Chapter 232: Seal the mountain (1/2)

Chapter 232: Seal the mountain

Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations

”Seal the mountain!”

The same voice reverberated throughout multiple villages.

More than a hundred families assembled in the main square of the Northern Mountain Village, led by Village Elder Zhang Yangping. There were over a hundred armored soldiers standing in front.

Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian were amongst the crowd. Every villager was lost and helpless.

”Commander sir, you can't seal the mountain. What are we going to eat if you seal the mountain?” Zhang Yangping pleaded with the commander.

”You're the village elder of the Northern Mountain Village?” The commander looked at Zhang Yangping.

”Yes sir, I am the village elder. Commander sir, all of us villagers hunt for a living. If you seal the mountain, we will be unable to hunt. Over a hundred families will lose their livelihood.”

”I hear that you all have a Hall of Dao in the village?” The Commander ignored the pleas and posed a question of his own.

”Yes, yes. That Hall of Dao was moved from the Southern Mountain Village. Back then, a lady from the Divine Constabulary had ordered it. If commander sir does not believe me, you can confirm it with the sensei in the Hall of Dao.” Zhang Yangping felt a tinge of hope.

”Mm, the road from here to Huai An County has been sealed. If you all need to go there for any emergency, you had better go by a mountain road. However, there are many beasts along those roads, so go in a group. Take this token with you. When the soldiers on the mountain see it, they will let you pass.” The commander took out a black metal token and placed it in Zhang Yangping's hand.

”Commander sir, then... are you still going to seal the mountain?” Zhang Yangping asked hopefully.

”Sealing the mountain is a military order!”

”About that... sealing the mountain... but... commander, commander sir... someone from our village entered in the examinations this year. He passed the provincial exams, and...”

”I know about that. Li Xiantai from Huai An County has already told me about it. If not for that reason, it won't be so easy for you all to make your way to Huai An County!” The commander waved his hand in exasperation, interrupting Zhang Yangping.

”Commander...”

”Okay, enough. I have been rushing through the night for a few days now. All of my soldiers are tired. Is there a place for us to stay?”

”It is already prepared.”

”Good. My soldiers and I will be setting up camp up here in the north. Even though we will be a slight inconvenience, we have already accorded you many privileges. Other villages are not given such good treatment. As such, do prepare better alcohol and food for us. Do you understand?” The commander requested.

”Yes, yes, commander sir, please rest assured!” Zhang Yangping wanted to add something, but he swallowed it. He had to swallow his pride for the safety of the hundred families he led.

After all, this was a military order. It was undefiable.

Even though the villagers knew that Fang Zhengzhi had already passed the provincial examinations, they did not know if he had passed the imperial examinations. They did not want Fang Zhengzhi to make enemies with the military because of this.

This was the only way he could protect Fang Zhengzhi as an elder. He would inconvenience himself to ensure that his descendants had a smooth sailing future.

”Oh please, he just passed the provincial exams. The results of the imperial examinations are not out yet. Will a hillbilly dare to go up against military orders?” The commander replied derisively upon seeing Zhang Yangping's expression. Then, he turned to his soldiers, ”Eat and drink your fill tonight! Tomorrow, I want all of you energized! This is a big expedition, anyone who messes it up will be killed without hesitation!”

”Yes sir!” The soldiers replied in unison.

The commander nodded in satisfaction. Then, he frowned as he looked at the worn down Northern Mountain Village, ”Li Xiantai told me that kid is named Fang something? I missed it out because I was in a hurry. Forget it, this kind of village will never produce anyone of importance. The imperial examinations are not so easy to pass. Furthermore, I am now acting on military orders, even the River of Trust Province Governor will have to be subordinate to those!”

Zhang Yangping frowned as he saw the commander walk away. He did not say anything else, sighing as he looked to the sky.

Fang Houde walked up beside him upon seeing his reaction.

”Brother Yang Ping, what's going on?”

”The sealing of the mountain is a military order. We can't change that. If not for the fact that Li Xiantai had helped speak up on our behalf, we may not even be able to leave our village.” Zhang Yangping lamented in exasperation.

”If it's a military order, there's nothing that we can do about it. There's nothing to worry about Brother Yang Ping. There must be some trouble in the mountains that will be resolved shortly. When Zhengzhi left, he left behind some silver cheques. I'll get Xuelian to bring it over later. It should be able to tide us through.” Fang Houde comforted.

”Aish... all I can hope for is a hasty resolution to this.” Zhang Yangping sighed again.