Chapter 402: Incite
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Grandfather is right. Our relatives watched us grow up, so we should help each other out. Everyone knows one another very well too. If I get better, I will definitely remember everyone. It’s only great when everybody feels great!” Yan Liqiang smiled and scanned his surroundings. The old people sitting in the courtyard were uplifted as they c.o.c.ked their ears trying to listen to Yan Liqiang’s speech. On the other hand, Yan Liqiang took the opportunity to voice out the plans he had thought up during the journey and what he would like to do after returning to Pingxi Prefecture.
“The first thing I want to do when I come back is to create an archery club. Young disciples of Liuhe Town with proper qualifications and desire to learn martial arts can come study the club. I will personally teach everyone the art of archery!”
Upon hearing that, everyone in the courtyard lit up in delight with most of them flushed red in excitement. Sixth Grandfather let out a long sigh and stood up, “It is truly a great act of generosity for you to open an archery club after returning Liuhe Town and teaching the disciples the art of archery. No matter how much older I am, I still have to bow down to you!”
Yan Liqiang and the people around the main table quickly stood up as soon as they saw Sixth Grandfather standing up to push the chair away before trembling back two steps to give Yan Liqiang a bow. Yan Liqiang quickly propped up Sixth Grandfather with his arms and said, “Grandpa, I can’t have you do this. If you do, I will not be able to live with it!”
Sixth Grandfather struggled for a while before he realized the immense strength in Yan Liqiang’s hands, preventing him from bowing down further. It was at that moment that he turned back to look at the sea of people sitting in the courtyard. He foamed with rage and quickly stomped his crutch a few times on the ground, “You idiots! What are you staring at? Don’t you know that Liqiang is a Fifth Grade Armed Imperial Guard in the Imperial Capital and that the Emperor asked him to become the Crown Prince’s archery mentor? If Liqiang stays in the Imperial Capital and doesn’t return, the only person who can learn archery from him will be the Crown Prince of the Great Han Empire. The disciples of the high-ranking officials in the imperial court are not qualified to receive his coaching on archery. For Liqiang to open an archery club to teach the disciples of Liuhe Town the art of archery is like giving the same kind of privilege the Crown Prince has for those who join the club. Do you know how gracious it is to have such a master like him? You can’t exchange that with thousands of gold. Without Liqiang, no matter how bright the fire lights are on your ancestral graves of all generations, you will never be able to encounter such a good opportunity again. What are you all speechless for? Do you still want me to teach you what to do?”
With Sixth Grandfather in rage, all the people in the courtyard snapped back to reality and quickly stood up to show their grat.i.tude toward Yan Liqiang. Within a blink of an eye, Yan Liqiang’s words were promptly spread to the people outside the stockyard and they instantly boiled with excitement.
In just a few seconds, the screeches of tables and chairs erupted inside the Yan Residence’s courtyard with everyone standing up. They pushed away their chairs and humbly displayed their grat.i.tude toward Yan Liqiang. The noises continued for a few minutes before the situation began to settle down. Adults returned to their seats with only the young people still standing in the courtyard. At that moment, everyone was excited and could not wait for Yan Liqiang to impart his teachings to them so that they could become as impressive as him in the future.
Yan Liqiang’s clarification on this matter caused the atmosphere of the banquet to become more lively than ever. It was simply like splas.h.i.+ng water into boiling oil.
“Liqiang, you said that opening an archery club is the first thing you wanted to do when you came back. If there is anything else you want to do, just tell us. I am willing to do anything, even if I have to break my old bones for you to play on a drum…” Sixth Grandfather said excitedly after he returned to his seat.
“Grandfather is a man who has seen much of the world and experienced the chaos of war. That also means he knows the fundamentals of staying vigilant in times of peace. Our Liuhe Town is ma.s.sive, yet we don’t have any defensive mechanisms here. The roads are open, which means anyone can enter from all sides of the town. Usually, this type of environment is safe. But if we encounter a war or are robbed by bandits, they can invade the town with ease. The safety of the townspeople cannot be guaranteed. Although Gan Province is peaceful right now, Liuhe Town should be prepared at the very least!”
“Liqiang’s right!” Sixth Grandfather and the important people of the town sitting together at the main table exclaimed and nodded in approval to Yan Liqiang’s words. Sixth Grandfather then lamented, “Gan Province was originally a battlefield. Now that the number of bandits and robbers have increased, the disorder and chaos caused by bandits, barbarians, and soldiers will also multiply once a war truly breaks out. When I joined the army during my younger days, I saw the scenes of desolation after bandits plundered and attacked multiple villages and towns. Currently, there are still quite a lot of bandits that rob people in Gan Province. The road further away from the city isn’t safe either. Indeed, we must not neglect any precautions against danger for the future generation. Otherwise, if something happens, then it will be too late for remorse. You see, the other towns with big families in Pingxi Prefecture have fortified walls that not even several hundred rebels or bandits can simply take down. Only with that can the people have a peace of mind…”
Yan Liqiang smiled and swept his glance at the crowd in the courtyard, “Grandfather is right. I discussed this with my father last night and we have decided that the Yan Clan will cover the construction expenses for the sake of giving everyone in town a peaceful and comfortable environment. We will expand Liuhe Town, build a wall and tower for the fortress, and organize young patrol guards for their duties. Even if they are training, they have to protect the safety of the citizens in this town. If something happens, then there is no need for everyone to panic.”
