novelraw Chapter 46: Eating One Fish In Many Ways
Chapter 46: Eating One Fish In Many Ways
Chapter 46: Eating One Fish In Many Ways
The city gate guards only noticed the people being dragged behind the procession when the group from Lu Hua Alley passed.
Their condition looked quite miserable.
Some were bound with hemp ropes, and some were even shackled!
Yes, the kind used in prison!
Recalling the internal strife in Lu Hua Alley the previous day, which was said to be an execution of traitors, were these the defeated traitors?
Some were being dragged on the ground, their survival uncertain. To prevent bloodstains from attracting evil creatures, they were wrapped in dry grass and… firewood?
Hiss—
Could they be planning to drag them out to the cemetery and burn them?!
The guards felt a chill run down their spines.The burly men pulling the ropes in the procession had eyes full of ferocity, exuding a menacing aura that was quite terrifying. Even if these traitors were not burned, they would not meet a good end.
A few guards standing nearby didn't dare to breathe, barely able to dodge, let alone try to extort benefits from the situation.
Outside the city.
He Da and the others, who had been closely watching the activity at the city gate, stared at the grand spectacle for a long while.
He finally understood why Wen Gu had said that if the Lin Er Dajiada family stabilized internally, the number of people coming out for the ceremony would not be so small.
There were indeed quite a few people, no wonder they could protect so many good goods!
The procession from Lu Hua Alley exited the city and headed to the cemetery in the barren fields.
Lin Er Dajiada did not bother to check how many people were following behind the procession or how many were watching.
Before the graves of Yan Laoda and his friends and relatives who were now in eternal rest, and in front of two to three hundred residents of Lu Hua Alley, the traitors were dragged forward.
Some traitors were executed on the spot during yesterday's fight, while others were kept until this moment.
"According to the rules, traitors should be sacrificed with blood! However, times have changed, and it is not advisable to shed blood."
Lin Er Dajiada looked at these people coldly and gestured for everyone to prepare piles of firewood, and then, one by one, they were placed on top of the traitors.
Led by Lin Er Dajiada and Madam Liang, several important figures each held a burning wooden stick and ignited the piles of firewood.
With dry grass as kindling, flames quickly engulfed the people.
The miserable screams echoed across the wilderness, carrying far.
Some were chilled to the bone.
Some were spurred to action.
Executing traitors with fire as a sacrifice.
Lin Er Dajiada and Madam Liang, along with two to three hundred people from Lu Hua Alley, paid their respects to their deceased friends and relatives.
He Da and Yu Er, disguised as onlookers among the county residents, watched the scene from afar. Although they couldn't see clearly from a distance, they could feel the terrible cohesion!
Even an outsider like him felt an urge to join!
Was this Bai Lu County Town about to undergo a major change?
At the cemetery, after the fire sacrifice, the procession did not disperse immediately. Some people cleaned the graves of their relatives, while others helped out.
Meanwhile, under the protection of some people, Lin Er Dajiada led a few brothers to the agreed-upon location with Wen Gu and blew a whistle signal of three short and one long whistle.
Shortly after, Wen Gu also arrived with his people.
Lin Er Dajiada had come to discuss the matters entrusted to him by Wen Gu.
They had agreed, but they would need more time to prepare. They were going to officially establish an escort agency.
The other matter was to ask the Immortal Master to perform rituals again to appease the resentment of the deceased friends and relatives, and to ensure the traitors would never be reincarnated!
County Lieutenant Zhou, who was nearby, felt a strong sense of empathy, as if he were experiencing it himself!
What brotherhood! Those who stab you in the back at critical moments are most likely these sworn brothers!
Threats to survival, temptations of gain – friends and relatives could change into anything depending on luck.
He strongly agreed with Lin Er Dajiada's actions.
For those who betrayed him, not only their bodies but also their souls should be destroyed!
Wen Gu agreed to ask Daoist Master Qingyi to take action again. The cost would be deducted from the reward for hiring the escort agency.
Seeing that Lin Er Dajiada seemed to want to say more, Wen Gu asked patiently, "Dajia Dajiada, do you have any other questions?"
Lin Er Dajiada said, "After you escort us across the bridge, how far will you protect us? To be honest, we also have thoughts of heading north..."
As Lin Er Dajiada pondered how to express himself reasonably, he heard Wen Gu ask, "Are you thinking of heading north to find a suitable place to establish a branch?"
Just as Lin Er Dajiada was struggling to find the words, he replied: "...Yes!"
Wen Gu showed a look of concern: "Will you Dajia Dajiada also accept some orders within Bai Lu County Town at the same time? Are the number of escorts in your agency sufficient? The journey north is arduous, and safety is paramount! You cannot be careless!"
Although the emphasis was on safety, when heard together by Lin Er Dajiada and the others, the focus was on the first part.
Huh?
Huh???
They could actually take on other jobs at the same time?
Eating one fish in many ways!
Lin Er Dajiada's mind immediately opened up: Since it was on the way, taking more orders, getting more rewards, and perhaps cultivating more relationships within the city.
He also thought about the young and strong men who had joined them in the past two days. After the grand display today, more people would surely join their escort agency, and they would have enough escorts! It wasn't impossible to take on more orders.
Lin Er Dajiada rejoiced inwardly, but maintained a serious expression, and replied earnestly, "We will of course consider everything thoroughly!"
Wen Gu still appeared hesitant.
Lin Er Dajiada worried that this scholar would be displeased and cancel the commission. As he waited, he felt a sense of anxiety.
