Chapter 204: A Gentleman Values Righteousness Above All
The two mini-train engineers began their repeated practice.
Li Daoxuan demanded they practice until they were exceptionally proficient. They needed to instinctively know the braking distance required to stop and observe the track ahead with utmost vigilance. At the slightest sign of trouble, they were to halt immediately.
At the same time, common sense education needed to be disseminated throughout the village. No one was permitted to loiter on the tracks. Anyone caught damaging the tracks would be sent directly to the labor reform camp. If a severe accident resulted in death, it would be a life for a life, no exceptions.
And as Li Daoxuan prepared the Valley of Exiles and the mini-trains...
At Bai Family Fortress.
Bai Yuan gazed sternly at Huanglong Mountain to the north. As expected, after the ten *shi* of grain were delivered, Zhao Sheng had not descended to cause trouble. The three thousand people were still huddled under the trees on the mountaintop.
They made no effort to conceal their presence. From the ramparts of Bai Family Fortress, one could faintly discern the bandits on the mountaintop searching for wild vegetables, digging for roots, and peeling tree bark.
Several plumes of smoke rose, indicating they were cooking the grain Bai Yuan had sent, mixing it with wild vegetables and roots.
Cheng Xu observed, "These people show no intention of attacking Bai Family Fortress."
As they spoke, the roar of Solar Car No. 3 echoed, and they turned to see a large truck arriving, once again laden with grain.
The driver stopped the vehicle, then hurried into Bai Family Fortress, pulling out a letter which he handed to Bai Yuan. "Master Bai, this is a letter from San Shier, who says it contains the Heavenly Lord's instructions."
As for the letter, and the "rites" aspect – that was something he held in high regard.
Bai Yuan's spirits lifted. He quickly brushed dust from his clothes, straightened his attire, and then reverently accepted the letter with both hands, declaring, "Indeed!"
He opened the letter and read it carefully.
After finishing, his brows slightly relaxed. "The Heavenly Lord has issued a divine decree, instructing us to try and make contact with the bandits on the mountain. If they appear to be salvageable, we are to persuade them to come down. The Heavenly Lord will make arrangements for them."
Cheng Xu, upon hearing this, also felt a surge of energy, but it quickly gave way to apprehension. "Contact with bandits? That's... an extremely dangerous undertaking. If we send our subordinates, most of them lack worldly experience; they wouldn't know how to speak or act properly, and could turn a good intention into a disaster. If I were to go personally, deep into the bandit camp, it would be a near-certain death."
Thinking this, he glanced up at the bandits on the mountaintop, and immediately saw a colossal female figure floating up, soaring and spinning in mid-air...
Bai Yuan turned to find that Instructor He, though masked, clearly showed fear in his eyes. He couldn't help but smile. "Instructor He, you may remain in Bai Family Fortress and command in my stead. I will go up the mountain to engage with the bandits."
Cheng Xu's heart pounded. Bai Yuan actually...
Bai Yuan stated solemnly, "Several months ago, when I first arrived at Gao Family Village and was blessed by the Heavenly Lord, we utterly defeated the Supreme Bright King. Afterward, the Heavenly Lord entrusted me with a glorious and arduous mission: to save more suffering people, so they would no longer be tormented by hardship or wounded by conflict. These bandits before us have not yet shown malice. If they are truly good people, then they are precisely the kind the Heavenly Lord spoke of, those who should be saved."
Cheng Xu: "..."
Bai Yuan proudly declared, "I have always prided myself on being a gentleman. A gentleman values righteousness above all, respects the virtuous and embraces the multitude, praises good deeds and pities the incapable. Now, an opportunity to save three thousand lives lies before me. How can a gentleman cower from danger?"
Cheng Xu sighed inwardly, *You are braver than I.*
Bai Yuan waved his hand. "Two men, come with me up the mountain."
Two loyal household guards immediately stepped forward, following Bai Yuan out of Bai Family Fortress and towards Huanglong Mountain.
After they had walked about ten paces, Cheng Xu suddenly leaned over the rampart and called out to Bai Yuan, "Master Bai, I've heard a saying: 'A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall.' What are your thoughts on that?"
Bai Yuan's face stiffened, and sweat poured down. He somewhat wanted to turn back, but retreating now would be too embarrassing. He straightened his neck, gritted his teeth, and continued forward. "Hmph! A gentleman has three fears: fear of Heaven's will, reverence for great men, and awe of the words of sages. None of those fears involve bandits! You wait here. I'll be back shortly..."
"Instructor He," he added, "if things go south, gather men and come rescue me!"
Everyone: "..."
Bai Yuan ultimately ascended the mountain, step by careful step, approaching the bandit camp.
He brought only two subordinates, just as Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) had when he came to Bai Family Fortress previously — three men in total.
The bandit lookouts on the mountaintop immediately notified Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi).
Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) had just finished a bowl of gruel, having settled his stomach, and was feeling sentimental about the hardships he'd endured on his journey. Hearing his subordinates' report, he quickly crawled to the edge of the mountain to look. He saw Bai Yuan, clad in white, leading two men up the slope.
He was startled. "Isn't that Master Bai from Bai Family Fortress? He actually came up the mountain with only two men. Doesn't he fear us?"
His subordinate was a bit flustered. "What is he here for?"
Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) replied, "Since only three men have come, they must wish to speak with us. Why be alarmed? I will go talk to him."
He, too, straightened his long gown. The garment was ragged and soiled from their journey, but Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) meticulously smoothed it down before descending the mountain path to meet them.
They met on the mountain path. Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) immediately bowed deeply. "Master Bai, your esteemed presence brings radiance to my humble abode."
As soon as he said it, he felt a slight awkwardness. "Radiance to my humble abode" was a phrase for receiving guests at home, but where was his home now? To use such a term to greet a guest in this desolate wilderness... it felt like something out of *Strange Tales*.
Bai Yuan, however, paid no mind. If others were polite, he would be even more so, returning a grand bow to Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi). "I came uninvited and have disturbed you."
*See, I'm even polite to a bandit. Add 'rites' back to my score for the Six Arts, please, add it back! Ha ha!* "I came up the mountain this time to have a few words with... a brave warrior." Seeing Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi)'s scholarly appearance, the words "brave warrior" came out with a slight hesitation, a subtle pause in between.
Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) naturally understood the meaning of that delay and couldn't help but offer a bitter smile. "How can I be called a brave warrior? I am merely a poor scholar who studied by lamplight at night, inexplicably forced onto Mount Liang. Master Bai may simply call me Dian Dengzi."
Bai Yuan mused, "Oh? It sounds like you have some grievances, my friend."
It was a question he shouldn't have asked. As soon as he did, Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) burst into tears, his heart overwhelmed with sorrow. He truly felt wronged, a profound injustice he hadn't been able to share with anyone of consequence. Now that someone like Bai Yuan, who seemed learned and courteous, had arrived, he couldn't help but pour out his heart.
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