novelraw Chapter 50: Safety Zone
Chapter 50: Safety Zone
Chapter 50: Safety Zone
What is the evaluation from the southern magnates towards the Ren Clan, one of the six great clans of the Northern Lands?
The information Wen Gu gathered along the way varied, but there was a common assessment: they were absurdly rich.
As they approached the Ren Clan's territory, Wen Gu didn't feel the aura of a great Northern Clan first, but rather the panic of the northbound refugee convoys.
Unlike Wen Gu's group, those convoys were experienced. When the weather changed, they knew what might happen. They understood the area and knew the best course of action.
Therefore, seeing the increasingly frequent northbound convoys, and witnessing their desperate flight, those who had been uncertain about their choice finally became resolute.
Continuing forward, the official road was widened.
Trees that obstructed the view on both sides of the road had been cut down.
There were also piles of...
"What is that thing that looks like a small hill? A black mass," someone in the convoy asked."Jingguan!" County Lieutenant Zhou exclaimed.
These were mounds built from the corpses of enemy soldiers.
He looked at them with a complex expression.
Scorched remains of evil creatures, after being burned, left large black patches. These patches contained bones, stones, wood, and various other partially burned remnants, piled up like small black hills.
How many evil creatures had the Ren Clan killed to build so many mounds?
Indeed, there was more than one such mound; they appeared every so often along the road!
Everyone who arrived here for the first time would tremble and be shocked by these sights!
At the same time, they would marvel at the Ren Clan's strength.
They hadn't even seen Jin Wu City yet, but they had already witnessed the might of the Ren Clan, one of the six great clans of the Northern Lands!
These were demonstrations of power, and also served to deter evil creatures.
As a result, evil creatures rarely approached this area.
The view along the road was wide open. Besides these mounds, vast stretches of scorched earth met the eye, and an unpleasant, somewhat pungent smell occasionally wafted through, as if something had been burned, or perhaps mixed with other things.
Most people were unfamiliar with this smell, but Wen Gu found it familiar.
The Ren Clan was indeed, absurdly rich!
Continuing forward, they saw more tall structures.
At intervals, there were tall watchtowers built of wood.
They appeared to be built somewhat hastily and had not been standing for long. However, upon closer inspection, there seemed to be other considerations.
The soldiers on the towers stared down at the passing convoys with a mixture of greed and indifference. Occasionally, two or three would huddle together, pointing at the passing carriages and their supplies.
They wouldn't resort to robbery, because it wasn't necessary. Every convoy passing through had to pay a portion of their goods as an entrance fee to enter Jin Wu City.
During special times, like the current period of escape, the entrance fees were particularly heavy.
The soldiers guarding the watchtowers also received a share of the entrance fees collected.
Below the watchtowers, people walked the road, observing their surroundings, their pace unwilling to slow.
In front of and behind Wen Gu's group, there were other northbound convoys. All the convoys converging here now were fleeing for their lives!
At some intersections, collisions occurred, leading to arguments.
The soldiers on the watchtowers merely observed as if watching a show. Even if people were blocked there, they would still remain spectators.
Wen Gu observed the soldiers on the watchtowers, his gaze lingering on the ground beneath the towers.
These watchtowers were also part of the Ren Clan's defensive formation. Although they appeared hastily built, they undoubtedly served a significant purpose!
More cavalry sped past on dedicated roads, likely carrying urgent dispatches.
The convoy ahead of them once again accelerated their pace.
Wen Gu also urged his group to keep up.
Those ahead were experienced escapees; accelerating with them was definitely the right move.
Currently, the massing of evil creatures was highly probable and rapidly approaching. The surrounding prefectures, regardless of which team was caught in it or where they originally intended to go, had only one path to survival when facing the gathering evil creatures!
This "blank" area leading to Jin Wu City was a safe zone. However, with the approach of the evil creature swarm, this safe zone would rapidly shrink.
Whoever could reach Jin Wu City for refuge before the "safe zone" completely closed would survive!
Accelerating their escape towards their destination, they could already see deployed troops and... anti-cavalry fortifications?
These were spiked bamboo, wood, and animal bones, nearly a person's height, spread out everywhere!
They looked like giant hedgehogs laid flat, with their spikes facing outward.
Others in the convoy were also marveling at the Ren Clan's power and profound heritage.
Tietou, who was close beside Wen Gu, only thought of one thing: "They must have plenty of firewood!"
Wen Gu withdrew his gaze and smiled, "You're right."
To become one of the six great clans of the North in less than two years required favorable timing, advantageous location, and harmonious human relations – none could be lacking.
