BXBX NOVEL Chapter 385 - 385: Hall of Loyalty
Li Yu looked at Zhou Jia curiously and asked, “What method have you decided to use to bury these heroes?”
“In the beginning, there were suggestions to let them return to their clans and bury them in the clans’ graveyards to be worshiped by the descendants. Shen Hui said that it was impossible because no one could recognize them. In the end, Ouyang Xiong suggested finding a good place with feng shui on Mount Spindle and burying the soldiers there.”
Zhou Jia paused for a moment and continued, “I agree with his suggestion. I suggested that we build a loyal temple in the graveyard to worship these soldiers. We’ll bury all the soldiers who died in battle at Mount Spindle so that they can all be worshiped by the citizens of Yunzhou. After Shen Hui agreed, everyone also agreed. We’ve already sent Wu Tingxian and General Yun to the Taoist temple to find the priest to look for a good piece of land on Mount Spindle. Now, outside the tent where the corpses are placed are the commoners who came to pay their respects.”
Li Yu felt that Zhou Jia’s suggestion was the same as the mausoleum in the modern world. After the construction was successful, it would also give future generations a place to reminisce about the achievements of their ancestors. It would let everyone know that these soldiers had exchanged their bodies for their current stable days.
Li Yu looked at Zhou Jia and said solemnly, “Lord Zhou, these soldiers should enjoy this honor.”
“Yes, I also think they deserve this honor,” Zhou Jia replied solemnly.
Li Yu looked at Zhou Jia and said, “I went to visit the injured soldiers with Madam He and the wives of some officials today. They… I think these injured soldiers and commoners should be properly settled by the Imperial Court. We can’t let them bleed and cry.”
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu, who was standing tall and straight. In a daze, he felt that there was a hot-blooded warrior standing opposite him. He looked at Li Yu emotionally. “Madam, what you said makes sense. We can’t let them return to their hometown in a sorry state. We should settle them properly and not let everyone’s hearts turn cold.”
Zhou Jia thought of how Li Yu suggested giving money to the injured bailiffs and constables in Qingchuan for treatment. She even gave money to the families every month.
Zhou Jia held Li Yu’s hand. “I remember that Madam also thought of a way in Qingchuan. Have you thought of a way to settle these injured soldiers who are unwilling to return to their hometown?” Li Yu nodded and said, “I’ve thought of a way, but I wonder if it can work?”
“Tell me about it,” Zhou Jia said to her.
“I don’t think we should let those injured soldiers wander around. Remembering that there’s a patch of bushes under our farmstead, we’ll let Ah Wei check it out… I suggest that you cut out that area to settle those injured soldiers and reserve a few acres of fields and foundations for them to make homesteads and farm their private land. These acres of land will not be taxed. The other lands are taxed according to normal standards.”
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu in confusion. “What do you mean by private land?”
Only then did Li Yu realize that she had used the words of the future. She thought for a moment and explained, “The private land is the land compensated by the Imperial Court to these injured soldiers. However, there should be a rule that they are not allowed to trade the land. These acres of land are exempt from all taxes in the lifetime of these injured soldiers. Consider it a reward from the Imperial Court!”
Zhou Jia thought for a moment. “Your method is feasible. I’ll discuss it with
Ouyang Xiong and Wu Ting tomorrow and submit a letter to His Majesty.”
“Xiao Xi, there’s one more thing I want to tell you. I asked Uncle Liu to look for that veteran called Cripple Xu.”
“Did you ask Uncle Liu to look for that veteran to work at home? Are Uncle Liu and him from the same hometown?” Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu blankly.
“Didn’t I tell you just now? Those injured soldiers and dead soldiers didn’t get enough compensation money at all. The compensation money distributed from the court was stripped by those corrupt officials. In the end, the silver in their hands wasn’t even as much as what those officials deducted. Why should they bleed and sacrifice themselves on the frontline while those corrupt officials are eating human-blood steamed buns? When I’ve investigated, I want to report these corrupt and lawless matters to His Majesty. Xiao Xi, if His Majesty investigates, it might affect the interests of those powerful people. I’m afraid
“Yu’er, you’re too simple-minded. You can’t tolerate sand in your eyes. The deductions of the fallen soldiers and injured soldiers’ compensation money were all done by officials. Those nobles don’t care about that little bit of money. They’re all fishing for silver from the armament. It won’t affect me if I report it.” Zhou Jia smiled and went forward to hug Li Yu. He said gently, “Even if there is, at most, I’ll go back to teaching and farming and let you support me.”
Li Yu hugged Zhou Jia gratefully and leaned on his shoulder. She said gently,
“Xiao Xi, thank you.”
It was rare for Zhou Jia to see Li Yu like this. He kissed Li Yu and said in her ear, “Yu’er, the war is over now. Let’s give Yang’er a brother or sister!”
“It’s all up to you!” Li Yu replied gently.
Two days later, the Taoist priest that Wu Tingxian had first invited chose a cemetery to bury those soldiers. Not far from the village at the foot of the mountain, there was an open mountain ridge. It looked like a good place against the backdrop of the mountains and water.
After choosing the location, the nearby villagers and citizens in the city spontaneously went to help. Everyone opened up the area before the date set by the Taoist priest and buried those soldiers. Only then did they start building the loyal shrine. There was strength in numbers. A solemn and loyal shrine was completed at the end of October by a large number of craftsmen and commoners.
The Taoist priest sent disciples to take care of the loyal temple. There was an endless stream of people who came to pay their respects.
After Zhou Jia discussed with Ouyang Xiong, Wu Tingxian, and the other officials, he followed Li Yu’s suggestion and joined forces with Wu Tingxian and the others to settle the disabled soldiers who were unwilling to return to their hometown. He wrote a note for Chu Sihai to send to the capital. Chu Sihai also brought the news that the war in Qingzhou had been won. Great Yong won both wars with Great Qi.
After Uncle Liu befriended Cripple Xu, he also asked about the secret of the deduction pension. Li Yu wrote a note and sent it to the Four Seas Bank before getting someone to send it to the capital.
Yunzhou City gradually returned to its usual calm, and the Intoxicated
Immortal Restaurant became lively. Li Yu and Zhou Jia called Ji Xiang and Gu
Yu forward and asked with a smile, “When do you plan to hold your marriage?”
Ji Xiang and Gu Yu looked at the two of them with red faces. Ji Xiang smiled and said, “Master, Madam, we want to go back to Great Maple Village to take a look. You and Madam can decide on the rest!”
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu and looked at the two of them with a smile. “Alright, I’ll invite Mr. Qian to go with you to Great Maple Mountain tomorrow to discuss your marriage. Go back with Gu Yu to visit Gu Yu’s elders and agree on a good day before we settle your marriage.”
Ji Xiang and Gu Yu knelt down and kowtowed. “Thank you, Master. Thank you,
Madam.”
Li Yu looked at the two of them’s excited expressions and said with a smile,
“There’s a gift prepared for you in the storeroom. Gu Yu’s slave status has also been eliminated. Get someone to paint the new residence Ruyi bought for you to use. Bring Gu Yu and the gift up the mountain tomorrow morning to propose marriage!”
“Got it,” Ji Xiang replied with a smile. Gu Yu wiped the tears from her face.
“Thank you, Master and Madam!”
Li Yu smiled and said, “Alright, stop crying. The two of you should go to the storeroom to see if there’s anything else you need to buy.” The two of them could not hide their joy. After agreeing, they left..