novelraw Chapter 32: Truly, He's the Person I Chose
Chapter 32: Truly, He's the Person I Chose
Chapter 32: Truly, He's the Person I Chose
Although I want to recruit more newcomers, it's better to inform them of certain things in advance.
Wen Gu told them, "I drew a simple route map yesterday. We likely won't be on the same road as County Magistrate Tan's team. The journey is perilous; please consider it carefully!"
Wen Gu emphasized "perilous journey" and "consider carefully."
He Da and Yu Er were stunned when they heard this.
They had actually thought about catching up with the main group.
With so many people, County Magistrate Tan's team would definitely not be fast. Wen Gu's group was small. If they picked up the pace, they would certainly be much faster, and it should be possible to catch up, right? Moreover, the areas the main group passed through would have the evil creatures slain, making it safer.
But now that Wen Gu informed them they weren't traveling together, they felt a little hesitant.
He Da and Yu Er discussed in low voices.
Yu Er: "Actually, not traveling together is fine too."With such a large group passing through, everything along the way would be scavenged, and even the ground might be scraped clean. If they followed behind, they wouldn't even be able to find food.
There might also be a lot of garbage left behind, and even the water sources might not be clean.
Without firewood and food replenishment, it would be even more difficult.
The weather was getting colder, and the threat of evil creatures outside had significantly decreased. The most important things for traveling now were food, water, and firewood.
A moment later, the two informed Wen Gu of their decision—
It didn't matter if they weren't traveling together; they would follow Wen Gu north. They would also contribute along the way and protect Wen Gu, only hoping that Wen Gu could arrange for them upon arrival at their destination.
With the agreement reached, He Da and Yu Er also had to act immediately. The situation in the city was unstable, and delays could lead to changes.
The longer they dragged on, the more trouble they were likely to cause.
Wen Gu said, "We will wait here for one more day, and we will set off tomorrow morning."
"Thank you!"
The two turned and left, then quickly parted ways.
They each had their own preparations.
Yu Er bypassed a patch of woods and came to a hill. Behind it was a hollow where a small shack was built with dry grass and bamboo. Two young people were already waiting beside it.
These were Yu Er's two friends from outside the city, both around seventeen or eighteen years old.
The two looked somewhat alike and appeared to be brothers, but one of them was actually a girl disguised as a boy; they were twin siblings.
Because of their exceptionally delicate features, they had been entangled by a folk force from the city and had been hiding outside the city for the past half month.
"How is it?" Yu Er strode over.
"It's done! We even used smoke last night."
The two used wooden sticks to move aside a pile of dry grass, revealing a two-wheeled cart hidden beneath.
On the cart were already placed a small iron pot, two slightly chipped knives, a bow and a quiver of arrows, as well as other miscellaneous daily necessities.
These were all things they had secretly saved up.
They had previously thought about finding an opportunity to sneak these things into the city, but now, leaving them outside just saved them trouble.
Yu Er showed joy.
Most of the original means of transport in the county town and surrounding villages had been taken by County Magistrate Tan, and the remaining small portion was controlled by those factions in the city. It was really not easy to obtain and hide them.
Besides what was on the cart, his family would also bring many belongings. This wooden cart would be very useful! His young niece could also sit on it.
"Alright, you two prepare yourselves as well. We set off tomorrow morning! Be on guard against He Da then. He and his crowd of hangers-on are very cunning; they might take advantage of us."
Having secured the means of transport, Yu Er shouldered a small bundle of firewood he had prepared and entered the city. He didn't mind being extorted for two more bundles of firewood by the gatekeepers.
He had more important matters to attend to.
The He surname had too many schemes; he needed to add more safeguards for his own side. His own brother and sister-in-law were simple-minded, and his niece was too young. His two friends had average combat effectiveness...
The scholar surnamed Wen's mention of guards today made him think of a few more people.
However, on this matter, he had to choose carefully. They needed to have a certain fighting ability, be on good terms with his family, and be able to keep their mouths shut...
With this thought, after returning to the city, Yu Er didn't go home immediately but went to another street.
An ordinary courtyard, the outer wall was still intact, indicating that someone lived here and could preserve their own courtyard walls.
