Chapter 48

In the late winter of the 44th year of the Dajin Xining era, on a morning at the end of December.

In front of the back gate of the Tongshan County government office, a team had already been organized, consisting of five large carts, followed by nearly a hundred push carts.

There were about 120 to 130 workers, and behind them, about 200 private soldiers of the Zhu family were lined up as guards.

This was naturally the team escorting Zhu Lingwu back to the Zhu family's ancestral home in Chilong. Additionally, it included the Zhu family's business caravans in Tongshan County, forming a large convoy.

This was just the manpower under the Zhu family. Many other merchants in Tongshan County, upon hearing about this, contacted the Zhu family's chief external affairs manager in Tongshan County, requesting to join the convoy.

After some communication, the Zhu family's chief external affairs manager reported to Zhu Junyan and agreed to their request, naturally charging a fee.

Therefore, many merchant caravans were also waiting at the eastern gate of Tongshan County, ready to join the Zhu family's convoy to form an even larger group heading to the capital of Chong'an.

Tongshan County is located on the frontier. From Tongshan County to the capital of Chong'an, even to Yongling Prefecture, which Tongshan County belongs to, one must pass through many desolate mountains and wilderness areas.

Yongling Prefecture, as its name suggests, is a land of mountains and ridges. Although it is not as completely controlled by demons as the Ten Thousand Demon Ridges, there are still many demons hiding along the route from Tongshan County to Yongling Prefecture, not to mention the wild beasts and bandits.

Therefore, from the capital of Chong'an to Tongshan County, not only do adventurers travel, but many adventurers also double as bandits. Other merchant caravans dare not travel without a hundred or more guards.

Especially at the end of the year, adventurers and merchants in Tongshan County all want to return home for the New Year. Many adventurers who have not had a good year plan to rob on the way home.

This makes it necessary for merchants returning to Tongshan County to travel in groups. They dare not casually recruit adventurers from Tongshan County as guards, for fear that some of them might be spies for bandits, which would be like inviting wolves into their homes.

Many merchant caravans originally had their own guard teams, but by the end of the year, these teams were understaffed. Now, hearing that the Zhu family's private soldiers were escorting their young master back to Chilong, many merchants, whether on the same route or not, gathered around.

Even for those not on the same route, being able to leave Yongling Prefecture with the Zhu family's private soldiers would reduce many risks. The Zhu family's private soldiers were not comparable to the guard teams hired by merchants, even if the individual strength of the private soldiers was not as high as the martial arts experts in the merchant guard teams.

However, the Zhu family's private soldiers, when formed into a military formation, would likely still win in a battle against these martial arts experts from the江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts and chivalry).

Especially with Liu Ping personally leading the Zhu family's private soldiers, the journey home would be safer. Of course, since these merchants wanted to travel with the Zhu family, the Zhu family's chief external affairs manager in Tongshan County also handed over the command of the merchant guard teams to Liu Ping.

Thus, for Liu Ping, the strength of his escort for Zhu Lingwu increased significantly, and he did not pay much attention to the merchants.

At this point, the Zhu family's convoy was almost ready, waiting only for the young master to come out, and the entire convoy could set off.

Zhu Lingwu had already woken up and, with the help of three personal maids, was dressed neatly, wearing a hooded cloak. Surrounded by a group of attendants, he walked out of his private residence.

Zhu Lingwu's stepfather, Zhu Junyan, dressed in the fine clothing of a scholar, also walked out of the middle courtyard of Tongshan County, accompanied by a group of household servants.

At the back gate of the county government office, Liu Ping had already changed into a military uniform, holding a long saber, and was waiting.

Soon, Zhu Lingwu and Zhu Junyan met in front of the back gate of the county government office. The attendants and household servants around them naturally dispersed to the sides, as they were all observant people.

Liu Ping stepped forward, saluted Zhu Junyan with his saber, and reported that the convoy was ready and could set off at any time.

Hearing Liu Ping's words, Zhu Junyan sighed, then turned to look at Zhu Lingwu, a hint of affection in his eyes.

"Xiao Wu, on this journey, you must listen to Liu Ping's arrangements and not cause any trouble!"

Zhu Junyan said, while also patting Zhu Lingwu's head. Thinking about not seeing his child for another year, he felt a sense of loss.

However, since he had taken office as the magistrate of Chong'an, he had to prioritize the country before his family. It was also because Tongshan County was too dangerous; otherwise, he would not even have the time to return home for the New Year.

"Father, don't worry. On this journey, I will stay in the cart and not come out, okay! Anyway, the route is full of desolate mountains and wilderness, there's nothing to see. I will just teach my little Daji to read in the cart!"

Zhu Lingwu glanced at the small white fox in the arms of the maid Qiuyang and promised Zhu Junyan.

This small white fox, since being brought back to Zhu Lingwu's private residence, was quickly liked by the three personal maids. The white fox also knew how to please them, so now it was being cared for by the three maids, with Qiuyang having won the privilege today.

However, Zhu Lingwu knew that the white fox was secretly using some means. Unfortunately, the three maids were ordinary women and could not resist the white fox's charm.

"You silly child, sigh, well, well, having this fox with you is better than you causing trouble! Alright, Captain Liu, I leave this journey to you. It's not early, so set off early to catch up with the post stations, which is better than camping outside! If this silly child doesn't listen on the way, you can discipline him. After all, he calls you master a few times!"

Zhu Junyan had no way to deal with Zhu Lingwu and could only turn to Liu Ping for instructions.

"Understood, sir. I will do my best to safely escort the young master back to the family home!"

Liu Ping quickly saluted Zhu Junyan with his saber and bowed, making a promise.

Then, the attendants accompanying Zhu Lingwu escorted him to a large carriage. This carriage had a space of over 20 square meters, like a modern RV, requiring six horses to pull it.

Zhu Lingwu's other two personal maids had already prepared everything in the carriage. Soon, the maid Chuyang lifted the curtain of the carriage for Zhu Lingwu.

An attendant also placed a wooden ladder for Zhu Lingwu to climb into the carriage. Zhu Lingwu stepped into the carriage, where thick animal skins were already laid out, along with an incense burner, a small table, and snacks like fruits and dried meat, making it almost as comfortable as his private bedroom.

Once Zhu Lingwu was in the carriage, Chuyang and Xiayang came to serve him, helping him sit by the window, where it was warm and comfortable.

Without Zhu Lingwu needing to say anything, Xiayang had already opened the carriage window with a wooden rod, and Zhu Lingwu waved to Zhu Junyan from the carriage.

Zhu Junyan nodded at Zhu Lingwu and then signaled Liu Ping to set the convoy in motion...