The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 48 I’m coming to you!
The team has expanded and its composition has become more complex, so it will take some time to get used to each other.

However, these are not difficult tasks.

He Da and Yu Er used to be street urchins in the county town and were good at chatting.

Although we are not from the same county, we are now in the same team. We are like family when we go out together, and we become familiar with each other quickly when we chat.

They discovered that some of the scattered employers in Bailu County protected by the bodyguards did not want to go north on their own, but were asked to come out by their families.

If they have the means and a large family, they will want to share the risk and continue the family bloodline. Some will stay in their hometown, while others will go north to find new ways to make a living, rather than all staying in one place.

If anything goes wrong, the whole clan will be wiped out.

He Da and the others told this to Wen Gu, their words filled with envy and a bit of inferiority.

"As expected of a wealthy family!"

How many people can't even afford firewood, but these wealthy families still have the conditions to find various ways out for their descendants, which is completely different from these poor street urchins and peasants.

Wen Gu glanced at the expressions on He Da's group's faces, then glanced at the several escorts from the nearby Huwei Escort Agency and said:

"In fact, your ancestors were probably also a wealthy family."

He Da didn't believe it: "How is it possible? My grandfather and great-grandfather are from the same village, and their lives are even harder than mine!"

"But you have surnames," Wen Gu said. "In more ancient times, villagers didn't have surnames, nor did they have the ability to withstand risks. Natural disasters or man-made calamities could easily wipe them all out. Those who survived were mostly what you call 'wealthy families.'"

He Da and others: Huh?

Wen Gu continued, "Like a tree with many branches, or when faced with natural or man-made disasters, they also arranged different escape routes for their tribesmen. After that, it all depends on each person's luck and ability. Some will prosper, while others will suffer."

He Da was stunned: "So... my ancestors were rich?"

Compared to He Da's lack of confidence, Yu Er was much more confident: "My ancestors once produced a general!"

When I was little, I only heard similar things from the older generation, but I didn't really believe them. Now, after hearing Wen Gu's explanation, it makes so much sense! I must have had a general in my ancestry!
He Da was in a complicated mood. Once he accepted this setting, he had more thoughts and his mind kept drifting upwards.

Maybe my ancestors were high-ranking officials hundreds of years ago?
I had the chance to become a rich young man!
Alas, it’s a pity that some people are not up to the standard!

As expected, revitalizing the family still depends on me and my brother!
He Da went to talk to his younger brother about "my charming ancestor", while Yu Er and Yu the blacksmith recalled together how many generals their ancestors had produced.

Several bodyguards who overheard the conversation here also went to talk to others, saying, "Maybe my ancestors were generals. My strong physique is not something that ordinary people can develop. It must be passed down from my powerful ancestors!"
Taoist Qingyi looked at them coldly for a moment, then asked Wen Gu, "You're quite good at talking nonsense. Aren't you worried that you'll make them arrogant?"

Wen Gu replied, "Having a bit of spirit is better than being numb and self-deprecating. The world is too oppressive these days. Without a bit of spirit, you can't get through it."

Not only do you have to survive, you also have to fight!

After accepting the new settings, He Da and his friends straightened their backs when they went to chat with others.

When talking to the employers of the escort agency, you can confidently say: My ancestors were also rich!
If you raise your status, you will no longer feel inferior to others.

My ancestors were also rich, maybe even richer than you!

Wen Gu watched the team's depressed atmosphere become high again and nodded with satisfaction.

The team's route to the north was decided after Wen Gu asked the people from the escort agency to collect and summarize information.

Although the number of people increased, the pace of travel did not slow down.

It took them another four days to walk after leaving Bailu County. If they were placed on a territorial map, they would have already traveled from south to north and had initially set foot in the north.

Wen Gu marked the information in the notebook where he recorded the map.

For example, which states in the north do the wealthy families in the south mainly go to?

Information may not be accurate.

"We still need to catch a team and interrogate them carefully."

Wen Gu closed his notebook and looked through the carriage window.

The curtains that block out the light are rolled up, and looking out, you can see the flat terrain and the sky in the distance.

Looking at the clouds in the sky, Wen Gu asked the Taoist priest beside him: "Can you read the celestial phenomena? I always feel that something is not right."

Master Qing Yi said expressionlessly: "It remains to be seen."

His tone was calm, but his face was a little more serious than usual.

Wen Gu asked County Captain Zhou to inform everyone to shorten the lunch break and speed up the journey.

