"Jiang Chao, where are we going?" Huang Xiaosan hesitated. "I need to check on the shop first."
"The capital city is a good option. It's not too far from us, and my grandparents and aunt are there too, so we can look after each other."
“However,” Huang Xiaosan asked uncertainly, “are you sure they won’t come after us?”
“That’s why we need to go even more,” Jiang Chao shrugged. “Otherwise, there will be even bigger trouble when we come back.”
Going to the capital could be an excuse to worry about them, but if I went somewhere else...
Jiang Chao was certain that if that were the case, even his most easy-going aunt would never let the two of them off the hook.
“Well… alright then,” Huang Xiaosan said reluctantly, “bring more people this time, and let Ji Quan and the others come along too, so we can see if there are any goods that can be imported from the capital.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chao silently looked up at the sky.
This guy, ever since he started doing business, has completely transformed into a businessman, constantly thinking about ways to make money.
After a long silence, he said helplessly, "Okay, but you have to listen to me on the way and don't cause any trouble."
“Okay,” Huang Xiaosan grinned, “I’ll do whatever you say.”
Jiang Nuan was unaware that her son and nephew were secretly preparing to go to Beijing.
The three of them spent three days strolling around the capital, and they were in a very good mood.
The old lady's lips were always curled up. "The tricksters on the overpass are really amazing. They can jump over a ten-foot-high ring of fire with just a bamboo pole and still be unharmed. They're truly skilled!"
After saying that, he gave a thumbs up.
"The people on the ground cooperated well," the old man analyzed carefully. "The positions of those three people seem random, but they are actually very strategic. If an accident occurs, the three of them can arrive the fastest."
“That’s good,” the old lady said, not caring about such things. “People watch the show for fun, and if something goes wrong, it will only ruin their mood.”
“That makes sense,” the old man agreed. “If you like, shall we go again tomorrow?”
"No, thank you," the old lady said with a pained expression. "Ten coins per person is a bit too expensive."
The expenses for the three of them, if kept at home, could buy two old hens to make soup.
However, when sprinkled on the trickster, he can neither eat nor drink, and he can't even make a sound.
"Father, Mother," Jiang Nuan asked, somewhat puzzled, "don't you like listening to opera?"
The two elders had been talking enthusiastically about the tricks on Tianqiao ever since they returned, but they clearly enjoyed listening to the opera even more.
"It's too expensive, I regret it so much," the old lady said regretfully. "The entrance fee alone is ten taels of silver. Why didn't we just rob them? If I had known the price beforehand, I would never have gone in."
"The play wasn't good?"
"It sounds nice, but it's not worth it," the old lady thought to herself before continuing, "With this money, it would be much better to just hire a troupe at home and listen to opera whenever you want."
"Then why are you still throwing money into it?"
Upon hearing this, the old lady stiffened. "Maybe I was out of my mind back then."
She actually threw fifty taels there; just thinking about it makes her feel like she can't breathe from the pain.
"That actress sang so well," the old man said, stroking his chin as he reminisced. "She could completely draw people into the opera with just a few words."
“I don’t think it’s because she sings well,” the old woman pinched her husband’s waist, “it’s because she’s good-looking and has a good figure!”
There isn't a single man who isn't lustful.
With a cold snort, the old lady glared fiercely at the old man.
“Oh, right,” she suddenly remembered something after a moment, “how much did we spend at the theater?”
"It's not much," Jiang Nuan said nonchalantly. "When you're out having fun, just make yourself happy and don't worry too much about money. As long as you have enough to spend, that's fine."
“Around 150 taels,” the old man replied. “We’ll each give 50 taels as a tip, 30 taels as an entrance fee, plus tea, snacks, and meals, it’ll be at least that much.”
"No wonder everyone says it's not easy to live in the capital. It's really expensive. In just three days, five or six hundred taels have already been gone."
I didn't realize it when I was spending the money; I just thought things in Beijing were really good and that there was a reason they were expensive. But now I can't help but want to chop my hand off.
Even the best products are no good if they're too expensive.
The price has increased four or five times. How much silver could be wasted like this?
"Most people don't have time to stroll around every day, and it's impossible for them to spend like that every day. Daily expenses aren't that terrifying. Although living in the capital is not easy, it's not as difficult as you might imagine."
"Never mind," the old lady slumped into a chair. "I'm not going shopping tomorrow no matter what. I'll just stay home. I have food and drink to eat anyway."
"Shouldn't we go home?" the old man brought up the topic again. "We've had our fun, and the matter has been resolved. Shouldn't we go back?"
“Okay,” Jiang Nuan thought for a moment and immediately agreed, “Get some rest today, we’ll set off tomorrow.”
“Okay,” the old man said happily, “I’ll go back and pack my things right away.”
After saying that, he turned around hurriedly.
Seeing this, the old lady immediately grabbed the person, "What's the rush? Eat first, we'll pack up tonight."
"Alright... then!"
In the end, the meal was not finished.
She had barely picked up her chopsticks when Liu An rushed over, shouting, "Madam, something terrible has happened!"
"What's going on?" Jiang Nuan put down her chopsticks and frowned. "Why are you here at this hour? Have you eaten yet?"
"There's no time," Liu An said in a panic. "Quickly, come with me to the palace."
"Now?"
Jiang Nuan looked up at the sky. The last rays of the sun had disappeared, and it was time to lock the palace gates.
“Yes,” if it weren’t for the difference between men and women, Liu An would have grabbed her and left immediately. “Madam, let’s hurry, His Majesty is already waiting in the palace.”
"good."
Jiang Nuan wiped herself clean and then left with Liu An.
On the way, I couldn't help but ask, "What exactly happened?"
"Something has happened in Shu," Liu An said, his voice trembling with barely concealed panic. "His Majesty just received intelligence that an earthquake has occurred there as well, two days earlier than in Ji. However, the roads are blocked, preventing people from getting out, which is why it has been delayed until now."
"Is it serious?"
“Yes,” Liu An’s expression turned serious. “Preliminary estimates suggest that at least 100,000 people have suffered, with nearly half of the population in Anhe County, the source of the disaster.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan's heart skipped a beat. "Could it be the earthquake that happened last night?"
"Yes, it's said to be right when people are sound asleep around 4 a.m.
"What does Your Majesty plan to do? Who will you send to provide disaster relief?"
Upon hearing this, Liu An stopped in his tracks. "Given the current situation, it's no use sending anyone. The national treasury is empty, and there's no more food to provide disaster relief."
"After the earthquake, the grain should still be able to be dug out. That area is a land of plenty, and almost every household has surplus grain, so they shouldn't need too much grain, right?"
“That’s how it was supposed to be,” Liu An said, his expression turning somber. “But after the earthquake, there was a continuous downpour in Shu. With such a long delay, even if the grain wasn’t washed away by the rain, it would have already gone moldy and become inedible.”
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