Chapter 21: Entering the City

Wang Wu’s expression shifted repeatedly. Having served as a comrade-in-arms with Wen Zhi, he knew his character better than anyone. Wen Zhi was never the type of petty man to bully others by abusing his position, nor would he ever provoke his superiors without cause. Therefore, there had to be some hidden complication.

"Officer, regarding Wen Zhi..." Wang Wu gritted his teeth, wanting to get to the bottom of the matter.

Just then, another guard frowned and said, "Enough, stop teasing him. It’s not like you don’t know why Brother Wen offended those people."

He turned to Wang Wu and added, "Since you were comrades, I advise you not to trouble him. I won't tell you the specifics, but I can tell you this: Brother Wen’s current situation is dire. If he takes on more dead weight, his life will only become harder."

Hearing this, a look of hesitation clouded Wang Wu’s rugged face. He looked at Zhao Mu, hoping for a suggestion.

At that moment, the guard who had left earlier returned, accompanied by a weary-looking man of about thirty. Seeing Wang Wu from a distance, the man’s face instantly lit up with joy.

"Brother Wang Wu!"

The man was indeed Wen Zhi. Since Wang Wu had forgotten to tell the gate captain his name, Wen Zhi had been guessing which former comrade had come to seek refuge. Now, seeing Wang Wu, he was filled with surprise and delight. Wang Wu’s claim of a bond forged in life-and-death situations was no exaggeration; in fact, Wang Wu had saved his life on the battlefield more than once. Without Wang Wu, he would have perished long ago.

"Wen Zhi!" Wang Wu ran over, equally moved, and the two embraced fiercely.

A moment later, Wen Zhi stepped back, exclaiming, "Brother Wang Wu, I heard that Huai County had been struck by disaster and was planning to look for you. I never expected you to come here yourself."

Wang Wu smiled bashfully and replied with some embarrassment, "I... I didn't come alone. I’ve brought my whole family to seek shelter."

Wen Zhi laughed, "I just heard." He then turned to Wang Wu’s wife, cupping his hands. "This must be sister-in-law? I am Wen Zhi, a pleasure to meet you."

After the greetings, he looked at Zhao Mu and Huang Wan, his expression turning puzzled. He scratched his head in confusion and asked, "Brother Wang Wu, your children have grown so much?"

Wang Wu, realizing the misunderstanding, hurriedly explained, "These two are our saviors whom we met on the road. Had it not been for their generous help, our family would never have reached Taiping County."

Wen Zhi immediately straightened his posture and said solemnly, "If they are Brother Wang Wu’s benefactors, they are also mine. Please, receive a bow from me!" With that, Wen Zhi bowed deeply to Zhao Mu and Huang Wan.

Zhao Mu quickly reached out to help him up, saying in a low voice, "Since we have traveled with Brother Wang Wu to seek refuge, I fear we must impose on you for a few days."

Although the guard had made it clear that Wen Zhi was in a difficult spot, Zhao Mu felt they had to enter the city first. If they couldn't even get inside, they would be forced to sell their children like the refugees outside. Yet, as a lone man with nothing to his name, he doubted anyone would even take him on as a servant.

Hearing this, the guard who had warned Wang Wu frowned, his expression darkening. However, hindered by Wen Zhi’s presence, he suppressed his annoyance.

Wen Zhi paused for a moment, then nodded. "Easier said than done! Regardless of the circumstances, come into the city with me first."

He then looked at Wang Hu and Xiao Xing'er. "Are these Brother Wang Wu’s children? Is this little Tiger? He’s grown so much!"

Wang Hu quickly mimicked Zhao Mu’s earlier gesture, saying, "Wang Hu greets Uncle Wen."

"Good! Good!" Wen Zhi searched his pockets, likely looking for some copper coins to give the children as a greeting gift, but after a long while, he came up empty.

The guard beside him pulled out a few coins and said, "Brother Wen, take these first."

Wen Zhi looked at the man gratefully. "Wu Ke, I will pay you back in a few days."

Wu Ke nodded without a word. Although the other guards felt some dissatisfaction and surprise, they refrained from making any rude comments out of consideration for their colleague.

Wen Zhi divided the coins into two portions and pressed them into the hands of Wang Hu and Xiao Xing'er. "This is a gift from Uncle Wen for our first meeting. Take them."

The children did not take them immediately, looking instead at Wang Wu. Wang Wu hesitated; he wanted to refuse. If it were in the past, he would have accepted, but Wen Zhi’s current situation was far from ideal.

Seeing this, Zhao Mu intervened, "Tiger, Xing'er, since Uncle Wen is giving them to you, just take them, otherwise he might feel slighted."

Wen Zhi sighed in relief, smiling, "Exactly, take them, or I shall be unhappy!"

Wang Wu could no longer refuse and gave a nod to his children. The two little ones happily took the coins and sweetly called out "Uncle Wen" again. Wen Zhi was delighted, beaming as he patted their heads.

Wu Ke, watching from the side, cast a glance at Zhao Mu with growing displeasure. He felt that Zhao Mu was overstepping his bounds and was quite tactless.

After the introductions, Wen Zhi looked to the new gate captain. "Brother Li, may I take them into the city now?"

The gate captain nodded. "You know the rules, Brother Wen. Just have them register, and they may enter."

Wen Zhi cupped his hands and led Wang Wu and the others to register. Zhao Mu did not follow, but instead addressed the guard named Wu Ke. "Brother Wu, I am Zhao Mu. I will remember this kindness. If there is ever anything you need in the future, just tell Brother Wen."

Wu Ke was stunned and didn't take it to heart. His first impression of Zhao Mu was poor, and he felt a certain aversion toward him, so he dismissed him with a few perfunctory words. He never imagined, however, that Zhao Mu’s words would soon come to pass.

After registering with Wen Zhi, the group finally entered Taiping County. Compared to the misery outside the walls, the city felt like another world. Though there were poor people within, the streets were orderly, and every passerby wore clean clothing.

In contrast, Zhao Mu, Wang Wu, and their family looked entirely out of place. The passersby looked at them with disdain, as if they were mere beggars.

Wang Wu, oblivious to the stares, asked Wen Zhi, "Wen Zhi, I heard you offended someone. What is really going on?"

A flash of anger crossed Wen Zhi’s face, but he feigned indifference. "Brother Wang Wu, let’s not talk about that now. Let’s go home first; I want to introduce you to my wife."