Chapter 42 When the Storm Rises
In this remote and desolate southern wilderness, who could have expected that human voices would be heard next to the camp.
A team of people, with their families and looking exhausted, landed in a mess like a bird with broken wings.
A crooked tent was erected, and a few wisps of green smoke were burned.
After inquiring, Lin Xiyan was surprised to learn that the visitor was actually the family of Yang Jiangju, the Imperial Censor of Shangjing City.
Instantly, a complex emotion surged in her heart. She subconsciously looked towards the distant mountains and thought to herself:
I'm afraid the situation in the capital city is really going to change drastically.
A succession of high-ranking officials and prominent families were exiled here. Behind this must have been a storm in the court, and the vortex of power ruthlessly swallowed up many former dignitaries.
Looking back to the past, in the prosperous capital city, there were treacherous and turbulent officialdom.
Lin Wuyu deals with complicated government affairs and delicate interpersonal relationships every day. As the Imperial Censor, Yang Jiangchu is responsible for supervising all officials and rectifying the government.
The two should have met and interacted frequently in official circles.
In fact, it is not the case. There are many factions in the court, just like a complicated chess game. Lin Wuyu devotes himself to the trivial matters of people's livelihood and local governance, striving to seek welfare for the people and solve their problems.
Yangjiang Ju Ze spent all day impeaching treacherous officials and investigating corruption, and was dedicated to upholding justice and cleaning up the bureaucracy.
Two completely different trajectories rarely intersect, and they meet only a few times. They nod in greeting, bow, and exchange a few pleasantries before going about their own business. Their friendship is so shallow that it is almost transparent.
But now, seeing the Yangjiang Ju family in such a state of poverty, with all their former official prestige gone, only their faces frosted and their bodies hunched, the children with sunken eyes from hunger and weak cries, and the women with sad faces and empty eyes, Lin Wuyu couldn't help but feel pity.
At that moment, the alienation from officialdom and the indifference of the past were completely forgotten, and the most simple compassion and kindness in human nature emerged.
He turned to look at Lin Xiyan, and when their eyes met, they understood each other. Without further words, Lin Xiyan understood what he meant and began to arrange for people to count the grain in stock.
Soon, Lin Xiyan, along with a few strong young men, pushed a simple wooden cart full of grain and slowly walked towards the Yangjiangchu camp.
Before I got close, I heard a noisy and chaotic sound over there, including children crying, adults scolding, and the sound of objects colliding.
Yang Jiangju stood in the center of the camp, like a sculpture eroded by wind and rain. The high spirits he used to have when he spoke eloquently in the court and impeached officials were completely gone, and only loneliness and helplessness remained in his eyes.
"Lord Yang, long time no see."
Lin Wuyu took a few quick steps forward, bowed, and spoke in a gentle and steady voice, trying to dispel the sadness and embarrassment in the air.
Yang Jiangju heard the voice and slowly raised his head. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which was then replaced by gratitude.
His lips trembled slightly, and after a while he found his voice again, he bowed and returned the greeting, "Master Lin, I never dreamed that I would meet you in this remote place. It really is fate!"
Lin Wuyu waved his hand, turned sideways and motioned the young man behind him to unload the grain, and said softly:
"Lord Yang, let's not talk about the past. You and I are both exiled and stranded in this difficult situation. This grain isn't much, but it's enough to fill everyone's stomachs and tide us over during this difficult time. We have a long way to go, so we can make plans later."
Yang Jiangju's eyes were red, tears welled up in them, and his throat seemed to be choked. He stammered for a long time before squeezing out a sentence:
"Lord Lin, this timely help from Yangjiang will never be forgotten. I cannot thank you enough. If you have any mission in the future, I will never refuse, even if it means death!"
Lin Xiyan quietly looked at Yang Jiangju's family, her eyes falling on his children.
Yang Zhilan, the daughter of Yang Jiang Ju, has a delicate and slender figure. Even a coarse cloth dress cannot hide her gentle temperament. With her drooping eyebrows, she exudes the quietness and stubbornness of a scholar.
At this moment, she was squatting on the ground, deftly helping her mother tidy up the scattered clothes with her hands. Her slender fingers moved flexibly, tying knots and smoothing them with skillful movements.
Lin Xiyan felt a liking for her, took a few steps forward, gently took her hand, and said softly:
"Sister Zhilan, if you need anything or encounter difficulties in the future, please don't hesitate to come to the next camp to find us. We are all in trouble together, so we should support each other."
Yang Zhilan raised her head and looked at Lin Xiyan timidly. When their eyes met, ripples appeared on the surface of a lake after the ice broke in spring.
She smiled and said softly, "Thank you, Sister Lin. I hope you can give me more guidance in the future."
Ever since Yang Jiangju's family settled down in the camp next door, the two camps seemed to be connected by an invisible thread, and they visited each other more and more frequently.
When Jiang Shouyi heard about this, he specially found a free time to come and visit.
Yang Jiang was shocked to see Jiang Shouyi, dressed in neat clothes, with an upright figure, outstanding temperament, and the majesty that was inadvertently revealed in his conversation. He secretly speculated in his heart:
This person is definitely not just an ordinary merchant, he must have an extraordinary background.
Several people sat around and chatted. Yang Jiangchu finally couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked with a bow:
"Mr. Jiang, look at your demeanor. Your every move reveals a calm and capable demeanor. You don't seem like an ordinary traveling merchant.
The world is in turmoil right now, and we've been exiled here, which has caused us so much inconvenience. We don't know what kind of troubles we might encounter in the future, so I hope Master Jiang can take care of us in the future."
Jiang Shouyi smiled faintly, met Yang Jiangjue's probing gaze calmly, and bowed in return, saying:
"Master Yang, thank you for your compliment. I am just a traveler in this southern wilderness looking for a meal and a livelihood.
I'm grateful to Miss Lin and Master Lin for not abandoning us and for bringing us together here. Don't worry, I'll definitely be there to help wherever I can.
But now, the Southern Wilds may seem calm, but in fact, there are undercurrents. That guy from Jinyun Temple has ulterior motives and is still lurking in the dark. Everyone needs to be more careful from now on."
Yang Jiang Ju frowned, unconsciously clenched his fists, and said solemnly:
"Jinyun Temple? But that Nanyan City Treasury Officer? When I was in the court, I heard that this person was ruthless and greedy, and would do anything to achieve his goals. I didn't expect that he would continue to do evil here.
Lord Lin, Master Jiang, if you need my help, please speak up. Although I am now in exile, I still have a strong will and integrity in my bones. I will not tolerate such arrogance from a villain.
Lin Wuyu nodded in agreement, patted Yang Jiangju's shoulder, and said in a deep voice:
"With Lord Yang's words, everyone feels more confident. If we work together, we won't be able to defeat the Jinyun Temple. We must defend this camp and protect everyone."
The night in the southern wilderness is as thick as ink, and unknown dangers lurk in the dead silence.
Everyone in the camp was still exhausted from the day's work, and most of them had fallen asleep. Only a few campfires were still flickering with faint light, like lonely guards standing firm in the dark night.
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