Chapter 123: They Will Spread Rumors

Learning more about the Zhuo family, Wen Gu still thought quite highly of them.

They were all people with genuine talent and learning.

In troubled times, military generals have the uses of a military general, and scholars have the uses of a scholar.

The Zhuo clan was a family of officials; not only did every generation produce high-ranking officials, but many members of the family also served as local officials, possessing rich governance experience and a fairly good reputation.

However, since Lao Zhao was investigating the Zhuo family, Wen Gu would temporarily not make a move.

First, add a follow.

After chatting about the Zhuo family's affairs, Lady Shen looked at Wen Gu several times. Seeing that Wen Gu's thoughts were all focused on these matters, she couldn't help but offer a reminder:

"During this period, quite a few families heading north have arrived. Recently, there might be some restlessness, so you should pay more attention. For example, if you happen to run into certain people while out..."

Although Lady Shen had always stayed within Zhao Fu, she was well-informed. She had heard about Wen Gu encountering those young ladies on the road and also knew he had once met the Princess of Guangning. In the last two days, she had received new information.

"Trouble might come looking for you. There are always some people whose heads are full of crooked ideas, just thinking about causing mischief!" Lady Shen said.

Because she had only sensed some slight movements and had no clear evidence, Lady Shen only offered a reminder first and did not name names.

Wen Gu replied: "Understood, I will make more preparations."

Inner thought: Hurry and let me see, who is next?

Seeing the solemnity on Wen Gu's face, she knew he had listened and would treat it with caution. Lady Shen felt slightly relieved and gave Wen Gu some living subsidies.

Recently, more family groups had arrived, and naturally, there were many gifts. Now, with her status in Xinzhou, her food, clothing, and daily expenses were all top-tier, and she specifically had the storeroom pick out a portion for Wen Gu.

Regarding this nephew she was focusing on cultivating, Lady Shen was very generous; when selecting items, she was much more attentive than she was for her own nephews.

It was rare for a talent to emerge from the family side; he must absolutely not be lured away by someone else's small favors.

Wen Gu had a meal with Lady Shen. His uncle and cousin were busy with official duties, so he did not stay long. In the process of walking out of Zhao Fu, he even deliberately slowed his pace.

But there was no "chance encounter."

Instead, after leaving the residence, just as he was about to board his carriage, he was called out to.

However, it was not a young lady from some family, but a military general who had just finished reporting his work to Zhao Laoda.

The other party saw Wen Gu when leaving the residence and quickly chased after him.

Wen Gu stopped and turned around, his gaze sweeping over the other party very naturally.

This person might truly just be a chance encounter, rather than waiting here on purpose.

He gave a refined greeting with a relaxed expression: "Commander Mu."

The person who arrived did not look robust, but was actually very capable in a fight; among the military generals currently in Xinzhou, he was considered one of the more influential ones.

Mu De, the current head of the Mu family, a former high-ranking military officer of the Imperial Guard stationed in the provinces, and now the Commander of the City Defense Army of Xinzhou City.

He belonged to that group of people with the highest authority outside of the Zhao family's core direct line.

The Mu family's ancestors had produced marquises; they were truly descendants of meritorious ministers and famous generals.

It was just that, as their family passed down through the generations, their presence weakened. Before the world became chaotic, the imperial court valued civil officials and suppressed military ones, severely limiting the display of their family's talents.

Later, when the world became chaotic and he learned that the political core at Huangcheng had collapsed, Mu De led his troops and horses to surrender to Xinzhou.

The Mu family was also originally a family from Beidi. Most famous generals from Beidi were tall and sturdy, but this Commander Mu was not as robust as many Beidi generals.

But according to his cousin, this man was quite capable in a fight. Last year, he made great contributions in defending the city and, by virtue of his merits, steadily secured the position of Xinzhou Commander. Although he was not yet in the Zhao family's core direct line, as long as he harbored no disloyalty, he would surely be drawn to Zhao Laoda's side as he accumulated more merits in the future.

Wen Gu searched for information on this person. He just didn't know why this person of real power in Xinzhou City was looking for him?

