Chapter 231 Companion

Although the tunnel is not flat enough, it can accommodate more than a dozen people walking side by side.

Jiang Yuzhu knew immediately that it was not because the cashier was being conscientious, but because he wanted to make money by transporting goods, and the place was too narrow and even a cart could not fit in.

Fortunately, Jiang Yuzhu was well prepared. When she heard that they had to travel in the tunnel, she asked a carpenter to make a scooter for her. The uneven surface was not smooth, but it was less tiring than walking by herself, so it was better than nothing.

Xie Zhao pushed the cart with an oil lamp hanging on the handle, which could illuminate the road within a few meters.

"How much do you know about Surabaya?"

Although they were only a hundred miles away, they were already in enemy territory, and Jiang Yuzhu felt uneasy.

Especially since there is a language barrier and the barbarians hate the people of Da Qi to the core, it is safer to pretend to be dumb.

"In the previous dynasty, Sishui City did not belong to the barbarians."

Xie Zhao showed no fear or panic when he went deep into Huxue, and his mood remained stable. "The previous dynasty was at the end of its rope, the emperor was incompetent, and the barbarians took the opportunity to occupy Sishui."

"Sishui is easier to defend than the border towns of Daqi. Over the past hundred years, successive monarchs of Daqi have tried to take back Sishui many times, but to no avail."

After all, it is the territory of barbarians. The use of Da Qi dialect is prohibited in the City Lord's Mansion and other places, but there are no such strict regulations among the people.

After learning about the history of Sishui City, Jiang Yuzhu asked curiously, "Do you understand the barbarian language?"

"I know a thing or two."

Xie Zhao's reply seemed very humble.

The couple decided to keep a low profile when they were out.

In order not to reveal the identity, the title is omitted.

Their relationship is whatever others think it is.

However, Xie Zhao couldn't bring himself to call her "mother" no matter what. He would rather be misunderstood as a gigolo.

It was noon, there was no light in the tunnel, and the occasional sound of wind was particularly creepy.

Jiang Yuzhu was in a good mood and learned a few barbaric words from Xie Zhao that could be used in daily communication.

Tired, she sat on the cart and Xie Zhao pushed it to continue their journey.

The two entered the tunnel before the entrance was closed and did not see any of their companions along the way.

Jiang Yuzhu noticed that there were some small openings with arched wooden doors on both sides of the tunnel and asked, "Are these toilets?"

"no."

Xie Zhao was silent for a moment, and said calmly, "It's for pretending to be a corpse."

As if seeing the surprise and confusion in Jiang Yuzhu's eyes, Xie Zhao said gently: "Most of those who have the courage to go to Sishui City to do business are desperate criminals, and it is inevitable that some of them have the intention of killing people and stealing treasures."

In the tunnels, it is common to see two caravans fighting and snatching goods.

After someone died, in order not to affect the transportation of goods by carts in the tunnel, it was defaulted that the body was thrown into the small hole and awaited subsequent disposal.

"Those people have a clear purpose, to rob the caravan and its money. You and I are using the excuse of visiting relatives, so we won't be targeted."

That group of people was after money, not killing.

It is better to have less trouble than more. As long as the other party does not provoke him, Xie Zhao is too lazy to meddle in other people's business.

It was a rare opportunity to be alone for the whole day, so the couple walked and talked.

Xie Zhao doesn't talk much, but he answers every question Jiang Yuzhu asks and is very patient.

Judging from the time, it was probably already nightfall outside.

The couple barely stopped and had already overtaken the people ahead of them.

As they passed each other, passers-by looked at them with vigilance, treating Xie Zhao and Jiang Yuzhu as thieves with the intention of robbery.

After walking a short distance, Jiang Yuzhu said with emotion: "It's no wonder that passers-by looked at us like thieves. Those who stopped to rest were obviously injured."

In other words, there was a robbery in front of the tunnel.

Jiang Yuzhu didn't want to be too cautious when sleeping at night, so she decided to stop and rest first.

"Okay."

