Although these things cannot be eaten or used for the time being, in the context of years of famine leading to low productivity, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are things that some wealthy people cannot afford to buy.
During a time when the poor could not even get enough to eat, some high-ranking officials and their sons used this as a source of pride, which is the best illustration of the saying "the rich feast while the poor freeze to death."
However, she didn't feel cynical; after all, the law of the jungle is the rule.
She hoarded this because she thought it could be used as hard currency, and its value would definitely increase hundreds or thousands of times in the future.
On her way back, she calculated that she had spent 1,900 taels of silver in total, and had 1,100 taels left.
These may seem like a lot, but they may not seem like a little. We must plan carefully and use them wisely.
As she walked and pondered, Lin Sheng suddenly blocked her way: "Shanshan, let's talk."
"I have nothing to talk to you about."
Cheng Shanshan had been busy all day and had no time to pay attention to Lin Sheng.
But Lin Sheng grabbed her hand like a madman, completely losing his usual gentleness: "Do you know that I'm being talked about behind my back as soon as I go out? My mother is so angry that she can't get out of bed. The county magistrate even summoned me and told me to watch my behavior. Why did you suddenly want to harm me?"
These words revealed deep disdain in Cheng Shanshan's cold eyes: "How dare you say I harmed you?"
Isn't that so?
Lin Sheng's eyes reddened as he glared at Cheng Shanshan, clenching his hands tightly: "We were perfectly fine before, why did you suddenly change?"
Cheng Shanshan tried several times to shake off Lin Sheng's hand, but he was much stronger due to his emotional state. Under these circumstances, she could only coldly shout, "Let go!"
"I won't let go!"
Lin Sheng gritted his teeth: "Unless you promise me now to find someone to clear my name!"
"Are you asking me to tell people how you begged me for money with your hands down, or are you asking me to tell you about your heartless behavior of hiding from me even though you knew I was dying and being sold?" Cheng Shanshan's eyes were filled with intense hatred as she said this: "I'll say it one last time, let me go!"
Lin Sheng's eyes widened: "How did you know?"
Before Cheng Shanshan could answer, a deep male voice suddenly came from behind her: "She told you to let go, didn't you hear her?"
"Who are you?"
Lin Sheng looked at the newcomer with obvious displeasure.
But the other person didn't answer; instead, they grabbed his hand!
With a cracking sound, Lin Sheng was in so much pain that he not only released the pressure but also staggered back several steps.
Only then did Cheng Shanshan see who it was, and she was full of surprise: "Brother Huo?"
"Um."
Huo Mingchen responded.
Then, pointing at Lin Sheng, he asked in a cold voice, "Do you need me to beat this guy up for you?"
Cheng Shanshan glanced at Lin Sheng, who was as thin as a bamboo pole: "His small body really can't withstand a slap from Brother Huo."
At this moment, Lin Sheng noticed something was wrong: "You called him Brother Huo? When did you two become so familiar?"
Cheng Shanshan: "None of your business."
Huo Mingchen: "What's it to you?"
The two men's simultaneous answers made Lin Sheng's face even uglier!
But before he could say anything more, Huo Mingchen stood opposite him, his overwhelming height like a mountain: "I'm warning you, stay away from Shanshan from now on, or I'll make you suffer a terrible death!" As he spoke, he picked up a stone from the ground and snapped it in two.
Click!
Lin Sheng felt as if he himself had been crushed.
But to save face, he had to pretend to be calm and throw mud at Cheng Shanshan again: "I never understood why you suddenly changed. Turns out your taste has changed!" After saying that, he angrily turned and left.
Huo Mingchen wanted to pursue her.
"Don't chase after him. It's not worth getting your hands dirty for such a petty person." Cheng Shanshan stopped Huo Mingchen and changed the subject: "But Brother Huo, you are really strong. You can even break stones with your bare hands."
Huo Mingchen picked it up and handed it to Cheng Shanshan: "You can do it too."
"I?"
Cheng Shanshan took it, completely puzzled.
Only then did he realize that the black stone was actually charcoal, and he couldn't help but chuckle: "I can only say that Lin Sheng is too timid."
Huo Mingchen frowned: "No matter how timid he is, he is still a man. You are just a young girl, so you should be careful. Don't go out at night. Just because I was able to show up this time doesn't mean it will happen again next time."
"good."
Cheng Shanshan nodded.
"Where do you live? I'll take you back."
Cheng Shanshan didn't refuse and led the way.
When Huo Mingchen saw Cheng Shanshan living in a dilapidated house at the entrance of the village, he was utterly puzzled.
After all, in his eyes, someone who could afford to spend a lot of money to build a cave didn't seem like a poor person, but he didn't ask any further questions and just left.
When Bai saw Cheng Shanshan return from inside the dilapidated house, she rushed out and happened to see Huo Mingchen's departing figure: "Shanshan, who brought you back just now?"
"A kind person."
Cheng Shanshan did not want to hide it from the Bai family.
So she recounted how Lin Sheng had sought her out and how Huo Mingchen had saved her.
After hearing this, Bai said, "Then you should thank Huo Mingchen properly later."
"Don't worry, I will."
Cheng Shanshan comforted Bai Shi and quickly took out a package wrapped in oil paper: "Oh right, I brought you some braised duck and some red bean pastries today, but these are a bit dry. Could you cook some porridge or something to eat with them?"
"Okay, okay, I'll go make some congee right away, just wait a moment."
Bai noticed that Cheng Shanshan was tired, and without saying a word, she started to make arrangements.
...
In the stillness of the night, a breeze blew through the dilapidated house.
After Bai fell asleep, Cheng Shanshan began to plan what was in her spatial storage.
Now she has rice, wheat flour, millet, salt, vegetables and various dried vegetables, farming tools, and the Four Treasures of the Study. In a couple of days, she'll have enough clothes, and then she'll have cotton quilts and other winter supplies. This full stockpile is her source of confidence.
However, due to the recent surge in transactions, we have decided to postpone the process for two days to avoid attracting too much attention.
I just happened to render that batch of fat into lard during this time, which will make it more convenient to use in the future.
But this stuff smells too strong and isn't suitable for this dilapidated house. After thinking it over, the safest place is the mountain that Huo Mingchen is currently renovating.
But with both jars and iron pots in her hands, is she going to perform some kind of magic trick in front of Huo Mingchen?
He'd probably treat me like a monster and slap me to death, wouldn't he?
Under these circumstances, she had no choice but to ask Huo Mingchen for help.
Huo Mingchen was originally preparing to go to sleep, but he was no longer surprised by Cheng Shanshan's second nighttime visit.
Cheng Shanshan coughed lightly, feeling a little embarrassed, and said, "Brother Huo, I'd like to ask you for a small favor."
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