Chapter 11: Chapter 10 Refugees, Taking Disciples Chapter 11: Chapter 10 Refugees, Taking Disciples Just as Yang Zhenshan was hesitating whether to take a stroll into the mountains, a teenager aged around fourteen or fifteen came to his house.
“Grandfather Zhenshan, my grandfather is looking for you!”
The teenager’s name was Yang Chengze, the eldest grandson of Yang Zhengxiang.
“What’s the matter?” Yang Zhenshan put down the firewood cleaver and asked.
Yang Chengze walked up to him quickly and said, “Some refugees have come outside the village; they’re seeking shelter in our Yang Family Village.”
“Refugees? Where are the refugees from?” Yang Zhenshan asked in surprise.
It was just after the autumn harvest, a time when ordinary folks ought to be at their wealthiest. To be fleeing as refugees now, there must have been some disaster caused by humans.
“From Lin Village. Two nights ago they were struck by bandits, the whole village was burned down! Over a hundred people died, and only a dozen or so escaped. They’ve all run to our Yang Family Village now!” Yang Chengze said.
Yang Zhenshan’s brows furrowed slightly; the announcement he saw in the county town yesterday was about bandit troubles, and he did not expect to encounter refugees caused by such troubles today.
Lin Village was north of the mountains behind Yang Family Village, about a dozen or so miles away.
Winter was approaching, and although the villagers of Lin Village had escaped the bandits, without food or housing, facing the cold winter, their survival would be difficult.
Among surrounding villages, Yang Family Village might not be the wealthiest, but it was certainly the most powerful in martial strength. It made sense that after Lin Village encountered the bandit disaster, they would seek shelter in Yang Family Village.
“Let’s go, let’s go take a look!” Yang Zhenshan did not refuse and walked towards the outskirts of the village with Yang Chengze.
He was now a clan elder of the Yang family, and Yang Zhengxiang liked to involve him in everything.
In truth, Yang Zhengxiang’s thoughts were simple. He was old and did not know how much longer he would live. If he were to die, then Yang Zhenshan would be the only Martial Artist left in Yang Family Village, and the Yang Family would inevitably rely on Zhenshan.
Arriving at the entrance of the village, Yang Zhenshan immediately saw a group of bedraggled villagers standing on the open ground at the village entrance, with many villagers from Yang Family Village watching the excitement.
“Clan Leader!” Yang Zhenshan walked into the crowd and greeted Yang Zhengxiang.
“Zhenshan has arrived.” Yang Zhengxiang affectionately pulled Yang Zhenshan to his side; several other clan elders from the Yang family also greeted Yang Zhenshan warmly.
In fact, Yang Family Village had experience in harboring refugees; most of the villagers of Yang Family Village belonged to the Yang family, but there were also seven or eight households with different surnames who had fled there in the past.
Sheltering a few refugee families was not a difficult task for Yang Family Village.
Of course, sheltering refugees was one thing, but Yang Family Village wasn’t providing for free. All expenses were lent to them, and they would have to be repaid in the future.
“These two households are simple; there are two dilapidated houses behind the village that can be lent to them. After the winter passes, they can even go back to Lin Village!”
Yang Zhengxiang pointed to two families standing together and said.
Staying in Yang Family Village was not a good choice for these people; the surrounding farmland had already been divided up. Apart from some wasteland that could be reclaimed behind the mountain, there was no other available land.
Without their own land, they would not have the means for survival. They could stay temporarily in Yang Family Village, but could not settle down permanently.
“The troubling part is those three children!”
Yang Zhenshan looked in the direction pointed out by Yang Zhengxiang and saw two children, a boy and a girl around ten years old, with the girl holding a crying infant in her arms.
“The boy is called Lin Zhan, the girl is called Wang Daya, and the infant in her arms is Wang Daya’s little brother, only three months old. All their family members were harmed by the bandits,” Yang Zhengxiang said with some pity.
Yang Zhenshan also felt that these three children were pitiful, but he did not say anything. Although Yang Zhengxiang always wanted him to get more involved in clan affairs, he did not want to become a village chief who mediated disputes between neighbors, so he mostly listened rather than spoke during this period.
“That Lin Zhan is quite presentable, and your Yunxue is about the same age as he is!” Yang Zhengxiang’s tone changed, and he suddenly said.
Yang Zhenshan was stunned and took a moment to understand.
“What does that have to do with Yunxue?”
As soon as he spoke, he realized what Yang Zhengxiang meant.
Lin Zhan was about ten years old, and so was Yang Yunxue. Although neither of them was of marriageable age yet, it wouldn’t be many years before they would be.
Taking a son-in-law?
Yang Zhenshan thought about it and felt it was unnecessary.
He now had money and grain. The Yang family’s days in the future were sure to be better, so he could definitely find a satisfactory match for Yang Yunxue. There was no need to take on a live-in son-in-law.
The status of a live-in son-in-law was too low, and if not handled well, it might even lead to more adversaries.
“Let’s forget about taking a son-in-law. Let them come over for a look, and if it turns out suitable, I’ll take on a couple of apprentices!” Yang Zhenshan said casually.
Apprentices were far better than live-in sons-in-law. Anyway, the Yang family didn’t lack the food for three more people; taking in a few apprentices was not an issue.
“Taking on apprentices!” Yang Zhengxiang had not expected Yang Zhenshan to take on apprentices, “If you are to take apprentices, it would be better to take them from within the clan.”
