Chapter 1552: Comrades in Arms
"Well, don’t worry, I’m fine." Gu Jinli looked up and smiled at him. After seeing his smile, she lowered the curtain and sat down again.
Qin San Lang rode away, leading the way with Uncle Mu Tong.
Their group was nearly three thousand people strong, with horse-drawn wagons, mule carts, and various supplies, forming a grand procession that attracted many followers along the way.
However, after following for about an hour, seeing them enter the territory of the Lei Family’s Manor, these followers dared not continue.
In front of the Lei Family’s Manor’s gate, a group of people stood ready to welcome them; among them, aside from the village chief, was a familiar face—Kunzi.
Kunzi was a trusted aide of Elder Lei Wu. From the very beginning of Gu Jinli’s business in condiments and spices, he had gone to the workshop to pick up goods, and he knew the Qin, Gu, and Luotian families.
Kunzi had also handled goods from Qin San Lang’s fishing village.
"Uncle Kunzi." Qin San Lang, upon seeing Kunzi, dismounted happily, cupping his fists in greeting and taking the initiative to say hello.
Kunzi was equally delighted to see Qin San Lang, patting his shoulder and said, "You’ve grown, taller than me by half a head, become a Company Commander, and married a wife, prospered indeed."
They were overjoyed to hear that San Lang was marrying the Gu family’s Second Girl, and since the engagement news broke, they had been preparing wedding gifts.
Luckily, they prepared early and didn’t delay the delivery of the gifts.
Kunzi said to Qin San Lang, "This is Lei Zhuangtou, Master Wu’s trusted servant. If there’s anything in the manor, just find him."
Lei Zhuangtou, younger than Kunzi, looked just over thirty, but he was a skilled practitioner with a steady stance and powerful movements, and he cupped his fists to greet Qin San Lang, "Greetings, Company Commander Qin."
Qin San Lang nodded and greeted back, "Lei Zhuangtou."
"Uncle Kunzi!" Gu Jinli lifted the curtain and shouted towards Kunzi.
Kunzi looked over and was almost scared to death on the spot.
Good heavens, who is this ugly creature?
Kunzi trembled, pointing at Gu Jinli’s face, then looked at Qin San Lang... Could it be that the early marriage wasn’t because they needed to come to the Northwest, but because the Gu family’s Second Girl’s face was ruined?
San Lang, you’ve suffered!
Qin San Lang helped Kunzi, smiling as he said, "Uncle Kunzi need not worry, Xiao Yu’s face is fine."
Saying this, his grasp on Kunzi’s hand suddenly tightened, and Kunzi seemed to understand, relaxing a bit, saying, "That’s good."
He then looked at Niu Dabao and the others, "Are these the Company Commanders journeying with you?"
Qin San Lang nodded and introduced Niu Dabao, Xie Cheng, Zhang Yan, Company Commander Liu, Chief Commander Tang, and others.
Kunzi laughed, "Mu Tong showed us the list, and we’ve set aside places for you all, everyone follow me into the manor."
Mrs. Kuang and others were already excitedly lifting curtains and, upon hearing this, couldn’t contain their delight, "We can enter the manor now, everyone hurry up, let’s get inside and rest!"
She also said to Kunzi, "Brother, we owe you for this."
Who would have thought the Gu Family had such abilities, having capable acquaintances in the Northwest providing them a place to stay, allowing them to live in a big house again.
Company Commander Cao was greatly shocked, once again thankful that he only led his troops to hide and didn’t follow Ding Ge to confront Qin San Lang... The Qin family couple appeared young but were formidable, having numerous allies; it was like magic tricks, with a new ally popping up from time to time, leaving him dazzled.
Company Commander Liu was pleased, repeatedly praising his own foresight. During the bandits’ assault, he quickly clung to Qin San Lang, and now he was enjoying the benefits.
But just before stepping into the manor gate, they heard a shout from behind: "Brother Zhang, is that Brother Zhang? It’s Guo Daming!"
Zhang Yan was startled, turned around, and saw someone shouting towards him from the long procession.
The guards of the Lei Family’s Manor immediately rushed over, drawing their blades at Guo Daming, rebuking, "This is the Lei Family Trading Team’s Manor, outsiders dare to step in, kill!"
Guo Daming knew of the Lei Family’s Trading Team, which was like a tyrant in the Northwest, genuinely capable of murder; even if they wouldn’t kill a Company Commander, they’d certainly beat him severely.
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, brothers, I am a Company Commander from Linhe Prefecture, here to find my fellow soldier." Guo Daming raised his hand, pointing at Zhang Yan, "That man wearing mystical iron armor."
Mystical iron armor wasn’t for everyone, historically only noble families had them. Zhang Yan was the son-in-law of the Guang Cheng Marquis Mansion; when Old Uncle Guangcheng learned he was a military general, afraid he’d be slain, he dispatched people to craft him a set of mystical iron armor at a high price.
Kunzi looked at Zhang Yan, "Is that Company Commander Zhang’s acquaintance?"
Zhang Yan could only nod, "It’s a Company Commander from the same Prefecture, we separated en route, and didn’t expect to meet here, I apologize."
Kunzi smiled and said to the nearby servant, "He’s an acquaintance, bring him over."
"Okay." The servant dashed over, spoke a few words to the guards, and soon brought the man.
"Brother Zhang, it truly is you, thank God, we finally met again," Guo Daming said with a flattering smile, then bowed his head, apologetically saying, "Brother Zhang, regarding what happened before, it was my fault; my family wanted to stay and travel with you, but unfortunately, my subordinates disagreed, everyone was too scared."
Zhang Yan and his spouse had been hunted twice by Mrs. Jiao’s people before encountering Qin San Lang and the others, both times suffering heavy casualties, including many soldiers of Guo Daming’s company.
The fear was genuine, and bringing along their womenfolk, they had no choice but to leave Zhang Yan and his spouse and flee secretly... Noble families appear dignified, but their internal conflicts are fierce, too intense for them.
However...
"Initially thought the journey to the Northwest would be smooth, but the further west, the more perilous it became... Company Commander Liu’s family, Company Commander Zhang, and about half of the soldiers died, either killed by bandits or succumbing to illness. The supplies we brought were also seized by other westward military, and now I don’t even have a horse."
Guo Daming spoke, almost bringing tears, choking as he said, "Who could have thought the journey west would be so dangerous? Even comrades stealing from one another, simply inhumane!"
Everyone was a part of the westward anti-barbarian forces, originally meant for mutual assistance, but soldiers from other prefectures saw them as weak southerners, taking advantage by robbing.
At least they spared the womenfolk, slightly better than bandits.
Zhang Yan felt uneasy hearing this, seeing Kunzi and others waiting, so he said, "Uncle Kunzi, please go ahead, let me speak a few words with Company Commander Guo."
Kunzi was generous, laughing as he said, "Since they’re acquaintances, let them rest in the manor too."
Guo Daming, upon hearing this, was overjoyed, pleadingly looking at Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan, however, looked towards Qin San Lang... now traveling with San Lang and the others, only if San Lang agreed, he’d consent.
Qin San Lang would naturally extend Zhang Yan this courtesy, nodding in agreement, saying to Guo Daming, "Come with us, but remember we’re guests in the manor too, and must abide by the Lei family’s rules."