Chapter 201: Jizhou is Truly a Good Place

Du Shiyi is a person with deep thoughts and is also very suspicious.

Qian Quezi told them that the opera troupe had to rehearse after taking the job, so the agreed-upon time to meet the guards was delayed by one day.

But Du Shiyi had people keep a close eye on the opera troupe's movements, still guarding against them blabbing Du Ba's words to others.

Therefore, the courtyard where the opera troupe was staying had been too quiet for a long time; the people monitoring them sensed something was wrong and quickly rushed into the courtyard. Yet they found the rooms empty, with no one inside, and the grain and clothing were all gone! The person responsible for the surveillance found a piece of paper in the room with writing and a drawing on it, but he did not quite understand what it meant. He brought it back to Du Shiyi.

Du Shiyi was initially a bit puzzled: a group of low-borns actually left a letter for me?

When he saw the drawing at the bottom.

It looked like it had been crudely drawn with a burnt branch; one could roughly make out a carriage in motion, with people standing on both sides of the road, but in the foreground, one person was pushing another toward the carriage. It was as if something flashed through Du Shiyi's mind, but he could not recall it for a moment.

Looking further down, there was a signature—【Xiang Qian】.

It seemed familiar.

Du Shiyi thought for a long time and finally dug up a blurry scene from a corner of his memory.

In his journey, he had dealt with too many people; the other party belonged to that very inconspicuous category, and once the matter was over, he forgot it.

Many years had passed, and Du Shiyi had long since forgotten the other person's name and appearance.

Comparing it with this drawing, the blurry figure in his memory was replaced by that stooped, timid back, covered in patches and clutching a rice bag, having weathered many storms. It was like a silent mockery—ha, you were fooled, weren't you?!

Du Shiyi's breathing grew rapid; he tore the paper to shreds and roared in a rage, "Low-borns!"

He was furious!

To be played for a fool by mere ants, a group of low-borns!

Without waiting to make other preparations, Du Shiyi immediately mobilized a team to search.

Soon, they found the traces left on the ground, but since it was about to get dark and it was inconvenient to move at night, they waited another night before entering the mountains to track them. Working under Du Shiyi, these people understood very well that if Young Master Eleven did not specifically say what to do with those few low-borns, it meant: execute them on the spot! To facilitate fast tracking on the mountain paths, those who entered the mountains did not wear armor, nor did they wear that kind of thick Leather Armor that protected the whole body; they only wore leather helmets and carried sabers. They were just catching a few old, weak, sick, and disabled people, so they didn't take it seriously at all.

The complex mountain roads required too much physical strength, and full-body protective armor and Leather Armor would only restrict their speed of movement.

The people who entered the mountains to track were all skilled hands, and their speed was much faster than that group of old, weak, sick, and disabled people from the opera troupe.

The result of their contempt was that they encountered those few who had turned into Plague Ghosts in that treacherous terrain.

Having turned into monsters, their bodies were much more agile than when they were alive, and coupled with the traps specifically set in the surroundings, the pursuers were almost traded one-for-one. It wasn't that the opponent's movement techniques were that strong, but rather... one scratch from a Plague Ghost, and it was over.

The pursuers had not prepared any protection, and the terrain was unfavorable to them, so the casualties were greater than expected.

When Du Shiyi heard this final result, he didn't speak for a long while.

His expression was terrifyingly gloomy.

The survivors shifted the blame: "Those few low-borns were definitely doing it on purpose! They tied ropes there, set up traps, and had even scratched themselves beforehand, all covered in filthy blood, so..." Once a pursuer was scratched, even by the tiniest wound, they would absolutely be afflicted by the Evil Plague!

Except for those who fell off the cliff, the others who were scratched still managed to return.

A few days ago, the Du Family said that there had been significant progress in the treatment for the Evil Plague, and these people returned holding onto that last bit of hope, wanting to receive treatment. Du Shiyi's expression was extremely ugly; he endured his irritation and said, "Rest assured, you are all brave men; I will have you receive the best medical treatment in Jizhou!" Even if it was just for show, he had to go through the motions.

As for not being cured, that was just fate!

Enduring his anger, he settled the pursuers and stayed in the room, trying his best to suppress his fury.

He had been provoked earlier and was a bit impulsive; now, calming down to think about it again.

Those few low-borns deliberately blocked the way there just to stop the pursuers and prevent him from knowing the route.

To protect whom?

Let's see, there seemed to be a Xiao Zongzi in the opera troupe?

Du Shiyi sneered.

He took out a map and looked at it for a while, then had someone take a bag of grain to offer a reward to those private salt smugglers to inquire for information.

