Chapter 38: A Thousand Miles of Rejection and Fame (Part 1)

The sky darkened early in winter, and it was already dim by mid-afternoon.

"Why hasn't the shift changed yet?"

Zhao Long, stationed on the eastern gate tower of Fugou City, yawned listlessly. Below the city gate, the noise was incessant. Fugou City, located in a small basin surrounded by mountains, guarded the official road and waterways, with thousands of people coming and going each day. However, Zhao Long, on the city wall, felt so drowsy that he just wanted to sleep.

Another convoy of mule carts gradually approached from the distant official road. Zhao Long, lazily leaning against the wall, watched them get closer. It was close to the end of the year, and convoys of mule carts, donkey carts, wheelbarrows, and porters carrying military supplies to the northwest forts and castles were endless. This was already the fourth convoy of the day.

Zhao Long watched the incoming group listlessly. This convoy didn't seem special, except that a few idle people were sitting on the carts. Zhao Long looked curiously at the convoy as it reached the city gate and suddenly widened his eyes. Leaning over the battlements, he called out in surprise, "Wang Shunmin? Aren't you Wang Si from Yan Prefecture?"

Wang Shunmin, who was half-closed-eyed resting on a mule cart, leaning against a pile of soft silk, looked up. He straightened his body and asked in surprise, "Big Zhao, why is it you?"

"Why can't it be me?"

Wang Shunmin shouted across the two-zhang-high city wall to Zhao Long, "Big Zhao, didn't you sign up as a daredevil? Why are you guarding the city gate in Fugou City?"

Zhao Long's face turned a bit sour, and he retorted, "Being a daredevil and guarding the city gate isn't a big deal. But for a renowned military officer like you, how did you end up as a long-distance escort?"

Wang Shunmin wouldn't lose even in a verbal sparring match, "Being an escort is good! At least I can earn some military merit along the way, better than sitting at the city gate every day and getting calluses!"

Zhao Long was speechless, pursed his lips, and pulled his head back.

Han Gang was waiting for the gate officer to check the travel documents. Hearing Wang Shunmin bickering with the guard on the city wall, he smiled. From their conversation, it seemed they had some acquaintance. Being able to connect with someone from Fugou City would help when reporting military merits and enemy intelligence, at least he wouldn't be clueless and end up with the wrong person.

The gate officer looked tired. He only glanced at the travel documents and didn't go down to check the vehicles. He only glanced at the few civilian laborers lying on the carts, who seemed injured, and didn't ask in detail, waving the convoy through.

By this time, Zhao Long had already come down from the city wall and was waiting inside the city gate. His height was about the same as Han Gang's, and his appearance was as ugly as Wang Shunmin's. He was around twenty years old, with muscles bulging under his outer robe, looking as strong as a bull. In terms of martial arts, Zhao Long, being a daredevil, was at least not too bad, but his luck was quite poor.

Han Gang knew what a daredevil was. Local heroes all liked official positions and military merits. However, once they joined the army, they had to be tattooed on their faces and hands, which was a great humiliation for them. Therefore, the Song court specially established the daredevil system, which did not require tattooing, allowing those who cherished their bodies to have the opportunity to join the army and seek merit. As a daredevil, one could usually enter the ranks and lead troops after achieving some merit. Daredevils were elite fighters, often relied upon by generals. It was rare for someone like Zhao Long to end up as a city gate guard.

The mule carts drove into the city one by one. Zhao Long greeted the gate officer and then walked over leisurely.

Taking this moment, Han Gang learned a bit about Zhao Long from Wang Shunmin. Zhao Long was from Chengji County. He had been a troublemaker since childhood and had become acquainted with Wang Shunmin, who had come to Qin Prefecture to avoid trouble. They often drank and ate together, and within a few months, they had developed a deep friendship. Zhao Long had joined the daredevils in August of this year after the Tangut army invaded Qin Prefecture. However, he had committed some offense and was sent to guard the city gate after just two months. But seeing how Zhao Long could leave the city gate at will and the gate officer didn't dare to stop him, it seemed he was doing well in the city gate unit.

"You can't wander around Fugou City randomly. I'll guide you!"

Walking to the convoy, Zhao Long ignored the others and didn't even look at Han Gang standing by the cart. He said casually, jumped onto the cart, pointed the convoy in the right direction, and then lay down comfortably, mimicking Wang Shunmin. Turning his head, he caught a glimpse of the bandaged wound on Wang Shunmin's shoulder and asked with a smile, "Did you get bitten by a prostitute for not paying at the private brothel in Huimin Bridge?"

"Exactly!" Wang Shunmin admitted, boasting, "Grandpa showed his might, fighting fifteen at night and eighteen during the day, making dozens of barbarian prostitutes scream. They were so satisfied that they bit me."

Zhao Long suddenly half-rose, looking at the cart behind carrying the heads of the enemy. Despite the heads being covered, the wind still carried the smell of blood. His face showed surprise as he asked, "Half a cart, nearly thirty, right?"

