Wei School's Three Good Students

Chapter 108 Traveling with Refugees

In the Great Palace, Emperor Xu had just finished his morning court session. A eunuch was helping him remove his court robes, but he was not at ease, as memorials were still laid out in front of him.

Among them, the memorials from the tribes of the northern deserts pleading for help after being attacked were all pressed down by white jade paperweights. These tribes, which collectively submitted to Emperor Da Yao fifteen years ago, were typical examples of Emperor Da Yao's civil and military achievements. But now, signs of disloyalty have emerged.

The emperor threw the memorial into the archives. With the military forces along the four northern borders beginning to resemble regional military governors, the court had lost the capacity to deploy surplus troops. It could only use financial constraints to keep the regional governors in place, but could not command them to fight. The court's finances were already stretched thin.

This is completely different from the situation a hundred years ago, when the emperor could remove a general's military power simply by taking the tiger tally.

Emperor Xu picked up another memorial, paused slightly, and asked with a hint of surprise, "Are we finally almost at the capital?"

This memorial contained news that Gong Qian and his entourage had brought Wu Fei back. Three months ago, just as the busy Emperor was about to forget that the Wu family in the south owed the court a hostage, this imperial envoy sent back a letter, saying that he had already set off to report back and requested that the various local prefectures and counties provide him with passage.

The imperial envoy stayed away for two years, so why did it take the emperor so long to realize it? Because he didn't care at all, treating it like a small pebble he casually tossed aside.

Imperial envoys were appointed to represent and strengthen royal power. Those sent to the frontiers or to regions unruly by the king were often marginal figures in the court. For example, the imperial envoy previously sent to the King of Lelang was a dissolute recruited from below.

These dissolute imperial envoys are fine as long as they don't die or betray their country.

As for the imperial envoy's prolonged stay? The land is vast and the journey is long, often lasting for months or even half a year. So how could the emperor wait at home for news every day? Over time, he would forget about it.

Because of the emperor's carelessness, sometimes, dissolute imperial envoys would even perform performance art in foreign lands to gain the emperor's attention, killing themselves in the process, as a reminder to the emperor to take better care of himself and his family.

Emperor Xu glanced at the location of Gong Qian and his entourage on the map, recalling the "fiery red" hue from the south that he had calculated a month ago. A sense of unease crept into his mind, and he absentmindedly fiddled with the local report of the imperial envoy's passage: "Right, what did I say we should bestow upon the hostage prince upon his arrival in the capital?"

For a moment, he forgot about marrying a noblewoman into the royal family. After all, his decision was to keep the Wu family members under his control and prevent Wu Hanluan from having any such thoughts.

…Cut the perspective to this side…

When he began to become an ant under the heavens and earth, Wu Fei could feel the disharmonious imbalances in the world even more keenly than when he was still in the box.

The celestial way of the major hexagram is biased. For example, from the center of the major hexagram to the outside, the heat and drought become increasingly unstable in terms of the solar terms. In some places, there is often flooding all year round, and rivers can expand to be more than 30 kilometers wide. This is the case in some poor and harsh areas of southern Xinjiang.

In some years, the land was so dry that it was overgrown with weeds. As a result, many ferocious species in southern Xinjiang were either short-lived, living only one year, or they hibernated intermittently, emerging as extremely brutal and gluttonous monsters. Of course, things are much better now that the guardian beasts have been placed there.

As Wu Fei traveled north, he sensed a sharp increase in the disharmony between humanity and nature. This disharmony was clearly influenced by the war in the north.

It is said that due to the war, many of the guardian beasts that suppressed the mountains and rivers within the territory of Dayao were removed, causing the northern seasons to become disordered.

Rumors circulated that snow often fell in June in some places. In response, the Hao Kingdom used the method of "sacrifice" to appease the heavens and earth, ensuring favorable weather and peace in all directions. However, the Da Yao Kingdom, having enjoyed peace for too long, was not adapted to the cruel era of collapse after the destruction of humanity.

...Transit permits are being stamped one by one...

In the convoy, whether under the sunlight or in a gentle breeze, Wu Fei's aura became increasingly harmonious.

In the past few days, as my observation of the heavens and earth has become clearer, I have discovered that some tiny energies flowing within my body are of the same origin as the energy of heaven and earth. I can draw upon and strengthen this energy through the energy flowing between heaven and earth. This process of strengthening the energy within my body is like magnetizing metal powder in a magnetic field, or like creating a small capacitor ring and corresponding it to a larger charged capacitor ring, thus borrowing electricity from a distance.

After careful observation, Wu Fei determined that these tiny wisps of energy weren't growing by absorbing his own power, but rather by drawing energy from the outside world. If they truly grew by absorbing his power, they would be parasites, and Wu Fei would simply instruct the system to heal him. But now, they were "photosynthesizing" outwards—wasn't that just like a potted plant?
As a successor to the bloodline of farming and warfare, even if there are no conditions, one should still keep potted plants in the office; if there are conditions, one should find a piece of soil to grow something.

