Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 1011 Talking Without End

As we all know, although princes and princesses in fairy tales live happily ever after in castles, castles are really not a good place to live every day.

The same applies to fortified villages, which serve a similar function to castles.

Firstly, the room lacked sufficient natural light. In order to defend against arrows and stones, the windows could not be opened too wide, and many were simply arrow holes. Sunlight could only filter through one by one, and over time, the room became damp and cold.

Secondly, everything in the fortified village was prepared for military purposes. Apart from wielding spears and sticks, there was nothing else to do. After spending a day in the room, the two scholars were practically growing mushrooms when they stepped out and were immediately overwhelmed by the stench of sweat emanating from the hundred young men training their muscles.

Therefore, by the third day, even the composed Lu Jiuyuan could no longer stay there and kept asking to leave the fortress to relax.

Given Lin San's status, how could he possibly stop two top-ranking scholars?
Therefore, after his earnest persuasion failed, Lin San could only take a few companions and escort the two old men to the mountains outside the fortified village.

Although it was not yet spring, Taiwan was located in the south, so the temperature was no different from that of springtime in Jiangnan, which quickly lifted the somewhat depressed mood of Lu Jiuyuan and Qian Duanli.

"What a wonderful place!"

As Qian Duanli strolled slowly through the mountains, listening to the chirping of insects and birds, he immediately recalled the famous poem: "Long confined in a cage, I have finally returned to nature. Lu Liulang, who could have imagined that such a paradise existed here?"

Lu Jiuyuan enjoyed the birdsong and fragrant flowers, and felt a long-lost sense of ease.

Lin San chimed in, "Treasure Island is full of beautiful places. I heard that there is a pool in the mountains, a lake formed by the high mountains, resembling the sun and moon meeting, hence the name Sun Moon Lake. It is truly a place of boundless beauty."

Qian Duanli's eyes lit up: "Where is it? Take us to see it."

After Lin San finished speaking, he regretted it a little, but in the heat of the moment, he could only bite the bullet and continue, "There are too many wild men in the mountains, and it is too dangerous. It is safe here for now. If we continue to go east, we will not be able to protect you two gentlemen."

Qian Duanli laughed heartily, clutching his stomach: "Just a few days ago, your boss said he had eliminated the threat of the savages, so why are you saying you're worried about the savages in the mountains today?"

As he spoke, Qian Duanli glanced at Lu Jiuyuan, recalling his evaluation of Lin San, and couldn't help but laugh, "Could it be that you're just being lazy and don't want to climb the mountain?"

Lin San was both amused and exasperated, but he was completely unable to explain to the two scholars who knew nothing about military affairs the vast difference between fighting in the mountains and fighting on the plains, let alone how terrifying the savage tribes were in the mountains. He could only stomp his feet repeatedly: "Master Qian, don't joke around. This is not a famous mountain with many people, but an uncivilized savage land. One careless move and someone will die!"

Lu Jiuyuan knew that what Lin San said was true, so he reached out and tugged at Qian Duanli's arm: "As the saying goes, when guests are guests, they should follow the host's lead. Mr. Qian, you should not be too presumptuous."

Qian Duanli laughed heartily, but his face showed no sign of agreement: "Let's keep going. When we reach the end of the road, we can sit and watch the clouds rise."

The group slowly climbed a small hill. In the intermittent clouds and mist, Qian Duanli looked back to the west and could vaguely see the horizon where the sea met the sky, but he could not see his hometown, Lin'an Prefecture.

For a moment, a sense of joy turning to sorrow welled up in the heart of the Song state prime minister, and he slowly recited the poem he had just read: "In middle age I took a liking to the Way, and in my later years I settled at the foot of the Southern Mountain. When the mood strikes, I go alone, and the joys are known only to myself. I walk until the water ends, and sit to watch the clouds rise... I sit to watch the clouds rise... I won't watch anymore, let's go back."

Lu Jiuyuan was somewhat exasperated. "At least finish reciting this poem! Isn't this driving someone with OCD crazy?"

However, Qian Duanli was, after all, an elder, and Lu Jiuyuan, after a moment of indignation, could only follow him down the mountain.

Lin San and the others also breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that serving the two gentlemen was truly difficult, and they would try to avoid similar tasks in the future.

However, just as everyone turned to leave the mountain with peace of mind, a sudden change occurred.

As Qian Duanli and Lu Jiuyuan walked side by side through a forest, three or four wild men suddenly jumped out of the forest, hoisted the two of them onto their shoulders, and then jumped into the forest, where they were hidden by the dense bushes.

"How dare you!" Lin San cursed, and immediately adopted a martial stance, nocking arrows with his four companions and shooting them at the figure in the forest.

The tall trees and lush grass formed a natural shield, and the first volley of arrows was either blocked by the grass or missed completely.

"Don't shoot arrows! Don't hurt the nobleman!" After a round, Lin San was the first to react. He threw down his bow, drew his short sword, and rushed into the forest.

A moment later, the group, looking somewhat disheveled, dragged a savage man out. Looking back at the vast, desolate forest, they felt a chill run through their bodies.

In such a vast mountainous forest, how can we find these two noblemen once they have disappeared without a trace?

The wild men in the mountains have a custom of cannibalism. Next time we meet these two distinguished guests, will we only be able to look at each other from the perspective of someone inside or outside the pot?

"Quick! Go and inform Ah Lang that I have lost two noble people!" Lin San felt a chill run down his spine, and even his voice trembled slightly: "And they were kidnapped by wild men in the mountains."

