Placement of the children
Ling Zhan's gaze did not waver in the slightest; on the contrary, it became even more resolute.
"The children are of utmost importance, and they are precisely the part that needs to be 'divided into smaller groups' the most! Putting them all together in one place would be the biggest flaw and weakness! They must be dispersed and integrated into the various places arranged by Elder Yang and the Taoist priest, existing in the form of small families or apprentices helping out."
"dispersion?!"
Shen Yan suddenly stood up, his tall figure exuding an imposing aura. The campfire flickered in his eyes, and suppressed anger burst forth.
"Ling Zhan! You're going to scatter my children like beans?! You can't even take care of them?! They're human beings! Not commodities! I raised them from infancy, and it's also... an explanation to... the... who died!"
He pointed to the bewildered figures, his voice filled with pain, "How can I rest easy? How can I face this...?!"
The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.
Yang Sijian and Xuan Chenzi also frowned slightly, clearly understanding Shen Yan's reluctance.
He especially knew about Shen Yan's inner turmoil, the child who died trying to save him back then.
However, they also fully understand the necessity of the overtaking strategy.
Ling Zhan met his angry gaze without fear, his voice calm but colder and clearer than Shen Yan's rage.
"Shen Yan! Precisely because they are human beings! Because they are our children! We cannot allow them to gather together as live targets! You are leading more than twenty children, the oldest no more than thirteen or fourteen, the youngest still breastfeeding, they are like torches in the dark wherever you go! Do you want them to be hunted down with us? Or do you want to be wiped out one day?!"
Her words were like ice picks, piercing Shen Yan's entire body and sending a shiver down his spine.
He certainly understands this principle.
But the heavy sense of responsibility, guilt, and reluctance made it impossible for him to accept.
Ling Zhan took a deep breath.
Suppressing his surging emotions, his voice softened, yet carried an undeniable resolve.
"No one wants to abandon them! You're reluctant, and so am I...! But dispersal is the only way out! Let them choose for themselves!"
"Choose for yourself?" Shen Yan was stunned, and the others also looked surprised.
"right!"
Ling Zhan stopped looking at Chen Yan, turned around and walked towards where the children were gathered, his voice becoming gentle yet firm, "Children, come here."
Guided by the women, the children gathered around, watching the adults with curiosity.
Ling Zhan squatted down, his gaze sweeping over the young faces.
He said clearly, "We're moving. We can't live in the same big courtyard like we do now. From now on, you'll live in different places with different aunts, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, and sisters. In some places you can learn to do accounting, in some places you can read and write, in some places you can learn skills, and in some places... it might be a bit tough, but your father and mother will protect you."
She pointed to the core members present—Yang Sijian, Xuan Chenzi, Shen Hong, Daniu, Daya, and several kind-hearted craftsmen and Shura Guard leaders who usually got along well with the children.
"Now, you can choose for yourselves, who do you want to follow?"
After Ling Zhan finished speaking, he added, "No matter who you choose, your father and I promised that when you grow up, each of you will have ten acres of good land as your means of livelihood. Now, the uncles and aunts who take care of you can move into those lands in advance and enjoy the harvest. They are benefiting from your success and will be protecting this family business for you!"
Upon hearing this, not only did the children's eyes light up, but even the artisans and Shura Guards who were named showed expressions of surprise and gratitude.
In this world, the output of ten acres of land is enough for a small family to live a fairly stable life!
This is not just about settling the children, but also about providing caregivers with real protection!
The children began to whisper among themselves, their little faces full of seriousness and hesitation.
Just then, Little Stone, who had been standing quietly in the shadows behind Ling Zhan, suddenly stepped forward and stood up straight.
The voice was soft but exceptionally clear: "Mother, there's no need to choose the stone. The stone is your shadow, your son. Wherever you go, the stone goes."
He paused, his small face tightening, with a seriousness beyond his years.
"When Stone grows up and can stand on his own, Stone wants... wants to ask Mother to give him a formal name, wants... wants to have the surname Ling!"
Upon hearing this, the area around the campfire instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at Ling Zhan.
A complex emotion, unlike anything he had ever felt before, flashed in Ling Zhan's eyes.
There was relief, shock, and a subtle, almost imperceptible pain.
