The backyard of Huayan Temple.
Zhu Mo remained shut in, pacing restlessly within the temple grounds day after day.
He spent money to have the monks constantly gather news, only to find that Yang Xuan and Li Chong had been silent for days.
This was very strange—
By now, seven or eight days had passed. Datong was not too far from the capital, and even an express dispatch could complete a round trip. So why was there no movement from them? Had Yan Song and Yan Shifan not issued any instructions yet?
From his understanding of Yan Shifan, even if they suffered a setback, they would surely seek to regain their footing. How could they simply lay down their arms? With the vast net Yan Song had cast, how could it all come to a halt at this juncture?
Furthermore, there was no news from the imperial court either. And no news, more often than not, was the most terrifying news! It meant that variables would be extraordinary...
He suddenly felt a pang of regret, regretting not coming to Datong so hastily... Perhaps staying in Xuanfu, with Li Wenjin to rely on, would have been better. Here, apart from these hundred musketeers, he was utterly alone.
As he pondered, he couldn't help but sigh to the heavens.
And at that very moment,
His vision flickered, and two figures leaped over the wall.
The four musketeers behind him shouted, "Who's there?"
The two figures prostrated themselves on the ground, saying anxiously, "Young Master Zhu, we are men under參將 Ma Lu. You met us that day when you saved Brother Zhuang..."
Oh,
Before Zhu Mo could speak, the two continued, "Young Master Zhu, Brother Ma asked us to tell you that Li Lai's father, Li Chong, intends to kill you! He's making his move tonight! Young Master Zhu, we are brothers-in-arms with Ma Fang, you absolutely mustn't be suspicious!"
Ah?
"He actually dares to do it?"
Zhu Mo had no other worries these past few days, only Li Chong. After all, the Li family had been influential powerhouses in Datong for three generations, holding unquestionable authority among the righteous volunteers. Accustomed to arrogance, they might not be able to swallow this insult?
Seeing that the tall, thin man was indeed the coolie present that day, and hearing them mention Ma Fang, all his doubts vanished. He asked,
"What did Brother Ma say?"
"Brother Ma said that Young Master Zhu should disguise himself and leave the city with us immediately. We have some connections with the guards on duty for this shift, and it will be too late if we delay. Young Master Zhu, please come with us! Head to Youwei, all our brothers are there! Brother Ma told everyone that Young Master Zhu is righteous, and the brothers of Youwei will risk their lives to ensure your safety! Please rest assured!"
Mm-hmm,
Zhu Mo had never faced a death threat before, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of fear. Yet, he hesitated, wondering if leaving would mean completely losing the opportunity to take charge of Datong's defenses. What would happen if Anda attacked then?
But with his life at stake, there was no time to think too much. He turned to the four musketeers and said,
"Tell Zheng Qin I'm going out of the city! You all... well... no, you can't stay here either. Immediately form ranks and head to the Censorate's yamen, find Yu Zhen of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and stay in the yamen. Do not come out! Remember, absolutely do not come out!"
He thought that if Li Chong found him gone, he might provoke the hundred-man contingent, and under intense pressure, something would surely happen, allowing him to act. Having them seek out Yu Zhen would ensure their safety and also serve as a diversion, confusing the enemy.
With that,
The two old soldiers helped him over the wall.
After the previous incident, Zheng Qin was extremely wary. He immediately formed his ranks, hurried out of Huayan Temple, and ran towards the Censorate's yamen.
...
The tall, thin man was named Liu Chun, and the stout, dark-skinned one was Feng En. They led Zhu Mo through a labyrinth of alleys, quickly arriving at a vegetable patch. A lithe, dark figure was anxiously looking around.
"Brother Ma, Young Master Zhu is here!"
"Good!"
Ma Lu was agile. Without even looking back, he led the three into a farmhouse and tossed Zhu Mo a set of short garments. He then said, "Young Master Zhu, we are deeply grateful that you trust us! No need for idle talk, we must leave the city first. Once we reach Youwei, you will be safe."
Before Zhu Mo could reply, he nimbly smeared soot on Zhu Mo's face. Then, without a word, he slung two sacks from the ground over his shoulder, leading the three to an alley near the North Gate.
Shortly, a horse-drawn cart carrying three or four people approached with a clatter.
Ma Lu whispered, "Get in."
In the border regions, ordinary people from the countryside traveled back and forth in such carts. The people in the cart were also returning from a market. Zhu Mo noticed that Ma Lu was very meticulous. The two sacks he had carried earlier were also filled with charcoal, and with their complexions and clothing, they looked exactly like common folk.
As they exited the city, the guards did not notice anything amiss or ask any questions.
Upon passing through the city gate,
Ma Lu, along with the three, leaped off the cart and ran to a low-lying area, where several horses were already being held by someone.
...
They galloped all the way,
Arriving at Datong Youwei an hour later.
Youwei was also a city, complete with thick walls, bastions, watchtowers, and barbicans. Its walls were pockmarked and weathered, clearly having endured countless attacks.
Following the city wall to the West Gate, amidst a sea of torches, Zhu Mo saw nearly a thousand soldiers waiting in the barbican to greet them.
Zhu Mo then realized how crowded the small open space within the barbican was, yet the men formed natural, orderly ranks, and not a whisper of the usual crowd noise could be heard. If not for the flickering torches, one might have thought the barbican was empty.
Zhu Mo was deeply impressed by the imposing military bearing, calling it the finest he had ever witnessed, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother Ma, today I truly understand what a formidable force is!"
Hahahaha,
The three of them burst into laughter.
Ma Lu said, "Young Master Zhu, you are home now! You can stay here and await the court's decision. If it doesn't look good, we'll escort you back to the capital..."
Mm-hmm,
Zhu Mo dismounted and bowed deeply to Ma Lu, then bowed deeply to the soldiers before him.
Ma Lu laughed heartily and announced loudly to everyone, "Ma Lu has not failed his mission, I have brought Young Master Zhu back to everyone!"
"Good! Haha..."
"Young Master Zhu is back!"
"Young Master Zhu, this is home!"
"Young Master Zhu, please don't stand on ceremony with us!"
"Why be polite with family!"
"Let's go home, let's go home!"
"..."
Every soldier wore a sincere, brilliant smile on their faces, and their eyes were filled with care and concern. Zhu Mo, having been alone for so many years and now facing a life-threatening danger, truly felt as though he had returned home. Everyone before him seemed like long-lost family members.
A surge of warmth rose within him. His eyes grew hot, and he choked up, unable to utter another word.