noveltune Chapter 101 Blackstone New Base
Chapter 101 Blackstone New Base
As December approached, the north wind grew increasingly fierce, sweeping across the vast, rugged ridges of Canglang Mountain, whipping up sleet-like snowflakes that stung the face like needles. The sky was leaden gray, pressing down heavily, blurring the contours of the mountains, leaving only a chaotic, desolate gray-white expanse.
Lin Yan stood high on the hillside, his cloak fluttering in the wind, his gaze fixed on Blackstone Town below.
Compared to when I left a few months ago, the scene before me is quite different—not desolate, but rather showing signs of genuine prosperity.
The dilapidated town wall of that time has now been reinforced and repaired. Although the rammed earth walls are still rough, they are much neater. Several collapsed gaps have been repaired with bluestone and wood, and thorny bushes have even been planted on top of the walls to prevent climbing. The old shacks of the refugee camp outside the town have disappeared, replaced by a row of newly built adobe houses in the northeast corner of the town. Although they are also built with earthen walls and thatched roofs, it is clear that they have been built with care—the foundations are rammed, the walls are thick, and the doors and windows, though simple, are airtight. Each house has a small open space in front of it, some of which have been fenced off, and the tilled land can be faintly seen.
As noon approached, wisps of smoke rose from the town's chimneys, much denser than before. The greyish-white plumes of smoke climbed crookedly in the cold wind, yet exuded a genuine, warm, and lived-in atmosphere. A few pedestrians could be seen on the streets; though still simply dressed, their faces no longer bore the bleakness of despair, and their steps were more grounded. Occasionally, children would chase and laugh as they ran through the alleyways, their clear laughter adding a touch of life to the bleak winter day.
"It's only been a few months..." Su Qingyao stood beside Lin Yan, looking down at the revitalized town, a hint of surprise flashing in her clear eyes. "It's so much better than when we left."
Lu Ling, Zhou Fu, and the others nodded in agreement. When they left the town, although the demonic threat had been eliminated, the people were still in a state of panic and everything was in need of rebuilding. Now, the town was beginning to show signs of peace and prosperity.
Lin Yan remained silent, his gaze calmly sweeping over every corner of the town. He saw the reinforced town walls, the newly built houses, the orderly streets and alleys, and also the wide open space at the western end of the town that was clearly newly built and enclosed by a wooden fence—that was the Black Stone Guard's training ground, from which the faint sounds of orderly shouts could be heard.
This change was exactly what he expected, yet it came even faster than he anticipated. It seemed that Zhang Bo and Shi Hu had not only followed the original charter, but had done it exceptionally well.
"Let's go into town." He withdrew his gaze, his voice not loud, but clear enough to penetrate the wind and reach the ears of everyone behind him.
Three blue-draped mule carts, along with more than twenty riders, slowly drove down the hillside, traversing the newly leveled dirt road covered with a thin layer of frost, and arrived at the east gate of Blackstone Town.
The village gate has been renovated. The original simple door, pieced together from logs, has been replaced by two sturdy iron-clad wooden doors. The hinges have been greased, so although they still make a sound when opened and closed, it is no longer harsh. Above the lintel, on a newly made wooden plaque, the ink on the three large characters "Black Stone Town" has dried; the strokes, though not powerful, are neat and upright.
The gatekeepers were still Shi Hu's old men, but they had changed their attire. Both were wearing slightly worn indigo cotton-padded jackets, over which were leather armor, and standard-issue swords at their waists. Although their faces were blue from the cold wind, they stood ramrod straight, their eyes scanning the road warily. Hearing the sound of hooves, the two turned their heads at the same time.
Upon recognizing the figure seated atop the leading black horse, the older member of the team on the left trembled and exclaimed in a trembling voice, "Lord Lin... Lord Lin?!"
The younger team members on the right also realized what was happening and quickly shoved their companions, shouting, "Quick! Open the gate! Lord Lin is back!"
The two men frantically pulled open the heavy bolt, pushed open the gate, and ran forward to greet him. The frostbite on their faces deepened, a result of their excitement. The older member of the team clasped his hands in a salute, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Sir! You're finally back!"
Lin Yan dismounted, handed the reins to the team members behind him, and stepped forward to support their shoulders as they bent over. "It's freezing cold, you've worked hard." He spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping over the two men's faces, which were red from the cold but full of energy, and then looking at their neat uniforms. He understood—it seemed that the reserves distributed to the Chen and Zhao families had indeed been put to good use.
"It's not hard work! It's not hard work!" the two said repeatedly. The younger one couldn't help but add, "Sir, everyone in town... remembers your kindness! Uncle Zhang often says that if it weren't for the money and connections you left behind, we don't know how we would have survived this winter!"
