Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 385 - 221: Escort Agency

"We only saw a few boxes in the courtyard. Later, we asked, and the escort agency said they contained many items, not anything precious. They were merchant goods, to be guarded by them. As for the specifics, the escort agency said they signed a confidentiality agreement, so it’s not appropriate to tell us."

Ming Mo mentioned the situations at the other two escort agencies. Those two agencies were smaller, and one had already sent its escorts out for missions and hadn’t returned yet. They visited the other, which had fewer people, and after some thought, decided on the larger agency.

"Since we’ve already chosen, we’ll just have to be cautious."

Then everyone slept, and the night passed without incident.

The next morning at 3 a.m., a person from the escort agency came to say that they needed to set off in half an hour.

Gu Chengyu and others hurriedly loaded their belongings onto the cart, and within half an hour, they were waiting at the crossroads.

The escort agency people had arrived. Chief Wu greeted Gu Chengyu hurriedly, "We sure started early, to reach the Capital as soon as possible, everyone will have to endure for a few days. If there’s any inconvenience, please forgive us!"

Gu Chengyu quickly bowed, "When traveling outside, we don’t stand on ceremony, Chief Wu. There’s no need to be formal. Just not sure if my followers mentioned this: I have several female members in my party, and we must find a lodging place before dark. Please understand and aid us with this."

"Your followers have informed us earlier, since we agreed to the escort, naturally, we’ll ensure your female family’s safety."

Gu Chengyu nodded; since both parties had no disagreement, they could naturally set off.

He glanced at the carriages behind and saw the escort agency’s carriages, six or seven of them, all with large boxes. Those boxes had escort agency seals and appeared heavy; the wheels sunk into the ground, leaving messy tracks.

The escort agency people were all on horseback, eight in number, with knives at their waists, riding mighty steeds and surrounding the escort carts, looking quite formidable. These folks seemed not like mere flower pillows, carrying an air of iron and blood.

Gu Chengyu didn’t see the owners of those goods, perhaps they were in the carriages behind. He took a final look at the boxes on the carriages before boarding his own.

With Chief Wu’s command, the convoy set off.

From the moment Gu Chengyu boarded the carriage, he closed his eyes in contemplation: what could be inside those heavy boxes? The corners were reinforced with iron. Gu Chengyu suspected that the heavy carriages and the deep tracks might be carrying iron goods, or perhaps...

Silver!

Gu Chengyu felt that silver was more likely. If all these boxes contained silver, how much could that be? Unimaginable. But why would they transport so much silver without exchanging it for silver notes at a money shop?

Could it be this silver cannot see the light of day? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Gu Chengyu furrowed his brows slightly. Could their journey to the Capital be uneventful? He was unsure. However, since they had already employed services, backing out now was too late.

In reality, Gu Chengyu was confident in his martial skills; he was less afraid of bandit attacks but was more concerned about being drawn into unforeseen troubles.

"I’m unsure whether this journey will be peaceful. Those boxes feel like a latent hazard," Gu Chengyu whispered, holding a tea bowl, to Ming Mo and the others.

Ming Mo and Ming Yan exchanged a surprised glance, "Master! What’s in those boxes?"

Gu Chengyu listened to the sound of wheels and hooves around for a moment before saying, "Perhaps iron goods, maybe silver; can’t say for sure, I’m just guessing."

Ming Mo and the others then felt uneasy, their expressions darkening somewhat.

"Maybe we should..." Ming Mo looked at Gu Chengyu hesitantly, words slipped from his mouth.

As soon as Ming Mo began speaking, Gu Chengyu knew what he intended to say. He waved his hand, "The situation is unclear, maybe we’re overthinking it, don’t let fears sway us."

Ming Yan nodded in agreement, "With our martial skills, even if trouble comes, there’s nothing to fear. Besides, the escort agency folks should be competent; separating from them would bring more troubles."

In fact, he meant that traveling alone meant only the three of them knew martial arts. The young master would be worn out keeping watch at night, now with the escort agency, they’d have more people, sparing the young master from fatigue.

They traveled this way for a day, and nothing special occurred. However, winter’s chill was severe; even with a charcoal basin inside the carriage, and thick curtains, cold wind still seeped through gaps.

Gu Wan’s family shared one carriage, the three wrapped in blankets, with a charcoal basin lit inside, feeling somewhat warmer.

"This carriage isn’t as good as my brother’s custom one; he sure knows how to enjoy it, even installed a door on his carriage!"

It was only the first day, and Gu Wan, being inexperienced in long journeys, found it still novel.

"Mother! It’s noon, will there be a stop for some hot food?"

"I’ve never traveled either; with our fast pace, we’re unlikely to stop. Let’s warm some porridge on this small stove. If we don’t stop, your Fifth Master might not even get a bite."

Gu Chengyu always took care of their family, and Sun’s mother was grateful for his kindness. Considering their carriage had only three half-grown boys, fearing they wouldn’t get a warm meal.

"Don’t worry, mother! He’s often out and gonna miss a hot meal? I often say, his followers should learn cooking skills, or Xiao Bao often goes without good food."

Gu Wan often criticized the lacking culinary skills of Ming Mo and the others. She told Gu Chengyu many times, if they couldn’t learn, he should bring a maid along for daily care. Gu Chengyu refused, saying bringing a maid was inconvenient.

Mr. Gu and others also firmly opposed it, fearing a maid staying long with the young master might lead to unintended affections. Gu Chengyu was still young, hadn’t passed the advanced scholar exam, or become an official; if distracted by a maid’s charms, what then?

Moreover, even if Gu Chengyu was too young and unaware, prolonged proximity might lead the maid to unwanted thoughts.

"Hey~" Chief Wu saw the road ahead extending far and glanced to the right at a small tea house, sighing after riding half a day; everyone was tired, and surely, the horses were hungry too.

"Brother! Are we stopping for a break?" A man with a horse-like face approached Chief Wu.

"Yes! We started early today; everyone must be hungry. There’s a tea house ahead, let’s take a break and have some lunch. Ma Er, call the brothers down to rest and inform Mr. Gu and his group."

Gu Chengyu’s group halted, Ming Mo asked the coachman, "Uncle! Are we stopping for lunch?"

"Mr. Gu! Our leader suggests we stop at the tea house ahead, take a break, and have a midday meal," Ma Er shouted towards Gu Chengyu’s carriage.

Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain, thanking Ma Er, "Thanks for the effort, elder brother, we’ll be right there."

Ma Er gave a respectful nod to Gu Chengyu and then led his horse towards the tea house.

As he went, he thought to himself, Mr. Gu definitely seemed like a scholar; probably heading to the Capital for studies with his family.