Chapter 51: Chapter Fifty-One: Sun Juanmao

When the sky turned dusky, Wu Zhuge and Li You returned to the stockade.

Li You had also gotten a general sense of the local geography.

Longmen Stockade is over sixty li from the county seat of Mianxian; the nearest town is Fuchuanji, and about fifty li south lies a steel workshop that connects east to Baocheng, west to Ningqiangzhou, and south to Sichuan—its strategic crossroads prompted the establishment of Yudu Camp as a regular garrison.

Mao'erba lies thirty to forty li northwest of Longmen Stockade, nestled against Xiao Bing Mountain and beside the Ju River.

Further northwest lies Qingyangyi, allied with Mao'erba; Qingyangyi connects south to Da'an and west to Yangping Pass, a vital checkpoint of Mianxian, theoretically guarded by a patrol office.

As for Zhu Laoda's Qigangan, it should lie directly north of Longmen Stockade, facing Dingjun Mountain to the east and bordering Shidingyuan to the south.

On the way to Mao'erba, they passed two or three villages, but not a wisp of smoke rose—only ruin and desolation; they encountered virtually no living souls along the way.

Back at the stockade, Wu Zhuge first questioned the guards and learned Cao Er had not returned; then he inquired about a man named Sun Juanmao and found he, too, had not come back.

He sat stunned for a while, then took Wu Nai and a few others straight to Beizhai, treating Li You with noticeable coldness.

This left Li You feeling slightly annoyed; since being abducted from Lüyang, nearly half a month—close to twenty days—had passed, yet things remained exactly this way.

And today, the merit he'd earned was no small thing—what kind of attitude was this?

Frustrated, Li You headed toward the Nanshan mining area, burdened with thoughts as he crossed the ridge back to Nanzhai…

"No, Cao Er's lead still depends on Wu Zhuge to push forward—if neither side can be secured, our situation grows even more desperate!"

Along the way, Li You thought of many things: his promise to Liu Quezi, the children he'd taught that morning, the future rations for the miners and salt slaves…

All these scattered concerns centered on him; he'd long given up hope on Wu Zhuge's side, yet today on the road he'd felt Wu Zhuge's genuine trust—so why had he changed so abruptly upon entering the stockade?

"Wait—Sun Juanmao? Who is this Sun Juanmao?"

After thinking for a moment, Li You suddenly turned back and walked toward Wu Zhuge and his group…

Wu Zhuge and Wu Nai had taken only a few steps.

"Aren't you taking Li Xianggong to Beizhai?"

Wang Qiong, seeing Wu Zhuge ignore Li You, hesitated before speaking.

Besides Wu Nai, the others all stared at Wu Zhuge.

There was no help for it—today's events had been too extraordinary; Li You's miraculous archery had already won their awe. They'd all assumed that after showing off at Mao'erba, the stockade would celebrate Li You tonight—but instead, Wu Zhuge ignored him outright upon returning.

"I sent Sun Juanmao to Qingjian County to investigate Li Xianggong's background, but he hasn't returned yet… I know Li Xianggong is a man of great talent, but the more talented he is, the less certain I feel—what if he's sent by the authorities?"

Wu Zhuge also felt he'd wronged Li You; after all, Li You had brought him honor today, earned great merit, and advised him all along the way.

"Authorities? Unlikely! He's already killed two people—he's the one hiding from them!" Wu Nai blurted out.

"True—I've seen how kind Li Xianggong is to these lowly folk. Every day he teaches the children to read and write in Nanshan, helps Liu Quezi and others forge iron, and sometimes joins Yu Zhengchun to forage for wild roots and herbs… I can't see him as anything but someone planning to settle here permanently!"

Wang Qiong had patrolled Nanshan for three shifts—he'd paid special attention to Li You.

"Tsk…"

Wu Zhuge couldn't help feeling regret—he'd clearly accepted Li You on the road, but after learning Sun Juanmao hadn't returned, he'd decided to wait for him, forgetting that Li You had just done him a great favor today.

"That skinny monkey, go fetch Li Xianggong back… tell him I—"

Before Wu Zhuge finished speaking, Wang Qiong spotted Li You approaching in a long robe and exclaimed happily: "He's back! Li Xianggong has returned!"

Li You, seeing Wu Zhuge and the others waiting on the road from afar, smiled as he drew near: "Figured I'd have to eat more wotou when I got back, so I came here for a proper meal!"

"Hah!"

Li You's blunt words made everyone laugh.

Wu Zhuge said: "I was just about to send the skinny monkey to call you—I got lost in thought and forgot our great hero of today!"

Wang Qiong chimed in: "Didn't the sages say eating bran and pickled vegetables brings joy? How come Li Xianggong can't resist his stomach's cravings?"

"Hell with bran and pickled vegetables!"

"Hah…" Li You's personality was likable, especially since he was a scholar—yet he spoke without restraint.

In Beizhai, under Wu Zhuge's orders, activity surged: a fat pig was slaughtered to celebrate Li You's great achievement.

Wu Zhuge went to the latrine first upon returning; Li You calculated Wu Zhuge had visited the latrine at least ten times today—his diabetes symptoms were clearly worsening.

After giving orders, Wu Zhuge returned to the inner quarters.

Accompanied by Wang Qiong, Li You entered the Yi Yi Hall, where the morning meal had been served; dirty bowls still littered the tables, and mahjong tiles lay scattered—bandits clustered in groups of four or five, eight or nine, playing enthusiastically.

Charcoal braziers warmed the floor; though it was only late September, wearing a single layer made sitting still unbearable.

Smoke curled thickly through the room; Li You noticed most were smoking.