Chapter 199: I Know What Kind of Person He Is

Once a decision is made, one must prepare immediately.

The residents in this part of the Yao Family area are mostly connected to large families. Previously, there were patrol personnel maintaining order, though patrols were not frequent. But recently, one can clearly feel the number of patrols increasing, and it is said that personnel have been transferred, with more manpower seemingly about to be dispatched.

"Take advantage of the time before those people come, and get everything arranged as quickly as possible!" Miao Niangzi said.

If they don't leave now, once the number of people patrolling here increases, they won't be able to leave at all.

Headman Song and Miao Niangzi discussed ways to leave.

Troop movements in Jizhou have been frequent recently, and changes could happen at any time; they consolidated information obtained from different channels to determine their route.

Before leaving, Headman Song saw Yao Shanmi.

Yao Shanmi shouted happily: "Headman Song!"

Now that she is surrounded by strangers, it is rare to run into someone familiar, and she is very delighted.

Before the chaotic times, she often saw Headman Song and the people from the opera troupe, and after arriving in Jizhou, she could occasionally see them too.

Headman Song's originally serious and heavy expression immediately softened: "Yao Xiaoniangzi."

The two chatted cordially for a few moments.

Having led the opera troupe for so many years, Headman Song is accustomed to observing people's expressions and also pays close attention to certain details.

His gaze had not been intentionally looking, but having keenly caught something, he looked over again.

He saw that on the ornament hanging from Yao Xiaoniangzi's waist, besides the tied Linglong Ball, there was also a stone-carved dragonfly.

This stone-carved dragonfly was not there before.

The point is not that there is an extra pendant, but the stone-carved dragonfly itself!

Before the world turned chaotic, Yao Shiqi was about to head to the southern mountains to collect medicinal herbs and was drinking with Headman Song.

Yao Shiqi had said that he wanted to purchase more precious medicinal herbs to send to the capital to secure a good position, which would also allow his wife and daughter to live a better life.

【I heard there is a very spiritual mountain over there, and the locals have a custom of worshipping mountain stones as godparents, acknowledging them as foster fathers or mothers. When the time comes, I will also go to the mountain to pay my respects, and then pick up a nice-looking stone to carve a dragonfly for Shan Mi as a gift...】

Recalling what Yao Shiqi said at the time, Headman Song's heart suddenly began to race.

He remembered again that when the Yao mother and daughter came to Jizhou, the Du Family frequently inquired for news. Many people guessed whether Yao Shiqi had purchased medicinal herbs and transported them back. But as time passed, everyone dispelled their doubts.

Until now, only Du Ba Gongzi remains unwilling to give up, coming over from time to time to needle them with a few words.

Headman Song also thought that Yao Shiqi had completely lost his whereabouts and there was no news of the medicinal herbs.

But now, seeing this stone dragonfly, he thought of another possibility.

Yao Shiqi might truly not have been able to return, but the medicinal herbs might not be without a trail!

If that were really the case, then it would all make sense!

No wonder Miao Niangzi has such confidence that she can find a way to survive after arriving in Xinzhou!!

Yao Shiqi went to the southern mountains to purchase medicinal herbs; that was not just one or two carts of herbs, that was transported by cargo ship!

Headman Song suppressed the pounding in his heart and returned to where the opera troupe was staying.

After calming his emotions, he said: "Let us leave this place!"

The others looked over.

This topic had been discussed some time ago, but now, the headman seemed to have made a decision.

Headman Song said: "The words Du Ba Gongzi spoke in front of us before will never be allowed to be spread by us. Given the Du Family's style of conduct, we are very likely to encounter an inexplicable accident. We are fine for now, but it is hard to say after some time passes!"

The others pondered it in their hearts, and there really was such a possibility!

They gathered together to deliberate.

The youth Shitou was very dejected; he felt it was his own fault for causing trouble, and if he hadn't gone to chase that bead at the time, it would have been fine. In that case, everyone wouldn't have been forced to leave. As soon as Headman Song saw his expression, he knew what he was thinking and consoled him: "Even without those matters in front of the temple, we wouldn't be able to live well here. We would either have to do hard labor or starve to death." The youth Shitou stopped talking.

He is actually very afraid of change.

