Leaving Huainan
The secret discussions between the King of Huainan and the King of Jiangdu are not mentioned, but the situation involving Zhang Xuezhou and others is quite different.
The unconscious Zhang Changgong was brought to the shore. No one mentioned his Peacock Great Wisdom King incident, but someone gave Zhang Changgong a plaque after he regained consciousness.
His risky foray into the Water Mansion ultimately proved useful; with this token, Zhang Changgong no longer needed to return to Xiashi Mountain, and from then on, it was difficult for him to enter Xiashi Mountain again.
It wasn't convenient for Zhang Xuezhou to be with Zhang Changgong at this moment, so after a few brief reminders, he had already gotten into his mount.
After a shout, Lady Yourong lowered her head and followed.
The journey back to Shouchun City was extremely agonizing for Zhang Xuezhou.
Any unusual behavior he makes that might attract strange looks or even suspicion from others, potentially leading to a situation that Zhang Xuezhou can no longer control.
The distance from the Huai River to Shouchun City was sixty li. Squeezed among the retreating crowd, Zhang Xuezhou and his group were not conspicuous.
The lead convoy had already disappeared from sight, and their journey was still long.
"Brother Dongfang, can I discuss something with you?"
Zhang Xuezhou walked slowly, and Dong Zhongshu behind him was also in no hurry.
Only when Lei Bei urged to ride back from the front did everyone look up.
"We can discuss it," Zhang Xuezhou nodded.
"Look at you... sigh," Lei Bei scratched his head and said, "You've made a small fortune lately, could you lend me some money? I got ambushed on my way back to town and people are demanding money from me!"
Didn't the king reward you?
"Don't even mention it! He just pulled back the order to fine me three years' salary. I've been running around for so long, even fought a battle with the King of Jiangdu, and I haven't gained anything in return!"
Lei Bei repeatedly shaken.
For the past ten days or so, he has been busy with various matters, fighting not only with the Buddha's disciple but also with the King of Jiangdu.
He did all the hard labor, but he didn't get any benefits; instead, he was punished repeatedly.
This inevitably made Zhang Xuezhou ponder the connection between Lei Bei's lack of cultivation of the King of Huainan's fortune-telling techniques.
He felt that there were many mysteries or coincidences involved, and that he could figure it out in hindsight, but it was almost impossible to discover it in advance.
"How much do you want to borrow?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.
"Would two strings of cash work?" Lei Bei asked eagerly. "Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back. Even if you're not in Huainan, I'll still come to Chang'an City to repay you!"
"Money is no problem!"
Zhang Xuezhou nodded. It was almost unbelievable that Lei Bei, a guest advisor, could be stumped by two strings of cash, but given Lei Bei's obsession with guessing games and his repeated defeats, this was quite normal.
Having fallen to the point of being chased by debt collectors, Lei Bei's life was indeed not good.
"I knew you were a loyal brother," Lei Bei happily.
"Given our friendship, lending you two strings of cash would be a small matter, let alone giving you two strings," Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile. "These two strings are yours!"
"This... I can't accept a gift without doing anything in return. Even close brothers should keep clear accounts. If you give it to me, I can't accept it!"
Lei Bei's face lit up with joy, but he quickly became serious and indicated that he could lend or extend credit, but absolutely could not take things without permission.
"It shouldn't be a problem to get some payment for doing the work, right?" Zhang Xuezhou asked with a smile. "How about you do me a big favor, and then I'll take these two strings of cash!"
"What kind of big favor?" Lei Bei, "Brother, just name your name. As long as it's not murder or arson, I'm willing to help with anything!"
"I want to buy a horse and take my servants to the Northern Border," Zhang Xuezhou said. "But it's very difficult for an outsider like me to buy a good horse in Shouchun City. I can only rely on you!"
"This is easy," Lei Bei happily. "Leave it to me. What do you think of the horse I'm riding?"
"Can this horse be sold?" Zhang Xuezhou asked curiously.
"I think it's fine," Lei Bei. "This horse was a gift from the King. If I sell it, I'll just have to run around on foot from now on. Besides, if I don't sell it to you, I'll just pawn it for money. It's better to find it a good owner!"
"An ordinary horse can sell for one or two strings of cash, a good horse for five strings. So, I'll buy the horse for seven strings, including the two strings I owe you for your help!"
The horse that the King of Huainan bestowed upon Lei Bei was undoubtedly a fine steed. Although it was not as special as warhorses or demon horses, it was extremely stamina-rich and fast, not inferior to the steed that Zhang Xuezhou had acquired in Luoyang.
He offered a price that greatly satisfied Lei Bei.
When the money was divided, Lei Bei, holding a half-ounce coin weighing nearly fifty pounds, couldn't help but beam with joy.
Zhang Xuezhou also breathed a sigh of relief.
Even if he could take the Lady Yourong away, he would still need to make various preparations.
He didn't come to Shouchun City just for leisure; he was there to carry out official government documents and needed to meet the standards for government officials when conducting business outside the capital.
For example, if he took the imperial steed and then rented a carriage to do his work, it would be irregular and would not comply with the standards in the official documents, which would inevitably cause trouble such as verification by the local post stations.
His riding on horseback while Lady Yourong a carriage would also cause problems. Servants should not receive such treatment that exceeds the standards of their masters. This not only violates the court regulations, but may also attract the attention of some scheming people in Huainan.
Bound by various rules, Zhang Xuezhou could only normalize things by purchasing a mount so that Lady Yourong could ride alongside him.
Mounts in Shouchun City are not something you can just buy whenever you want, and the incident of horses going missing from the stables outside the city half a month ago is far from over, making it difficult to buy mounts normally. Zhang Xuezhou was glad that Lei Bei could help him. Even if Lei Bei hadn't come to him, Zhang Xuezhou would have gone to him personally for help.
After the handover, Lei Bei more money, while Zhang Xuezhou received an extra horse.
Once Zhang Xuezhou returns to Shouchun City and settles matters, he can continue his journey, allowing Lady Yourong to escape Huainan.
"Mount up!"
After traveling several miles, Lei Bei carried away with his money bag, and Zhang Xuezhou reached out to invite Lady Yourong behind him.
The moment Lady Yourong looked up, their eyes met, Lady Yourong tears blurred her vision. She quickly lowered her head, grabbed the money bag containing the remaining money, and climbed onto the horse.
"Mom should have recognized me a long time ago!"
No matter how high Zhang Xuezhou held his head, or Lady Yourong lowered hers, it couldn't compare to the more than ten years the family of three had spent together.
Zhang Zhong could recognize Zhang Xuezhou, Zhang Houtu could recognize Zhang Xuezhou, Lady Yourong not to recognize him.
There was no need to look closely; perhaps from hearing a voice, seeing a silhouette, or other factors, Lady Yourong had already recognized him long ago.
Having gone through so much, the Lady Yourong dared not utter a single careless word.
This will not only harm himself, but also Zhang Xuezhou.
She didn't know how her son had managed to blend in with these people, but Lady Yourong knew very well that Zhang Xuezhou had also recognized her as an elderly woman and was trying his best to take her away.
For Lady Yourong, all she had to do was follow Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou do as he instructed until they completely left the area.