urned with a long box.Jia Yin immediately jumped down from her grandmother's lap and ran to the Marquis' side.The lord hugged her, the big and small looked at each other, understanding each other. "I...Everyone stared at the two barren hills in front of them, along with the rubble valley between them, utterly dumbfounded.
"Grandpa, is this really Suijin Beach"
The old farmer who led the way was very honest and kind, and he wasn't impatient at all. He spoke slowly.
"Yes, it's the broken gold beach north of Xiaojin Village in Nanxi County."
Having said that, he glanced at the crowd, a touch of sympathy in his eyes.
"Did you guys not offer any benefits when you registered your household That's why you were assigned here"
Everyone's faces turned grim. Although the two clerks had grouped them together, they hadn't offended the person behind this scheme after all.
Li Lao'er strained a smile and handed the old man two meat buns.
This is still the dry rations I bought in town yesterday on my way here. Right now, there's nothing much to do as a matter of hospitality, so I can only take them out.
The old man was delighted and skipped back to find his grandson.
The whole village, young and old, over ninety people faced the two mountains in silence for a long while. Finally, it was the village head who spoke.
"Don't worry, everyone. Even if this place isn't great, it's better than the mountains. At least there are no wolf packs, bandits, or barbarians here. As long as we put our strength together, we can make a living."
Li Lao'er also quickly said, "Uncle is right, Young Master Ye gave us enough food for the whole village to eat for two months. We should first set up tents, settle down, have a good meal, and then figure out a way."
Li Lao Si and Liu Biaotou also stepped forward. They were still young, although they had countless wounds of varying sizes on their bodies, after just a few days, the two were almost back to normal.
At that moment, they immediately gathered their people, climbed the mountain to cut down trees and build shelters, chopped wood to start a fire, and moved stones to build earthen stoves.
For a time, besides the few who were seriously injured, everyone in the village got busy.
As night fell, several simple huts were set up against the mountainside. A stove had been built on the ground and porridge was boiling, along with flatbread being baked.
Even the women dug up quite a bit of wild vegetables in the area, washed them clean and tossed them with a simple dressing. It was surprisingly refreshing.
Everyone ate in silence, their hearts not settled but hanging in mid-air, uncertain of what lay ahead.
Jia Yin was held in her mother's arms, taking small bites of rice porridge. Because it was seasoned with minced meat and wild onion flowers, it tasted delicious, and she insisted on finishing most of the bowl.
Tao Hongying was both happy and anxious. She discussed with her family, "Tomorrow we should go to the nearby village to see if we can buy some turnips and Chinese cabbages. If we find a good mother hen, let's buy one too. Both Fu Niu and her mother need to replenish their bodies."
Li Lao Si nodded and said, "You go ahead. I'm planning to go a little farther away, to the new capital city for a stroll. We're new here, and we don't know anything. We need to go around and gather some information, see if this place we landed in is worth staying."
One of the Liu family's escorts replied, "Go ahead. I'll stay here and guard."
Li Laoer also said, "I'm going into the city too. When it comes to gathering information, I'm more familiar with things than you guys."
After the meal, several people found the village head and Zhao Shushu, discussed for a few moments, and finally made a decision.
Mr. Wen and Mrs. Cui sat by the bonfire, wanting to say something, but neither of them were ones to make empty promises. In the end, they swallowed their words again.
Early the next day, Li Laoer and Li Laosì took two young men from the village into town.
Thirty miles is a long distance, and without the convenience of a strong draft horse to ride, it took four people an hour to cover it. By the time they reached the city gate, the sun was already high in the sky at three o'clock.
Zizhou Prefecture was originally just a fairly prosperous region in southern China. However, it suddenly became the new capital city, and the impact and changes it experienced were not something that could be explained in a few words.
In the city, the price of a courtyard has skyrocketed from 500 taels to 2,000 taels.
Food, salt, and all kinds of goods have also risen sharply in price.
Many ordinary people cried out in despair, and some sold their houses and took the money to move to the countryside.
