Nearby, two other households hesitated. “Yeah, with all this chaos, who knows if we can even buy grain in town? Maybe it’s safer to keep the silver ourselves.”
Lin Sisi felt a headache coming on. No matter the time or place, there were always people trying to be clever.
Originally, she wanted to ignore them, but if they ran out of food later, they’d end up borrowing from someone else—and that would make matters even more complicated.
She looked at them and sighed. “Uncle Li, everyone handing in silver is trusting both the village chief and us—those going into town.”
“Our primary mission is to buy grain. If we can’t, we’ll return every penny to you.”
“Besides, grain prices change every day. Buy early for peace of mind. If you wait until the supply runs out, it’ll be much harder.”
Aunt Zhang chimed in, “Li Erzhu, you still don’t trust Sisi? If it weren’t for her last time, our grain might have been stolen by refugees! I trust her completely.”
“Exactly. Sisi has never let us down,” others agreed.
Li Erzhu’s face flushed red, then white. After much hesitation, he reluctantly handed over his silver. “Then… six jin for my family.”
Seeing him give in, the other two households followed suit.
Gu Qinglin’s mother approached and handed him a cloth bundle filled with dry food. “Be careful on the road. Don’t overexert yourself. If you can’t get grain, come back early. Don’t be greedy.”
“I know, Mother. Take care of yourself too,” Gu Qinglin smiled, tucking the bundle into his arms. “I gave Uncle Wang some grain. He’ll help you with the cart. Walk slowly if you need to—your health comes first.”
A Shi stared longingly, but Gu Qinglin didn’t say anything to him.
Lin Lao’er came over, rubbing his hands. “Sisi, a few of you guys, could you carry some grain for my family too? I’ll pay. Just two extra jin.”
Lin Sisi glanced at him. “If you wanted more grain, why not say so when handing in silver?”
Caught off guard, Lin Lao’er couldn’t argue. Embarrassed at his attempt to get more for less, he sulkily retreated.
Village Chief Li folded up the cloth with all the recorded accounts and handed it solemnly to Lin Sisi. “Sisi, take this. When buying grain, cross-check carefully. No mistakes.”
“Got it,” she said, tucking it safely away.
Village Chief Wang added, “Leave at dawn. Keep a low profile. Buy coarse grain—it stores well and fills bellies.”
“While gathering information, don’t be conspicuous. Ask if it’s possible to go to Anzhou, check local prices, and learn about conscription. Are they still taking people?”
“Bring enough water. Don’t talk to strangers unnecessarily. Buy quickly and return. We’ll push the convoy to meet you at the old locust tree outside Qingxi Town before dark.”
“Understood!” the five replied in unison.
At first light, they set out.
Villagers lined the road, eyes filled with hope.
Qingxi Town’s gates loomed ahead, gray-brown walls emerging from morning mist. Soldiers at the gate gripped long spears, eyes scanning travelers with vigilance.
Lin Sisi’s group slowed, trying to appear like ordinary villagers.
“What business in town?” a guard blocked the way, tone harsh.
Lin Zheng stepped forward, smiling. “We’re from nearby villages, coming to buy grain. We’ll leave quickly.”
“Pass? Where’s your travel permit?” the guard raised an eyebrow, impatient. “No permit, no entry!”
The group exchanged uneasy glances. In the chaos, who had prepared a permit?
Lin Zheng quietly slipped a small piece of silver into the guard’s hand. “Brother, please, we really just need grain. Our families are starving.”
The guard weighed the silver, softening. He glanced around and whispered, “Go in, but keep a low profile. Buy and leave quickly.”
“Thanks, brother!” Lin Zheng beamed, and the group stepped forward.
Suddenly, the sound of hooves and wagon wheels shook the dust. A decorated carriage thundered toward the gate, led by guards in tight armor, swords at their waists, exuding authority.
The gate guards’ faces immediately changed. The earlier indifference vanished. They straightened and respectfully approached the carriage.
“Stop them!” one guard barked, pointing at Lin Sisi’s group. “No permit, no entry! Move along!”
Zhang Zhuang froze. “Brother, didn’t you just say we could enter? Why the sudden change?”
“Shut up!” the guard’s face darkened, spear raised. “Leave! Any more words and we’ll treat you as vagrants!”
Zhao Hu stepped forward, ready to argue. Lin Sisi quickly pulled him back.
“Don’t. Step back first,” she said firmly.
“Now’s not the time for a confrontation. That carriage has influence—the guards dare not offend them. There’s no reason for us to suffer here,” she whispered.
Food is important, but life is more so!
“But we came to buy grain! The villagers are waiting!” Gu Qinglin frowned.
“Step back first, then figure out a plan,” Lin Sisi insisted, retreating a few steps with the group, calm and collected.
The carriage stopped. A pale, slender hand lifted the curtain. A soft, commanding male voice echoed: “Halt.”
The guards stiffened, quickly lowering spears and bowing. “Yes, sir!”
The voice continued, calm and detached: “They are here to buy grain. Let them pass.”
“Yes, sir!” the guards moved aside without hesitation, warning Lin Sisi’s group: “Enter, but don’t cause trouble.”
Lin Sisi glanced at the carriage, puzzled but silent. She nodded slightly. “Thank you, young master.”
She led the group through the gate. Behind them, the carriage was escorted toward town center. Locals gave way, clearly recognizing its prestige.
“That nearly scared me to death!” Zhang Zhuang patted his chest. “Good thing that young master helped, or we’d never get in.”
Zhao Hu nodded. “He’s no ordinary person. His presence is… commanding.”
Gu Qinglin’s expression darkened. “Forget that for now. Let’s find grain and get information quickly.”
Lin Sisi frowned, eyes sharp. “Right. Split up for efficiency.”
Even just judging by the gate, it was clear: Qingxi Town was no ordinary town. Entry was tightly controlled.
Normally, villagers buying supplies wouldn’t need a permit beyond a small fee. Here, the town demanded travel passes—or bribery, as Lin Zheng had done.
Ordinary families couldn’t afford silver like that.
Lin Sisi sighed silently.
“Brother, you, Zhang Zhuang, and Zhao Hu scout for information—ask about conscription, roads to Anzhou, and nearby disturbances.”
“Meet under the old locust tree in half an hour.”
Without realizing it, Lin Sisi had become the de facto leader of the small squad—and no one objected.
“Got it!” the group agreed, dispersing.
Qingxi Town’s streets were narrow. Shops lined the sides, open but sparsely attended. Citizens hurried along, faces anxious, clearly affected by the unrest.