"Big brother, wake up."
In the midst of grogginess, a crisp voice sounded by his ear, jolting Fang Zheng, who was lying slanted, back to his senses.
Had he actually fallen asleep?
He really shouldn't have!
But yesterday, his situation was terrible to the extreme. His nerves were taut at all times, and he couldn't withstand the overwhelming drowsiness that overcame him by midnight.
Fortunately, nothing unexpected happened.
"Let's go!"
Brother Wu wielded his knife and was the first to step out of the mud house.
The night passed with the snow ceasing early on.
The snow on the ground was three to four centimeters thick, covering everything. Stepping on it produced a 'crunch... crunch...' sound.
Fang Zheng huddled and blended into the crowd, following suit as they moved on.
Meanwhile, he discreetly observed the others.
The previous night was too dark, and he didn't have the energy. Only now did he have the spirit to scrutinize the crowd.
Most of these people wore rough cloth and hemp garments, with only two in cotton clothes, everyone wearing straw sandals, long-haired, with slightly yellow skin...
Judging by their attire, they looked very much like ancient refugees.
But,
Their height was wrong!
Although each was sallow and thin, they were all over 1.7 meters tall, and Brother Wu was over 1.9 meters, which would be considered tall even in modern society.
According to Fang Zheng's limited ancient knowledge, the ancients weren't supposed to be this tall.
The ancients had scarce food, often malnourished, leading to an average low height, with few above 1.7 meters aside from some elite troops.
Especially refugees, 1.5 meters was considered normal.
From the others' conversations, Fang Zheng got some understanding of where he was, unfortunately still utterly confused.
The Wei Dynasty!
The 47th year of Tian Sheng!
Gu'an County!
Was there such a dynasty in history? And where exactly is Gu'an County?
If only he had studied history well.
"Gu'an County is part of the Upper County, with a population of over six thousand households. No bandits dare provoke it easily. As long as we reach the county city, we will be safe."
Brother Wu added:
"For us to come together like this is fate indeed. Once we enter the city, if you can help, it's best to lend a hand."
"Brother Wu is right!"
"That's how it should be, supporting each other to get by better."
"We're unfamiliar with the place..."
Everyone nodded repeatedly, chiming in with agreement.
"Old Liu, what are your plans?" someone asked.
Fang Zheng subconsciously turned his head to look.
Old Liu was the father of the little girl who was next to him yesterday, with a head full of white hair, hunched back, and a face full of wrinkles.
He looked like an old man in his sixties or seventies.
In reality, he was not even forty, it could only be said that people here aged too quickly.
"I have a relative working in the Sun Family textile business, I plan to seek refuge with him." Old Liu held his daughter's hand, showing worry in his eyes:
"We haven't been in touch for years, I wonder if he will help."
"At least you have relatives." The person who asked shook his head:
"I don't even have someone to turn to."
The crowd murmured softly, exchanging in low tones, only Fang Zheng remained silent, while observing the surrounding, calculating how long it would be before he could go back.
Six hours.
Twelve hours!
Half of it had already passed, and it wasn't as cold now as it was last night, so enduring this would be possible.
"Someone's here!"
"Be careful!"
Someone shouted ahead, putting everyone on alert and raising Fang Zheng's heart rate.
"Don't be nervous." Brother Wu squinted, looking over:
"They are travelers like us, we must be near the county city."
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng straightened up and looked over, seeing a few figures appearing in the vast snowy field, similarly looking their way.
Cresting a high slope, an 'official road' came into view.
Though called an official road, it was actually narrow, with chaotic and disordered wheel ruts on the ground, mixed with melted snow, forming a mud with every step.
The road had sparse traffic of people, carts, and horses, adding more vitality compared to their arrival.
Pedestrians were generally around 1.67 meters tall, not only wearing rough cloth, hemp, and cotton, but also having garments of gauze and silk, though the colors were mostly plain.
These people seemed not to have mastered complex dyeing techniques.
Following the official road for several miles, a city built on the plains came into view, its gates wide open, appearing like a giant beast against the bleak white snow.
It sat imposingly between heaven and earth.
Gu'an County!
