With the army setting out, Feng Yu Heng's carriage quickly arrived at the first town.
One of the two hidden guards accompanying her was called Yuan Fei, while the other was called Chou Shu. The person driving the carriage was Chou Shu, while Yuan Fei was invited into the carriage. He and Wang Chuan sat side by side in the main seat of the carriage. Next to them sat Feng Yu Heng and Huang Quan.
"Alright, that's all. When we reach the town in front, I'll have Huang Quan buy a few sets of clothes for us to change into." Feng Yu Heng clapped her hands, very satisfied with her arrangements.
However, Wang Chuan and Yuan Fei were uncomfortable, especially Yuan Fei. He didn't know where to sit. His back was straight as if he was standing in a military stance, and he didn't know where to put his hands. After thinking about it a few times, he finally chose to place them flat on his knees and looked forward. He didn't even dare to look at Feng Yu Heng.
Wang Chuan was familiar with Feng Yu Heng, so he couldn't be too formal with her. However, he didn't quite agree with Feng Yu Heng's decision of "the two of you will pretend to be husband and wife, while Huang Quan, Chou Shu, and I will pretend to be maids and manservants." He discussed with Feng Yu Heng: "Young Miss, can't you think of another way? Do we have to pretend to be husband and wife?"
Huang Quan was also a bit confused, "Can't you still be the young miss, and we still be maids and attendants?"
Yuan Fei looked expectantly at Feng Yu Heng, waiting for her to nod and agree. It was fine for him to be a hidden guard, killing people and fighting was not a problem, but he had to dress up as a young master and bring along a fake young madam, then the dignified Princess Yu became his servant, he really could not do such a thing!
Unfortunately, it was impossible for Feng Yu Heng to be persuaded. The more she nodded, the more she shook her head. She said, "No, I'll be the young miss, and you'll be the maids and attendants. This kind of combination is too obvious. Everyone knew that Princess Ji 'an was thirteen years old. Even after the New Year, I would only be fourteen years old. The princess had two maidservants by her side all year round. This kind of combination was too recognizable, and it was very easy for people to target them. If we continue to head north, it will take us more than three to five days to reach Guanzhou. According to my calculations, it would be considered fast if we can reach Guanzhou in two months. Therefore, safety first. We have no other choice. "
When she said this, Wang Chuan immediately understood. He nodded and said, "That's right, it was this servant's negligence. Young Miss is meticulous, this arrangement is good."
What's good about it? Yuan Fei glanced at Wang Chuan. This servant used to be one of his master's people. In the past, he felt that Wang Chuan was very good-looking. After he was sent to the princess' side, he rarely saw him. A few days ago, when they were chasing after the divine archers from Qian Zhou, they had interacted a few more times; however, who knew that the two would pretend to be husband and wife. Yuan Fei thought that even if it was a bit awkward, it was worth it.
Thus he nodded and quietly said: "Then it's decided!"
Feng Yu Heng covered her mouth and gently laughed. Teasing Wang Chuan, she said: "Look, your husband is getting into the role quite quickly!"
Wang Chuan stomped his foot, as his face turned bright red from what was being said.
The people in the carriage laughed for a while. Feng Yu Heng then pulled out the map that Xuan Tianming had given her. Laying it out on the table in the carriage, she pointed and said: "From the capital to the Northern Province, we will need to pass through seven provinces. Among them are Xiao Zhou and Qing Zhou, as well as He Tian Prefecture. After that, from the Qing Prefecture to the North's first prefecture, Guan Zhou, there are six more prefectures. These six prefectures each have two prefectures. Disregarding the towns and counties, we should be traveling for around 60 to 70 days. "
Yuan Fei nodded and continued: "This subordinate has been to the North once. The North is said to have three provinces, but in reality, they are still named after prefectures. They are Guan Zhou, Song Zhou and Jiang Zhou. It's just that these three prefectures occupy a large area. They are larger than the other prefectures. That's why people are used to calling them the three provinces. We came from the capital. After entering the North, the first prefecture is Guan Zhou. That leader Duan Mu An Guo built his office in the central region, Song Zhou. As for Jiang Zhou, it is close to Qian Zhou. Dashun's Northern Gate is in Jiang Zhou. "
While Yuan Fei spoke, he carefully marked out the locations of the three provinces on the map. He also pointed out the location of the Northern Gate. This could be considered giving Feng Yu Heng a bit of geographical knowledge.