At the beginning of the chaotic times, the situation changed drastically, and the plague took half of the people in the opera troupe.

Shitou's mother didn't make it either.

So Shitou doesn't have high demands; as long as everyone is alive, even if they are not full and life is hard, they can still endure it. As for the future, he doesn't want to think about it. Seeing this, Qian Quezi gently patted his shoulder: "It's not your fault. If we really want to hold someone accountable, it was me and Headman Song who let you go find the Buddha bead." Seeing the youth Shitou wanting to speak, Qian Quezi waved his hand and continued: "Many things are not meant to go as we wish. This world changes too fast; we are like dust being blown here and there, taking one step at a time." Beside them, Headman Song stared into the void, his eyes unfocused. He was still recalling what he had seen and thought of at the Yao Zhai.

For people like them with low status, things that are of paramount importance to them—things they would spare no cost or spend their whole lives to accomplish—might not even compare to a single word from a person of high status! "When you see an opportunity, you must try!" Headman Song said firmly.

The people in the opera troupe usually do odd jobs to make a living and also know some hidden routes used by the bottom-tier poor.

They decided to go through Huo Yuan Gu.

There is a mountain path over there that was often used by civilian salt smugglers in the past.

After the chaotic times, there was no need to hide, so that mountain path was abandoned.

With no one to clear or repair it, the mountain path, which was not easy to walk on to begin with, has accumulated a lot of weeds and gravel, and is often threatened by falling rocks.

In the past, one could barely push a wheelbarrow, but now, don't even think about it; both people and livestock can only walk slowly.

Headman Song has the Jizhou Money Voucher given by Miao Niangzi in his hand and wants to buy a few more donkeys, which can pull cargo and carry people.

But the troop movements in Jizhou are too fast, and they are managing all areas more strictly, with extra manpower to go everywhere to question and warn people.

The donkeys they had originally negotiated for with the farmers are no longer for sale.

Different villages, and every village is in the same situation, which shows that the management is extremely strict now!

"The Du Family is currently registering households and checking livestock transactions tightly, especially for donkeys, mules, horses, and cattle that pull cargo; they ask in detail. The villagers dare not trade." Headman Song was worried. Qian Quezi also had a heavy expression: "The further we go, the tighter the restrictions will only become; we cannot drag this out any longer!"

Headman Song said: "We only bought one donkey, and it was a sick one; that villager only sold it to me because he was worried it would die on his hands. Lao Wang is very skilled at raising donkeys, and that donkey is already much more spirited; when the time comes, it can directly carry things." Lao Wang is that old man in the opera troupe. He can take care of sick donkeys and also knows how to make donkeys make less noise.

Headman Song's face was full of worry: "As for the rest, let us think carefully about how to manage..."

After deliberating for a moment, Headman Song wandered out again, saying he would try to see if he could find other ways.

Qian Quezi could not stay still and also went out, wanting to go and inquire about some news.

Recently, Jizhou has been in turmoil, and news from all sides changes very quickly.

Qian Quezi was filled with anxiety, walking with a limp.

Sensing someone in front, he looked over vigilantly and was stunned.

The person standing in front is Du Shiyi's guard.

The guard sizes up Qian Quezi, thinking to himself: This pathetic wretch, and a cripple at that; no telling if he can get anything done.

Young Master Shiyi had previously ordered him to keep an eye on these people, originally to prevent them from going out and running their mouths, spreading the malicious words spoken by Du Ba. At a time like this, such talk must not be allowed to spread!

Renowned scholars and Confucianists would certainly be offended if they heard it, and it would be no good if commoners heard it either, as it would be unfavorable for increasing the population of Jizhou.

Du Shiyi had also hesitated.

In truth, the safest method would be to silence them permanently! But with internal troubles and external threats, one must avoid drawing blades under the watchful eyes of the public, so for now, he lets the guard keep watch; once there is any sign of rumors spreading, he will strike from the shadows! During this time, the guard discovered the identity of this theater troupe.

Du Shiyi then had other ideas.

Wandering performers travel everywhere; they should be able to pick up quite a bit of information from the lower rungs of society.

Regardless of whether they are to be silenced later, these few people from the theater troupe still have their uses for now.

