The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 43 When I was studying abroad...

Two groups of people were resting beside the abandoned fields.

The two sides maintained a distance that made everyone feel comfortable.

There were more people on the side closer to the cemetery, with horses and carts.

The two young women returned to the carriage with their children.

The people outside gathered around the fire, keeping watch on their surroundings.

This time they came out to pay tribute to Boss Yan again after seven days. In the words of the scholar, Yan was the head of the family.

Boss Yan was a brave and righteous man who had served as a local soldier. When the world was in chaos at first, he contacted some local soldiers with whom he had good relations, some young people who did porter work, and familiar neighbors, and formed a force to occupy a place in Bailu County, which was hit by an evil epidemic and internal chaos.

When benefits are distributed in the county, they can also grab some.

The horses they rode and the weapons they held were all accumulated over the past year or so.

It was just that some time ago, Boss Yan and several of his brothers met with an accident while they were out, and were buried here.

Today, Boss Yan's widow, Mrs. Liang, Second-in-command Lin and his wife, as well as several close brothers and trusted guards, came here to pay their respects.

There are many people who have received favors from Boss Yan, and some people want to follow him, but too many people will easily cause unnecessary trouble, so they just come here to burn more incense and paper with everyone's best wishes.

"I heard that the master's rituals are very effective!"

"I've never seen a Taoist perform a ritual, but I've heard that a true master can communicate with ghosts and gods!"

"What do you think? Is that person over there a Taoist master?"

"We'll know when the time comes. If you dare to lie to us..."

The person who spoke moved the knife.

In today's world, even if someone kills someone and robs them, the government will not pursue the matter.

Even though they were just ordinary county residents in the past, their mentality had changed long ago after enduring more than a year in the turbulent times.

"If he really has profound Daoist skills, why don't we accept this commission? Will the county lieutenants in the city have any objections?"

"It's just this one trip, what's your opinion? It's not like we won't pay the toll..."

While a few people were chatting on the side, the people around Lin Erdangjia were also discussing.

After a while, Lin Erdangjia stood up and walked towards Wen Gu.

Review is waiting.

He was still wondering when the other party would ask, and now it seemed that he still had ambitions, but was just a little slow to react.

If he doesn't come over, he'll go find him.

Wen Gu stood up, holding a piece of paper covered with words, and bowed slightly to the other party: "Second Master, you have arrived at the right time. The contract has been drafted. Please take a look at what needs to be revised."

Lin Erdangjia was about to ask a question, but when he heard this, his face became tense again. He took the paper, looked at it, and then went back to the carriage without saying a word and whispered a few words.

The young woman sitting inside reached out and took it.

Seeing this, Xiao Liu, who was standing behind Wen Gu, whispered, "Could he be illiterate?"

Wen Gu: "Shh."

Xiao Liu restrained his expression and continued to be vigilant around his surroundings, thinking to himself, "What on earth did these people do before? They look worse than me. At least I can read a few words."

At this time, the young woman in the carriage came out. This time she was not holding a child. She walked behind the second in command and the others, with two guards following closely beside her.

Wen Gu understood that this must be the wife of the deceased headmaster. Perhaps her status was somewhat special, as she was literate and her manners were not those of an ordinary person.

The second-in-command has come over: "Just follow this sign."

What was written on the paper was related to the "deposit". Wen Gu and his team provided a ritual as a deposit, and the other party would do their best to handle the subsequent matters.

If it doesn't work out...

It doesn't say how to deal with it.

The words on the paper were written with charcoal pencil. After both parties confirmed that there was no problem, Wen Gu signed his name at the bottom. The words were written in running script, and the smooth transitions between the strokes brought out the artistic beauty of the text.

Lin Erdangjia could see that Wen Gu was not writing nonsense, but he didn't know what he wrote.

Looking at the pen handed to him by Wen Gu, Lin Erdang's face became even more tense.

Wen Gu didn't hesitate and said considerately, "Our conditions are limited. We don't have any pens or ink. Many people are not used to using this kind of charcoal pencil. Second Master, why don't you just use it like toner on your hands and leave a fingerprint?"

Lin Erdangjia had no choice but to do as he was told.

But the fingerprints left by pressing are all black, and you can't tell who pressed them at all. Is this thing useful?
Wen Gu took back the paper contract, as if he could see the other party's confusion, and said with a smile: "It's the rules of the martial arts world. Although the current situation is special, this process must be completed."

As soon as he heard the words "rules of the underworld", the second in command remembered what question he was going to ask.

"Well, that escort agency you mentioned earlier... what is it like?"

Wen Gu raised his eyes and looked at the second in command and the people behind him, his eyes clear and upright:
"Everyone, have you ever heard of a bodyguard?"

Lin Erdang shook his head.

The people following behind him also pricked up their ears, and those with poor hearing even took a few steps closer.

Not to mention them, Xiao Liu and County Lieutenant Zhou didn't know either. However, they didn't suspect anything, thinking that they were in a remote place and didn't have enough experience.

The two most knowledgeable people were Wen Gu and Taoist Qing Yi. Since Wen Gu said so, and Taoist Qing Yi didn't deny it, it must exist. Wen Gu's eyes were clear and sincere at this moment: "Then I will briefly chat with you. When I was studying abroad..."

