Don't panic in a famine, I live in the mountains with my golden finger

Chapter 354 Departure to Zhuangzhou

Time passed slowly and it was now the end of May. The rice fields were lush green, the sky was grey and a drizzle began to fall.

During this period, all the dry branches and weeds from the mountains were carried back home by the hardworking villagers. Xu Yuan's house was no exception. The corner of the yard was filled with bundles of dry branches and fern leaves, all thanks to Gu Qinghan.

Xu Yuan prepared candles, dried fish, and some sour Chinese cabbage sprouts, and gave some to Gu Qinghan. These side dishes could solve the problem of food on the road. In addition, with the secret method of growing sprouts taught by Xu Yuan, they could grow sprouts while walking, so there was no need to worry about food and drink. The only thing left was water, so everyone prepared a wooden barrel and a water bag and put them in the car.

Xu Yuan learned the information that County Magistrate Wu wanted to subsidize Xinzhu Village to go to Zhuangzhou from the mailbox in Gu Qinghan's small courtyard in the county town. It was Hu Zhanggui who mentioned it to Xu Yuan at the beginning and asked how to contact him if he needed supplies in the future.

Xu Yuan had no choice but to inform Gu Qinghan and set up a mailbox outside the gate of the small courtyard. If there was anything, just write a note and drop it in. If the villagers saw it, they would take it back. Hu Zhanggui was also a man who was very good at reading people's expressions. He would never ask questions that he didn't need to ask. As long as they got what they needed, they didn't need to care too much about other things.

The day after he made the wish, he took the cured fish, marinade packets, sour Chinese mustard seedlings, and dried small fish from his home and sent them to Fumanlou. When Shopkeeper Hu received these things, he was so happy that he smiled.

Xu Yuan also took Gu Qinghan and Li Junyong to contact County Magistrate Wu on the same day and drove the three carriages back to the village.

When the villagers saw the fat and strong horse, they were impressed by Magistrate Wu's generosity and compassion for the people.

Among the ten scholars in the village, six passed the provincial examination. Li Shunyi, Zhu Hongtao, Huang Shao and Su Bei looked at those who were going to Zhuangzhou with envy, and their lips couldn't help but pursed.

"Don't be discouraged, study hard and prepare for the next exam." Li Junyong comforted them when he saw their lonely expressions.

"Be careful on the road!" Village Chief Gu warned.

At this time, the sky was still grey and not fully bright. Only the adults in the village and their families were standing in the large open space in front of the cave to see them off.

Gu Qinghan looked around at the crowd, but did not see that slender figure. His eyes curved, but he did not feel disappointed. After all, he had already said goodbye to Xu Yuan before. He retracted his gaze, gave instructions to his parents, and then got into the car.

In this way, under the gratified gaze of the villagers, the six people set out for Zhuangzhou, stepping on the undismayed dew and when the sky brightened.

When they were halfway through the journey and had not yet completely walked out of Zhupian Mountain, Li Junyong, who was traveling in front of the carriage, saw two or three figures lying on the ground in a dense grass area in the distance. The fog in the mountains had not completely dissipated yet, and seeing the figures at this time was still very scary. Li Junyong instantly got goosebumps.

He was immediately shocked and said, "There is someone there!"

"Whoa", Li Junyong pulled the carriage rope and stopped it. Gu Qinghan was dozing in the carriage. When he heard Li Junyong's exclamation, he opened his eyes, lifted the curtain with his slender fingers, looked out, and then put it down and got off the carriage when it stopped.

The two carriages following behind also stopped.

"Junyong, what's going on?" Luo Xiqing, who got off the carriage at the back, hurried up and asked.

"These three people are unconscious." Gu Qinghan first checked the breath of the three people. Fortunately, they were still breathing weakly.

"Why did they faint here?" Lu Zishi also walked over and looked at the three figures lying on the ground. They were strong, with unshaven faces, and the clothes they wore were better than his. There was also a fallen sword beside them. They didn't look like they had barged in casually.

"Never mind him, at least he's not dead. Otherwise, it would be so unlucky to encounter this kind of trouble when traveling so far in the morning." Zhang Mingxiu curled his lips, just took a look, and then returned to the car.

"There are exactly three cars. Put one person in each car and take them to a safe place." Feng Juesheng suggested.

"Let's go."

Gu Qinghan and Li Junyong raised their hands and feet respectively and put one of the big men in front of the carriage and sat him against the front of the car.

The three carriages started moving again.

……

At 9 o'clock in the morning, three carriages came out of Zhupian Mountain. Under a tree not far from the city gate, three sleepy men were sitting against the tree trunk.

The fog has dissipated, and the sunlight penetrates through the branches into the mountains and forests, playing with the dewdrops dripping on the leaves.

At this time, two carriages were parked at the city gate.

"Coming, coming, they're coming!"

Lin Zhian had been looking around at the city gate, and when he saw three carriages not far away, he said excitedly.

There was also a fat boy next to him, pulling the reins and looking forward in the direction Lin Zhian was looking.

This time, Lin Zhian did not pass the provincial examination, but Wu Mingshi did, so Lin Zhian volunteered to send his good brother and companion to Zhuangzhou.

Lin Zhi'an has a large family and a big business, and he also has business here in Zhuangzhou. This time he is transporting some things to Zhuangzhou. Hu Sanniang is afraid that her son cannot handle it well, so she asks him to take his servant with him.

The same thing went for Wu Mingshi, who also brought his own servants with him.

"Ading, your master will travel with them later, you will follow behind them."

"Also, when you're out, don't call me Master, call me Brother An."

Lin Zhian gave this reminder as well.

"Ange, I understand." Ading answered naturally.

Lin Zhian expressed his satisfaction.

"By the way, Mingshi, are you feeling better? Did you take the things that Miss Ying gave you?" Lin Zhian walked to the carriage at the back. The servant next to him respectfully made way for him. His back was strong and his temperament was not like that of an ordinary servant. Lin Zhian just took a look, retracted his gaze, then lifted the front curtain, stepped into the carriage, and sat down.

There was a smell of Chinese medicinal herbs in the carriage. Wu Mingshi was lying on the soft seat in the carriage, wrapped in a thick quilt with his eyes closed to rest. He opened his eyes when he heard the noise coming in.

"Ahem... Zhian, please get out of here. What if my illness gets to you?"

Wu Mingshi said weakly with a pale face.

"It's okay, I'm in good health, it won't happen." Lin Zhian touched Wu Mingshi's forehead. It was still a little hot, but less than before.

"The things that Miss Ying gave me are on the desk. Take them out and give them to him later."

Lin Zhian nodded and covered Wu Mingshi with the quilt. "Have a good rest."

He got off the carriage and waited for Gu Qinghan and the others to come.