Chapter 650: Chapter 652: Escort Team

Wenheng walked forward and asked, "How long, exactly, will it take to clear this?"

As for a potential ambush by bandits? Wenheng wasn’t the least bit worried.

If there were any real trouble, his men wouldn’t bother reporting it to him. They would just escort the family away as quickly as possible.

Taking up this new post was completely different from his previous one as a Magistrate. He had been assigned over a hundred trusted aides, all of them experts handpicked by Mr. Cao.

The household servants, guards, and dart masters he’d brought along were just as numerous as his trusted aides, and every single one was highly skilled.

They had all been trained by Qi and Ba for several years. Even if they hadn’t mastered all of their skills, they had learned a good deal.

Unfortunately, Qi and Ba had been sent by Empress Zhou simply to protect him on the way to Lu City. The moment they returned to Shangjing, they had gone back to their master’s side.

Lin Dapeng had just surveyed the area and had a good grasp of the situation. "If our own people clear this, the earliest we can be done is tomorrow."

"It’s just that we don’t have enough proper tools. Otherwise, we could be even faster."

Thankfully, not too much earth had slid down. With so many people, they could still clear a path, but it would be hard work, as everyone would have to rely on their bare hands.

Wenheng turned and looked around. They were surrounded by dense forest.

"Find a few men with good light body skills and have them scout the area for any farmhouses."

"If you find anyone, ask them to bring tools to help clear the road. We’ll pay them in silver, of course."

Ming Feng hurried off to make the arrangements. Jin Qianqian, meanwhile, had people set up the cooking pots. Even if there was work to be done, they had to fill their stomachs first.

"Even if we manage to clear the road today, we’ll still have to camp here for the night," Wenheng said, surveying their surroundings. ’This road must not see much traffic. It’s surprising we haven’t found any other stranded travelers.’

Qianqian looked at the dense forest surrounding them. "Then we’ll have to be extra vigilant tonight. It would be best to post more people on watch."

"Who knows if there are wild beasts in a place like this. We should be on guard at every corner."

Wenheng nodded in agreement. Of course, it would be even better if they could find a nearby village to take shelter in.

However, it seemed their luck had run out. The men who had been sent out returned after more than an hour; even from the highest vantage point, they hadn’t been able to spot any villages in the vicinity.

"Looks like we’ll have to make do here for the night. Have the men clear out a space nearby so we can set up camp."

With the decision made, his men all began to bustle about.

Lacking proper tools, the trusted aides could only use their swords and sabers, along with strips of cut bamboo, to slowly clear the path.

Meanwhile, the maids and servants Jin Qianqian had brought, along with the other members of the Gu Family, took charge of setting up the cooking fires.

Just as the aroma of cooking food began to drift through the air, a guard came to report that a party of over a hundred people was approaching from behind. At the head of their column flew the flag of an escort agency.

"Looks like our luck is holding up," Wang Ping said with a smile. "Now we’ll have some help."

Wenheng said to Wang Ping, "Go and speak with them. If they can spare the manpower, we can get this road cleared much faster."

"If they’re not willing, don’t force them."

Wang Ping smiled. "Why wouldn’t they be willing? They’ll be overjoyed at the chance to do something for you, My Lord."

’Sometimes,’ Wang Ping thought, ’Mr. Gu is just too accommodating, always putting others first.’

’People of their station are desperate for a chance to make a good impression on an official. They wouldn’t dream of passing up such a rare opportunity. In fact, if you’re too polite with them, it just makes them anxious.’

And sure enough, the moment Wang Ping went over and explained the situation, the leader of the escort immediately brought his men forward to help clear the blockage. They were clearly experienced, as they all had tools with them.

"It seems this isn’t the first or second time there’s been a landslide here." Jin Qianqian wasn’t surprised by the news. When on the road, the dart masters of an escort agency are always more thorough in their preparations than ordinary travelers.

"Look, they even have tools prepared. They must have run into this sort of thing countless times before."

Wenheng saw that with the help of proper tools, the work was progressing much faster. "This area is full of earthen hills. They’re prone to collapsing during the rainy season or after heavy rainfall."

"That’s something we overlooked. When we reach the next town, have someone purchase a set of tools for us to keep on hand."

Qianqian saw cooking smoke rising from the party behind them and knew they were also preparing a meal, so she looked away.

She had assumed the two groups would keep to themselves, but just as her family was about to sit down to eat, Xu Dawang came over with a report.

"Sir, Madam, someone from the escort team behind us delivered a calling card. It’s from the wife of Vice Envoy Cen. She wishes for an audience."

As soon as Wenheng heard the surname and official title, he knew exactly who it was.

His subordinates included a Deputy Envoy and an Assistant, among other deputies. These men were either promoted from the ranks or transferred from neighboring regions.

This particular Deputy Envoy, Cen Gaosong, had been a lateral transfer from the neighboring province. Wenheng hadn’t expected to run into his family here.

Since they had crossed paths, it was only proper to meet. Wenheng told Xu Dawang to invite them over.

Mrs. Cen Zhang, whose given name was Zhang Guihong, appeared to be at least fifty years old. She was dressed in opulent clothes with a full face of makeup. Her hair was styled impeccably, adorned with a complete set of matching hair ornaments.

A young woman behind her was similarly attired, flanked by eight maids.

The sheer pomp of it all left even Jin Qianqian stunned.

’Dressed so formally...’ she thought. ’You couldn’t tell they were traveling at all. It looks more like they’re on their way to a banquet.’

"Greetings, Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu." Her husband was, after all, two ranks lower, so Zhang Guihong led her daughter in a formal salutation.

"Lady Cen, there’s no need for such ceremony. What a coincidence to meet you here."

"Have you eaten yet? Would you care to join us for a simple meal?"

Zhang Guihong glanced at their food out of the corner of her eye—just a few simple stir-fried dishes—and a flicker of disdain crossed her face. "Our servants are already preparing our meal, so we won’t trouble Mrs. Gu. I didn’t realize you were in the middle of eating. Please forgive the interruption."

"It’s hard to be a proper host when on the road. Please forgive our simple arrangements," Wenheng said, gesturing to a chair that had just been brought over. "Lady Cen, please, have a seat."

Mrs. Cen Zhang didn’t refuse. Before sitting down, she introduced the young woman beside her. "This is my second daughter, Yue Qin. When she heard that Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu were here, she insisted on coming to pay her respects."

Cen Yueqin curtsied gracefully. "Greetings, Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu."

Seeing the younger woman pay her respects, Jin Qianqian quickly called over Gu Benluo and Gu Ben Can to do the same.

However, Gu Benluo had just been gathering firewood and tending the stove. He was covered in soot and ash, looking for all the world like a rather handsome farm boy.

The Cen mother and daughter both looked shocked. ’How could Mr. Gu’s son be so unrefined?’ they thought. ’To appear before guests in such dirty clothes!’

Jin Qianqian saw the surprise in their eyes and said with a smile, "This restless boy of mine can’t sit still. He insisted on going into the hills to gather firewood and tend the stove, and ended up covered in ash."

"Once he’s done it a few more times, he’ll get the hang of it and won’t make such a mess."

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