Chapter 461 – The First Winter (Part 8)
If it weren’t for my dear friend by my side, I, Wei Ci, would feel like I had already kicked the bucket.
“Is there enough food for the common people?”
“We previously raided six supply carts from the Green Garment Army. If we ration it carefully, getting through this winter shouldn’t be a problem.”
“What about warm clothing?” I stifled the urge to cough, feeling a bit of a struggle.
Zhang Ping replied, “Don’t worry, no one should freeze to death.”
To cope with this winter, nearly every common person had packed as many clothes as they could carry.
If we were to kill off the Green Garment Army, we’d not only ransack their food but also strip them of their clothes.
It might not be fancy, but as long as it kept them warm, that was good enough.
I felt a bit relieved until a thought struck me.
“Unless there’s something urgent, tell them not to stay out in the snow for too long, or they’ll risk getting eye ailments.”
Zhang Ping nodded in agreement.
This winter was likely the most miserable one I’d experienced since I could remember.
The mountains lacked medicinal herbs, and my cough showed no signs of improvement. On top of that, my sensitivity to the cold had me looking a bit ashy, and during severe spells, even my chest rising and falling was barely perceptible, which made quite a few people worry.
Dian Yin stealthily approached Zhang Ping, “Mr. Xiheng, what if I carry Master Zixiao down the mountain to see a doctor…”
Zhang Ping appeared calm on the outside, but inside, he was also anxious about my condition.
There was simply nothing here that would do the trick. Prolonged delays could turn a minor ailment into a serious one.
Dian Yin suggested, “I heard from some common folks that the city of Xiangyang is just a day’s journey from here. I can move quickly…”
Zhang Ping hesitantly replied, “We still don’t know if that Green Garment Army has retreated or not, and with this heavy snow, making it down the mountain alone is tough enough, let alone with a sickly Zixiao…”
The more he talked, the less confident he felt, and his voice gradually dropped.
He could see that delaying any longer had no way of telling if my condition would continue to worsen.
After a brief pause, Zhang Ping switched his tone, “Then be careful.”
Dian Yin was a tall, sturdy fellow. Just standing there, he towered over the average man, with a robust build to match.
He slung my fainted self over his back and carefully instructed the brothers from our village to listen to Zhang Ping while he was away. If all went well this time, not only would I receive medical care, but they could also summon reinforcements.
With a guide, Dian Yin started descending the mountain, three figures disappearing into the heavy white snow.
My consciousness was clouded, and various images fluttered before my eyes, settling finally on a majestic palace. The former emperor had passed away, officials were kneeling everywhere, each with their own thoughts, and I took my own life with my sword… This scene played over and over again.
In the end, I could hardly tell whether I was alive or had already perished.
I dimly remembered returning to my youthful days after my suicide, everything starting anew.
Which one was the truth?
Had I truly died, or was I still alive?
Dian Yin, wrapped in thick clothing, made slow progress down the mountain, always mindful of his footing. No one could say what lay beneath the snow; one wrong step or slip could send both he and I tumbling down the mountain.
What was usually a half-hour walk now took nearly three. Just days ago, the snow had stopped, but now it fell thick and fast, cold winds whippling the icy flakes against our faces, like tiny daggers slowly slicing into our flesh.
Dian Yin, rugged by nature, had the guide help him keep me warm, keeping me sheltered from the gusts.
“Dian Ge, sir dropped something.”
The youth behind us squatted shakily to retrieve a fallen sachet.
Dian Yin glanced back and said, “I’ll hold onto it; you keep an eye on the sir.”
With difficulty, the three of us continued our descent, the only silver lining being that the Green Garment Army pursuing us had retreated.
“Wait—don’t move—” The guide was about to step forward, but Dian Yin yanked him back. “There’s someone!”
They quickly found a hiding spot. The young man looked puzzled, wondering who else would be out at this time of year.
However, it wasn’t long before the sound of galloping hooves grew near. The young man turned to Dian Yin with admiration.
Despite looking rough and imposing, he certainly had skills.
The incoming group seemed to be hunters, numbering around twenty, all dressed in hunting gear, equipped with bows and quivers.
The young man considered rushing out to call for help, but Dian Yin wouldn’t allow it, pulling him back while narrowing his eyes at the leader of the group—
It was a young lad in blue attire, clad in a thick, warm cloak with his face obscured by the swirling snow.
Dian Yin stood still, and the group seemed to hold their breath, their leader smiling slightly as his glance flicked toward this direction.
Did he spot us?
Dian Yin’s heart raced with panic, sweat forming in his palms.
“Lord, what’s wrong?”
The hunter leading the way asked, looking perplexed as Jiang Pengji stood still. No prey in sight.
With a flick of her whip, Jiang Pengji exuded an aura of “I’ll just wait here until someone blinks first.”
Today, it was Li Yun accompanying Jiang Pengji for some hunting fun.
Honestly, barbecues were as addictive as knitting.
Just days ago they had indulged, and now a few officials in the Ministry were salivating for more.
It was time for our lord to hunt again and bring back some goodies for the feast.
Li Yun had also sensed there were people hiding; he edged closer, glancing at Jiang Pengji in question.
She replied, “Just wait.”
After a moment, it was indeed Dian Yin who eventually capitulated.
Carrying a sick person on his back, lacking sufficient warm clothing, how could they compare with those all geared up for a hunt?
Staying hidden was no longer an option.
Dian Yin felt his limbs slowly going numb and sighed, finally emerging from cover.
As he revealed himself, a dozen bows suddenly pointed at him in unison.
“Ambush?” Li Yun raised an eyebrow.
Seeing the burly man standing fearlessly, then glancing at the shivering youth beside him, this duo was quite the sight.
Jiang Pengji said flatly, “No, they’re probably just lost travelers.”
Her gaze drifted, and her brow furrowed tightly.
That sachet…
Dian Yin, taking a deep breath, was about to speak up when Jiang Pengji raised her hand, signaling the archers to lower their weapons.
“Who is the person on your back?” she asked, allowing Big White to step forward a little, her tone gentle. “I’m the deputy of Xiangyang County.”
What?
Dian Yin’s eyes went wide in shock, incredulous as he observed her—something didn’t seem right.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally blurted, “My master is sick and urgently needs a young doctor.”
“Your master?” Jiang Pengji dismounted and stepped forward. “Does your master happen to be named Wei?”
Dian Yin was taken aback. “Yes, it is indeed Wei.”
She instructed Dian Yin to ease me down from his back. “Let me take a look; I know your master.”
Up close, it was indeed that familiar face, albeit a bit thinner than he remembered, complexion pale and lacking color.
Dian Yin shielded me from the wind, stammering, “The wind… it’s strong…”
Jiang Pengji frowned, not hesitating to unwrap her cloak and wrap it around me, then effortlessly lifted me onto her horse.
“Han Mei, take these two back to town. I’ll head out first.”
