Chapter 157: Similar Traits

Since their identities have been confirmed, of course I should help where I can.

That unit is highly disciplined; intervening rashly would only disrupt their formation. Wen Gu only had the archers keep their distance and shoot the Plague Ghosts from the outer perimeter to lighten their burden.

Fortunately, the number of Plague Ghosts in this small group is not large, and with both sides working together, they are resolved quickly.

During this time, Wen Gu is also thinking about the information regarding the Mu Family.

The Mu Family has been a line of military generals for generations; their ancestors were a branch of the Beidi tribe, the Murong.

Later, the branch to which Commander Mu belongs changed their surname to Mu; they don't have any particularly outstanding abilities, save for one—they are exceptionally good at fighting!

At this moment, Wen Gu looks at the unit in front of him again.

There are three figures that are particularly distinct.

They are all wearing armor, but compared to the other Armored Soldiers, they appear slight and not sturdy. That is only by comparison, however; they are not truly frail.

Looking more closely, among those three figures, one should be a young lady, and the other two seem to be youths.

Matching the information on the Mu Family, that young lady should be Commander Mu's younger sister, and those two youths are Commander Mu's son and nephew.

As expected, just like Commander Mu, they don't look like much, but they are agile and vigorous, with quite high combat power.

After finishing off the Plague Ghosts, they send someone over to communicate for a moment.

Wen Gu does not approach that side, and Ming Tiao would not let Wen Gu go over, either.

This unit has a slightly larger number of people and a complex background; Commander Mu's family members should be fine, but what about the others? Who can guarantee that?

Of course, keeping a distance does not prevent Ming Tiao from "eating melons."

He leans over, gestures toward a direction, and says to Wen Gu: "Deputy Envoy, that one over there should be the young lady. I suspect she might be the late Old Master Mu's daughter born in his later years, Commander Mu's younger sister. I remember when I was chatting with Commander Mu last time, he said his younger sister was eighteen years of age."

Commander Mu once praised his younger sister as "elegant and gentle." Ming Tiao recalls the sight of that young lady from the Mu Family holding a large saber and hacking at Plague Ghosts just now, and decides to cast all of Commander Mu's praises to the ends of the earth.

Although the other party is currently wearing armor and her appearance cannot be clearly seen, judging by Commander Mu's looks, the Mu Family young lady should not be too bad.

Racking his brains to think of the flowery language scholars use, Ming Tiao continues: "She is still looking over here; it is simply, uh—bright eyes like torches, glancing with grace!"

Wen Gu gives an "mm."

He not only sees the Mu Family young lady's bright eyes like torches, but also the torch-like gazes of the others.

Especially when they see them riding fine horses and wearing high-quality equipment, those people's gazes seem as if they are about to burn; even from such a distance, one can feel the scorching heat.

The look in that whole family's eyes is too familiar—the look of ambition!

Seeing that Wen Gu is also looking over there, Ming Tiao feels that this "melon" can still be eaten further.

However, the unit soon separates; they need to return to the city as soon as possible, and the Mu Family side will not stay here long either—the longer they stay, the more Plague Ghosts will be attracted.

After walking a distance forward, Ming Tiao looks back. His eyesight is good.

"Deputy Envoy, they are still looking!"

Wen Gu says: "I know."

Those pairs of eyes hungry for advancement.

Must not let them down!

Their side is entirely mounted, while many on the Mu Family side are on foot. Besides the carriages carrying people, there are also carts pulling goods, so the speed is naturally much slower.

But since they have arrived here, they are not far from Xinzhou City; by picking up the pace, there won't be any greater crises behind them.

Xinzhou City.

Commander Mu has recently been so worried about his family that he is nearly depressed. Hearing that Shuo City on the front lines had encountered a second wave of the Ghost Tide made him even more anxious.

Even if he is worried, there is truly nothing to be done in such chaotic times; he is anxious in his heart and worried every day.

Seeing Wen Gu return to the city with the men from the Patrol Guard Division, Commander Mu is just about to ask Wen Gu to have the Patrol Guard Division help keep an eye out, when he is pleasantly surprised to learn that the Mu Family's unit has almost arrived!

After waiting for another half day, before the sky turns completely dark, the Mu Family's unit arrives at Xinzhou City.

They first quarantine in the Outer City District.

With Commander Mu looking after them, the courtyards for quarantine were arranged in advance, and medicinal herbs were also prepared. Everything is orderly.

For people who have just experienced a long journey and fleeing, these are already excellent living conditions!

Especially having hot water and food! Having a safe place where they can sleep with peace of mind!

Most of the people in the unit keep their heads down and gorge themselves.

After Commander Mu finishes his shift, he comes here to speak with his family.

Talking about the dangers and ruggedness of the journey, they cry and laugh, their emotions surging; once they finally calm down, the family asks about the members of the Patrol Guard Division they encountered on the road.

The Patrol Guard Division was established by the Zhao Family of Xinzhou, and those newly arrived in Xinzhou are not familiar with it.

Commander Mu gives a brief introduction.

Everyone is very envious: "The Xinzhou Army is really rich!"

