Chapter 126: Deeply Rooted in the Hearts of the People

Chu Wencai was stunned by Chu Yun’s words, then quickly knelt down and bowed. "Wencai thanks the Earl for his appreciation. I will certainly work even harder and shall never fail you, my lord."

Chu Yun smiled slightly. "Rise. A man of great talent deserves to be put to good use; this is what you have earned."

Chu Wencai stood up, only to turn and kneel once more, bowing deeply toward the void. "I thank the heavens for allowing me, Chu Wencai, to encounter a noble patron like Chu Yun."

Having said this, he began to weep again. A man of immense learning, he had realized the truth that a nation is strong only when its people prosper, yet no noble had ever recognized the validity of his insights. Thus, despite his vast knowledge, he had nowhere to apply it, relegated to being a mere tutor in Chu Family Town, teaching others to read and write. Being able to meet a noble like Chu Yun, who truly understood him, filled him with genuine joy; he felt fortunate that he had chosen to follow Chu Yun.

After resting for the night at the Viscount’s manor, Chu Yun set out early the next morning, carrying the military transfer orders for the Tiger Battalion. He intended to first go to Jiadao Valley to inform the battalion that he had taken command, and then mobilize some of their soldiers to return to the town and announce to the people of Nanhua Town that he was now their lord.

Chu Yun believed that because Lin Yang had governed Nanhua Town for several years, he must have held significant prestige and likely possessed many loyal followers, much like the sixteen guards of the Tiger Squad who had followed him with such devotion. He was worried that if he simply announced his lordship to the townspeople, some might rebel on the spot, causing unnecessary trouble, so he decided to visit the military camp first. Though the Tiger Battalion might also be loyal to Lin Yang, they were more likely to act based on official orders, making them easier to control.

However, the moment Chu Yun and his group of six left the Viscount’s manor and led their horses through the streets of Nanhua Town, the residents who saw him all bowed and offered greetings. Some even knelt before him. "Thank you, Earl, for driving away Lin Yang. We hope that you will become the lord of our Nanhua Town."

Had it been only one or two people, Chu Yun would not have paid much mind, but seeing so many doing the same, he stopped. "You are all grateful that I drove away Lin Yang and his family? You truly wish for me to be your lord?"

The people of Nanhua Town responded in unison, "Yes, Earl! We are truly grateful that you drove them away, and we sincerely hope you will be our lord."

Seeing this, Chu Wencai could not help but remark, "My lord, it seems that although Lin Yang spent several years in Nanhua Town, he failed to win the hearts of the people. Now that you have driven his family away, the people are filled with immense gratitude."

"I understand now that you intended to go to the Tiger Battalion first, fearing that if you announced your lordship directly, the people might revolt and you would need the soldiers to suppress them. But given the current situation, that is clearly unnecessary. Why not use the grain stored in the Viscount’s manor to provide a meal for everyone, and then announce that you have become the lord of Nanhua Town?"

Upon hearing this, the people were even more excited, cheering, "That is wonderful! Truly wonderful! Earl Chu Yun has already decided to become the lord of Nanhua Town..."

Chu Yun waved his hand to quiet them, looking at the most vocal among them, and asked, "Why do you wish so much for me to be your lord?"

One of the older men among them immediately stepped forward to answer. "Earl, some time ago, you stayed in Nanhua Town for a while with your own people. During that time, we saw that you ate and slept alongside them, ensuring that every single one of them had enough to eat, and three meals a day at that—we were all so envious. From that moment on, we wished to be your subjects. Had it not been for the men of the Viscount’s manor preventing us, we would have followed you long ago!"

Chu Wencai sighed with emotion, "My lord, it seems that your love for your people as if they were your own has long since won their hearts and earned their devotion. This confirms my theory: he who wins the people wins the world, and a nation is strong when its people are wealthy. As long as our people live in peace and prosperity, we will inevitably attract followers from other regions and bring in talent to help us develop and expand our territory."

The man continued, "Earl, Viscount Lin Yang imposed such heavy taxes upon us. Even in a bountiful harvest, we could barely fill our stomachs, and if the weather turned poor and crops failed, many of us would starve. Furthermore, Lin Yan and his Tiger Guards were arrogant and domineering, bullying us at will. Now that they have been driven away by you, we are truly grateful."

Chu Wencai sighed again, "If a ruler cannot allow his people to live and work in peace, and fails to win their hearts, he will inevitably bring about his own destruction."

Chu Yun nodded slightly and said to the crowd, "Go and tell everyone to gather at the Viscount’s manor. Tell them I am inviting you all to a meal."

The people replied, "Earl, we just heard you say that the meal was to make it easier to announce your lordship. You needn't go to the trouble of feeding us, for we are already overjoyed to hear the news."

Chu Yun smiled. "Go and tell everyone; this meal is one I must provide."

Providing a meal would not only win their hearts but also serve as an opportunity to identify capable people to help manage Nanhua Town. Seeing that Chu Yun was determined, they ceased their protests, offered their heartfelt thanks repeatedly, and dispersed to spread the word that the Earl would be hosting a banquet at the Viscount’s manor and that he would henceforth be their lord.

Hearing that there was food to be had, the people were exceptionally enthusiastic. Moreover, since Lin Yang’s family had fled overnight, the residents knew that the town’s leadership had changed. They had been terrified that a new lord might arrive and impose even heavier taxes, making their lives even harder. Learning that it was Earl Chu Yun who would become their lord, they were filled with excitement and hurried toward the Viscount’s manor with even greater fervor.

In just an hour and a half, twenty-three hundred people had gathered at the manor. Chu Yun had reviewed the records left by Lin Yang and knew that, excluding the Tiger Battalion, the total population of Nanhua Town was three thousand. However, one thousand had followed the Witch Doctor Sect to attack Chu Family Town, and over five hundred of those had died. This meant that almost the entire remaining population of Nanhua Town had arrived, with only those who had left with Lin Yang or those living in extremely remote areas absent.

Seeing that those who arrived first had already taken grain from the storehouse and were busy cooking in the kitchens of the manor and neighboring houses, they realized the invitation was genuine and rushed to help with the preparations. At the same time, they could not stop talking about how kind Earl Chu Yun was, expressing their shared hope that he would treat them as well as he treated the people of Chu Family Town.