She gave Little Stone a deep look, without responding immediately. She simply raised her hand and gently pressed his shoulder, her tone calm yet carrying an invisible pressure: "This matter will be discussed again when you come of age and have your hair tied up. You have always been with your mother, so there is no need for you to choose. Now, step back."
Little Stone pursed his lips, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.
But more than anything, she was resolute and obediently retreated into the shadows behind Ling Zhan.
This little incident, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, left behind silent ripples.
After the little stone incident, the children understood that their parents were still their parents.
They just need other adults to help take care of them; that's just the current situation.
Very young children don't really understand, since their parents are already very busy.
The older children already understood, but it was their parents' words that reassured them.
The children's choices have begun.
The chubby little bull suddenly got all puffed up!
He shot out like a cannonball, clinging tightly to Shen Yan's leg—
He howled at the top of his lungs: "I won't choose! I'll stay with Daddy! Wherever Daddy goes, I'll go! I'd rather die than be separated from him!"
He hugged her tightly, his little face flushed red, as if Chenyan's legs were his lifeblood.
Shen Yan felt a surge of warmth in his heart, his nose stung with tears, and he couldn't speak. He rubbed the little bull's head hard with his large hand, his throat bobbing.
They didn't say anything against it at all.
This is his thoughtful little "book boy" and "personal chef".
Such a good son, he truly cherishes him dearly.
With Little Bull taking the lead, the other children also made their own choices.
Several boys, mostly between ten and twelve years old, looked at Shen Hong with eager eyes.
"Brother Hong! We'll follow you! We'll learn skills! We can take care of ourselves now."
Several younger girls timidly tugged at the hems of Da Niu and Da Ya's clothes.
“Big Sister Da Niu…we’ll learn garment making from you, and we can take care of ourselves.”
"Big Sister Daya...we want to learn farming from you, and I also want to learn how to grow medicinal herbs..."
A quiet little boy approached Xuan Chenzi: "Grandpa Daoist, I... I still want to continue learning to read with my master..."
Several children, including a boy with a chubby face and a fierce appearance, actually ran towards Zhao Tiezhu and Qian Dayong, the two leaders of the Shura Guards who were usually in charge of camp security and often played with them.
"Uncle Tiezhu/Uncle Dayong! We want to learn how to wield a knife from you!"
This choice stunned the two tough guys, who then broke into a simple yet somewhat awkward smile.
Two clever kids surrounded Yang Sijian, asking expectantly, "Grandpa Yang, if I follow you, can I learn accounting and become a shopkeeper in the future? Will there be good snacks?"
Yang Sijian, who had lost his young son, burst into tears.
She couldn't control herself at all; she hugged the two children tightly with one arm and nodded vigorously.
In the end, apart from the little bull that Chen Yan was "hanging" on her leg, all the other children found their own "guardians".
Several infants or toddlers learning to walk.
Ling Zhan personally appointed several of the most attentive and reliable women to take care of the children, and they were also allocated land shares.
Watching the children being led to their respective "new families".
The atmosphere around the campfire gradually shifted from solemn to a complex mix of sorrow and parting, yet also new hope.
Shen Yan held the little bull that was still clinging tightly to her, watching those familiar little faces blend into different groups of people, and felt a tightness in her chest.
But Ling Zhan's words, "live target," and the choices the children made themselves, ultimately left him with only a heavy sigh.
Ling Zhan walked to his side, his voice low but carrying a hint of warm promise.
"Blood ties cannot be severed. Separation is for a better life. Xue Ling will pass on messages, and Elder Yang will secretly take care of things. Once the foundation is solid, there will be a day of reunion. Tying them together now will only harm them and all of us."
Shen Yan remained silent for a long time, and finally just closed his eyes tightly. When he opened them again, he had regained his cold and indifferent demeanor.
He tightened his grip on the little bull and spoke in a deep voice to Ling Zhan, and to everyone else.
"Alright. Let's break it down into smaller groups and proceed according to plan. Elder Yang, Daoist Master, I'll leave the rest to you!"
The campfire crackled, illuminating the families who were about to be separated and the new journey ahead.
The sorrow of separation and the anticipation of new life are intertwined.
