The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 21 What a good person
The pen and paper were a bit strange, a style Zhou Shan had never seen before, but they were indeed convenient to use in the current situation.

However, his painting skills were limited, so he could only dictate.

Wen Gu drew a map by firelight.

As we talked more, our emotions were aroused and we started chatting about our own things.

After all, he had been a county lieutenant, and the village below had suffered from plague before. At the beginning of troubled times, he still had some experience in defense.

It was just too weird. Life in the world became increasingly difficult, and many of the county's higher-ups couldn't escape.

Seeing that the situation in the county town was not right, Zhou Shan took his parents, wife and children, called a few good brothers, left the county town, and went to the neighboring town where his father-in-law lived.

But as the days passed, things became chaotic there.

Food and firewood are becoming less and less. Firewood can be obtained by chopping furniture door panels and other materials, which can be found in the homes of empty residents in the town.

Food can only be replenished by going out every once in a while.

Because of this, the number of survivors around me is also decreasing.

This time, because they had searched all the food around, everyone decided to go to a nearby village together to find more food.

However, Zhou Shan was accidentally injured during the evacuation. Although there was no obvious external injury, it affected his movement. Less than half a day later, he was told by those brothers that evil spots appeared on his arms.

He had no suspicions at the time. He was mentally prepared every time he went out. He was just worried about home and expressed his willingness to stay behind to buy time for everyone. He also hoped that his brothers would send food to his home.

He killed many monsters by himself, and then came to this inn, feeling desperate and sad, and drank to drown his sorrows.

I had thought that before I turned into a monster, I would do my last bit to fight evil and protect the good.

The frustrating thing is that even evil things won’t enter the post station.

But Zhou Shan didn't think of the wine, he just thought he was slowly turning into a monster. The monsters thought he was one of their own kind, and even after smelling him, they didn't want to come in and eat him.

"When an evil monster shows no interest in a living person, it means that this person is no longer a normal person."

This was what he was thinking at the time, which was even more desolate, as there were too many people and things in his heart that he couldn't let go of.

But I didn't expect...

cheated!
He thought that among his brothers who were as close as brothers, was there anyone who had not been taken care of and supported by him?
Thinking of those people's hypocritical expressions of reluctance at that time, Zhou Shan's facial muscles tensed, and his fingers gripping the knife tightened, suppressing his emotions: "In this world, the human heart is unpredictable!"

Xiao Liu was not deeply touched. Although he had seen similar things, the villagers of Ge Village had never done anything so extreme.

Listening to County Lieutenant Zhou's story, he grew bolder and couldn't help asking, "Three days have passed. Haven't you ever considered that you haven't been possessed by an evil spirit?"

Zhou Shan shook his head: "I don't know how long it will take to turn into a monster. I just feel my mind is getting more and more confused. I think I am not far from turning into a monster."

Before Wen Gu and the others arrived, he had already thought about committing suicide here.

Xiao Liu: "Confused? Could it be that you drank too much?"

Zhou Shan: “…”

Xiao Liu did not mean to be sarcastic, he was considering this issue very seriously.

Even the county lieutenant is confused. It seems that drinking too much alcohol can indeed make people stupid...well, in the words of Second Brother Wen, it affects decision-making ability.

By the time the map was almost finished, it was already late at night and they all needed to conserve their energy. Even though Xiao Liu wanted to chat with the county lieutenant for a few more words, he had to stop for the time being.

The donkey was not taken to the stable. It was too dangerous to leave it outside alone, as it might attract evil spirits. So it was better to take it to the main hall, where there was no one else around anyway.

After eating grass outside, it was fed some remaining concentrated feed and a little wine, and it became much more obedient.

Even though it drank a lot of good wine from Mr. Li at the farm, it didn't have high requirements for the quality of the wine, whether it was clear or turbid.

Even if the requirements are high, review will help.

The world today doesn't allow you to be picky!

The next day, just as the sky was getting light and the road was barely visible, Zhou Shan poured some muddy wine on himself.

He didn't know whether those "good" brothers had kept their last bit of conscience and sent him home what he deserved.

But we can't rely entirely on conscience.

Since wine can ward off evil spirits, he thought about the small village he would pass by on the way and see if he could find some food to bring back.

Holding a knife and carrying two jars of wine, Zhou Shan said goodbye to Wen Gu and the others, endured the pain, and left impatiently.

Wen Gu looked at the direction where County Magistrate Zhou left, and opened the simple map he had just drawn.

When County Lieutenant Zhou had previously dictated the plan, he had only sketched it roughly, even somewhat abstractly. County Lieutenant Zhou did not understand, but seeing that the important lines and the locations of villages, towns, and the county seat were drawn correctly, he did not ask any further questions.

Now, Wen Gu modified and supplemented the sketch, converting some symbols used as substitutes in shorthand into detailed pictograms.

After thinking for a moment, he said to everyone, "Stay at the post station for half a day. I'll finish drawing the map and determine the route before we set off. Try not to spend the night in the wild. We need a place to rest."

Xiao Liu had no problem with it and thought that Wen Gu was well thought out.

Tietou has no opinion of his own and just follows orders.

Taoist Qingyi looked at Wen Gu a few more times, feeling that this ignorant scholar was hiding something. However, he did not refute it.

While reviewing their maps and planning their route, Xiao Liu and Tietou searched the inn for useful items: a change of clothes or a clean tent, bundles of firewood, and some well water to boil for a couple of pots.

There was a smell of alcohol in the inn, but no evil creatures approached. It was a rare opportunity to relax over the past night and half a morning.

After a break at noon, the four of them packed up and prepared to set off.

There were still many jars of muddy wine in the inn, but Wen Gu only put a few jars in the car, as he couldn't take more with him.

The rest were left at the post station.

"Wine can ward off evil spirits. This can be told to future survivors who come here."

Wen Gu tore off a piece of paper and wrote down a few lines of brief suggestions with charcoal.

There is no showmanship, and each stroke of the handwriting is very neat. The language does not contain rare characters or complex words, and the descriptions are very down-to-earth.

Xiao Liu can understand it at a glance.

Wen Gu said: “If there are other survivors like County Lieutenant Zhou who come here, but do not have the same military force as County Lieutenant Zhou, the suggestions on paper may be able to turn the situation around and save lives.

"This chaotic world is primarily a conflict between humans and evil spirits.

"Every extra life we have means we gain one more helper and one less enemy."

After hearing this, Xiao Liu nodded repeatedly and felt respect.

People who read books of sages are different!
Wen Gu finished writing and frowned slightly: "Add another picture, in case someone can't read it all."

Xiao Liu continued to nod: Second Brother Wen is such a good person!

For example, there are many people in their village who are illiterate. Even some military officials in the county, although they speak in a literary way, may not know more words than him.

Wen Gu is considerate of everyone, just like the noble scholars in the vernacular novels.

Xiao Liu's gaze turned into admiration.

Looking at the same scene in front of him, Taoist Qingyi felt no emotion at all, and even felt it was strange.

Precisely because I know the character of this stupid scholar, when I look at what he wrote and said, it seems... too pretentious.

This dog scholar has more intentions than just this, right?

Is this done specifically for someone or some people to see?
Are you trying to fish for people?!

　Second half of the chapter
　　
　
(End of this chapter)