The door was not tightly closed; it opened with a push.
Yu Er didn't knock but pushed the door open, quickly went inside, closed it, and then called out in a low voice towards the house, "Fifth Uncle, are you there?"
A commotion came from inside.
Yu Er walked in, observing his surroundings.
Fifth Uncle shared the same surname as them; perhaps they were from the same family hundreds of years ago, but they were not close relatives now. They knew each other because Fifth Uncle used to be a guard for their family.
Fifth Uncle didn't look robust but was thin and strong. In his youth, he worked hard carrying goods and accumulated wealth, and later served as their family's guard.
The last time he visited, this small courtyard was meticulously organized and lively, with elders and children, and the scolding of women.
Now, upon his arrival, the small courtyard was empty. The dirt and debris left recently had not been cleaned up, and a smell of blood emanated from the house.
Yu Er did not go inside but stood at the entrance of the house.
The light inside was dim. Yu Er took half a step forward before he could barely see clearly.
A tall, thin figure leaned against the wall, sitting amidst a pile of debris. There was a wound on his exposed arm, which was bleeding. Some of the bloodstains on the ground had already dried. He didn't know how long he had been sitting there.
Seeing this, Yu Er quietly stepped back half a step before saying, "Fifth Uncle, County Magistrate Tan said that if you're injured, you should get it bandaged promptly, or you might get infected by evil energy."
The person sitting there had a hoarse voice, let out a laugh, and showed no other reaction. The person exuded a spirit of "I'll die if I die, whatever."
Yu Er could understand Fifth Uncle's current mood.
He had asked around and learned that half a month ago, Fifth Uncle had made a deal with the leader of a folk force. Fifth Uncle would stay in the city and act as a thug until East Third Street was taken, in exchange for some food and supplies for his wife, children, and parents.
On the day County Magistrate Tan's team left the city, Fifth Uncle sent his family into the northern migration team and truly returned to be a thug.
Yu Er said, "I heard that yesterday, East Third Street was taken by you guys."
There was no response from the other side.
Yu Er didn't care. He looked around, lowered his voice, and said, "Fifth Uncle, do you want to go north?"
The person sitting there looked up abruptly, "Can go north?!"
"There's a team passing by. I just went out of the city to scout. It's a small team, not many people, but they seem to be people of status, and there's even a county lieutenant.
"But that scholar is easier to talk to. He has relatives in the north who are military officials, so we should be able to settle down if we go there. Although it might not be the same place as where County Magistrate Tan is going, as long as we can settle down, Fifth Uncle will have a chance to see your wife and children again."
Yu Er's voice was not loud but was enough for the other party to hear clearly.
"Really?" Fifth Uncle's dry voice gained some strength.
"See you outside the city at dawn tomorrow. Don't let anyone know. Also, you should treat your wound first."
Yu Er didn't stay long.
If Fifth Uncle had already been infected by evil energy, then it was fate!
After Yu Er left, the middle-aged man sitting there finally reacted and suddenly got up to wash his wound. He then suddenly remembered what County Magistrate Tan had instructed the people when he was there, so he first used a clean cloth to wipe the wound and bandaged it. It took him a lot of effort to start a fire to boil water. He didn't wait for it to cool; he took a cloth towel to clean the wound, his face contorted in pain.
But he became energetic.
He had been missing his family terribly during this time and was holding on with the single breath to fulfill his promise and then return home to perish.
He hadn't expected to suddenly see hope; he couldn't fall at this moment!
Go north!
Yu Er was right. As long as they went north and could settle down, they might have a chance to see their parents and children again in the future!
After leaving Fifth Uncle's house, Yu Er went to find a few more people.
However, upon probing, he discovered that these people were unreliable and their minds had changed. He didn't know if they had been brainwashed by those folk forces, but they all planned to target those rich households and noble families passing through from south to north during the period from late autumn to early spring.
Last year, many wealthy families had moved north. County Magistrate Tan had traded grain and medicine with people. The process was unknown, but the trade was said to be quick. Everyone thought it should be quite simple. After much deliberation, they came up with only a few methods—
If the other party had few people, they would directly seize the supplies. If the other party had many people, they would treat them with courtesy and make a profit. Now, the county town was their territory!
