All eyes in the room fell on Third Yang. He was not nervous. He thought carefully and said, “We can’t go through the forest. The area near the forest is heavily guarded now.”

If they were caught, they would be in trouble.

Zhou Yu nodded in agreement, “Continue.”

Third Yang cleared his throat and said, “We can follow the caravan and leave Bozhou openly.”

Seeing that no one interrupted him, he became more confident as he spoke, “Brother Zhou said that ordinary people are not allowed to leave, but what about the caravans? Pingzhou can’t cut off the caravans. We are registered outside the province, so it is easier for us to leave with the caravans.”

Yang Xi pointed out the key point, “We don’t know the caravan, and even if we find it, they won’t take us with them.”

Third Yang, “The caravan will be interested in the sled. Use the sled to see the steward.”

The winter temperatures had been low in recent years, and they heard that heavy snow often fell in the south, making it difficult for caravans to travel in winter.

Zhou Yu’s smile deepened, “Not bad.”

Third Yang received praise, “It’s not good enough.”

Yang Xi looked at Zhou Yu and wondered what he didn’t understand. Zhou Yu had been preparing for this for a long time. “Have you found the caravan?”

Zhou Yu nodded, “When the city was sealed, there were three caravans trapped in the city. I have carefully observed the caravans these days, and the Qian family caravan is the most stable.”

Third Yang’s complacent joy was gone. The method he thought of had already been considered by Brother Zhou who had even taken action.

The caravan in the city did not leave. They were waiting for news, and the three families were watching each other.

Zhou Yu took Third Yang to find the caravan without delay. Brother Zhou was a little depressed. While helping to pack the luggage, he said, “Sister-in-law, why didn’t Big Brother take me with him?”

He was the biological younger brother, why did the eldest brother intend to train Third Yang?

Yang Xi didn’t look up, “You are different from Third Yang.”

Even if she was partial to her family, she had to admit that their younger brother was far behind Third Yang. So after the two of them went out for a year, Third Yang could not only live well in the troubled times but also be the eldest brother!

The younger brother can’t do that. This was the gap!

Zhou Xiaodi was even more depressed. He also had his own little thoughts. He started to want to be Third Yang’s elder brother, but now it was the other way around. He said sullenly: “Third Yang has a lot of ideas.”

Yang Xi wanted to rub her younger brother-in-law’s head, but unfortunately, she couldn’t. This was ancient times. She smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll give you some money to buy some soap beans. Take a good bath and change into new clothes tonight.”

Zhou Xiaodi asked hesitantly, “Where is the Wu family?”

Yang Xi, “The Wu family also bought clothes to make clothes two days ago.”

Not long after Brother Zhou left, Zhou Yu came back with a smile on his face. Yang Xi said affirmatively, “It’s done.”

Third Yang continued, “It’s done. The third master of the Qian family really appreciates you, brother.”

This was the ability of a scholar. He aspired to become a military general. Although he could read and write, he was only interested in military strategies. He was restless in reading every day. When his family was gone, he wanted to study hard but couldn’t find anyone to teach him.

When he was in the refugee zone in the capital, he noticed the Zhuo family was different from others. Now he thought that he was really decisive and resourceful!

Zhou Yu explained, “I told Third Master Qian that we needed to leave quickly, and Third Master Qian asked me to analyze the situation.”

He did not discuss the matter in depth. Although the Qian family’s business was in the South, he did not trust the Qian family and would not disclose the details to anyone for fear of causing trouble.

Yang Xi understood that the reason why things went so smoothly was not only because Zhou Yu was capable, but also because scholars were highly respected in ancient times. Capable scholars were respected and treated with courtesy wherever they went.

If the Zhou family had the same background as the Wu family, even if the Qian family had the sled drawings, they would only buy the drawings and would not bring anyone along.

Zhou Yu deliberately revealed his vision and knowledge. In this situation, Third Master Qian also needed guidance and analysis, and the caravan was also afraid that the goods would be detained.

Yang Xi asked, “When will the caravan set off?”

Zhou Yu, “Third Master Qian needs a day to prepare, so let us deal with it. The caravan gave us two carriages.”

Yang Xi frowned, “Two carriages are not enough.”

It was impossible to buy horses now, as horses were war supplies. She knew without asking that no one in Pingzhou sold horses.

