At the end of October.

On the rugged mountain road, Sun Meng rode a warhorse, followed by seventeen or eighteen carts and ox carts loaded with money and goods.

Han Anniang, Xia Zhiqing, Yi Shiyin, Song Min, and Xiaoling sat separately in two carriages, following the convoy.

They occasionally lifted the carriage curtain, looking at the scenery outside with smiles in their eyes, as they were about to meet Chen Mo.

After receiving Chen Mo's letter, they immediately packed up and rushed over from Pingting County. Upon entering Yu State, they sent a message to Chen Mo, and when they arrived at Celestial Water Town, they were received by Sun Meng leading three hundred personal soldiers.

Now in the Three States area, Qingzhou had the smallest population and military force, making it unsuitable to have Pingting County as headquarters. Chen Mo needed his family and talents to relocate to Yu State, which was mountainous, easy to defend, and safer.

Geng Songfu remained in Pingting County, with Li Yunzhang and Zhao Daoxian responsible for assistance. Moreover, Chen Mo promoted Geng Songfu to Prefect of Qingzhou, Zhao Daoxian to County Magistrate of Qingtian County, and Li Yunzhang as Commander of the Defense Army with the rank of Captain.

Chen Mo had the right to act as deemed fit, and he held control over the military and political affairs of the Three States, allowing him to appoint others as Prefect of Qingzhou without any issues.

Han Anniang looked at the scenery outside the carriage with slight nervousness and anticipation. This was her first long journey; she had never even left Pingting County before. Now, she had traveled thousands of miles across states, feeling a bit surreal.

The items being transported in the vehicles belonged personally to Chen Mo. After appointing Geng Songfu as County Magistrate of Pingting County, he separated his personal accounts from the public accounts, which were managed by Han Anniang.

The income mainly came from the perfume factory, textile factory in Fu Ze Village, and Fu Ze Restaurant.

Chen Mo allocated the lime factory, coal factory, and others to the Government Office's internal treasury, managed by Wang Ping and others, responsible for paying the clerks of the Government Office and maintaining the basic operations of the two counties.

As for the army, it was independent from the start. All expenses, including rewards and expenditures of various weapon workshops, were accounted for internally in the army, avoiding confusion in the accounts.

The army should maintain its purity, solely focusing on warfare without concerning itself with other matters.

Currently, the funds for the army came from the confiscated possessions of Lu Yonggang, Yang Minggui, and the Yu Prefecture Government Office.

Oh, and Liang Xue's dowry too.

In fact, given Chen Mo's current relationship with Liang Xue, this dowry should have belonged to Chen Mo personally.

However, with development currently needed everywhere requiring funds, it had to be utilized.

That afternoon, as it was getting dark.

The convoy arrived at the East Gate of Longmen County.

Upon learning they had entered Yu State a few days ago, Chen Mo had ordered the entire backyard of the Government Office to be tidied up.

The backyard of the Government Office was spacious enough to accommodate Han Anniang and others comfortably.

As for the maids, they were previously serving Liang Song, and Chen Mo utilized them directly.

Outside the Government Office, Chen Mo, along with numerous attendants, waited early.

Seeing Han Anniang get off the carriage, Chen Mo immediately approached, personally helping her down, calling out, "An Niang."

Apart from occasionally seeking thrills and calling Han Anniang sister, Chen Mo usually called her An Niang.

After more than half a year apart, upon reuniting, Han Anniang's eyes could not help but redden. Despite her shyness, she hugged Chen Mo in front of everyone: "Erlang, I... missed you."

Chen Mo gently patted her back, speaking softly to comfort her.

"Husband."

"Mo Lang."

"Brother Mo."

"Dear..."

At this moment, Yi Shiyin, Xia Zhiqing, and others also got off the carriage, warmly greeting Chen Mo. Yi Shiyin nearly jumped into his arms if not for seeing Han Anniang hugging him at the moment.

Not much could be said outside the Government Office, so Chen Mo instructed the attendants to bring their packages, then escorted Han Anniang and the other women through the side door into the backyard.

As the usual residence of a Prefect, especially with Liang Song being the legitimate son of the Liang Family, the whole backyard was much larger than that of Pingting County Government Office, with a design emphasizing elegance and freshness.

The garden and rockery in the yard were crafted by masters, presenting beautiful scenery.

Being a rural woman, Han Anniang initially thought the Yi Family Courtyard in Pingting County was grand enough, but upon entering here, she still felt somewhat disoriented.

Sensing Han Anniang's anxiety, Chen Mo held her jade-like hand and said, "From now on, this will be our home. You will stay in this courtyard; this is the master bedroom where I usually stay, and Min'Er will live in the adjacent room."

"Mm."

Feeling Chen Mo's emphasis on her, Han Anniang blushed deeply, wanting to pull away but reluctant to do so.

"Husband, what about me?" Yi Shiyin asked.

"I've already prepared a place for Xiaolu. Of course, if Xiaolu and An Niang don't mind, you can stay together," Chen Mo pinched Yi Shiyin's cheek and smiled.

"Erlang." Han Anniang quickly understood Chen Mo's intentions, almost burying her head in the fruits of happiness.

As naturally, Xia Zhiqing was to stay with her sister Xia Zhining.

