The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 30 Coming
He Da has always maintained a very thick filter for scholars.

Whether before or during the chaotic times, among the most powerful people he had met, there were scholars.

Needless to say, before the chaotic times, this dynasty valued literature over military power. All other pursuits were inferior, only reading was superior. "Books contain a golden house, books contain a thousand bushels of grain." He had heard this a lot in teahouses and restaurants.

His entire family supported his younger brother's education, and most of the rewards he received from running errands for the nobles were used to support his younger brother's education. Also, because he had a younger brother studying at the county academy, he had a bit of an advantage among the street urchins.

Later, when the world was in chaos, the county magistrate, Tan, who was in charge of the county, had extraordinary means and managed to save the county. He felt that scholars were more powerful.

So, even though chopping wood is difficult now, I'll still get more books for my little brother if I have the chance. As long as I read more, I'm sure I'll become more powerful!

Even if I can't become a powerful person like Magistrate Tan, the books I exchange for now used to be extremely expensive. Now that life is difficult, everyone sells them at a low price or burns them. If the troubled times end in the future, their value will eventually appreciate, right?

He had once heard from a storyteller in a restaurant that a certain farmer had a torn scroll passed down from his ancestors, and that a nobleman had bought it for a box of silver!

Anyway, it won't be a loss to keep it. It's just a few pieces of firewood, not a big deal for him.

He Da is open-minded, but He Xiaodi, who is just over ten years old, is under great psychological pressure. He has also suffered family changes, the imperial examination has been suspended, and his worldview has changed drastically. He is filled with depression.

When Magistrate Tan was in office, these scholars who could write and calculate were still somewhat useful. They could exchange their assigned tasks for food. But when Magistrate Tan left half a month ago, everything in the city changed. These frail scholars became a burden to their families.

If he were stronger, he could do other work, but because of his thin body, he could only stay at home every day to boil water and cook porridge to relieve his brother of some work.

"Brother, don't use firewood to exchange for books in the future." He Xiaodi said softly.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm talking about. I don't even like ordinary books. I've heard about this book not only from you, but also from rich young men. It's very expensive! It would be a waste if we burn it. It's just a matter of two sticks of firewood, so we won't lose anything!"

"Firewood is more expensive now, so don't change it in the future. Try to go out of the city as little as possible. In the past, County Magistrate Tan sent people to clean up the evil things outside the city, but now half a month has passed, and it will become more and more dangerous outside the city." said He Xiaodi.

"Well, I know that. I regret my life. After I stock up some more firewood, I will stay at home and not go out." He Da said.

"Brother, are you going out of town to chop wood tomorrow? I'll go with you."

"No, no, just stay home and read. I'll be back soon."

He Xiaodi said nothing more, lowering his head so that He Da wouldn't see the look in his eyes. He also knew that if he followed, it would only cause trouble.

However, other villagers living in the same compound, and children of about his age, were all helping with housework, chopping wood, and some even went out with bamboo poles to rummage through the garbage piles on the street to see if there was anything useful to pick up.

He Da is now not allowed to go out, and he is locked up at home, not knowing what to do. In the past, the whole family supported his education, but now he is also a burden to his brother.

He Dayi saw the silence return and scratched his head helplessly. He knew his younger brother was feeling resentful. The thoughts of scholars were just… eh? Scholars?

He Da was refreshed.

"Brother, let me tell you about that scholar Wen! He looks like a capable man..."

Just now he was talking about the process of Wen Shusheng giving him the food bag, and I listened very carefully.

Wen Shusheng is a really useful person. You can bring him up to talk about when you have no topics to talk about.

As he was speaking, the second son of the Yu family came over.

He Da had no choice but to pause the topic.

The second son of the Yu family asked about Wen Gu and the others. He Da said that except for the food packages he received, he could not tell anyone else, and there was nothing else to hide.

"Are there children on their mule carts?" Yu Er asked.

"I heard the children's voices, but I didn't see anyone. I don't know what their relationship is. However, I don't think Wen Shusheng and that County Magistrate Zhou are sinister or vicious people."

He Da stared at the other person: "Why, your family wants to go north with them?"

Yu Er didn't answer directly, but asked: "Don't you want to?"

The two looked at each other.

The street urchin duo suddenly had a telepathic connection at this moment—

The gangs in the city are only concerned with internal conflicts. They haven't read many books, but they are ambitious, greedy, and have no vision.

If they want to survive with their families, they either join or leave their homes.

It’s really hard to make a decision.

In this case, it is better to learn from the practices of those wise people with status, such as County Magistrate Tan, Wen Shusheng and Zhou County Lieutenant.

"The situation in the city will not change in the short term. It's too dangerous and it's not advisable to stay here for long," said He Da.

Yu Er looked at the dilapidated walls around him, his eyes unfocused. "I've inquired. The gangs in the city believe that the temperature is low in autumn and winter, and the threat from evil creatures outside is greatly reduced. The garbage piled up on the city streets can be ignored for the time being. They will occupy the territory first and decide the ranking."

He Da scoffed, "What if the weather suddenly gets warmer for a few days? Waiting to die?"

Yu Er remained silent for a moment, then asked, "When will the scholar surnamed Wen and his group leave?"

