The leader was a young man with a muscular build. He asked loudly, Are you Shopkeeper He?
He Li found the voice somewhat familiar. He quickly pulled back the curtain, poked his head out, and looked over. Hiss, you, you are?
Li Mai smiled and said, I am Li Mai. We traveled together for a while back then.
He had recognized the leading escort captain from afar, as they had shared a considerable stretch of the journey together in the past.
He Li also remembered who Li Mai was, feeling astonished inwardly.
How could this Li Mai still have the timid and cowardly demeanor of a peasant boy? His physique had grown much taller and sturdier, which was why He Li failed to recognize him at first glance.
He did not let his surprise show on his face and hurriedly smiled to greet him. So it is Brother Li. Where are you heading?
Li Mai told the truth. Gefeng is currently under siege. Our Lord sent us out to scout the situation.
He Li was startled. Gefeng is under siege?
Soon, he noticed something amiss. Wait, if it is besieged, how did you manage to get out?
Li Mai gave a mysterious smile. Our Lord naturally has her ways. And what about you all?
Jiang Jin had specifically asked him to patrol this area, partly with the intention of waiting for He Li. After all, they had traveled together for a long time and knew each other.
However, with Gefeng currently under siege, if the other party turned around and left upon hearing the situation, there would be no need to bring him back to Gefeng.
This was Jiang Jin's intention. Merchants valued profit, but there had to be a limit. If he was a completely spineless fence-sitter, they were better off without him.
Of course, Jiang Jin also understood his potential actions, as it was a matter of life and death. Therefore, she chose to tell the truth, giving him the chance to choose.
The current Gefeng was fraught with danger, and the slightest misstep would lead to eternal damnation. She also bore the lives of the city's civilians and the Jinyang Army on her shoulders, so she had to be cautious in everything.
Moreover, her original intention was to cooperate with He Li, so courage and decision-making were crucial factors.
He Li was uncertain and alarmed, but seeing Li Mai's calm expression, his heart settled slightly.
Sun Jiang, however, felt his heart pounding. Young brother, you just said Gefeng is under siege. Is it surrounded by the Quzhao army?
Li Mai glanced at him and nodded. Correct.
Sun Jiang wanted to ask more, but He Li signaled him with a look to stay calm.
After a moment of pondering, he asked Li Mai, May I ask what the current situation in Gefeng is like?
Li Mai smiled. The city is safe and sound.
Did the Lady have any words for me? By now, He Li could somewhat tell that Li Mai was likely waiting here specifically for him.
Li Mai shook his head. The Lord only asked me to inform you of Gefeng's situation. The choice is yours.
He Li was about to speak when a man who looked like a servant came over to ask, Has something happened?
He Li shook his head at the servant. He turned to Li Mai and explained, On this trip, I have brought my father-in-law's family and my lifelong friend. Could you give me a little time to discuss this with them?
Li Mai nodded. Please, take your time.
Soon, He Li and Sun Jiang boarded the carriage of his father-in-law, Guan Bailing.
After hearing He Li's words, Guan Bailing pondered, You said Gefeng is under siege, yet they can still send people out to scout the situation?
He Li nodded. Yes.
After saying that, he froze for a moment, but quickly realized the implication. His eyes burned as he looked at Guan Bailing. Father-in-law, are you saying?
Guan Bailing looked calm. A small place like Gefeng has been able to hold out for over half a year right under the noses of the Quzhao people. This alone proves her capability. Furthermore, look, has Quzhao truly trapped her?
He could not help but sigh with emotion. Moving freely under the siege of the Quzhao people is no simple feat. Now I actually have more confidence in Gefeng. No matter what choice you make, I plan to go to Gefeng anyway.
He Li and Sun Jiang also figured out the crux of the matter. The heavy stones in their hearts fell, and they secretly thought that the older generation was indeed wiser.
It was not until He Li and Sun Jiang left the carriage that Guan Bailing's wife, Madam Zhang, revealed a worried expression. No matter how freely they can move, they are still under siege. Who knows if the Quzhao people might breach the city one day.
Guan Bailing comforted her. Where is there a completely safe place nowadays? It is nothing more than a gamble.
Do not worry too much. Since Gefeng can move in and out freely while being besieged by the Quzhao people, even if the day truly comes when the city falls, there must be a way for us ordinary folks to escape.
Gefeng City had several tunnel entrances on the outside. The one Li Mai led them through this time was still the tunnel entrance near the Cangcui Forest.
When He Li and the others entered the tunnel, they were all dumbfounded by the design before them.
It was too ingenious, and the idea was too bold. Most importantly, it was actually built!
How much manpower and resources must have been spent to achieve this?
After entering Gefeng, looking at the clean streets and the civilians walking about freely, how could one feel even a hint of a city under siege?
Seeing the long procession, the civilians could not help but discuss among themselves.
Are these wealthy merchants from somewhere? Is there grain in those carriages?
Speaking of which, we do not seem to have any wealthy merchants in Gefeng. I wonder who these people are?
They must be important figures. I see that the Jinyang Army is personally leading the way for them.
He Li and his group moved quickly. After entering the residential area, they heard the clear sound of reading aloud.
He Li could not help but ask, You even opened an academy?
Li Mai smiled with a face full of pride. Yes, we are all learning simplified characters now. Anyone can go and learn.
The first batch of students taught by Jiang Jin had now become teachers at the academy, or clerical staff in places like the county office and the military department.
Although they had not studied too deeply over the past few months, it was enough to handle daily work.
The academy now had two classes. One was for teaching children, which was more detailed and required tuition fees, though the fees were not high and were within the affordable range for the current civilians of Gefeng.
The other was for teaching adults, which was free.
This one only taught basic literacy and arithmetic. In Jiang Jin's words, it was an anti-illiteracy class. Anyone who wanted to learn could go.
The entire Jinyang Army had to undergo literacy training, taking a culture class on average once every two days.
Li Mai was very proud. He could now write his own name, recognized dozens of characters, and had memorized the multiplication table fluently.
He Li was full of amazement. What are simplified characters?
Li Mai smiled. I cannot explain it clearly either. They are characters created by our Lord. You can go and learn them later too.
Sun Jiang was stunned. Created her own characters?
Li Mai felt honored. Correct. Our Lord possesses great talent and bold vision, unmatched wisdom and bravery, and is invincible in this world.
After saying this, a smug look appeared on his face. He was no longer the illiterate he once was. He knew idioms now, and he thought he used them very well, heh heh.
Sun Jiang was speechless.
With the way these idioms were used, he actually had nothing to say.
However, if she truly could create her own written characters, then she indeed possessed world-shaking talent. He would have to find time to go learn and see for himself.
He Li could not help but laugh. The Lady is indeed a great talent. I must definitely visit the academy another day.
Saying that, he turned to Sun Jiang. Your family still has a little one, right? She can go to the academy for classes then.
Sun Jiang had two sons and one daughter. His eldest son was already married, and his youngest daughter was only eight years old.
