The Story of a Destitute Noblewoman Farming

When Taoist Zhang heard Lu Linlang say this, he smiled and said seriously, "Actually, if you want to get to the south as quickly as possible, there is another way. That's the fastest way."

"Master, where are you talking about?" Lu Linlang originally thought that taking the water route was the fastest, but she was indeed worried that if she took the water route, she might encounter soldiers sent by the Regent. If they saw the food, she would probably lose both her people and her money.

"That's right. I'm afraid you haven't really walked into the depths of Chongshan. It's different from what you imagine. And after passing through Chongshan, there's a small path. It used to be an official road, but later another road was built, and that place was abandoned."

"Deep in the mountains? Are you talking about where the mountain dwellers live? We've certainly never been there. Even the villagers living nearby don't dare go deep into the mountains. I heard there are many ferocious beasts in there, and it's dangerous. No one except the mountain dwellers has ever come out safely."

"That's the road. Actually, those mountain people aren't that xenophobic, but they are a little different. If we borrow their road, maybe we can ask them for help."

"Will they help?" Lu Linlang had also seen people from the mountains. They were very hostile to outsiders, and the women who married into the mountains would never tell others about the situation there. In everyone's perception, there must be wild beasts rampant in the mountains, and it would be very dangerous to survive, and they might not even have enough to eat.

"Yes, I still have some face, but this time you can only bring your own people, keep your mouth shut, and don't reveal their true situation to others, otherwise they will be very vindictive."

"Don't worry, apart from you and me, and Uncle Zhong and the others, everyone else is my servant. They only obey my orders, and I won't let them reveal it."

"Okay, let's do this right now, we'll set off the day after tomorrow."

Lu Linlang was naturally willing to do so. There was a food shortage in the northwest, and if they could collect food and transport it over earlier, it would alleviate the difficulties faced by the army.

That night, Lu Linlang took Guan Ling, Yun Yi, several younger brothers, and Dahua to discuss what would happen after she left.

Guan Ling's identity is very important. Now He Yue has announced the will to the world, and Yunyi and others also know that the princess will inherit the throne. Dahua is already thirteen years old and she has become mature. Lu Linlang told her the truth and asked her to keep her mouth shut and not reveal the princess's identity because of unintentional mistakes.

When Dahua saw Guan Ling, surprise and respect appeared in her eyes. She really didn't expect that her cousin had such an important identity. She wanted to salute tremblingly, but was stopped by Guan Ling.

"Here, I am your cousin, and you must treat me as you did before. During the time that my cousin is away, the best thing for us is to do our own things well, not hold everyone back, and wait for my cousin to return peacefully."

"We will definitely protect my cousin and sisters. Sister, you must be careful when you go out. Taoist Zhang and Yangchun are still making smoke bombs. You must bring more things for self-defense." Lu Zhan and Yun Can were entrusted with the important task by Lu Linlang to protect their family at home. Although they were worried at the moment, they were more worried about Lu Linlang who was going out.

"Sister, these are the various medicines I usually make. There are medicines for wounds, wind-heat and cold, diarrhea medicine, detoxification medicine, etc. Take them all with you. I will take Erhua with me to continue preparing for the next two days. Even if you don't need them, you can still have some peace of mind."

"Sister, I have been making clothes with Sister Qiuyue these two days. I will make some wear-resistant fabrics for you. I will also seal a few more pockets on the clothes and put more silver and money in them for self-defense." Dahua also said.

"I will manage the household affairs on behalf of my sister. You don't have to worry about them while you are away." Yun Yi also said immediately afterwards.

Seeing her younger brothers and sisters planning in such an orderly manner, Lu Linlang smiled with satisfaction. They have grown up and will surely be able to stand on their own in time, and she will be able to relax.

"Okay, you're all great. I'll bring you gifts when I get back."

Lu Linlang met with the clan leader alone and told him that she was planning to go out. She asked him to take good care of the family while she was away. She told others that she was going on business and not to reveal anything else.

The clan leader didn't know what she was planning, but he knew that Lu Linlang must be busy with something, so he didn't refuse.

Before dawn, Lu Linlang's house was brightly lit and everyone was up to see them off on their long journey.

The reason they chose to do it before dawn was to prevent more people from discovering their route. Yun Yi and others could only send them to the door, watch their figures holding torches disappear into the back mountain, and then close the door.

"Sister told us not to reveal it casually. You all should go and rest and don't disturb others." Yun Yi, the oldest among them, said this. No matter how reluctant the children were, they didn't dare to make a sound. They went to bed quietly and kept their eyes open until dawn.

At daybreak, Taoist Zhang had already led Lu Linlang and his party to the outskirts of Chongshan. In the early morning forest, there were still birds singing. The mountain was already covered with frost. The further they went, the more rime hung on the trees. Lu Linlang was leading the horse, and the people behind him were pulling carts, weaving through the forest.

They were all wearing fur coats, and going out in such weather was a torture.

"We are entering the mountain people's territory ahead. Be careful, they have archers patrolling. If someone comes later, don't run around. I will explain it myself." Taoist Zhang has a good sense of direction. After walking for a whole morning, he finally arrived at the area of ​​the mountain people he mentioned.

Lu Linlang observed the terrain. It seemed that the further in she went, the flatter the road became. She also saw that the rime had begun to thaw. Obviously, the temperature here was lower and higher. However, she still didn't see any houses. Could it be that the people in the mountains lived in caves?

Swoosh! An arrow blocked their path, aiming at a tree. If one didn't look carefully, one wouldn't have noticed there were two people squatting on the tree.

"My two little brothers, it's me, Taoist Zhang. I'm here to ask your clan leader for help. They are all villagers from the foot of the mountain. We are planning to borrow a road from here and go south." Taoist Zhang heard the voice, walked out with a smile and shouted.

"It's Taoist Priest Zhang. Why did you bring so many people here? You guys wait here and I'll report to the clan leader first." The man in the black bear cloak had a big beard. He jumped down, said something, and walked inside.

The other man remained silent, pointing a bow and arrow in their direction, as if to imply that if they didn't obey his orders, the arrow would be shot at them the next moment.

Lu Linlang calmly observed the arrow that had just been shot. It was not an arrow commonly used by the imperial court, nor was it an arrowhead made by a blacksmith registered with the government office. It was more likely made by them themselves.

I heard that people living in the mountains are poor. It seems that there is something fishy going on here. Could it be that there is an iron mine in this mountain? Why did they hide it?