Chapter Eighty: We Are All Family

The next morning, Chu Yun, Yang Liu’er, and Chen Ping’s family had already eaten breakfast, packed their belongings, and arrived early at the west gate of Chu Family Town. Bai Hao’s cavalry squad naturally followed as well, guarding the six hundred jin of grain, clearly intending to help Chu Yun protect the provisions.

When Chu Yun and the others reached the city gate, they found several hundred people already waiting there. Although many among them carried no luggage and were simply there to see others off, their presence still left Bai Hao’s cavalry deeply impressed. Only then did they truly understand why Chu Yun had bought so much grain for the journey west.

Seeing Chu Yun arrive, escorted by the cavalry, the crowd felt greatly reassured. People began to ask him when they would set out.

Looking around, Chu Yun noticed that most of those holding luggage and preparing to follow him were refugees in Chu Family Town fleeing the war. Like Huang Daniu, they were outsiders whose fields were remote and barren, yet their taxes remained the same as everyone else’s. Life was hard, which was why they were willing to seek new opportunities with Chu Yun.

Huang Daniu, upon seeing Chu Yun, walked over with his wife and children. He had brought along the bottomless jar, tied securely to a wheelbarrow.

“Heh heh, Lord Earl, I thought you might need this jar along the way, since you have so many followers now, so I brought it with me,” he said, flashing his yellowed teeth, his whole bearing as honest as ever.

Chu Yun smiled and handed him ten coin-blades. “Then, I’ll trouble you to help me carry the jar along the way.”

“Sure thing, heh heh!” Huang Daniu replied with delight, but he did not take the coins.

“Why don’t you take them? You’ve earned this,” Chu Yun asked.

Huang Daniu smiled shyly. “Lord Earl, I don’t want your coins. I only hope you’ll let me stay by your side and give me work. I may not be educated, but I have strength and can handle any labor.”

“Alright—I agree,” Chu Yun replied with a smile.

Huang Daniu’s smile burst into full bloom. He promptly lifted the jar. “Heh heh, Lord Earl, everyone’s asking when we’re setting out. I figure you have something to say to everyone?”

Chu Yun nodded. “Yes, I do.”

He then leaned into the jar and called out loudly, “I’ve heard that many of you came to wait for me at the gates before dawn. I’m deeply moved. Thank you for being willing to follow me.

“Rest assured, so long as I have food to eat, you will too.

“We’ll depart in one hour. Let’s wait a bit for those still making their way here, and give you more time to chat with friends who are staying behind.”

The people, honest and straightforward, were cheered by Chu Yun’s promise that his food would be their food as well. They could not help but feel they had chosen the right person to follow. They spent the time bidding farewell to friends, chatting quietly as they waited for the others to arrive.

Ye Liang and Ye Zelan had also come early. Seeing Chu Yun, they wanted to greet him, but when Ye Zelan noticed Yang Liu’er at his side, she hesitated.

Ye Liang asked, “Lan, Lord Earl came to our house to leave word and tell us to come today. Why don’t you go say hello?”

Blushing, Ye Zelan said nothing.

Ye Liang looked at her, then at Yang Liu’er, and instantly understood, chuckling, “Is it just because his wife is with him? There’s no need to be shy. It’s normal for a man to have several wives, especially for an earl.”

Ye Zelan blushed even more. “Father, what are you saying?”

Ye Liang replied, “If you won’t greet him, I will!”

With that, he led the horse they’d ridden from the royal city, with Ye Zelan following behind, face burning.

“Father! Father!” she called, but seeing him not stop, she had no choice but to follow.

Chu Yun saw them and hurried over. “Uncle Ye, Miss Ye, wonderful—you’re here too.”

Ye Liang laughed. “Ha! You thought we wouldn’t come?”

Chu Yun replied offhandedly, “I did worry.”

Ye Liang laughed louder. “Don’t worry—we saw your message and came before dawn to wait for you!”

Ye Zelan’s cheeks reddened even more, secretly sighing that Chu Yun truly did want her to accompany him on the journey west.

Bai Hao, observing the scene, stepped forward and said, “Miss Ye, hello! For a while, I thought you and Lord Earl were husband and wife. I almost misunderstood.”

Ye Zelan became even more self-conscious.

Hearing this, Yang Liu’er looked at Chu Yun. “Husband, why did Lord Bai think you and Miss Ye were married?”

“Ah? Uh…” Chu Yun was momentarily at a loss for words. He hastily said, “Liu’er, let me explain.”

Yang Liu’er interrupted, “No need. I think Miss Ye is quite nice. If you like her, I don’t mind.”

“This… this…” Chu Yun was stunned, inwardly sighing at the absurdity of it all.

He quickly changed the subject, glancing at the horse Ye Liang led, which carried two large sacks on its back. “Uncle Ye, I smell a strong scent of medicine—is this medicinal herbs you’ve brought?”

Ye Liang replied, “Yes. I heard you bought grain, but not herbs, so yesterday I had everyone bring their medicinal herbs to my house.

“In the past month, while you weren’t home, we couldn’t sell them to you, and the Witch Doctor Sect’s price is even lower than before, so we held on to them. There’s quite a lot—most have been dried, and there are two full bags.”

Chu Yun smiled. “Uncle Ye, you really think of everything—I completely forgot about herbs. With so many people journeying west with me, if someone catches a cold or falls ill, we’d be in trouble without medicine. How much do I owe you for these? I’ll pay now.”

Ye Liang waved his hand. “No, no, we’re all family.”

All family?

Ye Zelan became even more embarrassed. Chu Yun also felt a bit awkward.