Chapter 4: The Elder Who Bowed for Livelihood

As the car approached, noticing that Duan Wenxuan appeared alone and not like a famine-stricken refugee, it gradually slowed down.

“What’s wrong?” A middle-aged man leaned out from the front of the vehicle, squinting to examine Duan Wenxuan.

“I’m heading to Liyang City, the closest city near Yushui Region, but encountered some trouble on the way. I can’t continue walking now and was hoping someone could give me a lift. If you’re headed that direction, Master, would it be convenient to take me along? Once we reach Liyang, I’ll certainly express my gratitude.”

The middle-aged man retracted his head, likely indicating there were others inside the car.

After a moment, he stepped out and opened the door. “We happen to be going to Liyang City as well. Hop in.”

Duan Wenxuan promptly thanked him. As he bent down to enter the car, he noticed another person inside - a young man wearing glasses, with an air of scholarly refinement.

This must be the primary occupant.

After observing Duan Wenxuan, they introduced themselves briefly. Duan Wenxuan learned that the young man was named Ju Yangrong, and his family ran foreign trade businesses. Having studied abroad earlier in life, he now returned amidst frequent civil conflicts and widespread suffering. With a desire to serve his country, Ju Yangrong aimed to establish factories in Liyang City, hoping to save it through industrialization.

Despite lacking practical experience, Duan Wenxuan had been immersed in the information explosion era, making him well-versed in persuasive rhetoric. Throughout their conversation, Ju Yangrong grew quite impressed with Duan Wenxuan, seeing him as a like-minded young individual. He even invited Duan Wenxuan to visit his home.

However, Duan Wenxuan politely declined, citing personal reasons. He had his own agenda and no interest in saving the world.

After more than an hour, they arrived at Liyang City.

Outside Liyang City, a guard patrol had set up checkpoints for inspection upon entry and exit. However, due to Ju Yangrong’s influential family status in Liyang City, they were promptly waved through without delay.

Duan Wenxuan understood the situation without needing further explanation. Millions of refugees had fled from the south earlier. Initially, the government did not anticipate such a massive displacement and implemented some relief measures, even transporting part of the population by iron-clad trains to disperse them across the Yushui Region, aiming to alleviate the burden of refugees.

However, with wars breaking out frequently, government institutions were becoming increasingly unstable, and inefficiencies plagued those handling tasks below. The delays in delivering disaster relief supplies ultimately led to the current situation.

After the first batch of people was distributed across Yushui Region, similar issues arose in all its twelve counties, including rapid spikes in food prices. With no other choice, admitting more refugees had to be halted; otherwise, the entire Yushui Region would have collapsed under the strain.

Setting up defenses outside also aimed to prevent any incidents from occurring.

Upon entering Liyang City, Duan Wenxuan finally witnessed some bustling activity, with more people populating the streets. However, numerous refugees lay scattered at various street corners, and many raggedly dressed children knelt there with broken bowls placed before them.

After bidding farewell to Ju Yangrong, Duan Wenxuan sought directions and headed straight for a pawnshop.

Having spent some time with the Xia brothers earlier, Duan Wenxuan gained a basic understanding of this world. From what he observed, it seemed akin to the early Republican era of Hanming Country’s history. However, the place names, individuals, and past national histories here did not align with Xuanlan Star’s records.

The pawn shop’s counter was quite high, and this marked Duan Wenxuan’s first visit to such a place. At the counter, an elderly shopkeeper peered out with sharp, discerning eyes.

Without much hesitation, Duan Wenxuan produced two wristwatches and an eight-sided music box, items he had brought from Xuanlan Star. His aim was simply to sustain himself through this period. Additionally, tucked in his pocket were two gold bars, purchased from a jewelry store.

Based on modern craftsmanship standards, both the watches and the music box were exceptionally well-made. As they were being pledged outright, their appraisal value turned out to be substantial.

The pawn shop owner likely assumed Duan Wenxuan was a young master fallen on hard times; people like these often still possessed valuable goods at home. As Duan Wenxuan prepared to leave, the shopkeeper smiled and called out, “Young Master, we deal fairly here. If you have more fine items in the future, please bring them to us. We do make a profit, but we won’t let you lose out.”

“Sure,” Duan Wenxuan agreed readily, exuding the carefree demeanor of someone unconcerned about selling inherited wealth.

