My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

After Xiao Heng left, Xu Lin walked towards the family ancestral hall in the backyard.

Inside the ancestral hall, Xu Xianzhi was kneeling quietly on a prayer mat, staring blankly at the ancestral tablets.

Xu Lin did not put on airs as the head of the family as usual; he knelt down before the cold ancestral tablets.

"Jiro..."

"You...you tell your great-uncle the truth, now...now if our entire clan moves south, is it...is it still too late?"

Xu Xianzhi was taken aback by his uncle's sudden words. He remained silent for a moment, looked at Xu Lin, and finally nodded slowly.

Upon receiving this answer, Xu Lin felt not relieved, but rather even more distressed.

"It's my incompetence, it's my foolishness!"

"Over the years, I've only known how to guard this foundation in Tan County, clinging to the empty name of the Xu family of Donghai for a life of ease, thinking that I could survive by avoiding conflict. Little did I know that in this chaotic world, if you don't advance, you retreat; if you don't fight, you perish!"

"Last year, bandits ravaged the land. If I had made my decision sooner, perhaps my people wouldn't have died!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, which left Xu Xianzhi, who was standing to the side, at a loss for words. This was already his third time returning to the East Sea.

This time, his great-uncle actually came to a realization. He didn't know what Xiao Heng said to his great-uncle afterward.

He had initially been critical of his uncle's stubbornness, but now all he could do was sigh and reach out to support Xu Lin, who was about to collapse to the ground.

"Grand Uncle, it's not too late yet."

"..."

Three days later, the grain and fodder promised by the Xu family were delivered to Xiao Heng's temporary camp on time.

Dozens of cartloads of grain were piled up neatly, far exceeding Xiao Heng's initial expectations.

The person in charge of escorting the goods was Xu Xianzhi.

The young man was still dressed in a blue robe, but his brows had lost some of their previous scholarly air and gained more calmness and decisiveness.

Upon seeing Xiao Heng, Xu Xian stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Commander Xiao, all the remaining grain in our clan's granaries is here. We hope you can lend us a hand. Our Xu clan has decided to move south as a whole in three days."

Xiao Heng looked at Xu Xianzhi, who was bowing solemnly before him, stepped forward, and offered a helping hand.

"Young Master Xu, please rise. I will remember your noble character. This batch of grain has relieved my urgent need. I will record it in detail and report it to Governor Xie and Commander Sun, so that I may recommend the Xu family for credit..."

"Supervisor," Xu Xianzhi straightened up, his clear gaze meeting Xiao Heng's, interrupting him.

"This batch of grain does not need to be reported to Governor Xie!"

Xiao Heng's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he waved his hand to dismiss those around him.

Only the two of them remained in front of the tent, along with the distant shouts of soldiers carrying provisions.

What does this mean?

Xiao Heng asked in a low voice.

Xu Xianzhi took a slight breath, as if organizing his thoughts or making his final decision.

"My great-uncle and several elders in the clan have discussed this and reported it to the imperial court. They might receive some empty titles and rewards, but it would be of little use to the Xu family's foothold after their southward migration. Jiankang is full of powerful families, so it makes no difference whether they receive more credit for their achievements or less help in times of need."

"But if this batch of grain is only recorded in your account, then it is a matter of personal friendship between the Xu family and you, the Governor. My great-uncle asked me to tell you that the Xu family wishes to use this to make friends with you, and hopes that if there is an opportunity in the future, you will remember the friendship we have forged today in the East China Sea."

Xiao Heng was shocked. That old fox Xu Lin had placed his bets on him.

After pondering for a few moments, Xiao Heng still couldn't think of a reason to refuse, but in some people's eyes, making friends with local powerful families on his own was a handle to be used against him.

"I am deeply unworthy of Lord Xu's kindness!"

Xu Xianzhi bowed deeply again, this time more solemnly than ever before.

"I am unworthy, but I wish to follow you closely, sir, and serve you with utmost loyalty! I beg you to accept me as a retainer!"

The scene quieted down.

The wind blew the camp flags, making them flutter loudly.

Xiao Heng didn't answer immediately; this happiness came so quickly that he was taken a while to react.

He walked to the grain cart and grabbed a handful of dry millet.

Do you know what lies ahead for me?

"Know!"

Xu Xianzhi answered quickly.

"The governor did not want to return south, but wanted to survive in the danger behind enemy lines, walking on thin ice, with danger at every step."

"Do you know that following me might be a hundred times more dangerous than heading south? You might die an unknown death, your remains never found?"

"Know!"

Xu Xianzhi raised his head.

"Xianzhi spent thirteen years in Jingkou, merely an ordinary scholar residing there, following the established path, his life seemingly destined to end. But following the Governor, though the road ahead is treacherous, the world he sees is entirely different!"

Xiao Heng remained expressionless upon hearing this; so this kid came from Jingkou.

Seeing Xiao Heng's reaction, Xu Xianzhi hurriedly spoke again.

"I have studied the classics and history, have some literacy, and can do accounting!"

"Furthermore, I am familiar with the genealogies of the gentry in the Donghai region and even the Qingxu area, as well as local public opinion. In the past two years, I have also assisted in organizing the clan's past documents and accounts with various parties!"

Xiao Heng nodded slowly after hearing this, and then spoke.