A city wall appeared ahead.
As they gradually approached, their perspective shifted from eye-level to looking up.
The escort agency members maintained almost the same posture, gazing up at the city wall.
They had thought the city wall of Bai Lu County Town was already excellent. Now, compared to the Jin Wu City before them, it appeared exceptionally small!
It was like comparing a "dilapidated shack" to a "magnificent mansion of blue bricks and large tiles"!
Jin Wu City was originally called Jin Wu City. After the world fell into chaos, the Ren family took control of it and renamed it Jin Wu City.
The city was not originally this large; it was later expanded outwards and reinforced with a taller, thicker city wall.
Bastions were built along the city wall, but compared to ordinary city walls, these bastions protruded further outward.
While the arrangements on the city wall were not visible, looking at the wall itself, many places showed signs of repeated scorching, with residues of various substances and mingled odors, leaving patches of varying depths from the burns.
The construction looked rough but was practical.
It resembled a magnificent beast with bared teeth lying in ambush.
It lacked aesthetic appeal but provided a sense of security.
Wen Gu looked up at the battle-scarred city wall, marveling inwardly.
Building such a defensive posture in such a short time must have consumed immense manpower.
No cost or loss spared! It was built through sheer force!
At the city gate, a barbican was built on the outer side. People arriving entered through the barbican.
Several large braziers burned, releasing smoke. Someone who coughed was targeted by the guards.
The barbican had different entrances.
Scattered small groups and vagrants entered through a side gate of the barbican.
Many fleeing small groups entered the city. The gate guards would also inspect their skin and nail color, as well as their general condition. If they appeared non-threatening, they were allowed in after paying the entrance fee.
Those who couldn't afford the entrance fee but wished to enter had to perform manual labor in exchange for the right to stay.
Large convoys used another entrance.
Wen Gu's group, being a hundred-strong convoy, belonged to the latter category.
They still had to queue obediently and pay the entrance fee one by one.
Food, salt, iron, and various other supplies, as well as horses, could be used to offset the entrance fee.
Wen Gu gave a few instructions to County Lieutenant Zhou, telling everyone to speak less, wear their cloth towels, and enter the city as quickly as possible.
Several bags of grain, prepared by Escort Leader Lin, were loaded onto a wheelbarrow and pushed forward.
"Is this enough?"
Although they felt the pinch of giving up this grain, which would make their subsequent days more difficult, they wondered if it was truly enough at such a critical juncture.
Their small county town of Bai Lu County had a considerable entrance fee. For a giant like Jin Wu City, especially during this crucial period of escape, the fee wouldn't be small!
"County Lieutenant Zhou said the situation is urgent, and they are sharing some of the burden for us. We'll discuss other matters after this crisis passes."
Although County Lieutenant Zhou was the messenger, they all knew that Wen Gu was the decision-maker.
"The scholar surnamed Wen truly puts the greater good first!"
There weren't many large convoys queuing to enter the city. Soon, it was Wen Gu's group's turn.
County Lieutenant Zhou and Escort Leader Lin, along with two escorts, walked at the front.
The two escorts pushed the wheelbarrow loaded with food towards the city gate guards for inspection.
The guard captain was also waiting there.
He didn't need to monitor the vagrants and small households on the other side of the barbican. The large convoys had the valuable items!
As the two escorts pushed the wheelbarrow over, the guard captain merely glanced at it briefly before focusing his attention on the ceramic jar that Zhou Shan was holding.
Often, the value of an item wasn't determined by its size.
Jin Wu City had plenty of people of status. Nobles didn't lack for food and drink, but they still pursued quality of life.
A few bags of rice and grain were hardly enough to impress nobles.
High-quality items, on the other hand, could be exchanged for greater benefits!
The guard captain walked over. Zhou Shan opened the lid, revealing fine, pure white granules inside.
Even though he saw many valuable goods at the city gate, the guard captain's eyes widened, and he looked at Zhou Shan with suspicion.
Zhou Shan calmly gestured towards the ceramic jar, indicating that he could inspect it freely.
The guard captain took a long-handled metal spoon, heated it over a nearby torch, scooped aside the top layer of granules, took a small portion from underneath, brought it close to observe, and then licked it to taste. His expression immediately changed.
His gaze swept over the Ma Shuo in Escort Leader Lin's hand, then at Zhou Shan, and finally to the people and horses in the convoy.
The guard captain wondered, "Which southern magnate is this again?"
The other guards who had finished inspecting the grain glanced at the pure and fine salt crystals in the jar for a moment. The captain waved his hand, signaling that the convoy could enter the city.