Lin Yan nodded, said nothing more, and led his horse into the town.
The convoy followed slowly behind. The wheels rolled over the smooth road, making only a soft "rustling" sound. The clattering of hooves, in this winter afternoon town, did not seem abrupt, but rather like a prelude to a homecoming.
The news spread faster than the wind.
First, the doors of a few houses near the village gate creaked open, revealing surprised faces. Then, more doors opened, and people flocked to the street, craning their necks to peer inside. Most were wearing thick cotton-padded coats—though still coarse and old, they provided warmth; their faces, though bearing the marks of labor, no longer showed signs of hunger. When they recognized the familiar black horse and the dusty yet upright young figure on its back, a fervent light instantly shone in many people's eyes.
"It really is Lord Lin!"
"Lord Lin is back!"
"Those cars behind...and the new brothers..."
The low, suppressed murmurs of discussion, like spring water breaking through ice, quickly spread through the streets and alleys. Many faces unconsciously broke into smiles, a genuine sense of relief and joy at seeing their leader return.
Under the old locust tree, Uncle Zhang and several old friends were counting several baskets of mountain produce and hides they had just harvested from the mountains, with some dried herbs piled up beside them. Hearing the noise, Uncle Zhang straightened up and shaded his eyes with his hand to look over. When he saw who it was, the old man's eyes, worn somewhat cloudy by the years, suddenly lit up, like a dried-up spring gushing forth again.
He threw down the account book in his hand, not even bothering to brush the dust off his clothes, and hurried forward. His steps were much lighter than usual, and even his back seemed to be straighter.
"Lord Lin! Miss Su!" Uncle Zhang's voice was still hoarse, but full of energy, brimming with genuine joy. "We've been waiting for you to return! Was your journey safe?"
Lin Yan stopped, looking at the old man's face, now wrinkled but much rosier, and then at the neatly arranged mountain goods and furs under the old locust tree. He understood perfectly—this was the plan he had laid out before leaving the town: to use a portion of the confiscated silver from the Chen Fuhai and Zhao Mang families as capital to organize the townspeople to go into the mountains to collect medicinal herbs, delicacies, and hunt furs, then sell them through channels secretly arranged by Zhou Yan in Qingzhou Prefecture, exchanging them for necessities such as grain, salt, iron, and cloth. Now it seemed this path had not only worked, but was working quite well.
"Uncle Zhang, everything is fine," Lin Yan said gently, his gaze sweeping over the mountain goods. "Judging from this, is the 'mountain goods route' for our Black Stone Town going smoothly?"
"It's all right! It's all right!" Uncle Zhang nodded repeatedly, every wrinkle on his face radiating satisfaction. "Everything was done exactly as you left behind, sir! We had enough money and capital, plenty of supplies in the mountains, and the people Mr. Sun arranged to receive the goods in Qingzhou Prefecture were honest and fair, never delaying payment. This autumn and winter, we not only paid back our initial investment, but also accumulated a considerable surplus in the public treasury! Otherwise, where would we have gotten the money and grain to repair houses, mend the city walls, and buy winter clothes for everyone?"
He paused, then glanced at the new recruits behind Lin Yan, their expressions grave and their eyes sharp, and at the heavy mule carts. His hope grew even stronger: "Sir, are you staying for a long time this time?"
"Yes." Lin Yan nodded, his voice clear and certain. "By order of Chief Zhou of the Demon Suppression Division, we are establishing a long-term garrison here to wipe out the remnants of Canglang Mountain and assist in the expansion of Blackstone Town. We won't be leaving anytime soon."
The words, though not loud, seemed to carry immense weight, carried by the cold wind to the ears of the growing crowd. After a brief silence, a cheer erupted from the crowd, even more enthusiastic and heartfelt than before!
"Great! Lord Lin isn't leaving!"
"Our Blackrock Town is truly on the verge of prosperity!"
Many people clapped their hands vigorously, their faces beaming with smiles. The young man who had not only saved them from death but also given them a way to survive had truly returned, and was going to stay long-term, leading them to expand the town! For the people of Blackstone Town, who had just tasted success and seen hope through the trade of mountain products, this was like adding fuel to the fire of their already thriving business!
Lin Yan raised his hand, and the crowd gradually quieted down, their trusting eyes gazing at him eagerly.
"Fellow villagers," Lin Yan's gaze swept over the faces, some familiar and some unfamiliar, all filled with anticipation, "I am greatly gratified to see the town transformed. This proves that as long as we are on the right path, united, and willing to put in the effort, we can overcome even the most difficult circumstances."