Not far away, Qing Yi, who was drawing a talisman, tilted his brush tip. He took a deep breath, steadied his aloof demeanor, and continued preparing the talisman paper he would use later. He wanted to block out his hearing and concentrate on drawing the talisman, but he couldn't help but wonder what the dog scholar would say next.
Reviewing the past while facing/turning away from these audiences, maintaining a stable mood:
"…The economic boom has given rise to groups providing security services, which employers hire to escort goods or important people. These groups fall into two main categories: the thugs of the da xing (beating companies) and the escorts of the escort agencies."

Wen Gu looked towards Bailu County. "Take the terrain you're in, for example. If there were a fighting industry here, the personnel composition would be quite complex, such as strong porters..."

Not far behind the second in command, three strong young men lowered their heads.

"A brave and valiant thug among the idlers in the city..."

Two more people's eyes flickered.

"And some local soldiers..."

The eyes of several people, including the second in command, were wandering.

Just pretend you didn't see it and continue to output steadily:

"The escort company is different. Like a trading company, it's registered with the county government and officially recognized as a legitimate organization!"

After Wen Gu introduced the escort company to them, he began to talk about the escort agency.

"Escort agencies escort goods all over the country, so naturally they have their own identities, which are also called underworld names. For example, when I was studying abroad, I heard of the Fuwei Escort Agency, the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, the Feima Escort Agency, and so on..."

Wen Gu talked about those bloody legends of the martial arts world.

The Second Master and the others listened attentively, and thought in their hearts:

So this is the underworld name! So this is the escort agency!

I can do it too!
What kind of underworld name should I choose?
We have to develop in a good direction, not be a small fry like the ones in the fighting industry!
After reviewing the past and recounting the anecdotes of Jianghu, we look at the present:

"Nowadays, more and more people are fleeing from the south to the north. I guess the floating bridge on the river has been kept for these teams heading north.

"But those heading this way should be large groups. With a large group, they're certainly not afraid. However, small and medium-sized groups like ours are hesitant and unable to make up their minds. We don't know what the situation is like on the other side of the river, or how many evil creatures there are. That's why I want to hire an escort agency here to escort us."

Wen Gu spoke with a sincere look:

"If this matter can be handled successfully, there will definitely be more small and medium-sized teams heading this way, and you will be able to receive more employment rewards."

The people following behind Lin Erdangjia couldn't help but nod.

Yes, this business is viable! We both want to kill evil spirits, but if we can make a little more money, why not do it?
Just as this scholar said, from late autumn this year to early spring next year, there will definitely be many teams heading north, and we will have many opportunities to accept commissions and earn supplies.

This way, the pressure of supporting a family is greatly reduced!
"Besides..." Wen Gu paused for a moment.

He stared at the opposite side with just the right amount of arrogance on his face:
"Who in the north doesn't have relatives in government who can lead a team north?"

The words "relatives of officials" are emphasized.

No matter how his aunt and uncle are doing in the north now, it does not prevent him from using it to improve his status.

The young woman, who was being protected by the Second In Command and the others, suddenly asked, "Do you have any relatives serving as officials in the North?"

Wen Gu raised his chin slightly: "He is just a general with some military power!"

Military commander!!
When the world is peaceful, the court values civil officials over military officials. But when the world is in chaos, the military commanders who have the troops at their disposal are the ones with real power!

Now, the aristocratic families from all over the south are bringing their people north, and the power of the northern military officers will inevitably continue to expand!

Look at the scholar in front of you again.

This appearance and temperament really seem like someone who was brought up in a well-established official family.

Then his relatives in the north, the military commanders, might even hold high positions...

Wen Gu turned sideways and looked towards the direction of the river behind Bailu County. His gaze swept over again, as if hinting at something:
"One more commission means more supplies and more connections. If the situation in the South becomes urgent in the future, going to the North will provide more options."

After saying this, there was no more talk, and the second in command and the others returned to the cemetery.

"That scholar is no ordinary person!" said the young woman.

At this moment, a guard nearby suddenly said, "Sister-in-law, I just heard the one holding the bow calling the one holding the sword 'County Lieutenant Zhou'!"

Everyone was shocked.

A county lieutenant was merely standing guard, so what about the identity of this scholar... and his relative who was an official in the north...

Lin Erdangjia also said at this time: "From what he said and did just now, he does seem to be of high status, perhaps even a certain status in the underworld."

He has relatives who are officials and also knows some good guys in the underworld. If he really wants to do something shady, he will easily be retaliated against unless he kills them all.

Although the world is in chaos now and information is blocked, this is the gateway to cross the river, and teams often pass through here going from south to north or from north to south.

"There's really no need for us to clash with him."

"Then the commission he mentioned... may not be approved by the higher-ups."

"You can try it. If the boss eats the meat, the brothers below should have some soup."

Of course, I would be more satisfied if I could drink more soup and even taste some meat scraps.

Xiao Liu said to Wen Gu, "Second Brother Wen, do you want them to escort us across the river?"

Wen Gu: "Well...it's more than that."

If you can even cross the river, why not protect further? A bodyguard can't just protect you across the bridge.

(End of this chapter)