He Da looked at the darkening sky and said, "I don't think they'll leave tonight. I can't say for sure about tomorrow. If you want to go find them, you'll have to go early tomorrow."

At this time, outside the county town.

Wen Gu and the others had already returned to the secluded shed. County Captain Zhou changed into clean clothes before interacting with his own children.

The county town of Feng County is too dirty now, so in order to avoid being contaminated, I changed my clothes directly.

I can’t bear to throw away the ones I’ve replaced. Supplies are in short supply now, so I have to use them sparingly.

When the fire is built, carefully place the clothes beside it and let them dry carefully. Wen Gu took out his notebook and looked at the simple map he had obtained from Yu the blacksmith today. He said to the others, "There's no need to rush tomorrow morning. Let's stay for half a day while I plan a route."

Xiao Liu and County Lieutenant Zhou had no objection.

The Taoist priest looked at Xiao Liu: Don’t you find this situation familiar?
Xiao Liu hadn't really noticed, and didn't think there was anything wrong with Wen Gu's decision. It was true that one should plan a route before setting out, as sharpening the knife makes the work easier.

Taoist Qingyi curled his lips silently and said nothing more to this group of stupid people.

Before going to bed at night, Wen Gu was still thinking about this.

Although there was a shortage of people, he only had to wait half a day.

If the person hasn't arrived after half a day, there's no point in waiting, let alone going into the city.

There are too many piles of garbage in the city, and who knows what other epidemics have arisen. Now all the medicinal materials are almost used up, and there is no medicine to take when you are sick.

Anyway, the road map is the biggest gain of this trip.

It's a pity that he has such a great talent. If the city were a little cleaner, he would have gone there to help.

Wen Gu turned over and continued to ponder.

Logically speaking, there should be some feedback after he threw out those big paper bags of grain and flour.

Considering the Confucian classic in He Da's hand and his conversation with the gatekeeper, it's likely that he has a younger brother around him, perhaps in his teens, who's at the elementary or intermediate level of learning. Anyone who cares about someone has a soft spot.

He Daneng was able to inquire about the news in the county town, so he must know other people.

Meanwhile, at the blacksmith's place, life was tough, with everyone unemployed and no income. Having previously been unable to leave with the main group, the situation was even more difficult now, so he had to think of something, right?

People in this era dare not leave home at will, fearing the dangers of the journey, and without a place to stay, they drift around. In troubled times, it will only be more difficult.

Wen Gu, on the other hand, had supplies and knowledge, had a receiving area in the north, seemed kind, and was assisted by the county lieutenant and Taoist priests.

What a great leader!

The city is becoming more and more chaotic, and these people should be tempted.

Reviewing the past now is like a fisherman standing by a fish pond.

As the old saying goes, if you want to catch more fish, you must make a heavy nest.

There's no way there wouldn't be a reaction if a few bags of food were thrown down. That amount of food is only enough for a few meals. It's not like they're distributing disaster relief food.

For those who come over, if not one to support four or five, there must be one to support one or two, right?

Is my nesting posture wrong?

Early the next morning.

Wen Gu asked Xiao Liu to be alert to his surroundings. Although he really wanted to wait for a buy-one-get-one-free or buy-one-get-two-free promotion, he also had to consider other possibilities.

People's hearts are complicated, especially in such troubled times.

"Everyone, pack up your things first. If you find anything unusual, drive away immediately."

Anyway, in today's world, those people in the city don't dare to chase too far away from the county, so they have time to run away.

Wen Gu also told Zhou Shan to let the three children in the car come out and move around. They always stayed in the car, which affected their mental health.

There was a fire burning in the shed, and the three children had their bodies rubbed with muddy wine, so they would be fine as long as they didn't run far.

County Magistrate Zhou thought that the three children had slept soundly after finishing their work and were indeed much more energetic, so he agreed. He would be watching them from here so that he could respond quickly if anything unusual happened.

Wen Gu asked the three children, one big and two small, to mix some concentrated feed for the donkey and mule. They might have to carry heavier loads next time, so they needed to eat better; just eating grass wouldn't be enough.

There are only a few ingredients left for mixing feed.

Wen Gu thought that there were too few people in the team. If there were more people, there would be enough manpower to stockpile more feed and food.

Just as I was thinking about it, I heard a few falcon calls in the sky.

Xiao Liu quickly ran over. "Someone's coming! I saw them from the rock just now. There were only two people. One looked like He Da, whom I met yesterday, and the other was a stranger who was about the same age as He Da."

It's just two people, no need to overreact.

When the two young children heard a stranger coming, they ran behind Zhou Shan and said, "Dad!"

"Take your younger brothers and sisters to the car." Zhou Shan said to his nephew.

After the three children were in the mule cart, Zhou Shan approached with a knife. Even if there were only two people coming, he had to be on guard.

Wen Gu straightened his clothes and walked out of the shed with a clear and upright look.

It’s He Dayuer... Ahem, it’s He Da and Yu Er who are here, right?

Taoist Qingyi, who was pounding medicine, glanced over there and shook his head.

Looking back at this person, he always looks at dogs with a clear and upright gaze.

(End of this chapter)