Although only half a year has passed, the mood for this escort journey is entirely different.
Last ti, Zhao Ya was just an unnoticed porter; now, he’s beco an independent Escort Master.
Especially walking on the official road, passing rchants cast surprised and envious looks at Zhao Ya in the center of the escort team.
After all, there are many Escort Masters, but few are as young as Zhao Ya.
If it were soone else, they might inevitably feel a bit complacent at this mont.
But Zhao Ya showed no sign of pride; instead, he beca more cautious and careful.
After all, this is his first ti taking an escort journey independently, and there can be no mistakes.
At the sa ti, Zhao Ya keenly noticed that there seed to be more refugees on the official road again.
The place was filled with people in tattered clothes.
They gathered in groups of three or five, faces dull, bodies emaciated, wandering like zombies by the roadside.
Zhao Ya’s heart tightened, knowing that another disaster must have struck sowhere, or there wouldn’t be so many refugees.
The only outcos awaiting these refugees are either becoming food for wild beasts or starving to death only to be devoured by stray dogs.
Recalling the descriptions of refugee famines in the historical books he had read, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but feel a heavy heart.
This is a sign that great chaos is coming.
Seeing the small details reflecting the whole picture, it’s evident that the vast Great Yan is like an old man nearing the end of his life, terminally ill.
In such a situation, the only thing Zhao Ya can do is maintain a cautious and low-key attitude while also preparing to face challenges.
After all, sotis being cautious doesn’t an nothing will happen, especially against the backdrop of impending chaos, where sotis people kill for petty or ridiculous reasons, let alone when leading an escort team.
Sure enough.
Not far ahead, about thirty or forty miles from the city, a chaotic troop appeared on the official road.
These people’s clothes were ragged, but compared to the refugees, they were slightly better off, at least not so emaciated, with a glint of light still in their eyes.
The leading few were robust, holding rusty weapons, demanding money from passing rchants.
Seeing this, Zhao Ya imdiately raised his guard and signaled to the people behind him.
The porters were all prepared.
Tan Dong was particularly excited, his face flushed, just waiting for Zhao Ya’s order to rush forward.
However, at this mont, when these people saw Zhao Ya’s escort team, especially the Escort Banner hanging on the Escort Vehicle, they were stunned and then took the initiative to clear the road.
Zhao Ya subtly breathed a sigh of relief, leading the group through promptly.
After passing, Zhao Ya glanced back at these people, his eyes gleaming slightly.
If he wasn’t mistaken, the weapons in the leaders’ hands were all military-issued.
Moreover, they all showed obvious signs of training on their bodies.
This indicated that they were not farrs; they were likely military deserters.
Recalling the news from a while ago about battles starting in several commanderies in the south, Zhao Ya deduced that these deserters probably ca from the south.
This was not good news.
However, these deserters were not fools; they didn’t stop upon seeing his Escort Vehicle and instead voluntarily cleared the road.
At this mont, Zhao Ya finally understood the true value of the Changlong Escort Agency’s reputation.
With a Martial Artist like ng Lei overseeing the area, bandits claiming the mountains as their own and passing deserters had to give them respect within a hundred miles.
This shows that only strength is the foundation of survival in chaotic tis.
After passing this blockade, the further they went, the more shocking sights they encountered.
Refugees were entrenched by the roadside, so looking at passing rchants with wolf-like hunger in their eyes, ready to attack at any mont.
Yet, more of them sat numbly there, collapsing silently and never getting up again.
The scene made the previously enthusiastic porters tense as well.
Tan Dong couldn’t help but approach, whispering, "Boss, why are there so many refugees?"
Upon setting out, Tan Dong consciously changed his address from Zhao to Boss.
"What? Scared?"
"Not exactly scared, just feeling uneasy."
At this, Tan Dong’s face turned solemn, his gaze falling on the roadside people, "Especially seeing so many children, I just feel a heaviness in my heart."
Zhao Ya remained silent.
How could he not have seen this scene?
But Zhao Ya knew there was nothing he could do at that mont, so he rely patted Tan Dong’s shoulder.
"Don’t overthink it; this is beyond our control. Let’s move on!"
The journey continued in so silence, and by evening, they smoothly arrived at the inn they had stayed at last year.
The inn was still open, but further dilapidated, exuding a deadly stillness.
Only when Zhao Ya and his group arrived did the inn gain a touch of life.
The attendant diligently welcod the guests, while the shopkeeper ca to Zhao Ya, with a beaming smile, saying,
"You must be Master Zhao, young and vigorous indeed. Please co in, co in."
Zhao Ya smiled, "No need for formalities, just prepare a courtyard for us."
"No worries, I’ve already got it ready without you having to ask."
Zhao Ya nodded.
Staying at a familiar inn has its perks; many things don’t need to be instructed as the other party has prepared in advance.
After settling the Escort Vehicle and having dinner, Zhao Ya assigned the night watch before calling the shopkeeper over for a chat.
"I see the inn is quite empty, not many guests."
"Alas," the shopkeeper sighed deeply, looking distressed, "Wars are erupting everywhere now, and people can barely feed themselves. Who would spend money to stay at an inn?"
"Is it getting more chaotic in the south?"
Zhao Ya knew that shopkeepers who ran businesses usually had access to information, so he couldn’t help but ask.
"Yes, I heard Linhai County and Wanshou County are in intense conflict, and surrounding Commanderies are also stirring. Those with wealth and power are ready to move, but it’s us ordinary people who suffer," the shopkeeper lanted.
Zhao Ya chatted a bit more with the shopkeeper before settling down to rest.
The night passed without incident, and the next morning, after settling the accommodation and al bills, Zhao Ya and his party set out again.
The following part of the journey went smoothly, and by evening, they arrived at He Kou Town.
Last ti, Zhao Ya stayed at the inn to take care of Wei Yu, so he hadn’t been here. This ti, upon arrival, Zhao Ya found He Kou Town bustling.
Being close to Three Forks River, the constant flow of rchants made the town quite prosperous comrcially.
The Hong Family from Wuxiang City’s Inner City had a Silver House established here.
Arriving at the Silver House, Zhao Ya’s group handed over the Escort Note, checked the goods, and completed all tasks. The shopkeeper then clarified the transaction of silver taels to be transported back with Zhao Ya, loading and sealing them in the vehicle.
By the ti everything was wrapped up, it was already late at night.
The Hong Family’s Silver House’s shopkeeper was quite considerate, arranging rooms for Zhao Ya and his team to stay and sending over als.
Even though they were in the Silver House, Zhao Ya dared not drop his guard and still arranged for people to take turns keeping watch at night.
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