Chapter 122: Entrustment

Neither Shen Lie nor Sang Luo had expected a visit from Shopkeeper Xu on the night before their departure.

The person knocking and leading the way wasn't a stranger; it was the Dongfu Lou waiter, Brother Dong, who had often helped Sang Luo deliver grain.

Both Sang Luo and Shen Lie relaxed a bit. At this time, they feared both refugees and villagers; they couldn’t afford any complications.

Shopkeeper Xu, seeing only one oil lamp lit in the main house, bowed and apologized, "I'm truly sorry for coming unannounced."

Sang Luo hurriedly assured it was no bother, stepping aside and gesturing for him to enter, but only after fully opening the courtyard gate did she realize Shopkeeper Xu hadn’t come alone.

Understandably, in these troubled times, not even a pair dared to travel by day, let alone at night. Not knowing what business brought Shopkeeper Xu here at this hour, they were unsure how to accommodate him.

Shopkeeper Xu, not wanting to impose, turned to his companions first, asking them to extinguish their lanterns and wait outside for a bit.

Both Sang Luo and Shen Lie breathed a sigh of relief. The house was too obviously emptied out, and it wouldn’t be hard for observant eyes to notice. Inviting too many people in, especially strangers, was inappropriate at this time.

……

With no suitable place to entertain guests, they invited their visitor into the main house. Shen An and Shen Ning, who had not yet slept and recognized Shopkeeper Xu, came forward to greet him, though it was briefly mentioned.

"Our humble abode lacks proper hospitality; I hope Shopkeeper Xu won’t mind."

Their timing was indeed inconvenient; the tea-making supplies were all packed away, hidden beneath a basket, making it challenging to access.

Shopkeeper Xu observed the state of the room, noting its sparseness with just two beds and a table, and a couple of carrying baskets and backpacks against the wall. It seemed nothing was left, including the grain they had previously bought through him.

Sensing his guess was correct and relieved he hadn't delayed his visit, he quickly gestured, “The matter at hand is what's important.”

Seeing that the adults were about to discuss serious matters, Shen An and Shen Ning discreetly left for the kitchen, joining the Lu brothers on their bedding.

Once the children had departed, Sang Luo asked, “What brings you here, Shopkeeper Xu?”

Despite his urgency to arrive at night and his emphasis on the importance of the matter, when it came time to speak, Shopkeeper Xu found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

Sensing this, Shen Lie said, “Shopkeeper Xu, you’ve helped our family greatly. Please speak freely. If it’s something we can manage, we won’t hesitate to help. If it’s beyond our means, at least we can try to think of a solution.”

These words provided Shopkeeper Xu some reassurance. He sighed, “It’s indeed a difficult matter. I've just returned from Shezhou.”

Shopkeeper Xu recounted his journey back home at the end of last year to settle his family, and the unfavorable news he heard this spring that made him urgently return to Shezhou, saying, "In Shezhou, we hear more news than here. There are generals in the capital rebelling with their troops. With the refugees fleeing south, our Huainan region is likely not peaceful anymore. In any state or county once overrun by rebel forces, the wealthy are the first to be plundered. Hearing such news too often has left me quite uneasy. Frankly, I've been quite distressed."

Shen Lie, sensing an underlying request, was still unsure, "Are you inquiring about our plans for retreat?"

He couldn't think of any other reason that would bring Shopkeeper Xu here at night to discuss these matters.

Shopkeeper Xu, slightly embarrassed, nodded, "Yes, on my way back I heard about the conscription and taxation. Knowing Shen Xiaolang Jun is familiar with the situation in the north and has been preparing in advance, and considering his previous abandonment by his commander in enemy territory, I suspected he wouldn’t willingly pay the grain tax or leave his family for the army again. So, I hurried here tonight to ask if you have any safer retreat planned.”

If anyone else had asked them this today, Sang Luo and Shen Lie would have denied it. In fact, they might have knocked the inquirer unconscious, gagged them, and fled in the night.

But this was Shopkeeper Xu, and that made a difference.

