Chapter 43: When I Was on a Study Tour

Two groups of people were resting beside the abandoned fields.

Both sides maintained a distance that put everyone at ease.

The side closer to the graveyard had more people, with horses and carts.

Two young women with children sat back inside the carriage.

The people outside circled the campfire, keeping watch on their surroundings.

They had come out this time to pay respects to Yan Laoda again, seven days later—or, in the words of that scholar, to the Great Leader Yan.

Yan Laoda was a brave and righteous man who had served in the local militia. When the world first began to fall into chaos, he connected with some fellow militiamen he was close to, some young men who worked as porters, and familiar neighbors, gathering them into a force that carved out a place for itself within the Bai Lu County Town, which was being battered by the Evil Plague and internal turmoil.

When benefits were distributed within the county town, they were able to seize a share.

The horses they rode and the weapons in their hands had all been accumulated over the past year or so.

It was just that some time ago, Yan Laoda and several brothers encountered a mishap while out and were laid to rest here.

Today, Yan Laoda's widow, Lady Liang, Lin Erdangjia and his wife, as well as several close brothers and trusted guards, came here together to pay their respects.

Many people had received kindness from Yan Laoda, and others wanted to come along, but a large crowd easily caused unnecessary trouble, so they brought everyone's sentiments and came here to burn more incense and paper.

"I heard that a high-level expert performing a Dharma Assembly is very effective!"

"I've never seen a Daoist Priest perform rites, I've only heard that true high-level experts can communicate with ghosts and gods!"

"Do you think that person over there is really a high-level expert who has attained the Dao?"

"We'll know when the time comes; if he dares to lie to us..."

The person speaking moved their hand toward their blade.

In this day and age, even if one killed and robbed, the government would not pursue it.

Even though they were just ordinary county residents in the past, after struggling through more than a year in these chaotic times, their mindset had long since changed.

"If he really has profound Daoist Technique, shall we take on this so-called commission? Will the County Lieutenant masters up in the city have any objections?"

"For just this one trip, what objections could there be? It's not like we aren't paying the bridge toll..."

While several people on the side were chatting, the few people beside Lin Erdangjia were also discussing.

A moment later, Lin Erdangjia stood up and walked toward Wen Gu.

Wen Gu was just waiting.

He was still wondering when the other side would speak up to ask; it seemed they still had ambition. It was just that their reaction was a bit slow.

If they didn't come over soon, he was prepared to go find them.

Wen Gu stood up, holding a piece of paper filled with writing, and bowed slightly to the other party: "Erdangjia, you've come at the right time. The contract has already been drafted; please take a look and see where it needs to be modified."

Lin Erdangjia had been about to ask a question, but upon hearing this, his face tightened again. He took the paper, looked at it, and without a word, returned to the carriage side to whisper a few sentences.

The young woman sitting inside reached out and took it.

Seeing this, Xiao Liu, who was behind Wen Gu, whispered: "Could it be that he doesn't know how to read?"

Wen Gu: "Shh."

Xiao Liu composed his expression and continued to look as if he were guarding the surroundings, thinking to himself: "What did this bunch of people do before? They look even worse than me; at least I know some characters."

At this moment, the young woman in the carriage walked out. This time she was not holding a child, and she walked behind the Erdangjia and the others, with two guards following closely beside her.

Wen Gu understood that this must be the widow of the late Great Leader. Her status might be somewhat special; she was literate, and her demeanor did not resemble that of an ordinary commoner.

The Erdangjia had already walked over: "Just sign it according to this."

What was written on the paper was related to the "deposit." Wen Gu and his group would provide a Dharma Assembly as a deposit, and the other side would do their best to handle the subsequent matters.

If they couldn't handle it...

It didn't say how to deal with that above.

The characters on the paper were written with a charcoal pencil. Once both sides confirmed there were no problems, Wen Gu signed his name at the bottom. He used running script, and between the smooth turns of the strokes, it carried the artistic beauty of calligraphy.

Lin Erdangjia could tell that Wen Gu hadn't just scribbled nonsense, but he didn't recognize what was written.

Looking again at the pen Wen Gu handed over, Lin Erdangjia's face tightened even more.

Wen Gu did not make things difficult and said considerately: "Conditions are limited, there is no ink, and many people are not used to this kind of charcoal pencil. Erdangjia, why not rub it like ink powder on your hand and just press a thumbprint?"

Lin Erdangjia had no choice but to comply.

It was just that the thumbprint pressed out was also a black blob; it was impossible to distinguish who had pressed it at all. Was this thing useful?

Wen Gu took back the paper contract, and as if he saw the other party's doubt, he smiled: "Jianghu rules. Although the situation is special now, this process must be completed."

Once "Jianghu rules" was mentioned, the Erdangjia remembered what question he wanted to ask.

"Um, that, the escort agency you mentioned earlier... what is it like?"

Wen Gu raised his eyes and looked at the Erdangjia and the people behind him, his gaze clear and upright:

"Everyone, have you heard of bodyguards?"

Lin Erdangjia shook his head.

The people who had followed behind him also pricked up their ears, and those with poor hearing even walked a few steps closer.

Let alone them, Xiao Liu and County Lieutenant Zhou didn't know either. However, the two of them did not doubt it, only assuming that the place they were in was remote and they lacked sufficient experience.

The two most knowledgeable people, Wen Gu and Qingyi Daozhang—since Wen Gu said so, and Qingyi Daozhang did not deny it, it must certainly exist.

Wen Gu's eyes were clear and sincere at this moment: "Then I will simply chat with you all about it. When I was on a Study Tour..."

