Chapter 117 Special Treatment

Chapter 117 Special Treatment

Jiang Huaiyu frowned and replied in a low voice, "No, if I go, I will definitely be assigned to a unit in the military camp, and then we will be separated and unable to look after each other."

What's there to be afraid of about breaking up?

Jiang Yutang glared at him anxiously: "Think about it, the soldiers will definitely receive preferential treatment. At least they won't have to do hard labor like moving stones or digging irrigation ditches, and their food and lodging will be much better."

Seeing that Jiang Huaiyu was still hesitant, she softened her tone and coaxed, "Once you make a name for yourself in the army, even if you don't become a high-ranking official, as long as you have a military rank, no one in Danzhou will dare to bully our family. Isn't that a good deal?"

Jiang Huaiyu frowned and turned to look at her family.

Jiang Shengan nodded to him, and Yun Shi also encouraged him with her eyes. Jiang Songzhi even made a "go with peace of mind" gesture.

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed helplessly and slowly walked out of the crowd.

The long-bearded soldier saw that there was another person, nodded in satisfaction, stepped down from the platform, and came to them to check the physical condition of each of them.

The long-bearded soldier stepped down from the platform and slowly paced around the group of people.

As he passed Lanzhou, he deliberately stopped and stared at the young man, whose face was as handsome as jade and whose figure was as upright as a pine tree, for a long time. His brows furrowed slightly: "What's your name? Which military camp did you serve in before?"

Cheng Lanzhou's eyes flickered slightly as he met the other person's scrutinizing gaze. His voice was steady and powerful: "Cheng Lanzhou, formerly served in the Southern Border Zhenguo Army Camp."

"Cheng Lanzhou?"

The soldiers were taken aback at first, then their faces broke into genuine smiles. They quickly cupped their hands and said, "So you are General Cheng, who guarded the southern border back then. It's an honor to meet you!"

His attitude instantly became much more respectful, and even his tone of voice became gentler.

Everyone had heard of General Cheng's reputation in the Southern Border, and even though he was now an exiled prisoner, their respect for him had not diminished in the slightest.

He then walked up to Jiang Huaiyu, reached out and squeezed the firm muscles on Jiang Huaiyu's arm, feeling the solid texture under his palm, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Of these people, only you and General Cheng are worth watching; you're both skilled fighters."

After saying that, he raised his chin and ordered the personal guard beside him: "Take them to the West Camp and hand them over to Commandant Zhao personally."

The group responded and led Cheng Lanzhou, Jiang Huaiyu, and the others away.

After they left, the remaining refugees were quickly regrouped.

Strong and able-bodied men were singled out and taken by ordinary soldiers for drill training. In Jiang Yutang's words, this was "onboarding training."

The elderly, women, and children were all assigned to menial tasks, such as fetching water, cooking, and cleaning the camp.

Jiang Yutang looked up at the gray sky and sighed heavily.

She never expected that after finally arriving in Danzhou, she would find herself in such a helpless and subservient situation.

He had two thousand taels of silver in his pocket, but he couldn't even buy a clean handkerchief. The feeling of having money but not being able to spend it was more frustrating than having no money at all.

Or perhaps we could try bribing the soldier in charge? At least that would lessen the suffering for our family.

Before she could think it through, the soldiers led everyone to a place backed by the mountains and assigned them to rest in a dilapidated wooden house.

The wooden hut was dark and damp, filled with a musty smell. It was already inhabited by a few people, who appeared to be refugees exiled from different places. Most of them scrambled to sleep on a tattered quilt spread on the wooden planks.

Jiang Yutang took out the bamboo mat she had brought and helped Jiang Shengan and Zhu Shi spread it in a relatively dry corner of the wall. She gently comforted them, saying, "I'll find a chance to go out tomorrow and see if I can buy some thick bedding and daily necessities. We can't keep making do like this."

Yun patted her hand with a wry smile.

Just then, a series of heavy footsteps came from the doorway, followed by a gruff shout.

Are Jiang Shengan and Lin Wanyu here?

Everyone looked up and saw a soldier standing at the door, holding a letter and scanning the room.

Jiang Shengan quickly stood up: "I am Jiang Shengan. May I ask what brings you here, sir?"

In another corner of the room, Cheng Dai'er helped Lin Shi slowly stand up, her voice gentle yet firm: "I am Lin Wanyu."

The soldier looked up and sized up the two men. Although they were simply dressed, they exuded a scholarly air and dignified demeanor, which set them apart from the other refugees. He beckoned them over and said, "Pack your belongings. This is not a place for you to stay."

The group looked at each other with puzzled expressions. The soldier urged them impatiently twice, and they hurriedly gathered up their bamboo mats, bundles, and other belongings, then followed the soldier out of the wooden house.

The group passed through several warehouses storing provisions and finally stopped in front of two tents. Standing in front of them were the long-bearded soldiers who had just been giving orders from the high platform.

The soldier stepped forward quickly and reported: "Captain Wu, the man has been brought."

Captain Wu nodded, turned around and glanced at them, his tone much more polite than before: "Your positions will be arranged by the court, and you do not need to participate in the miscellaneous labor of ordinary refugees."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yutang froze instantly, her eyes widening in surprise, her mind racing as she quickly began to calculate.

Could it be that Jiang Huaiyu has already made a contribution as soon as he entered the army? This benefit came too quickly; it's as if Jiang Huaiyu has brought his whole family to "ascension."

Captain Wu waved the letter in his hand and explained, "The imperial court, mindful of your past service to the country, has specially approved some suitable and easy assignments for you, which can be considered as a way for you to atone for your past mistakes."

"So what should we do?" Cheng Dai'er's eyes were full of anticipation.

"Young Master Jiang was previously the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue." Captain Wu read aloud as he looked at the contents of the letter. "Tomorrow, you will go directly to the Northern Garrison Commander to report for duty and be in charge of agricultural promotion and land management in Danzhou, as well as coordinating grain and forage planting."

Jiang Jiuzhe remained calm and leaned forward slightly: "Yes."

Captain Wu looked up at Jiang Songzhi and asked, "Young Master Jiang, would you be willing to become a teacher at Danzhou Academy and teach the children of soldiers and civilians to read and write?"

Jiang Songzhi quickly clasped his hands and bowed, his tone earnest: "I would be honored to do my part in education, and I thank you for your kindness, General."

Captain Wu nodded, then turned his gaze to Jiang Sumin, pondered for a moment, and asked, "What are you good at?"

Jiang Sumin was taken aback, glancing evasively at his family: "I'm good at accounting and bookkeeping, and I've managed the accounts of the family shop."

Captain Wu clapped his hands: "That's perfect. The camp's accounting office is short-staffed. You can report for duty tomorrow and be responsible for registering the income and expenditure of grain and fodder."

After arranging the men, his gaze finally fell on the women.

Upon seeing Jiang Yutang, he said, "I heard that you were the one who took care of the sick exiles in the previous group. Your medical skills are quite good?"

Jiang Yutang was overjoyed, knowing that her chance had come. She quickly smiled and nodded, "It's just some basic medical skills, nothing more than a small favor. I owe it all to my father for sending me to the Imperial Hospital back then, where I studied medicine and pharmacology under the imperial physicians for a few years."

"Oh? You've had such experiences at such a young age?"

Captain Wu was quite surprised and immediately made a decision: "Then you will serve as the camp's doctor from now on, taking care of the injured and sick refugees and occasionally going to the military camp to treat the soldiers."