Chapter 25, Sudden Accident

  The two matches that afternoon went on as usual, except that Zu Chao didn't continue to participate because he was injured in the match with Han Dang and only supervised from the side. Including Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu, the wandering warriors today truly saw Zu Chao's strength for the first time, and they couldn't help but have even more faith in him.

  When the two teams started their second match, Han Dang came to Zu Chao's side, his expression solemn and serious, using a rare stern tone: "Young Master Zu, although I, Han, am an uncouth fellow, I also have some insight. During this period of time interacting with you, I must admire that you are a young man with great ambitions."

  Zu Zhaoben thought Han Dang would talk to him about the recent wrestling match, but he didn't expect the topic to change so quickly. He had a bit of understanding in his heart, composed himself and asked straightforwardly: "Why did Big Brother Han suddenly say this?"

  Han sank his voice and said, "The peaceful days of the great Han dynasty are probably not many. In the past few days, I have traveled to various counties and heard a lot about the Central Plains. Bandits have risen in all states, officials have imposed excessive taxes, and the people are suffering from all kinds of hardships. Moreover, there have been several years of severe drought, with corpses scattered everywhere. All these signs indicate that chaos is imminent."

  Zu Zhaowan thought to himself: It seems that Han Dang is indeed not the kind of illiterate and arrogant general, he can carefully observe current events, make long-term predictions, this is a wise man. He let out a deep sigh, following Han Dang's attitude, he put on a stern expression, but did not rush to say anything.

  Han glanced at Zu Zhao subconsciously and continued: "A chaotic era is approaching, heroes will emerge. Young Master Zu is a rare talent in this world, the four words 'young hero' are well-deserved."

  Zu Zhaoming's face was calm, and his tone was sincere as he said: "I thought Brother Han was just a simple and brave man, but after hearing what you just said, I suddenly realized that Brother Han is also a heroic figure with great ambitions."

  Han asked without surprise: "So to speak, is Zǔ Gōngzǐ also one's own view?"

  Zu Zhaowang gazed at the crowd in the distance who were engaged in a horse riding competition and said with profound meaning: "I'm afraid that after this year, there will be no need to organize winter preparations for bandits in various places. By then, my Great Han territory will have no place where rebels can roam freely. However, what worries me most is not these people, but rather the heroes who emerge in times of chaos, as Elder Brother Han also said that heroes may bring about chaotic times."

  Han's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he finally came to a realization. He sighed deeply, saying: "The imperial court is gradually becoming chaotic; if another great upheaval were to occur, I fear that those with wolf-like ambitions would not be in the minority."

  Zu Zhao nodded and said with a hint of meaning: "Although I am still young and inexperienced, my family has been in the military for three generations. My father and grandfather have taught me from a young age, and I have received the country's grace, so I must not slack off. Although my ancestors have never produced a marquis of ten thousand households, they have always had this ambition, and I am determined to fulfill it with my own actions, without disgracing my family. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and now that I am practicing martial arts and preparing for battle, this is the first step I am taking."

  Han smiled and praised: "With such grand ambitions, how can you not establish a great career that will last for thousands of years?"

  Zu Zhao suddenly turned around, solemnly and respectfully bowed to Han Dang, and said: "Han big brother is also a person who cares about the country, and has excellent skills. I dare to invite you, with sincerity, to discuss important matters together."

  Han's expression didn't change much, from the first time they met, he could tell that Zu Zhao was intentionally trying to win him over. Now, although he also had a good impression of this young man in front of him, there were some things that made it difficult for him. He let out a solemn sigh and looked towards Yuan Fang, saying with a mixture of emotions: "Zu Gongzi's kindness is overwhelming, Han Mou shouldn't decline, but as a person in the jianghu, one can't control their own fate. Han Mou and Zu Gongzi have too many differences, no matter what, there are things that can't be let go."

  Zu Zhao originally wanted to ask more, but he gave up after some thought. He had long been clear about Han Dang's character, being straightforward and open-minded. If he wanted to say something, he would not beat around the bush; if he didn't want to say it, he wouldn't mention it at all. Zu Zhao did not hide his regret, and finally did not persuade him further. He nodded slowly to show understanding and said: "I know that Brother Han is not a person without responsibility. Since this is the case, I won't advise you much more. However, if Brother Han really has free time in the future, be sure to let me know."

  Han smiled brightly and was delighted with Zu Chao's neatness.

  They practiced until late afternoon, and Zu Zhao gave the pheasant awarded by Han Dang to the winning side. He then accompanied the winners to a tavern in town for a drink before heading back to Beiguan Pavilion first. Among the winners were many young men from the Zu family, so he let them stay behind to finish their drinks and return together later. They were all in their prime youth, with little to worry about.

  A group of people walked and chatted, soon leaving Anyang Pavilion and arriving on the official road of Beiguan Pavilion.

  Everyone was still discussing the outcome of this afternoon's competition, and from time to time someone would occasionally bring up Handong and Zuozhao's match. However, just as they were approaching the North Guanting Station intersection, seven or eight horsemen suddenly rushed towards them, each holding a torch, with shouts and chaotic hoofbeats accompanying them as they galloped towards this direction.

  Zou walked at the front of the team, narrowing his eyes to take a closer look. He hadn't seen the face of the newcomer clearly yet, but he heard that among the seven or eight people opposite him, someone had already shouted out first.