Their families' survival had depended on the grain they could rapidly purchase with Shopkeeper Xu's help. Otherwise, given the rising grain prices and daily purchase limits, they might still be stuck in the county trying to gather enough, getting much less grain for the same amount of money.

This was a favor they all acknowledged.

Owing him that favor, Shen Lie answered more cautiously, "In these times, no one can guarantee safety, but we indeed have been looking for a way out. The place we've found, deep in the mountains and well-hidden, should offer more safety compared to most."

Deep in the mountains, concealed, relatively safer than most!

Shopkeeper Xu stood up excitedly; going deep into the mountains was beyond the capability of most, but not for Shen Lie and his group. They had traveled through the mountains, crossing borders of two countries and half of the Daqian dynasty, gaining enough experience on their journey.

Shopkeeper Xu couldn't imagine the specifics of their hiding method, but with their prior experience, it already sounded safer than what most could hope for.

He clasped his hands together in excitement several times before turning to Shen Lie, "Shen Xiaolang Jun, may I boldly ask one more question? Last year, I heard from the accountants and Chef Yu that you sold a black bear skin and seven or eight wolf skins in the county. Did you encounter them in the same area? How many of you went there?"

Shen Lie’s eyebrows twitched slightly, understanding the purpose behind Shopkeeper Xu's question, and nodded, truthfully answering, "Yes, two of us went. We encountered the wolf pack and the black bear separately."

Just two people took down an entire pack of wolves and a black bear!!!

Shopkeeper Xu's face flushed with excitement.

With such skills, living in the mountains should indeed provide safety for the elderly and weak.

He then bowed deeply, "Shen Lang Jun, Madam Sang, I humbly ask if I could entrust my family’s safety to you."

……

The Zhou family.

"You mean Shopkeeper Xu from Dongfu Lou, who helped us buy grain, wants us to take his family with us?"

Shen Lie nodded, speaking softly, "It’s not the entire family, just Shopkeeper Xu's mother-in-law, his young son and daughter, around the same age as my Shen An and Shen Ning, and also his brother-in-law and nephew. Five people in total."

That's quite a complex mix of people indeed.

Escaping hardship usually involved entire families together; this was their first experience with separation.

Shen Lian smiled bitterly as he quietly explained the situation to Zhou Cunzheng and Chen Popo, who had been called over to the Zhou family's house.

It turned out that Mr. Xu, the shopkeeper, had previously sought protection from the East Fortune House, a powerful establishment in Shezhou. However, hearing about wealthy families being robbed and killed had unsettled him. He devised a compromise: his wife, eldest son, second son, and relatives stayed in Shezhou under the East family's care, while his younger children, along with their grandmother, uncle, and cousins, joined Shen Lian's group.

The idea was to not put all their eggs in one basket, ensuring some family members might survive in case of disaster.

In fact, Mr. Xu’s nephew had a somewhat complicated background, otherwise, he wouldn't have brought him along. Mr. Xu's brother-in-law was there primarily to take care of the nephew. Shen Lian knew more, but it was confidential and only shared because it concerned entrusting the nephew to his and Sang Luo's care, not something to be discussed with others.

So, Shen Lian shared what he could, saying, “Mr. Xu’s nephew is twelve, his brother-in-law twenty-one, and the old lady is still quite robust.”

The children weren't too young and were accompanied by a strong young adult, with the grandmother managing domestic affairs, hardly a burden.

“What about the grain?”

“Mr. Xu will arrange for it to be secretly delivered to our designated location, and then his brother-in-law will help us transport it in batches.”

It all seemed well-planned.

With the situation clarified, Shen Lian said, “If it were someone else, I wouldn’t embark on this midnight journey today. But Mr. Xu is different. We owe him for the grain, and our five families share a fate. I wanted to hear your thoughts.”

Indeed, they were all aware of how they had acquired their grain and felt grateful. Regardless of whether Mr. Xu brought sufficient grain or not, each family would tighten their belts and gather more wild vegetables if needed to ensure the safety of these five people.

