Chapter 242: Where in Life Do We Not Meet?
The goods were checked and loaded onto the carts.
Zhou Yan had Liang Xiaowu select over ten experienced, absolutely loyal, and reliable runners to gather in the courtyard.
The escort team was heading to the Western Regions, a fact well-known to all escorts and runners. The journey would take over a month, so they needed to make arrangements with their families. However, only Liang Xiaowu and a dozen others knew the nature of the cargo.
Within Fu’an, all personnel were united, and the escort agency exuded a thriving atmosphere. But then again, people die for wealth, and birds die for food. Let alone rare treasures, who could guarantee that a chest of gold wouldn’t tarnish a loyal heart?
Loading the escort cargo had its intricacies; some items needed shock absorption, others protection from moisture. The selected runners were all experienced individuals, diligent and skilled.
Gold was the easiest to pack. The Jade Guanyin and the mutton-fat cup were individually packed in brocade boxes, cushioned with sawdust to prevent shock.
After a full day of work, all the escort cargo was loaded into the escort carts, sealed with imprints, and secured with anti-theft locks made of elm wood.
Liang Xiaowu and the other escorts and runners who loaded the carts ate and slept at the escort agency, departing with the team the next day.
This was the escort agency’s rule for escorting valuable items.
Zhou Yan kept watch that evening. He returned to his courtyard in the city to pack his bag, which contained a change of clothes, a bag of lime, several ingots of gold and silver, a packet of stones the size of pigeon eggs, flint, and tinder, and three handwritten cultivation manuals. He carried an ox horn giant bow with a quiver on his back and a profound iron heavy spear in his hand, with a qingfeng sword at his side.
He bolted the door from the inside, leaped over the wall, and glanced at the white-walled, blue-tiled siheyuan before turning to leave. This departure meant an uncertain return. According to his plan, on the way back, he would reach the Yellow River, travel downstream to Zhongnan Mountain to visit Li Mochou and Little Dragon Girl, and then proceed to Hengshan City. After that, he would check on Yang Miaozhen’s preparations and deal with the bandits in Tongbai Mountain.
Going to Hengshan was an agreement with Liu Qingzhou, to prevent the Iron Palm Sect from expanding its influence in Jiangnan after Qiu Qianren defected to Yang Kang, which would be detrimental to the Hengshan Sect.
He clearly laid out his planned itinerary.
Before sunset, Zhou Yan arrived at the Fu’an Escort Agency.
Liang Xiaowu, who was staying at the escort agency, came to greet him. “Is the Head Escort here?”
“Yes.”
“Two carts have been prepared for the High Monk; one for him to live in, and one for water and the golden dolls.”
“Well done,” Zhou Yan said, patting Xiaowu’s shoulder. He instructed, “Please prepare more long arrows for me and arrange for two runners to purchase some fireworks, the kind that are loud and have a long range.”
“Understood.”
Escort agencies always carried signal fireworks for communication during their journeys. Zhou Yan’s request for fireworks was a precautionary measure. Escorting Duan Huai’an to Wuwei, with only a few luxurious carved carriages, had already attracted several groups of bandits. This was the escort agency’s first time escorting goods to the Western Regions, and no one knew how many unsavory characters they might attract. However, one thing was certain: apart from battle-hardened cavalry troops, ordinary mounted groups had no training in dealing with explosions. Fireworks could startle horses.
For this final escort mission, Zhou Yan made meticulous preparations and arrangements before heading to the meeting hall.
Zhang Wangyue, being a solitary man, also stayed at the escort agency that night. When Zhou Yan entered, he saw a sketch on the table.
Hu Yanlei was also present. The descendant of the Hu Yan family said, “Brother Zhou, come have some tea and let’s discuss the route.”
Zhou Yan sat down and looked at the map, which roughly depicted mountain ranges and rivers, with major cities along the route marked.
Zhang Wangyue said, “We are mainly referencing the route Zhou brother took to Wuwei. This route to the Western Regions is truly unfamiliar. However, business in the south will become increasingly difficult in the future, so we can travel more to the Western Regions and beyond the Pass. This escort mission is also a reconnaissance trip.”
“That makes sense,” Zhou Yan said, examining the map closely. He drew two routes: one leading southwest from Datong Prefecture, proceeding along the Shaanxi-Gansu routes, and then heading north near Xining, passing Wuwei to Yumen Pass. The other route also passed through Datong Prefecture but followed the Yellow River upstream, traversing the desert and Gobi, and reaching Yumen Pass from the northern part of the Western Xia Kingdom.
“Brother Zhou, which route do you think is easier to travel?”
Zhou Yan did not prevaricate or guess. He stated directly, “Traveling along the Yellow River is smooth, and more than half of it is within Mongolian territory. The Shaanxi-Gansu routes have many large mountains, and bandits are easily hidden in the deep mountains, leading to potential accidents. Furthermore, this route also has many Western Regions sects.”
