Song Fengshou's feet were worn out, and he winced as he put on his new straw sandals.
"Ah Jiu, if you have something to say, just say it. We're not outsiders," Ma Dabiao chimed in.
"You all saw the soldiers we encountered yesterday. Just as my father said, we've already reached the territory of Nanming, and it's very safe."
Ah Jiu paused and slowly explained:
"Our carriage can reach Liu County in two days. If you, along with the elders and villagers, walk, it will take at least six or seven days. We will go to Liu County first and settle down. If we can reunite later, we will do our best to help you. What do you think?"
Meng Shaode glanced at his daughter again; this plan was good.
This way, they wouldn't attract attention by leading the carriage with so many people, and his wife wouldn't always be sulking.
Ma Dabiao and Song Fengshou exchanged glances, clearly hesitant.
Ah Jiu added, "After we settle in Liu County, we still need to find temporary accommodation. So, we'll get there first and make arrangements. If you arrive later, you won't be in a rush."
"Besides, our carriage is fast. If we encounter danger on the road, we'll send someone back to inform you. Consider it us paving the way for the elders and villagers ahead. What do you think, Uncle?"
Ah Jiu's earnest demeanor and methodical explanation left even Meng Shaode with no room to refuse.
"Yes, that's fine. Ah Jiu, you've made thorough arrangements. But how will we find you when we get to Liu County?"
Ma Dabiao nodded.
"Let's leave a mark," Ah Jiu casually drew a triangle; it didn't matter.
"Alright, this is indeed proper. Fengshou, let's go back and tell the villagers."
Ma Dabiao was so happy he couldn't close his mouth.
"Why go back? Just wait here," Meng Shaode added, wincing. This young man's mind wasn't as sharp as his.
"That's right, I was so excited I got confused," Ma Dabiao scratched his head and looked at Ah Jiu again, then at the straw sandals.
"The straw sandals Ah Jiu wove fit perfectly. Thank you very much."
"I wove them when I was little," Ah Jiu didn't explain further. In fact, most of the villagers knew about her childhood life.
Just then, the carriage was kicked, making a loud clanging noise.
Cai Lihua got up to check the situation.
Before she could reach the carriage, there was a loud bang.
Steward Li's head poked out of the carriage, a sock stuffed firmly in his mouth, his body struggling.
"What are you trying to do?" Cai Lihua asked irritably.
Song Fengshou and Ma Dabiao stared: "Master De, that... that looks a lot like Steward Li?"
"It's that old fellow," Meng Shaode said grumpily.
"Why did you tie him up?" Ma Dabiao was very surprised. Everyone knew Steward Li's name in the surrounding counties; he was a man of great wealth.
"A minor grievance," Meng Shaode replied calmly and concisely.
This made the two wonder if Meng Shaode had changed his ways or not.
"Uh, then my brother and I will take our leave here. We should still go back and report, otherwise, the villagers will have no hope."
Song Fengshou felt a chill on his neck and stood up, cupping his hands as he escorted them.
"No need to see us out," Meng Shaode offered no further explanation.
He had something on his mind.
His daughter's words earlier had enlightened him. Even if they reached Liu County, his wife still had some silver on her.
It would be fine if Steward Li's talk of gold didn't cause trouble, but if it did, it would be for nothing.
However, that wasn't a long-term solution. Once they settled down, he couldn't squander money like before; he needed to find a way to make a living.
"Hmm?" Meng Shaode came back to his senses and realized his daughter, who had been sitting there, was gone.
He looked around and saw his daughter squatting in the depths of the woods, doing something, with his mother, Wang Shi, pointing and gesturing.
"Besides watermelons and peaches, there's nothing else?"
"There is, but watermelons are the most thirst-quenching and filling," Ah Jiu looked at Wang Shi.
"But you can't just eat watermelons all the time. Can't you change the flavor? Besides, don't you have the spiritual spring? You don't lack water."
Wang Shi thought of more spiritual fruits.