My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 163 Liu Wuzhou

It was getting dark.

Zhang Du then found a suitable place to stay by the roadside for everyone to rest.

They were getting closer and closer to Taihang. Long before Zhang Du set off, Li Xuanba had sent people to Yeniu Mountain to hand over the goods to them.

The Wild Buffalo Mountain covers a vast area, extending north to the Yaoshan area between Luoyang and Chang'an. The large region west of Taihang Mountain, extending to Wangwu Mountain, is not too far from the Wild Buffalo Mountain. It can be reached by multiple routes, although there are many checkpoints and mountain paths.

They started a fire and prepared some food.

Qu Qiusheng was now completely integrated into their group, without the initial awkwardness. He had led caravans on many trips in the past and was very experienced, so he had become the general manager of the group. Zhang Du's relationship with him also became closer and closer.

The group ate and chatted, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

Zhang Du sat on the ground with a smile. The task that Lord Junhou had given him was about to be completed. If nothing unexpected happened, he should be able to meet with the people from Wild Buffalo Mountain in three days. After handing over the items, he could return the way he came.

If this trip is completed successfully, resources can be continuously supplied to Wild Buffalo Mountain in the future.

Just as Zhang Du was eating with his head down, another group of people appeared on the road in the distance, with the leader holding a torch, which was very conspicuous.

Zhang Du was somewhat surprised. He exchanged a glance with Qu Qiusheng and then asked everyone to stand up.

The samurai rose to their feet, took up their weapons, and assumed a defensive posture.

"Don't panic! They're just travelers passing through!"

One of the people in the distance spoke loudly.

Zhang Du dared not let his guard down. Holding his sword, he shouted, "It's getting dark. Let's not cause any misunderstandings. You should leave quickly!"

Those people didn't seem to care, but they kept getting closer.

Zhang Du narrowed his eyes, already prepared for battle.

These people, having followed Li Xuanba, had killed people and seen blood, and were not afraid of thieves.

The people drew closer, and their figures became visible in the firelight.

There were only five or six riders among them, and they didn't bring any carriages, but they did bring a few more horses. Judging from their clothes and appearance, they didn't look like thieves, but this made Zhang Du even more vigilant.

Leading the group was a burly young man, seemingly older than Zhang Du. He was dressed in military uniform, carrying a large bow, and squinting as he sized up Zhang Du and his entourage.

Seeing that Zhang Du and his men were equally burly and strong, all carrying weapons and with fierce expressions, the young man finally laughed.

He said, "I thought it was a den of thieves, but it turns out to be merchants. My apologies, my apologies!"

Zhang Du remained vigilant, saying, "Please hurry and leave!"

"Haha, don't worry, I'm not a bandit! I have absolutely no evil intentions!"

"It's already dark, and this is my first time traveling so far, so I dare not go any further. This place is the best place to stay. I'll rest here across the street and leave tomorrow. I certainly won't cause you any trouble!"

The man spoke loudly, and without waiting for Zhang Du's reply, he turned and headed to the other side with the knights.

Qu Qiusheng walked a few steps to Zhang Du's side, "These people don't seem to be kind, we can't be careless."

Zhang Du nodded slightly.

The group went to a distance away and lit a campfire. Even from a distance, their conversation could be heard. They seemed to have been drinking and were shouting loudly, making quite a scene.

Before the campfire, the young man sat on the ground, holding a wine bag in his hand, surrounded by several burly men.

As they were talking, one of them said, “My lord, I just took a look. They only have six carriages, but there are more than forty people guarding them. There must be something valuable in those carriages. If we can take it, we can present it as a gift when we get to Luoyang.”

Another person chimed in, "Judging from their appearance, they don't seem like ordinary merchants. They must be escorting something valuable!"

Hearing their conversation, the young man narrowed his eyes, seemingly somewhat tempted.

"There are only six of us, and they outnumber us too. Besides, those guys look like they've seen blood before."

"so what?"

“My lord, there are only forty-odd men. We’ve fought them before. If we kill a few, the others will naturally dare not fight us again.” “Damn it!!”

One of them stood up, drew his weapon, and pointed it at the person who had spoken, shouting, "Are you all trying to persuade our lord to become a thief?!"