"I happen to need a chief secretary to handle document drafting, food and equipment accounts, and also to advise on military affairs."

Xu Xianzhi's eyes shone brightly. He lifted the hem of his robe and performed a very formal military salute, not the salute of a scholar, but the salute of a subordinate.

"I will certainly fulfill my duties diligently, be cautious in my words and actions, and live up to the trust placed in me!"

Xiao Heng accepted his bow and reached out to help him up.

"I, Xiao Heng, will not fail the Xu family's trust and will do my utmost to protect you!"

He didn't quite believe that the matter was so simple, just like his relationship with Sun Wuzhong.

As he spoke, his consciousness sank into his mind, and he tried to use Character Insight on Xu Xianzhi.

[You used Character Insight, consuming 15 History Points, leaving you with 23 points.]

Name: Xu Xianzhi (Youth)

Loyalty: 58

【统御：61武力：52智力：85政治：71名望：25】

[Characteristics: Calm, Prudent, Observant, Decisive]

Talents: Administrative skills, eloquence, strategic thinking, calculation, commerce, chess, water conservancy

58's loyalty also confirmed Xiao Heng's conjecture.

But this panel is truly gorgeous, with all the attributes being perfect, especially the intelligence that reaches 85.

Aside from being autocratic, his temperament was impeccable.

He's only in his youth now, but he knows quite a lot, and he even has some ingenious schemes, which surprised Xiao Heng.

Coming to his senses, Xiao Heng once again re-examined Xu Xianzhi before him.

It would be difficult to win this person's complete loyalty; I don't really have that advantage right now.

Only by using modern understanding can we make the other party submit.

Thinking of this, Xiao Heng suddenly remembered what Xu Lin had said earlier.

Qu County was his chosen escape route, but he still knows relatively little about it.

"Young Master Xu, please come with me!"

After Xiao Heng finished speaking, he turned around and went into the temporary tent, and Xu Xianzhi followed him in.

Unfolding a simple map, Xiao Heng pointed to "Qi County".

"This is the retreat route I have chosen. The Xu family has lived in the East China Sea for a long time. How much do you know about this place? Tell me everything."

Xu Xianzhi perked up; he hadn't expected Xiao Heng to be so direct.

He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the map.

"Qi County is remote, surrounded by mountains on two sides and facing the sea on the other. There are salt fields to the north of the county, and sea routes connect it to civilian boats. Going north, one can reach Qingzhou, and going south, one can reach Jingkou. This is a hidden artery connecting to the outside world. It is the best strategy for the governor to use this place as a retreat route!"

Xiao Heng nodded after hearing this, as it was similar to the information he had gathered so far.

At this moment, Xu Xianzhi pointed to the map, his voice very low.

"The salt fields north of the county, nominally state-run, are actually secretly controlled by a distant branch of the Wang family of Taiyuan and local powerful clans. Over the years, most of the output has flowed into their own pockets, with only a small portion used to appease the imperial court!"

Before Xiao Heng could express his surprise, Xu Xianzhi spoke again.

"To ensure the smooth flow of this smuggled salt route, these wealthy salt merchants have used their profits to support no fewer than three groups of vagrant leaders, each with hundreds of outlaws, who are entrenched in the mountains and marshes surrounding the county town. They protect the salt smuggling operation on ordinary days, and when necessary, they act as private armies. The government is weak and turns a blind eye to this; this place has long been a state within a state, a lawless zone!"

Xiao Heng's eyes sharpened.

"There's such a cover-up in Qu County? Is what Young Master Xu said true?"

"The Xu family has a trade route to Shangyu; they dare not deceive the supervisor!"

From Qu County to the distant Shangyu, rather than the closer Sanwu region, it might actually be a smuggling route.

He has neither the inclination nor the strength to clash with the Wang family of Taiyuan.

Wang Gong's rapid rise after the downfall of the Xie family was not solely due to his maternal relatives; the key lay in the Qing and Xu regions.

He looked at Xu Xianzhi, still somewhat puzzled. This young man knew quite a lot at such a young age.

Xu Xianzhe felt a tightness in his heart when he was swept by that gaze. He immediately understood the other party's doubts and hurriedly spoke after a moment's thought.

"Supervisor Cao, please be wise! My father was the magistrate of Shangyu County, so he knows some things about officialdom, both inside and outside the bureaucracy. This is not mere speculation!"

"He was originally the son of Prefect Xu. My apologies, your father was a capable official and a pillar of the state, governing a region!"

Changing the subject, Xiao Heng pointed to Sikou, a strategic point where the Huai and Si rivers meet on the map.

"Young Master Xu's frankness shows his sincerity. In that case, Qu County is no safe place. With a formidable enemy at hand, I have ventured deep behind enemy lines precisely for this purpose!"

Looking at the spot Xiao Heng was pointing to, he immediately felt a sense of admiration.

Before Xu Xianzhi could respond, Xiao Heng spoke again.

"Pengcheng has fallen, and General Xie has ordered the officials and civilians of Donghai to relocate south..."

Xiao Heng revealed the entire story of the upcoming battle between the three A's.

Xu Xianzhi benefited greatly from his forward-thinking insights and predictions about the current situation.

In addition to gaining a clearer understanding of the current situation, it also sparked some interest in military affairs.

The two talked until late that night.

......