As the night approached, the stars in the distance were slightly visible and the moon was new. The sky was clear and cloudless. Who played the flute again? The sound of the flute was like the sound of the mountains.
"At this moment, it really looks like the residence of the immortals. Uncle, what do you think?" Zhou Xihu and his uncle walked to a place about ten steps away from the others. They found a large rock and sat down. They faced the other mountain and spoke loudly.
Those who came to take advantage of them were no longer as spirited as before. They lay there like dead dogs. They did not care if the half-withered grass pricked their bodies and did not care if the dew in the night would catch a cold. They did not have any strength in their bodies and their stomachs did not stop growling.
Originally, they thought that County Magistrate Cheng had already arranged for them to eat when they were tired. In the beginning, they could still hold on for a while. After walking for four hours, people began to ask County Magistrate Cheng. Every time, County Magistrate Cheng would reply, "Soon, we'll be there soon."
They had walked for a long time. It was already quarter past midnight. After a while, it would be midnight. They could see that there were a few faint lights flashing in front of them. They also heard the sound of the flute. At first, they felt that it was melodious, but now it was ear-piercing.
"County Magistrate Cheng, are you planning to kill us? Why are you not getting us some food at this point? "A person lay there and looked sideways at County Magistrate Cheng, who also did not have much energy. County Magistrate Cheng was also tired.
Other than the two yamen runners who often worked, everyone else was tired. The only difference was that the two rank four officials, the yamen runners, the deputy county magistrate, Zhou Xihu's uncle and nephew, and the county magistrate himself had eaten before. The others did not have anything to eat. They only had some porridge in the morning. Until now, they had to walk on the mountain road. They were able to persevere because it would be further to go back.
County Magistrate Cheng took a sip of water and said, "I heard that this place is better, but I didn't expect it to be so fast. I thought I would arrive at dusk, but I miscalculated. I'm sorry, my lords. Please drink some water first and save it. When we came here, we prepared half a bag of water, so there's not much left."
As they were talking, County Magistrate Cheng ordered the bailiffs to bring water to everyone. Those who came to take advantage of the situation were given large water bags. Everyone drank a few mouthfuls of water. When it came to the two officials in charge, they were given small water bags. The two officials took the water bags and drank as usual. Suddenly, they were stunned. Under the moonlight, they glanced at everyone else. Weiwei leaned over and started to drink slowly.
The two of them drank and chewed at the same time. They tried their best to prevent the sound of their chewing from being heard. The bowl was filled with thick lotus seed porridge. It was a little cold, but it was better than being hungry.
The bailiffs brought it to Zhou Xihu. Zhou Xihu opened it and smelled it. He passed it over and indicated that there was no need. He took out a salted duck egg and gave it to the bailiffs. The bailiffs were stunned and nodded gratefully. They took the salted duck egg and turned to leave.
"Uncle, eat something. Looking at the situation, we have to leave soon. We still have four hours to go. Try this scallion pancake." Zhou Xihu looked back at the people who only had water to drink. He chuckled and took out the pancake. He tore off a piece and gave it to his uncle.
"It's delicious. When your father and I were young, our family was poor and we couldn't eat anything. One day, we picked up a piece of pancake that someone accidentally dropped on the ground. Your father and I ate it for three days. It tasted similar to this. Why is the duck egg so salty?"
Zhou Qiong took a bite of the pancake and ate a little of the duck egg white. He whispered to his nephew.
Zhou Xihu ate as well. He took out the beef jerky and put it into his mouth. "It's not salty, so not many people buy it. The small shops here at the Zhang Family's farmstead are only for people who don't have a lot of money to eat. Usually, a few people go there and order two dishes and a few salted duck eggs. They eat almost all of the dishes with wine and then eat some staple food. One duck egg is enough.
There are also some who go inside and ask for a bowl of wine and a salted egg. Eggs are cheap. After sipping a bit of salted egg and drinking a mouthful of wine, they can put away the remaining half of the salted egg and still have enough for two meals. If it's too light, they won't be able to eat anymore. That's why many people go to his store to eat.
"I see. This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. But since they have a recipe to make the dishes taste better, why don't they buy a place in the county and open a restaurant?"
Zhou Qiong sighed and felt a little puzzled.
Zhou Xihu shook his head. "I don't know. That Zhuangzi is always bold and imaginative. Uncle, eat some more pancake and drink some water."
He passed the water bag to his uncle and waited for him to finish the pancake. Otherwise, the salted duck egg taste would still be in his mouth.
Some people were hungry while others were eating stealthily. After a quarter of an hour, County Magistrate Cheng, who finished the porridge, said, "My lords, we've rested enough. Shall we continue?"
"I can't. I can't walk anymore. County Magistrate Cheng, ask someone to get some food and two blankets from the house over there. We can't walk anymore." The person who spoke first was now acting like a rascal. He lay there and sighed.
With him taking the lead, the others didn't move. They just waited there. They didn't believe that County Magistrate Cheng would let them starve to death here.
