At this moment, Yun Yu hurried down from the city wall, bypassed the commoners, and reached Jiang Jin’s side to explain in a low voice.
“Our patrols outside spotted them and brought them back. But they were quite well-behaved. They said they were infected with the plague and told our patrol soldiers to keep their distance.”
Of course, even if they hadn’t said it, the patrol soldiers could tell something was wrong with them.
After all, it wasn’t as if Ge Feng had never seen plague patients—it was obvious at a glance.
Still, these people voluntarily confessed, showing they were honest folk.
Ge Feng had medicine, so the patrol soldiers didn’t think twice before deciding to bring these people back to Ge Feng.
As for what to do with them after their return, that was left to the higher-ups to decide. They merely did their duty.
Jiang Jin nodded. “Has Liu Mi been notified?”
Yun Yu replied, “Someone has been sent to inform her. She should be here soon.”
He hadn’t dared to take so many infected people directly to the temporary accommodations at Gesi Mountain, so he sent word to Liu Mi, asking her to assess the situation first.
Jiang Jin looked at the man. “Get up. We’ve called for a physician. Once they examine you, we’ll figure out where to settle you.”
The man looked up at her in disbelief. “You… you really can take us in? Does Ge Feng really have the medicine?”
To be honest, he hadn’t held much hope. This was merely a last-ditch struggle—they simply couldn’t bear to die like this.
Jiang Jin nodded. “We do have medicine. But your condition needs to be evaluated by our physician first.”
The man and the others, their eyes reddened, knocked their heads heavily on the ground to Jiang Jin, choking on sobs, unable to speak.
The aristocratic families of Ze’a Prefecture, whom they had once followed with unwavering loyalty, had cast them aside like worn-out shoes. Yet Ge Feng, a place completely foreign to them, was willing to extend a helping hand.
At that moment, a flicker of warmth touched their hearts. Life was bitter, but someone wanted them, gave them shelter. It seemed that perhaps, it wasn’t so bitter after all.
Just then, Liu Mi arrived in a hurry with several medicine apprentices. Seeing Jiang Jin, she was delighted. “Lord, you’re back!”
Jiang Jin smiled. “Mm. You’ve worked hard during this time.”
Liu Mi straightened up. “It was my duty.”
Jiang Jin looked at the thousand or so refugees. “Some among them are infected with the plague. Examine them first, then settle them all in the Gesi Mountains. Ensure strict isolation.”
Liu Mi quickly nodded. “Rest assured, Lord.”
Jiang Jin rode her horse into the city.
Xu Qian was thrilled to see her back and quickly sorted a large stack of official documents on the table.
Jiang Jin: “…”
During her absence, the backlog of matters requiring her attention had piled up considerably.
Jiang Jin set the documents aside for now and said to Dongzhi, “Summon Elder Yun, Mu Qing, Yun Yu, Feng Qingzhu, and Chen Xi for a meeting.”
“Understood.” Dongzhi, who had returned with Jiang Jin, immediately went to make the arrangements.
Jiang Jin then raised her eyes to Xu Qian. “Xu Qian, did your uncle once serve as a prefectural clerk?”
Xu Qian, unsure why Jiang Jin was asking this, answered honestly. “Yes.”
Jiang Jin nodded. “Tell him to come to the county office tomorrow. I have something to discuss with him.”
Xu Qian promptly replied, “Understood.”
Dong Si was still fuming about earlier events. “Lord, treacherous villains like the Sheng family should be dealt with by giving them a length of white silk!”
Xia Chanyi was equally outraged. “Yes, make them pay the price.”
Yun Chengxuan didn’t know what they were angry about, but cheered along anyway. “Who do we need to make pay? Call me when it happens—I’ll smash them to pieces!”
Jiang Jin’s expression remained calm. “What’s the rush? We’ll have plenty of opportunities to deal with them later.”
Ze’a Prefecture had only just realized the tables had turned—they had become the weakest, and they were panicking.
Dong Si’s eyes lit up, knowing Jiang Jin had a plan.
As they spoke, Dongzhi entered to announce, “Lord, Elder Yun and the others have arrived.”
Yun Ci and the others soon entered.
With Yun Yu’s assistance, Elder Yun solemnly bowed deeply to Jiang Jin. “Thank you, Lord, for rescuing the remnants of the Northeastern Army.”
Though he was no longer a general of the Northeastern Army, he still felt a responsibility toward them.
Jiang Jin helped him rise. “No need for such formality. They were worth saving.”
Everyone then took their seats.
Jiang Jin smiled and asked, “How are they settling in at Ge Feng? Have they started literacy classes?”
Elder Yun’s expression was relaxed. “Naturally, they feel comfortable. How could they not, with Ge Feng’s excellent environment? Yes, literacy classes have begun.”
He hesitated before adding, “Lord, about these remnants of the Northeastern Army—how do you plan to settle them? Some are severely injured and may not be able to do much.”
Although he had assured Yun Ye and the others that Jiang Jin would arrange things properly for them, deep down he was uncertain.
Ge Feng had assigned jobs to most soldiers disabled in battle.
However, for those severely wounded, Jiang Jin had established an annual subsidy based on the degree of disability, ensuring their living standards were secure.
Now, with over two hundred soldiers from the Northeastern Army—many disabled—he couldn’t imagine where so many could be placed.
Jiang Jin shook her head with a slight laugh. “Elder Yun, are you underestimating me, or underestimating them?”
“Though they are disabled, there is still much they can do, such as overseeing construction projects or guarding storage warehouses for workshops.”
“Those with less severe injuries can serve as constables, clerks, and the like.”
Elder Yun was stunned. “Is that… really feasible?”
Jiang Jin nodded. “Of course it is. I didn’t rescue them just because they are brave warriors, but because they are useful.”
“A person who remains unyielding, holding fast to their beliefs in the face of life and death, refusing to betray or surrender—such a person can hardly have poor character. I feel at ease entrusting these positions to them.”
“Moreover,” she added, glancing around the room, “they fought for their country and people. Even if they could do nothing, why shouldn’t I support them? They must not bleed and then shed tears in vain.”
Her words struck everyone present, their chests swelling with a deep, inexpressible emotion.
After a long silence, Elder Yun choked out, “Lord, having you in Yan State is a blessing for all of us. I swear to follow you until death.”
If the Emperor had been even half the ruler that Jiang Jin was, Yan State might never have fallen so quickly.
In the past, most of their disabled soldiers were dismissed with a few hundred copper coins—or even nothing, if their superiors were corrupt.
Only Lord truly treated the people and soldiers as humans, giving them room to live and dignity, especially to those who fought and killed on the battlefield.
The former Jin Yang Army suffered very few casualties. The night raid at Shan Guan County was, so far, their heaviest loss in a single battle, with several hundred soldiers killed.
Compared to the over twenty thousand enemies annihilated, these losses could hardly be called losses at all.
In the conquest of these two counties, the families of those who fell in battle received full compensation and pensions, and wounded soldiers were properly cared for.
With a Lord like this, who wouldn’t rally to the people’s call? Who among the soldiers wouldn’t unite as one, bravely charging into battle and killing the enemy?
Zhou Sui and the others spoke with solemn resolve. “We swear to follow you until death, Lord.”
