The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 50 Safe Zone

What do the wealthy families in the south think of the Ren Clan, one of the six major clans in the north?
The information Wen Gu gathered on the road was different, but they all had the same evaluation - extremely rich.

When approaching the territory of the Ren clan, Wen Gu felt the panic of the northward-bound troops fleeing before he could sense the temperament of the northern clan.

Those teams are different from Wen Gu and his team. They are all experienced. Once the weather changes, they know what might happen. They also understand this area and know the best option.

Therefore, seeing the teams heading north appearing more and more frequently, and seeing that those teams were all escaping, those who were originally uneasy about their choices finally became determined.

Continue forward and you will find that the official road has been widened.

All trees on both sides of the road that did not block the view were cut down.

There are also some stacked up...

"What's that thing that looks like a small hill? It's a black mass." someone in the team asked.

"Jingguan!" exclaimed County Magistrate Zhou.

It is a high mound built by gathering the corpses of the enemy.

He looked over there with a complicated expression.

The corpses of the evil creatures piled up, leaving behind large black areas after burning. There were also bones, stones, wood, and various other residues that were not completely burned, piled up like small black hills.

How many evil creatures did Ren Fa kill to build so many high tombs?

Yes, there is more than one such high mound, and you can see it every few steps!

Everyone who comes here for the first time will be trembling and shocked when seeing these!

At the same time, one will also feel that "Ren valve is really powerful".

I haven't seen Jinwu City yet, but I have already witnessed the elegance of the Ren Clan, one of the six major clans in the north!
These are displays of strength, and at the same time, they are used to deter evil spirits.

Therefore, evil creatures rarely come near here on weekdays.

The view along the road is wide. In addition to these high tombs, there are also large areas of scorched earth. From time to time, there is an unpleasant and pungent smell, as if something is burnt, and it seems mixed with other things.

Most people are unfamiliar with this, but when they review it, it smells familiar.

The Ren family is indeed extremely rich!
Continuing forward, we saw more tall towers.

There is a tall watchtower built of wood at a distance.

It looked rather hastily built, as if it had been recently erected, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to have some other details.

The soldiers above stared at the passing troops below with eyes that were mixed with greed and indifference. From time to time, three or two of them would gather together and point at the passing carriages, especially the supplies on the carriages.

They would not rob because there was no need. Every team passing by that wanted to enter Jinwu City had to hand over a portion of their belongings as an entrance fee.

During special times, such as the current period of escape, the entry fee is particularly high.

Those guarding the watchtowers can also share the entrance fee.

Below the watchtower, people walking on the road observed their surroundings and did not dare to slow down.

Wen Gu and his team had other teams heading north both in front and behind them. Now, the teams coming together from all sides were all trying to escape!
There were collisions at some intersections and a lot of noise.

The soldiers on the watchtower just seemed to be watching the fun. Even if those people were blocked here, they would still watch.

Wen Gu observed the soldiers on the watchtowers, his eyes fixed on the ground below the towers.

These watchtowers are also part of the Ren clan's defense lineup. They may seem sloppy, but they are definitely very useful!
Another cavalryman sped past on the special road, probably delivering an urgent message.

The team in front of them picked up speed again.

Reviewing the old stuff also allows everyone to keep up.

Those in front are experienced escapers, so it’s definitely right to follow their acceleration.

Right now, a cluster of evil creatures is likely occurring and rapidly approaching. In the nearby states, no matter which team is involved, or where they originally intended to go, facing this cluster of evil creatures, there is only one way to survive!
This "blank" area leading to Jinwu City is the safe zone, but now, as the group of evil creatures approaches, this safe area will shrink rapidly.

Whoever can reach Jinwu City for refuge before the "safe zone" is completely closed will survive!

Speeding up to escape towards the destination, I can already see the deployed army, and also... chevaux deer barricades?
Those laid out, nearly as tall as a person, sharpened bamboo, wood, animal bones, etc., are everywhere you look!
It was like a giant hedgehog lying there with its spikes facing outwards.

The other people in the team were also amazed at Ren Fa’s strength and profound background.

Tietou, who was following Wen Gu closely, only thought of one thing: "They must have plenty of firewood!"

Wen Gu retracted his gaze and smiled: "You are right."

To become one of the six major clans in the north in less than two years, the right time, place and people are all essential.

A city wall appeared ahead.

As they got closer, everyone started looking up at him instead of straight at him.

Everyone in the escort agency maintained almost the same posture, looking up at the city wall.