Qian Quezi is a man who is superstitious about God and Buddha, and he is not as shrewd as the troupe leader, which is why Du Shiyi chose him.

The guard walks over, his gaze carrying a strong sense of oppression: "What were you all just talking about in the room?"

Qian Quezi can confirm that when he and Troupe Leader Song were discussing matters just now, there was no one around. They have always been very cautious in this regard.

Suddenly being asked, Qian Quezi shrinks back in fear: "Just... just heard... that a group was killed in some mountain!" The guard does not suspect him, instead laughing cruelly: "They were just unlucky and ran into mountain bandits."

He steps closer again and says: "If you hear of anyone wanting to gather a group to leave recently, you can tell me."

"This is Young Master Shiyi's order!"

"Rest assured, if the matter is handled well, there will be heavy rewards—firewood, rice, oil, and all of it even offered to God! There might even be Money Vouchers or housing. I hear you have read books? Whatever books you want to see, I can get them for you; it all depends on how you handle things! Our Young Master Shiyi has a much better temper than Young Master Ba; you know that, he even gave you things to eat before."

The guard mentions a location.

"Two days from now, I will wait for you there."

As he speaks, the guard draws his blade slightly from its scabbard. The meaning is: If there is news, there is rice and grain; if there is no news, there is the blade!

"Handle things well!"

After the threats and inducements, the guard returns to report to Young Master Shiyi.

"I don't know if they can dig up any useful information." The guard is very skeptical.

Du Shiyi says casually: "Rats have rat paths; if you pressure them, there will always be a way."

Nowadays, the Du Family is plugging gaps; as the number of merchant caravans coming and going increases, more people in Jizhou are getting ideas.

The commoners at the bottom are easy to fool, but those wealthy households are not at peace.

Some wanted to sneak away, were discovered by the Du Family, and were pursued into the mountains and punished on the spot.

It is also a warning to others: all unregistered "merchant caravans," once discovered, will be treated as rebels!

The problem is that the complex terrain of Jizhou forms many hidden paths that can be used to enter and exit.

Plague Ghosts have no self-awareness and cannot walk those complex mountain paths, but people can.

The Du Family's army simply cannot keep watch over them all.

"The theater troupe has their own sources of information; if they can really find something, it is very likely to be a place we have overlooked," Du Shiyi says. Discovering a few more hidden routes and catching a few more "rebels" can also be considered a merit for Du Shiyi.

And all he needs to do is throw out a tiny bit of grain and goods, nothing more.

Over the next two days, more new news arrived, which made Troupe Leader Song very troubled.

Jizhou has restricted merchant caravans coming from Xinzhou, only allowing them to trade goods at a designated location, and they cannot come to these central areas. That is to say, if they want to follow the Xinzhou caravans to the Zhao Clan, they can only run the extra distance themselves to find them.

Of course, they could also head to Xinzhou themselves, but the risk is too great. The threat of Plague Ghosts decreases in the autumn and winter seasons, but there are plenty of people who block the road to rob! They are old, weak, sick, and disabled; with few people and low combat power, they would only be asking for the blade if they went out.

Therefore, they must find the Xinzhou caravans!

And they must do it quickly!

They have Money Vouchers in their hands, and Miao Niangzi has also selected a reliable caravan; they only need to find them.

They still cannot buy livestock to pull goods or carry people, so they can only think of other ways.

Qian Quezi arrives at the agreed location on time.

Du Shiyi has some free time today, so he meets him in person.

Qian Quezi is still wearing the same ragged clothes as that day, limping and shrinking back.

Du Shiyi wants to appear kind, but seeing the other man's ragged clothes, stained with dust, he only glances briefly before looking away. A look of contempt flashes in his eyes, but it is quickly hidden.

He signals to the guard.

The guard tosses over a small bag of rice and says to Qian Quezi: "This is rice that has been offered before the Buddha! What about the news?"

Qian Quezi grabs the bag of rice, appearing somewhat excited, and stammers: "Only found out a little... seems like someone... is going to a place with a deep pool... if you swim across, there is a path to leave..." Fearing that the other party might go back on his word, Qian Quezi pulls the rice closer to his chest and says hurriedly: "The time is too short; everyone is hiding their information tightly now, it's not easy to ask around!" The guard is about to rebuke him, but is stopped by Du Shiyi's gaze.

