The Demon Lords
Chapter 61 - 46: Becoming a Father_2

Chapter 61: Chapter 46: Becoming a Father_2

"My lord, forgive my wagging tongue. Aren’t all palace dramas plotted like this too? It’s quite thrilling... HAHAHA..."

Zheng Fan couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Siniang and said, "You’re thinking too much; I just found out many households in the city are in mourning."

"Ah, that matter. My lord, you and Liang Cheng returned to the city late at night, having just been rewarded with official posts. The remaining conscripted laborers, however, had to wait. They waited until the Northern Army defeated the Shatuo tribe and then escorted the spoils of war. Only after everything was settled could they begin their journey home. Furthermore, since all of you were on horseback, you arrived several days ahead of them."

Siniang continued, "Moreover, Hutou City had controlled the dissemination of news. Although there were rumors that many conscripted laborers had died, as long as no definitive news was received, people still clung to a glimmer of hope."

"Now that the survivors have returned, it means those who haven’t..."

"I see." Zheng Fan nodded pensively.

"I reckon Hutou City will soon open its household registration again."

"Open household registration?"

Zheng Fan recalled that he and his men were registered in Hutou City, all under the "Zheng Family" household.

"Yes, my lord. It’s likely due to the Yan State’s system. The population and land directly controlled by the monarch, especially in border prefectures like Beifeng Prefecture, are less than those controlled by the great clans. This time, with so many conscripted laborers dead, Hutou City will most likely admit another group of refugees, just like they did with us, and register them. Otherwise, guaranteeing future corvée labor and tax revenue will be impossible."

People in later eras might be accustomed to the state controlling and intervening in everything. However, in this world, especially under the Yan State’s system where the monarch was more like an alliance leader of great clans, they faced the awkward situation of sharing the country’s power with these clans.

This was the key reason why Yan State, despite possessing the formidable Yan cavalry feared by the other three major kingdoms and enjoying a favorable external environment with the disunited Desert Barbarians, still could not launch a war for hegemony from north to south.

The foundations and histories of these great clans often predated even the Yan imperial family. Indeed, if Yan State were to fall one day, these clans might very well endure.

In the ancient history of the world Zheng Fan was familiar with, during the fifth century invasion of China by northern nomads, the Jin imperial court had already fled east in disarray. While various nomadic groups rose and fell, ravaging the Central Plains, many great clans persisted under their rule. They lived their own lives within their closed gates, indifferent to whether the imperial court fought the invaders or was driven away by them. Conversely, those invaders who sought to effectively govern the regions they conquered still needed to rely on the strength of these clans. Thus, the clans continued to live comfortably.

Hutou City had one advantage: the land in Beifeng Prefecture was not particularly fertile, with few good fields. Consequently, the local great clans’ demand for population was not as high as in the interior regions. However, due to Hutou City’s developed commerce and trade, many refugees flocked there each year seeking a livelihood.

When one group of people was depleted, another would be brought in. This pattern of exploitation never changed; it was just carried out more overtly.

"My lord."

At that moment, Liang Cheng walked in through the front door.

"What is it?" Zheng Fan asked.

"A guard just delivered a message, sir. You are to gather at the government office before noon. It’s an order from the county magistrate."

"Something happened?" Zheng Fan frowned slightly.

Originally, the chubby Recruitment Envoy had given him ten days off, and a few days were still remaining.

But plans rarely keep up with reality. Zheng Fan had no choice but to change into more formal attire, gather his identification documents, and ride to the entrance of the government office with Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng, of course, could not enter. After Zheng Fan presented his identification documents to the two guards for inspection, he was led into the main hall of the government office.

Upon entering, Zheng Fan realized he was among the late arrivals, as the hall was already filled with people.

Some wore armor, some were in casual clothes like Zheng Fan, and others had the portly appearance of wealthy landowners.

However, everyone present held the rank of Captain.

Some held actual positions, while others had honorary ranks.

A large number of them were heads of households from the forts near Hutou City.

In short, Zheng Fan didn’t recognize any of his fellow Captains. The only one he had known well enough to call by name had died outside the city a few days ago.

Oh, right, Blind Bei even sent a funeral gift to Wang Li’s family in my name, he recalled.

The Recruitment Envoy arrived. Once he stepped in, everyone noticed something else—oh, the old county magistrate was there too!

Because the Recruitment Envoy was so portly, walking in front, he had completely blocked the old county magistrate from view.

If a chaotic battle suddenly broke out, I’d definitely hide behind the Recruitment Envoy, Zheng Fan thought. Such a large human shield—it would be a waste not to use him.

Of course, the Recruitment Envoy had no idea what was going through Zheng Fan’s mind. Upon seeing Zheng Fan standing at the outermost edge of the crowd, he even grinned at him before stepping further into the main hall.

The two officials took the head seats, while the Captains below all remained standing; there were no chairs for them.

After the Recruitment Envoy sat down, he closed his eyes slightly and sat perfectly still, looking like an old monk in deep meditation, completely detached from the world.

The old county magistrate, however, coughed a few times, a smile spreading across his face as he said, "We’ve gathered everyone here because we have good news to share."

"My lord, have the court’s rewards come down?"

"Has the annual food and salary from the court arrived?"

"My lord, my fort didn’t get much money or food last year. Life has become difficult! I must not be left out this time; otherwise, I don’t know how I’ll explain it to my men when I go back."

"Yes, my lord, you absolutely can’t overlook me this year! My troops can barely afford proper meals."

"Don’t panic, don’t panic. No need to rush, no need to rush."

The old county magistrate gestured downwards with his hands, continuing in a kindly tone, "This good news... everyone will get a share. Everyone."

"My lord, what exactly is it?"

"Well, it’s like this. Wasn’t there a war recently? Our Hutou City, under orders from the Earl of North Border’s estate, conscripted several thousand laborers to help transport provisions.

"But the tides of war are perilous, and many fine young men were lost on the battlefield. SIGH. Just thinking about it makes my heart heavy.

"With the men of the house gone, some families could no longer manage. Today alone, our Hutou City’s Charity Hall has taken in nearly 300 children, ranging from nursing infants to seven or eight-year-olds.

"These children are now effectively orphans. Some have no family left at all. For others, their mothers are planning to remarry, or the family simply can’t afford to raise them now that their husbands are gone, so the children were sent over.

"We anticipate that even more children will be sent over in the next day or two.

"So, the reason I’ve gathered everyone here today is precisely for this matter.

"We Yan people have always believed that many children bring many blessings. This time, I, your humble magistrate, will play the role of the Goddess of Childbirth.

"Tell me, isn’t this wonderful news? I am giving you all children, letting you all become fathers!"

"..." Everyone in the hall was speechless.