He paused, letting his words sink in, before continuing, "However, this progress is just the beginning. The trade in mountain products can keep us fed and clothed, but if we want the future generations of Blackstone Town to no longer live in fear and for every family to live in peace and prosperity, we need to do more and lay a more solid foundation."
The crowd held their breath and listened intently; even the cold wind seemed to subside.
"Starting tomorrow, the Demon Suppression Division will recruit more able-bodied men to reinforce and expand the town walls, repair roads leading to various places, and clear wasteland outside the town in preparation for future expansion. All participants will be treated well, with wages paid daily in grain, rice, salt, cloth, or copper coins."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. Having work and money to earn were tangible benefits, and now that everyone had some extra cash, they were even more eager to make their lives better.
"Furthermore," Lin Yan's voice rose a few decibels, carrying a convincing calmness, "a 'public school' will be formally established in the town. All school-age children in the town, regardless of gender, can enroll and learn to read and write. At the same time, the Demon Suppression Division will add a 'Spell Introduction' course, selecting children with spirituality and patience to be taught by specialists to learn basic spell identification and drawing. This is the foundation for their future livelihood, and no fees will be charged. All writing materials will be provided by the public treasury."
These words caused an even greater shock. Reading and writing were already a great thing, but now they could even learn those mysterious "runes"? Although it was just an introduction, it meant that their children might really have the opportunity to step into that world that only men could access in the past! Many parents were so excited that their hands trembled, and their eyes were filled with indescribable gratitude as they looked at Lin Yan.
"Furthermore," Lin Yan concluded, his tone steady and powerful, "the Demon Suppression Division will construct a permanent defensive pass at the perilous Eagle's Beak Gorge outside the town. We will also expand the 'Crafts Workshops' within the town, going beyond the existing wood, stone, and ironwork. We will add new workshops for 'talisman material processing' and 'machinery polishing,' recruiting or training various craftspeople. The scale will far exceed what it was before. Anyone with a skill, or anyone strong and willing to learn new crafts, is welcome to apply. The benefits are excellent, and their families will be given priority."
His gaze swept across the entire room, and he spoke each word with crystal clarity: "Blackstone Town will not merely be a town that relies on the mountains for its livelihood. It will become a city, a city with sturdy walls, thriving workshops, the sound of reading, hope—a city that belongs to us, a city where everyone can stand tall and proud!"
A series of messages, like thunderclaps in spring, resounded in people's hearts. Expanding the town walls and building roads to reclaim wasteland were laying a solid foundation; children's early education and the learning of runes were sowing the seeds for the future; expanding workshops, building passes, and even constructing a city were painting an unprecedentedly grand blueprint!
Hope is no longer a distant starlight, but a visible and tangible path. Many people were moved to tears, looking at each other and seeing a burning flame in each other's eyes—a yearning for a better life and an unreserved trust in the young man who led them to a better future.
Lin Yan said no more, and said to Uncle Zhang, "Uncle Zhang, I would like to ask for your help to inform every household of the details I just mentioned. Those who are willing to work or sign up should register in detail under the old locust tree at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."
"Good! Good!" Uncle Zhang nodded vigorously, every wrinkle on his face radiating energy. "I understand! I'll go spread the word right away, and I'll make sure every household knows!"
Lin Yan then said to Zhou Fu and Zhao Si behind him, "Zhou Fu, Zhao Si, you take your men and lead the convoy to the reserved open space in the town to unload the cargo. Inventory the supplies and, according to the previously agreed list, properly place the grain, tools, building materials, etc., prepared specifically for this expansion. Also, take a portion of the daily necessities and hand them over to Uncle Zhang to replenish the town's public treasury."
"Yes!" Zhou Fu and Zhao Si solemnly accepted the order and immediately led their men into action.
"Lu Ling, Wang Dashan," Lin Yan turned to the two of them, "come with me to see Shi Hu first, to understand the current situation of Black Stone Guard and the town's defense arrangements, and then we will go to survey the specific location of Eagle Beak Pass."
"yes!"
After everything was arranged, Lin Yan said gently to Su Qingyao, who had been standing quietly by his side, "Qingyao, you must be tired from the journey. You should go with the caravan to settle in first. As for Lingquan... there's no rush. I'll go with you tomorrow."
Su Qingyao softly hummed in agreement, raising her clear eyes to look at him. A hint of weariness lingered in her eyes, but more so, a sense of reassurance and tenderness. "Don't overwork yourself," she whispered, then turned and followed the convoy of supplies towards the reserved open space in the town. The hem of her moon-white cloak brushed against the smooth dirt road as she moved with light steps.
Lin Yan watched her leave before leading Lu Ling and Wang Dashan toward the Black Stone Guard's encampment at the western end of the town, a place that had been significantly expanded and stood imposingly.