Chapter 92: The Road

Later, when they lined up by age, it turned out that Zhao Zongji was only seven days younger than Chen Ke. Chen Ke was leaving Sichuan for the first time, and Zhao Zongji was also leaving the capital for the first time. However, Chen Ke could go wherever he wanted, and no one could stop him, while Zhao Zongji could not take a single step away from his father's side.

So there was no such thing as "Stockholm Syndrome." It was just a young prince indulging in a youthful whim, wanting freedom, adventure, and to pay a visit to Ouyang Xiu.

On the road to Jiangxi, Chen Ke and the others kept observing Zhao Zongji. They couldn't believe that such a stern face could hide a heart full of suppressed passion.

Zhao Zongji, feeling annoyed by their stares, was about to warn these impolite fellows when he heard a guard outside say solemnly, "Young Master, we are being followed."

"Is it because Father is worried?" Zhao Zongji gently lifted the curtain and said, "Did he send someone to follow us?"

"If it were our own people, why would they hide from us?" The guard shook his head, his face showing anxiety. "I suggest we immediately head to the nearest county. We'll be safe once we enter the government office."

"Too timid," Zhao Zongji said coldly. "Can't you twenty-odd experts protect us?"

"If they were ordinary bandits, I wouldn't be afraid," the guard said seriously. "But those who are tailing us seem to be military scouts."

"What?" Zhao Zongji was surprised.

Chen Ke and the others also changed their expressions. A scene suddenly appeared before their eyes...

A convoy transporting grain, not long after leaving the city, was met with cold, watchful eyes. Once they entered the mountain path, the long-ambushed army suddenly sprang up, arrows flying in all directions; agile swordsmen rushed down the mountain, cutting down the lagging officials...

This was the scene they had collectively deduced. Was it about to happen to them?

"They wouldn't dare," Zhao Zongji said, regaining his composure. "If I die, the bandits will face the death penalty." Clearly, he realized that those people were after Chen Ke and the others, most likely the same group that had robbed the grain convoy.

"Don't be too confident. If everyone were so rational, we'd still be in the Qin Dynasty," Chen Ke said. "We should listen to him and go to the government office, then find a way to leave." Since he had promised the old prince, he couldn't let the young prince be in danger.

"They listen to me," Zhao Zongji said proudly, looking at Chen Ke.

"You're amazing," Chen Ke said, spreading his hands.

"Ha ha..." Zhao Zongji laughed, finally getting the upper hand.

"But we should consider Ouyang Xiu, right?" Chen Ke continued. "If we go with a tail, won't we bring trouble to him?"

"Who dares to harm Ouyang Xiu?"

"No one would dare to do it openly," Song Duanping said coldly. "But I know dozens of ways to make someone die without a trace."

"..." Chen Ke and the others looked at him in shock. Was he just boasting?

Song Duanping stuck out his tongue, indicating he had spoken without thinking.

Fortunately, the young prince, who had little experience in the world, believed him. He thought for a long time with a serious face and then whispered, "Let's use the 'Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell'! The guards will distract those bandits, and we can travel freely."

"We were quite relaxed," Song Duanping mocked. "But now, with you, we're burdened."

"I've practiced the Taizu Long Fist since childhood," the young prince said angrily. "Dare you choose a day to compete?"

"I can beat you with one hand," Song Duanping said coldly.

"Enough, enough," Chen Ke quickly intervened, turning to the young prince. "Can you convince your guards?"

"Just get rid of them."

"..." It seemed the young prince had been suppressed for too long. When he acted out, even Chen Ke couldn't control him.

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With the young prince's consent, the group turned north toward the nearest county. However, it was already late, so they had to stay at a post station. The guards, however, breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that in a place where merchants from the north and south gathered, no one would dare to make a move.

But the next morning, when they were about to serve the young prince, they were horrified to find that the main bedroom, which the station master had specially left empty, was empty. There was only a personal letter from Zhao Zongji.

The letter read: "I'll be back in a few days. You must not move or look for me, or the bandits will notice and I'll be in danger. To the outside, just announce that I have caught a cold and need to rest here for a few days..."

The guards looked at their leader, who had already turned pale.

At the same time, a grain convoy, taking advantage of the cool morning, had already been on the road for thirty miles from the post station.

As the sun came up, the weather became scorching. Suddenly, a driver rubbed his eyes... He saw the burlap bags on the cart in front of him start to move.

He was about to call out to the person in front to stop and check when a naked man in only shorts shouted, "It's too hot!" and jumped out from inside.

