It's not scary to travel through a book, you can change your fate as a cannon fodder by yoursel

"Boss, this is what's going on," Gao Qiao explained calmly, "Our pickles are sealed with water, and they can be stored in a dry, shaded place for more than a month. But this batch is special. Not only is the temperature high, but when we fled, we didn't change the sealing water. I opened a jar yesterday, and the pickles already tasted wrong."

Weng Xiaoxiao asked this deliberately, just to see if Gao Qiao would tell her the truth and whether he was responsible. If he saw that she was unhappy, he would change his words immediately. She really didn't dare to use such a manager.

"Okay, I get it. Find two reliable people to deal with the pickles. Dig a hole and bury them quietly. Otherwise, someone will pick them up and eat them and get sick."

"Don't worry, boss. I'll get it done as soon as possible." Gao Qiao was completely relieved. If she didn't say it, she would feel guilty. If she did, she would be worried that her boss would be angry with her. After all, this was a waste of money.

......

The place where they cooked was in the school at the entrance of the village, so they could quickly hear any movement outside.

"Boss, there are a lot of people outside, all young men." The person who reported the news looked extremely nervous.

Weng Xiaoxiao's heart also skipped a beat. Could it be that she had encountered a group of refugees? Were they here to rob her?

"Don't panic, everyone. Young woman, take the children into the house quickly. Sister-in-law, you go too." After greeting everyone, she did not forget to tell Takahashi.

Takahashi nodded and rushed towards his child.

"Auntie Liu, please lead everyone to clean up the dishes." There must be no obvious signs of having eaten.

"Uncle Liu, watch over the young men. They must obey my orders and no one is allowed to act rashly."

After explaining the matter in a few words, Weng Xiaoxiao walked out, and the rest was organized by Liu Yuan.

Her heart was beating fast but she couldn't take a step back.

Ping An and Shunsui had already followed Weng Xiaoxiao. If anything happened, they would risk their lives to protect their master.

"Master Weng? Why are you here?"

"Lord Ouyang?"

Ouyang Zhen smiled bitterly. Even his parents might not recognize him at first glance in his current attire. "Yes, I found this place. Come in and take a look."

Weng Xiaoxiao bowed and said, "Your Excellency, you have worked hard. We have just started to clean up the silt on the road, and the people are barely making ends meet in the school at the entrance of the village."

"Mr. Weng is a man who takes care of everything himself. If everyone is like you, we will have nothing to fear."

Weng Xiaoxiao gave a bitter smile and said, "Sir, go in and have a bowl of water and eat something."

They had no choice but to rush here at mealtime. They had been out for several days and the little food they brought with them had long gone. They could only eat and stay wherever they arrived.

Ouyang Zhen clasped his fists and said, "Sorry for bothering you then."

"My lord please."

"Brother, please."

The two men politely gave way to each other and walked forward side by side.

Because of their status, although they exchanged gifts with the Ouyang family, Weng Xiaoxiao and Ouyang Zhen had never had a personal relationship. Weng Xiaoxiao did not take the initiative to invite him, and Ouyang Zhen, who was proud of his status, would not take the initiative to visit.

Seeing Liu Yuan waiting on the side, Weng Xiaoxiao ordered, "Uncle Liu, prepare a pot of herbal tea and another pot of porridge."

Seeing that the boss was chatting and laughing with others, the alarm was naturally lifted. Liu Yuan responded and hurriedly asked the old woman to take a few older women to light the fire and cook.

Weng Xiaoxiao asked Ouyang Zhen to sit down, "Please forgive me, sir, for the simple conditions."

Ouyang Zhen waved his hands. This was the best hospitality they had ever received. Many people from the manor had not returned and could not even leave. "Young Master, you have good management. I guess no one here has fled."

"All the crops were destroyed, and two people were killed. Fortunately, I am the capable head of the village and I helped everyone to survive for the time being."

Even their own land was abandoned by many people, not to mention the tenants. I guess it was because the landlord treated them well that they were reluctant to leave. It was hard to stay, and it was not easy to leave either.

"Everyone, have a cup of cold tea to cool off." Liu Yuan brought his second son and Xiao Hai over to serve tea.

"Try it, sir. I brought it from outside."

Ouyang Zhen was extremely thirsty at the moment, so he took a small sip without caring about the burn.

"Is this herbal tea? I took a sip and I feel that this herbal tea is really good. Do you have any more? I want to ask for some for my family. The heat is unbearable and the season is not good. It is better to be cautious."

This man is indeed well-informed. Weng Xiaoxiao admires Ouyang Zhen's sharpness. Since he doesn't ask for much and only asks for some for his family, she naturally can't refuse. "I'll send it to your house later."

"Thank you, thank you very much."

"You are too polite, sir. I have a few thoughts. I wonder if I should share them with you?"

experience?

Ouyang Zhen was a little curious, "Sir, please feel free to speak."

"Flood mud is very dirty, and it needs to be cleaned up as soon as possible. It is easy for major epidemics to occur after major disasters, and this is often the case."

Ouyang Zhen's heart sank. What he had seen these days was too much to bear. "What you said is true, but we are in a very difficult situation right now."

"Sir, you are short of manpower here, and there are still many people without work. You might as well gather those idle people to clean up the roads and rivers."

Reading history makes people wise. There are many famous disaster relief stories. They all start from the people's livelihood and create job opportunities for people. Naturally, the rich will pay the money.

This is a best of both worlds idea, but as a county magistrate himself, Ouyang Zhen is not in a position to be in charge, so he couldn't agree to it and just gave a few simple compliments.

"Please preach wherever you go, and let the people drink boiled water instead of raw water."

"To prevent disease?"

"Exactly."

"You are a kind-hearted man. Not only does he help his tenants, he also thinks about others. This is really rare."

Weng Xiaoxiao bowed and said, "I am just talking, how can I compare to your hard work and contribution in person."

Ouyang Zhen's lips moved, revealing a helpless expression. Weng Xiao gave him some personal advice, which was for the people as well as for him, so he stopped using official language. "What merits or not, it's good enough if it's not a mistake. The court is in trouble, and we can only rely on the local areas to save themselves."

Sure enough.

"With such a large family and business, the imperial court will naturally be overwhelmed at times."

Ouyang Zhen leaned closer and whispered, "I've taken note of your reminder, Master. You should also remember to stay out of the spotlight during this period."

Weng Xiaoxiao agreed with a smile. Even though she couldn't get a number in Yangzhou, she still had to be careful about being noticed by others for no reason.

After the meal, Ouyang Zhen and his companions left. Before leaving, they doubled the amount of property losses in the village in the notebook, which was considered a secret favoritism to their acquaintances.

After seeing the actual situation and inspiring people, Weng Xiaoxiao prepared to go back. She was tired after traveling for so many days.

When he returned, he also took Feng Gu and Aunt Zhang with him, leaving Ping An behind in exchange for Shun Sui, because his wife was pregnant. He also brought back a servant, because the family couldn't do without a man to guard the door and run errands, so the rest of the servants stayed to help for the time being, rotating every ten days.