Chapter 650: Zijing Pass

Of course, if that were all, the Han family party might not have reached here safely. The roads were growing more dangerous by the day; traveling away from home, even passing through villages and stockades, one had to be wary of villagers suddenly turning into bandits.

In minor chaos, take refuge in the city; in major chaos, take refuge in the countryside. The villages and towns that could build stockades were now basically the strongholds of local magnates, gentry clans, and powerful families, possessing deep foundations and fierce armed forces. If such people set their sights on you with ill intent, the travelers who passed through often left behind only a field of corpses.

"Thanks to Shopkeeper Sun."

Father Han was not yet fifty, his temples slightly graying, his frame tall and straight, his eyes full of wisdom and the marks of hardship. He was looking at a slightly plump merchant in a convoy of carts not far away — that was Sun, the very same Sun merchant who had funded Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen in Weihuifu back then.

When he traveled north, he encountered the Han family party. In conversation, he learned that the Han family had a son serving in the army on the Eastern Route of Xuanfu Garrison, making them military dependents, and that he had a duty to protect them. In particular, he learned that the Han son was an officer in the Jingbian Army named Han Kaixi.

Sun the merchant knew of Han Kaixi — after all, he was going to marry the daughter of the Fu family in the capital, and the matter had spread far and wide.

Han Kaixi was already a squad officer and had been granted the rank of Captain. In the Jingbian Army, he was no ordinary figure. He was also the sworn younger brother of Zhong Xiancai, the garrison commander of the Eastern Route, making him a focus of attention for many interested parties — and Sun the merchant was naturally no exception.

Under his protection, the Han family party had been able to reach here safe and sound, and he had also protected the several hundred refugees and disaster victims heading for the Eastern Route who had gathered around them.

His merchant caravan had hired several dozen escorts from the Eastern Route. These escorts were all equipped with Eastern Route bird guns and carried fine Qi-style sabers. Once, when bandits or refugees tried to rob their party, a volley of bird guns sent them fleeing in terror, vanishing without a trace in moments.

"Master Han, once we cross the Yi River, we'll soon reach Yizhou. Then it's just over a hundred li from Zijing Pass to the territory controlled by Xuanfu Garrison — and then you'll be safe."

Gazing at the Yi River ahead, Merchant Sun came over and said to Father Han.

"Many thanks, Shopkeeper Sun. All along the way, we have been in your care. I, Han, am endlessly grateful."

"Master Han is too polite. It was merely a small effort."

When crossing the Yi River, there was a pontoon bridge above. While crossing, quite a few refugees joined them along the way, most preparing to reach the walls of Yizhou, then head west through Zijing Pass and enter the Eastern Route.

Even though transportation was cut off at this time and long journeys were fraught with danger, the various legends from beyond the mountains, near the lands of Xuanfu Garrison, had spread to nearby prefectures and counties: food enough to eat, warm clothes to wear, a stable life. In a chaotic world, what could be more attractive than that?

More importantly, the several hundred thousand captured people whom Wang Dou had rescued back then were mostly natives of Baoding Prefecture and Zhending Prefecture. After settling down on the Eastern Route and beyond the frontier, they inevitably grew homesick. Of course, they did not want to go back — it was more akin to a desire to bring glory to their ancestors.

When they returned, they came laden with bundles large and small. Seeing their glowing, healthy faces inevitably caused a stir among their fellow villagers.

Word spread from one to ten, from ten to a hundred, and since these were fellow villagers whose roots everyone knew, thereafter, a steady stream of refugees who could no longer survive in Baoding and Zhending Prefectures fled to the Eastern Route, drawing along some people from the surrounding Hejian Prefecture and Shunde Prefecture as well.

While crossing the bridge, Father Han again encountered Mr. Li's party and walked together with them.

That Mr. Li was in his thirties, with refined features. He brought his wife, a son, and a daughter. Their party had met at Mancheng. Mr. Li usually kept silent among the crowd, rarely speaking with others, and the two had only exchanged a few brief words.

It was said he was a native of Qingdu, had read some books, and usually did some business — a small merchant. He was heading to Xuanfu Garrison to seek refuge with an old friend.

His old friend served as a clerk in Baoanzhou. In their usual correspondence, he had urged Mr. Li to come to the Eastern Route. After careful consideration, he decided to bring his family to live in Xuanfu Garrison.

Yizhou's city walls were tall and thick, but they had not been repaired for many years and appeared somewhat dilapidated.

Because refugees constantly arrived here to rest before heading to the Eastern Route, the areas outside the south and west gates were quite bustling. There were even several human markets, where some wealthy households and steward-like figures picked and chose, mostly seeking children of decent appearance.

For many refugees and beggars, even though Xuanfu Garrison was not far, given the uncertainty of the future, if their children were bought — even as slaves or servants — as long as there was a mouthful of food, in these chaotic times, it counted as a path to survival.

Looking at those selling themselves, every one of them skin and bones, and at the misery of the refugees outside the city, Father Han, Mother Han, and the others had grown accustomed to such sights from seeing them so often. Only Merchant Sun shook his head unconsciously.

Although his goal was to continue north, go to the capital for a time, then head west through Juyong Pass and back to the Eastern Route, he believed in seeing someone all the way to their destination. He planned to escort Father Han, Mother Han, and the accompanying refugees all the way into Zijing Pass.

He mainly feared harassment from some garrison troops. In particular, when entering Zijing Pass, one had to pay a toll. In the past, each adult had to pay twenty wen, and each child ten wen.

Because so many refugees passed through, the garrison troops and officers at the time collected money until their hands went soft. The once impoverished Zijing Pass had become a lucrative post, drawing envy and contention from some. The Assistant Regional Commander of Zijing Pass no longer stationed himself in Yizhou but resided permanently within the pass.

