Fu Changfeng called Taozi over again. When Taozi heard that Fu Changfeng wanted him to accompany them to Juzhou to help, he immediately agreed without even thinking of discussing it with Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang.
This trip to the capital had really piqued his curiosity, and he was completely focused on traveling. Hearing what Xichun and Fu Changfeng said, he was naturally delighted. He also wanted to visit more places, and it would be even better if he could help Xichun and her husband.
"Don't agree to us so quickly. Go back and discuss it with Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang. Only if they both agree to let you go can you go. Your parents have been worried about your marriage. If you run away, they will be even more worried."
Seeing how happy he was, Xichun couldn't help but pour cold water on his enthusiasm.
"Sister Xichun, brother-in-law, don't worry, my parents will definitely agree. They'll be overjoyed to be with you." Taozi left with a smile.
Sure enough, the next morning, Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang arrived at the Fu family's door early. Upon hearing this, Xi Chun hurriedly welcomed them in.
"Xichun, we heard that Lord Fu is taking that kid Taozi to Juzhou. Is it true? That kid went to the capital and started talking nonsense. We don't believe him either."
“Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, it’s true. We all think Taozi is a very reliable person. He helped us a lot with things when he went to Beijing this time, so Changfeng has taken a liking to him. However, we still need to see your opinions. If you don’t agree, then he should just stay here quietly.”
"If it's true, why would we disagree? That kid is always restless. I don't think I can control him here. It's his good fortune to be able to work with you. If he doesn't listen, just beat him. If he dares to talk back, beat him to death."
Uncle Zhang laughed when he heard this. He hadn't slept all night, thinking that Taozi was so lucky, which was much better than being the manager of a restaurant. But he was afraid that Taozi was talking nonsense, so he came to confirm it himself.
“Uncle Zhang, Taozi is no longer a child, and he is quite mature in his actions. He is just a bit more outgoing in front of us acquaintances. I think he is very suitable. As long as you two are willing, I will take him to take up his post in a few days.”
"Agreed, agreed, Xichun, Lord Fu, you must discipline him properly."
"Of course, the people I'm taking will definitely protect them well," Fu Changfeng agreed.
Xi Chun wanted the two of them to stay for breakfast before leaving, but they said they wanted to go home. She couldn't persuade them otherwise, so she let them go home.
Master Fu selected a group of guards for Fu Changfeng who knew martial arts. These people would be Fu Changfeng's bodyguards when he went to Juzhou. With them around, everyone could feel more at ease.
"Xichun, are you not taking the child with you this time?" Madam Fu felt a little relieved when she heard them say that they wouldn't be taking the child this time. Although the child shouldn't be separated from his parents too often, they didn't know what the situation was like in Juzhou. It was better not to take him; they could go later.
"Father, Mother, elder brother, sister-in-law, I will have to trouble you to take care of the two children for me in the future. We will bring the children over after things have settled down there. We don't know what the situation is like in Juzhou right now. I'm worried that something might happen if we take them there rashly."
"Alright, you can go without worry. We'll take care of the children." Mr. Fu naturally thought this was a wise move. At his age, it was time for him to enjoy his grandchildren. With the children around, the house would be even more lively.
"Yes, you can go without worry. Once things have settled down, I'll take the children there and check on the situation in Juzhou. If our family business is successful in the future, we can expand to Juzhou and visit them from time to time."
"Thank you, brother. We'll write back once we've settled down." Hearing his brother's words, Fu Changfeng was filled with gratitude.
The appointed time arrived quickly, and Fu Changfeng, along with Xichun, Taozi, and Zhao Yuping, set off for Juzhou under the protection of the guards.
The journey from Guangming Prefecture to Juzhou takes about half a month. Fortunately, there is an official road. Although some places are quite desolate and require constant vigilance, most of the time, apart from the difficult mountain roads, there is not much danger.
As they traveled, they arrived at the Luzhou area, where Jiannan Road and Qianzhong Road meet. The area is mountainous and densely forested, and it seemed like a good place for Tibetans to go.
"Everyone be careful, stay alert at all times. I'm worried about bandits." Fu Changfeng instructed the people around him after observing the terrain.
Fortunately, they were on guard all the way and traveled light, so they did not encounter any danger. Instead, they met a family in the mountains.
"Where are you from, and what brings you here?" The old man asked warily, noticing that most of them were middle-aged men.
"Don't worry, sir, we're not bad people. We're just passing through. We're on our way to visit relatives in Juzhou and would like to ask for a drink of water. May I ask where this place is and how far it is from Juzhou?" Fu Changfeng stepped forward and asked with a smile.
"Oh, so you're going to Juzhou. No wonder you're taking this road. Just wait outside, I'll have my wife fetch some water." With that, the old man called out, and a moment later an old woman came out.
“We are from Juzhou, but we are actually closer to the town of Luzhou. Our family was originally from Pingnan County in Juzhou, but in recent years the chieftain has been too strict. All the money and grain in our family have to go through the chieftain’s hands. That’s why the whole family fled to this place and made a living by growing some grain on the mountain.”
"Oh, are all the chieftains here so powerful? Even more powerful than the government?" Fu Changfeng had inquired about the chieftains before coming, but he didn't expect that the people in these places would be pushed so hard.
"Yes, you are from out of town and don't know the power of our local chieftains. They are even more powerful than the county magistrate. Even the county magistrate doesn't dare to challenge them. If you want to seek refuge with your relatives, you should consider the situation of your own relatives before making a decision."
The old man kept them out of the house, remaining wary. Seeing this, Fu Changfeng didn't ask any more questions and left with his men.
Xi Chun was preoccupied with her thoughts the whole way. She never imagined that the people of Juzhou at this time were living in such dire straits under the Tusi (chieftain). Her years of comfortable life had almost made her forget what dynasty this was.
"It's alright. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. We haven't seen the real situation yet, so we don't need to be so discouraged," Fu Changfeng reassured everyone.
After several days of travel, they finally saw the county town.
The first place we entered was Pingnan County. Many people on the road were dressed differently from us, which must be the clothing of the local ethnic group. Some people were barely clothed, wearing only tattered clothes. There weren't many pedestrians, and when they saw them, they would secretly stare at their clothes, but because there were many people with them, they didn't dare to make a move.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
