Chapter 2: Leaving the Frontier (II)

As they approached Chi Ling (Note 1), the caravan finally set up camp.
Although crossing this branch of the Qinling Mountains would allow them to enter the territory of Longyou Road, no one wanted to risk falling into the valley by attempting to climb this treacherous peak overnight.
The night wind was bitterly cold, cutting across their cheeks like a dull knife, causing severe pain.
Guan Yuyuan was extremely busy. As the leader of the Jiyuan Caravan, he had to oversee everything personally—ranging from choosing the location for the camp to arranging the goods. It was especially important not to set up camp in a mountain valley at night. Although the caravan had rules regarding who would take turns keeping watch, being surrounded by mountains meant that in the event of a fire, there would be no time to react. A fire could quickly burn everything, including the people and goods, leaving them with nothing.
Therefore, the caravan always chose flat areas sheltered from the wind to camp in. Although this meant poorer insulation, it prevented major fires, which was the best option for the caravan. When setting up camp, they usually piled the goods and boxes on the outside and tied the horses and livestock to them, forming a protective circle. This not only defended against wild animals but also prevented the caravan members from being blown away by strong winds.
After discussing it with Li Kuo, Guan Yuyuan decided to camp on a gentle slope by the river. Although the young man was a regimental officer, he respected Guan Yuyuan’s opinions. After asking a few questions, he agreed readily. Guan Yuyuan then ordered a few workers from the Jiyuan Company to carefully unload their “goods” and place them inside the cargo area. He sighed in relief. This was the first time the caravan had camped in the wild since leaving Chang’an, so every detail had to be handled carefully.
“Brother Guan, everyone has unloaded the goods,” Pu Dachui called out to Guan Yuyuan with a smile on his face.
Guan Yuyuan greatly admired Pu Dachui. Despite his large size, he never used his strength to bully others. This was almost unbelievable to merchants who had suffered at the hands of military brutes. Under his leadership, the soldiers of the Zhuque Regiment helped unload the boxes, completing the task half an hour earlier than expected.
“Brother Dachui, come and rest here,” Guan Yuyuan said, pointing to a mound beside him and inviting Pu Dachui to sit down. Pu Dachui, being straightforward, agreed and rushed over immediately.
“Brother Guan, once we seal off the southern entrance, the cargo area will be ready. I’ll also assign soldiers to take turns on duty so you can all sleep soundly.”
Pulling out a leather wine bag, Pu Dachui took a swig and wiped his lips.

“Then, thank you, Brother Big Hammer.”
Guan Yuyuan nodded slightly. With soldiers keeping watch at night, the safety of the camp, in his view, increased even further.
“Why thank me? You are guests to be protected by the colonel. There’s no reason to have guests stay up all night watching over things.”
Pu Big Hammer laughed heartily and gave Guan Yuyuan a light punch.
Guan Yuyuan reached his hand toward the lit campfire and gazed thoughtfully at the distant mountain pass.
“Once we cross that ridge, we’ll be in the territory of Longyou Road. But this area around Chiling is a lawless zone, with bandits appearing quite frequently. We need to be extra careful!”
“Hahaha. Since ancient times, commoners don’t rob officials. The few hundred of us here are all armed with real weapons. Which foolish bandit would dare to confront us?”
Pu Big Hammer paid no attention to the bandits mentioned by Guan. In his eyes, those outlaws were just taking advantage of certain terrains to engage in petty crimes. Facing regular troops like theirs, they would flee in terror without even having to fight.
“Still, let’s stay vigilant.”
Guan Yuyuan frowned, seemingly uneasy.
“Guan, the fire’s ready. Old Zhu has already put the noodles in the pot. Would you like a bowl?”
A gaunt old man with loose hair and a black cloth over one eye stepped forward and interjected.
“Old Zhu, I haven’t had your noodles in a while. This time I’ve got the chance—I’m going to eat two big bowls!”
Guan Yuyuan seemed very familiar with the old man and agreed readily.
“I’ve got plenty of noodles, but I’m worried the soup might be too hot for you to eat!”
Old Zhu joked, his beard trembling.
“Who said there’d be noodles to eat?”
Li Kuo walked over with steady steps, escorted by Dou Qing and Xianyu Yucheng.
“Colonel!”
Pu Big Hammer quickly stood up, bowed to Li Kuo, and saluted militarily.
“Everyone, sit down!”
Li Kuo clearly was in a good mood and waved for everyone to sit casually. “This isn’t a military camp—no need to be formal! I heard you talking about noodles earlier and followed the smell. We’ve been on the road these past few days, eating only flatbreads to stave off hunger, without even getting a hot meal. Now I’m going to feast like crazy!”
“What are you saying? We’re all grateful that you’re guarding the caravan. No one will go without their share!”
Old Zhu seemed to like Li Kuo very much and promised right away.
“Just noodles isn’t enough. I just told Yan Ji and Wu Zui to go into the forest and hunt some game. Old Zhu, have them skin and roast it so everyone can enjoy it as a treat.”
Seeing the campfire ahead, Li Kuo nodded and smiled.

“That’s great! The old guys haven’t had any meat in days.”
Lao Zhu rubbed his wrinkled hands repeatedly, agreeing emphatically.
“Pheasants are here—top-quality pheasants, fresh ones at that!”
As soon as he said it, it happened. Zhang Yanji shouted loudly, his voice audible from miles away.
“Oh, it seems we had a good harvest today.”
Seeing the soldiers behind Zhang Yanji carrying plenty of game, Li Kuo joked with a smile.
Zhang Yanji said proudly, “Of course! Who do you think went on the hunt? I only brought ten men, yet we caught over twenty pheasants and two roe deer. The roe deer in these mountains are so stupid—they just run straight ahead. With one arrow, I nailed one to the ground, piercing it through!”
Zhang Xiaolangjun fiddled with a roe deer in his servant’s hands, showing off his catch everywhere.
“Impressive! I’ll give you credit for this one.”
Li Kuo gave him a thumbs up before turning to the dejected Zhou Wucui.
“Wucui, how did your hunt go?”
“Uh… I originally caught a sika deer, but after getting hit by an arrow, it went crazy and ran away. I… I couldn’t catch up!”
Zhou Wucui’s face turned red up to his neck as he mumbled softly.
“Tch, if you didn’t catch anything, just admit it. And stop making so many excuses. If you weren’t so ambitious, maybe Zhou the Genius would be back with a full load too.”
Zhang Yanji, chewing on a stick of wild grass, teased him proudly.
“You!”
Zhou Wucui gritted his teeth but endured it.
“Alright, whoever catches it gets to eat it. Lao Zhu, please have someone skin and roast all this game.”
Li Kuo signaled Lao Zhu with a glance, telling him to hurry and move the gunpowder barrels away.
“Hey!”
Unconcerned about whose game it was, Lao Zhu cheerfully called a few workers to take the game from the soldiers and carry it to an open area to skin.
“With the sky as a blanket and the earth as a mat, it’s quite a pleasure after all.”
Li Kuo gazed at the bright moon in the sky and thought such things.
Note 1: Chi Ling: A branch of the Qinling Mountains.
Note 2: Roe deer, also known as dwarf deer or wild sheep, are herbivores. They are grass-yellow in color with white fur at the base of their tails. Male roe deer have antlers while females do not. People often call them “stupid roe deer,” but they’re not really stupid; it’s probably because of their curious nature.