Seeing this, Yu Er didn't say much more to those people. He made a perfunctory reply and immediately went home to inform his brother and sister-in-law to pack their things and flee tomorrow morning.
They were out of grain now, but they could use the remaining items at home to exchange for it. Anything they couldn't take could be exchanged for something else needed for the journey.
However, this had to be done covertly and separately.
Several large water vats were all exchanged with people for food.
Ordinary residents certainly wouldn't have much, but the members of those folk force gangs had some inventory.
However, they were severely underpriced.
Those people might still harbor a bit of coercion: What if you're a blacksmith? Aren't you still begging me for a bite to eat!
Yu Er might not deal with them himself; he would find someone to do it for him, requiring a commission, but this would be safer.
They didn't dare to sleep at night, fearing that those factions in the city would come looking for them.
Those people didn't want blacksmith Yu to leave.
That night, the whole family gathered together, not daring to light a candle.
As they were about to leave, their emotions were quite delicate, mostly a mix of worry and confusion about the future.
Yu Er didn't have so many sentimental emotions. He comforted them, "Eldest Brother, the scholar surnamed Wen is quick-witted but soft-hearted. If we have any trouble then, we can just ask for help. Their team also has children, not very old, so our Xiao Cai will have playmates."
The blacksmith Yu and his wife heard this and worried, "In this world, being too soft-hearted is not a good thing."
Yu Er immediately said, "Isn't there County Lieutenant Zhou? He looks like a tough person!"
On the other side.
After parting ways with Yu Er outside the city, He Da took a detour to another place.
There were three people hiding there.
Two of these three were from He Da's same village, and the other was someone he met later in the county town.
They were the ones who usually helped He Da smuggle supplies.
They were willing to work for He Da. As long as they completed the tasks assigned by He Da, they would receive their share of the reward, a portion of food. Although not much, it was enough to not starve to death.
They didn't dare to slack off, as He Da was even more cunning and had methods; he was ruthless enough.
In the past, a scoundrel from the neighboring village had troubled He Da's second sister. Within a few days, the scoundrel disappeared. It was said that he had offended a noble person in the county and was killed by the officials.
When the world became chaotic and everyone moved to the county town, Little Brother He also encountered trouble, which was resolved soon after.
He Da's shadow was behind all of this.
Therefore, they respected and feared He Da.
At this moment, the three loyal followers were displaying their achievements to He Da.
Not far away, a water buffalo was grazing.
A month ago, when County Magistrate Tan was preparing for the evacuation, they had secretly acquired a water buffalo. He Da planned it, and they executed it.
Horses, cattle, donkeys, and mules were all watched by yamen officials. There were water buffaloes and yellow cattle among the cattle, but water buffaloes liked to wallow in water during hot weather, making the guards somewhat wary and neglectful, which made it easier for them to act.
"Brother Dashan..."
"Don't call me Dashan anymore. Call me 'Daqiu.' Daqiu is my proper name. It means the same thing anyway." He Da said.
"Why change your name? Dashan sounds so good," one person asked confusedly.
He Da thought that that County Lieutenant Zhou seemed to be named Shan, so he couldn't have the same name. He said verbally, "What do you understand? I'm naming myself according to the Sage; it's for protection by the Sages and virtuous people!"
"Oh, oh! So that's how it is! This name is auspicious!"
The three repeatedly praised him.
"Then, Brother Daqiu, we've brought the ox. It's cold now, so it hasn't been wallowing in water recently."
"I specifically boiled water to scrub it today!"
"I secretly got some concentrated feed. Livestock needs to eat this to have the strength for heavy work!"
The three displayed their contributions.
"Good, good, well done! 'Bamboo Pole,' go get some more concentrated feed tonight. Those guys are fighting fiercely these days, and there are fewer guards at the warehouse." He Da said.
"No problem, Da... Brother Qiu, there are people watching the livestock feed every day to prevent theft; they steal it to eat themselves!"
"Embezzlement!" He Da said proudly. He had learned quite a few elegant words from chatting with his younger brother.