Speaking of, the so-called prefectures of the Dashun dynasty were the so-called provinces of the modern era. Prefectures were cities. It was just that cities were not divided into districts. They would be surrounded by small towns. The capital naturally had its own government. As for Xiao Zhou and Qing Zhou to the north of the capital, they were under He Tian Prefecture's jurisdiction. Once they left He Tian Prefecture, they would need to pass through six more prefectures to reach Guan Zhou. The journey was long and arduous.
Ever since the group accepted their fate and agreed with Feng Yu Heng's arrangements, Yuan Fei had been sitting in the carriage the entire time. As for Huang Quan, he would occasionally take turns driving the carriage with Chou Shu. When they passed through the first town, the group bought clothes from a ready-made clothing store. Feng Yu Heng changed into maidservant clothes, while Wang Chuan changed into the clothes of a young married woman. Yuan Fei bought the best set of brocade robes from the store. It was just that no matter how good it was, it was not much in their eyes. After all, the things in a small town could not compare to the things in the capital. Feng Yu Heng thought that when they reached Xiao Zhou, they would buy some better clothes. It would be best if they could not be exposed for two months.
They practically did not rest much along the way. The carriage was pulled by two horses. When they reached a town, they would switch horses. Huang Quan and Chou Shu would take turns to rest. Just like this, they headed straight for Xiao Zhou.
In recent days, this was the second time they had taken this road, but their state of mind was very different. The last time, they were chasing after the people who kidnapped Zirui. They were tense the whole way, especially Feng Yu Heng. She did not relax for even a moment. Although they still had to be very careful, it was much easier than the last time.
However, the road was still a road. No matter what, they had to pass by the place where Old Six and the other nine hidden guards were buried. When they passed by, Huang Quan was driving the carriage. She specially turned around and asked Feng Yu Heng if they should stop. Feng Yu Heng immediately stopped them. However, she did not get off the carriage. Instead, she lifted the curtain and looked at the grave.
She quietly told the group: "Although we did not discover anything along the way, we still cannot relax. We don't know where the enemy is watching us. That's why even if we want to go pay respects, now is definitely not the time." After this, she slightly raised her head and opened her mouth once more. This time, she said to the grave: "Brothers, wait a little longer. When we have taken Qian Zhou, we will definitely bring the people of the imperial family to you for a blood sacrifice." After saying this, she lowered the curtain and said in a low voice: "Let's go."
Huang Quan swung her horsewhip. With a "pa" sound, they set out once more.
Everyone's mood was a little heavy. For a long time, nobody spoke. Like this, they rushed the entire way. After passing through Xiao Zhou, they replenished their supplies and continued onward. Finally, on the morning of the fifth day, they arrived at the dock where they had taken the boat.
"Young miss, we will need to travel by water again. Who knows when we will be able to return. The carriage has no value. Just sell it." Huang Quan quietly discussed this with Feng Yu Heng.
Feng Yu Heng nodded then reminded Wang Chuan, "In the carriage, we can speak however we want, but once we get out of the carriage, the masters are Wang Chuan and Yuan Fei. No matter what happens, discuss it with the two of them." She then said to Yuan Fei, "Small matters are normally left to the women to handle, so Wang Chuan will be responsible for taking care of them. When it comes to important decisions, only you can take the lead."
Yuan Fei pondered a little then said: "There are some things that this subordinate cannot make decisions on."