Wu Fei filtered out thousands of faint auras within his body that corresponded to the flow of energy in the outside world. After precisely identifying seventy-two strong periodic auras through divination, he focused on cultivating these seventy-two auras.

As a result, Wu Fei's magic attributes began to awaken.

The connection between the energy within his body and the energy of heaven and earth is becoming increasingly stronger. Wu Fei can now mobilize these energies from the surrounding environment.

However, Xuan Chong built many potential energy release points in the field, which can summon flames or make stones precipitate metal (turning stone into gold).

Wu Fei was well aware that he was cultivating the Tao, but the system had a prejudice against the word "cultivation," so he didn't bother to ask the system.

Furthermore, Wu Fei is no longer as fervent about cultivating immortality as he once was, just as his interest in children's programs like Teletubbies faded after he grew up. Therefore, everything now depends on fate.

Wu Fei raised his hand and flicked out several wisps of highly concentrated alcohol mist, which precisely entered the nostrils of the people standing next to the convoy, making them drowsy.

By the time these scouting machines woke up, only tire tracks remained on the road.

…The world of martial arts is a complex place…

Before arriving at the capital of Dayao, there were already three waves of caravans following Wu Fei's caravan; behind the caravans were several hundred refugees, some of whom were opera troupes, some were escort agencies, and some were refugees fleeing from war.

The caravan followed Wu Fei's group because they wanted to be near a big tree for shelter.

Wu Fei's group was escorted by soldiers. Along the way, there were often bandits who would rob people. Even when there were no bandits, people were considered cheap when they were away from home. When they passed through certain villages, some local strongmen would forcibly intercept them on the road and buy men and women.

Just as animals in nature like to move in groups, humans also like to travel in groups when they have nothing and are moving to another place.

Therefore, it's not just Wu Fei's current group that's like this. In recent years, when some large families in Da Yao migrate, they are followed by about ten times more refugees. Sometimes, there are so many people following that there is even a risk of a peasant uprising, so the migrating powerful families have to drive these refugees away and prevent them from following them.

There's a story circulating in the martial arts world about a landlord who fled with his family during a famine. The group was followed by a massive influx of refugees, more than twenty times their size. A cooking fire broke out halfway through the journey, sparking a rebellion. Given the sheer number of refugees, there were bound to be bold and instigating individuals. The twenty-fold number emboldened them, and fueled by hunger, they turned on the landlord. In a fierce charge, the landlord's henchmen were no match for twenty men, resulting in the death of the entire landlord's family, with the women being raped.

Of course, there is another version of these stories: when the landlord was fleeing famine on the way, he was suddenly "supported" by the refugees and became the leader of a rebel army. He then directly attacked the county town.

Wu Fei smiled at this: "With the support of hundreds of starving refugees, what scholar would dare refuse under such circumstances? Besides, what if these refugees coerced me into becoming their leader out of necessity?"

When Wu Fei first led troops, his first task was to observe the thoughts and feelings of his soldiers. The orders he issued must not contradict the soldiers' earnest desires.

Of course, the imperial envoy team doesn't need to drive away the refugees at the moment.

The imperial envoy's convoy, now leading the way, was adorned with bright banners and accompanied by fifty armored soldiers. This alone was enough to deter ninety-nine percent of the bandits on the road.

Most bandits are unarmored. A lone armored warrior can kill four or five unarmored strongmen before he is knocked down.

As for facing armored soldiers in formation? If the bandits don't number four or five hundred, don't have powerful bows and crossbows, and don't have the prestige to send cannon fodder into close combat, they simply can't inflict any damage. Of course, if they do, then they're traitors.

As Wu Fei passed through some mountain strongholds, he discovered that some of the stronghold chiefs did indeed possess the power, but the scouts on those strongholds all retreated upon seeing the yellow flag of the convoy. The imperial court's authority was still formidable. Therefore, a large entourage followed behind, eagerly embracing this convoy seeking refuge.

These following groups were also divided into different classes. The closest were actually the escort agencies of some merchants, who followed closely behind, only two hundred paces away. Occasionally, they would come forward, offering bribes to inquire among the servants of the imperial envoy about the approximate distance they had traveled that day. If they learned that the road ahead was muddy or blocked by rocks, they would send men to clear the obstacles.

If the goal is to clear out the followers, it only involves removing the property owners and merchants. An even larger group of proletarian migrants will still follow. The composition of the migrant ranks at the very end is unstable.

…“Scattering beans to create soldiers” is a Taoist term used to refer to instigating rebellion…

As Xuan Chong walked along, he was actually watching the last group of people and doing calculations with a pen.