Salt smugglers who were doing well didn't care for this little bit, but there were also those who were struggling. Once a bag of rice was brought out, someone couldn't wait to speak. Du Shiyi immediately ordered people to guard the entrance and exit of that narrow mountain path.

Even without the matter of these few wandering performers, he knew this road and was going to blockade it anyway.

He dispatched another unit of cavalry to bypass the mountain path and head out via another road to pursue and kill them.

To kill, one must kill them all!

Even if it was just a low-born brat, if he didn't kill them all, Du Shiyi's rage would not be appeased.

After arranging these things, Du Shiyi pondered how to cover up this matter.

Once the fact that he was played for a fool by low-borns spread, it would damage his reputation.

Those in power would think that if a few low-borns could make him, Du Shiyi, lose soldiers and suffer losses, he would be even less capable of handling major affairs.

His competence would be questioned.

The Du Family didn't just have him as the only person to use.

Du Shiyi had to find a way to cover it up, but soon, he discovered that everyone's attention was not on him at all.

There were other events attracting everyone's attention.

Yao Zhai.

Miao Niangzi could not hold on any longer and closed her eyes forever.

The servant woman Chunying had red eyes as she tidied her remains.

Following Miao Niangzi's instructions before she passed, she piled up the painting books, paper, wood, and other flammable items in the residence into several heaps, poured oil from the house over them, and lit them. Watching the piles of flames rise, the servant woman Chunying did not leave according to Miao Niangzi's arrangements.

She took out a rope she had prepared long ago, tied it to the beam, stepped on a stool, and put the noose around her neck.

Miao Niangzi hoped that the servant woman Chunying could go and live a new life.

But Chunying was unwilling.

People like them with such lowly lives, having lost their protection, where else could they go?

Their home was long gone.

Outside, there were only Ghosts everywhere.

She had stayed at Yao Zhai before to repay a kindness, and now the benefactor was gone too. In this kind of world, she could not endure it.

Standing on the stool, she grabbed the rope and was just about to put it on herself.

But as she thought and thought, the more she thought, the more unwilling she felt!

Since it's death all the same, why not make a bigger scene?

She quickly jumped off the stool, cut the rope, and threw it into the fire.

Miao Niangzi came from a scholarly family, so she still thought of some things too decorously.

You have to make a scene!!

If you don't make a scene, things might not develop in the direction you hope for.

What if the Du Family shifts the blame again, claiming that she, a servant woman, betrayed her masters and killed them for money?

Just like with the Bai Family; if the children of Master Bai Zi hadn't made a clamor, Master Bai Zi would have been slandered even after he died!

The servant woman Chunying held Miao Niangzi's remains and rushed out of Yao Zhai amidst the smoke of the burning fire.

She threw herself onto the ground at the entrance of Yao Zhai, with the house constantly emitting thick smoke behind her; her clothes were scorched in many places and covered in a layer of soot. She cried out loudly: "There's no way for people to live! They've driven us to our deaths!"

While crying, she recounted that she had gone out to buy grain today, and upon returning, she found the house on fire; this was because Miao Niangzi saw she couldn't hold on any longer, and with Du Ba repeatedly coming to bully them, she had ended her own life with a fire. "In this world, it's really better to just leave; it's more peaceful!"

The servant woman cried and shouted.

She said she had only managed to snatch out Miao Niangzi's remains, and the young mistress was nowhere to be found.

Thinking of how the Yao Family had become like this, and thinking of whether Shan Mi could successfully escape, the servant woman's grief, anger, and helplessness were intense; her wailing was truly from the bottom of her heart, exceptionally shrill, and had great piercing power. One moment she said "There is no justice," the next "They've driven us to our deaths," her words dripping with blood, repeating over and over.

The surrounding residents, attracted by the thick smoke, were in a chaotic mess, some fighting the fire, others looking for people.

The patrolmen in the vicinity also rushed over and reprimanded the servant woman.

The servant woman only wailed that Du Ba had beaten a servant of Yao Zhai to death some time ago, and now he had driven Miao Niangzi to her death.

As for anything else, if asked, she didn't know; she was just a crude and dull servant woman.

The surrounding residents heard this, and looking at the servant woman's disheveled state, they had no doubts at all.

They had all seen Du Ba come over several times, and they had seen Du Ba beat that servant; it was indeed possible that the Du Family had driven the people of Yao Zhai to their deaths. Another woman went to check Miao Niangzi's breath and shook her head at the others.

At this, the crowd erupted into discussion.

They were already dissatisfied with the Du Family's conduct, so they took this opportunity to make a scene.

The "Yao" of Yao Zhai was mostly the "Yao" of Yao Shiqi, but sometimes, it could also be the "Yao" of Councilor Yao!

