Chapter 51 Daji (XVIII) Fiefdom
The forest outside the secret passage was filled with the fresh scent of soil after rain.
Lin Jiaojiao stood in the sun, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if to expel all the depression and anxiety in Chaoge in the past into the natural air. Huai Ji and the sisters of the female guard surrounded her, their faces full of joy of surviving the disaster, and they even forgot to put away the weapons in their hands.
"My queen, we... really escaped!" Huaiji's voice was choked with sobs. She looked at the open forest in front of her, then looked at Lin Jiaojiao who was safe and sound beside her, and was so excited that she couldn't speak.
Lin Jiaojiao opened her eyes and gave her sisters a gentle smile. It was especially dazzling in the sunlight, brightening the surrounding vegetation. "Yes, we've escaped. We don't have to worry anymore."
Just then, the sound of horse hooves came from afar.
Lin Jiaojiao's heart tightened, and she subconsciously clenched the Xiqi jade pendant in her hand. Ling's voice immediately echoed in her mind, soothing her, "Don't worry, host. These are Xiqi soldiers. They're here to help us."
Sure enough, not long after, a group of soldiers in Xiqi military uniforms appeared. The leading soldier, upon seeing the jade pendant in Lin Jiaojiao's hand, immediately dismounted and respectfully saluted, "Your Highness, I greet you. Marquis Xibo has ordered me to wait here and respectfully welcome you to the Xiqi military camp."
Lin Jiaojiao nodded and followed the soldiers towards the Xiqi military camp.
Along the way, she saw that the Zhou soldiers were cleaning up the battlefield in an orderly manner and comforting the frightened people. There was no scene of burning, killing and looting. She felt a little relieved - the King of Xibo really kept his promise and did not harm the innocent.
When they arrived at the Xiqi military camp, Marquis Xibo was already waiting at the camp gate. He was dressed in simple cloth and had a gentle smile on his face. When he saw Lin Jiaojiao, he hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, you have had a hard journey. I have prepared some tea. Please come into the camp and rest."
Lin Jiaojiao bowed slightly to Xibo Hou: "Thank you, Xibo Hou, for keeping your promise and protecting me and my sisters."
After entering the military tent, the Marquis of Xibo dismissed his attendants and spoke directly, "Your Majesty, in Chaoge, persuaded the generals to reduce resistance. This not only reduced casualties for the Zhou army, but also saved the lives of countless civilians. I will always remember this contribution. I previously promised you a fiefdom, but after careful consideration, I feel that a mere fiefdom is not enough to repay your kindness."
Lin Jiaojiao was stunned for a moment, and looked at Xibo Hou in confusion: "What does Xibo Hou mean..."
"I have submitted a petition to confer upon you the title of 'Marquis of Anle,' granting you a fiefdom of a hundred li, situated along the banks of the Wei River. The land there is fertile, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, making it a perfect place for you and your loved ones to live." The Marquis of Xibo spoke solemnly. "Also, any Chaoge generals and craftsmen who wish to follow you will be allowed to accompany you to your fiefdom, and they will be under your jurisdiction. You will be free to govern your own fiefdom, paying only a small annual tribute to Xiqi."
"Appoint me as a vassal?" Lin Jiaojiao was completely stunned. She had never thought that she could get such a status. When she was in Chaoge, she was just a concubine who relied on Emperor Xin's favor to survive. Now she can have her own fiefdom and subjects. It was like a dream.
Ling's voice echoed in her mind, with a hint of relief: "Host, this is what you deserve. Your reputation and achievements are worthy of such a reward. The land along the Wei River is fertile and far away from war. It is a perfect place for you and everyone else to live a peaceful life."
Lin Jiaojiao came back to her senses and bowed deeply to the Lord Xibo: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xibo. I am deeply grateful. However, I have never governed a fiefdom before, so I am afraid I am not up to the task..."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Marquis Xibo smiled and waved his hand. "I have selected several experienced officials for Your Majesty. They will assist you in governing your fiefdom. Furthermore, Your Majesty cares deeply about the people, and you have so many generals and craftsmen who support you. As long as Your Majesty sticks to your original intention, you will surely govern your fiefdom in an orderly manner."
In the next few days, Lin Jiaojiao rested in the military camp while waiting for the Duke of Xibo to complete the procedures for conferring the title.
During this period, those Chaoge generals and craftsmen who were willing to follow her also rushed to the military camp one after another - some generals were discovered by the Zhou army while protecting the people in the war, and when they learned that Lin Jiaojiao was in the Xiqi military camp, they came to join them; some craftsmen, under the secret guidance of Ling, took their families to avoid the war and finally arrived safely.
Looking at the familiar faces in front of her, Lin Jiaojiao's heart was filled with warmth. There was the craftsman Wang who was good at casting, the breeder girl she had rescued, and several Chaoge generals who were loyal to her... Everyone gathered around her, talking about their future life, their faces full of anticipation.
"Your Majesty, when we reach our fiefdom, we will definitely be able to make the best agricultural tools to help the people have a good harvest!" Craftsman Wang clenched his fists, his eyes determined.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. We will protect the safety of the fiefdom and will not let anyone bully you and the people!" said a general in a deep voice.