Liang Xue suddenly found herself without a place, feeling momentarily lost.

Han Anniang noticed Liang Xue after reading Chen Mo's letter to her, she withdrew her hand from Chen Mo's and approached Liang Xue with a smile, saying, "This must be Sister Liang Xue?"

She finished her sentence, examining Liang Xue with the gaze of a mother-in-law inspecting her daughter-in-law.

To be honest, Han Anniang did not like Liang Xue.

Too seductive.

Especially her gaze, like a hook, trying to draw all the men's attention.

The clothes she wore were also flamboyant, overly showy.

That feeling, it had a taste of a brothel woman, but a more upscale kind.

But what Han Anniang didn't know was that ever since Liang Song commented on Liang Xue's attire being too flashy, Liang Xue had been more reserved. It was Chen Mo who told her to dress this way, saying she looked good.

Anyway, Liang Xue didn't go out much, so she dressed for herself, naturally choosing the most attractive look.

If Chen Mo weren't so busy now, indulging too much in pleasure wouldn't be good either; otherwise, he would have gotten a fitted skirt for Liang Xue, and studied black stockings and high heels, to reward his eyes and his younger brother well.

"Hello Sister Han, I am Liang Xue, your Lord... the Marquis' newly acquired concubine." Liang Xue made a slight bow, hurriedly changing her address, her voice charmingly seductive, tantalizing.

Liang Xue was now under someone else's roof, had to lower her posture, and in fact, she was indeed Chen Mo's concubine, all documents signed and sealed with the Prefect's Great Seal.

"Sister Liang Xue is truly beautiful." Han Anniang held Liang Xue's small hand, saying, "Since you're in the Chen Family now, we're all family, serving Erlang together."

Liang Xue blushed and nodded.

Taking advantage of the moment while the women were getting to know each other, Chen Mo instructed the servants to move all the luggage inside.

At this moment, Yi Shiyin exclaimed in surprise, quickly saying: "Husband, is there a pond in the backyard? I brought the tail-eyed spirit fish with me, they're in a special tank, need to be released or they'll die."

To ensure these tail-eyed spirit fish made it safely to Yu State, Yi Shiyin had taken great care throughout the journey, feeding them and changing water diligently, without any slack.

"In the back."

"I can take you there."

Just as Chen Mo spoke, Liang Xue's voice sounded, proactively offering to take Yi Shiyin there.

Liang Xue also had her little schemes, seeing several unfamiliar people moving into the backyard, knowing they would be living together, naturally wanting to find someone easygoing to get familiar first.

Later, she could learn about others through acquaintances.

Yi Shiyin looked at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo nodded to her: "Xiaolu, let Xue'Er accompany you."

"Thank you." Yi Shiyin said to Liang Xue.

At first glance, it seemed good, Chen Mo let out a sigh of relief.

After the women were settled in, Chen Mo retrieved the previously seized blood ginseng and gave Han Anniang, Yi Shiyin, and Xia Zhiqing each one.

...

Night quietly descended.

Jin Xia.

Jin Xia was a kingdom formed by a coalition of over a dozen tribes from the northern grasslands. Due to language barriers, the Great Song referred to it as Beihuang Kingdom, and its people as barbarians.

As for why this term was used, it was because research conducted by the Great Song revealed these people had simple minds, relying solely on brute force.

Back when the Grand Ancestor Emperor first established the Great Song, the overall national strength was inferior to Jin Xia. The reason for being able to drive Jin Xia out was partly due to the Grand Ancestor Emperor reaching First Grade, but mainly because the Grand Ancestor Emperor used common strategies to defeat Jin Xia with a smaller force.

Moreover, Jin Xia did not know how to use weapons.

During the great war, the Song side had catapults, crossbows, and even devised arrays specifically to counter Jin Xia's cavalry on flat land.

But Jin Xia would simply rely on straightforward rides and shooting, completely unaware of using or creating large machinery.

Because of this, the Great Song looked down upon Jin Xia.

Yet humans are complex and cunning creatures.

They can change, learn from their mistakes.

Unknown to the Great Song, four hundred years ago after Jin Xia's defeat, the kingdom underwent several power struggles and revolutions until the Tuoba Tribe claimed final victory.

All tribes respected the Tuoba leader as Khan.

Back then, Jin Xia Khan proposed learning from the Great Song, sending a large number of imperial family members to learn at the Great Song, even marrying and having children with the locals.

This was a long and slow process but brought tremendous changes to the entire Jin Xia.

They learned the Great Song's ways of manufacturing armor and weapons, learned medical skills, leaving behind witch doctors' prayers for healing.

They brought back numerous military books and established Martial Arts Halls in various tribes.

Even the nobility and generals from various tribes learned the Great Song language, understood the lifestyle, customs, and preferences of the Great Song people.

As the Great Song began to decline, Jin Xia aimed to eliminate future concerns, starting to conquer Gao Liao in the first year of Xuanhe, though initially not smoothly.

Instead, it led to internal conflict within Jin Xia, with some tribes dissatisfied with the Tuoba Tribe's leadership for centuries, rebelling when most of Jin Xia's forces were sent to conquer Gao Liao.

Helplessly, Jin Xia Khan had to temporarily put aside the conquest of Gao Liao to quell the internal chaos.

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