Chapter 474: Roadblock Squad

Jerusalem.

Walking the streets of Jerusalem at this time, Yu Lin's impression was vastly different from the scenes he would see decades later.

Not only the city layout and architectural style, but also the overall atmosphere and the difference in the central landmark.

The streets in the city were narrow and winding, the ground compacted earth or uneven stone slabs.

The houses on both sides were mostly stone‑built, low and functional, bearing a distinct Eastern Mediterranean style.

Pedestrians bustled: local Jewish residents wrapped in headscarves, Roman officials or merchants dressed in toga robes, and travelers and vendors from various places.

The most striking difference was the Temple at the city center.

In Yu Lin's memory, the Jerusalem Temple should have been grand and magnificent, resplendent in gold and jade, the undisputed core symbol of Jewish faith.

Yet the temple complex before his eyes now, though sizable, fell far short of the grandeur he would later recall decades later.

The main structures appeared more rustic, the stone's hue somber, and the decorations relatively simple.

The reason, of course, was that Herod, who loved infrastructure projects.

That Herod, in his early years, rose to power through shrewdness and political skill, becoming Rome's client king in Judea.

During his reign, he truly earned the nickname "Infrastructure Maniac", vigorously building ports, sturdy forts, improving waterworks and public facilities, gaining considerable reputation and a solid ruling base.

What later generations remember most about him is that in the latter part of his rule, he launched and largely completed a massive expansion and decoration of the Jerusalem Temple, making it one of the most spectacular buildings in the Mediterranean world at the time.

The so‑called Second Temple—Herod's Temple—greatly solidified Jerusalem's status as a holy site of Jewish faith and spurred related economy and employment.

Unfortunately, this once‑accomplished king grew increasingly paranoid and brutal in his later years, executing his own wife, mother‑in‑law, and even three sons.

Though his wife and sons indeed coveted his throne.

His actions even reached Augustus in Rome, who mocked, "Being Herod's pig is safer than being his son."

At this time, Christianity had not yet been born; the dominant religion on this land was Judaism.

Within Judaism, however, it was not monolithic; distinct sects had emerged: the Pharisees, who emphasized legal details and oral tradition and held great popular influence; the Sadducees, who controlled Temple priesthood and were largely priests and aristocrats; and the Essenes, who prized piety and tended toward separatism.

Various ideas and forces clashed here.

It is worth noting that simultaneously, in the distant East, the Western Han was in its late period under Emperor Ai, with the power of the consort clan Wang Mang swelling, and the undercurrent of usurping the Han Empire was rising.

At this moment.

Yu Lin and Mi Ti Ya, along with two other Persian doctors, walked through the street.

His black hair and typical East Asian face stood out starkly among the surrounding West Asian and Mediterranean faces, like a colored stone dropped into a calm lake, drawing wave after wave of curious, scrutinizing, even slightly wary gazes.

Those glances followed them, low murmurs buzzing in the air like mosquitoes.

Eventually, on a relatively wide main street, a patrol of soldiers blocked their path.

"You lot, stop! Wait a moment."

The leading Soldier Captain was a man in his forties, burly, with a sun‑tanned dark face and short beard, wearing simple armor of leather and bronze plates, and a leather Sword Sheath at his waist holding a standard Roman short sword.

His eyes were sharp, scanning Yu Lin and his three companions quickly, finally locking firmly on Yu Lin's face, which clashed with the surroundings; his brows knit tightly as he barked:

"Where are you from? How did you grow into… this appearance?"

His tone was full of doubt and confusion, clearly Yu Lin's appearance exceeded his everyday frame of reference.

Yu Lin's expression remained calm; he raised his hand, pointed east, and replied:

"I come from the east, a very distant east, where there is a country called 'Han'."

"Han?" the Soldier Captain chewed the syllable, his brows furrowing further, feeling he had vaguely heard it somewhere but couldn't recall the exact connection.

At that moment, a relatively younger, spryer soldier behind him stuck his head out and whispered, "Sir, is that… the 'Han' that sold us Silk?"

"I've heard from caravan traders that the finest Silk comes from that distant Eastern empire."

Although the Han Empire and the Roman Empire were separated by the vast Parthian and Kushan empires and other powerful states, official envoys and large caravans could not travel directly; all Silk and other luxuries had to pass through multiple middlemen before reaching the Mediterranean world.

Yet after centuries of trade, the notion that "Silk comes from Han" was no longer an absolute secret at Roman‑controlled trade hubs like Jerusalem, at least among some soldiers who had encountered merchants.

"Silk?" the Soldier Captain's eyes lit up, suddenly understanding, and he again surveyed Yu Lin from head to toe, focusing on his clothing.

Yu Lin's garment material was indeed fine, truly like that woven from the finest Silk.

But, Silk cloth?

Not seeing the priceless Silk he expected, the Soldier Captain seemed a bit disappointed, yet the texture of Yu Lin's fabric still caught his attention.

He followed up, "From the Han Empire? Then why didn't you bring Silk? What are you doing here? Those few…"

He lifted his chin toward the three of Mi Ti Ya, "Are they your companions?"

Yu Lin's gaze passed over the Soldier Captain's shoulder, looking toward the silhouette of Herod's Palace on the city heights, his tone even: "I am here to see Herod."

"As for the Silk…" he spread his hands, making a helpless expression: "I already used it as travel expenses, sold it on the road for food and necessities, sorry to disappoint you."

"Sorry."

He even apologized deliberately, appearing very polite, or rather, seeming somewhat timid in the eyes of the Soldier Captain and his men.

He looked easy to bully.

He paused, glanced at the three of Mi Ti Ya who wore worried expressions, and continued:

"As for them, they are travelers I happened to meet on the road, not my companions. I have always walked alone."

"Alone?" the Soldier Captain's face showed a knowing smile, clearly not believing the story, or rather, preferring his own judgment:

"I think you… are just a meddlesome infiltrator from outside! Trying to spy, aren't you?"

He asked no more, abruptly waved his hand, ordering his subordinates:

"Take him down! Bring him back for thorough interrogation!"

Several soldiers stepped forward, drawing ropes, ready to bind Yu Lin.

Yu Lin did not resist, even cooperatively extending his hands, allowing them to bind his wrists with coarse rope, his face still expressionless, as if the one being arrested were not himself.

Seeing Yu Lin so "sensible", the Soldier Captain nodded approvingly:

"Consider yourself lucky. Dismiss the squad!"

He turned, gesturing for his subordinates to take Yu Lin away.

However, Mi Ti Ya, who had been suppressing his anger, could no longer restrain himself.

He stepped forward abruptly, blocking the Soldier Captain's path; his aged face flushed with anger, and he struck the ground hard with his staff, producing a dull "thud."

"Stop! You can't do this!"

Mi Ti Ya's voice was agitated: "You cannot treat a wise one who has come from afar so rudely! He is a seeker of truth and light, certainly no spy!"

Balthasar and Gaspar behind him also stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Mi Ti Ya; though they said nothing, their eyes were firm, clearly showing their support.

"Release him at once!"

Mi Ti Ya stared directly into the Soldier Captain's eyes, issuing the command without backing down.

Looking at the three of them.

The Soldier Captain smiled faintly and said:

"Three outsiders dare to order me? Not taking you away is my mercy."

"This is the territory of Judaism! Get out of here!"

He said this, then shoved Mi Ti Ya and the two aside, leading his squad away.

Although Mi Ti Ya and the two were skilled in divination, they were not adept at combat; they could only watch helplessly as Yu Lin was taken away, fists clenched.

"Go see King Xi Lv Wang! Have him release Yu Lin!"

"Let's go!"