Hearing this, Huang Dali was surprised again, "Madam Qin has this skill? That's really impressive! But it's probably not safe up in the mountains. There are many mountains in the south, and naturally, there are many bandits. Otherwise, if you live off the mountains, you wouldn't starve to death!"
Although many mountain strongholds were unclaimed, numerous bandits had already taken over them.
Another point is that in recent years, quite a few people have started growing fruit trees here, but there are only a few kinds. Growing too many doesn't bring in much money, but it's better than nothing! However, that's how old farmers do everything these days, so he didn't say anything. Besides, who knows, someone as extraordinary as Qin San Niang might be able to grow other fruit trees!
"So that's how it is. I was wrong!" Upon hearing this, Qin Sanniang was also surprised. What kind of messed up world was this? However, she was not afraid of bandits and would still continue planting.
"Don't be discouraged, Madam Qin. There are many small hills that belong to the village. If you can settle down in the village, it would be perfect to buy a hill later. However, the hills will definitely not be very big, but don't worry about wild animals. You can plant some fruit trees or something."
"If that's the case, the price must be quite high, right?" As long as she could afford it, Qin San Niang still wanted to buy it. The thought of her family owning a mountain all to herself was exhilarating. At worst, she could just sell another family heirloom—a peep show.
Huang Dali nodded and said, "That will definitely be much more expensive, and many are registered with the government. But the advantages are also obvious: with a formal land deed, you can use it with peace of mind."
“Brother Huang is absolutely right!” For someone like Qin San Niang, the land deeds and house deeds are ingrained in her mind. How could she possibly drive without a license? That would be too unsafe!
She didn't want to wait until she had built her house before someone came with a land deed, arrogantly claiming it was someone else's mountain. Besides, she planned to make a living off the mountain, planting medicinal herbs and mushrooms, and using the fruit to make preserves and jams...
Just now, I saw Chief Huang hold up one finger, which I guessed was about a hundred taels! Liu sighed. Money is needed everywhere! This doesn't even include the cost of building a house later, and dealing with those bloodsucking officials. If no one is there to guide them, who knows how many layers of skin they'll be skinned alive?! It's better for us ordinary folks to just buy a piece of land.
Of course, these are all things to be discussed later. Knowing that her daughter wanted to buy a mountain, she wouldn't say anything to spoil the mood.
Not long after, they arrived outside Lin'an City.
I don't know if it's because the security has really improved after we passed Dingyuan Pass, or because the bandits dare not harass us easily when we're with the escort agency, but these past few days have been very peaceful, arguably the most comfortable days I've had since I fled.
A few women would gather together to do needlework, chatting about this and that. They all came from the north, sharing many customs, so they naturally had a lot to talk about. As they chatted, they dreamed of a stable life; this nomadic existence meant they couldn't even worship their ancestors, let alone celebrate festivals!
"Madam Qin!" Gu Qingshan's voice came from outside the carriage. Madam Qin's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that entering Lin'an City would not be easy!
Just now, Gu Qingshan went ahead to scout the way. Ever since they passed Huozhou, everyone has been extra cautious in every city they've entered.
Many refugees had gathered outside Lin'an City, and many ordinary people were also entering in batches. Because the situation was unclear, he was sent to scout ahead first.
Qin San Niang lifted the carriage curtain, frowned, and asked, "Qingshan, is it difficult to enter Lin'an City?"
"Yes, Lin'an City says it won't accept refugees." Gu Qingshan's indignation was obvious. Had the court become so corrupt?! Was it really as people said, with a tyrannical ruler in power, disregarding the people? What were they waiting for if not to rise up in rebellion?! They had traveled thousands of miles to this place, hoping to settle down here? And now they couldn't even get in?
Liu and the others looked at each other, clearly unable to accept the news.
"They're all those damned bastards! How are we supposed to live?" Liu cursed as she thought to herself. Sure enough, all officials are corrupt! They hadn't gotten this far; what would they do if they couldn't get in?! Their children wouldn't be able to register their household registration; they'd be unregistered residents. Unregistered residents would be treated as inferior in everything they did. Not only would they be unable to attend school, but even if they went to the city to find work, they'd earn less than farmers! To put it bluntly, if someone wanted to sell them, nobody would care!
"Mother, sisters-in-law, please calm down! What haven't we encountered along the way? There's always a way."
Seeing that everyone was in low spirits, Qin San Niang had no choice but to offer words of comfort, even though she herself didn't know what to do.
Oh, and there's also that fellow, Scholar He!
Just then, I saw him strolling over.
Having eaten and drunk well these past two days and having some extra money, He Yingyuan, dressed in a long, light gray cotton robe and with his hair tied up with a strip of cloth of the same color, and with his tall and slender figure, even had the relaxed feeling of Cui Zhu!
Qin San Niang had no time to appreciate his otherworldly demeanor, especially since this man was inherently wicked.
"Brother He, how do we get into Lin'an? Do you have any ideas?"
"If we can't enter Lin'an City, let's go to Jiangzhou City. It's not far!" After saying that, He Yingyuan looked into the distance and pointed south, indicating that he wanted to continue with the escort agency.
Qin San Niang still hoped to settle in Lin'an. Along the way, both Lin Changfeng and the old lady of the Sima family had suggested that they settle in Lin'an, which showed that Lin'an must be a good place! But they couldn't get into such a good place! It was really worrying!
Wait, she should have the entry pass for Lin'an City!
"Brother He, Qingshan, I have a token here. I wonder if it will allow me to enter the city?" As he spoke, he searched through his basket, or rather, his spatial storage, until he finally found the token he had been keeping hidden away.
This token is only the size of a palm, rectangular in shape, with its edges polished smooth. The words "Entry Token" are written in clerical script at the top, and below it is a small character "Lin," which is the symbol of the Lin family.
Upon seeing the sign, He Yingyuan frowned and said in a deep voice, "Could I take a look at your hand?"
"There's nothing wrong with that," Qin San Niang handed the token to He Yingyuan.
“This is a gift I received after helping someone out a little in Guocheng! I was in such a hurry just now that I forgot about it,” Qin Sanniang explained. “Brother He, is there something wrong with this?” She thought to herself, “It shouldn’t be like this! Lin Changfeng doesn’t seem like someone who talks big; on the contrary, he seems reliable and dependable!”
He Yingyuan sneered, "Inappropriate, of course inappropriate, absolutely inappropriate!"
"This is the token of the Lin family in Lin'an. Lin Wuyang, the garrison commander of Lin'an, was involved in a rebellion and has probably already been dismissed and is under investigation!" He Yingyuan didn't have any specific impression of Lin Wuyang, only knowing that such an incident had occurred. Whether he was framed or truly involved in the rebellion, He Yingyuan didn't care or concern himself with it. But they couldn't enter Lin'an City!
"If Madam Qin doesn't believe me, she can have someone inquire about it. Anyway, it won't hurt for us to rest here for a day or two."
The fact that someone would give away their hand card to another person shows that the person giving the gift greatly admires Qin San Niang, and the two must have a close relationship, which is why He Yingyuan said so casually.
As long as they don't enter the city or reveal their cards, their lives will not be in danger!
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