Commander Mu corrects them: "It's not that the Xinzhou Army is rich. The Patrol Guard Division just raided a big one recently and got a large batch of grain and weaponry! Many of our City Defense Army's old armor can be traded in for new ones!"

That is armor! Who wouldn't covet that?

Commander Mu's son and nephew, who were originally burying their heads in their food, look up upon hearing this, their faces full of longing: "Father/Uncle, I want to join the Patrol Guard Division too!"

This statement receives Commander Mu's approval: "That's a great idea, keep thinking about it!"

Do they think the Patrol Guard Division is easy to get into?

Lao Zhao has set the rules!

"Even I can't get in, what are you dreaming about!"

He is truly envious of the people in the Patrol Guard Division: "The merit they earned from this haul is quite considerable! Even if they lie flat for a while afterward, they have no need to worry."

With his family arrived, Commander Mu is happy but also faces new pressure.

There are simply too many people to support!

But the face of their military family must be maintained; the quality of life cannot be reduced too much, and the number of servants and attendants must be kept as much as possible.

Sigh!

It is just that their descendants are not living up to expectations!

Think back to those years; their Mu Family was once a noble house!

In the early days of the dynasty, among the meritorious ministers and famous generals, the gap between their family and the Pei Family was not very large.

As a result, passed down generation after generation, the Pei Family remained illustrious, standing firmly in the Huangcheng. Their family, however, became increasingly marginalized, and their titles were whittled away until they were gone.

Now, their days are becoming increasingly strapped.

It is not to say that they have no wealth in their hands.

He does not know about civil officials, but among military generals, whose family does not have a few hidden chests of gold, silver, and precious treasures?

The Mu Family certainly has them too.

But in this current world, food, medicinal herbs, and weaponry are what matter! They are the most valuable wealth!

Even if one has rare treasures and jewels, it is not good to sell them cheaply; the current market is not worth it.

Give them as gifts?

Those who like these things and can afford them already have extraordinary status and deep foundations; they may not necessarily look favorably upon the things in their hands.

Therefore, as long as it has not reached the point of no return, those treasures will not be easily taken out for exchange.

Wait for the day when the world is at peace in the future, then take them out to realize their maximum value. They might not be able to use them, but leaving them for their descendants is fine too.

Generally speaking, the Mu Family is not considered wealthy right now.

"Once we enter the city, I will arrange positions for you all in the City Defense Army!"

Even if starting as a common soldier, that is still an income; with one more person earning a salary, it lessens the burden by one more share.

Wen Gu returned to Xinzhou City, first went to Lao Zhao to report on his work, then accompanied Lady Shen for a meal, took a turn around the Jingqing Two Wards, and then ran to visit Pei Jun.

With the Jinchan digging up the great treasury, the recuperating Pei Jun could not lie still; upon receiving the news, he continued to interrogate the Gao Family while injured.

With the evidence from the Jinchan, Gao Lao Er, who had kept his mouth shut the whole time, finally broke.

Gao Lao Er still had children outside; as long as he kept the secret, and as long as the Jinchan's cave was not discovered, he would be a man of merit! The noble person behind him would also treat his descendants well and grant the Gao Family the honor they deserved.

But now—

There is nothing left.

He knows the methods of those noble people too well. Now the Gao Family not only has no merit but also has serious faults; to vent their anger, the noble person will not let any of his bloodline left outside survive.

The Gao Family was in total disarray, and Pei Jun seized the opportunity to pursue the attack, interrogating them for quite a bit of important information.

The person behind the scenes actually had a pointer as well.

Wen Gu arrived at the small courtyard where Pei Jun was recuperating.

There was a thick medicinal scent in the courtyard, and a bowl of freshly decocted medicinal soup was brought over.

Having been busy while injured for a period of time, the little bit of color Pei Jun had managed to recover turned pale again, and he coughed twice from time to time.

Wen Gu already knew about the matters related to the Patrol Guard Division from Lao Zhao, so there was no need to repeat the topic.

He asked about the Mu Family.

Pei Jun understood the Mu Family better; he pondered for a moment and said, "The successive heads of the Mu Family have all been upright and open-hearted people of the Mu Family; they have some small schemes, but generally speaking, they are not considered shrewd, nor are they very good at currying favor."

One generation produced a shrewd person, but as a result, they stood on the wrong side, the family was kicked even further away, and their title was lost.

After Pei Jun finished speaking, he picked up the medicine bowl, blew on it, and asked, "Who have you taken a fancy to?"

Since Wen Gu asked specifically, he must have an idea.

In terms of martial arts, the Mu family members are indeed decent; they were once a family that held titles based on martial prowess.

But now, Commander Mu is already holding an important position in the City Defense Army and cannot be transferred to the Patrol Guard Division. Although Commander Mu's second younger brother survived this disaster, he was severely injured and can no longer go to the battlefield. His nephews are still young.

Could it be a branch of the Mu Family?

Just as he was thinking, he heard Wen Gu say, "Commander Mu's younger sister."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Pei Jun had not yet drunk the medicine, and he was already coughing.

"Drink the medicine, drink it quickly; do not get agitated, don't let the wound split open again," Wen Gu said with concern.