Xie Zhao had no objection. He found a slightly wider place, set up the tent, and skillfully made a fire.

Dinner was simple, just heated pancakes and braised pork, with a small plate of pickles.

Before Jiang Yuzhu could take a bite, she saw a small man stumbling over not far away, running straight towards her and saying enthusiastically, "Auntie!"

Jiang Yuzhu's hands froze in place, and after a while she realized that the other person was calling her.

Just now she passed by the short man, and the man stayed away from her as if he defined her as a robber.

He takes the initiative to say hello at this moment. Is there something fishy going on?

"Aunt, my nephew Qi Lin is going to Sishui City to visit relatives. I wonder if he can accompany me?"

Qi Lin came over and gave a flattering smile.

At first, Qi Lin was alone, but after seeing someone injured along the way, he decided to find a companion.

When there are more people, the risk of encountering bad people is reduced.

After observing along the way, we finally decided to find a duo to travel with.

The pockmarked man was about the same age as Qi Lin, and he was also an aunt, so if the other party had any bad intentions, Qi Lin would be able to handle it.

Seeing Jiang Yuzhu's surprised look, Qi Lin scratched his head and said, "My nephew is abrupt. To show your sincerity, how about I keep watch tonight?"

Jiang Yuzhu did not express her opinion, but looked at Xie Zhao.

Having someone to travel with is a benefit for the couple as their goals are much smaller.

"Okay."

Xie Zhao poured a cup of tea for his wife and agreed in a calm voice.

After getting permission, Qi Lin hurriedly put down his package, pointed at the tent built by the two, and observed the cart.

"Brother, aunt, you two look like strangers. Is this your first time in Surabaya?"

Qi Lin inquired about the two people without leaving any trace, and guessed their identities.

Although they look like they are more than ten years apart in age, their gestures and movements do not seem like those of mother and son.

Especially when the pockmarked man was feeding his aunt tea, Qi Lin turned his face away awkwardly and simply couldn't bear to watch.

“It’s the first time.”

Jiang Yuzhu thought about it and decided that it would be too troublesome to cover up the lie after telling it. She might as well admit that it was her first time going to Sishui City. Maybe she could get some information from Qi Lin.

Qi Lin did not doubt him and quickly believed him: "No wonder my nephew asked to go with me, and my aunt agreed immediately. You can tell at a glance that she is a kind-hearted person."

Most people who walk on this road have ulterior motives.

"Of course, except for my nephew. I can see that you have a kind face, so you are definitely not a bad person."

Qi Lin is a chatterbox. After finally finding a companion, he started chattering non-stop.

After a few words, he became familiar with Jiang Yuzhu and Xie Zhao.

"The barbarians in Sishui City are concentrated in the tribes in the north. Remember to stay away from them. They like to kill people from Daqi to vent their anger."

Qi Lin paused for a moment and smiled bitterly, "My father died at the hands of those beasts."

The hatred between the people of Da Qi and the barbarians is irreconcilable.

Qi Lin's family used to be in the fur and medicinal materials business. His father opened several shops and traveled back and forth to Si Shui City to sell goods.

I went to Surabaya a few years ago and never came back, and the same went for my companions.

"My sister went around asking around for a few months before she learned that my father had been killed by the barbarians."

At that time, Qi Lin's sister Qi Ju was in danger, and it was all thanks to the barbarian man who came forward to rescue her.

Later, in order to repay her gratitude, Qi Ju married into a business family in Sishui City and now has children.

Initially, Qi Ju still wanted to avenge her father. After inquiring for a long time, she found out that ordinary barbarians did not interact with the people in the tribe and had nothing to do with them at all.

Over time, my concerns faded.

"My sister is pregnant again, and she just wants to eat the gourd strips that my mother dries. My mother is not in good health, so I am the only one who runs errands."

Qi Lin went to Sishui City to look for business opportunities and make some money before the New Year.

While they were chatting, a team of three came back from the front. The leader was covered in blood, holding a machete and said coldly: "Hand over the silver you have, so we can kill you!"