Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 500

500. Reconstruction

The rumor that Lanzhou had fallen spread far and wide.

Sichuan experienced a brief period of chaos due to the influx of refugees.

However, Wang Anmin, the Chief Administrator of Sichuan, quickly addressed the situation by opening the gates of Chengdu to accept the refugees.

His intention was twofold: to provide shelter for those displaced and to expedite the reconstruction of Chengdu, which had suffered a significant population loss due to the disaster.

As anticipated, the supply issue was readily resolved.

A substantial amount of supplies began arriving from the neighboring provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, and Hubei.

This was thanks to Public Official Park, who, after the Zhang Wei faction of the Ministry of Rites was ousted following the defeat in Lanzhou, promptly decided to offer support.

Public Official Park had made a remarkable comeback.

The Emperor not only appointed him as the temporary commander of the Right Military Command but also granted him full authority as the new Supreme Commander.

Although temporary, this appointment to the highest military position signified that Public Official Park had reached the zenith of both the eunuch and bureaucratic organizations.

He had not only regained his previous influence but had also surpassed it.

Public Official Park, the newly appointed Supreme Commander, immediately set out for Lanzhou.

He commanded a formidable force of one hundred thousand troops, twelve generals, and a vast array of cannons and supplies.

This display of strength clearly demonstrated the imperial family’s determination to quell the revolt.

***

The public sentiment in Sichuan was uneasy.

This was due to the Demon Army’s brief occupation of Chengdu and the subsequent influx of refugees from Lanzhou.

Despite this, Chengdu, though scarred by fire, was brimming with vitality.

Reconstruction supplies arrived daily, and the active acceptance of refugees ensured an ample workforce.

As a result, Chengdu was gradually recovering from the disaster and embracing hope for the future.

The Tang Clan’s estate, which had been burned, was also undergoing daily reconstruction efforts.

Outside Chengdu.

Fortunately, Yunhyun and his companions were residing in a manor that had been spared from the Demon Army’s destruction.

Wang Anmin, the Chief Administrator of Sichuan, had generously offered them the use of the manor.

While not luxurious, the mansion was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate the entire group.

However, the backyard was becoming increasingly barren due to the group’s constant martial arts practice.

“Hmm. So, Public Official Park is heading to Lanzhou?”

Guest Elder inquired, holding a teacup.

Yunhyun nodded.

“Yes. With Public Official Park’s arrival, the Demon Sect’s tyranny in Lanzhou will come to an end.”

Currently, Guest Elder and Yunhyun were enjoying tea in a small garden.

Drinking tea in the dust-filled backyard was out of the question.

“The question is how the Il Dae Sang In [One Great Merchant] will react. I doubt he’ll intervene directly.”

The Il Dae Sang In remained inactive during the Blood Cult’s downfall.

The same would likely hold true for the Demon Sect.

“What are your plans regarding the Il Dae Sang In?”

“I’m trying to locate him.”

Yunhyun replied with a serious expression.

“First of all……”

He was interrupted.

Guest Elder also raised his teacup and turned his head.

“Alliance Leader!”

Chief Strategist Yeonghojun approached with a cheerful expression.

He wasn’t alone.

*Sabeok, Sabeok* [sound of footsteps].

Tang Seol-yeon walked quietly alongside Yeonghojun.

Her younger brother, Tang Hyeok, who was gaining recognition in Chengdu, was also present.

*Step.*

The three halted.

And they bowed politely to Yunhyun and Guest Elder.

“We pay our respects to the Alliance Leader.”

*Thump.*

Yunhyun rose from his seat.

And greeted the three with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Miss Tang Seol-yeon. And it’s been a while, Great Warrior Tang Hyeok.”

Tang Hyeok, upon raising his head, offered an awkward smile.

“Great Warrior? That’s too flattering.”

He gazed at Yunhyun with admiration.

“Rather, you, Alliance Leader, are the true Great Warrior. I sincerely thank you for saving Chengdu and the Tang Clan.”

Tang Hyeok clasped his hands and bowed again in gratitude.