The three large characters on the city gate were at once familiar and unfamiliar to Fang Zheng, familiar as they were block characters, yet unfamiliar as they were not Chinese characters.
This is...
A different world.
*
*
*
"Pear Blossom Paste, five coins a piece!"
"Hot soups, baked cakes!"
"Eggs..."
"Shoulder poles, baskets, winnowing fans woven by Master Liu himself..."
"..."
On a street several meters wide, vendors and passersby bustled, the cries of hawking unceasing, altogether a scene of prosperity and hustle.
Fang Zheng huddled up, squatting in a corner, like a beggar asking for alms, but was actually curiously observing this world so different from modern society.
This was completely different from touring an ancient town.
Genuinely ancient in style, untouched by the slightest modern flavor.
Be it the goods being hawked, or the buyers and sellers, even their every move, these were all quite interesting to Fang Zheng as he calmed his mind.
This was a real ancient society!
Besides dreaming, he never thought he could personally experience it, how rare a chance it was?
However...
Glancing at the lines on his wrist, an understanding emerged in his mind.
Finally, it was time to leave!
Taking a deep breath, just as Fang Zheng was preparing to leave, his eyes flashed, and he suddenly stood up, striding towards a nearby storefront.
This was a pawnshop.
Entering, he was greeted by a huge screen, known as a 'modesty screen'.
Its primary function was to protect the guests, for anyone who came here usually faced life difficulties or business cash flow problems, thus being ashamed of meeting acquaintances or friends. The modesty screen thus prevented guests at the pawnshop from being seen by familiar passersby.
Past the modesty screen was an extraordinarily high counter, the counter made of solid wood separating the inside and outside, leaving a small door for transactions, resembling scenes from traditional costumes dramas.
A slender old man with a three-inch beard stood inside, turning to look as he heard footsteps.
Apart from the old man, not far away there was a tea table with two people drinking, an old man and a young one, judging by their attire, they seemed like wealthy individuals.
Fang Zheng steadied his breath, speaking slowly:
"I want to pawn something."
"Oh!"
The old man was unconcerned, seeing from his appearance that he was a refugee who had not been in the city long, probably having to pawn something to tide over.
Such things had happened often recently, and refugees didn't offer anything valuable, merely enough to be better than nothing.
Nodding, he casually asked:
"What do you want to pawn? To forfeit or to redeem later?"
Forfeiting meant not reclaiming, whereas redeeming was the opposite. Hence, for the same item, forfeiting fetched a higher price.
"Forfeit."
Fang Zheng took off the mechanical wristwatch on his hand and placed it on the counter:
"Pawn this."
Hmm?
The moment he saw the item, the old man's expression changed dramatically, and he solemnly picked up the watch, his calloused fingers gently caressing the surface.
The blue and black interwoven dial, the smooth and translucent bright glass, the finely textured leather strap, and the self-moving hands...
An extraordinary item!
"Is this..." The old man squinted his eyes and spoke slowly:
"A timekeeping device?"
"Yes." Fang Zheng nodded:
"The shopkeeper has good eyes, I wonder how much it can be pawned for?"
"This..." The old man's eyes flickered. Although he had never seen such an item, it was undoubtedly something good.
"Ten taels of silver!"
"You must be joking." Fang Zheng frowned, reaching to take back the watch:
"I won't pawn it!"
He couldn't assess how much the watch was worth here, but it was certainly more than ten taels of silver, wanting to repossess it also served to induce a better offer.
"Wait!"
The old man stopped the watch with a smile:
"The guest might as well name a price; our shop will accept this item."
As he spoke, two big burly men appeared on either side, looking expressionlessly, causing Fang Zheng, who was about to name a high price, to instinctively blurt out:
"Are you trying to forcibly buy and sell?"
"I wouldn't dare." The old man shook his head:
"The Zhou Family Pawnshop does business openly and always on a voluntary basis."
Despite his words, he didn't look at Fang Zheng, but directed his gaze to an old and a young man drinking nearby, his eyes flickering slightly.
If it weren't for those two, forcibly buying and selling might not have been impossible.
Alas!
However…
Even if using force wasn't convenient, they had to acquire this item today no matter what!