They knew best which name to use for which situation.

"Councilor Yao's daughter-in-law was forced to die in the fire..."

"Councilor Yao's own granddaughter is also missing, sigh..."

"A few days ago, I heard them asking Du Ba for medicinal herbs, and Du Ba completely ignored them!"

"The Du Family is wealthy, yet they couldn't spare those few things?"

Hearing these accusations, Du Ba was very angry.

They spoke so generously, yet none of these neighbors were seen taking anything out themselves!

Could Miao Niangzi's illness be cured by ordinary medicinal herbs?

Which family would be willing to part with them?!

But no matter how Du Ba explained, the rumors did not stop, and all sorts of "inside information" were rampant.

It was unknown what reaction Councilor Yao, far away at the Dong Clan, had, but Councilor Yao's old friends and former colleagues staying in Jizhou were losing face at this moment, and they had to express their dissatisfaction to some degree. No matter how indifferent or unconcerned they were, that was still a member of Councilor Yao's family!

If such a thing spread, wouldn't that be a slap in the face to Councilor Yao?

Although everyone had abandoned many bottom lines now, they still cared about matters concerning family reputation.

For a member of the Du Family to force the family members of a noble clan to this point was very damaging to their reputation!

If you had done it quietly, that would be one thing; it would count as you having means. But for the matter to be blown up so big and the news to spread, that was your fault! You did it too uglily!

Councilor Yao was still alive!

Of course, it was unwise to directly curse the Head of the Family of the Du Family, so their target for concentrated fire became Du Ba.

Compared to the affairs of noble clans, the trivial matters of a few opera troupes were of no concern to anyone.

Du Shiyi looked at the situation and quietly kept a low profile. Who would be stupid enough to jump out and take the heat for Du Ba at a time like this?

Just let Du Ba bear it alone!

The Du Family courtyard.

The Head of the Family kicked Du Ba down, his eyes full of anger, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, as if he wanted to reach over and strangle Du Ba to death.

The Head of the Family roared: "Didn't I tell you not to cause trouble?!"

Du Ba endured the pain, knelt and crawled back to defend himself: "I didn't, I really didn't provoke her again!"

That Miao Niangzi was also something, to be so resolute!

The Head of the Family was currently overwhelmed, with a pile of matters left unprocessed, and this rebellious son had actually caused trouble again, seriously affecting the reputation of their Du Family. The face of a noble clan was greater than the heavens!

But there were also times when interests were greater than face.

If they wanted to retain the support of those noble clans, they could only sacrifice their interests!

The Head of the Family had people bring a fine coffin, held a funeral for Miao Niangzi, and personally wrote a letter to Councilor Yao of the Dong Clan. He shifted the responsibility and laid out the benefits. As one incident after another broke out in Jizhou.

The Bai Family ships, which had long since withdrawn, had not traveled too far.

They sailed along the river and stopped at a place to hold a funeral for the old man.

The first batch of cargo ships brought the coffin out, placed it at the agreed location, and left people to guard it. Only after Bai Hang and the others arrived did they bury the old man. If there was a chance to return to their hometown in the future, they would come back to relocate the grave.

Afterward, to avoid the Autumn Hunt Army of Jizhou, they took a detour by water, delaying for a few days before returning to their original route.

Bai Hang checked the water level and saw they could continue sailing for two more days, so there was no need to switch directly to land.

Before the ships set off again, a servant came over and said:

"Master, there are two children over there who just escaped from Jizhou and also want to go to Xinzhou, so they are asking if they can travel with us?"

Bai Hang looked over there: "Has their identity been confirmed?"

The manservant hesitated and said, "They say their family is gone; I observed them, and it doesn't look fake."

Bai Hang asked him directly, "What bribe did you take?"

The manservant gave an awkward laugh and pulled out a Jizhou Money Voucher.

Jizhou Money Vouchers cannot be used in Xinzhou, but they can be exchanged with large merchant caravans.

Bai Hang glanced at it; the denomination wasn't large, but for a manservant, it was already a very decent income.

This manservant was quite loyal, just a bit greedy for money.

Bai Hang looked at the two children again.

The young girl looked like her family background should be decent, and the Money Voucher should have been from her family. The boy beside her, however, looked like a pauper.

Both children had sorrowful expressions, looking as if they had cried heavily.

Bai Hang could roughly guess what the situation in Jizhou was like right now.

There were definitely many people fleeing like this, only most would fail and never be able to walk out of Jizhou.

Bai Hang asked them, "Are you going to Xinzhou?"

The boy said, "Yes."