He had once been envious of Changryong Sword Master Yunhyun, but Yunhyun’s actions in saving the Emei Sect from the Taepyeong Alliance had deeply impressed him.

Tang Hyeok, having relinquished all distractions and dedicated himself to secluded training, took the lead in rescuing people when the Demon Army set Chengdu ablaze.

His mastery of Sword Energy Manifestation, his fearless courage, and his handsome appearance left a lasting impression on many.

So much so that Tang Hyeok was hailed as the young hero of Chengdu and the hope of the Tang Clan.

“Grandfather.”

Tang Seol-yeon addressed Guest Elder quietly.

Guest Elder turned his head and silently sipped his tea.

*Sarak.*

Tang Seol-yeon bowed deeply.

“Thank you for saving the Tang Clan.”

Tang Hyeok also bowed respectfully to the family elder.

But Guest Elder remained silent.

“The Tang Clan will never disappoint Grandfather again. So, please return whenever you wish.”

Tang Seol-yeon’s eyes, as she looked at Guest Elder, were filled with sincerity.

“I’ve said it countless times, but I am Guest Elder. It wasn’t I who saved the Tang Clan, but Hyun’s will.”

*Swish.*

Turning his gaze to Tang Seol-yeon, Guest Elder said.

“But it seems you’ve finally decided on your path, which is good.”

“……Yes.”

Tang Seol-yeon replied in a slightly trembling voice.

“Thank you. Grandfather.”

Guest Elder indifferently turned his head and continued to savor his tea.

*Sarak.*

Tang Seol-yeon turned her head and looked at Yunhyun.

“Now it’s time to fulfill our promise.”

“Yes?”

Yunhyun asked, puzzled, when suddenly Tang Hyeok knelt down.

*Thump.*

Tang Hyeok knelt and bowed his head to Yunhyun.

His fists touched the ground.

“Tang Hyeok apologizes to the Great One for the sins of the Tang Clan.”

Yunhyun was taken aback.

“No, Great Warrior, there’s no need to……”

“Tang Hyeok.”

Tang Seol-yeon interrupted Yunhyun.

“Has been appointed as the head of the Tang Clan, effective today. This is the will of the entire Tang Clan and has already been approved by the Council of Elders.”

Securing the Council of Elders’ approval wasn’t difficult.

Tang Seol-yeon obtained their consent simply by promising not to question their disgraceful act of abandoning the Tang Clan and fleeing.

Although Chief Strategist Tang Seol-yeon had recommended the evacuation, it was undeniable that the elders had deserted the Tang Clan in its time of need.

“And I also.”

Tang Seol-yeon quietly knelt before Yunhyun.

*Sarak.*

“Apologize to Changryong Sword Master for my transgressions.”

She lowered her head.

She didn’t display her usual confidence.

She sincerely acknowledged her mistakes.

“I understand.”

Yunhyun said with a gentle sigh.

“I accept your apologies. And by the authority of the Alliance Leader, I recognize the Tang Clan as a member of the Changryong Alliance, effective today.”

Tang Seol-yeon and Tang Hyeok raised their heads.

Their eyes were shining.

Chief Strategist Yeonghojun was beaming, while Guest Elder silently enjoyed his tea.

But Yunhyun could discern a faint smile on Guest Elder’s face.

A smile also blossomed on Yunhyun’s lips.

***

The Demon Sect’s forces occupied Lanzhou, a strategic point in Gansu.

Consequently, most of Gansu fell under the Demon Sect’s control.

Meanwhile, the government army, having lost Lanzhou, established a camp southwest of Lanzhou, near Xi’an, calling it the ‘Lanzhou Grand Camp’.

Public Official Park, the Supreme Commander and temporary commander of the Right Military Command, who led this Lanzhou Grand Camp, was now sitting face to face with Yunhyun in his military tent.

“You’ve been through a lot, Public Official Park.”

Yunhyun said, holding a teacup.

Public Official Park offered a gentle smile.

“Not at all. Rather, Scholar Yun has suffered. I was merely standing by.”

Public Official Park’s reinstatement was something they had both anticipated.

It was expected from the moment the so-called new powerhouses insisted on labeling the Demon Sect’s forces as a ‘rebellion’.

