Now that I'm in Lingnan, I feel a sense of anticipation, remembering the plans Lin Jinyue mentioned.

Seeing everyone grinning like idiots.

Lin Jinyue couldn't bear to spoil the mood at this time, so she brought up the matter of their travel permits and household registration, saying they would discuss it when they got there.

When Old Tan heard that they were going to the remote Yunhe Village, he was puzzled and asked, "Why go to Yunhe Village? Is there anything special about it?"

However, Lin Jinyue did not answer him directly, but just smiled and said, "I think that place is good, it's remote enough and safe enough."

Seeing that he didn't intend to say anything more, Old Tan stopped asking.

But after talking that evening, they found Lin Jinyue again.

That's right, it's Lin Jinyue, not her father Lin Shucheng.

Old Tan realized that the only person who could speak up among this group was an eight-year-old girl.

Old Tan didn't beat around the bush and directly brought up his idea of ​​traveling together.

Lin Jinyue hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said to him, "Grandpa, I'm really sorry. The place we're going to is remote and dangerous along the way. I think you and your granddaughter have a way, so let's not go together."

"Furthermore, I think it would be better if you went directly to Yunsong County to write to your family."

This makes it much safer, doesn't it?

Lin Jinyue put it bluntly: she really didn't want to involve strangers.

It's not bad to just do a little transaction, or to build a good relationship so that future business dealings can be mutually beneficial.

But Lin Jinyue was a little worried about taking them with her. The Wang family and Li the blacksmith hadn't done much work these past two days, just in case the grandfather and grandson noticed something was wrong.

After all, he had brought along binoculars and other odds and ends along the way. It wouldn't have been a problem to use them to fool the villagers; he could have made up an excuse that the villagers he had read about in books were inherently unsuitable. But the old man in front of him was a wealthy and knowledgeable merchant; he would surely be able to see through his deception.

How could an ordinary farming family possibly make these amazing things?

Lin Jinyue didn't want any trouble later, so she refused.

He felt a pang of regret that he couldn't be with Lin Jinyue. What if they encountered snakes, insects, rats, or bandits again? He wanted to join the group fleeing the famine.

Old Tan just sighed. He was really helpless. Why couldn't it work?

He was genuinely anxious.

Seeing this, I felt a pang of sadness. I thought back to when he was in the capital, how many people begged him, trying to curry favor with him, yet he never imagined that it would be so difficult for him to befriend a group of refugees fleeing famine.

However, upon hearing that Lin Jinyue would stay here for about ten days before leaving, and that Liu Dazhuang's injuries would improve, Old Tan felt relieved. It was alright; feelings could be cultivated slowly.

*

Lin Jinyue has kept everyone busy these past few days, and Lin Xueqing has finally been rescued by her.

Lin Jinyue urged him to quickly teach the villagers how to fight.

We can't rush his studies; we're still fleeing famine. We'll find him a good teacher once we get to Lingnan.

After Lin Jinyue brought it up, Old Tan was quite upset. Before his exile, he was a prime minister, and even after being dismissed from office, many scholars still wanted to become his students. But after coming to Lingnan, he had to beg people to teach him to read and write.

Old Tan was well aware of the special circumstances, but he really didn't know any other way to make Lin Jinyue and her family value him.

Old Tan was a little anxious, because he had nothing else to offer besides studying.

Previously, Mr. Tan did indeed want to rely on his daughter and son-in-law.

But he felt that Lin Jinyue's group seemed more reliable. Despite being farmers, they were all well-trained and efficient, never hesitating or asking many questions. Moreover, the young man taught them a set of boxing techniques, and his granddaughter learned them and actually performed them quite well, even managing to hold her own against the guards.

There's also the water filtration equipment Lin Jinyue and the others use. It looks rudimentary, but you can see that murky, yellowish water goes in and comes out clear, drinkable water.

Old Tan couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "It's amazing!"

And the crossbows they made—even the most renowned craftsmen in the capital would struggle to achieve that level of craftsmanship.

This group of people either had a miraculous encounter or had a very important background.

Old Tan felt that going with them was more reliable, and given the volatile situation in the court, if he could settle down in Yunhe Village with this group, it would be a way out for his daughter, son-in-law, and sons.

Old Tan looked at his granddaughter and couldn't help but sigh. The current emperor was incompetent, and his two sons had been demoted to the most dangerous places to serve as county magistrates, with a sword hanging over their heads at all times. He couldn't persuade his sons to resign, so he could only protect his only granddaughter and his daughter who was far away in Lingnan.

These past few days, the more Old Tan thought about it, the more he felt that following Lin Jinyue and the others was a good idea, so he began to consider settling down with them.

To everyone's surprise, the little one was not happy about it.

Old Tan was furious. When had he ever suffered such an injustice?

These past few days, Lin Jinyue has been trying to come up with some easy-to-carry herbal powders, and she also wants to take everything she can from the mountains and forests with her.

She was so busy that she was practically running around, but she still noticed Mr. Tan's unusual behavior.

She sighed and pretended not to see it. It wasn't that Lin Jinyue was heartless; it was just that it was inconvenient for her. She had too many secrets.

Undeterred, Old Tan set his sights on Lin Xueqing.

He was determined to latch onto Lin Jinyue's coattails.

The fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy was handsome and refined. Old Tan felt that Lin Xueqing was usually very organized in his speech and actions, although he was somewhat illiterate and his writing was incomplete...

But things are different now.

Now that the Tan family has fallen on hard times, Lin Xueqing is a good match for his granddaughter.

So, Old Tan approached Lin Jinyue and asked, "Young lady, what do you think of my granddaughter marrying your brother and becoming his sister-in-law?"

Lin Jinyue was drinking water and almost choked.

Old Tan was displeased: "Do you think my granddaughter is not good enough for your brother?"

Lin Jinyue shook her head: "No, it's not that. I just need to see if my brother and your granddaughter have any objections. Besides, my brother is still young, and Tan Xue is so young. Isn't this inappropriate?"

Grandpa Tan was a bit old-fashioned: "Marriage is originally arranged by parents and matchmakers. If you think my granddaughter is alright, then settle this matter. It won't be too late to arrange the marriage when we get to Lingnan and my granddaughter is a bit older."

Lin Jinyue was frightened by the old man, thinking to herself that even if he wanted to stay, he shouldn't risk his granddaughter's life.

It wasn't that she was being self-deprecating, but her family were refugees fleeing famine. The Tan family was clearly a wealthy family with relatives in Lingnan. Why would they arrange for her granddaughter and brother to marry so they could all leave together?

Seeing that the young girl remained unmoved, Old Tan sighed and after a long while said:

“Young lady, my son-in-law has some influence in Lingnan and may be able to help you. The situation is unstable now, and I also want to leave a way out for my children.”

This is a preparation to reveal all their cards.