Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 394 - 230: Smooth Return to the Capital

Gu Chengyu was already leading Gu Wan and their carriage forward.

They had ten carriages, and as they moved, the back of the convoy was left empty. Chief Wu knew it was impossible to keep Gu Chengyu, and he could only watch them leave helplessly.

He then looked towards Mr. Han, unsure if he should decisively refuse to escort again. Just as he was in a dilemma, Ma Er pulled him aside.

"Brother! We’ve come this far, if we back out now, wouldn’t we be losing a few hundred taels for nothing? Our brothers are all injured, retreating the escort now is too much of a loss. We’re about to reach the Capital, maybe no one will rob us later on?"

Ma Er was very reluctant to let go of the few hundred taels about to fall into their hands. If they received the remaining amount, everyone could get dozens of taels each.

Chief Wu was somewhat hesitant due to his words, and he glanced at the dart masters behind him.

To his surprise, they were all eagerly looking on. Chief Wu sighed, understanding that everyone was unwilling to part with this silver, as the escort agency rarely encountered such a large commission.

Being a dart master meant tying one’s head to their belt, risking their lives at any moment.

This was all for their families, wives, and children. Otherwise, who would willingly do such dangerous work? Only those unmarried would think of taking silver to carouse and indulge.

But without Mr. Gu and his group, Boss Han might not look highly upon their agency. However, if they intended to breach the contract, they’d have to pay the escort silver.

Mr. Han turned back to see Chief Wu remain silent, and those dart masters, despite their injuries, had already mounted their horses. Their wounds were simply bandaged, with some still bleeding.

Mr. Han coldly scoffed, realizing these people were reluctant to part with the silver. They spoke high and mighty words earlier but became wise once Mr. Gu left.

Since the escort silver was still due, Mr. Han didn’t mention withdrawing the escort. They had signed a contract, filed with the government, leaving no room for denial.

By the time the escort agency set off, Gu Chengyu and the others had already been on their way for quite some time.

"Sir! Those people were hoping we’d act as their enforcers! Such schemers," Ming Yan remarked as he looked at Gu Chengyu, lost in thought.

"Didn’t Mr. Han still want to offer silver? He also tried tempting the young master with backing!" Ming Mo peeked out of the carriage window, noting that the escort agency’s convoy was already following.

Gu Chengyu smiled helplessly and said, "Actually, even if I refused, they would definitely follow us."

"Ah? Can they really be so shameless? Then why didn’t you agree to their request, sir?"

Ming Yan thought that if that were the case, they could earn some hard silver, otherwise wouldn’t they lose out?

"Let them be! Following the escort agency indeed offers some convenience, but traveling alone grants us more freedom, sparing us from following the agency’s arrangements. Besides, am I someone who lacks silver? As for the backing they speak of, I’m not interested. It might even be a vicious god for all I know!"

Gu Chengyu didn’t mind them following, but if a robbery occurred, even if he didn’t want to act, he’d likely have no choice.

Over the next three or four days, everything was calm, and the convoy reached beneath the Capital’s city gates. Gu Chengyu noticed that the escort agency’s convoy had veered off on another path, apparently delivering to a separate residence or estate.

Gu Chengyu pondered for a while, thinking perhaps the previous group had suffered losses, leaving no one to report back, making them uncertain and thus not sending more people. However, perhaps they were unwilling to send more due to so many lost hands.

Whatever the reason, he didn’t wish to get involved in this messy affair again.

The carriages queued at the city gates, and the Capital’s gates were much more stringent than those of the Prefecture, inspecting the carriages thoroughly.

Gu Chengyu clutched a letter from his senior brother Yin Kun, knowing the carriages behind carried many items. The soldiers were rough, and he feared they might damage Gu Wan’s dowry and luggage.

After about half an hour, it was finally Gu Chengyu’s turn. At this point, it was already early Si hour.

Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain and handed the letter over. The gatekeeper looked at Gu Chengyu and then inquired about the contents of the carriage behind.

Ming Mo stepped forward in time to explain, "Lord, the ladies of our family are in the carriage behind, and the last carriage contains the usual items for the young master and lady."

While Ming Mo spoke, he discreetly handed silver to the soldier under the cover of his sleeve.

The soldier glanced at a fellow soldier nearby, feeling the weight of the silver, and quickly smiled, "It’s just routine inspection. Since it’s the ladies, we won’t check further. Please go ahead!"

Gu Chengyu noticed the soldier’s warm demeanor and knew Ming Mo had given a substantial amount of silver. Even with Yin Kun’s letter, since he was not an official, some tokens were inevitable.

In a city as vast as the Capital, there were many low-grade officials and even more of their family members. These gate soldiers were long accustomed to it. They wouldn’t refuse silver; they simply weren’t blatant about it!

The soldier hid the silver within his sleeve, signaling to the other soldiers to let them pass. Upon receiving silver, they naturally shared a small portion with the soldiers, albeit less generously.

The gatekeeper was quite pleased with the silver, judging by its weight it was at least five taels, a rare and significant income.

Guarding the city gate wasn’t a duty for just anyone. It was indeed a lucrative post.

He had guarded the gate for so long, recognizing many high officials and their families, who wouldn’t even spare a glance his way.

Once inside the gates, Gu Chengyu and his party headed straight for the south.

Gu Wan sat inside the carriage, peeking out through a small window.

"Brother Sun! This Capital is truly bustling! I’ve never seen such a vibrant place, even the pearl flowers on the stalls are prettier than those in our county," Gu Wan exclaimed.

Gu Wan’s furthest trip before this was to the Prefecture, which she had only visited by boat this time. Having boarded the boat hurriedly, she didn’t have a chance to explore the Prefecture.

Sun’s mother, also unaccustomed to such grandeur, peered through a gap in the curtain, marveling at the crowded streets, with the hawkers and peddlers’ cries ringing in her ears.

"Mother, Wan’er! Stop looking, we’ll be living in the Capital from now on. You can come out anytime to explore!" Sun Xian said, smiling at them.

"I wonder where we’ll settle down. Didn’t Xiao Bao’s senior brother find him a house nearby? Shouldn’t we head to his house first?"

Gu Wan put down the curtain, eager to stroll the streets.

"We agreed to go home first since we have so many belongings. Once we’ve settled, we’ll visit his house tomorrow to find our way around," Sun Xian said.

Sun Xian knew Gu Chengyu had silver, and he had heard the house had three courtyards! Even he was slightly envious.