Zhang Wangyue smiled. “Alright, we will proceed as Brother Zhou suggests.”
“What is the Chief Escort’s opinion?”
“We’ll take the Yellow River route.”
The two exchanged smiles.
“I’ll go get some wine.”
Hu Yanlei returned, bringing a jar of wine. After opening it and pouring, the conversation turned. Zhang Wangyue asked, “Brother Zhou, what do you think the Khan’s intention is in sending an Imperial Envoy to Khwarazm?”
As the three drank, Zhou Yan replied, “It is to eliminate future troubles before launching a major offensive against the Jin Dynasty, to avoid being attacked from both sides.”
“You mean Wanyan Honglie will also be eyeing Khwarazm?”
“Just as the Khan can think of it, Wanyan Honglie, who is currently associated with the Vajra Sect in the Western Regions, will also consider this. In the past, when the Liao Dynasty was powerful, all the Western Regions countries submitted to it, and its influence extended to Khwarazm. The Jin Dynasty replaced the Liao Dynasty, and its influence in these areas should still surpass that of present-day Mongolia.”
“That makes sense.”
Zhou Yan said, “It’s a pity the Lin’an Court is incompetent. Otherwise, this would be a rare opportunity to drill troops and feed horses.”
A sharpness flashed in Zhang Wangyue’s eyes. “Indeed. When will the West Lake songs and dances cease? They treat Hangzhou as Bianjing. Brother Zhou, and people like us, are merely escorts, yet we see the situation clearly. Those corrupt officials are indulging in drunken revelry.”
Zhou Yan chuckled.
Zhang Wangyue is a descendant of the Yue family generals. Yue Fei was wronged, Han Shizhong was stripped of his military power and resigned in anger, dying in melancholy. Zhang Wangyue, Lu Beihe, and others, if forced by circumstances, would emulate Yang Miaozhen rather than harbor illusions about the Lin’an Court. This is a good thing.
By the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), the jar of wine was finished, and Hu Yanlei left the escort agency. Zhou Yan then went to the large courtyard where the escort carts were stored. He carried his spear to the pavilion, sat cross-legged, and practiced breathing exercises, cultivating the Yijin Forging Bone Chapter.
Zhou Yan had not yet fully mastered this cultivation technique, which improved bone structure and increased strength. With the escort mission imminent, he was not in a hurry to cultivate the Nine Yang Manual.
…
As the dawn light was faint, Liang Xiaowu led the runners in lighting pine wood for warding off evil and ensuring good fortune.
Firecrackers were hung from the gatehouse, and the escorts gathered in the courtyard.
Hu Yanlei held the Tiger Head Hammered Gold Spear, Mu Nianci wielded a Snow Flower Fine Steel Spear, and Zhou Yan carried the Profound Iron Heavy Spear. Including Liang Xiaowu, there were a total of one hundred and forty-six escorts, runners, and grooms.
The elite of Fu’an, personally trained by Zhang Wangyue, Hu Yanlei, and Zhou Yan, were all present.
Yang Tiexin would not be accompanying them; he would remain as the sole escort guarding the agency.
The former Boss, Duan Huai’an, came to see them off.
Knowing that Zhou Yan might not return, the old man held a bowl of farewell wine and said, “Your future is unknown, but who in this world doesn’t know you?”
The old man, who once said, “Though my position is humble, I dare not forget my country,” offered Zhou Yan words of great success.
“If there is a true friend within the seas, the ends of the earth are like neighbors.”
“Very good, Brother Zhou.”
Duan Huai’an raised his wine bowl and, for the first time, drank with Zhou Yan.
The twenty-fourth day of the second lunar month, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), a propitious day, suitable for travel.
The escorts and runners each drank a bowl of farewell wine. Zhang Wangyue looked at Zhou Yan, who gathered his qi from his dantian and roared, “Raise the escort flag!”
The escort flag fluttered, firecrackers boomed, carts rumbled, and horses whinnied. Bows and steel knives were at their waists. The team left the escort agency and proceeded along the street, departing from Zhongdu.
As soon as the escort agency left the city, horsemen rode out from all four gates. To say nothing of the distant, Xiaoxiangzi was a spy for the Jin Dynasty. Zhongdu City was rife with espionage, and this escort mission was destined to be turbulent.
The team moved forward in a grand procession. Liang Xiaowu, carrying a saber, led the way. At the rear of the escort team were the two carriages belonging to the Tianzhu Monk; one carried the person, and the other held water buckets and golden dolls.
Zhou Yan, Hu Yanlei, and Zhang Wangyue brought up the rear.
As Zhongdu City receded into the distance, Zhou Yan said to the Fu’an Chief Escort, “After passing Datong Prefecture, we will travel southwest during the day and change course at night.”