He has indeed never heard of this path that Qian Quezi mentioned; it is good news, but it needs to be more specific!

Du Shiyi says cordially: "Then go back and find out clearly, and come tell me again in two days. If the matter is handled well, I will give you more rice that has been offered before the Buddha!" Qian Quezi shrinks his neck and says: "To... tomorrow we have to perform... can't spare the time to ask around..."

Du Shiyi shows dissatisfaction, but after thinking about it, he says: "Then postpone it by one day!"

"Yes! Many thanks, Young Master!"

"Alright, go back." Du Shiyi waves his hand as if shooing a fly.

Qian Quezi limps away, but his pace is fast. He cannot wait to open the rice bag, scoops up a handful of rice to smell it, and then covers it tightly with his clothes to hide it. Watching Qian Quezi's back, the guard beside Du Shiyi says contemptuously: "This cripple hasn't smelled the fragrance of rice in a long time, has he?"

A small bag of low-grade rice was enough to fool the man. Truly ignorant!

On the other side.

Qian Quezi brings the bag of rice back to the theater troupe's small courtyard.

At the entrance, the woman with the scar on her face is already waiting.

Qian Quezi smiles and hands the rice to her: "I smelled it; this rice should be fine, but to be cautious, we should still test it on a mouse. It's not good rice; it doesn't have the fragrance of the rice we used to eat at Master Yao's manor." The woman takes it and looks at Troupe Leader Song, who is walking out of the room.

Troupe Leader Song strides over and smiles, patting Qian Quezi on the shoulder: "You have quite a lot of guts, daring to trick that Young Master Shiyi!"

They have been targeted by Du Shiyi, and the people in the theater troupe are indeed very afraid. At that time, Qian Quezi said he could try to see if he could fool Du Shiyi. Qian Quezi smiles happily; his back, which had been hunched, is now somewhat straight.

"I only did this tiny bit of counterattack, yet I feel an indescribable joy!"

However, Head Constable Song was still worried: "Did he really not recognize you?"

Qian Quezi said: "He wasn't even willing to lower his head to see what I look like. Nor was he willing to spend a moment more to ask for my original name." That person only relies on clothing and a rough impression to identify a "lowly person."

"Many years have passed, that person Du Shiyi..."

Qian Quezi smiled.

"A midge like me cannot fathom the thoughts of the noble ones. But I know what kind of person he is."

"He hasn't become kinder; he has only become better at hiding it!"

During his childhood, Qian Quezi displayed intelligent aptitude at the academy, but he was envied by a fellow student and "accidentally" broke a leg.

That fellow student who caused the accident was Du Shiyi!

Having not seen each other for many years, with their statuses now worlds apart, and their appearances no longer looking like those of contemporaries, it was within expectations that he would not recognize his old classmate. However...

"He looks down on me far too much!"

In his youth, Qian Quezi studied the books of sages and dreamed of the ambition to serve the country and the people.

The most relaxing period of his life was when he was reading books in the library of Wealthy Man Yao.

The scent of ink and books carrying the warmth of the sun is still deeply remembered to this day, making one nostalgic.

Qian Quezi's face revealed a sense of relief, and he was somewhat high-spirited: "When the Peng migrates to the Southern Darkness, it strikes the water for three thousand miles, and ascends on a whirlwind for ninety thousand miles!" Lao Wang, who had just returned from feeding the donkey: "Hm? What?"

Qian Quezi said: "Nothing, I just remembered what the sages said, that when the storm is at its most intense, the Kunpeng uses the momentum of the wind and water to take flight." When the Kun fish transforms into the Peng bird, the momentum stirred up by its takeoff must surely turn the stars and move the heavens, shaking the mountains and overturning the seas!

That is the great momentum!

Only by borrowing the breath that blows can dust rise with the momentum.

This is a chaotic era, but it is also an era of merit, fortune, and ten thousand ravines vying to flow!

Even the great aristocratic clans must exert all their strength to lift themselves up and ride the momentum.

Ants and dust like them dare not dream of too much; they only seek to carve out a path to survive!