The salt jar was kept, and the grain, along with the wheelbarrow, was also left behind.
County Lieutenant Zhou asked Escort Leader Lin to lead the convoy into the city. He then approached the guard captain, slipped him a paper package, and whispered a few words.
The captain's expression didn't change. He quickly pocketed the paper package and made a gesture, calling someone over.
This person would guide Zhou Shan and his group into the city, to a relatively stable place to rest.
Jin Wu City was vast, but compared to the tall, solid city walls outside, the interior appeared rather dilapidated.
Many commoners had simply used scraps of cloth to build low shacks.
The guide, after leaving the city gate, accepted extra payment from Zhou Shan and was willing to provide more information about the city.
The city had limited manpower, and with time being of the essence, manpower and resources were prioritized for defense construction. Facilities within the city would be gradually supplemented as resources allowed.
Jin Wu City was divided into an inner city and an outer city.
The inner city was the original county town, where the magnates and nobles resided. Their living conditions and various expenses were far higher than in the outer city.
The outer city was currently more chaotic. New refugees, lacking sufficient wealth or resources, could only live in messy shacks.
Two layers of city walls divided different social strata.
Wen Gu looked at the irregularly distributed shacks outside.
It was indeed chaotic. Except for a few main roads where loitering was prohibited, signs of daily life were evident on almost any open space.
People huddled in shacks, their numb eyes stirring slightly as they heard movement, seeming to envy, but quickly returning to their vacant state.
Groups of ruffians walked through the shacks, laughing and chatting. They walked over people without concern, mocked them loudly, and then continued discussing buying wine in a few days, complaining that wine in the city was too expensive to afford even a sip.
Wen Gu noticed that many people, whether city guards, the poor in the shacks, or the ruffians who roamed around, had burn scars on their faces.
After passing several sections, they turned a corner near an intersection close to the inner city.
Those who were here for the first time truly wouldn't know which way to go.
The guide held up a wooden token and pointed them towards a courtyard.
"You will rest in this courtyard. It's enough for you."
It was indeed just a courtyard, with a few drafty shacks built inside. It was only slightly better than the accommodations of the refugees they had seen earlier.
There was no well; one had to buy water.
Similarly, firewood was also a purchase.
"Will it truly be safe here?" someone asked.
"We can't say it's absolutely safe, but it's certainly much safer than outside," replied Escort Leader Lin.
Some of the people living in the tents had been in the city for a long time. Observing the changes in the city, they clearly understood what was about to happen. Many had expressions of fear, but not despair.
Wen Gu rested briefly, contemplating the news he had just received from the guide.
"Regardless, we've finally entered the city. It's safer than being outside."
His team members also showed rare smiles.
They had been on edge the entire journey, seeing other northbound convoys fleeing like their lives depended on it, and they feared being shut out of the city and becoming monster fodder if they were any slower.
Wen Gu continued, "From what I saw of the defensive preparations outside the city and the troop reinforcements inside, those swarming evil creatures will likely arrive very soon."
The team members, who had just relaxed, immediately lost their smiles.
Although... although this was the territory of the Ren Clan, one of the six great clans of the North, and the people here were not worried about the city falling, still...
They felt uneasy.
They remained apprehensive.
Wen Gu said, "The guide mentioned that the battle situation ahead can be observed from the city walls of the inner city. I plan to go and see. Who wants to come?"
When the guide spoke of the inner and outer cities, he also mentioned that during monster sieges, many noble families from the southern lands would ascend the inner city walls to watch the battle.
Others could also go, as long as they could afford the fee.
Wen Gu had Little Brother He record the names of those who wanted to go, stating that their supplies would be deducted accordingly.
Daoist Master Qingyi didn't care about the supplies. He was more interested in understanding the Ren Clan's strength and seeing what kind of people the southern magnates were and what their needs were.
He Da and Yu Er were reluctant to spend the money, as they still had family and friends.
Escort Leader Lin also wanted to go, but he had to take care of the escort agency's affairs and felt more at ease staying there.
Zhou Shan gave a few more instructions to his child and then said to Escort Leader Lin:
"Then I'll entrust everyone to your care!"
"It's our duty."
After inquiring nearby and verifying the guide's words, Wen Gu, along with Daoist Master Qingyi, Tietou, County Lieutenant Zhou, and Little Liu, headed towards the inner city walls.
Since they were here...
They would witness the strength of the Ren Clan, one of the six great clans, and the top-tier fighting power of the Northern Lands!
(End of Chapter)