Zhang Wangyue smiled. “Feint to the east and attack to the west. Good.”
Zhou Yan chuckled. Caution ensures a safe journey. The previous ambushes at Fengling Ferry and Tong Pass by the Yellow River Gang and the Vajra Sect served as a stark warning.
The escort team proceeded grandly, not stopping at inns or eating at restaurants, camping by rivers along the way. Three days later, they passed Datong Prefecture. As planned, they headed southwest towards Shanxi’s Shuo Prefecture during the day, and at night, they changed course to speed northwest, then followed the Yellow River upstream into Mongolian territory, bypassing the Western Xia Kingdom to reach Yumen Pass.
…
The sunset cast a fiery glow over the mountains, as if setting the peaks ablaze.
After nine riders and a carriage proceeded, they entered a roadside restaurant near Shuo Prefecture.
“Waiter, bring us good wine and dishes. Also, pack some wine, meat, and dry rations,” said the Tou Tuo, holding a bronze rod.
The waiter, seeing the burly and fierce Tou Tuo, quickly replied, “Yes, sir,” and busied himself. Huang Rong sat at a table by the window, looking troubled. To proceed further meant heading directly into the Western Regions, which was a predicament.
She was being escorted by Monk Baoyin, Tou Tuo, and others from Shaoshi Mountain to the Western Regions. The monks did not enter Zhongdu City. Baoyin was accommodating to Huang Rong’s needs for food, drink, and lodging, but he also kept a strict watch. Guards were posted outside her room at night. Despite her intelligence and resourcefulness, Huang Rong could not devise a foolproof plan for escape.
Taking down one or two people was not a problem, but she couldn’t handle Baoyin and Tou Tuo. If she failed, escaping would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Huang Rong sat alone at a table. The waiter served three plates of good food and a pot of wine. Baoyin and Tou Tuo and their group were at a shared table, eating and drinking heartily. She picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of food, and thought, “If only I had Zhou Yan’s ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion.’ I could break through the window, ride away, and no matter how hard the wicked monks tried, they couldn’t catch me.”
As she thought this, her gaze drifted, and then she looked towards the distant main road. Dust was rising, and carriages and horses were approaching. It was an escort team.
Huang Rong immediately began to ponder how to use the escort team to escape.
The escort team approached without any sign of stopping. Huang Rong’s gaze suddenly fixed on the rider leading the way, who was Liang Xiaowu.
A Fu’an escort team?
Huang Rong was overjoyed and complained, “This escort team is so annoying, kicking up dust and making it impossible to enjoy our food and wine.”
The restaurant was by the roadside. Liang Xiaowu’s cultivation was not low, and he heard her clearly. He looked in the direction of her voice and happened to see Huang Rong by the window.
Upon hearing this, Baoyin said to Huang Rong, “Why don’t you join us for a meal?”
“You all eat so crudely. I’d rather not.”
Tou Tuo laughed brazenly and ate even more noisily.
Liang Xiaowu pondered for a moment, then turned his horse’s head and rode towards the rear of the escort team.
His Qingcong horse galloped, and Liang Xiaowu reached Zhou Yan. “Head Escort, Miss Huang is at the restaurant ahead.”
Zhou Yan was taken aback.
“She said the escort team was annoying, kicking up dust and affecting their meal. It seems someone in the restaurant invited Miss Huang to join them, but she refused.”
“It seems Miss Huang is in trouble,” Zhang Wangyue said.
Zhou Yan pondered for a moment and then said, “The escort team will continue forward. I will go and see.”
“Understood!” Zhang Wangyue nodded.
Zhou Yan rode into the woods and reappeared, having changed his escort uniform to a common gray robe. After the escort team passed, he slowly approached. Huang Rong saw Liang Xiaowu leave and knew that he had noticed something amiss. Her heart settled completely, and she calmly began to eat.
The sound of horse hooves approached. Huang Rong looked up and saw Zhou Yan dismount, his gaze falling upon her.
Huang Rong smiled charmingly, winked, and stood up to walk outside.
“Young Master, we haven’t finished eating and drinking yet. What are you doing?” Baoyin asked.
“Going out for a walk.”
“Young Master, please don’t make things difficult for this humble monk.” Baoyin signaled, and a burly Western Regions martial artist stood up to follow.
Huang Rong’s figure flashed, and she darted out of the restaurant. The burly man grinned and pursued her like a shadow. The spring sunlight under the eaves stirred as Zhou Yan stepped forward and threw a punch.
“Bang!”
The burly man, suddenly attacked, reacted swiftly and drew his saber. However, after the dull thud, there was no further action. Baoyin looked over and saw the burly man suddenly hunch over, his back and clothes appearing to be torn by a pair of invisible hands. Then, the burly man flew into the air, crashing onto the dining table.
A figure like a ferocious beast charged forward.
