Chapter 650 652. Escort Team
Gu Wenheng walked forward and asked, "How long will it take to clean it up?"
As for whether there would be an ambush by bandits? Gu Wenheng was not worried at all.
If there really was something unusual, the people under him would not report the news to him, but would protect them and leave as quickly as possible.
His appointment this time was completely different from his previous tenure as prefect. He was equipped with hundreds of personal guards, all of whom were good men selected by Lord Cao.
The number of servants, guards and bodyguards he brought with him was no less than that of his personal soldiers, and all of them were skilled fighters.
These people were trained by Ah Qi and Ah Ba for several years, and even if they didn't learn 70%, they learned 50% at least.
It’s a pity that Ah Qi and Ah Ba were sent by Queen Zhou to protect him in Lucheng, and they would return to their master as soon as they returned to the capital.
Lin Dapeng had just taken a look around and had an idea in mind, "If we clean up here by ourselves, it will take at least tomorrow.
It’s just that we don’t have so many suitable tools, otherwise the speed could be even faster.”
Fortunately, there wasn't much dirt sliding down from above, so with so many people they could still clear a path, but it would require hard work on their hands.
Gu Wenheng turned around and looked around, which was covered by dense forest.
“Find a few people who are good at light-weight martial arts and go to the area to see if there are any farmers nearby.
If we find someone, we'll ask them to bring tools to help clean up, and we'll pay them then."
Mingfeng hurried down to make arrangements, and Jin Qianqian also arranged for people to cook first. Even if they had to work, they had to fill their stomachs first.
"Even if we can dig a road today, we can only camp here first." Gu Wenheng said as he looked around. Normally, there should be fewer people walking on this road, and there was no one stranded here.
Jin Qianqian looked at the dense forest around her and said, "Then we really need to be well guarded tonight. It would be best if we leave more people to keep watch.
There's no telling if there will be wild animals in a place like this, so it's best to be on guard against every corner."
Gu Wenheng nodded in agreement with her suggestion. Of course, it would be even better if they could find a village nearby to settle down.
But they didn't seem to be so lucky this time. The people they sent out came back after more than half an hour. Even though they climbed to the highest point, they couldn't find any village nearby.
"It looks like we can only stay here for one night. Let's have someone clear out the area nearby and set up camp here first."
Everything has been confirmed, and the people under him started to get busy.
Since there were no suitable tools, the guards could only use their swords and the chopped bamboo strips to clean up the area slowly.
Here, the maids and servants brought by Jin Qianqian and the Gu family were responsible for cooking.
Just as the aroma of food was wafting in the air, the guards came to report that a team of more than a hundred people were coming up behind them, and in front of the team was flying the flag of the escort agency.
"It seems we are lucky," Wang Ping said with a smile, "Now we have someone to help us."
Gu Wenheng said to Wang Ping, "Then you go and negotiate. If they can spare some manpower, we can open the road faster.
If they don’t want to, don’t force them.”
Wang Ping smiled, "Why wouldn't they be willing? They are so happy to be able to do something for you, sir."
Wang Ping sometimes felt that Lord Gu was just too easy to talk to and always considered others in everything he did.
These people under the command are eager to show their faces in front of the officials. They will never let go of this rare opportunity. If you are really polite to them, they will be nervous.
Sure enough, as soon as he said this, the leader of the escort team immediately led his men to the front to help clean up, and it was obvious that they had experience and had tools in their hands.
"It seems that landslides here are not the first or second occurrence." Jin Qianqian was not surprised to hear the news. When traveling, the escort agency's escorts always think more carefully than ordinary people.
Look, even the tools are ready. You must have encountered this many times before.
Gu Wenheng saw that the use of tools has greatly increased the speed, "There are dirt hills all around here, and they will collapse when it rains heavily or during the rainy season.
We didn't think of this before, so let's go buy some tools when we get to the next town."
Jin Qianqian saw the smoke rising from the cooking fires of the team behind her and realized that they were also cooking, so she withdrew her gaze.
They thought there was no involvement between the two sides, and when they were about to sit down to eat, Xu Dawang came over and started talking.
"Master, Madam, someone from the escort agency sent a visiting card. It's Deputy Envoy Cen's wife, and she wants to come over and ask for a meeting."
As soon as Gu Wenheng heard the surname and official position, he knew who the person was.
Under him were deputy envoys and assistant officers, who were either promoted from the lower levels or transferred from nearby areas.
This Deputy Envoy Cen Gaosong was transferred directly from the neighboring province. I didn't expect to meet his family here.
Even if they met, they would naturally meet. Gu Wenheng asked Xu Dawang to invite the person over.
Zhang Guihong, from the Cen Zhang family, looked to be at least fifty years old, wearing luxurious clothes and makeup. Her hair was meticulously done, and she even wore a full set of headgear.
The girl following behind her was dressed in the same way, and was followed by eight maids.
Seeing this scene, Jin Qianqian was stunned.
Dressed so formally, it doesn't look like he's on the way, but rather like he's going to a banquet.
"Hello, Lord Gu, and Madam Gu." After all, they were two ranks lower in rank, so Zhang Guihong brought her daughter to pay her respects first.
"Mrs. Cen, there's no need to be so polite. I didn't expect to meet you here by such a coincidence.
Have you eaten yet? Do you want to stay with me?"
Zhang Guihong glanced at the food they were eating. It was just a few simple stir-fried dishes. She looked disapproving and said, "Our servants are already preparing it. We won't bother Madam Gu. I didn't know you two were having a meal. I apologize for disturbing you."
"It's really inconvenient when you're away from home. I'm sorry for neglecting you." Gu Wenheng pointed to the armchairs that had just been placed and said to them, "Mrs. Cen, please sit down."
Cen Zhangshi did not refuse, but introduced the little girl beside her to them before sitting down, "This is my second daughter Yueqin. I heard that Lord Gu and Madam Gu were here, so I came here specially to pay my respects."
Cen Yueqin bowed gracefully, "Greetings, Master Gu, Madam Gu."
When Jin Qianqian saw the younger generations, she greeted them and quickly called Gu Benluo and Gu Bencan to greet them.
It was just that Gu Benluo had been collecting firewood for the stove before, and now he was covered in dust, looking like a better-looking farm boy.
The mother and daughter of the Cen family both showed surprised expressions at this moment. The young master of Mr. Gu’s family was too ungentlemanly. He came to meet guests in dirty clothes.
Jin Qianqian saw the surprise in their eyes and said with a smile, "This naughty boy couldn't sit still, so he went to the mountains to collect firewood for the stove, and got himself covered in dust.
Once you do it a few times and become more skilled, you won’t make it so dirty.”
(End of this chapter)
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