  "Look, it's the young master who has returned."

  The voice calling out sounds familiar, seemingly from a young man of our ancestral village.

  Those seven or eight people suddenly slowed down their horses and stopped in front of Zu. Upon closer inspection, the leader turned out to be Zu Zhan.

  Zu Zhan and Zu Zhao were about the same age, but since childhood they had been busy with household chores in the Bangu family and were not very skilled in riding. Therefore, now on horseback is quite awkward, only after seeing Zu Zhao and others, there was a sense of relief.

  "Big brother, you've finally come back! We were just about to go to Xihua Bridge to look for you."

  "Azhuang, what's the hurry?" Zuozhao stopped the reins and asked seriously.

  "Hong Shu has just returned from Lingzhi County, something big happened." Zu Zhan hastily added an explanation.

  "What?" Zu Zhao's expression changed. He could tell from Zu Zhan's face that it was not good news, although his first thought was that Hong Shu had encountered bandits or robbers on the way back from Xu Wu, but then he thought again, Xu Wu and Lingzhi were only 60-70 miles apart, and the Han dynasty's border troops were stationed in the Lulong Pass between the two counties. The Zu family's merchant caravan had been traveling back and forth between the two counties for years without any major incidents. How could they have encountered robbers this time?

  "What, what's going on?" Gong Sunlong was still immersed in the depression of his defeat, but after hearing Zu Zhan's words, he suddenly changed to a look of urgency and righteousness, hastily asking.

  "While walking and talking." Zu Zhan said anxiously, and then turned his horse's head and walked back.

  Zu Zhao kicked his horse's belly and quickly followed Zu Zhan. Gong Sunlong and several of the family's younger generation who were not weak in status also hurried forward.

  The crowd followed the official road and returned all the way. The fragmented and disorderly horseshoes sounded with unbearable anxiety.

  "Hong Shu's team was ambushed by a group of horse thieves on their way back to Xu Wu, and they stole the twelve good horses we had just bought. Even Hong Shu's own horses were stolen, eight or nine of them." Zu Zhan said with a worried expression, and after finishing his words, he let out a long sigh, his face filled with a heavy and solemn look.

  Several young men from the Zu family who came out with Zu Zhan had similar gloomy expressions.

  "How many people were hurt?" Zu Zhao noticed something was off and asked solemnly.

  "This time, Hong Shu was among them, and a total of sixteen people went. Now... only nine people have returned, two of whom are seriously injured." Zu Zhan said with a very heavy tone, and by the end, he even choked back a sob.

  The crowd of young men who had just returned from the West River Bridge with Zu Zhao heard this and couldn't help but take a deep breath. Although Youbei Pingjun was a border county, there were often bandit incidents, but such serious casualties were rare. Especially since they had only gone to Lingzhi County to buy new horses, and nothing had happened in the past seven or eight years. Who would have thought that something so tragic would happen this time? Moreover, one of the young men's fathers had accompanied Hong Shu on this trip to buy horses, and he was already anxious, hastily asking Zu Zhan about the injured and those who had returned. Only after being told that they had only suffered minor injuries did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

  On the road ahead, Zu Chao didn't say a word, his face was colder than ever before.

  Along the official road, they arrived directly at the back door of the Zu family's courtyard. At this time, there were already seven or eight armed young men from the Zu family guarding outside the back door. When they saw Zu Zhao and Zu Zhan return, they hurriedly came forward to assist in holding the reins. They all had stern faces, as if a great enemy was approaching. Through the wall of the courtyard, the entire area was brightly lit with lanterns, and many mixed and unpleasant voices could be heard. In the depths of the courtyard, there were also waves of uncontrollable wailing and crying from the womenfolk.

  After passing the back door of the courtyard, in front of the empty space under the horse, Zu Zhao and others saw that on the other side of the horse arena, there were several horses with different degrees of injury. Even in the dim light, they could see the wet bloodstains on these horses' bodies. If Hong Shu were present as usual, he would have immediately arranged for someone to come and treat these injured horses. Unfortunately, one of the injured horses was Hong Shu's own mount.

  Zu Zhan ordered a servant to hurry and inform the people in the central hall that Zu Zhao had returned, then led Zu Zhao, Gong Sun Long and others to quickly head there. Just as they passed through the gate of the second courtyard, several elderly family members rushed towards them, with Zu Zhan's father at the lead. Zu Zhan first paid his respects to his father, then mentioned in passing that he had met Zu Zhao on the road.

  "Third Uncle." Zu Zhao greeted.

  "Your grandfather is already in the hall, and Uncle Hong has also arrived. The guests from the Gong Sun family have temporarily returned to the west wing, but Chun Yu is still here. By now, County Magistrate Chen should have received the news, or perhaps he will arrive at the mansion a bit later. You all go ahead first, I'll go with your seventh uncle and twelfth uncle to find Ah Fan and Li Chaofu." Third Uncle said with a worried expression.

  Zu Zhaow knew that San Shu's "Ah Fan" was a certain person, whose name was Zu Fan. According to the generation division, he should be his cousin, but in terms of age, he was five or six years older than himself. Last year, Zu Fan was summoned as a brave and upright man for the county's patrol, and is currently stationed in a town not far from Bei Guo Ting. The patrol is specifically responsible for maintaining law and order in one township, and with such a big case now, it would be impossible not to ask him to come and help.