Yang Zhenshan’s expression stiffened; he had forgotten this point.
It would naturally be more appropriate to take apprentices from within the clan.
But he wasn’t truly intent on taking apprentices; it was just that he felt pity for the three children, and that had prompted his offer to take them home.
But now that he had spoken, it seemed improper not to take apprentices.
“There’s no need to take apprentices from within the clan. Just pick a few promising youngsters and send them to me. Let’s say three of them, around the age of fifteen,” Yang Zhenshan thought of a compromise.
“Very good indeed!” Yang Zhengxiang stroked his long beard and smiled.
It was naturally a good thing that Yang Zhenshan was willing to help mentor the younger generation within the clan.
In fact, Yang Zhengxiang had also tutored the younger clan members before, but he seemed to lack the natural gift for teaching. After instructing more than a dozen people, including his own children and grandchildren, he had not managed to cultivate a single Martial Artist.
He didn’t know if Yang Zhenshan could cultivate a Martial Artist, but he was very happy that Yang Zhenshan was willing to put in this effort.
Yang Zhenshan did not say much, and said to the three children, “Follow me!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhan didn’t hesitate and directly walked behind Yang Zhenshan, while Wang Daya was somewhat timid, but seeing Lin Zhan moving, she quickly followed with her younger brother in her arms.
“Alright, you all can disperse. Come with me!” Yang Zhengxiang also led the two families away.
Yang Zhenshan’s home was behind Yang Family Village, closer to the back mountain. From the entrance of the village to his home, one had to cross the entire Yang Family Village.
Yang Zhenshan did not speak, just walked home with his hands behind his back.
Lin Zhan closely followed him, his bright eyes seemingly filled with anticipation.
He had not heard the conversation between Yang Zhenshan and Yang Zhengxiang, but he knew he needed someone to rely on, and the elder before him might just be his future support.
On the other hand, Wang Daya was much more timid, merely following with her head down.
Although Yang Zhenshan was silent, he was observing the two children.
Lin Zhan was clearly a decisive child, and as for Wang Daya’s timidity, Yang Zhenshan did not dislike it – after all, she was only a ten-year-old child who had undergone a disaster and lost her family, so it was natural for her to feel timid and panicked.
“Dad, who are they?”
Upon returning home, Yang Mingcheng looked at the three led by Lin Zhan, asking in confusion.
“Let’s talk inside the house!” Yang Zhenshan walked into the main room.
The crying of the child brought out all the members of the Yang family, who looked at the three children with puzzled faces.
“How old is this child?” Yang Zhenshan asked Wang Daya kindly.
Wang Daya, with her head lowered, mumbled softly, “Three months!”
Yang Zhenshan nodded and said to the curious-looking Ms. Wang, “Ms. Wang, please take care of this child.”
Three months old, just like his great-granddaughter Qing Wan – Ms. Wang was the only one in the house who could provide for the child’s upkeep.
Ms. Wang did not ask further questions and stepped forward to take the child from Wang Daya’s arms.
“He is my little brother!” Wang Daya seemed bewildered and somewhat scared, holding on tightly to her brother.
“He’s hungry,” Ms. Wang said gently.
Wang Daya looked at her, hesitating for a moment before letting go of her brother.
Ms. Wang took the child back into the room, and within moments, the crying ceased.
Meanwhile, Yang Zhenshan inquired about Lin Zhan’s and Wang Daya’s situations.
Both were nine years old. When they encountered bandits, their family members died protecting them.
However, their situations differed; Lin Zhan was the one being protected, whereas Wang Daya was the one protecting her brother.
Their responses were led by Lin Zhan, who, although nervous, spoke very coherently.
“Have you studied before?” Yang Zhenshan looked at Lin Zhan and asked.
“My father has begun my education!” Lin Zhan said.
Yang Zhenshan’s expression changed slightly, “You are Scholar Lin’s son!”
There was a Scholar Lin in Little Lin Village whom he had never met but had heard of.
“Yes!”
Speaking of his father, Lin Zhan seemed downcast.
“Would you like to continue your studies in the future?” Yang Zhenshan continued to ask.
“The young one will follow Uncle’s arrangements,” Lin Zhan replied respectfully.
Yang Zhenshan’s mouth curled slightly – this was a clever kid, quickly trying to curry favor.
“From now on, call me Master. Our Yang family has a Martial Arts heritage. You’ll start by learning Martial Arts with us. As for studying, we can discuss that later.”
Studying and learning Martial Arts weren’t mutually exclusive. Whether he would support Lin Zhan’s education depended on Lin Zhan’s character; if Lin Zhan was grateful, Yang Zhenshan wouldn’t mind supporting his studies.
“Disciple kowtows to Master!” Lin Zhan was indeed bright, kowtowing to his Master without hesitation.
In comparison, Wang Daya was much slower to react; it was only after Lin Zhan had kowtowed that she followed suit, saying, “Disciple kowtows to Master!”
“Stand up!” Yang Zhenshan nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Yang Mingcheng and said, “Clean up your third brother’s room, and let Lin Zhan settle in.”
“Yunxue, from now on, Daya will stay with you!”
Naturally, no one in the family dared to object to Yang Zhenshan’s decision; upon hearing his command, both Yang Mingcheng and Yang Yunxue immediately agreed.