Chapter 289: Chapter 289: A Chance Encounter on the Road and Having Lunch Together
This caravan consists of three carts, with the leading one carrying passengers while the other two are piled with dozens of boxes of various sizes.
In the first cart sits a middle-aged couple and a beautiful girl, who are currently getting out of the cart with the help of their servants.
Apart from the drivers of the three carriages and two servants, one male and one female, the caravan also has four guards with swords at their waists, but they have not developed Martial Dao Blood Qi and are not considered Martial Cultivators.
Lu Zheng saw them, and of course, they saw Lu Zheng as well.
The four guards placed their hands on their sword hilts.
In this desolate wilderness, a scholar without luggage and traveling alone is either an abnormal thing or an abnormal person.
Lu Zheng raised his eyebrows, glanced at them, and then disregarded them, preparing to pass them and continue his journey.
"Young master, it’s not easy to travel alone. Meeting is fate, and it’s nearly noon now. We have enough food here; why not join us for lunch before you continue on your way?"
Just as Lu Zheng was about to pass the caravan, the middle-aged man who had just alighted suddenly spoke, "The mountain paths are difficult to tread; there’s still over ten miles to the next country inn. It’s better to travel on a full stomach."
"Master!" one of the guards whispered a reminder, "This person doesn’t seem simple."
The middle-aged man nodded with a smile but waved his hand, "Don’t worry, I understand."
The guards couldn’t observe, and while the middle-aged man was kind-hearted, he was no fool. He spoke only when Lu Zheng, having glanced at them and ignoring them, was about to pass the caravan.
This indicated that Lu Zheng had no covetous intentions towards them and was even cautious not to misunderstand him, to the point of not looking at them again.
Since he wasn’t a bad person and seemed to consider others’ feelings, the middle-aged man naturally wanted to reciprocate the favor and invited Lu Zheng for a meal.
Lu Zheng paused, turned back, and looked at them.
The middle-aged man had a kind face with a hint of authority. His wife was graceful and gentle, while the young girl looked at Lu Zheng with clear, bright eyes, exhibiting both beauty and poise.
Handsome and elegant, with eyes like bright stars, the young scholar indeed exuded an impressive demeanor.
Lu Zheng smiled slightly, shaking his head, "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but it’s not necessary. I’m a fast walker, and it’s still early. It’s not too late to rest at the inn."
The middle-aged man shook his head, "Young master, there’s no need to be polite or worry about inconveniencing us. When traveling, it’s only right to help each other out."
The middle-aged man gestured with his hand, inviting Lu Zheng to join them.
"The wind is strong in the woods. Our guards happened to find an abandoned temple where we can make a fire to cook and rest."
Lu Zheng chuckled to himself, thinking the middle-aged man had a warm heart.
"Very well, I thank you then, sir," Lu Zheng nodded in agreement.
...
The drivers and servants brought out cooking utensils and food from the rear carts, while the four guards tied the horses to trees by the roadside. Then, they accompanied the middle-aged man, his family, and Lu Zheng into an abandoned temple not far from the road.
It was clear that this temple was a small, rural shrine. Within the half-collapsed enclosing wall, only the front hall remained intact. A few remnants of dwellings stood in the rear, overgrown with weeds, indicating years of abandonment.
In the front hall, the deity statue on the altar had lost half its body, making it impossible to discern which deity it represented.
However, a mural on the wall inside the hall was relatively intact.
The guards cleaned a corner of the front hall and brought over some chairs from the back courtyard and beams from the collapsed rear for seats, inviting the middle-aged couple to sit down.
However, only the middle-aged man invited Lu Zheng to sit with him; his wife and daughter joined the servants in preparing the food.
"Traveling, we can’t be too particular," the middle-aged man smiled, "May I ask how to address the young master?"
Lu Zheng glanced at the prepared meal, which included both vegetables and meat, and then responded to the man’s query with a bow, "I am Lu Zheng, from Tonglin County, Yizhou Prefecture."
"Yizhou?" the middle-aged man was taken aback, "Yizhou Prefecture of Lingbei Dao? You’re not from Yinan Dao?"
"No," Lu Zheng shook his head.
"But I see you are heading east," the middle-aged man continued.
Lu Zheng replied, "Indeed, I’m going to Hui State on some business."
"There’s over a thousand miles between Yizhou and Hui State, and you’ve come all this way alone?" The middle-aged man looked Lu Zheng up and down, then realized, bowing, "I am Du Yuru."
"Mr. Du!" Lu Zheng bowed, smiling, "It’s not urgent business, enjoying the mountains and waters along the way, I find it quite enjoyable."
Is this merely enjoying mountains and waters?
Du Yuru’s gaze flickered, realizing that this young scholar before him might truly be an abnormal person.
"Does the young master hold any official ranks?"
Lu Zheng shook his head, "No."
"Master, the meal is ready, let’s eat together," Madam Du came forward to say.
"Oh, right, Lu Young Master, please!"
Lu Zheng said, "Thank you, Mr. Du, then I will gladly accept."
The meal was simple; Du Yuru’s party had brought vegetables and dried meat and now cooked a pot of soup, accompanied by flatbread and steamed buns, making a lunch.
"Does Young Master Lu drink wine?" The lead guard asked, holding a water pouch.
"No need, thank you," Lu Zheng shook his head in refusal.
"I heard Young Master Lu mention being from Tonglin County, Yizhou?" Madam Du asked.
"Exactly."
Madam Du continued, "May I ask if Young Master Lu has been to Yizhou Prefecture? How are the local customs? To be honest, we are moving to settle in Yizhou Prefecture this time."
"You are moving to Yizhou Prefecture?" Lu Zheng blinked, no wonder Du Yuru was momentarily surprised to hear he was from Yizhou. Thus, he replied, "It’s quite good. Yizhou is said to be the most prosperous in Lingbei Dao, with simple folk customs and lively markets, suitable for both living and doing business."
"Is there nothing unpleasant?" Du Yuru interjected.
"I’ve only been there two or three times myself, so I’m not particularly familiar," Lu Zheng shrugged, "On the surface, at least, it seems quite good."
"And what about the counties under its rule?" Du Yuru continued to ask.
"I’ve only been to Pingtan County. It’s quite remote and underdeveloped. Tonglin County is situated between Yizhou and neighboring Yaozhou, so it’s quite good," Lu Zheng added, "However, I’ve only lived in the county town, so I’m unaware of the conditions in villages and towns."
Du Yuru nodded and smiled, "I see, many thanks to you, young master."
Lu Zheng responded, "Mr. Du, you’re too kind. I’m merely providing a superficial view, which anyone can see."
Madam Du and her daughter smiled, thinking this Young Master Lu was indeed sincere.
...
Lu Zheng and Du Yuru chatted casually, while Madam Du and her daughter, having smaller appetites, finished their meal early and handed their bowls and chopsticks to the servants. Then, hand in hand, they strolled around, soon reaching the mural on the sidewall of the front hall.