In a chaotic world of infrastructure development, a woman's path to survival after being reborn

As the group prepared to depart, it wasn't just this few people. Upon arriving at the camp gate, Mo Bei led his soldiers to follow.

Upon seeing Mo Bei, Su Li casually asked, "Where's your general? He hasn't come back all night?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Bei replied, "The general has led his men down the mountain."

Remembering what she had discussed with Zhao Zexuan yesterday, Su Li nodded to indicate that she understood, and then said, "Let's hurry up and set off. We'll feel more at ease once we've put everything in our pockets."

Mo Bei thought so too, which is why he led his soldiers to guard the camp entrance early on, and immediately followed when Su Li was about to take people out.

Looking at the soldiers Mo Bei led, Su Li estimated for a moment and said, "Aren't you bringing a bit too many soldiers? Although those things need to be carried, you don't need this many, do you?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Bei said, "It's not safe down the mountain now, and there's no guarantee that someone won't come up at this time. Just in case, bring more people with you."

Hearing this, Su Li couldn't object. Thinking of the group of people from last night, she felt that Mo Bei's consideration was perfectly appropriate.

"Remember to bring your rations, everyone. We'll probably be out all day today," Su Li instructed.

Mo Bei: "They've all been brought."

……

Today was indeed a busy day with a lot of tasks, so much so that the aunties didn't have time to discuss the surprises one after another; they were just focused on getting to work.

Everyone was focused on working hard, which is why they were able to bring everything back in such a short time.

The group went out in the morning and didn't return until evening, bringing back many things. The camp became lively again, and the children, who had been well-behaved all day, couldn't help but gather around and chatter incessantly.

However, their chattering inquiries went unanswered, because their mother and grandmother were too tired to say a word.

Although Su Li hadn't done any physical labor, she had walked such a long distance and was quite tired. She waved to Zhao Zexuan, who was walking towards her, signaling him to arrange things behind her, and then turned and left.

Before they even got close, Su Li had already left. Zhao Zexuan was quite helpless. He glanced at the equally exhausted soldiers and the village aunties, then asked no more questions and led the soldiers forward to arrange for the things they had retrieved.

Yesterday's confiscation included cloth, and today so much cotton has been harvested. Many clever people noticed this and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that they no longer needed to worry about the coming of winter.

After arranging the storage of his belongings, Zhao Zexuan wanted to go see Su Li, but before he could even get up, a soldier informed him that the Pei family wanted to see him.

Some time has passed since the floodwaters receded, and the fate of the Pei family—whether they stay or leave—should be decided by now.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Zexuan led his soldiers toward the place where the Pei family was stationed.

Guessing that Zhao Zexuan would come to keep the appointment, Old Master Pei waited and watched from afar as Zhao Zexuan led his men in their direction. Old Master Pei then instructed the women of the Pei family to leave.

Pei Jiaojiao was initially surprised by Zhao Zexuan's arrival, but before she could even feel happy, her father found an excuse to send her away. She was a little unhappy and pouted, just about to beg to stay when she saw her mother's stern gaze.

Under her mother's stern gaze, Pei Jiaojiao finally became a little scared, withdrew her outstretched hand, stomped her foot, and left angrily.

This scene was noticed only by Madam Pei, who was focused on Pei Jiaojiao; no one else saw it, so the scene remained relatively calm.

The women of the Pei family left quickly, and when Zhao Zexuan arrived with his soldiers, Old Master Pei led his men to greet him.

The two encounters clearly showed a shift in their respective positions. Looking at the tall and resolute Zhao Zexuan, Old Master Pei couldn't help but sigh, realizing that one wrong step had led to another.

Sighing inwardly but remaining calm on the surface, Old Master Pei looked at Zhao Zexuan and said, "Nephew, you are indeed very talented, living up to your reputation."

Faced with Old Master Pei's praise, Zhao Zexuan's expression remained unchanged, and he said, "Old Master, is there something you need from me today?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Pei knew Zhao Zexuan's attitude and immediately got to the point: "I want to make a deal with you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "The old man already made a deal with us last time. Could it be that he has enough grain to trade with me this time?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Pei paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Nephew, you're joking. Even if we wanted to trade grain now, we wouldn't have the means. We don't have much grain left."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan said, "So the old man doesn't have enough bargaining chips, so why is he talking to me about making a deal?"

"A trade is indeed necessary, but this time it's not about grain, but a map—a more detailed map."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan became serious, looking at Old Master Pei with a scrutinizing gaze.

Seeing Zhao Zexuan's reaction, Old Master Pei knew that he valued this matter highly, and then said, "Nephew, you should know what my Pei family used to do. Apart from the royal family, only my Pei family knows the mountains and rivers best. I think you know the importance of such a map."

Hearing what Old Master Pei said, Zhao Zexuan relaxed and asked with a smile, "Old Master Pei, this deal is really tempting. You've put up such a bargaining chip. I wonder what you want to trade with me?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Pei said solemnly, "I want my dear nephew to ensure the safety of my Pei family and treat my family members as members of your team. I don't ask for special treatment, I only ask for equal treatment."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan asked in confusion, "With such a map, Old Master Pei can go anywhere he wants, so why does he need to seek my protection?"

"Because this is a chaotic world, and because I am no longer young, the Pei family cannot survive in this chaotic world by relying on itself alone," Old Master Pei said truthfully.

Zhao Zexuan understood what Old Master Pei was really saying, but he wasn't moved at all, since it was just a transaction.

After a long silence, just as Old Master Pei was about to speak again, Zhao Zexuan said, "I've made this deal. I hope the map you provided is accurate, otherwise I'm not a kind person."

"As long as you don't cause trouble or make a scene, the soldiers in the team will treat you like ordinary civilians and protect your safety. But if you have other ideas, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Faced with Zhao Zexuan's prior explanation, Old Master Pei remained calm and said, "Don't worry, my dear nephew, I will keep the Pei family in check."

The deal was done. Old Master Pei took out a well-preserved map from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Zexuan, saying, "This is the map. Please keep it safe, my dear nephew."