Chapter 101
Chapter 101
The only way inside was through a cave.
The cave was extremely well hidden behind layer upon layer of vines. Without Jin Bao leading the way, no one would have been able to find it.
After pushing through the dense vines, the group entered a winding cave. The ground inside was rugged and difficult to traverse, its path formed entirely from piles of enormous boulders. Moss coated the rocks, and wide gaps yawned between them. A single careless step could send someone slipping into a crevice, resulting in scrapes at best and broken bones at worst.
Everyone proceeded with extreme caution.
The twisting passage ran for two or three li.
When they finally pushed through another thick curtain of vines, the sight before them left everyone stunned.
The valley was long and narrow, shaped like a gourd. It was roughly five li long and two and a half li wide, narrowing to just half a li at its tightest point.
The slopes to the east and west were gentle.
A stream two zhang wide flowed from north to south, dividing the valley in half.
It meandered through the entire valley.
Mist hovered over the water. When the travelers dipped their hands into the stream, they discovered to their amazement that it was warm. A flowing stream of warm water was simply unheard of.
Lush greenery flourished along both banks, and all manner of unknown flowers competed in beauty.
Every kind of fruit tree was already covered in blossoms.
Beneath the trees, small animals grazed at their leisure.
Deer, wild goats, rabbits, pheasants… None of them feared people in the slightest.
“This place is so beautiful. Can we settle down here?”
A woman in the crowd spoke as though entranced.
Everyone else found themselves thinking the same thing.
They had barely managed to survive this long in the Northern Frontier. Every day, they had lived worse than dogs, never knowing whether they would close their eyes at night and fail to see the next morning. Now that they had found a place where it felt like spring all year round, they did not want to go any farther.
Every gaze turned toward Xiao Che.
Over the course of their journey, Xiao Che had unquestionably become their leader and the man they all relied upon.
He gathered everyone together and announced that they had reached their destination.
“We have endured hardship and displacement throughout this journey, but at last we have found a place where we can settle, at least for now. This will be our home for the coming year, perhaps even longer. The valley lies deep within Black Pine Forest. Today, we will officially name it Black Pine Valley. Starting tomorrow, we will build our new home here with our own hands.”
The moment Xiao Che finished speaking, cheers erupted throughout the valley.
“Wonderful! This is wonderful! We finally don’t have to keep running for our lives!”
“This will be our home from now on. At last, we’ll have a home!”
They embraced one another and wept for joy, finally releasing all the misery and terror they had endured along the way.
Some ran a full circuit around the valley, shouting with excitement. Others simply dropped to the grass and rolled across it.
Each person found their own way to vent the frustration they had carried throughout the journey.
Holding Jin Bao in one arm and Pei Wanqing close with the other, Xiao Che smiled as he watched the scene unfold. This was everything their family had longed for as well. At last, they had somewhere to call home.
Only after everyone had calmed down did Xiao Che speak again.
“Every household has its rules. Since we are now one community, I will assume the position of Valley Master as of today and establish three rules for the valley. Does anyone object?”
Xiao Che swept his gaze across the crowd.
Xu Huaijin was the first to step forward.
“The Marquis is the rightful Valley Master. I have no objection.”
Old Han also stepped forward and said respectfully, “Nor do I. We have relied upon the Young Miss and the Marquis throughout this journey. No one is more deserving of the position of Valley Master than the Marquis.”
Xiao Jingmo and Xiao Jinghao answered in unison, “Your sons have no objections.”
Seeing everyone state their position, Jin Bao tilted her head to look at Xiao Che. She did not quite understand, but she still said in her soft, sweet voice, “Baby has no objections either.”
Her adorably earnest expression instantly made everyone laugh.
Then they all bowed and greeted him. “Greetings, Valley Master. Greetings, Young Miss.”
Xiao Che raised a hand slightly. “Everyone, please rise.
“Now that you have entered this valley, set the past aside.
“There are no exiles here. Every one of you is now a free resident of Black Pine Valley.
“Later, I will have Mr. Xu and Xiao Jingmo establish a registry for everyone in the valley.
“For now, I will state Black Pine Valley’s three iron laws. First: no fighting among ourselves.
“Second: no betrayal and no abandonment.
“Third: no shirking your duties, cheating others, or committing crimes.
“Anyone who violates even one of these laws will be expelled from Black Pine Valley and left to fend for themselves.”
Xiao Che’s piercing gaze traveled across the crowd.
“We will remember the Valley Master’s iron laws. We swear to obey the valley’s rules and never violate them.”