After leaving the pawn shop, Duan Wenxuan sought out a brokerage firm to purchase a small house in Liyang City. Being unfamiliar with the area, having a reputable intermediary provided security and was far more convenient than searching alone.

After careful inquiries, Duan Wenxuan found a reputable middle-aged broker known for his good reputation. He also invoked Ju Yangrong’s name, as the Ju family was a local power in Liyang City. Anyone operating here would be wary of offending them unless they were utterly foolish.

The broker noticed Duan Wenxuan’s refined manner and lack of hesitation when mentioning Ju Yangrong. Combined with Duan Wenxuan offering fair commission fees, the broker promptly dedicated himself to the task.

That very evening, the broker took Duan Wenxuan to view a residence. It consisted of two interconnected courtyards, originally owned by someone involved in the silk trade. However, during an ill-fated trip, the head of the household led a group to purchase goods but encountered some unforeseen turmoil, resulting in their deaths and all their wealth being plundered. Unable to sustain themselves without the family patriarch, within half a year, they reached a point where they had to sell both their house and land.

The property was situated in a desirable location, and given the absence of able-bodied men, only a somewhat simple-minded nephew remained alongside the grieving widow and her children. The broker aggressively negotiated the price down. In the end, Duan Wenxuan used the two gold bricks he brought along, securing the deed to the house.

After paying the broker’s fee, Duan Wenxuan observed the bewildered, dim-witted nephew amidst the tearful pleas of the widowed mother. Seeing the young girl, around seven or eight years old, oblivious and sniffling, he couldn’t help but subtly furrow his brow.

Upon inquiry, he learned that the widow’s name was Mai Xiu, now forty-five years old and indecisive by nature. Previously, her husband had taken along his cousins and some helpers to purchase goods but they all perished during the trip. Afterward, remaining family members emptied their household possessions, causing constant disturbances for Mai Xiu. Struggling to appease everyone with their meager savings, they were left destitute, leaving them no choice but to sell their house.

Duan Wenxuan pondered for a moment before asking Mai Xiu if she knew how to cook. If willing, he suggested they move into the servants’ quarters. Mai Xiu could prepare meals regularly, while her obedient yet simple-minded nephew could contribute by doing chores like cleaning.

He offered lodging, food, and a modest monthly stipend.

Although Mai Xiu received two gold bricks from selling the house, honestly, as a widowed mother with nowhere else to go amidst the chaos of war, whether they could even spend this wealth depended on fate.

Mai Xiu, though indecisive, wasn’t foolish. Staying seemed the best option; with a mentally challenged nephew and a young child under her care, could they truly thrive relying solely on those two gold bricks? Without any hesitation, she profusely thanked Duan Wenxuan. Wiping away her tears, she called out to her nephew, and together they moved their belongings into the servants’ quarters.

Duan Wenxuan finally found time to thoroughly inspect the house. The furniture had already been emptied out, leaving everything barren inside; he would need to acquire some more furnishings later. However, it was getting late, and without hesitation, Duan Wenxuan opened a portal from his room and returned to Hanming Country.

He enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep.

The next day, after breakfast, Duan Wenxuan prepared ample supplies of rice, vegetables, meats, and other provisions before heading back to Liyang City. It was still early morning, and after some time, Mei Xiu cautiously brought over a thin bowl of congee.

Without drinking it, Duan Wenxuan pointed directly to the seven or eight bags of ten-kilogram rice stored in his room, along with eggs, fish, duck, cured meats, and similar items. He said, “Have that foolish boy bring these to the kitchen, and from now on, use these ingredients for cooking. I will provide you money for future grocery purchases.”

Additionally, Duan Wenxuan instructed her to ensure that, apart from meal times, both the silly boy and her daughter should stay away from his quarters. He emphasized that he has his own matters to attend to, and there are things she must not pry into, listen closely to, or discuss openly. If unable to abide by this, they should leave on their own accord.

Mei Xiu nodded repeatedly. With little hope left, her only aspiration now was to raise her daughter and find her a good family someday. Beyond this, she couldn’t help but show delight at the sight of such abundant food. Since the incident with her husband, it had been over half a year since they’d enjoyed decent meals. Even before that, their lifestyle had always been frugal. Fish, duck, and meat were rarely consumed except during holidays or when guests visited.

