Chapter 157: Parting

Zhang Xuan walked over to Elder Tong and asked, "Elder Tong, you know this area well. How much longer will it take to get out of this forest, and once we leave, how long before we reach a town or village with a government office?"

Elder Tong, knowing that Zhang Xuan intended to deliver the children to the authorities so the officials could deal with them, fell into deep thought and could not give an immediate, precise answer.

Uncle Yang, standing nearby, spoke up and offered the others a new line of thought. "I remember when we were settling in earlier, I spotted a post station. It looked quite large, and it's not too far from here—maybe a day's journey. Why don't we send the children there?"

Local post stations generally administered areas within a radius of ten li, serving as the most grassroots security units. They also had the duty of receiving passing officials and providing lodging for travelers on long journeys. Although small, a post station was still a government institution after all! One could remember that even Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, had once served as the chief of the Sishui Post in Pei County!

The group discussed this idea and felt it was feasible. If they set out now, they might be able to deliver the children by evening, allowing them to return to their families sooner. For now, this seemed like the only viable plan. Of course, during their discussion, someone raised the concern that the adults at the post station might be in cahoots with the traffickers. This worry was ultimately dismissed by Elder Tong, who happened to know the postmaster. When they were in the vicinity previously, Elder Tong and the postmaster had exchanged brief pleasantries.

It was subsequently decided that Elder Tong, Yang Zaixing, and Yang Hu would lead the team, accompanied by a few guards from the Yan family, to escort the children to the post station. Meanwhile, Zhang Xuan and the others would continue along the route indicated by Elder Tong, leaving markers along the way. Before parting, Zhang Xuan whispered a few words to Elder Tong, the contents of which remained unknown to the others.

Once the arrangements were finalized, Elder Tong, Yang Zaixing, and Yang Hu stood to Zhang Xuan's right, while the remaining members stood to his left. Zhang Xuan then gathered all the children together and, once they were assembled, said in a loud voice, "Children, congratulations on successfully escaping this sea of bitterness. Next, we will make the final arrangements for your journey ahead."

Hearing this, the children began to chatter excitedly all at once.

Watching the noisy crowd, Zhang Xuan shouted, "Quiet!" Once the children had quieted down, he continued, "Next, we plan to send you to the authorities, so that government officials can take you back to your homes to be reunited with your families. Right now, your families are likely still anxiously asking around and searching for your whereabouts. Furthermore, I will offer another choice to those children who no longer have families or have nowhere to go: you may choose to come with us. But I must state in advance that if you come with us, the days ahead may be very difficult and exhausting. Also, if you come with us, I have one requirement: you must be obedient. Those who cannot obey should not come with us. Very well, I will keep my explanation brief. Now, make your choice. If you wish to return to your families, please stand to my right. If you are obedient and willing to endure hardships with us, please stand to my left."

The fifty-odd children looked at one another, hesitant to make a choice, as if no one wanted to be the first to bite the bullet. Zhang Xuan simply stood there without rushing them. After all, this was the first major choice of their renewed lives, and whatever they chose, Zhang Xuan would support them.

The brothers Nie Zheng and Nie Rong looked at each other. Nie Zheng nodded to Nie Rong, and both walked over to Zhang Xuan's left. They had already made up their mind to cast their lot with Zhang Xuan, regardless of the final outcome. Shi Qian, observing the situation, also walked over to Zhang Xuan's left.

Zu Ti watched the Nie brothers walk over and fell into deep thought, his mind staging a tug-of-war between two opposing impulses. Finally, he muttered softly and walked to Zhang Xuan's right. Seeing someone move to the right side, many other children陆续 followed and walked toward where Zu Ti stood.

Once the movement began, it didn't take long for all the children to choose their desired destinations. After everyone had made their selections, Zhang Xuan took a rough look without counting; it appeared that more children had chosen to go to the authorities. He then spoke up: "Very well, everyone has made your choices. Children on my right, you will go to the government offices with my master, big brother, and Brother Hu. My master knows the government officials there and will speak with them on your behalf. Nie Zheng, Nie Rong, you two will assist them on the trip and remember to return afterward. Well then, we must part ways here. No feast lasts forever; may we meet again if fate allows!"

Just as Zhang Xuan finished speaking, Zu Ti rushed up to him with a hint of urgency and said, "Big Brother, you haven't told us your names yet! I want to repay you in the future!"

"Good, I like people who know how to show gratitude. My name is Zhang Xuan, and you can call me Brother Xuan, just like Nie Zheng and the others do." Zhang Xuan then introduced every person present to the children. As for future repayment of kindness, Zhang Xuan gave it little thought, but the world is wondrously unpredictable. The seeds Zhang Xuan inadvertently planted would later bear fruit—some returning to offer a helping hand in his times of need, and others providing unintended assistance along the way.