Zhao Long's question hit a sore spot, and Wang Shunmin raised his chin proudly, "About a hundred came, and I left thirty-one!"

"… You've really grown!" Wang Shunmin could fight and earn merit, while Zhao Long could only guard the city gate. Zhao Long's expression was a mix of envy and jealousy.

Wang Shunmin laughed loudly, sat up, and was about to boast again, but when he opened his mouth, he saw Han Gang walking ahead. His words were stuck in his throat. He coughed a few times, feeling embarrassed, and changed his words, "This is all thanks to Scholar Han! I just… got a bit of the credit."

Han Gang smiled and turned back, "The military officer is too modest. Killing eleven with one bow, such bravery is worth boasting about anywhere! How can it be my merit?"

"Scholar Han?" Zhao Long turned to look at Han Gang in surprise, a civilian laborer suddenly becoming a scholar.

"Scholar Han is the leader of this mission, I just… came along, came along!" Wang Shunmin explained awkwardly.

After the battle, Han Gang had the injured civilian laborers and Wang Shunmin sit on the mule carts, while he walked. For days without changing clothes or bathing, he was covered in dust, not looking like a scholar at all.

"Salute, Zhao Daredevil!" Han Gang bowed to Zhao Long, who quickly jumped off the cart to return the salute.

The Song Dynasty had been established for a long time, and the emphasis on literature over military had deeply rooted in people's hearts. Warriors had a certain respect for capable scholars. If not for Wang Shunmin's reminder, Zhao Long might not have noticed, but now, upon closer inspection, Han Gang was indeed different from the other civilian laborers. Not only was his demeanor and behavior extraordinary, but his physique and appearance were also outstanding. Especially his eyebrows, which were like the edges of a long knife, and his deep, unfathomable eyes, which made Zhao Long feel a chill.

Led by Zhao Long, Han Gang's group crossed Fugou City and headed to their resting place for the night.

Compared to Qin Prefecture, Fugou City was not large, but among military cities and forts, it was considered a large one. According to the standards for building cities and forts, those with a perimeter of 900 steps were called cities; those between 900 and 500 steps were called forts; and those below 500 steps were just forts. Those below 200 steps were barely considered watchtowers.

Cities, forts, and forts had fixed standards, and the buildings, storage, government offices, and troop deployments inside were different. As a military city, the common size was 900 steps, with the largest being 1,200 steps, which is about 3.5 to 4 li.

Fugou City, located at the confluence of the Gangu and Wei rivers, was the largest 1,200-step military city, with 4,000 soldiers and their families. The city had markets and taverns, and apart from having more military camps, warehouses, and horses, it was no different from an ordinary county town.

It was already dusk, and by this time, people should be returning to their camps or homes for dinner. However, the city was bustling with people, giving a sense of chaos. Han Gang noticed something was off, and Wang Shunmin also found it strange, asking Zhao Long, "The city seems a bit chaotic. What's going on?"

Zhao Long's expression became serious. He lowered his voice so only Han Gang and Wang Shunmin could hear:

"The news came at noon today that the Western bandits suddenly increased by ten thousand on the opposite side of Gangu. This wouldn't be a big deal, as Gangu City can hold them off. However, the old supervisor, Zhang, who was guarding Gangu, led 2,000 men out to patrol the border two days ago. They are said to have encountered the enemy head-on, and there has been no news since.

Everyone in Gangu is saying that Supervisor Zhang's entire army has been wiped out. Now, Gangu City has only about 2,000 old and weak soldiers left. If the Western bandits attack, they won't be able to hold them off. The Xinbo tribes in the valley are also becoming unstable. You'll see, if there's no news from Supervisor Zhang, the beacon fires will be lit tonight."

"Then Qin Prefecture will be in chaos, won't it?" Han Gang knew the significance of lighting the beacon fires. It would only happen in the most urgent military situations. Conversely, once the beacon fires were lit, the entire military force in the Qin-Feng region would be mobilized, and urgent messages would be sent to the capital.

"Without Supervisor Zhang, Gangu City will likely fall. How can it not be in chaos?"

Zhang Shouyue, the commander of Gangu City and the garrison supervisor of the Qin-Feng region, was a famous veteran general in Guanxi. He had been a deputy to Yang Wenguang and participated in the construction of the Xie Shi and Gangu forts. These two forts were built under the watchful eyes of the Tangut, and despite several attacks, they were successfully completed. For this, Zhang Shouyue received the highest merit under General Yang Wenguang.

He could be considered the stabilizing force in Gangu City. With him, even 30,000 to 50,000 of the Western Xia's elite cavalry and infantry would be no problem, and no reinforcements would be needed. But without him, the situation was as it was now, from the northern Gangu City to the central An Yuan Fort, and then to Fugou City where Han Gang was, the entire 60-li-long Gangu region was in chaos.