Then, the burlap bags on the other carts also began to move, and more naked men jumped out, all shouting, "It's too hot!"

"Mercy, heroes!" The atmosphere of terror enveloped the grain convoy, and some of the more timid ones wet their pants.

But those heroes didn't even look at them, just walked away.

In the stunned gaze of the convoy, the five heroes walked a mile and then ran off...

They ran to a large river, threw their bags on the shore, and jumped into the water. After a while, they all surfaced, wiped the water from their faces, and burst into laughter, even the bald monk.

"Really exciting!" Zhao Zongji had never been this happy in his life. He splashed water and danced, saying, "This trip is worth it!"

"A prince running naked," Song Duanping said with a strange smile. "Isn't that a bit too much?"

"We agreed not to mention my identity," Zhao Zongji said. "There's no prince here."

"Did you say that?" Chen Ke and Song Duanping laughed. "Then we won't be polite!" They pounced on Zhao Zongji, pushing him under the water and roughhousing. It was a rare opportunity to tease a royal, and even Wu Lang was eager to join in.

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After thoroughly teasing the poor young prince, the group climbed ashore, put on their clothes, and set off in the right direction. After walking for seven or eight miles, they reached the main road, and they didn't need a map to find Luling.

Since the Qin Dynasty, every dynasty in China has placed great importance on the construction of official roads. The prosperous Song Dynasty was no exception. The recent Nong Zhigao rebellion was a good example—how could he have reached Guangzhou from Yongzhou in less than half a month if not for the well-constructed roads built by the Song Dynasty?

The court, after Yongzhou was breached, established a super-fast communication route from the southern provinces to the capital, Kaifeng. Horses galloped day and night, delivering the latest news to the northern capital—so efficient that orders could return to the south in just five days.

Five days, including the round trip and decision-making time! This terrifying record was the result of the Song Dynasty's massive investment since its founding... After a century of construction, the empire had well-drained, flat roads connecting all the provinces and counties.

According to Song regulations, willows and cypresses must line the roads to shield from wind and sand in the north and to stabilize the road base in the south. Every five miles, a stone marker called a "li hou" was placed, inscribed with traffic rules such as "the lowly yield to the noble, the young to the old, the light to the heavy, the departing to the arriving," and numbered for easy reference.

At the boundaries of provinces and counties, there were also "boundary markers" clearly indicating the location and directions to the east, west, south, and north, saving travelers the trouble of asking for directions.

Every twenty miles, there was a horse station with a rest pavilion, and every sixty miles, there was a post station, some run by the government and some by private citizens, all providing full-service accommodations. Scholars and travelers often stayed at post stations, traveling safely and comfortably, a thoughtful and considerate arrangement.

It was said that people in the Song Dynasty loved to travel. With such excellent transportation, who wouldn't want to go out and explore if they had the means?

According to the young prince's private wishes, this might be his only chance in life. He naturally wanted to travel and enjoy the magnificent landscapes of the Song Dynasty.

But Chen Ke and the others were in a hurry to save someone and wanted to travel day and night. They wouldn't let him linger.

After some negotiation, they agreed to travel 120 miles a day and then stay at a post station.

When they actually started, Zhao Zongji realized he had been tricked... 120 miles meant running like a dog for almost the whole day, with only a short break during the hottest hours to eat some dry food and nap.

The pampered young prince, who didn't have the iron feet of Chen Ke and the others, developed blisters on his feet and chafed skin on his thighs after just one day. He walked like a duck, limping.

Chen Ke and Song Duanping discussed whether to buy a donkey to carry him, but Zhao Zongji refused. His competitive spirit was strong, and seeing the others walk so easily, he refused to admit defeat.

"If we go at this speed tomorrow, we won't wait for you."

"I don't need you to wait!"

Somehow, he managed to keep up for over 200 miles. His strong will earned the respect of Chen Ke and the others.

Two days later, they finally reached Yongfeng County in Luling. Chen Ke learned that Ouyang Xiu lived in the town of Sha'ao outside the county. It was far, but they could take a boat. They went to the dock and found a boat about to depart for Sha'ao.

The boat was almost full, and the earlier passengers had taken the best seats inside. The deck was empty, but the sun was too intense, and no one wanted to be exposed.

Although the five of them were not easy to deal with, they were not bullies. They all smiled and said, "Please bear with us."

The boat was filled with people from all walks of life. Seeing these five dusty, sweaty men, they reluctantly moved a bit to let them sit cross-legged inside.

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There will be two more updates today... I've been overwhelmed with recommendations, so please give me more recommendations.

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