Although only half a year has passed, the mood for this escort journey is entirely different.
Last time, Zhao Ya was just an unnoticed porter; now, he’s become an independent Escort Master.
Especially walking on the official road, passing merchants cast surprised and envious looks at Zhao Ya in the center of the escort team.
After all, there are many Escort Masters, but few are as young as Zhao Ya.
If it were someone else, they might inevitably feel a bit complacent at this moment.
But Zhao Ya showed no sign of pride; instead, he became more cautious and careful.
After all, this is his first time taking an escort journey independently, and there can be no mistakes.
At the same time, Zhao Ya keenly noticed that there seemed to be more refugees on the official road again.
The place was filled with people in tattered clothes.
They gathered in groups of three or five, faces dull, bodies emaciated, wandering like zombies by the roadside.
Zhao Ya’s heart tightened, knowing that another disaster must have struck somewhere, or there wouldn’t be so many refugees.
The only outcomes awaiting these refugees are either becoming food for wild beasts or starving to death only to be devoured by stray dogs.
Recalling the descriptions of refugee famines in the historical books he had read, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but feel a heavy heart.
This is a sign that great chaos is coming.
Seeing the small details reflecting the whole picture, it’s evident that the vast Great Yan is like an old man nearing the end of his life, terminally ill.
In such a situation, the only thing Zhao Ya can do is maintain a cautious and low-key attitude while also preparing to face challenges.
After all, sometimes being cautious doesn’t mean nothing will happen, especially against the backdrop of impending chaos, where sometimes people kill for petty or ridiculous reasons, let alone when leading an escort team.
Sure enough.
Not far ahead, about thirty or forty miles from the city, a chaotic troop appeared on the official road.
These people’s clothes were ragged, but compared to the refugees, they were slightly better off, at least not so emaciated, with a glint of light still in their eyes.
The leading few were robust, holding rusty weapons, demanding money from passing merchants.
Seeing this, Zhao Ya immediately raised his guard and signaled to the people behind him.
The porters were all prepared.
Tan Dong was particularly excited, his face flushed, just waiting for Zhao Ya’s order to rush forward.
However, at this moment, when these people saw Zhao Ya’s escort team, especially the Escort Banner hanging on the Escort Vehicle, they were stunned and then took the initiative to clear the road.
Zhao Ya subtly breathed a sigh of relief, leading the group through promptly.
After passing, Zhao Ya glanced back at these people, his eyes gleaming slightly.
If he wasn’t mistaken, the weapons in the leaders’ hands were all military-issued.
Moreover, they all showed obvious signs of training on their bodies.
This indicated that they were not farmers; they were likely military deserters.
Recalling the news from a while ago about battles starting in several commanderies in the south, Zhao Ya deduced that these deserters probably came from the south.
This was not good news.
However, these deserters were not fools; they didn’t stop upon seeing his Escort Vehicle and instead voluntarily cleared the road.
At this moment, Zhao Ya finally understood the true value of the Changlong Escort Agency’s reputation.
With a Martial Artist like Meng Lei overseeing the area, bandits claiming the mountains as their own and passing deserters had to give them respect within a hundred miles.
This shows that only strength is the foundation of survival in chaotic times.
After passing this blockade, the further they went, the more shocking sights they encountered.
Refugees were entrenched by the roadside, some looking at passing merchants with wolf-like hunger in their eyes, ready to attack at any moment.
Yet, more of them sat numbly there, collapsing silently and never getting up again.
The scene made the previously enthusiastic porters tense as well.
Tan Dong couldn’t help but approach, whispering, "Boss, why are there so many refugees?"
Upon setting out, Tan Dong consciously changed his address from Zhao to Boss.
"What? Scared?"
"Not exactly scared, just feeling uneasy."
At this, Tan Dong’s face turned solemn, his gaze falling on the roadside people, "Especially seeing so many children, I just feel a heaviness in my heart."
Zhao Ya remained silent.
How could he not have seen this scene?
But Zhao Ya knew there was nothing he could do at that moment, so he merely patted Tan Dong’s shoulder.
"Don’t overthink it; this is beyond our control. Let’s move on!"
The journey continued in some silence, and by evening, they smoothly arrived at the inn they had stayed at last year.
The inn was still open, but further dilapidated, exuding a deadly stillness.
Only when Zhao Ya and his group arrived did the inn gain a touch of life.
The attendant diligently welcomed the guests, while the shopkeeper came to Zhao Ya, with a beaming smile, saying,
"You must be Master Zhao, young and vigorous indeed. Please come in, come in."
Zhao Ya smiled, "No need for formalities, just prepare a courtyard for us."
"No worries, I’ve already got it ready without you having to ask."
Zhao Ya nodded.
Staying at a familiar inn has its perks; many things don’t need to be instructed as the other party has prepared in advance.
After settling the Escort Vehicle and having dinner, Zhao Ya assigned the night watch before calling the shopkeeper over for a chat.
"I see the inn is quite empty, not many guests."
"Alas," the shopkeeper sighed deeply, looking distressed, "Wars are erupting everywhere now, and people can barely feed themselves. Who would spend money to stay at an inn?"
"Is it getting more chaotic in the south?"
Zhao Ya knew that shopkeepers who ran businesses usually had access to information, so he couldn’t help but ask.
"Yes, I heard Linhai County and Wanshou County are in intense conflict, and surrounding Commanderies are also stirring. Those with wealth and power are ready to move, but it’s us ordinary people who suffer," the shopkeeper lamented.
Zhao Ya chatted a bit more with the shopkeeper before settling down to rest.
The night passed without incident, and the next morning, after settling the accommodation and meal bills, Zhao Ya and his party set out again.
The following part of the journey went smoothly, and by evening, they arrived at He Kou Town.
Last time, Zhao Ya stayed at the inn to take care of Wei Yu, so he hadn’t been here. This time, upon arrival, Zhao Ya found He Kou Town bustling.
Being close to Three Forks River, the constant flow of merchants made the town quite prosperous commercially.
The Hong Family from Wuxiang City’s Inner City had a Silver House established here.
Arriving at the Silver House, Zhao Ya’s group handed over the Escort Note, checked the goods, and completed all tasks. The shopkeeper then clarified the transaction of silver taels to be transported back with Zhao Ya, loading and sealing them in the vehicle.
By the time everything was wrapped up, it was already late at night.
The Hong Family’s Silver House’s shopkeeper was quite considerate, arranging rooms for Zhao Ya and his team to stay and sending over meals.
Even though they were in the Silver House, Zhao Ya dared not drop his guard and still arranged for people to take turns keeping watch at night.