Chapter Fifteen: The True Ancient Era
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Too few people going wasn’t enough; too many wasn’t suitable either. In that brief moment, the few voices that called out were the ones Zhuang Lin selected.
No one dared to chase after without preparation, but due to urgency, they had little time to ready themselves.
In the tense rush, the valley folk cooperated—some helped carry bamboo rafts, others hurried home to fetch provisions. Old Master Mu took the prepared medicinal herbs and pills, along with some delicate supplies...
In less than fifteen minutes, two bamboo rafts were carried by a group through the narrow mountain gorge, arriving at the peach grove outside.
Over a hundred people had set out together, moving swiftly until reaching the end of the peach grove.
No one had the mood to admire the falling peach blossoms.
The water there was originally just a mountain stream, but now it was clearly a navigable waterway. Ahead lay a thin veil of mist, casting a hazy veil over the mountain scenery.
“All right, this is where we part ways. We don’t know if staying here will have any effect. Everyone, please return!”
Zhuang Lin had now become the absolute core of the group; whatever he said went. Speaking, he and several men gently placed the bamboo rafts into the water.
The waves stirred by the rafts mirrored everyone’s anxious hearts, though Zhuang Lin forced himself to seem composed.
Glancing at the misty waterway ahead, he looked at the few beside him. Each carried a pack and their own belongings.
“Board the rafts!”
The Li brothers, Li Cai and Li Dong, were weathered middle-aged hunters. Fu Zeyang, who had trained in martial arts since childhood, was burly. Then there was the old Chinese medicine doctor Mu Chen, the schoolmaster Zhuang Lin, and a bachelor named Tang Bin.
Six men in total, split into two groups of three, each boarded a raft.
Old Master Mu looked at the people on shore and nodded at a man standing closer.
“Yan Jun, please take good care of Xiao Wen!”
The valley children had been sent away; some knew something had happened but were unclear on the details.
The man on shore became somewhat emotional.
“Master, let me go instead. You’re old…”
“Don’t speak nonsense! This is my doing; I must go!”
Zhuang Lin glanced at the old man on the same raft, nodded toward the shore, then pushed the raft away with a pole.
The water current clearly flowed outward, so no great force was needed; the raft swiftly drifted beyond the peach grove.
Those on shore followed step by step. Both on land and water, anxiety and unease weighed heavily, keeping everyone silent until the rafts neared the mist.
“Master Zhuang... when will you return?”
Breaking the silence, someone asked. Zhuang Lin and the others looked back, faintly seeing a group standing there beyond the thin mist.
“If we don’t return in three days, try searching for the monitoring station. If you still can’t find us, wait patiently. But if we do return late, don’t blame us—”
Zhuang Lin shouted, unsure if those on shore heard. In any case, no further sounds came from that side.
Only silence remained, the rushing water beneath the rafts intensifying the feeling.
Everyone’s hearts were heavy; Zhuang Lin noticed the hunter gripping his bow tightly.
This wasn’t good; he needed to maintain a calm mindset and tried to relax.
A gentle breeze brushed their faces, and the mist seemed to thin. Yet ahead, the waterways grew more complex.
Fortunately, one of the Li brothers soon spotted a mark left by Tao Yuanming. Following this sign ensured the two rafts did not lose their way.
How long passed was unknown—half an hour, an hour, perhaps longer. Heaven knew why the mist lingered so widely at this hour.
But finally, the rafts left the fog, and bright sunlight shone on the six men.
“The mark’s still there; we haven’t lost it!”
The hunter shouted, easing everyone’s tension, though silence remained.
Zhuang Lin glanced at the water and chuckled.
“No need to be downhearted, everyone. The peach blossoms float downstream with us; on our return, the path will be lined with peach flowers. We will surely bring Young Master Liu back!”
Instinctively, they looked at the water’s surface, where countless peach petals drifted along the stream, extending far ahead.
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It seemed Zhuang Lin’s words lifted their spirits; their faces finally brightened somewhat.
“Yes!” “Right, Master Zhuang is correct!”
“The water’s smooth now; let’s speed up!”
As the rafts moved forward, sounds increased—not just flowing water, but birdsong, monkeys’ calls, and various woodland creatures.
It felt as if the forest had come alive...
Though they had lived in the protected area for a long time, few had ever felt such vibrant vitality.
They all understood—this was ancient times!
“Can’t see Tao Gong’s marks anymore?”
“We should just keep following this waterway straight ahead!”
Zhuang Lin said so, but harbored other worries. The upcoming waterways might be familiar to Tao Yuanming, but to them, they were blind, forced to guess.
Anxious, they paddled swiftly, using oars where the water grew deeper.
The sun was high—noon by all appearances. Though appetite was faint, they forced themselves to eat some provisions; in times like these, maintaining strength was vital.
The waterway twisted ahead, and they followed the main channel, avoiding side streams.
Gradually, the river widened; they occasionally saw other boats.
The six on the rafts observed these vessels, assessing if any carried the people they sought, and to gauge the reality.
