Chapter 5

Zhang Weixin took the telescope and looked in the direction Zeng Zhilin pointed. He saw a field in the distance, with a few people working in it. Most of the workers were wearing rough short shirts, but one middle-aged man standing by the field was dressed in a long robe with a square hat, and was talking to a farmer. After observing for a while, he finally lowered his arm and said, "Indeed, they are not from the modern era. However, from their clothing, they should at least be Han people. And they don't have braids, so it's not the Qing Dynasty." He paused for a moment and then said with some relief, "These ancients seem to be farmers working in the fields. They look like they are wearing rough clothes, but at least they are not in tatters or starving. Heaven is still fair to us; it hasn't placed us in an era where people exchange their children for food."

"Now, what should we do? Should we go back and report, or should we go and inquire first?" Zeng Zhilin asked after taking the telescope and looking again. Zhang Weixin thought for a moment and said, "We should go and find out more before going back. That way, everyone can make a better decision." With that, he led the way forward.

As they got closer, they could see that the people in the field were of various ages and genders. The people in the field clearly saw the three of them and were puzzled by their appearance and clothing, not knowing who they were. They looked somewhat surprised and at a loss. One of the young men, who was taller, subconsciously gripped his hoe, looking somewhat nervous and hostile. According to the plan they had agreed upon before setting out, if they encountered ancients, Zhang Weixin would be the one to communicate. So, when they approached the farmers, Zhang Weixin, mimicking the way people in TV dramas greet each other, bowed to the oldest-looking farmer and said kindly, "Sir, there's no need to be alarmed. We are strangers from a distant place who have lost our way in the mountains. We would like to ask you where we are."

The old man, seeing these strangers with their strange clothing and very short hair, was clearly at a loss and a bit speechless. His lips moved a few times, but he didn't say anything. He just turned to look at the middle-aged man in the long robe. The middle-aged man was of medium build, slightly fat, and looked scholarly. He had been observing them since they approached. Although he was surprised by their attire, he was reassured by Zhang Weixin's polite and gentle manner, which didn't seem threatening. Hearing Zhang Weixin's question, he stepped forward and bowed, asking, "What can I do for you, sir?"

At this point, the old man seemed to come to his senses and pointed to the middle-aged man, saying in a hoarse voice, "This is Mr. Zhong, who used to be a school administrator in the county. He is the most knowledgeable."

Zhang Weixin quickly bowed to the middle-aged man and said, "We are strangers from a distant place who have lost our way in the mountains. Could you tell us where we are, sir?"

"Sir, there's no need for such formalities. This is Huangshandian Village in Zhoukou Town. Where are you headed?" Mr. Zhong seemed pleased with the young man's politeness and answered quickly.

"Zhoukou Town Huangshandian Village," Zhang Weixin repeated the name in his mind, but unfortunately, it was too small a place to match any known location. Fortunately, the middle-aged man seemed to realize that the area he mentioned was too small and added, "This place is under the jurisdiction of Fanyang County, Zouchou Prefecture, Youdu Prefecture, Nanjing. Is it far from where you are headed?" As he said this, he looked up at the young man, but was surprised to see his expression change, his mouth open but no words coming out. Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Weixin was thinking, "Heaven really knows how to pick places. It has transported us to Beijing a thousand years ago, and it's even under the rule of the Khitans. This place is nearly a thousand kilometers away from where we were before. It seems that time travel can also involve a spatial shift." Being familiar with history, he knew that Nanjing Youdu Prefecture was later known as Beijing, and it was called this after Shi Jingtan ceded it to the Khitans. It was renamed Yanzhou Xijin Prefecture in the first year of Kai Tai (1012). Therefore, they were now in the period between the first year of Huitong (938) and the first year of Kai Tai (1012). To determine the exact year, he would need to talk more with Mr. Zhong.

"Sir! Sir!" The middle-aged man, seeing that Zhang Weixin hadn't answered for a while, called out worriedly. Zeng Zhilin and Wang Feng, who were behind Zhang Weixin, were also puzzled. Zeng Zhilin tugged at his sleeve, reminding him, "Weixin, the sir is asking you a question."

"Ah? Oh! I apologize, sir. Please don't be offended," Zhang Weixin finally came to his senses and hurriedly apologized to Mr. Zhong, "To be honest, our ancestors were Han people who fled to the sea to avoid the chaos of the Five Barbarians during the Jin Dynasty. We have just returned from the sea, so we are not familiar with the geography of the mainland. According to our ancestors, the place they lived was called Youzhou. I wonder if this Youdu Prefecture has any connection to the old Youzhou?"

"Oh, this Youdu Prefecture is the old Youzhou," Mr. Zhong, seeing that Zhang Weixin was no longer dazed, felt relieved and said, "It was renamed after it was ceded to the Khitans by the Later Jin emperor Shi Jingtan. I remember it has been about ten years. Yes, that year my daughter was just one year old, and she is almost seventeen this year, so it must have been fifteen years."