Xuan Chong: Under the current road system, the maximum number of displaced people that can gather is five thousand per group.

Lacking military-level discipline, the refugee camps were rife with chaos caused by constant brawls and looting, continuously driving away the weak. In the process of forcing the weak out, only the able-bodied remained in the refugee camps.

As these young adults get to know each other, they form small groups ranging from five or six to thirty people, based on habits inherited from the genes of humans during primitive tribal times. Within these temporarily formed groups, each person will identify with certain leaders based on mutual understanding and observation. — And this seemingly irregular group structure, if formalized, becomes the prototype of a "military force" or "camp."

From forcing the old and weak to the young and strong spontaneously forming associations, this process takes about a month or three months. Occasionally, heroes can accelerate the formation of this "righteous army." Xuan Chong: "The Central Plains are vast, with many areas exceeding the 'three-month migration route,' and this route is the process of refining the refugee army."

Wu Fei then marked the population migration lines that might form a "rebel army" on the map in his memory. Based on his current "Taoist Qi Observation" method, he estimated the number of refugees that might be caused by the "imbalance between heaven and man" in various states.

Yes! If a state has only 10,000 refugees during a period of scarcity, they will most likely be absorbed by mountain strongholds and local powerful families. However, if there are more than 100,000 refugees, they will follow the above development process: first, they will gather together, then automatically split into groups, and then each group leader will connect with the others, and finally, under the catalysis of the idea king, they will become a rebel army.

Wu Fei looked at the caravans following behind his own. In fact, the merchant caravans and powerful families that participated in the migration were the initial nuclei that formed the "snowball" of the uprising army during the years of great disaster.

The wealth carried by this "condensation nucleus" team was key for the refugees to break free from the shackles of "murder and bloodshed."

Once bloodshed is involved and plundering caravans brings in accountants and scholars, it could give the rebels their first strategic direction, instead of aimlessly fleeing with the crowd as before.

Of course, if they were even luckier, the new rebel army would have an experienced leader, namely Da Feng Qi Xi Yun Fei Yang.

…Is it possible, or is it a matter of destiny?…

By this time, a martial arts world had already formed among the refugees. In a theatrical troupe in the middle ranks of the group, under the guise of the opera, a female lead singer said to her companions, "We've found out that the important person at the front is from the Zhennan General's Mansion, and they're heading to the capital."

The man who looked like the troupe leader said, "In this world, the general in the south is considered a hero in his own right. Why would he send someone to pay his respects to the emperor?"

A young student standing nearby said, "Master, do you think I should go and serve tea to the caravan ahead?"

This young actor, while naturally playing the "male lead" role within the opera troupe (similar to a heartthrob in later films and television), would occasionally smuggle items from wealthy families outside the troupe. Sometimes he would steal jade pendants from young masters, and these valuables would ultimately be sold off by the opera troupe.

Now that the gang has successfully scouted the area ahead, he wants to know whether he should make a move.

The troupe leader pondered for a moment: "Don't move rashly; those ahead are skilled fighters. Isn't the Nightmare Moon Sect always recruiting government soldiers? Let's sell them this information."

On the other side, Wu Fei listened to the conversation a hundred feet away using a small "magnetic powder resonance" spell, and was somewhat disappointed: it turned out that it was not a planned rebellion, but a cult.

...A disheartening dividing line...

Suling County is located at a crossroads where north and south horses pass through, and this county gives the most tribute to the higher authorities every year; the magistrate of this county also has connections in both the government and the underworld.

When Gong Qian's entourage arrived at the local post station outside the county town, the postmasters immediately prepared to welcome them. More than fifty carriages, along with horses and mules, were all properly settled. Wu Fei, who had commanded troops before, couldn't help but take a few more glances at the post station's layout; the area where the carriages were parked covered a full thirty acres.

Wu Fei, caught up in his professional instincts, immediately began to mentally prepare for the day when he would capture the county town and take control of the post station and everyone inside.

Wu Fei: Just as in later generations, if you don't know which bus stop to take, it's best to ask the bus conductor, if you don't know which county to attack next after an uprising, asking the post station staff will tell you the route of the imperial army to suppress the rebellion, and you can avoid it.

So much so that when the county magistrate came to visit, Wu Fei was already considering whether to defend or retreat after capturing the city. This county, located on a major transportation route, held a crucial strategic position.

"Lord Marquis, Lord Marquis?" Prompted by others, Wu Fei stopped his reverie and began to respond to the county magistrate, urging him to rise quickly.

As the magistrate stood up, his steady stance caught Wu Fei's eye. "He's got some martial arts skills!"

It should be noted that a normal person in their forties or fifties will be shaky and unsteady when kneeling down and getting up, due to insufficient strength.

