Chapter 193: Entering the City

In the farmlands along the roadside, the crops grew sparsely and looked yellow and wilted.

You don't have to wait until harvest to find out how low the yield will be.

Moreover, the further northeast you go, the more severe the drought becomes, and almost no crops grow in the fields on higher ground.

People catching grasshoppers can be seen in the fields and woods at any time.

They held a net bag in one hand, a pole in the other, and a bag hanging around their waist.

They used a pole to scratch the grass, and the grasshoppers jumped out. They then used the net bag in their other hand to cover the grasshoppers and catch them in the net.

Then he used his hands to stuff the caught grasshoppers into the bag around his waist.

Occasionally you would see some people fighting over grasshoppers.

Almost every household had grasshoppers drying in the sun in winnowing baskets outside their doors.

Wen Yan was very satisfied with the effect.

This shows that Meng Xiyan did a great job in disaster relief.

After a long journey of three days and two nights.

After fighting three waves of disaster victims or bandits, and at the cost of Wen Ruyue sacrificing two guards, they finally arrived outside the city of Jinyang.

Looking at the towering city walls, you can tell how rich and glorious this city once was.

When they arrived at the city gate, they found that the entry and exit checks were very strict.

Wen Ruyue and his men brought more than a dozen carts of food, and the soldiers guarding the city had already seen tears in their eyes.

Such a large amount of food is enough for them to provide disaster relief for a long time.

After Wen Ruyue and the others showed their official credentials, they quickly passed the inspection and entered the city.

Wen Yan's appearance is special, but Pei'er has her "indenture", so she passed the level smoothly.

On the contrary, Wu Yunzi encountered trouble when entering the city gate.

His official certificate described him as a fat man with white hair.

But now he has become a fat man with black hair, which is inconsistent with his appearance.

Wu Yunzi had no choice but to pull his hair apart to reveal the newly grown white hair roots.

The guards then let him into the city.

Wen Yan originally agreed to let Wu Yunzi leave.

However, after the two teams merged, Wu Yunzi became Pei'er's father and was forced to go along.

However, Wu Yunzi is no longer so afraid of Wen Yan.

Along the way, he saw Wen Yan several times quietly taking snacks and water to help the lonely, elderly and children on the roadside.

After entering the tall city gate, they seemed to have come to another world.

It is in stark contrast to the desolation and ruin outside the city.

There are still a lot of people walking on the street.

Shops and stalls can be seen everywhere.

It is still prosperous, lively and noisy here.

It is not as prosperous as the capital, but it is not inferior to other provincial capitals.

If it weren't for the pedestrians' pale and thin faces, one would never have known that this was a provincial capital experiencing a drought.

Wen Ruyue looked at the people coming and going and sighed, "I won't have to worry about not being able to sell my grain anymore."

Wen Yan winked at Pei'er.

Pei'er went to say goodbye to Situ Ming and Wen Ruyue.

Wen Ruyue wanted it more than ever, and even hoped that they could leave quickly.

The ugly mother is really too ugly.

Every time she saw it, she would feel so nauseous that she couldn't eat for a long time.

Situ Ming smiled and said, "I'll take you there."

"This... isn't a good idea. It will take up too much of your time, right? After all, you still have important things to do."

Situ Mingdao said, "It's no problem. I'm just sending you off. It won't take long."

Situ Ming looks kind-hearted.

If you refuse again, it will seem suspicious.

Pei'er had no choice but to agree with a wry smile.

She walked over and looked at Wen Yan for help.

Wen Yan looked at Uncle Lin and the others.

Uncle Lin immediately led the way.

After going around in circles, they soon arrived at an alley.

The alley is narrow, the houses are low and the walls are mottled.

It is obvious that the people living here are not rich, and can even be considered poor.

They stopped in front of a courtyard gate.

This house is more dilapidated than the others.

Uncle Lin went forward and knocked on the door.

After a while, the door was opened from the inside.

The person who opened the door was a middle-aged man.

The man's eyes were watery and they rolled around when he looked at people, revealing a shrewd look.

He was surprised to see Uncle Lin: "Old Lin? Why is it you?"

Uncle Lin glanced back and said, "My master is here to take my wife home."

The man peeked out, and after seeing Wu Yunzi, he strode over and bowed deeply: "My humble servant greets you, uncle."

Then he turned around and saluted Pei'er again: "Cousin, why are you here too? Because of the drought, our area is in chaos and very dangerous."

Pei'er said, "Uncle Fuzi, where are my elder brother and mother? Take me to see them quickly."

The man named Fuzi sighed heavily: "The young lady and cousin are not at home."

"Not at home? What happened? Did something happen to my mother?" Pei'er was so worried that her voice was filled with tears.

Uncle Fuzi quickly waved his hands: "No, no. The young lady and cousin are both fine."

However, a month ago, they followed the master and the young master to the border to do business.

I received news that they were going directly from the border, bypassing Jinyang Prefecture and heading straight to the capital.

I am also packing my luggage and preparing to go to the capital to join my masters."

"Then we've come here empty-handed! If I had known, I wouldn't have rushed over." Pei'er stomped her feet in frustration.

Uncle Lin quickly asked, "Have you booked an escort company or caravan? When will you set off?"

"I need to carry a lot of belongings, so I can only go with the caravan. However, ever since the news of the disaster in Jinyang Prefecture spread, the number of caravans coming and going has decreased, and I haven't been able to find one for a while..." Uncle Lin discussed the caravan with Uncle Fuzi.

Wen Yan held Pei'er's arm and squeezed it, then winked in the direction of Situ Ming.

Pei Er understood what he meant and immediately ran to Situ Ming like a happy butterfly: "Good brother, I'm home now. This time, I really trouble you."

Situ Ming couldn't see any flaws and showed a relaxed expression: "I am relieved that you can find your family successfully.

Then I'll take my leave now!"

Situ Mingchao bowed to everyone and left in a leisurely manner.

Uncle Fuzi said, "It's not nice to stand outside. My dear, please come inside and talk to my cousin."

Then everyone led the horses and carried the luggage into the yard.

The gate is closed.

Situ Ming, who was walking out of the alley, suddenly stopped.

He glanced at the guard beside him and said, "Stay here and keep an eye on that family. Report to me immediately if there's any disturbance."

"Yes." The guard responded and hid quietly.

After Wen Yan and the others entered the yard, they left Uncle Tian and Uncle Shitou outside to "take care" of the horses, but in fact they were on guard.

Wen Yan and the others went into the main room to talk.

As they entered the house, they heard noises coming from the room on the left.

Uncle Lin immediately drew the knife from his waist and stared at the room with a sharp gaze: "Who is it?"

Uncle Fuzi quickly came out to smooth things over, saying, "Lao Lin, she's not a spy, she's my daughter."

Uncle Fuzi walked into the room, and after a while, he came out with a girl on his arm.

The girl's eyes were dull.

Even though she was being supported by someone, she subconsciously groped in the air with her hands.

The girl was about twelve or thirteen years old, and her voice was sweet: "Dad, are there any guests at home?"

Public certificate: an identity certificate used when going out in ancient times, similar to a pass or customs document