Xiao Che set off one night without alerting anyone.
He only carried the various life-saving medicine bottles and tools that Bai Yajing had prepared for him.
As for their identities, he always chose people from the same village as Dong Guangming.
The letter of introduction states that he is a middle-aged man from Kyoto visiting relatives in Dong Province. His family left Baipo Village in Dong Province to develop in Kyoto many years ago. Now, his elderly relative is nearing the end of his life, and he is being sent back to his hometown to see if there are any relatives left. If he finds them, he will bring them back to Kyoto so that his elderly relative can see them one last time, thus relieving his regret and allowing him to rest in peace.
This explanation makes it easier for him to investigate without arousing unnecessary suspicion. And there really is such a family.
After several days by train, he finally arrived at a small town in the eastern province.
He had traveled a long and arduous journey, and dared not disturb anyone, so he could only inquire in secret.
Having just arrived, he settled into the guesthouse with his letter of introduction.
Dong Guangming's hometown is Baipo Village, not far from the town, and he plans to go there to take a look tomorrow.
The next morning, he packed his bags, bought a few steamed buns at the state-run restaurant, and then asked for directions to find the oxcart in Baipo Village.
He saw the oxcart from afar.
I also saw an old man driving the oxcart. He was dark-skinned and thin, and looked like a hardworking old farmer who had been struggling to make ends meet all year round.
At this moment, he is waiting under the shade of a tree for people to return to the village.
Xiao Che walked over, took out one of his steamed buns and put it in his hand. He deliberately lowered his voice, making him sound older and less young.
"Uncle, are you going to Baipo Village?"
The old man glanced at him and nodded.
Once Xiao Che was sure he had found the right place, he smiled and handed him the steamed bun in his hand. "Uncle, come on, have a steamed bun, it's delicious."
The old man looked at the steaming bun in his hand, swallowed hard, his eyes filled with longing, but he didn't reach out to take it. Instead, he waved his hand and said, "You call me uncle, so let me give you some advice: food is precious, so keep it for yourself."
Xiao Che felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this. It was clear that he really wanted it, yet he still restrained himself from accepting it. He was a good person with integrity.
Moreover, such an old man has spent his whole life in the village and knows the people and things there very well. The most suitable aspect is that he is an inconspicuous little person who is easily overlooked by those in power.
Even if Dong Guangming had given prior notice, he wouldn't have specifically mentioned an old man driving an oxcart as a suitable person to inquire about things.
Thinking of this, he smiled and stuffed the bun in his hand into the old man's arms. "Uncle, eat it. Consider it payment for asking you a question."
Here's the thing: I came back from Kyoto to visit relatives. Years ago, my grandfather took his family to Kyoto to make a living. But people always want to return to their roots. Life was tough, and it wasn't easy to come back. In the end, he passed away with regrets.
Sigh! My father has gotten older these past few years, and he always talks about his relatives back in our hometown.
Well, his health... isn't quite right anymore, so he asked me to come back and check on him. If it's convenient, I'd like to bring him to see a doctor, thus fulfilling the wish of two generations."
After hearing his story, the old man didn't immediately believe him. Although some families in the village did choose to relocate because they couldn't survive during famine and war, he wouldn't believe everything he was told.
So he held the steamed bun in his hand without touching it. "Nephew, since you've come to Baipo Village, you must have come from here. What are your grandfather's and father's names? Maybe I know them."
Upon hearing that there was hope, Xiao Che was overjoyed and his face lit up with excitement. "Uncle, my grandfather's name is Dong Youfu, and my father's name is Dong Qiang. They left Baipo Village fifty-five years ago. Do you know them?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the old man also became excited, grabbed him, and began to examine him closely.
"Are you from Qiangzi's family? What happened to him? Is he unwell? I'm your Uncle Tiedan! You probably don't recognize me..."
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