Bai Hang looked at the young girl who hadn't made a sound: "Are you too?"

The young girl nodded: "Mm, going to Xinzhou!"

Bai Hang said, "Fine, once you get on the boat, stay over there; you are not allowed to go anywhere else. Take good care of the donkey yourselves, and don't let it bray randomly!"

After saying this, he stopped looking at them.

The manservant said, "Master, won't you ask a bit more?"

Bai Hang said, "They're just two children; consider it accumulating merit for the old master."

Having just finished the funeral arrangements, since he had encountered them, and they were two children who had escaped from Jizhou, he would help them out.

Of course, the necessary vigilance was still there. He had to prevent them from having ulterior motives, and also observe whether they were possessed by evil.

Bai Hang said to that manservant, "You took the money, so you are responsible for watching them; if any trouble arises, I will come for you!"

Seeing that he wasn't being punished, the manservant said happily, "Aye! This one understands!"

They sailed for two more days, and seeing the water level dropping too fast, they switched from the waterway to land, where they met the people sent by Xinzhou to receive them.

Bai Hang also saw his brother-in-law, which meant the previous group of the Bai Family had already arrived safely.

Bai Hang finally felt at ease in his heart.

The carriages and horses were already arranged, and several of the Bai Family's principals boarded the carriages.

Du Shitou and Yao Shanmi were still riding the donkey.

Du Shitou knew of the Bai Family; he had even managed to snatch a piece of paper covered in writing that the Bai Family had distributed, and he knew the Bai Family was going to Xinzhou. Therefore, after seeing the Bai Family's ships, he considered it carefully and sought out a Bai Family manservant.

He had learned how to read people's expressions to choose a target back in the opera troupe.

They successfully boarded the Bai Family's ship and left Jizhou.

According to the original plan, they were to go to the Xinzhou merchant caravan's trading zone in Jizhou first, then find a caravan to take them to Xinzhou.

Now that they had encountered the Bai Family's ship, they could adapt to the situation.

The two children were very well-behaved and very silent the whole time.

The manservant watching them thought to himself: This money is actually quite easy to earn.

No wonder merchant caravans usually like helping people carry goods; earning money on the side is just too great!

The Bai Family caravan arrived at the border of Xinzhou and met the people sent by the Patrol Guard Division to receive them.

Yu He had come under orders. These few from the Bai Family concerned a batch of secret warehouses, so to show his importance, he, a Commander, had come personally to receive them. Because they had already reached the territory of Xinzhou, there was no need for concealment, and Yu He was wearing the official uniform of a Patrol Guard Division Commander.

As soon as the Bai Family members saw the official uniform on Yu He, their expressions all improved quite a bit.

The more Xinzhou showed its importance, the happier they were, of course.

Yu He was greeting the principals of the Bai Family when he sensed someone spying; his sharp gaze swept over.

It was the two children riding the donkey.

Seeing him look over, the two children quickly lowered their heads.

When Yu He withdrew his gaze, they looked over again.

This was suspicious!

Yu He grew wary and walked over. Children in troubled times cannot be underestimated; he had to get to the bottom of this!

"What is your business?" he asked.

Du Shitou blocked the front, looking nervous, and was about to say something when Yao Shanmi behind him already held up a scrap of paper, poked her head out, and asked carefully: "Do you recognize this?" Yu He had originally been thinking: Let's see what little tricks you can pull!

He waited until he looked closely.

It was a picture cut out from a children's storybook—the protagonist of the storybook was wearing the standard official uniform of the Xinzhou Patrol Guard Division, and it was even at the Commander level!! This was one of the private goods Zhao Han had crazily smuggled in when drawing the storybook!

Before Yao Shanmi left, she couldn't take the whole book, so she cut out an illustration and kept it with her.

When reading the storybook, the book noted that the story was fictional, so she thought this uniform was also fictional.

She didn't expect it to actually be real!

The child couldn't resist her curiosity, and she whispered to Du Shitou to discuss it.

Xinzhou really was a good place; no wonder her mother wanted her to come to Xinzhou!

With one more familiar element, the anxiety and timidity in her heart vanished a little bit.

Yu He figured out the reason and found it amusing, then asked Bai Hang about the origins of these two children.

Bai Hang had some guesses about the children's plight, but he was not clear about their identities.

Yu He said, "It is still necessary to ask clearly."

However, the most urgent thing now was to continue the journey.

Staying outside for too long is not safe; winter has not yet arrived, and if the weather is clear during the day, the temperature rises slightly, which also increases the danger. The caravan continued to move forward.

Those two on the donkey's back still glanced at Commander Yu Er from time to time, continuing to whisper, though they were a bit more energetic than before.