Fifteen years since the cession, that would be the third year of Yingli in the Liao Dynasty, the third year of Guangshun in the Later Zhou Dynasty, and the year 953 AD—Zhang Weixin quickly calculated and came to this conclusion from his brain, which was often called a historical database by other teachers. After a brief thought, Zhang Weixin decided to confirm the exact date and asked Mr. Zhong, "We encountered a storm on our way back to the mainland and drifted for many days. We have been wandering in the mountains for a few days. Could you tell me what month and day it is now? The 10th of June is the anniversary of our ancestors, and I don't want to miss it."

"You are a filial young man, remembering the anniversary of your ancestors even now," Mr. Zhong clearly admired the young man, "Today is the 18th of the fourth month in the fourth year of Yingli, which is still some time before the 10th of June."

Finally understanding all the dates, Zhang Weixin breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to Mr. Zhong, "Thank you, sir."

Mr. Zhong quickly held him up, "Sir, there's no need for such formalities. From what you said, you are from the sea?" Mr. Zhong seemed very interested in the word "sea," "May I ask your name and those of your companions? How far is the place you came from? How long did it take you to reach the mainland? Why are there only three of you here, and where are the others?"

Mr. Zhong's rapid-fire questions left Zhang Weixin a bit overwhelmed. He had only intended to use the excuse of returning from the sea to explain their strange appearance, but he hadn't expected to encounter such a curious official. However, if he didn't answer Mr. Zhong's questions, it might arouse suspicion, especially since Mr. Zhong had been an official, albeit a minor one. In this era, offending an official was not a good idea. So, he gathered his thoughts, chose his words carefully, and introduced himself and his companions. Then he fabricated a detailed story for the inquisitive Mr. Zhong. He told him how his ancestors built ships to escape the war and set sail, how they encountered a storm at sea, how they drifted for a long time without seeing land, how they were saved by the natives of a large island when they were out of food and water, and how they rested and recovered. He explained how they, the current generation, had traveled thousands of miles to return to the mainland to fulfill their ancestors' wishes, how they encountered another storm and nearly lost their lives, and how they managed to survive and land. He added that they had been wandering in the mountains for several days because they were lost. Mr. Zhong sighed and repeatedly said, "What a fortunate escape, what a fortunate escape." Finally, Zhang Weixin added, "We are just three of the survivors from our ship. There are still a dozen or so companions waiting for us in the mountains."

"I see," Mr. Zhong nodded and looked up at the sky, concerned, "How far are your companions from here? It's getting dark, and if they are far away, they might not be able to get out of the mountains before nightfall." Hearing this, Zhang Weixin subconsciously raised his hand to check his watch, but then realized that this gesture was inappropriate. He raised his arm to his forehead, pretending to shield his eyes, and looked at the sky. The sun was already setting, and it was probably around four in the afternoon. At their current pace, they probably wouldn't make it back before dark. Moreover, the handheld radio that Zeng Zhilin had brought had already been unable to communicate with the team due to too many obstacles, and now that they were even farther away, it was unlikely to work at all.

While thinking of a solution, Zeng Zhilin came over and whispered, "If I go alone, I can make it back before dark. Even if it's a bit late, I have a lot of wilderness survival experience, so I won't be in danger. Why don't you and Wang Feng stay here and wait, and I'll go back and report?" Zhang Weixin thought for a moment and agreed. He nodded and said, "That's the only way. Take some food, self-defense weapons, and the radio, and travel light. Be sure to stay safe on the way. When you get back, explain the situation to Xiaojun. Whatever decision they make, you must return here by two o'clock tomorrow afternoon to inform us." Zeng Zhilin nodded and started unloading things from his backpack with Wang Feng. Meanwhile, Zhang Weixin turned to Mr. Zhong and said, "Sir, my companion is very fast and can make it back before dark. However, I don't have the strength to go back. Is there anyone in the village who can let us stay for the night?" He pointed to Wang Feng, who was busy, and added, "We only have some clothes and food with us, as our ship sank, and our money is at the bottom of the sea."

Mr. Zhong laughed and said, "Sir, there's no need to be embarrassed. Everyone has their hard times. Although I am not a wealthy man, I do have a few empty rooms. If you don't mind the simplicity, you can stay at my house."

"Thank you, sir. I will impose on you for one night," Zhang Weixin, surprised by Mr. Zhong's hospitality, hurriedly bowed in gratitude.

"Sir, there's no need for such formalities. Please follow me," Mr. Zhong quickly helped Zhang Weixin up and turned to the old man, saying, "Old Sun, let's finalize the matter we discussed earlier. Send your son to me tomorrow, and I'll take him to meet the blacksmith Mo in town to learn a trade. Having a skill is always useful these days."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhong. I'll send him first thing tomorrow," the old man and his son bowed and thanked Mr. Zhong repeatedly. Mr. Zhong just smiled and said nothing. Seeing that the "returnees" had finished redistributing their belongings, he led Zhang Weixin and Wang Feng to the nearby village. Zeng Zhilin watched them walk away and then turned and ran back down the hill with the speed he had used in the special police force to run five kilometers, quickly disappearing from the farmers' view, who were stunned by his quick movements.

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