Pei Jun did not make a sound for a moment.

He is not a rigid person. Now is exactly the time when talent is needed, and the Patrol Guard Division often has to come into contact with some noble ladies; recruiting that young lady from the Mu Family is acceptable.

But the Patrol Guard Division is all a bunch of men—one still has to avoid suspicion where one should.

"How will you arrange things after she comes?" Pei Jun asked.

For example, when going on missions, is the other party, a young lady, supposed to go out alone?

Arrange for others to follow? No one is suitable.

Wen Gu said, "She also has two nephews."

Pei Jun: "—"

Pei Jun looked over silently.

Wen Gu said, "When I returned to the city that day, I observed that the young lady from the Mu Family and her two nephews have a deep family heritage and are exceptionally brave and skilled; it can be seen that they have already achieved success in their studies."

Pei Jun finished the medicine first, remained silent for a while, and then said, "If I remember correctly, those two nephews of hers, one is thirteen and one is fifteen?"

In this current era, that is not considered too young, especially during times of war; many people go to the battlefield at ten or twelve.

If a family of military generals has someone with talent, they are already familiar with the business at this age.

But it is indeed inappropriate to place them in the Patrol Guard Division.

If they were twenty-three or twenty-five, they would be accepted. Unless they are extremely outstanding, the Patrol Guard Division will not help raise children.

It is impossible to make an exception for them!

Pei Jun pondered and said, "They are too young. To enter the Patrol Guard Division, besides martial skills, one must also consider experience, military exploits, and so on."

Wen Gu was slightly surprised: "I remember that there are no such high requirements for handymen."

Pei Jun: "————A chore worker?"

The Patrol Guard Division has strict requirements for established positions. Temporary workers are different; the requirements for chore workers are more relaxed.

Wen Gu continued: "The Patrol Guard Division is looking to recruit another batch of chore workers recently; we can let them try."

The expansion was Lao Zhao's idea.

The Patrol Guard Division has had many major operations recently, and Logistics is feeling slightly strained. After raiding a big one this time, Lao Zhao wanted to expand the recruitment of chore workers by another batch.

It can also be considered a reserve force, an observation period; those who perform well will be directly enrolled.

Previously, when Lao Zhao recruited for the Patrol Guard Division, he leaned more towards locals of Xinzhou, especially the Border Army.

Ever since the incident in Shuo City, Lao Zhao planned to allocate another portion of the quotas to outsiders. However, the identities of these people must be strictly vetted, and they are basically selected from the relatives of existing personnel in service.

Although Commander Mu, as a high-ranking military officer of the City Defense Army, has not yet been counted among Lao Zhao's true confidants, he has already gained Lao Zhao's trust.

The reason Commander Mu is in the City Defense Army and not the Patrol Guard Division is that he originally came from a family of military officers, and as the head of the family, he even brought his own troops when he came to Xinzhou.

His starting point was too high; it was impossible to give him too low an official rank.

And without a sufficient observation period, Lao Zhao was not at ease putting him in the Patrol Guard Division, so after weighing it, he placed him in the City Defense Army.

In less than a year, this head of the Mu Family fought his way to the position of Commander. One can see his capability!

Compared to Commander Mu's high starting point, the other members of the Mu Family have no foundation.

Without military merit, without prestige, and without the financial resources to scheme and operate, they have to start from low positions wherever they go.

Since it is the same wherever they go, it is better to fish for a spot in the Patrol Guard Division.

Chore workers do not occupy established positions, and they can still fill in when people are needed.

Pei Jun hesitated and said: "Chore worker————that is also acceptable."

But Pei Jun suspected that what Wen Gu had his eye on was not just those three from the Mu Family; he suspected that Wen Gu wanted to take the entire Mu Family in one fell swoop.

"The Mu Family members might not be willing," Pei Jun said.

"On the contrary, I feel that they should have some ideas," Wen Gu recalled the Mu Family members he met when returning to the city, and their burning gazes.

"We can give them a chance first; whether they can grasp it depends on themselves."

The Patrol Guard Division also has assessments for recruiting chore workers; it is not easy to get in. One is assessed on what one is good at; if one is good at martial arts, they compete in martial arts, and only by meeting the requirements can one be selected.

Wen Gu indeed appreciates the Mu Family a bit.

Before this, the one he appreciated the most was the Zhuo Family.

The representative of scholars, the Zhuo Family.

They have family background, they have ability, and they can even grind!

It is not any single person, nor any single household, but almost the entire family can grind!

The military officers' side is actually lacking in this regard.

Those who have already gained fame and occupied positions either relied on family background or on past military merit, but once they grabbed a position, they felt secure.

The middle and upper levels of the Patrol Guard Division are fine; they were frightened by Cheng Xu changing his career track, so they have a sense of urgency.

But some of the middle level and below, it is hard to say. Especially after raiding a big one this time, they received more rewards, and with money in hand and grain at home, some people want to slack off.

Until now, Wen Gu saw traits in the Mu Family similar to the Zhuo Family.

Bringing them into the Patrol Guard Division might make the Patrol Guard Division more vibrant.

Want to slack off after fishing for some merit?

Impossible!