The further north they go, the greater the chance of encountering a migrating team. They have indeed seen some other teams in the past few days, but because they are at a distance, both sides are on guard and have not communicated.

I also saw a group of about ten people on horseback passing by quickly.

Wen Gu guessed that these people might be messengers delivering important messages.

That day, they took a break and met a team from a large trading company coming from the south.

In today's world, these large caravans are actually similar to escort agencies. They transport goods from one place to another, some of which carry supplies, some help carry letters, and some escort people.

This caravan may have all three.

Although the world is in a critical situation, whether to take action depends on how much benefit can be gained.

As long as the benefits are attractive enough, they will dare to take risks!

The guards were equipped in various ways, some in light armor, some in leather armor, and some in the distinctive local rattan armor. There were about a hundred of them in total.

The leader swept his eyes over all the people in the escort agency, looked at the horse lance in the hand of Lin the escort, and then paused for a moment on County Lieutenant Zhou.

The type and material of the weapons, as well as their figure, demeanor and temperament, allow him to make an identity judgment at first sight and wonder who is behind this team.

In a world where food, medicine and equipment are in short supply, it is certain that you will have some thoughts when you meet people carrying large amounts of supplies.

Both sides had the same idea, and after carefully sizing each other up, they came to the same conclusion:

Not easy to deal with, can't do it.

If a conflict breaks out, both sides will suffer losses.

After thinking it over, the originally tense and explosive atmosphere quickly turned into a defensive state of non-interference.

When the caravan leader attributed the background of this team to military officers, a scholar got off a carriage at the front of the opposite team and expressed his desire to chat with him for a while.

Wen Gu, under the protection of County Magistrate Zhou and Tietou, also brought two guards with him and walked to the middle.

The caravan leader looked at Wen Gu.

He would not look down on Wen Gu just because of his plain, coarse clothes, nor would he think that he was a good person just because of his gentle expression!

Wen Gu, wary, exchanged pleasantries and then took out a bag of salt—coarse salt mixed with fine salt, a higher grade. The caravan would look down on anything too low-quality.

Wen Gu was not targeting the other party. He was anxious to find out the terrain and situation in the north and get more information.

Even though this caravan came from the south and was far away, they might be much more informed than Wen Gu and the others!
They looked like veterans, so they might know more about the North. The caravan leader didn't refuse.

Since both sides were equally matched in terms of strength and couldn't fight, making friends was fine. Salt was secondary; those who could trade in these troubled times were well-off, so they wouldn't value such a small thing. But it did increase their goodwill.

The caravan leader explained the local terrain to Wen Gu, including the counties and towns. They had previously traveled along this route on their trade trips, but he wouldn't elaborate on any further details.

The team's route and everyone's identity and background will not be revealed to outsiders to avoid being cheated.

But as the conversation was about to end, the leader looked at the escort agents and asked Wen Gu casually, "Which clan are you going to join?"

"valve?"

Wen Gu read this word, his eyes flashing.

The valve of the aristocratic family?

He bowed and asked County Lieutenant Zhou to hand him a bag of salt. Wen Gu's face was filled with confusion. "My previous residence was quite remote... May I ask how many clans there are in this northern land?"

The caravan leader took the salt, but his interest in continuing the conversation faded.

Tsk, you’re from a small place!
He casually said, "Of the six great clans of the North, Dong, Zhao, Qi, Ren, Du, and Jiang, who are you going to join?"

"This time I want to go to Xinzhou to seek refuge with my relatives," Wen Gu said.

"Oh, Xinzhou, it's quite far away, the territory of the Zhao family." said the leader of the caravan.

The escort team, inside the carriage, Mrs. Liang was looking over there.

The sound over there was not loud at a distance, so they could only hear it vaguely from here.

An escort who was in charge of running errands and delivering messages came over and relayed the conversation.

Mrs. Liang looked shocked.

Another young woman in the carriage, the wife of Lin Biaotou, asked:

"Sister-in-law, what's wrong with this?"

Lin Biaotou, who was guarding outside, also approached the carriage at this time.

Due to their background, they did lack some sensitivity, but the intuition they had cultivated over the years told him that there was indeed very important information in those words just now!
He also asked in a low voice: "Sister-in-law?"

"Aristocratic family..."

Madam Liang lowered her voice, but she could still hear clearly Lin Biaotou and several guards beside the carriage.

She explained to everyone in the escort agency.