Wu Fei thought to himself, "No wonder this place is a crossroads of people from all over the country; the waters run deep here!"

After his entourage settled into the post station, Wu Fei began to assemble the rest of the group and started making arrangements.

At the entrance of the post station, looking at the people queuing up, Wu Fei laid down three rules for the grooms and guards: "When you check in, report the cost of each room to me. This evening, half the queue will close, and the other half will close after they leave. Everyone, be mindful here and don't cause any trouble. I don't object to you going out to have some fun; you've had a long journey, so relax in the city, I can't stop you, but! Don't cause any trouble. Don't bully others, and don't underestimate the local bullies. —Anyone who dares to start a fight here, don't blame the whip."

After saying that, Wu Fei said to Gong Qian, "Lord Gong, do you have anything to add?"

Gong Qian officially endorsed Wu Fei's words: "The Marquis's meaning is my meaning." (After another two or three hundred li, they would reach Yaodu, and Gong Qian had no need to compete for leadership with the people he was escorting.)

Upon hearing this, the soldiers all acknowledged Wu Fei's command.

Although Gong Qian was the one who truly made the decision to return to the capital, and he was the direct superior of all the soldiers, Wu Fei's arrangements for food and lodging during the journey north were far more appropriate than theirs.

Having traveled extensively, Gong Qian naturally sensed the mixed nature of the area surrounding the caravan, and he agreed with Wu Fei's caution. It was better to avoid trouble. —Indeed, if something went wrong and Wu Fei wasn't safely delivered to the capital, he would bear a heavy responsibility.

After half the group had left, Wu Fei suggested to Gong Qian, "Let's give the young men a good time and let them have some fun, so the group doesn't become unstable."

Because of his keen senses, Wu Fei could always overhear the young men in the group discussing women. The topics they talked about were similar to the atmosphere of certain erotic art groups from his previous life. Except these groups didn't have erotic art. If they continued walking, he might end up harming the poor women following behind the group halfway through.

In a social group, there are two most hated behaviors: first, feeding food to dogs in front of a starving person; second, wantonly raping and humiliating women from vulnerable groups.

The journey to the capital city is still long, and the large groups following outside the post station will continue to stick close behind us.

Just after Wu Fei gave Gong Qian a plan for the soldiers to take turns going to the county town to relax, Deputy Envoy Qian Zheng sneered, "General, you're quite adept at this kind of pimping?"

Wu Fei looked up at him and said, "Military affairs are perilous. If you can't be mindful of everything, then don't blame 'fate for playing tricks on you.'"

Ultimately, Gong Qian felt ashamed and couldn't do it, while Wu Fei seized the opportunity to promote Plan B.

…The moon was obscured by a cloud at night…

At the evening banquet, Wu Fei accompanied Gong Qian. However, Wu Fei only drank alcohol and did not eat any food, while the other ten guards, half of them drank alcohol and the other half ate food.

The magistrate asked with a smile if the food and wine were not to his liking, to which Wu Fei replied that he had already eaten.

The magistrate then smiled apologetically, took his leave, and did not ask any further questions.

Wu Fei stared at the county magistrate, becoming "interested" in his "overly respectful" demeanor.

The county magistrate was sweating profusely, feeling as if he were being stared at by a ferocious beast after being targeted by Wu Fei.

As someone who was somewhat of a江湖人 (jianghu person, a term referring to the martial arts world), the magistrate naturally knew that Wu Fei and his group were doing this to guard against him.

The magistrate couldn't help but think, "Could it be that our contact with the Nightmare Moon Cult has been discovered?"

Because Wu Fei was sufficiently cautious, the county magistrate did not dare to be negligent. After determining the amount of grain and supplies needed by the team, he ordered the post station to complete the preparations overnight.

Of course, Gong Qian's team also gave all the money in full, and even gave the officials who handled these matters some customary tips, in accordance with the rules of the martial arts world.

The group stayed overnight in Suling County. Although things were calm within the group, it didn't mean everything was peaceful. Outside the county town, the gathering of refugees hadn't left and was actually increasing in size; when wealthy families from the town entered and exited, the refugees' demands for food led to chaos and looting. The wealthy families, together with the local militia and government officials, quelled the unrest and beheaded several people who were grabbing the porridge. They also ordered the merchants distributing the porridge to make sure to finish distributing and emptying the porridge in front of the refugees.

The opera troupes began to coordinate and plan their actions. Just then, Wu Fei had his team assemble overnight and left through the back gate of the county town under cover of darkness, leaving the accompanying security caravan behind.

Because the moon was sometimes visible and sometimes hidden in the clouds, and the silvery light and pitch-black darkness on the ground alternated, the refugees outside the city did not dare to stop the caravan that was fully armored and dressed in neat uniforms.

(End of this chapter)