Chapter 236
Chapter 236
Guizhou was mountainous.
Jiang Yunsui had heard Song Jin and Shen Qingzhu say so, but had never understood the extent.
People spoke of Sichuan’s difficult roads, but Guizhou was just as daunting. Mountain rose behind mountain. Anyone lost deep within them had no hope of leaving without knowing the route.
Even following official roads on horseback, they wound around peak after peak. Once among the mountains, every direction held more mountains.
Jiang Yunsui shared Shen Qingzhu’s horse, sitting in front and craning her neck to look around.
“There are mountains everywhere. How do people grow crops?”
Rice and wheat were the main staples, but Guizhou had few plains and little land suited to rice.
“People who live here have found ways to survive,” Shen Qingzhu said. “The mountains make roads difficult to build. Even the official roads are ruined, so the people are poor.”
“People say harsh lands breed fierce folk. It isn’t true everywhere, but men and women here tend to be formidable. Win their loyalty, however, and they are exceptionally faithful.”
He explained patiently. “Many different tribes live among these mountains. The largest Miao tribe is here too.”
“Huh? Aren’t the Miao in Yunnan?”
“There are different Miao branches. Not all practice Gu arts. Guizhou has secluded Gu-using Miao like those in our region.”
As their horses and carriages continued, the road unexpectedly improved.
Shen Qingzhu wondered why, but thought little of it.
“Bandits are especially common here.”
Jiang Yunsui pointed into the distant woods. “Do you mean them?”
Riders concealed by the trees emerged and surrounded them.
“We opened this mountain and planted these trees! To pass this way, pay the toll!” a loud man proclaimed from horseback.
Shen Qingzhu’s group fell silent.
“Mr. Shen, this road does seem wider and smoother than the others.”
“There are even flowers beside it. They’re rather pretty.”
Shen Qingzhu’s mouth twitched. He had assumed it was the usual bandit excuse. Instead, they truly had repaired the road and even planted wildflowers with considerable taste.
As both sides faced off, Jiang Yunsui quietly produced gold, silver, and several pearls.
“Is this enough?”
“Too much, little fool!” Shen Qingzhu said.
Before she could put it away, the leader stopped her.
“Wait! Once you’ve taken it out, how can you put it back?” His eyes gleamed. “We won’t cheat you. The girls in our stockade are all beautiful. How about we give you wives?”
He clapped, and several young women rode forward. They were indeed beautiful, with a bold air.
“Where are you gentlemen headed?” their leader asked, chin raised.
Shen Qingzhu’s party was speechless.
They had heard of bandits stealing women, never of bandits giving them away.
“We’re merchants. We heard these mountains are rich in medicinal herbs and came seeking business.”
That was not a lie. The forests here were exceptionally rich in herbs.
“Then you found the right people. Our stockade has gathered plenty. Want to look?”
Shen Qingzhu wondered whether any of this was proper. They were bandits!
The man thumped his chest. “We have principles. We only charge travelers a toll-we can’t maintain the road for nothing. We take lives only if someone provokes us, and we don’t abduct women. Besides, you are grown men traveling with one little girl. Who would we abduct?”
Jiang Yunsui grew excited. “Shen Qingzhu, Si Si, let’s look.”
All their previous encounters with bandits involved violence. This was the first time any had formally invited them as guests. How could they not investigate?
“Very well,” Shen Qingzhu agreed.
They were all capable fighters and could escape even if this was a trap.
Along the way, the women studied the men with heated gazes.
“Little girl, which one is your father?”
Before Jiang Yunsui could answer, Shen Qingzhu covered her mouth. “I am.”
Jiang Yunsui stared at him in confusion. Ji Si remained silent.
“My wife gave birth to this one child, so we spoil her. She wanted to broaden her horizons, so I brought her.”
The girls watching Shen Qingzhu looked disappointed.
“So he’s married.”
They whispered together, unaware that Jiang Yunsui could hear.
“He looks gentle and handsome, and his family seems wealthy. Pity-I won’t be a concubine.”
“I prefer the cold-faced man in black. He’s well built and dressed well. I’ll ask whether he’s married.”
Ji Si regretted his slow tongue. He should have answered first!
“This whole group looks decent. Even the least handsome is presentable, unlike those shifty-eyed men we met before.”
As martial artists, Shen Qingzhu’s men heard them too. Except for Shen Qingzhu and Ji Si, each man straightened proudly before the attractive women.
Jiang Yunsui scratched her head and whispered, “Shen Qingzhu, do they assign wives here? What a nice stockade.”
He laughed. “Why does a child worry about that?”
“I was only asking.”
“Those dogs are impressive.”
“Why bring two chickens? Are they for sale? They look vigorous and must taste good.”
Their accent was strong but close enough to the common tongue to understand.
Jiang Yunsui shook her head rapidly.
“Not for sale. They’re my good friends.”
“I’ve never seen anyone make friends with chickens. Are the dogs your friends too?”
Jiang Yunsui looked at the speaker: the bright, beautiful young woman who seemed to hold authority among them.