Lin Jiaojiao smiled and nodded, her eyes slightly red. "With everyone here, I feel at ease. From now on, we will be like a family in the fiefdom, living a good life and never being separated again."
Ling's voice rang in her mind, with unprecedented tenderness: "Host, you see, the people you have helped have become your most solid support."
Lin Jiaojiao responded softly: "Ling, this is also due to your contribution. If it weren't for you always protecting me and giving me advice, I wouldn't be here today."
Ling didn't respond. The data stream in the background quietly saved Lin Jiaojiao's smile at the moment, and the note column read: "The host's happiness is my ultimate goal."
A few days later, the procedures for conferring the title were completed.
Lin Jiaojiao, along with Huai Ji, the female guards, the generals of Chaoge and the craftsmen, rode in a carriage to the fiefdom on the banks of the Wei River.
Along the way, the people lined the streets to welcome him. When they saw Lin Jiaojiao's carriage passing by, they knelt down to salute and shouted "An Le Bo" - they had long heard that this new prince was a virtuous man who cared about the people, and they were full of expectations for their future life.
After arriving at the fiefdom, Lin Jiaojiao did not immediately move into the mansion that had already been built, but first took everyone to visit the villages in the fiefdom.
She felt very sad when she saw that some people's houses were dilapidated and some people had lost their loved ones due to the war.
Following Zero's suggestion, she ordered: first, to repair the people's houses and provide food and shelter for the orphans and widows who had lost their loved ones; then to let the craftsmen make farm tools and distribute them to the people to help them resume agricultural production; at the same time, to let the generals be responsible for the security of the fiefdom and protect the safety of the people.
The people were grateful for Lin Jiaojiao's actions and took the initiative to participate in the construction of the fiefdom.
Young men helped repair houses and cultivate fields, while women were responsible for weaving and taking care of orphans and widows. Children played and fought on the ridges of the fields, and the entire fiefdom was full of vitality.
Lin Jiaojiao goes to the village every day to check on the situation. Sometimes she helps the people harvest crops, sometimes she listens to the elders telling stories of the past, and sometimes she plays in the fields with the children.
In the eyes of the people, her peerless beauty was no longer a temptation that could overwhelm a country, but a symbol of "kindness and hope" - everyone affectionately called her "Uncle Jiaojiao" instead of the cold "Uncle Anle".
Huaiji's female guards also became a scenic spot in the fiefdom.
They are no longer palace guards, but protectors of the people. If a family is in trouble, they will go to help immediately; if there is a dispute, they will come forward to mediate; if they encounter harassment from small groups of bandits, they will take up weapons without hesitation to protect the safety of the people.
The generals who came from Chaoge trained the army of their fiefdom in an orderly manner.
They abandoned their extravagant lifestyle in Chaoge, ate and lived with the soldiers, patrolled and trained together, which not only improved the combat effectiveness of the army, but also won the trust of the people.
Craftsman Wang led the craftsmen to not only create sophisticated agricultural tools, but also built a small foundry in the center of the fiefdom to specifically create daily necessities for the people.
At the entrance of the foundry, there is a miniature version of the "Shenyou Ding" - this was specially cast by craftsman Wang for Lin Jiaojiao. It is both a commemoration of the past and a blessing for the future.
As the days passed, the fiefdom along the Wei River became more and more prosperous.
The people lived and worked in peace and contentment, the harvest was plentiful, the neighbors were harmonious, and the shadow of war was no longer visible. Lin Jiaojiao stood on the city wall of her fiefdom, looking at the scene before her, her heart filled with happiness.
"Zero, look, we did it." Lin Jiaojiao said softly, her voice full of satisfaction.
Zero's voice rang out in her mind, with a hint of a smile: "You did it, host. You used your kindness and persistence to create a stable home for everyone."
Lin Jiaojiao smiled and looked up at the sky.
The setting sun is slowly setting, dyeing the sky a warm orange-red. The Wei River is sparkling, reflecting the light of the sunset, as beautiful as a painting.
She knew that although this journey of traveling back in time to become Daji was full of dangers and insecurities, it ultimately led to the best ending - not only did she successfully clear herself and save her life, she also found a group of people who truly cared about her and had a happy life of her own.
Huaiji walked over to Lin Jiaojiao and handed her a cup of warm jujube tea: "My queen, it's getting dark, it's time to go back home."
Lin Jiaojiao took the jujube tea and took a sip. The warm feeling spread from the tip of her tongue to her heart. She looked at Huai Ji beside her, and thought of Ling's company, her heart full of gratitude.
"Let's go home." Lin Jiaojiao said with a smile.
In the setting sun, her figure was stretched out, and she walked towards the mansion not far away with the people around her.
The mansion was not as magnificent as the Chaoge Palace, but it was full of the warmth of home.
And in her mind, Zero's data stream was still running silently, recording her every happy moment and guarding every year of her future - because he knew that as long as he could see Lin Jiaojiao's smile, everything he did would be worth it.
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