Later, the Eastern Route negotiated with them, mixed with some threats and the like.

Although the various government offices and troops along the outer perimeter of Xuanfu Garrison had all received secret orders from various parties to impose a blockade, they did not have the courage to make an enemy of the Eastern Route. The toll was reduced considerably, changed to five wen per adult and two or three wen per child. Over the long term, the local officers still earned a substantial income.

The crowd rested briefly beneath the walls of Yizhou. Merchant Sun paid out money to buy some food — flatbread and congee and the like — for these several hundred people. Though it was not much, just enough to warm their bellies, it was enough to move everyone to tears of gratitude.

All along the journey, such care had been given many times. Many refugees had already made up their minds that once they were settled, they would surely enshrine a longevity tablet for Shopkeeper Sun in their homes.

The next day, the crowd arrived several dozen li west of Yizhou, outside Zijing Pass on Zijing Ridge.

Zijing Pass Fortress had Mount Wanren to the east, Mount Xiniu to the west, the Juma River to the north, and Huangtu Ridge to the south. Nestled against slopes and beside water, clamped between two mountains, together with Juyong Pass and Daoma Pass, it was known as one of the "Three Inner Passes" — one of the key routes from the North China Plain into Xuanfu Garrison, with the perilous terrain where "one man holds the pass, ten thousand cannot advance."

Zijing Pass Fortress consisted of five small walled towns, with a garrison of several thousand. At present, the Assistant Regional Commander was stationed inside, while the military commissioner was stationed in Yizhou. The troops guarding the pass were listless; they cared about nothing else, but the entry fee per person could not be shorted.

Merchant Sun swept his sharp gaze over the scene. Apart from these soldiers in tattered armor, slouching and lounging about, atop the pass walls stood some men whose bearing was markedly fierce and capable. Many of them were personnel from the Intelligence Division of Xuanfu Garrison.

Some were even Jingbian Army soldiers, who through various channels had become the retainers of these garrison officers. This was true not only of Zijing Pass but also of Juyong Pass and Daoma Pass — all were thoroughly infiltrated by the Intelligence Division.

Refugees streamed in an endless line, paying to enter the fortress. When it was the turn of Father Han, Mother Han, and their group, Merchant Sun stepped forward, flicked out a few silver and copper rounds, and said coolly, "Company Commander Zhou, for these people behind me — their tolls, I, Sun, will pay on their behalf."

The gate guard was a Company Commander, and they knew each other. Seeing it was Merchant Sun and the silver rounds in his hand, he was overjoyed. Unconsciously, he picked one up and blew on it, beaming with delight. "So it's Shopkeeper Sun! Back from abroad?"

Merchant Sun gave an affirmative grunt and pointed to Father Han beside him. "This is Master Han. His son is a squad officer in the Jingbian Army. Lord Company Commander, do not treat him discourteously."

That Company Commander Zhou uttered a surprised "Oh!" and unconsciously straightened his posture, his expression growing somewhat respectful. Although he was a Company Commander, even a Company Commander felt a head shorter when facing a squad officer or squad leader of the Jingbian Army, feeling immense pressure.

Father Han, Mother Han, and the elder sisters and brothers-in-law, seeing this military officer's expression, could not help but feel pride in their hearts. Baobao had truly grown up — his prestige had even spread to the outside world.

Turning back, Merchant Sun smiled and said, "Master Han, I, Sun, will see you off here. Once you enter Zijing Pass, walk a few dozen li more, and you will reach Zhaoge Stockade."

"In that area, our Xuan Garrison has established a refugee shelter. Outsiders entering may have to stay for one or two days to be checked for epidemics and the like. Then, heading north along the way, passing through Henan Stockade, Mashuikou, Xiejiapu, and other places, food and clothing supplies will not be a problem. I, Sun, wish Master Han a smooth journey."

As early as the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou had established fortified strongholds at Henanwa and Zhaogezhuang. The Garrison Commander of Mashuikou, Chu Qinmeng — whose daughter, Young Lady Chu, had married Xie Yike as his wife — had long been on intimate terms with the Eastern Route. Moreover, Zhaoge Stockade also absorbed refugees coming from the direction of Zhuozhou and Laishui.

Father Han once again said gratefully, "Many thanks, Shopkeeper Sun."

After bidding farewell to Merchant Sun, the crowd entered the pass fortress. Although the fortress was majestic, no one was in the mood to sightsee. Nor did they have the leisurely sentiments of later generations — every one of them just wanted to pass through quickly.

Passing through the fortress, they walked along the mountain paths, winding and undulating. In many places, they walked along the riverbank. Though the road was pitted and difficult, it posed no problem for the passage of carts.

The greatest obstacle was now behind them. Everyone was in high spirits, full of hope. Even the loess roads along the way and the rolling hills and mountains became lovely in their eyes. Mr. Li's family also showed expressions of excitement — at last, they were about to reach the Eastern Route.

And gradually, tea stalls and food shops grew more numerous along both sides of the official road. Most were run by the families of military households from Zijing Pass or Mashuikou. Although the refugees were mostly destitute, some still had money and needed to eat and rest. Many small amounts added up, and supporting a family was not a problem.

The next morning, around si hour, a massive fortress suddenly loomed before their eyes.

This fortress straddled both banks of the Juma River. Looking from the ridge road, one could faintly see, behind the stockade walls, along both riverbanks and the mountainside, rows upon rows of houses stretching endlessly — who knew how many there were.

It seemed there were two stockade gates: one facing toward Zijing Pass, and another facing east toward the Juma River. However, no stockade wall was built on the northern side.

Above the fortress, a bright red Banner of Sun, Moon, and Surging Waves fluttered in the wind. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)