“This is a great service to mankind. The Yan Clan has really done a great favor for us…!” Sixth Grandfather gave a thumbs up to Yan Liqiang and continued, “Please don’t detest us, Liqiang. I still have about a hundred taels of silver from my retirement pension, which I can donate for Liuhe Town’s development. You can also order the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds in my house all you want. If they dare defy you, I will break their legs!”
“That’s right. Give whatever you have to a.s.sist on this matter, be it money or energy. We can’t allow Liqiang and Old Master Yan to contribute their money toward this work. Since Sixth Grandfather has spoken, the Li Clan will make a declaration to donate a thousand taels of silver to the construction…” The old man from the influential Li Clan, who was seated at the same table as Yan Liqiang, was quick to declare his clan’s support as soon as Sixth Grandfather was done talking.
When the others saw that, all of them declared that they would either donate silver or provide their energy for the cause.
As soon as the news of the Yan Clan donating money toward the construction of the fort spread across the banquet, loud cheers burst from the inside and outside of the courtyard. This news was definitely a good thing for the townspeople. As ordinary citizens of the town, especially as those living in Gan Province, all they wanted was to live in a safer place. Since the Yan Clan took the lead on this matter, the townspeople of Liuhe Town would naturally support the cause.
When the crowd was still bustling with noise and excitement, Steward Zhou Hongda of the Yan Residence briskly walked into the courtyard through the main door and whispered something to Yan Liqiang and Yan Dechang by the ear. At that moment, Yan Liqiang immediately stood up and said, “Father, just stay here. I will go alone!” When Yan Liqiang was done, he excused himself from the table and quickly followed Zhou Hongda outside.
The moment he stepped outside of the courtyard, he could see Qian Su, Zhou Yong, Lu Wenbin, and about twenty people on rhinodrake steeds waiting outside the Yan Residence. Qian Su, Zhou Yong, and the others were wearing military robes and uniforms, with the exception of Lu Wenbin. Zhou Yong and a few soldiers from the Weaponsmith Quarters in particular were equipped with weapons on their bodies, which made them seem genuinely impressive. The crowd inside the Yan Residence’s courtyard could not help but glance at them the moment they arrived on the premises.
When Yan Liqiang witnessed their arrival, a splendid smile quickly emerged on his face as he said, “Uncle Qian, Steward Lu, Big Brother Zhou, I’ve been waiting for you all day…”
Qian Su guffawed as he leapt down from his rhinodrake steed and trotted over to Yan Liqiang with his eyes s.h.i.+ning brightly. After he solemnly studied Yan Liqiang from head to toe, he then led Zhou Yong and the others to show Yan Liqiang the proper etiquette of a superior official and said, “Quartermaster Qian Su of the Huanglong Weaponsmith Quarters from Pingxi Prefecture of Gan Province pays his respects to the Protectorate General!”
“Uncle Qian and Big Brother Zhou, you’re putting me in a tough spot!” Yan Liqiang chuckled and quickly propped up Qian Su by his arms. He continued, “We are a family. Let’s not repeat this again!”
“Hahaha…” Qian Su, Zhou Yong, and the others exchanged looks before straightening their postures and letting out laughter.
“Big Brother Zhou, you guys are also learning bad things from Uncle Qian!” Yan Liqiang laughed as he lightly punched Zhou Yong’s shoulders. Zhou Yong and the officers from the Weaponsmith Quarters grinned and laughed at Yan Liqiang’s display of att.i.tude. His demeanor brought warmth to their hearts and exhilarated their minds.
“Greetings from Lu Wenbin, Young Lord!” Steward Lu smiled as he approached with a few people from the Lu Clan who were also giving their respectful bows to Yan Liqiang.
“We are a family. Steward Lu, please stop being too polite!” Yan Liqiang glanced at the others who followed Steward Lu and said, “How is Old Master Lu’s body?”
“His body is in excellent condition. When he received your letter last night informing of your return, he was extremely happy. And so on the same night, he personally chose a few highly capable account managers and asked me to bring them over to heed Young Lord’s orders…”
“It’s going to be tough this time since there’s a lot of work to do. Please don’t be mad at me if I picked your name through Old Master Lu, Steward Lu!”
Lu Wenbin sighed and let out a bitter smile, “I’m flattered that Young Lord thinks highly of me. Lu Wenbin will render his service to you at any cost!”
Despite Lu Wenbin’s bitter smile, he was more than elated when he knew that Yan Liqiang had personally asked Old Master Lu for him to a.s.sist in his work. There were so many stewards in the Lu Clan, yet Yan Liqiang chose him. In a sense, this action had elevated his position within the Lu Clan immediately. The other stewards were beginning to show courtesy toward him, and even Old Master Lu started viewing him in a more favorable light.