Calling over the “foolish boy” to carry these items to the kitchen, Duan Wenxuan noted his strength despite his mental limitations. Afterwards, he found the same broker from yesterday to assist him in purchasing some second-hand furniture from the local market.

In troubled times, gold is prized; in prosperous eras, antiques reign supreme.

Duan Wenxuan marveled as he examined the accompanying vase and ancient paintings gifted with the purchase. Although lacking specific historical provenance in Hanming Country’s records, they were still genuine antiques.

The second-hand furniture set, made of high-quality red sandalwood, hadn’t come cheap either. However, the original owner priced it based on Liyang City’s standards. If taken to Hanming Country, the selling price would likely shock the original owner into cardiac arrest.

Three days later…

Duan Wenxuan had established roots in Liyang City, traveling back and forth between two worlds. Over time, he filled his home in Hanming Country with jade vases and various antiques, which could potentially fetch sky-high prices at auction.

However, Duan Wenxuan wasn’t short on money, as wealth held little importance to him. Once settled securely, he felt confident enough to draft a job advertisement. It was straightforward: Duan Wenxuan sought two bodyguards, offering not only five silver yuan per month but also an additional five pounds of meat and ten pounds of rice for each person every month.

He had researched wages in Liyang City, and five silver yuan was significantly higher than average. Most government employees earned only two to three silver yuan per month, let alone the added provision of meat and rice.

This meant they could afford meat monthly - a luxury unheard of for most households.

With such generous pay, the number of applicants swarmed eagerly to the interview.

Unfortunately, despite the large turnout, most candidates did not meet Duan Wenxuan’s requirements, clearly intending just to freeload. It wasn’t until the second afternoon of recruitment that an elderly man entered, dressed in worn-out black attire and sporting disheveled hair.

Upon seeing Duan Wenxuan, the old man’s eyes lit up, and his pace quickened. “I saw the job notice, may I ask who the employer is?”

Feeling bored amidst this crowd, Duan Wenxuan looked up and noticed the elderly man with disheveled silver hair and weathered skin marked by deep wrinkles. He sighed immediately.

Over these few days, many had tried to take advantage of the situation, including women bringing their children, pleading for a chance for them. It left Duan Wenxuan quite troubled. While not angry - everyone was merely seeking survival in such turbulent times - he couldn’t afford to open his doors indiscriminately; otherwise, beggars would flock daily.

“I am the master here, but elder…”

Hearing “but” from Duan Wenxuan, the old man hastily stepped forward, placing his hand on the wooden table. With surprising force, he snapped one of its legs right off!

“Master, please give this humble old man a chance. My surname is Tang, named Tang Tianlu, originally from Baoyi County. After the disaster struck, it was arduous reaching Liyang City. I’ve already lost two sons and a daughter-in-law. Even my only granddaughter got separated during our escape amid chaos, her fate unknown.

I still have my wife and another son who contracted typhoid fever, yet we can’t afford a doctor. Truly, I’m at my wit’s end. Master, please have mercy.” Upon finishing, Tang Tianlu knelt down.

Duan Wenxuan tried to help him up, but surprisingly, Tang Tianlu exerted tremendous strength. With hands like iron clamps, he firmly pressed down on Duan Wenxuan, making it impossible for him to lift him.

“Sir, this humble one learned the family martial art of Tang’s Eight Trigrams Palm in Baoyi County, gaining some reputation back home. Although my vitality has waned now, I have achieved internal force mastery known as ‘dark vigor.’ Without firearms involved, I am capable of handling over a dozen opponents single-handedly.”

Upon hearing about the Xia brothers practicing staff techniques earlier, Duan Wenxuan had already begun speculating, which led him to actively seek bodyguards with such enthusiasm.

Martial arts—Duan Wenxuan genuinely believed in their existence.

Now, it seemed he might have hooked a true master?

There was no hesitation left. Duan Wenxuan promptly replied, “Very well, Master Tang can stay. However, could I also learn this Tang’s Eight Trigrams Palm?”

At Duan Wenxuan’s words, Tang Tianlu momentarily appeared conflicted and dazed. But without further delay, he nodded resolutely, “Yes, if the master wishes to learn, I will teach wholeheartedly, holding nothing back.”

Here stood a martial artist whose spirit had been bent by economic pressures and the threat of firearms, his backbone fractured under the new world order, teetering on the brink of obsolescence.

“Excellent.” Duan Wenxuan, however, found this quite appealing.