Not far away, the tip of the brush held by Qingyi Daozhang, who was drawing a talisman, tilted. He took a deep breath, steadied his indifferent and aloof high-expert posture, and continued to prepare the talisman paper to be used later. He wanted to block his hearing to focus on drawing the talisman, but he couldn't help but want to know what that Gou Shusheng would spout next.

Wen Gu faced away from these listeners, his emotional performance stable:

"... economic prosperity gave rise to some groups that provide security services. Employers would hire them to escort goods or important people. There are mainly two types of such groups: the thugs of the Dahang, and the escorts of the escort agencies."

Wen Gu raised his eyes and looked in the direction of Bai Lu County Town, "Just like the terrain you are in; if there were a Dahang here, the composition of the personnel inside would be quite complex, for example, strong and sturdy porters..."

Not far behind the Erdangjia, three brawny young men lowered their heads.

"... and the pugilistic ruffians among the city Idlers..."

Two more people had flickering gazes.

"And there are some local militia..."

Several people, including Lin Erdangjia, had wandering eyes.

Wen Gu acted as if he didn't see it and continued his steady output:

"Escort agencies are different. Like merchant firms, they are registered at the county and prefectural offices; they are officially recognized, legitimate organizations!"

After Wen Gu introduced escort agencies to them, he began to talk about escort bureaus.

"Escort bureaus escort goods across the South and North, so they naturally have their own identity markers, which are martial arts nicknames. For example, the Fuwei Escort Bureau, Zhenyuan Escort Bureau, Feima Escort Bureau, and so on, which I heard of during my Study Tour..."

Wen Gu spoke of those passionate Jianghu legends.

Lin Erdangjia and the others listened intently, pondering in their hearts:

So this is a Jianghu Zixiaohao! So this is an escort bureau!

I can do this too!

What kind of Jianghu Zixiaohao should we take?

We must develop in a good direction; we cannot be small fry like the Dahang!

After Wen Gu finished speaking about Jianghu anecdotes, he looked at the current situation:

"Nowadays, more and more people are fleeing from the South to the North. Presumably, the Floating Bridge on the river is kept there for these northward-bound groups."

"However, those heading this way should all be large groups. With many people, they naturally have no fear. Yet, small and medium-sized groups like ours are hesitant and unable to make a firm decision, nor do we know what the situation is like on the other side of the river, or if there are many evil creatures. That is why I want to hire an escort bureau here to protect us for a leg of the journey."

Wen Gu wore an earnest expression:

"If this matter can be handled well, there will certainly be more small and medium-sized groups heading this way later, and you will be able to accept more employment rewards."

Those following behind Lin Erdangjia could not help but nod.

That's right, this business can be done! Since we have to kill evil creatures anyway, why not do it if we can earn a little more?

Just as this scholar said, from the end of autumn this year to the beginning of spring next year, such a long time, there will surely be many groups heading North, and we will have many opportunities to accept commissions and earn supplies.

In this way, the pressure of supporting our families will be greatly reduced!

"Furthermore..." Wen Gu paused slightly.

He looked steadily at the opposite side, his face carrying just the right amount of arrogance:

"Being able to lead a group North, who doesn't have a few relatives who are officials in Beidi?"

He emphasized the words "relatives who are officials."

Regardless of how his aunt and uncle were doing in the North now, it did not prevent him from bringing it up now to raise his status.

The young woman protected behind Lin Erdangjia and the others suddenly asked at this moment: "Do you have relatives serving as officials in Beidi?"

Wen Gu lifted his chin slightly: "Just some military officers with some military power in their hands!"

Military officers!!

When the world is at peace, the imperial court values civil officials over military ones. But when the world is in chaos, military officers with troops in their hands are the true figures with real power!

Nowadays, prominent families and clans from all over the South are leading people North one after another; the power of military officials in Beidi will inevitably continue to expand!

Looking at the scholar in front of them again.

This appearance and temperament indeed look like those cultivated by an official family with a deep foundation.

Then his relatives in Beidi, those military officers, their official ranks might even be quite high...

Wen Gu turned sideways, looking toward the direction of the river behind Bai Lu County, then swept his gaze over, as if implying something:

"With one more commission, you collect one more portion of supplies, and at the same time, you gain one more connection. If the situation in the South becomes urgent in the future, there will be more choices if you go to the North."

After saying this, Wen Gu said no more, and Lin Erdangjia and the others returned to the graveyard.

"That scholar is no ordinary person!" the young woman said.

At this time, a guard nearby suddenly said: "Sister-in-law, I just heard the one holding the bow call the one holding the saber 'County Lieutenant Zhou'!"

Everyone was shocked.

A dignified County Lieutenant is actually just acting as a guard on the side, then the identity of this scholar... and that relative of his who is an official in Beidi...

Lin Erdangjia also said at this time: "Looking at his words and actions just now, he really seems to have status, and perhaps even some Jianghu standing."

Since he has relatives who are officials and also knows Jianghu heroes, this... if we really strike in the dark, unless we silence everyone, it will be easy to face retaliation.

Although the world is chaotic now and information is blocked, this is the gateway to cross the river, and groups from the South to the North, or from the North to the South, often pass through.

"We really don't need to have a conflict with him."

"Then the commission he mentioned... the people above might not allow it."

"We can try. If the ones above eat meat, we must let the brothers below drink some soup."

If they could drink more soup, or even taste some meat scraps, they would naturally be even more satisfied.

Here, Xiao Liu said to Wen Gu: "Second Brother Wen, do you want them to protect us across the river?"

Wen Gu: "Hmm... it's not just that."

If we can cross the river, we might as well be protected a bit further. How can an escort only protect across a bridge?

(End of chapter)