The future great scholar Lu Jiuyuan felt a chill in his heart as well, with only one thought in his mind: "I met the old man in the woods by chance, and we chatted without thought of returning."

This time, they really did run into Old Man Lin. Although they didn't chat and laugh, it was highly likely that he really wouldn't be returning anytime soon.

Just as Lu Jiuyuan was about to shout something, his mouth was sealed by vines. Then he heard the savages mutter something and continue carrying the two men up the mountain.

Lu Jiuyuan tried to resist, but after punching the savage's sweaty back a few times, his hands were tied behind his back and then bound tightly with vines, leaving him powerless like a piglet waiting to be slaughtered.

After struggling a few times, Lu Jiuyuan felt his heart sink, his mind a jumble of chaotic thoughts.

Several savages traversed the mountains with ease, and as dusk approached, they finally arrived at a mountain stronghold. Even though the two savages were very strong, carrying adults over the mountains and valleys left them panting heavily. They tossed Lu Jiuyuan and Qian Duanli to a relatively flat small square, where several savages carrying wooden spears guarded them. Then, they ran excitedly towards a tall thatched hut, seemingly eager to share their joy of the hunt with their tribe.

Lu Jiuyuan forcefully spat out the dry grass in his mouth, but instead of standing up, he leaned against a wooden stake and looked up at his surroundings.

There are many wild people here; at least thirty or forty can be seen. They have dark skin, and both men and women wear only a small amount of cloth. They are all looking at this place with curious... or rather, drooling eyes.

Most of the houses were thatched huts, with only a few particularly large ones being wooden houses. What these houses had in common was that they were all two-story structures, with livestock such as pigs and sheep kept on the lower floor and people living on the upper floor.

In addition, several long poles were erected in front of each house, and the tops of the poles were often decorated with the heads of various animals.

In the dim light of dusk, Lu Jiuyuan could even see a skull stuck in it, swaying in the wind.

"What...what are you doing?!" On the other side, Qian Duanli finally spat out the dry grass in his mouth and shouted in panic, "I am the Grand Councilor of the Great Song Dynasty! I want your leader to come see me!"

After calling out several times, Lu Jiuyuan finally sighed and said, "Mr. Qian, have some dignity!"

Qian Duanli sat on the ground, kicking his legs incessantly: "Lu Liulang! What's the use of dignity in this state?!"

Lu Jiuyuan leaned against the wooden stake, looked up and muttered to himself, "The saying goes that a gentleman will not remove his hat even if he dies. Even if he is eaten, he should still maintain the composure of a scholar-official."

Upon hearing this, Qian Duanli broke down completely, tears welling up in her eyes.

Doesn't this mean that we'll die no matter what, the only difference is that we'll die in a more dignified way?

Lu Jiuyuan, on the other hand, took it all in stride.

These savages don't even speak the same language, let alone know what a Privy Councilor is.

It would be better to save our energy and wait for someone who can speak Chinese to come and ask questions before trying to win them over; or wait until the Lin family comes to our rescue before cooperating.

As for the fact that none of the wild men can speak Chinese, or that the Lin family's rescuers do not arrive... then we can only leave it to fate.

In fact, after the two powerless scholars were captured and taken to the mountain stronghold, they had no choice but to leave their fate to chance.

Just as the last rays of the setting sun were sinking into the mountains, several savages wearing wooden armor emerged from the largest wooden house. The leader looked the two scholars up and down, nodded in satisfaction, and then mumbled a few instructions.

Lu Jiuyuan cleared his throat: "I am a direct descendant of the Lu family of Jiangxi. If you can let me go back, you will surely reward me handsomely!"

The savage leader said a few more words, seemingly in response. His words contained some Chinese syllables, but because he was not proficient in Chinese, they were mixed into a strange dialect.

After exchanging a few words with Lu Jiuyuan using gestures and other methods, neither of them could understand what the other was saying.

The savage leader seemed to finally lose patience. He pointed to a large thatched hut, said a few words to the other savages, and then many of them began to howl loudly.

"It's all over, it's all over, now I'm really going to be stewed and eaten, not even bones will be left... I'll never see my ancestors again..." Qian Duanli muttered with tears streaming down his face, full of regret: "Why didn't I stay in Lin'an to atone for my crime, instead of going to sea!"

Lu Jiuyuan was utterly speechless upon hearing this.

He's the one who's been wronged the most, okay?!

A moment later, the two scholars were dragged into the thatched hut by the savages, pushed to the floor, and nearly suffocated by the stench of livestock dung.

The gate was then closed.

Lu Jiuyuan quickly looked up and around, but he didn't see the big pot or the chopping board. There were only a few dirty straw mats, which made him feel a little more at ease.

However, the door opened again the next moment, and two girls, about thirteen or fourteen years old, with dark skin but pretty faces, walked in shyly.

Lu Jiuyuan was slightly taken aback. He saw the two girls walk up to the two scholars, take off their thin clothes, and simultaneously reach out their small hands to touch their belts.

This time, even the usually composed and indifferent Lu Daru lost his composure and screamed loudly like a wildcat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Stop! Stop!"

"Stop!" As if in response to Lu Jiuyuan, shouts came from outside the gate, followed by a cacophony of local dialect.

The two girls reluctantly withdrew their arms, put on their clothes, and opened the door, turning back every few steps.

Lu Jiuyuan strained to look up and saw through the gate a young man wearing a turban standing among the savages with a fierce expression. He couldn't help but breathe a long sigh of relief.

Although the person outside spoke with a northern accent, we are all strangers in a foreign land. It is good enough to have a fellow Han Chinese to help us. Why do we need a car?

(End of this chapter)