"There are no decisions that cannot be made." She waved her hand, "As long as we have a clear goal, everything else is small. You have spoken." After she finished speaking, she took the lead and walked to the front of the carriage. She lifted the curtain and stood outside the carriage. Then, she raised her clear voice and said, "Young Master, Young Madam, we've arrived at the dock. Please alight!"
As soon as the curtain was lifted, a cold wind blew in. The wind by the river was strong, and it was already winter. They were rushing north, so the weather was getting colder and colder. Fortunately, they had all changed into winter clothes when they were in Xiao Zhou. Wang Chuan wore a brocade cloak over her head and looked a bit like a rich young madam.
Huang Quan and Chou Shu carried all the bags, while Feng Yu Heng followed Wang Chuan attentively. After getting out of the carriage, the two's arms were crossed. It looked like Feng Yu Heng was supporting the young madam, but in fact, it was Wang Chuan who was supporting Feng Yu Heng.
There were many people buying horses and carriages by the river. Chou Shu sold the carriage and respectfully handed the money to Wang Chuan. Huang Quan went to the dock and booked two private rooms with the ship owner. They only needed to wait for half an hour for the next boat to arrive.
Huang Quan held the boarding card and said to them: "We will be staying in the private rooms. The boarding card is easy to buy. If it was an ordinary cabin, it was said that there were no seats left yesterday afternoon."
Wang Chuan talked to Huang Quan intermittently, but Feng Yu Heng quietly looked at the dock. The dock was a place where dragons and snakes mixed together. There were people doing business, people on their way, people buying and selling slaves, and local bullies collecting protection fees. There were all kinds of people as far as the eye could see. She quickly saw an acquaintance. It was the slave owner who had whipped people on the ship last time. She didn't know where that person got another batch of slaves, but they were still children under the age of ten. Their hands and feet were tied with iron chains, and they were connected to each other like rows of centipedes.
She whispered to Huang Quan: "What is the slavery system in Dashun like? When I was in the capital, I saw that even the servants who sold their bodies didn't have this kind of treatment. We also bought slaves, and although they were dressed shabbily when they were sent, they were clean and didn't look like they were abused. How can they be treated like this when they left the capital? "
Huang Quan explained to her: "These slaves are different from the ones we bought. The slave traders in the capital abide by the rules. In addition, those slave traders are only holding onto their slave contracts. However, these little slaves are being held onto by the slave masters. They are being held onto by the slave masters through their household registration. The slave contracts sell their bodies, while the household registration takes their lives. The slave contracts can still run, as long as you can run. With the household registration, at least you won't be checked when you pass through customs. But without the household registration, even if you run, you can only pass through the county. Once you want to enter the provincial government, unless you crawl through the dog hole, you can't even enter the door. "
Feng Yu Heng was stunned. There was such a thing? Wasn't this equivalent to the existence of the household registration book and the ID card? To put it bluntly, the slave contracts were contracts. If you broke the contract, at most, you would be investigated for legal responsibility. But the household registration was a symbol of identity. If you didn't have an ID card, it would be difficult to move anywhere.
It was only today that she understood this rule. However, she immediately exclaimed and said, "Then what about us? We have to pass through so many provincial governments. Did we bring the household registration with us? "
Wang Chuan told her: "Don't worry, we brought it. His Highness has already prepared it. Our names are registered in the household registration of one of His Highness' villas in Xiao Zhou. When we get on the boat, I … I will let Miss have a look. "
Feng Yu Heng nodded, and only then did she feel relieved.
Not long after, the dock bugle sounded, and the boat arrived. Feng Yu Heng and Huang Quan helped Wang Chuan up and slowly walked with the crowd to the boat. People were pushing and shoving to move forward, and from time to time, there were shouts and cries of children. There was a man with a dark face that was also in the crowd. Behind him were ten or so girls that wore brightly colored clothes. There was a pungent smell of low-quality rouge that came with the wind. Feng Yu Heng raised her head to take a look and stared at a figure with a puzzled expression …
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