“I have no objections.”

"Our family has no objections either."

"It's fine with my family as well."

……

And so, the matter was settled. Knowing Shen Lie and his group needed to leave before dawn, Shopkeeper Xu didn't linger long. He agreed to send the people over by midnight, and the group quietly left the village using the same mountain path they had arrived by.

The city gate guards had already been bribed by Shopkeeper Xu in advance. Spotting the returning group from a distance, Shopkeeper Xu raised his lantern, and after confirming their identities, the guards hurriedly opened the gate to let them in.

In a small courtyard not far from Dongfu Lou, it was already the middle of the night, but the light was still on.

Shopkeeper Xu knocked twice at the door, and there was immediate movement inside, with his brother-in-law’s voice inquiring.

Shopkeeper Xu quickly responded, "Qinghe, it’s me."

Hearing it was his brother-in-law, Wei Qinghe opened the door and asked, "Brother-in-law, how did it go?"

Shopkeeper Xu nodded, speaking softly, "Pack up immediately; we’re leaving right now."

"So soon?"

"Yes, we're fortunate. If we had been even half a day later, they would have already left."

Wei Qinghe, taken aback, wasted no time, "Then I'll pack up right away; our bags are still ready."

Wei Qinghe hurried inside, while Madame Xu, hearing the commotion from the adjacent room, came out to inquire. Shopkeeper Xu explained the situation, and the elderly lady nodded, "Alright, I’ll wake the children up right now."

……

The activity in the small courtyard was minimal, but within a little over an hour, everything was ready. The servants and helpers waited, and with the carriage in the yard, they could leave as soon as the threshold was removed.

Since they were not carrying food for this journey, although everyone had a few bundles, their travel was relatively light.

The eyes of the two young Xu siblings were slightly swollen as they boarded the carriage, having evidently cried several times upon abruptly leaving their parents and brothers. They now sat listlessly beside their grandmother, their faces filled with apprehension.

In contrast, the slightly older boy beside them, with a bundle beside him and another in his arms, remained silent and reserved. From Shezhou to Qiyang, apart from a few initial questions, he had hardly spoken a word, let alone cried.

Shopkeeper Xu, looking at his nephew with pity, gently patted his head, "Are you afraid, Yunzhen?"

Wang Yunzhen looked up at his uncle, then at his sitting uncle, and after a moment’s hesitation, said, "I'm not afraid."

"How can you not be afraid," thought Shopkeeper Xu, reassuringly patting his nephew, "Don’t worry. The place your uncle found for you may be modest, but it's safer than staying in the city. Your uncle will be with you. Once this chaos is over, you can come back."

Wang Yunzhen nodded, "I understand. Thank you, uncle, for taking care of me."

Shopkeeper Xu exchanged a look with Wei Qinghe, both feeling helpless. Wang Yunzhen had grown up motherless, in such an environment, and owed his survival to the care of his elder family and Uncle Wei. His silent nature was unavoidable.

Shopkeeper Xu then discussed Shen Lie and Sang Luo with his brother-in-law, explaining their origins, the couple’s character, the situation of the other families escaping together, and the partially revealed details of their refuge. He shared everything he knew, advising, "Shen Lie is capable, and Madam Sang, although unassuming, likely comes from a notable background. Both value loyalty and kindness. In your journey with them, remember to build a good relationship with the Shen family, support each other, and consult with them in times of need."

This advice was directed not only to his brother-in-law but also for his mother to hear.

Wang Yunzhen, who had been looking out of the carriage window, tightened his grip on his bundle, realizing they were heading into the deep mountains.

Madame Xu, taking in her son’s words, nodded, "Alright, you be at ease. Just remember one thing: if the situation worsens, don't stay in Qiyang County. Return home early; the family needs its pillar."

The family's heartfelt farewells were left unsaid. Before the third watch of the night, the carriage stopped at a spot along the mountain road, not far from Shili Village. The servants stayed with the carriage, while the Dong brothers led Shopkeeper Xu's family toward the Shen residence with lanterns in hand.