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Chapter 148: Joining the Mountain Camp
Chapter 148: Joining the Mountain Camp
September 25, 2017
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In the harsh winter, Qiangyin County was blanketed in snow.
It had been snowing heavily for several days, and the snow outside had piled up to knee-level.
In this terrible weather, even the patrols that scoured the inside and outside of the Mountain Camp had returned, not to mention the guards stationed at the outer walls.
"With the snow continuing like this, I doubt we can start work on the wall anytime soon. It'll be tough to finish it before winter."
Zhang Wen sat in a heated office hut on the outskirts of the Mountain Camp. A stove burned inside, and despite wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, Zhang Wen still felt cold, even leaning against the stove.
During these moments, Zhang Wen couldn't help but envy the martial generals, or rather, the bandit leaders within the camp. While he couldn't bear the cold indoors, they could train with fervor in the training grounds despite the freezing temperatures.
After studying under Wang Jun for a while, Zhang Wen finally gained recognition and started to assist Wang Jun in managing some affairs, particularly those related to the Mountain Camp's citizen registry. From registering refugees entering the camp to assigning tasks to the citizens, everything fell under Zhang Wen's responsibility.
However, with the arrival of winter, the number of refugees entering the camp had significantly decreased. Most of the people coming in were those ransomed back from the Xianbei Tribe every few days by Li Xiong. In reality, Zhang Wen's current focus was on compiling the internal citizen registry, which required him to record information about every citizen in the camp, including their names, ages, skills, and family members.
Of course, Lu Hai Kong and Wang Jun had provided Zhang Wen with a framework for this task, so he didn't need to worry about the specifics. His job was simply to record and categorize the information.
Even so, it was a tedious and laborious task. Zhang Wen had been working on it for several days, and his hands, constantly exposed to the cold winter air, were covered in chilblains, despite being near the stove in the heated room.
After warming his stiff hands by the stove for a while, Zhang Wen prepared to continue working when the door of the heated room was pushed open, letting in a gust of cold wind. Despite being bundled up, Zhang Wen couldn't help but tighten his clothes against the chill.
Wang Chao entered with a boy who looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. After glancing at Zhang Wen, who was visibly shivering, Wang Chao closed the door and pushed the boy forward. "Zhang Wen, please help this kid sign up. He wants to join the Mountain Camp."
Since the construction of the outer wall was still incomplete, even in the winter, when snow and ice sealed the entrance, several patrol units took turns guarding the perimeter.
"Are you on duty today?"
After the establishment of the Mountain Camp, Zhang Wen had gradually become acquainted with Wang Chao and Ma Han. They would occasionally chat during their breaks.
"Yeah, I just switched shifts with Ma Han, so I brought him over. I'll leave him with you, and since it's still early, I'll head to the training grounds for some practice."
After speaking, Wang Chao pushed the door open and left, being careful not to let the cold wind blow on Zhang Wen, who seemed frail and susceptible to the elements.
"Give him a bowl of hot soup to warm him up," Zhang Wen instructed the bandit guard beside him after Wang Chao left.
The bandit quickly served a bowl of hot soup from the stove to the boy, who gratefully accepted it. After a cautious sip, he saw that Zhang Wen wasn't looking and, unable to resist his hunger any longer, gulped down the entire bowl.
It was evident that the boy had not eaten in a long time, and he gulped down the hot soup a little too eagerly, almost choking on it. He clamped his mouth shut, forcing himself not to cough up the scalding liquid, but his face turned bright red, and he couldn't stop coughing after swallowing it.
The boy was dressed in tattered and thin clothing, and his straw shoes were in tatters, with one foot bare. His entire body was covered in purple and blue bruises from the cold, but he still managed to look alert, especially after entering the warm room. The heat from the stove seemed to lull his exhausted body into a near-sleep state.
"Before you join our mountain camp, there's something I must tell you," Zhang Wen said, waiting for the boy's coughing to subside a little before speaking.
The boy straightened up immediately, his face tense and serious as he listened to Zhang Wen.
"First, this mountain camp was established by bandits. By joining, you will become one of them. Can you accept that?"
"Yes!" The boy nodded. Being a bandit or a horse thief didn't matter as long as he could survive.
"Good. What's your name?" Zhang Wen picked up a pen.
"Zhao Er," the boy mumbled, his face turning red as he forced himself to swallow the last word. He didn't want to use his old name anymore, feeling the need for a fresh start.
"How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Where are you from?"
"Peach Blossom Village."
"Are there any other family members?" Zhang Wen asked, his voice filled with empathy.
At this question, Zhao Er paused, his eyes reddening. "No, they were killed by the Zhao family."
Zhang Wen couldn't deny the tragedy of the boy's situation. Since taking up his position, he had encountered countless people with heartbreaking stories. He had become somewhat numb to it all. "What are you good at?" he continued, his voice steady.
Zhao Er was taken aback by the question, unsure how to respond.
Zhang Wen raised his head and clarified, "I mean, what skills do you have for making a living? Can you do things like carpentry or blacksmithing?"
Zhao Er shook his head, then suddenly snapped out of his daze. "I'm very strong, and I can work hard. Please don't turn me away."
"Don't worry, we won't send you away," Zhang Wen reassured him, handing him a wooden plaque the size of a palm. On it was written the number 11,721.
"Take this identity plaque, and you will officially become a member of Yanhuang Mountain Camp. I want to make it clear that once you become a part of Yanhuang, you are a member for life. Your fate will be tied to the camp, and your loyalty should be unwavering. If you ever betray Yanhuang, you will find no safe haven, neither in the depths of the earth nor in the heavens. Yanhuang will ensure your death, leaving you without a place to rest."
Zhang Wen spoke with utmost seriousness, and despite his frail appearance, there was an unusual aura of ferocity about him, causing Zhao Er to shiver.
Zhao Er quickly stepped forward and took the identity plaque.
"Alright, take him to receive the supplies for joining the camp, and then show him to the residential area in the East District. Assign him a bed," Zhang Wen ordered. A horse thief led Zhao Er out of the warm house.
After they left, Zhang Wen rubbed his hands together and resumed his work.
(End of Chapter)
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