I originally thought that the city wall of Bailu County was good enough, but now compared with the one in front of me, it looks particularly small!
That is simply the contrast between a "broken thatched hut" and a "rich mansion with blue bricks and big tiles"!

Jinwu City was originally called Jinwu City. After the world became chaotic, the Ren family took control of the place and changed its name to Jinwu City.

The city was not so big originally. It was later expanded and a higher and thicker wall was built.

There are watchtowers built along the city walls, but compared to ordinary city walls, these watchtowers protrude more outward.

The layout on the city wall cannot be seen, but just looking at the wall, many places can be seen to have experienced multiple burns, with various substances remaining and mixed smells, and traces of varying depths left after the burns.

The construction looks rough, but practical.

Like a colorful giant beast with bared fangs lurking here.

There is no beauty, but there is a sense of security.

Looking up at this battle-scarred wall, I was amazed.

Building such a defensive formation in such a short period of time would certainly consume countless manpower.

Regardless of cost or loss! Just pile it up!
There is an outer wall of a city gate, and people coming here enter through the wall.

There were several braziers burning and releasing smoke. If anyone was choked and started coughing, they would be targeted by the guards.

There are different entrances to the city wall.

Scattered small groups and vagrants entered through the side gate of the city wall.

Many small groups of refugees entered the city, and the guards at the city gates would check their skin, nail color, and condition. Generally, if they looked harmless, they would be allowed in after paying the entrance fee.

Those who cannot afford the entrance fee but want to enter the city have to do hard labor in exchange for the qualification to stay.

If the group is large, go through the door on the other side.

A team of a hundred people like Wen Gu's belongs to the big team.

You also have to queue up and pay the entrance fee one by one.

Food, salt, iron, and other supplies, as well as horses to cover the cost of entering the city.

Wen Gu gave some instructions to County Magistrate Zhou, asking everyone to talk less, wear cloth towels, and enter the city as soon as possible.

Lin Biaotou piled several bags of grain that he had prepared long ago on a wheelbarrow and pushed it over.

"Is this enough?"

Although they felt bad about handing over the food, and that they would be short of food in the future, it might not be enough at this critical moment. Their small Bailu County already charged a high entrance fee, and a giant like Jinwu City couldn't possibly charge less, especially at this critical moment of escape!

"County Lieutenant Zhou said the situation is urgent, so they'll share some of the burden for us. We can discuss other matters after this crisis is over."

Although it was County Lieutenant Zhou who came to deliver the message, they all knew that Wen Gu was the one who made the decision.

The scholar surnamed Wen really takes the overall situation into consideration!
There wasn't a long queue to enter the city, and soon it was Wen Gu and his group's turn.

County Captain Zhou and Escort Captain Lin walked in front with two escorts.

The two escorts pushed the wheelbarrow loaded with food to the city gate guards for inspection.

The guard leader was also waiting there.

There was no need for him to keep an eye on the small homeless people on the other side of the city wall; the good stuff was on the side of the rich people!
When the two bodyguards pushed the wheelbarrow over, the guard leader just glanced at them and then focused his attention on the ceramic jar Zhou Shan was holding.

Many times, the value of something does not depend on its size.

There are many people of status in Jinwu City. The nobles have no worries about food and drink, but they still pay attention to the quality of life.

Just a few bags of rice cannot be seen by the nobles.

And high-quality items can be used to exchange for more benefits!

The guard leader walked over and Zhou Shan opened the lid, revealing the fine and pure white particles inside.

Even though the guard leader had seen a lot of good stuff at the city gate, he couldn't help but open his eyes wide and look at Zhou Shan with suspicion.

Zhou Shan calmly turned his head towards the porcelain jar, indicating that they could check it without any worries.

The guard leader took out a long-handled metal spoon, heated it on the torch next to him, pushed aside the particles on the top of the jar, took a little bit from the bottom, looked at it carefully in front of his eyes, licked it and tasted it, and his expression changed immediately.

His eyes swept over the lance in Lin Biaotou's hand again, looked at Zhou Shan in front of him, and glanced at the people in the team.

The guard leader wondered in his heart, which wealthy man from the south was this?
The other guards who were checking the rice nearby had finished. The leader's gaze lingered for a moment on the pure and delicate salt grains in the porcelain jar, then he raised his hand and waved, indicating that the team could enter the city.

The salt jars were left behind, as were the grain and the wheelbarrow.