A long time ago, the aristocratic families could compete with the imperial power!

Later, with the change of dynasties, the concentration of military power, the introduction of imperial examinations, and the strengthening of imperial power, the aristocratic families had long since declined.

but!

Now the evil plague is raging, the imperial capital has fallen, the government has collapsed, and the imperial examinations have been suspended...

According to what the caravan leader said, the aristocratic families are rising again!
When a dynasty cannot centralize power, local areas will inevitably decentralize power.

In such a chaotic world, being called a "valve" by the wealthy families in the south now means...

The important military command in those places no longer had much to do with the royal family.

Within the sphere of influence of their family, people with this surname are born with special political rights!

Although the situation may not return to what it was hundreds of years ago, this monopoly privilege also represents the ambitions that these families cannot conceal!
Lin Biaotou and the others understood.

In their words, he is a local tyrant!
Over there, after hearing the caravan leader's answer, Wen Gu looked up with a look of surprise on his face:

"My relatives also have the surname Zhao!"

He Da and his friends, as well as the escort agents and employers from the escort agency, all looked over.

However, the businessman pulled his face and snorted, "What a coincidence, my last name is Zhao too."

It's obvious they're trying to make connections. There are so many people with the surname Zhao! Is your family's turn coming up?!
Wen Gu said: "They are all in the same area. If you count back, they might have been one family hundreds of years ago!"

The businessman wanted to sneer: Who are we from? Don’t flatter yourself!
But then I think about it, it is also a matter of survival, not to mention gilding your face, you have to even put gold on copper!

If you really have a relative like that, go for it if you can! It could save your life!
The caravan leader nodded in agreement and led his team away. They weren't heading towards the Zhao clan; their company's owner had a better option.

Wen Gu watched the caravan go away.

Unfortunately, this person didn't know the name of the leader of the Zhao clan.

I don’t know if it’s his dear uncle.

Thinking about the news he had just heard, Wen Gu couldn't help but take a breath.

These elites from the feudal era are so damn powerful!
Don’t even cover it!
That’s right, in today’s world, why bother hiding things?
For the sake of survival and ambition, of course they have to deploy their troops to seize life!

Although we cannot solve the problem of the evil epidemic for the time being, there are still many things we can do.

The aristocratic family indeed has a profound foundation. They were the first to show their fangs and claws, resisting evil creatures while seeking longer-term development for the family.

Soldiers are very fast!
This is extremely applicable at this time!

In terms of background and ability to deal with crises, the royal family may not be able to compare with some aristocratic families.

When faced with existential threats and huge opportunities, what kind of power will a family with a strong foundation unleash?
Don't underestimate the ability of the aristocratic families to quickly connect forces of all sizes under extreme circumstances!

Only by acting decisively and responding appropriately can one develop power and achieve a monopoly on power while protecting oneself!

At the beginning of the unrest, when there were no abnormalities in other places, they, who were well-informed, might have already taken action.

The areas that were affected by the evil epidemic later experienced a year of chaos, but these well-informed aristocratic families may have developed for nearly two years!
Time is far more valuable than money!

In the past two years, how much have they developed?

Such an evil and chaotic world, which is completely different from the previous ones, is beneficial to those with deep foundations, and is enough to screen out the small scum that emerge from all sides.

In other places, only one in ten people will survive, but if you guard a piece of land and protect the people there, not to mention half of them will survive, but three or four in ten will survive, which means tens of thousands of extra manpower!
As long as we do a good job of defense and preserve more manpower in the first one or two years, we will be at the forefront.

While some people were feeling complacent about guarding a county town, giants from all sides had already absorbed the fresh blood that was continuously flowing in from the north, developing towards a dominant position and becoming what the wealthy people in the south called "valve"!
Wen Gu has been through so much deception along the way... Well, gathering talent, picking out a few people from every place, is that easy?!
So far, there are only a few hundred people.

And in the north, facing the northern aristocratic families and powerful people who have been developing for nearly two years, gathering wealthy families from the north and the south and concentrating survival resources, how much effort does he have to spend to seize the living space?
Thinking about the words his father used to praise his uncle.

Pray in your heart:

Uncle, if you are still alive, you'd better have seized the golden time of one or two years!
Also, the Zhao from the Zhao clan, is that your Zhao?

If it is true, your gentle, knowledgeable, elegant, upright and unworldly nephew has come to seek refuge with you!
(End of this chapter)