Chapter 4

Standing beside Wei Yongzhi, a young man in his mid-twenties with a somewhat gloomy face and a goatee nodded.

Unlike Tan Pingzhi, who was dressed in short attire and had well-developed muscles, this man wore a long robe and looked like a scholar, making him stand out in the crowd of refugees. He bowed to Liu Yu: "I am Meng Chang from Pingchang, bringing my cousins Meng Huaoyu, Meng Longfu, and others. We are pleased to meet you, Mr. Liu."

Wei Yongzhi smiled: "This Brother Meng is no ordinary person! Both Brother Tan and I are skilled in combat but lack in strategy, while he serves as our military advisor. On our journey, we followed Brother Meng's advice, traveling by night and hiding by day, avoiding major roads and only taking grasslands. We narrowly escaped several pursuits by the Xianbei cavalry, and everyone admires him."

Liu Yu nodded: "Since the Yongjia era, batches of Han refugees have fled south from Central China. Most were intercepted and killed by the Xianbei, while those who survived and reached Jiangnan were mostly led by refugee leaders."

"These refugee leaders, some leading thousands of families, others leading dozens, organized the refugees, assigning responsibilities, and moving like an army."

"Brother Meng has the spirit of the famous refugee leaders of our dynasty's founding, Zu Ti and Su Jun," Liu Yu said, sizing up Meng Chang with a smile.

Meng Chang initially smiled without speaking, but his face darkened when he heard the name Su Jun.

Su Jun was a famous refugee leader at the beginning of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, leading thousands of families across the sea to the south. He rose to the rank of general, fighting the Xianbei in the north and suppressing rebellions in the south. Su Jun, a scholar, became a legend for his military prowess in the chaotic times.

Unfortunately, he was ambitious and lost his integrity. Later, unwilling to surrender his military power, he turned against the Eastern Jin court that had sheltered him and rebelled.

Although Su Jun once captured the capital and controlled the emperor, he was eventually defeated and destroyed by the combined forces of the Eastern Jin's regional governors, ending in disgrace. Compared to Zu Ti, who struck the oars in the middle of the river and vowed to reclaim Central China, Su Jun's fate was vastly different.

Meng Chang coldly said: "Although I am a scholar, I know gratitude. Mr. Liu, calling me a traitor like Su Jun, what do you mean by that?"

Liu Yu smiled and bowed deeply: "I apologize, I misspoke. Please forgive me, Brother Meng."

Meng Chang grunted heavily: "Some words should not be spoken lightly. We northerners, admiring the Jin court, risked our lives to cross south, not to be mocked. Mr. Liu, please return our travel documents, and we will go see the provincial governor ourselves."

Liu Yu frowned: "That's not very good. Welcoming and escorting guests is my duty as the village head. Although I misspoke, I have already apologized. Brother Meng, there's no need to be like this."

Meng Chang coldly said: "Not only our ship has arrived at this ferry. The ship behind us seems to have some important people! Mr. Liu, you probably look down on us commoners, so don't waste your chance to meet those important people."

Liu Yu returned the travel documents, which he had put back in the leather bag, to Meng Chang and said: "I wish you all a smooth journey." Through his probing, he confirmed his judgment.

As he returned the documents, Liu Yu's peripheral vision caught three young children standing behind Meng Chang. They were only four or five years old, with runny noses, wearing thin clothes, and looking malnourished, clearly having not eaten well for many days.

Liu Yu took out a small bag that Xu Xianzhi had given him, which contained a few pieces of fruit leather. He took one out, and the three children's eyes lit up, staring at it intently.

Meng Chang, without a word, took the documents and left. Tan Pingzhi and Wei Yongzhi exchanged glances, shook their heads, and bowed to Liu Yu before leaving.

A young man, clearly a member of the Meng family, lagged behind. He looked innocent, staring at the piece of peach leather in Liu Yu's hand, licking his lips.

Liu Yu smiled, took a few steps forward, squatted down, and said to the child: "Little brother, what's your name?"

The child blinked but kept his eyes on the peach leather: "I'm Meng Longfu. The one you were talking to is my cousin."

Liu Yu smiled and extended the peach leather: "Little brother, are you hungry? Have this."

Meng Longfu's eyes sparkled, hesitating: "My brother said we shouldn't accept favors easily."

Liu Yu smiled and patted Meng Longfu's head: "This isn't a favor; it's aid from the court for you northern refugees. When you reach the governor's office, you'll have porridge to eat. If you really feel it's a favor, you can repay me when you grow up."

Meng Longfu bit his lip, grabbed the peach leather, and ran off. After running a dozen steps, he turned around, clenched his fist, and waved at Liu Yu: "I remember, Brother Liu Yu. I will repay you when I grow up!"

Meng Chang's cold voice came from ahead: "Longfu, what are you dawdling for? Is your bottom itchy again?"

Meng Longfu stuck out his tongue, instinctively touched his bottom, bowed to Liu Yu, and ran off. When their figures disappeared around the bend in the official road, Xu Xianzhi shook his head: "Brother Liu, what was that about? Why did you compare him to that traitor Su Jun? No wonder this Meng is so temperamental."

Liu Yu smiled: "Among these three families, it's clear that Meng Chang is the strategist, but the travel documents were in Tan Pingzhi's hands. Isn't that strange?"

"He is clearly the mainstay of the three families, yet he hides behind the innocent Tan Pingzhi. This shows he has a very dark personality! I provoked him to see his reaction and test if he was a spy."

Xu Xianzhi widened his eyes: "What, this Meng looks well-read and a typical Han, could he be a spy?"

Liu Yu sighed: "Qin is about to invade the south, and using spies is a common tactic. Tan Pingzhi and Wei Yongzhi seem fine, but this Meng Chang makes me suspicious! However, this test just now has mostly cleared him."

"How did it clear him? How can you tell?" Xu Xianzhi asked.

Liu Yu smiled: "If Meng Chang were a spy, he would have a hostage held in the north. Otherwise, a Han like him would be uncontrollable once he reached Jin territory. Meng Longfu is just a child and couldn't act, so he must be his brother. Therefore, the suspicion of being a spy can be ruled out. Xianzhi, these things require practical experience and the ability to read people. Your books might not cover this."

Xu Xianzhi breathed a sigh of relief: "I see. Brother Liu, you are truly meticulous. There's so much I need to learn from you. Listening to you is better than reading for ten years."