Zhou Yu said: “Buy two carriages and use two donkeys to pull them.”

Yang Xi was reluctant to part with the sled, “Don’t you want the sled anymore?”

Zhou Yu was reluctant to do so, “We need to pretend to be members of the caravan.”

It was normal for a caravan to have donkey carts, as horses were not so easy to buy. Some caravans used donkey carts to transport goods. Two horsecarts and a donkey cart were enough for their two families.

Yang Xi, “What about the sled?”

Third Yang said, “Sister-in-law, give me the sled. I will sell it for a good price.”

Yang Xi smiled, “Okay.”

Third Master Qian was not afraid that the Zhou family would run away, so Zhou Yu brought a carriage when he came back, one for each of the Zhou and Wu families.

Zhou Yu and Wu Shan discussed buying a carriage, and the two went out. It was not easy to buy a carriage, and they spent a lot of money to find a broker to buy a good one.

Zhou Yu didn’t come back, but Third Yang came back first. The boy sold the four sleds to two families for a total of eight taels of silver. The Zhou family only had one sled and got two taels.

There was nothing secret about the sled. What was attractive was its new style, which could be copied by any carpenter. It was impressive that Third Yang could sell it at such a high price.

The Wu family was the happiest, for they lost a donkey but got six taels of silver.

The next day, Yang Xi went to the street to buy food, but the grain store was closed and there were only a few shops open on the street. She only bought some salt and other seasonings.

Zhou Xiaomei was very worried, “Sister-in-law, let’s go back quickly.”

Yang Xi nodded. She felt uneasy at the sight of the deserted streets. The panic in Bozhou had spread to Pingzhou, and people were now in a state of panic.

Yang Xi was glad that she would buy some food every day and store it. Now the Zhou family had no shortage of food. She couldn’t help but sigh in her heart. The first hurdle was to leave Pingzhou, and the second hurdle was to pass Bozhou. The most difficult one was Bozhou, and now Bozhou was in chaos.

The Zhou and Wu families were ready and went to the agreed place early the next morning. Zhou Yu did not sit in his own carriage. He and Third Master Qian sat in the same carriage.

The carriage left the city smoothly. No one knew how Third Master Qian negotiated, but the three caravans in the city left together. The team was very large.

Yang Xi was used to riding in a sled, which was not bumpy at all. Instead, she was not used to riding in a horse-drawn carriage. She had morning sickness, which had never occurred before, but her stomach started to feel uncomfortable after she had been riding for a while. She felt better only after biting some sour pickles.

Zhou Xiaomei was very worried, “Sister-in-law, do you feel better?”

Yang Xi didn’t want to speak. She tried to lean on the quilt without moving, her brows knitted into knots.

Zhou Xiaomei kept an eye on her sister-in-law and muttered, “It would be nice if big brother was here.”

Ye Shi said, “Your eldest brother can’t help. Only if he can get the attention of the Third Master Qian, your sister-in-law will suffer less.”

Zhou Xiaomei thought so too. They could only ride in a carriage because their elder brother was valued by Third Master Qian.

Yang Xi closed his eyes, her mind wandering far away. She was thinking about how to improve the carriage, and then thinking about the future journey. Although it was not easy, it was relatively smooth. Thinking about the ancient times in her previous life, Yang Xi couldn’t help but shudder. It was too miserable. It was too miserable to follow the refugees.

In the carriage of Third Master Qian’s family, Qian Zhu was very polite, “Sir, you have great knowledge and experience, why don’t you take the imperial examination to become an official?”

Zhou Yu, “How do you know I haven’t participated?”

Qian Zhu was in charge of the caravan at home. He has seen all kinds of people and had a pair of eyes that could see through disguises. When he saw Zhou Da for the first time, he knew that this person was not simple. Thinking of the name Zhou Da, Qian Zhu’s smile deepened.

He did not continue to inquire but said: “This world is difficult, we are just trying to make a living, but the Qian family can still guarantee safety. There are many children in the family who need good teachers to teach them. Sir, you can consider it.”

Zhou Yu had his own plans. Just as he raised his teacup to speak, the carriage convoy came to a halt. Outside, a guard reported, “The garrison commander is blocking the road for a search.”

(End of this chapter)

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