Old Zhang also had his own thoughts. He was afraid that if he took the remaining food into the crowd of disaster victims, it would be robbed. Rather than being robbed, it might as well fill his own family's stomachs.

After finishing this hearty breakfast, he instructed his four sons to divide the last bag of brown rice into several smaller bags. Each family member hid some in their bedding or wrappings. Liu shi bound her valuables to her chest and concealed a bag of millet between herself and her child – this was their emergency rations.

A single group of people were ready to go. Following Liàn Yī's suggestion, they abandoned their carts altogether. Since they were following Yù Jūn Yǔ's carriage into the city, they couldn't possibly continue hauling a cart behind them. This would immediately make it obvious that they were refugees. On the other hand, carrying luggage and traveling with the departing caravan would lead people to believe they were servants or attendants of a scholar or lord. This might cause fear among the other disaster victims.

Yu Junyu immediately understood Lian Yi's intention. He had the Chen family, Liu family, and Hui Niang take the three youngest children into the carriage, while the others continued to follow on foot. They looked like a servant family following their master, making it even harder to expose their true identity.

At first, the three of them were unwilling, especially with Old Zhang's presence as the mother-in-law. They felt embarrassed to ask. However, Old Zhang wasn't someone who would insist on being treated like a traditional mother-in-law in every situation. She told them to take the car and that getting into Haoyuan City was the most important thing.

Lao Zhang sat on the pole of the carriage, acting as Yu Junyu's coachman. After everything was ready, they set off.

The ripples circled around before walking up to Song Dachuan's side and whispering,

"Where is Master Yu's coachman"

"He left last night! I have no idea what he went to do."

Song Dachuan whispered.

Ripple nodded, then quickly walked two steps forward, tapped the carriage window, and asked as soon as it opened:

"Master Yu, do you need to wait for your carriage driver"

"No, we'll head into the city first. He has some things to take care of and doesn't need to wait specifically for us."

The ripples nodded, then asked no more.

The road to Liu's place wasn't too far or too close, it would take just the time of a cup of tea. Looking at the city gate where more people had gathered than yesterday, Lian Ri furrowed her brow. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhong and Zhang Jun had already reached the carriage, waving their axes in hand, clearing a path for their master through the crowds of refugees.

Because the double-horse carriage appeared, the refugees who had been holding out at the city gates became a little agitated. But when they saw those two tall horses, they knew that the person in the carriage was not ordinary. Although there was constant discussion, they still made way for it.

The ripples, however, was keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings, not giving these refugees a chance to get close. It wasn't that she didn't want to help; she was currently escorting the envoy who could completely resolve the current predicament into Haoyuan City. He couldn't even enter the city, how could he help these refugees

Halfway through their journey, the carriage and Zhang's family saw a squad of soldiers guarding the city approaching with long spears. They were clearly there to escort them.

Give them money.

Yujun Yu's voice echoed inside the car.

Song Dachuan reached into his arms and pulled out two ounces of silver, throwing it directly to the leader of the group.

“This is a reward from my father-in-law, the scholar. You'll get another one once you enter the city.”

Song Dachuan followed what Lian Yi had said.

These silver coins were naturally given to Lian Yi by Yu Junyu in advance. Lian Yi had made the distribution, just in case of such a situation.

"Thank you, master."

The leading officer took the silver with a smile and said,

Then, she proactively went forward, taking the carriage's reins and smoothly completing the rest of the journey until they finally reached the only open gate.

The Zhang family breathed a temporary sigh of relief. Whether they could get in depended on this one time.

"This is the silver for entering the city that my grandfather prepared. This is your identity card and official documents."

Song Dachuan stepped forward first, acting as the intermediary. He bowed to the gatekeeper, then slipped a bag of silver into his hands and handed him a scroll.

The other party only took the bag of silver, shook it, and revealed a satisfied smile. As for the identity certificate, he didn't look at it. He just waved his hand to have the wooden railing moved aside, opened the small gate, and let the carriage enter. As for who was in the carriage and how many people there were, he didn't check at all.

Thus, the Zhang family entered Haoyuan City smoothly under Yu Junyu's silver path.

Entering Haoyun City felt like stepping into another world. The streets were bustling with people, and shops of all kinds were open for business. Although the crowds at the grain stores remained large, there was no sign of panic buying. Hawkers continued their calls, filling the air with a constant hum of activity.

"Master Jade, where should I take you now"

The ripples asked beside the carriage.

"Please trouble the female hero to send me to the inn next to the county government, you can stay at the inn with me for a night, I'll pay for it."

Yù Jūn yǔ proposed.

"Thank you for your kindness. Our transaction ends with you being escorted into our hands, and after sending you to the inn, we will leave."

Liàn Yī rejected the other party's kindness. All the Zhang family members hesitated, but no one spoke up immediately, especially Liàn Yī who silently shook her head towards everyone.

If that's the case, then I won't push it.

Yujun Yu sighed and said, "Talented people are hard to keep."

A group of people crossed half the city and finally arrived at the inn that Yu Junyu had mentioned. Immediately, a staff member came over to take the carriage. Song Dachuan sent Yu Junyu into the room and then reunited with his family in the lobby of the inn.

Liàn Yī saw Sòng Dàchuān come down, and she left the inn with everyone else. The innkeeper kept watching them. They all looked rather disheveled, clearly having come in from outside the city.

When they reached the street, Lianyi finally said to Old Zhang:

"Grandpa, it's best we leave Haoyuan City before dark. When we entered the city, I saw several burly men exchanging glances, as if inciting the refugees to rush in. We can't stay long, or if something happens, we'll be mistaken for refugees and taken."

After hearing the ripples' words, everyone gasped in surprise.

The first to agree was Old Zhang:

"Old man, listening to Lianyi's little gossip, when I followed you guys in, those refugees looked at us with ill intentions, wishing they could eat us!"

"Mother is right, the number of people stuck at the city gate this morning was obviously more than yesterday afternoon. Those people don't seem to have good energy."

Mrs. Xin walked into the city with her mother-in-law, and she also sensed something was wrong.

"Father, we have all the pots, pans, and luggage. You take your eldest brother to buy two ox carts, and I will go with Father to buy some steamed buns and flatbreads for food. Once we have the ox carts, we'll leave here."

Liàn Yī looked at the sky and said.

"Okay, listen to the ripples."

After all, there are old people and children among them. If they lose the cart, they have to buy new tools, otherwise it will affect the progress of their journey.

“We followed Father to the mule and horse market. As soon as we bought a cart, we loaded all our luggage onto it. We're not familiar with this place, so it’s better not to get separated.”

Zhang Shi said directly.

"Come with me, Li'an. You and your father should hurry back as well. If you can't buy anything, just come back quickly. We still have enough food to last a few days."

Lao Zhang was not at ease with Lianyi and Song Dachuan, so he immediately instructed.

"Grandpa, please rest assured. We'll go quickly and return quickly. We'll meet up with you at the mule and horse market."th daughters on our side. After all, one has given birth to them, and the other has raised them. As long as both of them are well, then we'll be fine naturally.Even if Mr. Zhao knew our little scheme,...