight, the village must begin patrolling, and sentries must be posted at the village entrance. If there are not enough men, find them among the villagers. Once we weather this period and the Martial Guards are established, we can breathe a sigh of relief."

"For families whose homes were destroyed, temporarily arrange for them to stay with families who have spare rooms. Teach them how to build the heated kang I invented years ago; at least it will make the winter easier to bear."

"The Clan Chief is benevolent."

"I have already had Da Fu redistribute the farmland in the village. From now on, in addition to paying taxes to the imperial court, you must also pay taxes to the Lu Family. If the harvest is good, it will be fine; if the harvest is poor, there won't be much left. Organize people to cultivate wasteland next spring."

"Clan Chief, what if the county authorities ask about it?"

"We will deal with it when they ask; it's not as if we aren't paying taxes. Also, for the Green Wave River, organize people to fish starting next year, and organize hunting in the mountains."

As he spoke, Lu Xuan took out a small booklet.

"This contains some of my experience; promote it, and it should have some effect."

Ye Wentao took the booklet and opened it.

It was written inside: Postpartum Care for Sows, How to Scientifically and Effectively Castrate Piglets, The Importance of Sustainable Development...

"If you don't understand something, you can come ask me, but it must be implemented when spring comes."

"I will strictly obey the Clan Chief's orders."