County Captain Zhou asked Lin Biaotou to lead the team into the city. He then approached the guard leader, stuffed another paper bag into his hand, and whispered a few words.

The leader didn't show any emotion on his face. He quickly put the paper bag away and made a gesture to call someone over.

This man will take Zhou Shan and the others into the city, to a safer place to rest.

Jinwu City is very large, but compared to the tall and solid city walls outside, the city inside appears rather dilapidated.

Many civilians simply used rags to piece together low huts.

After leaving the city gate, the guide accepted the extra payment from Zhou Shan and was willing to introduce more about the situation here.

The city has limited manpower and time is pressing, so manpower and materials will be used for defensive construction first. Only when there is spare capacity will facilities be gradually added in the city.

Jinwu City is divided into inner city and outer city.

The inner city area was originally the county town. The wealthy families and nobles were all in the inner city. The living conditions and various consumption were much higher than those in the outer city.

The outer city area is now in a state of chaos. Newly arrived refugees, if they do not have sufficient financial and material resources, can only live in messy shacks.

The two city walls divide the area into different circles.

Wen Gu looked at the irregularly distributed shacks outside.

It is indeed messy. Except for a few main roads where parking is not allowed, obvious signs of life can be seen in other open spaces.

The people huddled in the shack heard the noise and looked over here. Their numb eyes moved slightly, as if they were envious, but soon returned to being empty.

There were groups of hooligans, chatting and laughing as they passed between the shacks, not caring if they stepped on people and even laughing loudly. Then they continued to talk about buying wine in a few days, saying that the wine in the city was too expensive and it was difficult to even get a sip.

Wen Gu discovered that many people, whether they were the guards in the city, the poor people living in the shacks, or the gangsters who ran over, had burns on their faces.

After passing several sections of road, we made a detour at an intersection near the inner city.

People who come here for the first time really don’t know where to go.

The guide took a wooden sign and pointed to a courtyard for them.

"You can rest in this yard. It's big enough for you."

It was indeed just a yard with a few leaky sheds inside, which was only slightly better than the living conditions of the refugees I had seen before.

There is no well, so if you want to drink water you have to buy it.

The same goes for firewood.

"Is it really safe here?" someone asked.

"It can't be said to be absolutely safe, but it is definitely much safer than outside." Lin Biaotou replied.

Some of the people living in the tents have lived in the city for a long time. Seeing the changes in the city, they know very well what will happen next. Many of them have expressions of fear on their faces, but they are not desperate.

Wen Gu took a short break, thinking about the information he had just heard from the guide.

"No matter what, we are finally in the city. It is safer than being outside."

It was rare for the team members to smile.

They were on edge all the way. Seeing other teams heading north running for their lives, they were afraid that if they were a step slower, they would be trapped outside the city and fed to monsters.

Wen Gu added, "Just now, on my way here, I saw the defenses being deployed outside the city and the reinforcements inside... I'm afraid those evil creatures will arrive here soon."

The smiles on the faces of the team members who had just relaxed disappeared in an instant.

Although... although this is the territory of the Ren Clan, one of the six great northern powers, the people here are not worried about the city being breached, but...

I feel unsure.

Still feeling anxious and uneasy.

Wen Gu said, "The guide mentioned earlier that the battle situation ahead can be seen from the inner city walls. I'm planning to go take a look. Anyone want to join me?"

When the guide mentioned the inner city and the outer city, he also said that when monsters attacked the city, many wealthy families from the south would climb up the walls of the inner city to watch the battle.

Anyone else can, too, if they can afford it.

For those who want to go and see it together, Wen Gu asked He Xiaodi to take good notes, and they will each have a portion of the supplies deducted when the time comes.

Taoist Qingyi didn't care about the supplies. He wanted to find out the strength of the Ren family and see who the wealthy people in the south were and what their needs were.

He Da and Yu Er were reluctant to spend the money because they had family and friends to take care of.

Escort Captain Lin actually wanted to go, but he had to take care of the affairs of the escort agency first, and he had to stay here to feel at ease.

Zhou Shan gave his children some instructions, then said to Lin Biaotou:

"Then I'll leave everyone in your care!"

"It should."

After making some inquiries nearby and confirming the guide's words, Wen Gu took Taoist Qingyi, Tietou, County Lieutenant Zhou and Xiao Liu to the inner city wall.

come all come...

Then come and see the combat power of the Ren Clan, one of the six major clans and the first echelon of the North!
(End of this chapter)