Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

Finally, after leaving the money exchange, Zhang Xixi and the other three started browsing the fabric shops next door. They continued browsing until they finally went to the grain shop and the general store.

Although they visited many stores and spent a long time there, they didn't buy much except for food and seasonings, because Chen Shi wouldn't allow them to buy anything, saying that money should be spent wisely. Zhang Xixi felt that they had spent their shopping trip in vain.

Ugh! I shouldn't have come shopping with my mom next time; our spending philosophies are just too different!

Money is meant to be spent, so why mistreat yourself? Just spend it all and earn more!

Zhang Xixi returned to the inn feeling dejected. She comforted Xiao Jin and the others, who had been sitting in the carriage and unable to make a sound, and bought them two buckets of spiritual spring water.

"Xiao Jin, stay here with your wife and make sure no one finds you!"

Little King Kong wanted to roar, but Zhang Xixi covered his mouth and could only nod his big head.

Understood, Master!

Zhang Xixi returned to the inn's lobby just as Zhang Wenbo and the others came back. Seeing Da Bao and the others walking in with candied hawthorns in their hands, each holding a candied hawthorn, she knew they had had a great time.

Zhou Yujie handed the package wrapped in oiled paper to Zhang Xixi, then lowered his head and said, "Sister-in-law, I bought three sets of writing brushes and ink and several reams of white paper, and that's it. You can scold me now!"

"Once it's used up, it's used up. As long as it's used for something worthwhile, it doesn't matter how much you use."

My sister-in-law is so kind; she didn't blame me at all!

"If there's anything else you want to buy, you can go buy it tomorrow," Zhang Xixi said, taking out a piece of silver from her sleeve and handing it to him.

"No need, there's nothing left to buy!" Zhou Yujie quickly waved his hand in refusal.

Seeing her brother-in-law's resolute expression, Zhang Xixi took the money back, telling him to ask her for it again before buying anything.

Since the inn didn't provide meals, the villagers borrowed the inn's kitchen to heat up the leftover sweet potatoes. Of course, some families bought food from outside to eat. Zhang Xixi and her family's dinner consisted of the large meat buns that Zhang Wenbo and his friends brought back.

The ingredients were quite generous, and although the cooking skills weren't very good, Zhang Xixi and the others still ate with great relish, since they hadn't had steamed buns in a long time.

The next day, after traveling for more than two hours, Zhang Xixi and her group arrived at Yun'an Town.

Many villagers shed tears of joy upon seeing the town!

finally reached!

Zhang Xixi looked around at the not-so-bustling town in front of her, finally she could settle down!

Finally, I don't have to run around anymore!

Finally, I don't have to get up and walk around every day anymore!

Yun'an Town is the closest town to the county seat and the largest town in Dafang County. It has eight villages under its jurisdiction. The town is lined with shops and is quite prosperous. The current town mayor, Zheng Xiangsong, is over forty years old and is an old scholar.

At this moment, Zhou Dashan and Zhang Wenbo took the documents to the town office.

Zheng Xiangsong was very happy about Zhou Dashan and his group's arrival, because Yun'an Town had not had any disaster victims settle down for several years. Much of the land was barren, and their area was always at the bottom of the tax revenue. He had been hoping every day that someone would come and settle down.

Zheng Xiangsong glanced at Zhou Dashan and his companion, then looked at the documents.

"The county magistrate didn't send any constables with you!"

Zhang Wenbo nodded and said, "No, the county is short-staffed, so the students and others came on their own."

Zheng Xiangsong carefully examined the document and confirmed its authenticity. He was even more pleased to see that there were a total of 356 people, with able-bodied men making up the majority of them. This meant that next year's grain harvest would be plentiful!

"Please wait a moment, let me see where I can arrange for you to stay!"

Zhou Dashan and Zhang Wenbo were both stunned. It was strange that the smiling town mayor was so kind and polite!

After a while, Zheng Xiangsong pondered and said, "There are so many of you, let's go to the deserted village instead!"

"Thank you very much, Mayor!"

Zhang Wenbo and Zhou Dashan quickly thanked them with smiles. They were worried that with so many of them, they would be divided into several villages. It was a great blessing that they could all be in one village!

Zhou Dashan thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and asked, "Sir, what about this land...?"

"As for the land, you can choose as much as you want. Just make sure to plant crops on the land you choose next year."

Zhou Dashan and Zhang Wenbo were even more puzzled. They had never heard of anyone being allowed to choose their own land!

Zheng Xiangsong then instructed the yamen runner beside him, "Take them to the deserted village!"

"Yes, my lord!"

The town yamen runner's expression changed slightly upon hearing about the deserted village, but he quickly recovered and nodded.

My cousin's arrangement must have been carefully considered, so I decided to keep quiet.

Moreover, these people must have some skills to have brought their families here. Although there are some minor problems in the deserted village, they should be able to solve them with so many people.

"Let's go!"

After bidding farewell to Zheng Xiangsong, Zhou Dashan and his group hurriedly followed the town's yamen runners.

"What is your surname, sir?" Zhou Dashan asked with a smile.

Wu,

With a smile, Zhou Dashan stuffed the loose silver coins in his hand into Wu Dagui's hand, "Sir Wu, you've worked hard today. This is a small token of our appreciation. Please take it and have some tea."

Wu Dagui squeezed the money in his palm; it was actually silver, and quite a lot of it. It seemed that although these people had fled here, they still had some savings.

His eyes flashed, and he laughed, "No problem, no problem. Where are your people? Go and call them quickly. The deserted village is quite far from the town, so we need to leave as soon as possible."

"Our people are right by the roadside just inside the town."

Wu Dagui nodded, "Then let's go straight there. Just head west after leaving the town."

When Wu Dagui saw Zhang Xixi and the others carrying large and small bags, with livestock also carrying large and small bags on their backs, and even a horse-drawn carriage, he realized that this family was incredibly wealthy!

These people looked strong and healthy, with ruddy complexions; they didn't look like people who had just fled.

They don't look like refugees at all; they're more energetic than the locals!

After greeting the villagers, Zhou Dashan noticed that Wu Dagui was distracted and quickly stepped forward, saying, "Sir, please lead the way!"

Wu Dagui nodded and led Zhang Xixi and the others for more than an hour until they arrived at a deserted village. The village was truly deserted, with hardly anyone in sight and only overgrown weeds.

No, Zhang Xixi looked more closely and realized there were still people there. There were several dilapidated thatched huts on the hillside in the distance, and there seemed to be figures at the doorways.

No wonder, when Zhou Dashan asked Wu Dagui about the deserted village along the way, he was always evasive or vague, saying that he would know when he got there.