Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

After dinner, everyone stayed up together until midnight.

Zhang Xixi had never stayed up this late since arriving at the Tianqi Dynasty, and without exception, everyone woke up late the next day.

Today, the entire Zhou family is going to pay respects to their ancestors. After Zhang Xixi woke up, she immediately went to wake up Da Bao and the others.

"Da Bao, Er Bao, wake up!"

After calling out a few times, Zhang Xixi went to the kitchen to help make breakfast and prepare offerings.

After Da Bao and the others got up, they wished their family members a Happy New Year and sent them their blessings.

Zhang Xixi gave each of them a red envelope that she had prepared early in the morning.

They also sent one to Sun Xiuxiu and her husband, as well as Zhou Damu.

Because women were not allowed to enter ancestral halls in ancient times, Zhou Yuhao and his group went to the ancestral hall with offerings after breakfast.

Zhou Dashan and the others were already waiting at the entrance of the ancestral hall; they were all male members of the clan.

"Brother Hao, you've finally arrived!"

Seeing so many people waiting for them, Zhou Yuhao quickly said, "Sorry we're late!"

"You're here, let's go!"

Led by Zhou Dashan, the clansmen carried the offerings and followed behind him in an orderly fashion.

At Zhang Xixi's home, Zhang Xixi and Sun Xiuxiu were already packing up food and supplies for a village reunion dinner this afternoon.

After a while, Da Bao and the others returned, followed by a group of children who came to wish them a Happy New Year.

"Happy New Year, Third Grandma!"

Zhang Xixi quickly had Sun Xiuxiu bring out candies, peanuts, and other treats, giving each of them two large handfuls.

The children were overjoyed to see candy and showered it with compliments.

After exchanging New Year's greetings, Da Bao and the others went out with the children to visit other families.

Zhou Fu tried to call his two sons back, but Zhang Xixi stopped him.

“It’s finally the New Year, let them go and have fun! There’s nothing much to do at home. I’ll go with you to herd those cows up the mountain later, they won’t run away.”

Zhou Fu watched his two sons walk away and replied, "I'll do as the master says."

These two kids have probably gotten too wild and forgotten who they are!

Before long, the threshing ground was filled with things, and the villagers were busy at work.

There were people setting up the stove, washing and preparing vegetables, and children playing around nearby; it was quite lively.

Lunch was simple – steamed buns with side dishes – but dinner was a feast with chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Zhou Dashan even had someone buy some wine.

The whole village ate a reunion dinner together.

Zhang Xixi and her family sat at one table with the Chen family, while the children sat at another table.

After the banquet began, Old Wang even brought over a wine glass, insisting on toasting Zhang Xixi.

"Da Bao's mother, you absolutely must drink this glass of wine. You've helped me so much, I'm truly grateful!"

Zhang Xixi didn't expect that Old Wang would actually come to thank her. Was she drunk?

Moreover, this once unruly and helpless person has now become such a grateful person.

After drinking, Zhang Xixi was still a little doubtful about life; this person's personality had changed so easily.

Actually, that's not the case. Old Wang only behaves this way in front of Zhang Xixi. In front of others, he's still the same as always.

After the excitement subsided, everyone dispersed.

Some women were missing their families, because during the famine, each village was only concerned with its own affairs and didn't know where their families had gone.

I hope they are still alive and well!

Zhang Xixi also misses her parents in the modern world. They should have received the gold she sent. She hopes they will live a life free from illness, pain, and disaster.

"System, can you send blessings? If you can, I'm willing to pay any price."

"Host, are you drunk? I'm not a god!"

Ok!

System, you're still unreliable!

Never mind, I'm going home to rest!

Starting from the second day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Fu and the others stayed at home, while Zhang Xixi and the others went around visiting various banquets.

However, the area was still within the deserted village. The first house was the maternal home. After eating at one house, another house would invite them to stay.

Zhang Xixi and the others ate so much that their faces became rounder.

Fortunately, everyone calmed down after the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.

Zhou Yuhao also took Zhou Damu to the Northwest.

Da Bao and the others wanted to go with them, but Zhang Xixi and Zhou Yuhao refused.

The Northwest is cold, and it's too far away; the roads aren't safe either.

Meanwhile, the sweet potatoes in many households in the village had ripened, and everyone went to the fields to dig them up.

The factory also started work the next day, and everyone actively devoted themselves to making the fans.

When it comes down to it, making money is still the best thing!

After the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Wang Daniu and the others returned.

The first thing we did when we got back was to dig up sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes in the field this time were bigger than the previous ones, mainly because the growth cycle was longer.

The winters here are not snowy and not very cold, so the sweet potatoes grow well and are not damaged by frost.

Zhang Xixi went to check on the field and found that there were 400 mu of sweet potatoes that could be harvested this time. At the speed of Wang Daniu and his team, they should be able to finish digging in four days.

When Wang Daniu saw Zhang Xixi coming to inspect, he quickly stepped forward.

"Master, should we keep the sweet potato vines?"

"Keep some, enough to plant a hundred acres, and take the rest home to feed the livestock."

"Yes, boss!"

Zhang Xixi thought to herself that there were still two months until spring, and the newly planted crops would probably have a hard time surviving. She would have to water them with more nutrient solution after planting.

A few days later, Granny Yun arrived with her husband.

Zhang Xixi opened the door and was a little surprised to see them. Could it be that something was wrong with the fans?

"Granny Yun, what's going on here!"

"Madam Zhang, we've come to buy vermicelli."

This is even more strange!

Even though they already know how to make it, they still come to buy it.

"You all come in and speak first!"

Granny Yun waved her hand, "No, we need to hurry back. Could you take us to see the factory?"

Zhang Xixi was taken aback. Why the rush?

"Of course, let's go!"

Along the way, Granny Yun first introduced the men to Zhang Xixi.

"By the way, this is my husband's surname, Liu. He manages all of my wife's shops, and he will be in charge of this transaction."

Zhang Xixi greeted him, "Manager Liu!"

The two then began to talk.

Zhang Xixi then realized why she had come to buy fans.

It turns out they had a collaboration with people in the northern desert, but those people didn't want money, only sweet potato transactions. Their factory had only been built recently and they were short of sweet potatoes, so they couldn't produce that many sweet potatoes.

"How many fans do you need, and for how long?"

"100,000 jin, needed in a month."

Zhang Xixi pondered, "The time is too tight!"

Manager Liu quickly said, "Madam Zhang, as long as the goods are delivered on time, I'm willing to pay a little more. I know you sell to others for 25 coins per catty, but I'll offer 26 coins. What do you think?"

It costs a little over one coin per pound. If the factory workers work overtime and are paid some overtime wages, it can be produced.

"When I get to the factory, I'll talk to the person in charge and then get back to you!"