Their decision to head north was entirely due to this scholar, whose relative served as an official in the northern lands!
If this scholar were to speak and forbid them from taking other orders, they... would have no choice but to give it up.
Fortunately, after a moment of hesitation, the scholar on the opposite side said with an exceptionally refined face:
"Logically speaking, you shouldn't be doing this. But now that circumstances have changed, and life is difficult for the common people, we should be considerate of each other and give more people the opportunity to seek survival by heading north."
Wen Gu smiled kindly: "If the number of escorts is sufficient, you can accept other orders at the same time. However, I hope that you Dajia Dajiada will clearly explain the potential risks to other employers during your announcements. The journey north is bumpy, and anything could happen."
Lin Er Dajiada and the others accurately grasped the first part: announcements?
There was even such a step?
Although they heard it for the first time, they could roughly understand the meaning.
They would arrange it upon their return!!
Wen Gu said, "Furthermore, since the escort agency will not only be protecting us, then this reward will not be the full reward."
Lin Er Dajiada said generously, "It's a deal!"
The reduction here would be compensated by the higher rewards he would receive from other employers!
Moreover, their most important motivation for protecting Wen Gu and his group was not for that small sum.
After a mutually satisfactory conversation, they parted ways.
Wen Gu was very pleased.
Eating one fish in many ways was truly delicious.
And the reward for hiring the escort agency, after deductions and reductions, was negligible.
On the other side.
The great commotion caused by the people of Lu Hua Alley made the once lifeless Bai Lu County Town feel like it had exploded, with discussions everywhere.
The de facto leader of the county, County Lieutenant Zhang, was indulging in his thirteen concubine’s company when a subordinate’s panicked shouts disturbed his pleasure.
County Lieutenant Zhang was very displeased, but after hearing his subordinate's words, all his desires vanished in fright.
He felt his scalp tingle and a chill run down his spine.
His mind immediately conjured up images of previous suppressions of civilian unrest.
"What do they want to do?! What exactly do they want to do?!"
County Lieutenant Zhang immediately convened his close confidants for a discussion.
News from various sources was gathered, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the actions of the Lu Hua Alley people over the past two days.
When the Lu Hua Alley people executed internal traitors, they also dealt with some outsiders who were involved. Some relevant personnel took this opportunity to lodge complaints.
However, County Lieutenant Zhang was impatient to deal with these minor details now. He was worried that the Lu Hua Alley people would take advantage of the situation and shake his authority!
If he had received the news in advance, he could have suppressed them early.
But the rise of Lu Hua Alley was too fast, no one expected that they could create such a huge stir!
"Did they not report to you, County Lieutenant Zhang, before this?" someone asked.
County Lieutenant Zhang remained silent.
Earlier, Lin Lao Er from Lu Hua Alley had indeed mentioned that he needed to deal with some internal matters, and the commotion might be significant. He also mentioned that they would be leaving the city again for another ceremony.
When Lin Lao Er made these mentions, he had also offered some benefits.
They had casually agreed, thinking it was a minor matter, and didn't take it seriously. They hadn't even paid much attention to borrowing the shackles from the prison.
Who could have imagined that it would turn into such a large-scale event!
County Lieutenant Zhang, sitting at the head of the table, had a dark look in his eyes, thinking about something, but his mood was certainly not good.
The others sitting below him exchanged glances, communicating silently.
They truly couldn't figure out what the Lu Hua Alley people were trying to do.
At the same time, they felt an inexplicable fear.
"Have they gone mad?" someone couldn't help but curse.
"Do Lin Lao Er and the others still want to stay in Bai Lu County Town?!"
There could only be one leader in Bai Lu County Town. Did they still want to usurp the throne?
This series of events, how long had they been planning?!
In just two days, there was no time for anyone to react.
Perhaps they had been planning since Yan Laoda's accident...
So insidious!
The leaders of many factions were cursing their wives at home, but they dared not act immediately and could only continue to observe and test the situation.
They watched as the people from Lu Hua Alley returned from the cemetery and went back into the alley. Everything seemed to have returned to normal.
However, after a night, they caused trouble again!
Lin Lao Er and the others announced the formal establishment of the Tiger Might Escort Agency.
It was named after Yan Laoda and Lin Lao Er – Yan Hu and Lin Wei.
They unfurled their escort flag—
A triangular escort flag, about three feet long and wide, with a fierce roaring tiger head painted on it. It was the same as the plain cloth pattern they had tied to their arms the day before.
They also hired people to make announcements in every street and alley in the city.
Well, they had also changed their titles.
The deceased Yan Laoda was now referred to as Yan Da Dajiada. Lin Lao Er was officially changed to Lin Er Dajiada, and he should be addressed as such when dealing with people outside from now on!
The newly established escort agency did not have any grand ceremony. In extraordinary times, everything was kept simple, and the news was enough.
Registration with the government?
The County Magistrate had long since fled, and the County Lieutenant...
For some reason, Lin Er Dajiada and the others now felt that this "County Lieutenant" was not qualified enough.
Was he worthy of reviewing our application?
After all, things have changed, and no imperial officials have come to investigate. If I say we are legitimate, then we are legitimate!
The leaders watching from within the city felt their scalps tingling, their eyes dazed, and their heads ached.
What was wrong with you people from Lu Hua Alley?
Day one: armed conflict to quell rebellion!
Day two: fire sacrifice at the cemetery!
Day three: you announce the unfurling of your flag and opening for business?!
What flag are you unfurling?
What business are you opening?
What escort agency?
What are all these things?
Where on earth did you learn so many tricks?!
(End of this chapter)