Noticing that the passing boats—whether fishermen or ferrymen—all wore ancient attire, their anxious hearts finally sank.
Yet, half a day passed with no sign of Tao Yuanming or Liu Hongyu; their worry lingered.
“No suitable landing spots nearby. Let’s follow the busiest route and ask around. Maybe we can get some clues.”
“Mm.”
Cautious, they maintained vigilance. As other boats increased, the two rafts close together drew attention, though others only glanced.
“There’s a harbor ahead!” “I see it too!”
The Li brothers spotted a gathering of ships near the harbor; everyone’s hearts leapt. No explanation needed—they naturally headed toward it.
“Let’s keep quiet; Master Zhuang should speak.”
“Agreed!”
Zhuang Lin felt the pressure but knew he was best suited to handle it.
As the rafts neared the harbor, Zhuang Lin suddenly noticed officials at several docks.
People stopping their boats to land were approached by these officials. Some spoke briefly and were allowed to go; others had to show paperwork.
Zhuang Lin pondered, then realization dawned.
“This is bad—we can’t dock here... They’re checking travel permits!”
Doomed!
Everyone’s hearts jumped. Having studied such matters, they knew well what travel permits meant.
“Don’t dock—keep moving!” “Right, if we get caught, it’s over!”
“Find a suitable shore ahead; we can’t use the docks!”
“Exactly. We should land outside the city and ask locals for help. We need a plan!”
If caught, they wouldn’t be summarily executed, but with ancient bureaucracy’s inefficiency, it would cause endless delays—most likely preventing their return.
The group paddled cautiously past the busy harbor, each breaking out in a sweat despite doing nothing wrong, nervous as thieves.
Fortunately, the officials showed little interest in the moving boats.
The two bamboo rafts passed the bustling area, gradually entering quieter waterways, using their eyes and the sun’s position to keep direction.
Yet no matter how intently they watched, it was impossible to observe every corner of the harbor.
At the very moment the rafts passed the harbor, Tao Yuanming and Liu Hongyu’s small boat was docking at an inner dock...
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Tao Yuanming had not expected that much of the return journey’s waterways would be so smooth and pleasant.
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Wuling County, a courtyard north of the city. A man dressed in scholar’s robes sighed heavily in the yard.
“Alas...”
His friend had been gone many days without return. At the docks, people watched daily, but no sign of his boat coming back, and it was hard not to worry.
Highway bandits, fierce mountain beasts, poisonous mists, even tales of demons and ghosts all made people fearful.
“Master Zhao, Master Zhao... look, someone’s back!”
Voices came from outside. The man inside hurried to open the door and saw two men walking with an official. One was Tao Yuanming.
“Ah, Yuanliang, you’ve finally returned!”
The man became excited, grabbing his robe’s hem and running toward them.
“Why have you been gone so many days? Why only now return? You nearly scared me to death!”
“Hahaha... Brother Qiming, I’m back now!”
“Is that so? Gone for days with no word. Didn’t you say we’d drink together that very night? It’s been several days!”
The man reached Tao Yuanming, grabbing his arm and looking him over. Tao Yuanming didn’t seem injured or troubled.
Tao Yuanming laughed.
“Hahaha... This strange experience is beyond words, brother. You wouldn’t believe it if I told you—I have truly witnessed the spirit of the pre-Qin era...”
“Hmm? What do you mean? And this gentleman is...?”
Since arriving at Wuling County docks, Liu Hongyu had been very reserved. Now he hurriedly bowed.
“I am Liu Hongyu, honored to meet Master Zhao. I am temporarily following Mr. Yuanliang.”
“Oh yes, this is Young Master Liu traveling with me.”
“Oh, so this is Young Master Liu!”
Zhao Chenyu nodded at Liu Hongyu, who was plainly dressed and wore a headscarf. Though called a young master, he looked more like Tao’s attendant, with a foreign accent indicating he was from another region.
“Since we’ve found him, I won’t keep you long!”
The official said this; Zhao Chenyu quickly bowed in thanks.
“Many thanks, officer!”
Tao Yuanming also expressed gratitude; Liu Hongyu bowed in response.
“Thank you for your care!”
“You’re welcome. I will take my leave now!”
The official bowed and left.
This was not the usual help given to anyone in trouble—it was because Master Zhao was the nephew of the county magistrate, and the official’s orders compelled assistance.
After the official departed, Tao Yuanming could not help but speak.
“Brother Qiming, this experience is so strange, you might not believe it if I told you—it is truly uncanny...”
“Oh? What happened that kept you away so many days? By the way, there’s no wine at home—come, come, let’s go to a tavern and enjoy good food and drink!”
“Hahaha, you know me well, Brother Qiming! Liu Hongyu and I won’t refuse...”
Laughing and chatting, Tao Yuanming and Zhao Chenyu, accompanied by Liu Hongyu, headed toward the city tavern.
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PS: Thanks to the book friend “A Teenager Fond of Night Reading” for the generous support—much appreciated!