In the evening, the caravan stopped to rest and several bonfires were lit beside the official road.
Li Boxiong stayed with his Qingqi.
Chen Tang was still sitting around a small fire with the fat old man, Qing Mu, and Zhiwei, and did not join in the fun of the others.
During this period, Qingmu saw that Li Boxiong had a special attitude towards Chen Tang, and was curious, so he made some insinuations.
Chen Tang either smiled and said nothing, or changed the subject.
After chatting for a long time, Qingmu couldn't get out any useful information.
Mei Nianzhi and other wealthy gentry first went to Li Boxiong's place to toast, and then brought people to Chen Tang's place.
After what happened during the day, except for the heads of households who had conflicts with Chen Tang before, most of the wealthy gentry's impression of Chen Tang has been greatly changed.
Moreover, Chen Tang rescued them during the day, and everyone came over to express their thanks.
Chen Tang was too lazy to pay attention to these things, just said a few words and dismissed them.
"Master Mei, please stay."
Finally, Chen Tang stopped Mei Nianzhi.
Chen Tang asked: "What does Master Mei think of the snow thief who appeared during the day?"
Mei Nianzhi thought for a moment and shook her head.
But he heard something in Chen Tang's words, so he asked, "What do you think, my wise nephew?"
"not sure."
Chen Tang shook his head and said, "I just feel like these snow thieves are coming for the Plum Blossom Martial Arts School."
Mei Nianzhi frowned.
Mei Yingxue was dubious and said: "That shouldn't be the case. We have no grudges against these snow thieves between the martial arts school and these snow thieves. Why are they coming at us?"
Mei Nianzhi frowned and said, "When my nephew said this, I feel the same way, but I really don't know these snow thieves and have never been in contact with them. How could I be targeted by them?"
Chen Tang had a vague guess in his mind, but he wasn't sure.
According to Meng Liangyu, the Blackwater Gang wants to completely control Changze County.
In addition to eradicating the Wolf Gang, the second thing to solve is the Plum Blossom Martial Arts School.
If these snow thieves are related to the Blackwater Gang, then the interception during the day should be an operation against the Meihua Martial Arts School.
Chen Tang reminded: "The weather may change in Changze County. When the time comes, the Meihua Martial Arts School may not be immune. The owner of the Meihua Martial Arts School should make preparations in advance."
"What my nephew said about changing the sky is..."
Mei Nianzhi was shocked.
Chen Tang did not answer, but just said: "We are going to Wu'an County this time and are planning to settle down in Wu'an County."
Before doing this, he discussed it with several people in his family.
After the Lantern Festival, the power of the Blackwater Gang should occupy the entire Changze County.
As long as Chen Tang stays in Changze County, it will be difficult to completely avoid the eyes and ears of the Blackwater Gang.
The fat old man naturally raised his hands in agreement.
Chen Tang's house is too small.
It was really inconvenient for four people to live there, so he and Chen Tang had to sleep on the floor in the outhouse.
Moreover, there is too little food and wine in Changze County.
Just go to Wu'an County to change to a bigger house.
"Are you moving out?"
A trace of disappointment flashed in Mei Yingxue's eyes.
During this time, she often ran to Chen Tang's house and was somewhat used to being with Chen Tang and his cousin, Xiao Zhiwei.
From now on, it will not be easy to see each other again when we are separated by two places.
Qing Mu said: "This is what Chen Tang discussed with us before leaving. We haven't had time to tell my sister yet. If you want to move around more easily in the future, my sister might as well move to Wu'an County."
"I……"
Mei Yingxue looked at her father.
She definitely can't make the decision in this kind of thing.
Mei Nianzhi shook his head slightly and said with a wry smile: "The Meihua Martial Arts School has been open in Changze County for a few years, and my relatives are also there, so it is difficult to move."
"I am a ninth-grade person who still has some reputation in Changze County, but after all, I am getting older and my physical strength is gradually declining. It is difficult for me to make a name for myself in Wu'an County."
Having said this, Chen Tang couldn't say anything else.
Everyone dispersed.
A night of silence.
The caravan set off early the next morning, and if nothing else happened, it should be able to reach Wu'an County before the city closes today.
Under the escort of Li Boxiong, the caravan had a smooth journey.
Before sunset, the city wall of Wu'an County could be seen from a distance. Li Boxiong did not continue to escort, said goodbye to Chen Tang and others, and left with his men.
The caravan was stopped at the city gate by guards on both sides, who carefully checked everyone's road documents and the goods loaded on the caravan.
"Everyone is offended. The Lantern Festival is approaching. To prevent bandits from sneaking into the city, you must watch carefully."
The leading guard said to Mei Nianzhi.
Mei Niazhi looked at his official position and recognized that this was the centurion guarding the city gate in Wu'an County. He smiled and said: "Thank you to the centurion and all the brothers in the army, this is what it should be."
As he spoke, Mei Nianzhi handed over a few taels of broken silver from his cuffs, trying to put it into the hands of the centenarian.
The centenarian put his hands behind his back and shook his head in refusal.
Mei Nianzhi coughed lightly but did not persist.
"Is this a robbery?"
The centenarian glanced at some knife marks on the caravan carriage and the blood stains that had not been wiped clean, and frowned and asked.
"yes."
Mei Nianzhi said: "Fortunately, a righteous man arrived in time..."
The two had a brief chat at the gate of the city.
Generally speaking, people are not allowed to walk freely in Qian State, firstly to restrict population movement, and secondly to prevent the spread of refugees.
If you want to travel, you must rely on road guides. The reasons are explained above.
Of course, these restrictions are useful to ordinary people. As for people from famous families and powerful families, they can ignore them.
The guards guarding the city generally would not stop these people without opening their eyes.
As for some people in the world, they are like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each relying on their own methods.
If there is no official road guide, it will be difficult to enter the city openly.
The route guide for Chen Tang and others had been prepared long ago under Meng Liangyu's arrangement.
When the city gate guards inspected the caravan, Chen Tang sat in front of the carriage and turned his eyes, inspecting the guard arrangements on the walls of Wu'an County and the mobile guards, silently remembering them in his heart.
The city wall of Wu'an County was about three feet high. Chen Tang judged that it was probably as high as three or four stories in his previous life.
A month ago, he would have never been able to climb this height.
But things are different now.
After staying at the city gate for a while, the caravan found no problem. At the signal of several guards, it was allowed to enter the city.
After entering the city, the families in the caravan dispersed on their own, agreeing on a return time, and then returning together.
"We'll find an inn to stay at. Tomorrow will be the fourteenth day of the first lunar month. We'll walk around the county town first to get familiar with it."
Mei Nianzhi said: "The day after tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, the day when warriors are selected. If there is nothing else, my nephew will come with us to have a look and just join in the fun."
"That's fine."
Chen Tang responded casually.
After a long journey, everyone found an inn nearby and stayed temporarily.
It was getting late and the city gate was closed.
Everyone had dinner and rested early.
After three days of journey, more than 200 miles, I was sleepy and exhausted. Although I would rest on the way, it was too uncomfortable and I couldn't sleep well.
Now that I have entered Wu'an County, I can finally sleep peacefully.
However, Chen Tang did not rest. He left the inn alone. Before the curfew started, he went to the alley near the city gate and continued to observe the guards up and down the city wall.
