The Zhu family had much to take with them. Jiang Che led everyone in waiting for two full days before Madam Zhu informed him that they were ready to depart.
Of course, all provisions for those two days were supplied by the Zhu family. Madam Zhu was a sensible woman; all three meals each day included meat.
Geng Dabiao and Xu San'er, who had gone without meat for so long, cried out in delight.
"Damn, they're really loaded."
Seeing more than a dozen Zhu family carriages lined up in a row, every one of them stuffed to the brim, Xu San'er could not help complaining when he found a moment alone. His words brimmed with envy and jealousy.
Anything leaking from just one of those carriages would be enough for an ordinary family to live on for a year.
"The Commander said we'll have a day like this too." After several days, Geng Dabiao had more or less come to understand what Jiang Che had told him that day. If it had been him, perhaps he would not have acted any differently from Zhu Sheng.
"I believe that."
Xu San'er chuckled and turned his gaze toward Jiang Che. He was just about to flatter him when he noticed that Jiang Che's expression was unusually grave, as though he were pondering something.
"Commander, what is it?"
Xu San'er rode his horse over to Jiang Che's side.
"Brother Xu, I have a task for you."
Jiang Che turned his head and fixed his gaze on him.
"Please give your orders, Commander."
Xu San'er's expression turned solemn.
"Return to the camp as quickly as possible. See Commander Liu Zhi and Captain Zhu, and ask them to swiftly send troops as reinforcements. Tell them the Zhu family is too conspicuous a target and may very well draw mountain bandits looking to plunder."
Jiang Che had originally thought Madam Zhu would travel lightly, then gradually shift the Zhu family's center of operations to Yanggu County. Yet he had not expected her to assemble such an enormous convoy!
More than a dozen carriages loaded with gold, silver, and treasures were far too likely to attract covetous eyes.
Though he had brought twenty soldiers, he still felt it was not enough.
The Zhu family guards looked brawny and powerful, but they were ultimately farmers armed for the occasion. Their true fighting strength was unknown. To guard against every possibility, it was better to be cautious.
He had come this time to earn merit. But if anything happened to Madam Zhu, he would have no place left in the world.
"Yes."
Seeing Jiang Che's solemn expression, Xu San'er did not dare take the matter lightly. He swiftly wheeled his horse around and galloped toward Wind Camp.
"Commander Jiang, I must trouble you this time."
Madam Zhu approached with graceful steps, her curvaceous figure bending slightly toward him. A breeze swept past, carrying a fragrant scent that stirred Jiang Che's heart.
"It is my duty."
"Then shall we set off?"
"I await Madam's instructions."
In truth, the safest course now would be to wait for Liu Zhi to send another group of men to escort them. But that would make him seem too useless, and while Madam Zhu appeared courteous and refined, she actually kept her distance.
Most likely, she would not heed his advice.
So he did not voice his concerns.
Soon, the group set off.
The twenty soldiers spread out around the perimeter, standing guard and providing protection. More than a dozen Zhu family guards followed close behind the carriages with clubs and blades in hand. Jiang Che did not rest either, riding back and forth continuously.
Keep moving.
Only then could Madam Zhu see how earnest he was.
"Deputy Commander Jiang."
As he was making his rounds, Zhu Qingqing lifted the curtain of the luxurious carriage in the middle and called out to him.
"Does Miss Zhu need something?"
Jiang Che put on a rather gentle smile.
"Nothing. The journey is dull, and I wanted someone to talk to. Deputy Commander Jiang, you aren't busy at the moment, are you?" Zhu Qingqing asked in a sweet, lively voice, her eyes shifting.
There was not the slightest trace of the spoiled arrogance she had displayed days ago.
"If Miss is bored, you may read a book or take a nap."
Zhu Qingqing was not unattractive, but she could only be considered slightly above average. On top of that, his first impression of her had been poor. Even though Zhu Sheng had hinted at something to him before, he still felt nothing for her and had no interest in entangling himself with her.
Zhu Qingqing pouted, thinking that Jiang Che was actually playing hard to get.
In her view, with her father's clear implication in his letter and Jiang Che personally coming to escort them, he was surely interested in her. Yet the truth was that after half a day on the road, he had shown no intention whatsoever of approaching her.
He had focused single-mindedly on keeping watch and patrolling, clearly trying to show off.
After waiting half a day, she finally could not suppress the restlessness in her heart and took the initiative to call him over.
It was not that she particularly fancied Jiang Che. What she had told Madam Zhu that night had been her true feelings. But that did not mean she did not want a suitor constantly flattering her.
Now, however, she felt a sense of disappointment.
"Deputy Commander Jiang, have you ever been to Yanggu County?"
Zhu Qingqing steadied herself and asked casually.
"I, Jiang, was born in Yanggu County."
"Is there anything fun there?"
"The scenery along the Qinglin River is quite nice. If Miss has the chance in the future, you can go take a look."
"The Qinglin River..." Zhu Qingqing's eyes turned as she pretended not to know Jiang Che's background and continued asking,
"Since Commander Jiang was born in Yanggu County, your family background must be quite distinguished, I presume?"
Jiang Che shook his head, glanced around to confirm that all remained safe, and answered casually,
"Before joining the army, I was born into a fisherman's family. I made my living fishing on the Qinglin River."
"Oh, you made your living fishing. No wonder Deputy Commander Jiang knows the scenery of the Qinglin River so well. Ah... since you were born humble, were you ever bullied? And how did you climb your way to the position of deputy commander?"
Zhu Qingqing widened her eyes, placing particular emphasis on the word "climb," eager to see what reaction Jiang Che would have.
Naturally, Jiang Che understood what she meant. He turned his head, gave her a meaningful glance, and said flatly,
"Humble birth is no disgrace. A true man can bend and stretch. I have never cared about the past; what I value is the future."
After saying that, he tightened his legs around the horse's belly and rode toward the front.
Only Zhu Qingqing remained still, holding up the curtain as she murmured to herself,
"Humble birth is no disgrace. A true man can bend and stretch."
"Qing'er, stop making trouble. What did you say that night? Why are you bringing up such things again?" Madam Zhu had heard their entire conversation and had long since furrowed her brow.
She had been born into an aristocratic family and had studied poetry and books since childhood. She could not bear to see her daughter behave with such poor manners.
Jiang Che held no grudge against them and served them loyally. How could she speak to belittle him?
She had seen far too many cases where someone caused disaster with a careless remark and was remembered with hatred.
Zhu Qingqing came back to herself. Unusually, she did not argue with her mother. She lowered the curtain and said no more.
"How much longer until we reach Yanggu County?"
Jiang Che turned his gaze toward one of the soldiers and asked.
Though he had been born in Yanggu County, he was unfamiliar with these roads and knew less about them than the soldiers did.
"Reporting to Commander, at our current pace, it should take around another three hours."
"Mm."
Jiang Che nodded, his expression calm.
A day and a half had already passed since they left Zhu Family Fort. Had they traveled light, they could have arrived in less than a day. But this journey relied mainly on carriages, so they could only take the broad official roads.
He had remained extremely cautious all along the way, leaving markers as they traveled and sending soldiers out to scout in every direction. Yet Xu San'er, who had gone for reinforcements, had still not returned. Looking at things now, perhaps there was no longer any need for him.
The convoy moved forward slowly. Jiang Che swept his gaze across the surroundings, then suddenly raised a hand and said in a low voice,
"Stop!"