Mu De was actually just a coincidence. He came today to report work to the boss, everything went smoothly, and he was in a good mood. When leaving the residence gate, he happened to see Wen Gu, and thinking of the matter he had been concerned about recently, he hurriedly called out to this Ward Chief Wen who had some connections.

In terms of real power, he, as a commander, was indeed higher than Wen Gu's Ward Chief, but Mu De returned a proper military salute to show respect.

Without excessive small talk or roundabout words, Mu De stated his purpose directly.

He chose to come to Xinzhou, but he did not bring his entire family and his subordinates in one go. Last year, he brought a group of people first, but there were still family members who had not arrived.

Wen Gu nodded to show he understood.

Understood, it belonged to the category of scouting the path first, and if he felt it was reliable, he would send word to his home to have the remaining people and horses move over.

"Word has already been sent home; they will set off at the beginning of this year. It's just that the road from my hometown is not easy to travel, and if there are many carriages and horses, they need to take a detour. I heard that it might warm up faster this year; if the climate fluctuates, their journey will be more arduous. I am truly worried!"

The City Defense Army had other tasks, and the troops he could mobilize were extremely limited, so he wanted to find merchant caravans and escort agencies.

"I was thinking, merchant caravans and escort agencies often run outside; if they happen to see them while out, they could help them along the way," Commander Mu said.

He would organize a team to go and meet them, but at the same time, he would entrust the merchant caravans and escort agencies to help.

It was just that he was familiar with the operations of merchant caravans, but he did not understand this new thing called an escort agency.

He had inquired carefully; the Huwei Escort Agency was indeed capable. Although its foundation was still shallow, it handled things well, developed quickly, and was more professional.

Now, the Huwei Escort Agency had already tried to step out of Xinzhou, and he heard that they had accepted several large orders this spring.

He had not yet made contact with the Huwei Escort Agency and had not gone there to place an order. Today, he happened to meet Wen Gu, so he hurriedly chased after him to ask more questions.

Wen Gu was very patient and, with a relaxed attitude, shared his experience and observations regarding escort agencies with this Commander Mu.

The two did not hide anything; it was not a shady conspiracy, so they stood at the gate of Zhao Fu and talked for a while before parting ways.

The next day, a rumor swept through Xinzhou City—

The Mu family and Wen Gu intended to marry into each other's families!

All kinds of evidence were laid out: both of them ran to Zhao Fu at the same time; they must have gone there to discuss the marriage!

It was heard that Commander Mu was extremely satisfied; when he left Zhao Fu yesterday, he even called Wen Gu over to talk for a long time, and both of them were smiling so happily!

Commander Mu usually looked quite serious, but when he returned home yesterday, the sound of the horse's hooves was light and brisk, as if he had settled a matter of concern!

He Da and Tao San, who first heard the news from the Idlers, didn't even have time to wipe the sleep from their eyes early in the morning before they ran to Wen Gu to inform him of the details.

"Ward Chief, are you going to marry into Commander Mu's family?" As his confidants, why hadn't they heard a single word? They always felt there was something strange!

Wen Gu denied it: "No, yesterday was just a chance encounter with Commander Mu; we just chatted casually for a few sentences."

Confirming from Wen Gu that this rumor severely distorted the facts, Tao San was indignant:

"Then someone is deliberately slandering you! To make such a big scene, they must be harboring evil intentions!"

He Da, having learned more vocabulary from his younger brother, added a touch of scholarly air to himself: "These are all groundless words! Ward Chief, this is someone with malicious intent!"

Tao San rushed to offer a strategy: "Ward Chief, should we clarify this immediately? I know quite a few fellow townsmen in all walks of life; they could be of some use in this matter!"

He Da's expression was solemn: "The key is still, how can we let everyone know the truth in the shortest amount of time?"

Who doesn't know how to find people? The hard part is how to go about it!

Wen Gu sorted through the newly acquired information that He Da and Tao San had collected from the Idlers.

He said: "What the facts are is not important; even if clarified, some people will continue to spread rumors."

Tao San calmed his mind: "Then Ward Chief, how should we respond?"

Wen Gu thought for a moment: "First, let's see what attitude the Mu Family takes."

(End of this chapter)