Standing among a group of little beggars, the only one dressed somewhat decently was the kitten who had helped report the incident to the authorities earlier.
He invited Magistrate Zhang over, but didn't immediately go up to ask for the money.
When he heard that the Zhao family had taken in many orphans, he began to have designs on them.
If a local official adopts an orphan, he probably wouldn't do anything too wicked.
Besides, all my brothers and sisters will grow up eventually.
If these local officials really treat their brothers and sisters badly, then they can try to escape.
It's better than being stuck eating only two meals a day for three days.
And so, he turned around and went back to the empty houses where his friends lived.
When the little beggars heard that the local official had adopted a child, they thought about it and suddenly came to block his way.
The oldest one has a lot of ideas.
"Even being sold into slavery is better than starving to death."
Putting everything else aside, if things continue like this, we really won't be able to support them.
They're still so young, and it's very difficult to raise them on the meager porridge made from the few pancakes we managed to get back."
And so, the scene at the city gate came about.
When they learned that these children were all beggars, and that two of them were only a few months old,
Huang was at a loss for words.
This is truly unbelievable. They can't even support themselves, yet they still extend a helping hand to save an infant.
Having caught up, the Zhao family had no choice but to stop and turn back to the county government office.
Zhang Xianliang was startled. Didn't they say they were leaving Ankang City? Why are they back again?
Upon learning that the Zhao family had taken in more than thirty orphans from the city, Zhang Xianliang felt a little embarrassed.
After all, it was under his own jurisdiction, yet others had to help him raise the orphans. What does that show? It shows his own incompetence.
However, upon closer reflection, I realize that I really am incompetent.
Money, not much. Connections, not many either.
My wife at home is a bit fierce.
Aside from allowing himself to take three concubines, he couldn't expect to receive a single extra penny.
Even if he accepted bribes, they would ultimately end up in his wife's pocket, so what's the point of accepting them?
Even if my family had mountains of gold and silver, I would only have 500 coins of pocket money each month.
If you don't spend it in time, you might get even less next month.
Therefore, the Zhao family obtained identity certificates for the thirty children.
As for the specific address, it is Kenqingcheng Qingmiao Orphanage.
When did Kenqing City get an orphanage? Thinking about it more carefully, the name seems quite familiar.
We couldn't get that many clothes for the children on short notice.
After all, these days, clothing stores generally sell mostly clothes for adults.
Therefore, after Huang hired more carriages, he put several quilts in each of the carriages where the children rode.
With bedding and blankets, even if you're dressed lightly, you won't get cold.
As for buying clothes, you can only buy as many as you can.
There were some children's clothes in Zhao Qingyan's space.
But those clothes were just too eye-catching.
The journey ahead is still long, so it's best to keep a low profile.
If you don't have enough clothes, just go to every clothing store in every city you visit and rummage through them. You'll always find enough.
The group continued on to the next city.
There were over a hundred children, but only the coachman and a few masters from the Zhao family.
This will naturally attract the attention of some people; where there are brothels, there will be cripples.
When a broker buys a person, money is paid, and the transaction is considered complete.
The principle of kidnappers is to make money without any initial investment.
With more hired drivers, it's natural that some of them would become human traffickers.
That day, the group camped in the suburbs. That night, the drivers took turns keeping watch.
It's just that they were all temporary hires.
Therefore, these coachmen had many different opinions when arranging the night watch.
"Why should I be the one to take the night watch?"
Although the journey ahead is still long, we were hired along the way.
We can't be doing this kind of work after only a few days with the team, can we?
If we travel quickly, will we arrive at our destination before it's our turn?
The man in blue shouted indignantly.
A newly hired man named Ma Liu stepped forward.
"Brother, we're all just trying to make a living, it's not easy for anyone."
Why don't I take the night watch?
You all joined our team earlier, so I'm sure you've worked hard before.
Everyone, go to sleep now.
I have some wine here, would you all like to have a couple of sips? It'll help you sleep well tonight.
Some of these car owners, being habitually cautious, did not drink alcohol.
The man who had just been complaining about being taken advantage of actually took Ma Liu's wine flask and took a big gulp.
Several others followed suit and drank as well. Then, one by one, they went back outside the carriage, pulled off their cotton-padded coats, and fell asleep.
The Zhao family's night watch is divided into three shifts.
Xu Dongsheng, Zhao Minggeng, and Huang were in charge. Huang was in charge of the last shift. She said she was too old and felt light.
Zhao Qingyan also wanted to keep watch, but her request was rejected. Zhao Qianci didn't even have a chance to express his opinion.
Without military strength, there is no voice.
The host family kept watch every night, but the drivers were unaware of this.
They assumed that the Lord's family would just sleep like pigs.
After all, whose master is capable of enduring hardship? At least in their minds, no.
At the beginning of the Wei hour (1-3 PM), people are also at their most tired.
A figure stealthily emerged from the convoy, went into the nearby woods, and made a few cooing noises.
Having received a response, the furtive figure returned the way it came.
Not only that, he also threw something into the fire.
With a whoosh, the fire flared up a bit, and the smell that followed was so strong it made people feel dizzy.
All of this was clearly seen by Xu Dongsheng, who was squatting on the roof of his own carriage.
At the same time, it woke up the Zhao family.
They each took an antidote pill and then wrapped a wet cloth around their noses.
We're just waiting to see what happens.
Zhao Qingyan also leaped onto the roof of her carriage. A crossbow was strapped to her wrist, ready to strike.
Although she is very good at fighting, it doesn't mean she's willing to fight people in the middle of the night, as it greatly affects her sleep quality.
Just as Zhao Qingyan yawned for the twentieth time, a group of people finally emerged from the woods.
Their movements were very light. It was obvious they had some skill.
As the carriages passed by one by one, no one screamed; in fact, the place was completely quiet.
"Could it be that they've drugged me again?" Zhao Qingyan wondered.
After arranging the hired carriage, the group headed straight for the Zhao family's carriage.
One of the shorter men, rubbing his hands together furtively, headed towards the carriage where Zhao Qingyan was.
"Little beauty, your brother is here." He said, lifting the carriage curtain.
But instead of the unconscious Zhao Qingyan, he was greeted by Huang Shi's old face.
At the same time, a knife was held to the short man's neck.
The short man didn't think much of it when he saw that the person sitting inside was an old woman.
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