The seeds, broken down into smaller ones, carrying the smiles of children, the hopes of pebbles, and the affection of little bulls, were quietly scattered in all directions.
The specific plan for the relocation and resettlement of personnel, under the supervision of Yang Sijian and Xuan Chenzi, was like a precise mechanism.
It began to operate smoothly.
The artisans began packing their bags, along with their families and the "start-up capital" and school funds allocated to their children.
Under the guidance of Yang Lao's confidants, they set off in batches to different farms, workshops, or small shops.
Several leaders of the Asura Guards, chosen by the children.
They also solemnly brought their "little apprentices" and allocated land shares, integrating them into more hidden strongholds or disguised identities.
However, the long-established campsite at Qixia'ao was not completely abandoned.
It is like a sturdy nest, still possessing irreplaceable value even before the storm arrives.
"This place is well-fortified, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the medicinal herbs planted here for epidemic prevention are even more important."
Standing on high ground, Ling Zhan looked down at the lush medicinal fields and defensive fortifications built against the mountain in the valley. He gave instructions to the Shura Guard leader who was left behind, a calm and reliable man named Zhou Tai.
"Zhou Tai, you will stay behind with a team of capable men. You have three tasks: guard the medicinal fields, maintain the fortifications, and produce medicinal soap."
Ling Zhan's expression turned serious. "The people left behind by the organization, use the existing herbal reserves to produce medicated soap at full capacity! Follow the formula I improved earlier, and make sure the quality is guaranteed. This product may become the key to our survival and even to leveraging certain connections!"
Zhou Tai clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, his expression solemn.
Ling Zhan added, "A-Zhu and the others sent a message saying that there are signs of an epidemic in the prefecture city recently, and we need to be careful."
Zhou Tai's expression turned solemn, and his voice was firm: "Madam, rest assured! As long as we are here, the valley will stand! We will not dare to lose the medicinal fields or the medicinal herbs!"
After deciding on the development direction of Qixia'ao, the specific work was left to Mr. Yang and his team.
Ling Zhan and Shen Yan, with their little tails—the stubborn little bull that refused to let go, and the little stone that followed silently like a shadow—quietly arrived near a peaceful village called "Yangliutun" on the outskirts of Linzhou Prefecture.
Here, Daya manages her, Douya's, and Huzi's thirty acres of land.
Some older children also sought refuge with them.
Shen Yan bought a small farmhouse nearby.
A few simple houses and a few acres of thin land.
Hidden behind a lush bamboo grove on the edge of the village, it is neither conspicuous nor difficult to connect with the outside world.
"This place is very nice."
Shen Yan surveyed the surroundings; the area was shaded by bamboo groves and was neither too close nor too far from the official road.
Ling Zhan nodded, his gaze drifting towards the city not far away: "This place is close to the city, well-informed, and discreet enough. We'll settle here, posing as... a merchant couple."
She looked at Shen Yan and said, "As for the legal identity pass, we need to think carefully about whose name it should be registered under."
Shen Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them.
“Prefect Chen… is a man who ‘plucks feathers from passing geese.’ We can use his influence to clear our names.”
Ling Zhan smiled knowingly: "Old Yang has already made arrangements."
Magistrate Chen had a good-for-nothing illegitimate son who ran a gambling den outside the city. The gambling den caused a death, but the incident was suppressed.
Use these expressions of 'sincerity'.
They changed to two plausible "good citizen" identities and then "donated" an insignificant honorary title as cover.
For him, it was a simple matter of lending a hand. He dared not refuse.
"Um."
Shen Yan nodded. "The name doesn't need to be changed, but as for this identity... perhaps..."
He turned to Little Bull and said, "Why don't we just put it under your name? From now on, in front of outsiders, will your father, mother, and your little stone brother all be eating your food?!"
The little bull's eyes lit up, and it nodded emphatically, responding loudly.
"Yes! Dad! Mom! I cook for you every day."
He didn't understand anything about identity or travel permits; he was just happy to be able to call his parents "father" and "mother" openly and to be with them every day.
Little Stone stood behind Ling Zhan, his eyes flickering slightly, but he remained silent.
Just then, a snowbird flew over and landed silently on his shoulder.
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