Chapter 179
179 The Ruined City Wall
After leaving West Mountain Village, they quickly overtook the Ma Family since they had horses. After traveling for half a month, they finally arrived at Qingzhou Prefecture.
After entering the city, the group sent the Xu brothers to the Four Seas Bank. The shopkeeper of the Four Seas Bank in the Qingzhou Prefecture was called Chu Jiang.
After greeting them, Shopkeeper Chu said to Zhou Jia, “Senior Zhou, there are many bandits in Qingchuan. You don’t have many people, so let the Xu brothers help you for a few days. When you straighten out the matters in the city, you can send them back.”
The Xu brothers also said, “That’s right! Senior Zhou, there are many bandits over there, and you don’t have many people. Let us help you for a few more days!”
When Zhou Jia heard this, he cupped his hands gratefully and said, “Thank you, Brother Xu! Thank you, Shopkeeper Chu! I’ll accept the help. However, I’ll have to pay the salary of the Xu brothers in the future.”
Chu Jiang smiled and said, “Senior Zhou, you’re too polite. Since you insist, we’ll do as you say. I heard that you and Madam are going to Qingchuan, so I specially asked about Qingchuan’s recent situation. The situation isn’t good. I specially prepared a cart of rice and grains for you to bring to Qingchuan.”
When Zhou Jia heard how thoughtful the Four Seas Bank was, he could only cup his hands and thank them again.
At this moment, Shen Wu received the news that the two of them had arrived in Qingzhou and rushed over from the government office. When he saw Zhou Jia, he smiled and said, “Mr. Zhou, I haven’t congratulated you yet! Congratulations on your ranking!”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and smiled. “Then you have to express your gratitude. I’m going to Qingchuan to take up my post. I heard that there are many bandits there. When the time comes, I’ll have to rely on Brother Shen’s help.”
Shen Wu said seriously, “Brother Zhou, don’t worry. If you need me, just let me know. I’ve ordered food and drinks at the restaurant to welcome you.”
Zhou Jia smiled and said, “Thank you, Brother Shen.”
After resting in Qingzhou Prefecture for half a day, Li Yu and Zhou Jia brought their people and set off for Qingchuan the next morning.
When they were about to reach Qingchuan, the convoy passed by a mountain path. Ruyi, who was in the lead, realized that a startled bird had flown up from the grass in front. Ruyi pulled out her long saber and shouted at Tiezhu, “Tiezhu, tell Xu Chun that there’s something strange in the grass in front.”
“Yes.” Tiezhu had just sent the news to Xu Chun and the others behind him. After approaching the rocks by the cliff, a group of ferocious bandits rushed out of the grass. They raised their weapons and pounced at Ruyi, shouting, “Hand over your belongings and women, and I’ll let you pass.”
Ru Yi threw down the reins and jumped up from the carriage, pouncing on the bandits. Before he landed, he swept his long saber at three or four bandits holding machetes. The blade slashed across the bandits’ chests, and three or four bandits clutched their chests and fell to the ground. Li Yu, who was behind, held the crossbow in one hand and shot at the bandits who were pouncing toward the carriage. After shooting down a few bandits, she threw down the crossbow and jumped down from the carriage, cutting the throats of two bandits. Li Yu stepped on the head of one of the bandits and raised her saber to sweep past the bandits rushing towards the carriage. Wherever the saber light passed, the bandits’ lives were reaped.
The Xu brothers raised their long blades, and the sound of the blades piercing into the bandit’s bodies and screams resounded throughout the valley.
The long saber in Li Yu’s hand was like a meat grinder. Wherever she went, the bandits fell to the ground. Seeing that the situation was bad, the bandit leader shouted, “Retreat, retreat, leave quickly.”
Zhou Jia stood on the carriage and aimed his bow at the bandit leader. He shot the bandit in the chest. Li Yu turned around and shouted at the bandit who was fleeing up the mountain, “Where are you going!”
She waved her saber even faster. The remaining bandits were killed by Ruyi and Xu Dong.
Mr. Qian looked at the corpses on the ground and his face turned pale. He muttered, “Too valiant, too valiant!”
Yang Wei jumped off the carriage and collected the machetes and spears of the bandits on the ground, not even letting go of the money in their pockets. Zhou Jia pointed at Yang Wei and smiled at Li Yu. “This kid’s actions of searching for money are somewhat similar to Madam’s.”
Li Yu looked at Ruyi and the others who were piled together and frowned. “Xiao Xi, we only have five carriages. Why did they send so many people?”
Zhou Jia pondered for a moment and said, “There aren’t any big clans in Qingchuan, right?”
When Xu Gui, the coachman sent by the Four Seas Bank, heard this, he said to Li Yu, “Sir, Madam, I heard about it when I was in Qingzhou. Every time the bandits in this area plunder, they will send out a large number of people. Firstly, it’s easier for them to achieve their goals. Secondly, it is to deal with other bandits.”
Zhou Jia nodded and said, “I see. I thought someone didn’t want us to go to Qingchuan.”
Yang Wei carried a bamboo basket of copper coins, silver pieces, gems, jade artifacts, and a dagger embedded with gems. He placed it in front of Zhou Jia and said, “Young Master, look, they were all found on those bandits.”
Zhou Jia touched Yang Wei’s head and smiled. “Ah Wei, aren’t you afraid?”
Yang Wei puffed out his chest and replied loudly, “No, what’s there to be afraid of?”
“You’re right. What’s there to be afraid of?” Li Yu patted Yang Wei’s shoulder and picked up the gem-studded dagger. “Ah Wei, this dagger is for you. Cultivate well with Brother Ruyi. Only by practicing martial arts can you protect yourself and the people you want to protect.”
Yang Wei took the dagger and looked at Li Yu. “Madam, I’ll cultivate with Brother Ruyi. I’ll protect Young Master and Madam like Brother Ruyi in the future.”
Li Yu touched Yang Wei’s head and smiled. “Thank you, Ah Wei.”
Ruyi, Tiezhu, and the others found a pit and buried the bandits. They reported to Zhou Jia, “Young Master, there are a total of 30 to 40 bandits. Each of them has a Green Dragon tattoo on his shoulder.”
Zhou Jia nodded. “Looks like it’s the bandits from the Green Dragon Stronghold. Since they’re buried, let’s continue on our way.”
After traveling in the mountains for half a month, they finally arrived at Qingchuan County before noon on the second day of August. When they arrived at the city gate, they saw that the city walls of Qingchuan City were dilapidated. Looking around, they realized that only a section of each city gate was left intact.
The group of people was dumbfounded. Not to mention the bailiffs guarding the city, they could not even see anyone entering or leaving the city despite standing at the city gate for a long time.
Mr. Qian shook his fan and looked at the city gate. He spun around and sighed. “Aiyo! Madam was right. It’s really a godforsaken place.”
Ruyi, Xiaoyu, and the others looked at Zhou Jia and Li Yu worriedly. Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu and smiled awkwardly. “I didn’t expect it to be so dilapidated! Looks like everyone will have to suffer with me in the future.”
Li Yu rolled her eyes and waved her hand. “Let’s go! We can’t abandon our position and escape, right? Let’s enter the city first. There will be a way.”
Ruyi climbed into the carriage and raised his whip. “Go!” The horse ran into Qingchuan City.
After entering the city, they saw dilapidated houses on both sides of the street. It was broad daylight, and they only saw an occasional pedestrian passing by. When they saw Li Yu’s convoy, they hurriedly ran away.