He then looked at the young man, "Young master, have you forgotten the master's instructions?"

The young man's expression was rather unpleasant.

This young man was named Liu Wuzhou. He was from Hejian and later moved to Mayi.

He came from a wealthy family, though not as powerful as the top clans, he still held some prestige in the area. He was brave and skilled in archery, and he loved to associate with chivalrous heroes.

Well, this "hero" isn't a compliment. In this era, most heroes are just idle, troublemaking, and aspiring bandits, like the people Zhai Rang gathered earlier. They are heroes with no real jobs, either relying on the support of powerful figures or acting as bandits. If they really can't make a living, they go up the mountain to become thieves.

His elder brother was very dissatisfied with his association with these people and tried to dissuade him many times. When his attempts to dissuade him failed, he began to scold and berate him.

Unable to bear it any longer, Liu Wuzhou decided to venture out into the world. His elder brother then sent him to Luoyang to seek refuge with a powerful figure there.

Among the knights under his command were both chivalrous heroes he had befriended and men sent by his brother.

Just now, Liu Wuzhou was actually somewhat tempted by what his subordinates said. With so many people guarding it, it must be something good. However, firstly, there were too few of his own people and too many of the other side, and secondly, his brother's men were still around, so it was difficult to kill them.
Liu Wuzhou could only frown and feign anger as he looked around, "Don't talk about such things anymore! We are going to Luoyang this time to follow our lord and fight for merit, how can we do the work of thieves?"

Both sides agree.

Nothing happened all night.

The next day, Liu Wuzhou had just gotten up when he saw the merchants across the street preparing to set off. He stood there curiously, looking at the carriages.

He was truly fed up with his older brother's lecturing. His older brother knew nothing and, just because he was born a few years earlier, dared to humiliate him like this. Sooner or later, he would show him whether he could amount to anything!
Liu Wuzhou wasn't in a hurry to leave. The imperial court was currently waging war in the northwest, and his elder brother thought this was a good opportunity for Liu Wuzhou. So he sent him to the capital to seek refuge with a powerful figure whom the officials had met. That person was involved in the war, and following him might allow him to gain some military merit.

He had someone cook, and while eating, he discussed with everyone the opportunities to make a name for themselves in the future.

As they chatted more and more happily, after finishing their meal, Liu Wuzhou looked up at the person opposite him.

The person opposite remained there, motionless.

Liu Wuzhou suddenly frowned and called several people to his left and right. "Those merchants are so wary of us, yet they haven't left yet this morning, even though it's dawn. What's the reason for that?"

"They probably want us to leave first."

"Why?"

Liu Wuzhou asked again, but no one could answer.

Liu Wuzhou hesitated for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Are these people afraid we'll follow them?"

"If you're heading into the city, it's not far from here, so why fear that we'll follow you?"

No one could answer, but Liu Wuzhou laughed, "These people are probably bandits!"

"If they were afraid we'd follow them and take advantage of the situation, they should have headed towards the city much earlier. They shouldn't be lingering. They must have another route to take. This area is near Taihang Mountain. I've heard that Taihang and Wangwu are known for their wickedness. Could it be that these people are heading towards Taihang but are afraid we'll discover them?"

Everyone felt that Liu Wuzhou's words made some sense.

Even the man sent by his elder brother was at a loss for words.

Liu Wuzhou said excitedly, "If that's the case, we might as well pretend to leave and then secretly keep an eye on them. If they really are thieves, we will have done a great service. Although that nobleman in Luoyang is close to my grandfather, I have never met him before, so he may not take us in. If we can send some of the thieves' heads over, we might be able to gain his favor!"

The heroes burst into laughter, "Exactly! Exactly!"

Liu Wuzhou then looked at the men sent by his elder brother and said seriously, "My elder brother has taught me many times to do good deeds and accumulate virtue. I am not robbing the innocent, but preparing to identify them. If they are thieves, I will rid the people of this scourge. You will not object to this, will you?"

"Young master, they outnumber you. What if they encounter bandits from the mountains?"

Upon hearing his words, Liu Wuzhou burst into laughter.

"I grew up on the frontier, and I've never encountered an opponent in my entire life. Even if I were discovered, could they possibly stop me?!"

(End of this chapter)