Public Official Park had repeatedly advised against calling it a ‘rebellion’, emphasizing that it was the ‘Demon Sect’s forces’, and even Yunhyun had personally visited the Vice Minister of War, reprimanded him, and issued a warning, but to no avail.

“No. You’ve truly endured much.”

Yunhyun said sincerely.

In reality, Public Official Park had been effectively exiled.

Yunhyun was well aware of the mental anguish he must have suffered within the imperial family, a hotbed of power struggles.

“But is this your military tent?”

Yunhyun asked, looking around as he sipped his tea.

Public Official Park nodded.

“Yes, it is. It’s just unnecessarily large.”

Typically, the Supreme Commander’s military tent is so vast and luxurious that it resembles a mansion.

But this tent was so simple that it felt almost unsettling.

“How is the plan to recapture Lanzhou progressing?”

“I am currently strategizing with the generals under my command.”

*Clatter.*

Public Official Park set down his teacup.

“Although the enemy is the Demon Sect’s forces, if we remain mindful of certain factors, it’s no different from a conventional battle. After all, in clashes between large groups, individual capabilities have a limited impact.”

The morale and training level of a group are undoubtedly important.

However, in a battle involving tens of thousands of troops, individual skills become virtually insignificant.

This is especially true when each side is aware of the other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Still, just in case, I decided to accept the Chief Strategist of the Changryong Alliance’s proposal: to assign one Taoist or monk to each unit as an advisor to the commander. Of course, this isn’t a formal organization, but rather a voluntary, temporary military service.”

Chief Strategist Yeonghojun had already provided Public Official Park with the data he had collected on the Demon Sect.

The words he had just spoken were also part of the proposal that Yeonghojun had presented to Public Official Park and Yunhyun.

“Speaking of which, I heard that you proposed to the Sichuan Chief Administrator to issue a guarantee that the government would be responsible for payment?”

Yunhyun nodded at Public Official Park’s words.

“I did. At the time, I wasn’t certain I would receive support from the central government……”

“Scholar Yun, you should have informed me of such good news sooner.”

Public Official Park said, slightly frowning.

Yunhyun looked at him, puzzled.

“Good news? What are you referring to?”

Was it good news that support from the central government was needed?

Besides, wasn’t this before Public Official Park had regained his power?

“A guarantee that’s essentially silver coins – what else could be good news? Doesn’t it mean you can make money simply by stamping a seal on paper?”

“Ah, that’s only……”

Yunhyun was about to explain that it was a temporary measure.

But Public Official Park smiled.

“We can’t entrust such an important matter to the local government of Sichuan. I have prohibited the issuance of guarantees. The imperial family should take the lead in such matters.”

“The imperial family?”

Yunhyun still didn’t understand.

But Public Official Park was beaming.

“Yes. The Crown Prince heard about it and was delighted. He said it’s a brilliant plan that can solve the financial problems of the imperial family and the court at once. We don’t need it right now because our finances are strong, but it will be a great help in case of emergency.”

“But believing that you can make money simply by stamping a seal on paper is a dangerous idea.”

Yunhyun said with a serious expression.

“There have been many cases where merchants who thought that way collapsed due to the sudden influx of guarantees. You should never issue them lightly.”

“That’s right.”

Public Official Park nodded in agreement.

“That’s why I banned the issuance of guarantees in Sichuan. Ah, come to think of it, I heard that the daughter of Chief Gyodu of Ilchung County is the Chief Inspector of Hoam Merchant Group?”

“That’s correct.”

Public Official Park smiled.

“After this revolt is over, would you send that person to the imperial family for a while? The Crown Prince is very interested in this matter, so he will probably be happy to meet her.”

It was beneficial that the Crown Prince was interested in the activities of the merchant group.

The theory that the country should be enriched by valuing commerce has existed since ancient times.

“I understand. I’ll speak with Sister Ayoung.”

“Yes, thank you. Hehehe.”

Public Official Park covered his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled.

Yunhyun quietly raised his teacup.

The eerie military tent was now filled with the delicate fragrance of tea.