In this way, after half a year of gradual replacement, almost all the houses in Fucheng were occupied by wealthy families and officials who had come from Kyoto.
A grain of sand from history might weigh down an ordinary person, but for these families who have enjoyed wealth and power for generations, dust is just dust.
In Xindu, the business street was still bustling with people.
Women in new spring attire, with fans shielding their mouths and noses, giggled as they strolled past.
A young master in a wide robe and flowing sleeves, fanning himself, swaggered through the market.
Young master
Li Laosi pulled the still-stunned Second Brother and the villagers, quickly hiding behind a wonton stall.
"Second brother, I saw that incompetent fool, General Jiao, who ran away when faced with death. You two go buy things and gather information first. I'll go take a look. We'll meet at the city gate in two hours."
Without waiting for his second brother's nod, he turned and vanished.
Li Lao Er was so angry his eyes widened. This younger brother was too bold, daring to run around here.
But he had no choice but to quickly find a pharmacy, buying a few herbs that the Divine Physician was short of. He then went to the butcher shop and bought some bones and pork. Finally, he found a bustling teahouse at the city gate and sat down.
The teahouse was a melting pot of all sorts, with rumors flying everywhere. Some whispered about feuds between families in the city, while others spoke of brawls and even deaths in the surrounding villages. It was utter chaos.
Without saying that Li Lao'er frowned the more he listened, let alone Li Laosi followed Jiao Gongzi all the way to a bluestone alley behind the commercial street.
The alleyway was very clean, and red lanterns were hung at each doorway.
Jiao Gongzi and three companions, laughing and joking, knocked on the door of one of the houses. Immediately, a young woman dressed in thin clothes smiled and invited them in.
Li Laosi raised an eyebrow, understanding that this place in the city wasn't a brothel, but a hidden courtyard for prostitutes.
He wandered around nearby, but seeing no opportunity, he went around to the back.
Behind this courtyard, there's actually a small river. Trees are planted along the riverbank, and every household has a path leading to it. People usually do their laundry or take boats here on a daily basis.
He thought for a moment, then hid in a tree and stared at the small courtyard.
He waited for what seemed like a long time, until the sun began to set in the west. He was even about to give up.
At this point, Young Master Jiao finally went to the outhouse in the backyard to relieve himself.
He could bear it no longer, he reached out and touched it. Taking advantage of the fact that there was no one around, he picked up the laundry pole and knocked out Lord Jiao with a single blow.
Master Jiao had drunk half a tankard, and never thought anyone would scheme against him. He fell softly and knew nothing more.
Li Lao Si carried the man out of the courtyard, stripped him naked, shoved his underwear into Jiao Gongzi's mouth, wrapped his clothes around his head, tied up his hands and feet, and then beat him with a club.
Ji Gongzi was woken up and rolled on the ground begging for mercy, squealing like a pig being slaughtered, but it all got stuck in his throat.
He soon fainted from the pain, then woke up again...
Not until Li Lao Si was out of breath did Jiao Gongzi's body turn purple and blue, with little left in the way of healthy flesh.
Li Laosì finished him off with a final blow to the head, knocking him unconscious. Then he ripped off his hooded clothes and threw him onto an empty wooden boat. He also untied the ropes that secured the boat...
The little boat, free from its moorings, drifted along with the river current.
On the deck, the slick and smooth Master Jiao was half-dead, completely unaware that his "true colors" were about to be revealed to the entire new capital...
Li Lao Si ran quickly to the city gate and met up with Li Lao Er and the others. They successfully left the city, and only when they reached a deserted place did he let out a laugh of relief.
"Second Brother, I just avenged us!"
"Revenge What happened" Li Lao Er and the others were curious, but Li Lao Si just laughed nonstop.this moment, a gray-clad woman sat beside the table, idly cracking melon seeds with her feet up. The plate of snacks was empty, showing that she had eaten quite a bit.Seeing Zhao Yuru help the old wom...