Divorced woman with child travels through time

Chapter 359 Huian County

Caiyun stayed on, and that evening Chen Wenfang went to ask her how much her monthly allowance used to be. She politely replied that Madam Jiang provided it and that she didn't need to worry about it.

Helpless, Chen Wenfang could only give her the standard monthly salary of one tael, treating her as an extra waitress.

Wang Erniu returned home very late after a long day of work. Upon learning of this, he thought it was a good thing and said that when they arrived in Huian County, Chen Wenfang would need to buy two more people, as he was worried that it wouldn't be enough.

The next morning, Chen Wenfang and his men set off, and the army had already left the city to wait for them.

Liquanzhou City in Huian County is not too far away; you can probably get there in the afternoon.

The children seemed a bit listless on the way. They had played so much yesterday that Aunt Hu had washed half a bucket of sand out of them while giving them a bath.

"Mother, is there a beach over there too?" Chen Xuanyu leaned on Chen Wenfang's knees, Xiao Hao leaned on him, and Shiwu leaned on Xiao Hao, like dominoes. The carriage was covered with a thick blanket, so it wasn't tiring to sit on. As the carriage shook, the children became drowsy.

"Of course, you can go beachcombing and pick up some small shrimp and crabs to cook with."

"That's more like it..." Chen Xuanyu shifted his position, finding a more comfortable one.

Chu Yi didn't say anything, he was looking outside. Lü Xiong and Wang Erniu were on horseback guarding on either side. He didn't feel safe until the county magistrate arrived.

In the other carriage, Juan'er clung to Aunt Hu, while Xiao Bo sat leaning against a cushion, staring blankly at the runaway slave Huang Yi, not uttering a word. Xiao Bo was always a quiet type, and the two of them were so embarrassed they were practically picking their toes. Caiyun watched the two children with a smile, wondering who would speak first.

After the carriage had been traveling for half an hour, perhaps because he was so bored, Huang Yi couldn't help but ask, "What is your surname, brother?"

"His surname is Hu!"

And then nothing more happened; silence remained.

"Uh~" Huang Yi opened his mouth, trying to find a topic to talk about, but he didn't know what to say.

Aunt Hu didn't say anything, but kept observing the child. She had a feeling that this child wouldn't be authentic. Half a month had passed since she rescued him, and he hadn't said anything except his name.

"Brother, how much longer until we arrive?" Huang Yi asked ingratiatingly, seemingly lost in thought.

"It should be possible this afternoon." Xiao Bo's face remained cold.

Huang Yi stopped talking, and Caiyun glanced at him, seemingly unintentionally.

We ate a quick bite at noon and then started marching again. That's how people are; they become especially patient when they're close to the finish line.

Finally seeing the city gate of Huian County, Chen Wenfang could only say one thing: It's really dilapidated!

The city wall is neither new nor old; some of the bricks have been repaired, and it's only about the height of a person—the kind of wall that can only keep out honest people, not scoundrels.

The officials who came out to greet them were all excited, clearly having been looking forward to it for a long time. Leading them was Zheng Xiuyuan, the magistrate of Huian County, whose official robe even had patches on it. Chen Wenfang felt a little sad.

"Welcome, welcome, Commander Wang! We've been waiting for you! This is wonderful! You have no idea, our county is by the sea, and those Japanese pirates come to plunder us every few days."

"Greetings, Magistrate Zheng." Wang Erniu bowed, and Chen Wenfang and the others also dismounted from the carriage.

Zheng Xiuyuan has a kind face, but he can be a bit of a chatterbox.

Wang Erniu barely uttered a few words; the other man held Wang Erniu's hand the entire time and kept talking. The county magistrate, Lou, standing nearby, returned Wang Erniu's greeting with a helpless sigh.

After entering the city gate, Chen Wenfang once again lamented the poverty of Huian County. How could it have developed into such a place when it was so close to Quanzhou?

The main road in the county town was full of potholes, with puddles of water, mud, and sand. There was also a lot of cattle and horse excrement on the road, which made it smell very strong. When the sun shone on it, the smell of urine was so strong that it was hard to open one's eyes.

The shop signs and storefronts on both sides of the road were all gray and faded, and with the listless shop assistants and few pedestrians, the scene was desolate. It was not only inferior to Lijia Town, but even the market at the intersection of Wangjiazhuang Road.

Wang Erniu noticed this as well and asked, "Magistrate Zheng, why are there so few pedestrians on the street?"

Magistrate Zheng said with a wry smile, "The Japanese keep invading our borders, and it's impossible to defend against them. Those with money and ability have already fled. As more people flee, the taxes increase, and the poor can't pay them, so even more people secretly run away. Now there are only the old, weak, sick, and disabled left, and the population is dwindling."

Wang Erniu glanced at his wife and said, "There are too few people; that is indeed a problem."

Chen Wenfang understood what he meant and nodded.

The two exchanged loving glances, which Magistrate Zheng naturally noticed. He remarked with great envy, "Commander Wang and his wife have such a good relationship!" He didn't think of anything else.

County Magistrate Lou noticed something and asked, "Do you two perhaps have a way to change this situation?" He was well aware of Madam Chen's deeds in Li Family Town. Before coming here, Ouyang Junyan had specially arranged for someone to deliver their information, which he had studied carefully.

Wang Erniu, understanding his wife's hard work, replied, "We'll talk in detail after we're settled."

Magistrate Lou's eyes lit up, and he clasped his hands in a very formal salute.

The people of Huian County have suffered too much. If they could truly bring them a better life, he would gladly do anything, even kneel and kowtow three times.

Magistrate Zheng led Wang Erniu to the barracks, introducing him as they walked, "Commander Wang, we originally had garrison soldiers and military supervisors here. But there wasn't much to do, and they left a few days ago after hearing you were arriving today."

Wang Erniu nodded. He was well aware that the Song Dynasty's military system was already completely corrupt.

Lieutenant Wang, who had been listening silently, sighed. Lü Xiong scoffed, showing great disdain.

Magistrate Zheng's eyes lit up when he saw the unruly Lü Xiong. He was already pleasantly surprised by Wang Erniu's cold military demeanor, and seeing the soldiers he led, who seemed to be very capable, he felt even more gratified.

Upon arriving at the barracks, Wang Erniu was surprised to find that the barracks were very new, and the materials and knives were of the highest quality, a stark contrast to the dilapidated county government office.

"What's going on here?" Lieutenant Wang asked first.

Magistrate Zheng's face turned solemn, he bowed deeply, and said solemnly, "If Commandant Wang can truly save the people of my county, I am willing to offer up all my family's wealth; a mere military camp is no problem for me."

What a good official! Wang Erniu was deeply moved and returned the greeting, helping him up and saying, "Now that we have come here, we will do our best to defeat the Japanese and protect the peace of the county. There is no need for such formalities, sir."

"Very well, very well!" Magistrate Zheng almost burst into tears, but he quietly turned away and wiped them away with his sleeve. "Come, come, let me show you around. Last year, we used all the resources of the county to build a super-large military camp here, which can accommodate thousands of people. It has everything you need for cooking and bathing. If Commander Wang has any other requests, you can tell me. I promise to fulfill them. However..."