Chapter 34: In Danger of Dying and Entrusting an Orphan

  The eve of the new year is called "Chuxi" in later generations, and it was also one of the most important festivals in ancient times.

  After passing the years, it is a new year. Young people have grown one year older, and old people are one step closer to entering the ground.

  On the night of family reunion, the sky was falling with goose feather-like big snow. In recent years, the people's days have been getting harder and harder, such a big snow disaster, it is not known how many people will be frozen to death.

  The ancients had a saying: "When heaven sends down disasters, it will surely give rise to chaos and disorder."

  Although it was only a folk superstition, the upcoming year of light and seven (AD 184) would undoubtedly be a disastrous year for the Han court, as the Yellow Turban Rebellion that swept across the land would erupt before long.

  My county government office, inner courtyard wing room.

  Zhou Jian invited Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Jiang Qin, Chen Fang and Hu San to celebrate the festival at the county government office.

  As for the twelve attendants, they have always lived in the backyard of the county government office.

  Zhou Jian poked at the charcoal in the brazier, roasting it while tearing off a piece of roasted mutton to chew on. Even with his robust physique, he felt somewhat cold and muttered indistinctly, "This damn weather is really freezing."

  Chen Fangshu's body was weak, and he hated to hold the stove in front of him in his arms. He pulled his clothes tightly and wrapped himself in a thick fur coat, exhaling cold air: "It's been decades since it's been so cold. After this heavy snowfall, I don't know how many people will freeze to death. The autumn drought has left the people with little stored grain, and their lives are getting harder and harder."

  Dian Wei cursed angrily: "It's all because of those corrupt officials in the imperial court."

  Although Zhou Jian knew that Dian Wei was just mouthing off and wasn't actually scolding him, he still couldn't help but shoot him a glance.

  Chen Fang glanced at Dian Wei, his lips moved slightly, but he didn't say a word.

  Jiang Qin smiled and said: "Lao Dian can't say that absolutely, there are still good officials in this world."

  Dian Wei scratched his head and finally came back to his senses, saying: "I wasn't scolding you, sir."

  "Look, when there's no one around, it's fine to talk about it, but when there are people around, you'd better keep your mouth shut. Some things are clear in your heart, but can't be said out loud."

  Dian Wei grunted and grabbed a piece of burnt yellow mutton and took a big bite.

  Zhou Jian asked Chen Fang, "How are the people's living arrangements? Won't anyone freeze to death?"

  "Your Honor, please be assured that all the damaged houses have been repaired. The local officials in each township have organized the villagers who lack firewood and charcoal to cut wood and prepare enough fuel, so I don't think anyone will freeze to death."

  "This is good, this is good! No matter how the world changes, the people are always the foundation of the imperial court. Without the hard work of the people, we would not have food and clothing without worry. To treat the people well is like treating one's own crops well; if the crops are flooded by a flood, we will only have to dig up grass for food."

  Everyone nodded in agreement, deeply expressing their approval.

  Chen Fang's facial muscles twitched violently, wanting to say something, but didn't.

  The common people are like crops; although this saying is somewhat inhumane, upon careful consideration, it is an undeniable fact.

  Zhou Jian asked again: "What about the Taiping Tao followers? Is there any movement?"

  As a well-known historical figure, no matter where he goes, he will never forget his surveillance of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

  Since arriving at Ji Wu, Zhou Jian has been paying attention to every move of the Taiping Taoists.

  Zhou Wu replied: "Recently, the gatherings of the Taiping Taoists have become more frequent. If Master's guess is not wrong, it may lead to trouble."

  Zhou Jian asked: "How many Taiping Taoists are there in our territory? Have the leaders been investigated clearly?"

  Zhou Wu replied, "Since the young master arrived, I have been kind to the people, and the livelihood of the common folk has been worry-free. The growth of the Taiping Sect's followers has not been as rapid as before. However, after more than ten years of development, the number of followers is still considerable. Roughly estimated, there should be around two thousand people, with leaders who have all been investigated and are being monitored at all times, so it shouldn't be a problem."

  Zhou Jian nodded and said, "That's good, keep a closer eye on it, absolutely no mistakes can be made."

  Zhou Wu responded with a "yes" and prepared to turn back and dispatch more men to keep those Taiping Heavenly Kingdom leaders under close surveillance.

  Zhou Jian thought back on the many years he had spent in this era and felt a complex, indescribable taste in his heart.

  After this New Year's festival, he will be nineteen years old.

  Nineteen years of preparation, just waiting for an opportunity.

  As for whether or not one can seize this opportunity and occupy a place in a chaotic world, it depends on individual ability and luck.

  Not everyone can become a warlord who seizes power, and not every warlord can laugh in the end.

  Ability, opportunity and luck are indispensable.

  Liu Bei was just a commoner, but he could occupy one-third of the world and dominate a region. Many aristocratic families with illustrious lineages were crushed under the wheels of history, which is enough to illustrate the point.

  Having a good background is not enough, ability and opportunity are what matter most.

  The Zhou family, although not comparable to the four generations of three dukes of the Yuan family, had many former officials and was also a first-class clan. Moreover, Zhou Jian's ancestor Zhou Jing held the position of Taifu, and in terms of background, he was much stronger than Liu Bei, who was an unknown and fallen imperial clan.

  What's more important is that Zhou Jian is well-versed in the direction of history, having a perspective that transcends this era by over a thousand years. For over a decade, he has been making preparations, but whether his plans laid out nineteen years ago can be realized still needs time to prove.

  Zhou Jian looked at San Hu and asked: "How many sets of iron armor have been polished?"

