Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

Although Dasheng and Shangguo have been at peace for many years, their desire for unification remains undiminished. Therefore, while things appear peaceful on the surface, they are actually on guard at every turn.

Although the two countries traded, the customs clearance was very strict.

Moreover, the Lian family had encountered the Shang Kingdom on the battlefield many times, and Lian Jinghuai was worried that his family would be implicated if his identity was exposed.

Therefore, after reaching the border, Lian Jinghuai decided to make proper arrangements for his family, while he would sneak into the Shang Kingdom to bring back the Crown Prince.

Lian Jinghuai's idea was naturally opposed by his children.

However, what the children objected to was not leaving everyone at the border, but rather that Lian Jinghuai should risk his life alone.

"Father, leave the matter of finding His Highness to your son. You don't need to do it yourself."

Lian Yijun was so anxious that her face turned red, but in the end she could only say this one sentence.

Lian Yicheng said a lot, but his father didn't listen to a word he said.

In the end, it was Lian's mother who stepped forward, but instead of supporting her children, she spoke up for Lian Jinghuai.

“You still don’t understand your father at all.” Mother Lian glanced at Lian Jinghuai, her eyes full of gentleness and tenderness.

"He was loyal to the emperor and loved his country all his life, and the late empress was our close friend since childhood."

Now that His Majesty has decreed that the eldest prince is in danger, how can you expect him to remain in a remote corner of the country?

"Mother, we don't want Father to live in seclusion. We still have me and my elder brother!"

Lian Yicheng explained somewhat anxiously.

But Mother Lian shook her head, sighed, and continued:

“You’re worried about your father’s safety, so how could we, as parents, put our children in danger?”

Lian Jinghuai nodded, then added, "Moreover, I have a brother-sister relationship with the late Empress. I must bring her child back personally!"

Lian Rongrong and her two brothers knew that it was impossible to stop their father, so they could only compromise and Lian Yicheng accompanied Lian Jinghuai to the funeral to search for the missing person.

Lian Yijun and Lian Rongrong led the Lian family to settle down temporarily at the border.

After leaving the capital, Lian Jinghuai knew he had been delayed for too long.

So, after settling his family in, he and his second son, Lian Yicheng, secretly entered the Kingdom of Shang overnight.

Firstly, Lian Jinghuai truly cared for the eldest prince; secondly, it was easier to enter the palace at night than during the day.

The Great Sheng Kingdom and the Shang Kingdom have been at war for many years, and there are far more than just a few dilapidated villages on the border.

Finding a place that could temporarily accommodate Lian's family was not difficult.

However, Lian Rongrong had many requirements for this temporary place of refuge.

First, there must be a water source around the village, preferably a flowing one.

Secondly, the village must have at least one side backed by a mountain, preferably a steep, high mountain.

Third, the village should be far away from the city center.

Fourth, the village should be located as close as possible to the Kingdom of Shang.

Following Lian Rongrong's request, the group finally found a suitable dilapidated village.

However, the village always seemed a bit eerie.

The wooden plaque at the village entrance hangs crookedly in mid-air, and more than half of the thatched houses in the village have collapsed.

As for those houses that looked passable, they were all covered in cobwebs.

Unidentified animals frequently dart across the narrow dirt roads in the village, creating a slightly eerie atmosphere as the night deepens.

"Little sister, are we really going to stay in a place like this? I've seen several villages along the way that are much better than this one."

Lin Chuyue picked up Ru'er, who was clutching the hem of her skirt, and patted her daughter's back reassuringly.

Not to mention the children were scared, even a female general like Lin Chuyue, who was used to seeing life and death on the battlefield, couldn't help but feel a chill in this eerie place.

Lian Rongrong shone a powerful flashlight around, and just then a night cat leaped past from a short distance away.

The terrifying atmosphere, coupled with the piercing meows of the cat, almost made Rongrong drop the flashlight.

Even so, Lian Rongrong said to her sister-in-law, "No! We're not changing places! We'll stay right here!"

"Have you lost your mind, girl? I bet there's something unclean here. Living here? Aren't you afraid of being possessed by a ghost?"

Lian Xiuyan shouted loudly, as if this could lessen the fear in her heart.

After Lian Xiuyan's outburst, Lian Rongrong was no longer so frightened. She shone her flashlight on Lian Xiuyan and then said:

"Haven't you heard the saying, 'If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear'?"

Could it be that my aunt has done something wrong?

Lian Xiuyan shielded her eyes with her hand to avoid the light from Lian Rongrong's flashlight. Seeing Lian Rongrong teasing her like this, she turned to Lian Jinghuai and yelled:

"Jinghuai, is this the good daughter you raised?"

Lian Jinghuai had already tolerated his elder sister time and time again, but now that they had arrived here, she was still so difficult and didn't know what was important or urgent.

Lian Jinghuai glanced at Lian Xiuyan with disappointment and helplessness, then walked past her and said to the crowd:

"After I left, everything here was decided by San Yatou. Mother is getting old and shouldn't overwork herself."

Madam's health has been poor lately, so please don't overexert yourself. As for the others, I imagine they aren't as thoughtful as Third Sister.

Therefore, from this day forward, everyone in the Lian family must follow the lead of the Third Sister.

If you disagree, you are welcome to leave!

Lian Jinghuai's words were undoubtedly a public slap in the face to Lian Xiuyan. Lian Xiuyan was furious, but just as she was about to ask her mother for help, the old lady turned her face away.

Having been rebuffed, Lian Xiuyan was annoyed but could only shut her mouth in frustration. After all, she couldn't really leave the Lian family.

Lian Jinghuai walked up to his daughter and asked softly, "Third daughter, are you sure this is the place?"

Lian Rongrong noticed her father's worry, and then she turned to look at her sister-in-law and her still somewhat frightened niece.

It seems I have to explain.

"Father, I chose this place because it is the best place to save the lives of the whole family!"

I want the village to have running water, firstly to make it convenient for everyone to start a fire, and secondly to prevent malicious people from poisoning it.

I want the village to be near the mountains because if any assassins come looking for us, we can escape into the mountains and forests to avoid being hunted down.

Moreover, living in the mountains allows them to make a living off the land. They can also set traps and mechanisms.

Finally, my desire for the village to be far from the city center is quite understandable.

After hearing Lian Rongrong's explanation, everyone nodded in agreement, and the dilapidated village in front of them didn't seem so scary anymore.

"My little sister is not only smart, but also has the ability to plan ahead," Lin Chuyue said sincerely.

Lian Rongrong smiled slightly, then assured her father:

"Father, don't worry, with my elder brother and sister-in-law here, we will definitely protect the Lian family. You and my second brother must also take good care of yourselves!"

"Don't worry, we'll be careful!"

After Lian Rongrong and the others entered the village and lit a bonfire, Lian Jinghuai and Lian Yicheng left.

Those who stayed and those who left both missed and worried about each other, but they had no other choice.

Watching her father and second brother disappear into the darkness, Lian Rongrong felt a sudden pang of panic.

Actually, she had an even more important reason for choosing this place, which was also the fourth condition that she did not explain.

If the old emperor passes away and the second prince succeeds in seizing the throne, he will never be able to return home again.

She always had to leave a way out for her father and second brother, and she always had to give the Lian family a place to live and make a living!