County Magistrate Cheng thought for a while and nodded. "Alright. Since you're willing to wait here, I'll go ahead with the three lords. When we get there, I'll ask someone to send the food. Take care, my lords."
County Magistrate Cheng was about to leave. The three lords he was talking about were the two from the imperial court and Zhou Qiong. The yamen runner, deputy county magistrate, and Zhou Xihu all got up. Zhou Qiong and the other two had eaten, so of course, they had to follow.
After they left and walked dozens of steps, one of the people who were still lying on the ground screamed. "Oh no, once they leave, County Magistrate Cheng will prepare food and drinks for the three lords first and then think of us. Won't the food be sent tomorrow morning? The yamen runner can rest on the way. We'll either starve to death or freeze to death. I have to follow. "
As soon as he finished speaking, he got up and ran. He didn't look hungry or tired at all. He was forced to do so. The others were stunned for a while and then followed him. They didn't think that they would die from the cold or starvation. It would be fine for them to survive for a few days, but they would suffer a lot.
Hearing the footsteps behind him, County Magistrate Cheng raised the corner of his mouth but didn't say anything.
The two yamen runners led the way in front. Fortunately, there was still some light from the stars and the moon. Otherwise, they would have to walk until the next morning.
Along the way, no one spoke. There was nothing to say. They were so tired that even breathing was strenuous. Only when it was Yin did they arrive at their destination. There were more than 30 houses and more than a dozen families. There was a torch lit, and there were more than 20 people standing there, waiting.
"My lord, why are you so late? Ah! I didn't do a good job. "As soon as County Magistrate Cheng and the others appeared, Song Jinggong came up and said apologetically.
He was arranged by Zhang Xiaobao to come. He didn't intend to torture them. He just asked County Magistrate Cheng to lead them to a place and let Zhou Xihu's uncle secretly go to Zhangjia Zhuangzi. In the end, County Magistrate Cheng was angry and changed the plan slightly. That was why it turned out like this.
"You can't even do such a small thing? Is it so difficult to prepare some food? "County Magistrate Cheng's face darkened and he shouted.
When the people who came to take advantage of the situation heard this, they understood that County Magistrate Cheng had already arranged for people to come here and prepare. It seemed that the people who came didn't succeed. The hope just now turned into disappointment. They would starve to death if they didn't have food.
Song Jinggong lowered his head even more and explained, "My lord, it's not that we didn't prepare food. The people here did prepare food, but they asked for money. I didn't bring any money. My lord, did you bring any?"
County Magistrate Cheng shook his head and turned around to ask, "I didn't bring any. I'll ask the other lords. My lords, the food over there is already prepared. May I know which lord has money?"
Everyone shook their heads. Who would bring money when they went down? They were all waiting to take the money back. Zhou Xihu did bring some, but he wouldn't take it out stupidly. He imitated others and shook his head like a rattle drum.
"Ah! They didn't bring any money. What should we do? Why don't we put them on credit first? I'll send them the money later. Zijin, you go and discuss with them. "
County Magistrate Cheng said awkwardly. Song Jinggong followed the order and left. After a while, he turned around and smiled helplessly, "My lord, it won't work. They don't believe me. I'll send them the money later."
"Don't put them on credit. I have a jade pendant. I'll leave it with them first. County Magistrate Cheng can help me get it back." An official was so hungry that he couldn't bear it anymore. He took out a jade pendant that was supposed to be hanging on his waist and handed it over. He was a little distressed. He was afraid that it would be scratched when he went up the mountain, so he put it in his pocket.
Song Jinggong took the jade pendant and went to discuss with them. After a while, two people came back. In addition to Song Jinggong, there was an old man with wrinkles on his face. His hair and beard were all white. He carried a piggyback.
He walked over and said, "My lords, it's not that the villagers are stingy. It's just that life is hard. The weather is dry, and we don't know how the harvest will be in autumn. The villagers are all afraid. Oh, I'm the chief of the village. My surname is Qin. My lords, you can call me Old Tuo."
After saying this, he didn't wait for others to speak and continued, "I don't know which lord this pendant belongs to. Forgive me for my poor eyesight. I can't tell whether this is jade or stone. It may be worth a lot of money to a knowledgeable person, but in the village, it's not as good as half a bowl of coarse chaff. My lord, please take this stone, oh no, jade pendant back."
"How can this be a stone? You … you? "The official who took out the jade pendant carefully took it in his hand and stared at the old man.
"It's not a stone. I was wrong. Jade, it's jade. It's good jade, but no one in the village knows." This Qin village chief was obviously scared. He explained incoherently while trembling. He meant that the jade was not good, but there was food. Let's see what you can exchange for it.
County Magistrate Cheng held back his laughter. He felt that this Qin village chief was so nice, so he came out to smooth things over. "My lord, don't be angry. It's not worth arguing with them. Qin village chief, tell me, how can you give us food?"
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