  "Already polished eight hundred and twenty-five sets."

  Zhou furrowed his brow and said in a deep voice: "Too slow, can't improve efficiency?"

  "Hu San scratched his head, looking embarrassed: "Your Excellency doesn't know, polishing the iron armor requires a large number of craftsmen. With the current number of blacksmiths, they can only polish five sets per day at most.""

  Zhou Jian waved his hand, "Think of a way, as long as you can polish 1,500 sets of iron armor before the Spring Festival next year, I'll give you great credit."

  Hu San knew that the adults only looked at results and didn't like their subordinates to mention difficulties, so he stopped talking and hastily agreed. However, in his heart, he was constantly thinking about where to recruit some blacksmiths to complete the task as soon as possible.

  Lujiang, Shucheng County

  Wu's and Zhou Shang's several wives and concubines each led their children to pay respects to Zhou Shang.

  Except for major festivals, it's hard to get everyone in the family together on the same day.

  Zhou Shang's several wives and children all dressed up in new clothes, beaming with joy, but Han Shi was nowhere to be seen.

  A small house in the backyard.

  Han sat alone in front of the window, his expression worried and melancholy, his eyebrows furrowed.

  The sound of footsteps came from outside the door, and a maid pushed open the door and handed a letter to Madame Han, placing a large package in front of her. With a joyful expression, she said: "Madame, the young master has sent someone with a letter, and also a tiger skin cloak."

  "Oh, Jian'er has sent a letter?"

  Mr. Han hastily took out the letter and read it eagerly.

  As for being wrapped up in a big way before death, it's simply not on his mind at all.

  It wasn't a very long letter, but Han's family read it for nearly half an hour, her face changing between joy and worry, as if something in the letter had touched her heart, and she didn't put down the letter until after a long time, silently sighing.

  The maid hastily opened the package, took out a beautifully made tiger skin cloak, and shook it open for Madame Han to see. "I heard that this tiger skin cloak was personally hunted by Young Master Yu in the spring, and he had someone make it into a cloak to keep you warm. It's clear that he always thinks of you!"

  Han took over the tiger skin cloak and flipped it over, a thread of joy flashed across his eyebrows.

  Although the tiger skin cloak is good, it's far less than her son's thoughtfulness that delights her.

  The maid took out several gold, silver and jade utensils from the package and said: "These goods were also sent by Gongzi together with the people who were exiled."

  Han scanned them briefly and didn't seem too concerned about these goods. He nodded and let the maid put them away.

  Front hall.

  Zhou Shang had just held Zhou Xiang, who was already calling out to her father in a sweet voice, when steward Zhou Liang suddenly rushed in with quick steps.

  Zhou Liang rushed to Zhou Shang's back and whispered a few words in his ear. Zhou Shang's face suddenly changed greatly.

  "Really?"

  Zhou suddenly stood up and asked, his face looking very bad.

  Zhou Liang nodded hastily: "The steward of the Fourth Master's mansion is outside."

  "Go."

  Zhou Shang busy put down young girl Zhou Xiang, got up and walked out in big strides.

  Zhou Liang's expression was solemn and he followed closely behind, leaving the mansion with a swift pace.

  Wu's wives and concubines, as well as seven or eight children, looked at each other in confusion, unsure of what had happened.

  The night was deep, and the Zhou Yi Fu was shrouded in a gloomy and dismal atmosphere.

  Zhou Yi was a nephew of Zhou Jing, a former Grand Commandant. He had served as the Magistrate of Luoyang and resigned due to illness in the fifth year of Guanghe (AD 182), returning to his hometown in Shu County to recuperate.

  He had just contracted a serious illness at the beginning of winter and thought he could make it through this winter, but unexpectedly fell ill on New Year's Eve. He couldn't put down his descendants, so he held on to his breath, wanting to see his third brother Zhou Shang once more.

  Zhou Jing had four sons, with his eldest son Zhou Chong inheriting the title of Marquis of Anyang County and currently serving as the Minister of Qinghe State.

  The next day, Zhou Zhong served as an official in the court, and his three sons, Zhou Shang and four sons, Zhou Yi, were all adopted as sons.

  Zhou Yi was critically ill. His two elder brothers were either serving as officials in the capital or elsewhere, and none of them were in Lujiang. He only entrusted his orphan to his third brother Zhou Shang.

  When Zhou Shang hastily arrived at the Zhou Yi's residence, Zhou Yi had already coughed up several mouthfuls of blood and was on his last breath, barely clinging to life. He refused to let go, not wanting to leave the world just yet. Several of his wives and concubines, as well as his only son Zhou Yu, all collapsed to the ground in tears.

  "Older brother, older brother!"

  Zhou Yi's dying grasp on Zhou Shang's hand tightened, his voice barely above a whisper as he said: "Younger brother, I won't be in this world for much longer. The only thing that worries me is that Yu'er is still young and not yet capable of taking charge of the household. Now, I entrust her to you, older brother. I hope you will take care of her and teach her well, so that I can rest easy."

  Zhou Shang's expression turned gloomy, and he said, "Don't worry, Zhong Wei, I'll take care of Yu'er for you."

  Finally relieved of his last worry, he let out a long sigh and the sparkle in his eyes faded as he slowly closed them.

  "Old master! Old master!"

  Several concubines and wives walked ahead, almost crying out in a faint.

  Less than ten years old Zhou Yu also cried with a hoarse voice, in unbearable pain.

  Zhou Shang sighed and immediately called the housekeeper of the mansion to arrange the funeral for Zhou Yi.