The grain wagon trundles north, taking in fellow travelers along the way. Under the moonlight, the grain seems…
The grain wagon trundles north, taking in fellow travelers along the way. Under the moonlight, the grain seems to whisper, telling the stories of the nameless souls it carries:
Lu Yao, a native of Hedong. He once served in the army, fighting in the campaigns of Yunzhou, the siege of Taiyuan, and the battle of Yangcheng, never once fleeing in the face of danger. Inspired by a wandering hero, he now leads this grain convoy to Zhongdu Bridge.
Kang Chenglin of Daizhou, once a foot soldier in the Jin army. When the Khitan raided the border, fear drove him to flee. Upon returning home, he found his village plundered and burned, his wife slain while protecting the townsfolk. Grief and fury filled his heart, and he took up arms once more, returning to Zhongdu Bridge.
Ren Erbai, origins unknown, lives by his sword. Answering the call of the Northern Vow, he headed north toward the Hutuo. Seeing the grain convoy left vulnerable, he drew his blade to guard it, ensuring its safe passage.
Jin Qiao of Qinghe. Her brother once traded in Hedong, but news of him ceased in the second year of Kaiyun. Hearing from a fellow villager that he had been seen near the Hutuo, she set out north, making her way toward the battlefield.
Xu Yiyan of Kaifeng. Her mother practiced the art of the Silver Needle, tending to the sick among the common folk. From a young age, Xu inherited her mother's knowledge and became well-versed in medicine. Upon hearing of the suffering of the wounded in the north, she resolved to follow her mother's path and journeyed to the Hutuo.