As for livestock feed, they didn't consider it lowly. Everyone was short of food now and on the verge of starvation. As long as it could be eaten, regardless of what animal it was fed to, they would pry it off to support their own families.
They hadn't managed to get a wooden cart, but with this water buffalo, He Da was already very satisfied.
The water buffalo could carry burdens, and his own younger brother, who was physically weak, could also ride on it.
"We must guard against Yu Er's people then, don't let them take advantage, or tire out our ox!"
Upon returning to the city, He Da probed the attitudes of the other residents in the same courtyard. Not a single one wanted to leave.
Those who wanted to leave had already fled with County Magistrate Tan half a month ago. Those who remained were quite happy to occupy more rooms.
He Da scoffed inwardly, such short-sighted people!
Unlike me, I already have a direction, no, a ambition! I already have a higher life goal!
This small place cannot confine me!
In fact, half a month ago, He Da had no intention of leaving. He had no other abilities; this was a familiar place, and his connections and network were all here. If he wanted to do anything, he could achieve it with a little thought.
When County Magistrate Tan left, he hesitated but still lacked the courage to leave. He was just a cheap life; leaving his hometown would make him even more lowly.
Who would have thought that in half a month, the city would become so chaotic?
Nowadays, perhaps the city was more dangerous. If he wanted to choose a path to survival and a more promising future, he really had to leave.
At night, He Da couldn't sleep, his mind full of thoughts.
As he was about to leave his hometown, he felt quite reluctant, as well as apprehensive and lost. After a while, he thought of Wen Gu's words again.
He didn't remember all of Wen Gu's words, but he remembered "Walking alone is fast, walking together is far" and told it to his younger brother.
There was also one sentence: when he made it big, he would return home in glory, repair the graves of his parents and second sister, use luxurious coffins, and burn more offerings so they could live better below.
The more he thought about it, the deeper he got into the emotions, crying loudly.
"Little Brother, with one of us being civil and the other martial, we must make a name for ourselves in the northern lands!"
Little Brother He, who was also unable to sleep, had tears in his eyes and said heavily, "We will!"
He Da then thought of Wen Gu's words about "fortune and blessings."
A scholar who believed in fortune and blessings would have been ridiculed for his naivety by He Da in the past.
Having lived in the marketplace for a long time, he had heard a lot about the evil of human nature. How many people who punished evil and promoted good met bad ends, while those bullies who oppressed the common people lived good lives. If he could make his own family live well, He Da would be willing to be a bully!
But now, only people like Scholar Wen, who still held benevolence and believed in fortune and blessings, would be more accepting of people like them, who had humble status, in such times.
"Scholar Wen is truly a good person. If the world hadn't gone chaotic, he would definitely have passed the imperial examination and become a high official! A good official!"
Little Brother He's understanding of Wen Gu was all from He Da's interpretation. Although he hadn't met Wen Gu himself, he had already formed a very positive impression and agreed with a sound.
He Da felt even more that his choice was correct.
For people like them, from humble families with no background, and for street ruffians like him in the county town, whether they could achieve something depended on who they followed correctly?
No!
It depended on whether they followed the right person!
Currently, compared to this group of fools in the city, following Wen Gu north was more reliable.
The next day, while the sky was still dimly lit, the city gate had already opened.
At this time, the temperature was low, and many people took the opportunity to go out to chop firewood. Having lived here for many years, they were very familiar with the roads; they could walk them with their eyes closed. After walking for a while, the sky would brighten.
He Da and Yu Er's groups were prepared and dispersed to leave the city, having made the necessary arrangements beforehand.
Wen Gu waited by the shack, listening to the cry of the falcon from the sky, and looked forward.
Soon, figures appeared one by one.
Some were familiar, and some were unfamiliar; there seemed to be about a dozen of them.
However, the most eye-catching were the wooden cart and the water buffalo.
Upon meeting outside the city, the two parties, who had been mutually on guard: "..."
He Da looked at the other party's wooden cart.
Yu Er stared at the other party's water buffalo.
The atmosphere was subtle, with each party having their own thoughts.
Wen Gu looked at them, his eyes clear and sincere.
Truly, he's the person I chose!
What powerful proactivity!
(End of Chapter)