Xiao Che nodded, then continued, “Everyone should rest for now. Mr. Xu, Old Master Han, Mo’er, Hao’er, Physician Lu, and Ye Qi, join me so we can discuss what comes next.”
The crowd immediately dispersed. Pei Wanqing and Nanny Chen took the initiative to lead everyone in gathering wild vegetables. They had not eaten fresh greens in a very long time, and the sight of so much verdant growth throughout the valley immediately made them eager to forage.
Old Madam Xiao and Madam Liu found a relatively clean rock and sat down to rest.
Xiao Che led the others into a circle.
“Starting tomorrow, we need to address the matter of housing. I took a look at the valley’s terrain just now.
“We can build a compound at the foot of the northern mountain. The western slope is relatively gentle, so we’ll designate it as the residential district for now.
“The eastern slope is somewhat higher, so we’ll use it for warehouses and military barracks.
“We’ll plan roads along both sides of the stream and build a wooden bridge across the water every ten zhang.
“The south will be our workshop and production district, while the land farther downstream will be cleared for farmland.”
Xu Huaijin nodded. “That sounds like a good plan. Dividing the valley into districts now will prevent disorder later. As for the compound at the foot of the northern mountain, I recommend constructing a residence with three courtyards for the Valley Master’s family. That will reinforce the Valley Master’s authority within the valley. In the residential district, everyone can help one another build homes sized according to the number of people in each household.”
“Then I will leave the matter in your hands, Mr. Xu. Report your progress each day, and raise any difficulties as soon as they arise so we can work out a solution together.”
Xu Huaijin nodded. “I will not fail the Valley Master’s trust.”
Xiao Che turned to Xiao Jingmo next.
“Mo’er, spend the next two days compiling the valley registry and noting everyone’s particular skills. I will also entrust internal administration and planning to you. You are meticulous, so I know I can rely on you.”
“Yes, Father. I accept the assignment.”
Xiao Jingmo’s eyes shone brightly. The valley might hold only a hundred people, but managing it would still be valuable experience for him. Everything he had learned before came from books. Now he finally had a chance to put that knowledge into practice.
Xiao Che turned to Old Han.
“Old Master Han, accompany Jin Bao and draw a map of the area surrounding Black Pine Valley. We must familiarize ourselves with all terrain within fifty li of the valley.”
It was a formidable assignment, and no one but Old Han was capable of handling it.
Old Han also understood its importance. He solemnly accepted the task. “Rest assured, Valley Master. I will thoroughly survey the area and provide you with a complete topographic map and written record.”
This was Old Han’s greatest area of expertise. Putting him in charge would make the work far more efficient.
Xiao Che looked at Ye Qi next. “Ye Qi, lead the Shadow Guards on daily patrols and take responsibility for security within the valley. Notify me immediately if anything unusual happens.”
“Yes, Valley Master. I accept the assignment.”
“Physician Lu, I will establish a separate clinic for you in the valley. Take the other two physicians and found a medical school. Treat the residents when you are busy, and teach them to recognize medicinal herbs in your free time. When the snow and ice melt next year, everyone will be able to leave the valley and gather herbs.”
Lu Shuangshuang nodded, delight shining in her eyes.
She had always loved medicine. Only upheaval in her family had deprived her of the opportunity to become a physician. Here in the valley, she could finally fulfill that dream. The fact that the Valley Master was giving her an independent clinic despite their scarce resources made it clear how highly he valued her role.
Finally, Xiao Che turned to Xiao Jinghao. “Hao’er, you will leave the valley with me tomorrow. We’ll search for the nomadic tribes nearby and see if we can exchange goods for seeds. There is a broad stretch of fertile land downstream. If we clear and cultivate it, we should be able to grow a great deal of grain.”
This concerned the food supply of the entire valley, and everyone’s expression turned solemn.
Only after Xiao Che had assigned every matter did the group disperse.
Jin Bao was playing with her little squirrel.
The moment she stopped paying attention, the squirrel darted toward the southeastern corner of the valley, and Jin Bao immediately chased after it.
It did not stop until it reached a patch of grass in the southeastern corner.
Jin Bao grabbed the squirrel by its tail and lifted it upside down.
But the little creature clasped its forepaws together and screeched incessantly at the vines hanging down the cliff.
Curious, Jin Bao held the squirrel in her arms and walked over.
Even when she drew near, she saw nothing unusual, yet the squirrel kept shrieking.
Jin Bao leaned toward the vines – only to find herself staring straight into a face behind them.
The face appeared so unexpectedly that Jin Bao recoiled several steps in fright. Her foot caught on the weeds, and she landed hard on her bottom.