novelraw Chapter 31: Blessing
Chapter 31: Blessing
Chapter 31 Blessing
Seeing that Wen Gu and the others were still there, the two breathed a sigh of relief. It was good they hadn't set off yet and could catch up.
Yu Er walked beside He Da, paying attention to the movements around them.
The figures in front were easy to identify. However, his attention was first drawn to the children.
He heard the two children call Zhou Shan "Dad." It seemed they were indeed the children of this military official. The children looked quite spirited.
After being introduced to Wen Gu and Yu Er, the two street loafers wasted no time and expressed their desire to follow them north.
Yu Er said, "Our County Magistrate Tan is a capable man. Half a month ago, our family intended to go north with him, but we ran into trouble at home. By the time it was resolved, we had missed the opportunity."
The county magistrate's main team had already set their departure time and wouldn't change it easily. They could only watch County Magistrate Tan lead his people away.
Yu Er just wanted to tell Wen Gu and the others that their whole family had planned to go north all along. They missed the chance once, and now they encountered someone heading north. You, a scholar, look decent. You have relatives in the northern lands. We're rooting for you.
At this time, He Da also said, "We don't know much about places outside Feng County, but we used to hang out in the streets and heard a lot of news. Maybe this can help."Yu Er added, "We'll bring our own provisions."
Wen Gu seemed a little hesitant, "May I ask how many relatives and friends you plan to bring? Are there any elderly or children among them?"
He Da said, "It's just my brother and me left at home, possibly two or three friends. My brother is twelve years old and used to study at the county academy. He is quiet and sensible."
Yu Er thought for a moment and said, "You probably know my family of four – myself, my brother and sister-in-law, and my niece. Perhaps two more friends."
Wen Gu was satisfied in his heart. The number was acceptable. He said slowly, "Could you two wait for a moment?"
"Of course, we'll wait right there."
Knowing Wen Gu and the others needed to discuss, He Da and Yu Er moved aside. They were still a bit nervous.
The two analyzed in low voices—
The scholar surnamed Wen would most likely not refuse. This person seemed easy to talk to. As for County Lieutenant Zhou and the Taoist priest, it was unclear if they would agree.
Daoist Master Qingyi maintained an indifferent stance. If anything, he leaned towards accepting more people, as it would mean having extra hands for chores later.
Little Liu and Tietou would follow Wen Gu's lead.
County Lieutenant Zhou was hesitant, having been betrayed before, making him guarded. However, after Wen Gu's analysis, he agreed.
First, more people make things easier. The journey was perilous, and a larger group would indeed be safer.
Second, he had two young children who had been traumatized, and a nephew aged twelve or thirteen. Perhaps having a couple more children in the group would improve their mental state.
Human hearts were unpredictable. But one couldn't reject everyone approaching just because of past betrayal.
Although he agreed, Zhou Shan couldn't help but remind Wen Gu, "In chaotic times, human nature is complex. Don't be overly benevolent."
"Thank you for the reminder, County Lieutenant Zhou," Wen Gu bowed slightly.
He stood in the morning light of the rising sun, his entire being seeming to be bathed in a golden glow. His gaze towards the distant mountains was clear and determined.
"When I was traveling, I once heard a saying, 'Walking alone is fast, walking together is far.'
"The current world is perilous, far more so than the disasters recorded in history books. Without banding together for warmth, it will be difficult to survive. If a hundred people are of one mind, they achieve the strength of a hundred. If they cross the river in the same boat, they share the hardships. With concerted effort, the goal will surely be reached!"
Zhou Shan opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
He knew the benefits of banding together, of course. He just wanted to correct Wen Gu's indiscriminate benevolence.
However, it seemed the scholar's conviction was firm and wouldn't change easily. But such people were less likely to betray.
Forget it. With him around to keep watch, there shouldn't be any major problems.
After settling internal matters, Wen Gu came to inform He Da and Yu Er of the result.
Upon learning they were accepted, the two showed joy. At the same time, they thought: it was indeed best to approach the scholar surnamed Wen first!
However, having spent much time in the market, they were also more cautious. Next time, they would bring their families. They bore a significant responsibility and needed to probe and understand more.
He Da's eyes darted, and he showed gratitude, "Thank you so much. We are of humble status. We used to be looked down upon in the county, and everything we did was met with suspicion... You are good people!"
Wen Gu's eyes were clear, and he smiled with scholarly grace, "A sense of right and wrong is the root of wisdom. I can see that you are not wicked people."
He Da then spoke emotionally about the tragedy his family had suffered. At such a time, pleading for sympathy in front of such a kind-hearted scholar would allow him to ask for more benefits for his younger brother later.
Wen Gu listened, his expression melancholic. He sighed and briefly mentioned his own background – his family had also suffered a catastrophe, leaving only him and his brother. They were heading north to their relatives.
"Although it is difficult, precisely because of this, we must persevere. We will eventually see the dawn. No matter when, scholars and military men have opportunities to prove their worth. After studying the classics for so many years, I also want to make a name for myself in the northern lands.
"When the epidemic subsides, my brother and I will return home in glory. We only buried their remains hastily before. When we return, we will buy them good coffins, invite experts to perform rituals and move their graves to a place with better feng shui. Then, we will build a magnificent ancestral hall so that the deceased can enjoy the offerings of future generations..."
He Da had initially intended to act, but as he listened, his vision blurred, and tears welled up in his eyes.
He unconsciously fantasized along with Wen Gu's words, his breathing becoming heavy. He also thought about life and death.
Indeed!
People, especially in difficult times, must strive to climb higher!
Otherwise, they would be completely trampled into the mud!
He also wanted to make a name for himself in the northern lands. When he returned, he would move graves and repair tombs, build an ancestral hall for the He family, and burn offerings so that his parents and younger sister could live in large houses below, served by servants!
Yu Er beside him felt a little empathetic, but not much. He was more focused on the immediate difficulties.
He clasped his hands in a salute, interrupting the atmosphere, and asked, "There is one more thing. My elder brother cannot rest easy. He is the only blacksmith in the city and has not taken any apprentices. The county needs someone to forge weapons for defense. He is worried about leaving..."
"Blacksmith Yu is a righteous person!" Wen Gu sighed, pondering for a moment. "I heard from He Da that some people in the city used to work as guards at your house? Did they learn any skills?"
Yu Er: Huh?
That's right, there were those guards who learned the craft secretly!
Those people didn't open their own blacksmith shops before, not because they didn't want to.
They must have learned some skills, but was it easy to be a blacksmith? Blacksmithing was also a regulated industry by the government. Not everyone had the conditions to set up a blacksmith shop!
But now there was no one managing it. After his family left, the shop would remain in the county. The furnace and bellows, those were all there. Even without a shop, the government had such places. County Magistrate Tan and the others couldn't take away those large pieces of equipment.
Even if those former guards' skills weren't as good, the tools they made would be usable. With more practice, their skills would improve.
Solving his elder brother's worry, Yu Er was overjoyed. "Thank you!"
Then he thought, this scholar surnamed Wen was quite clever. Could he be up to something?
Yu Er asked casually, "Are all you scholars this kind to others?"
Wen Gu's eyes held tolerance and sincerity as he replied, "I don't know about others.
"But the wise men of old said, 'Love given returns, blessings sent come back.' To me, you are a blessing."
(End of this chapter)