Volume 1 Chapter 109 Going South (10)

  The five masters and servants left the city and soon met with the four easy-going people.

  Yi Guanshi, a man in his forties, with a typical Jiangnan appearance, neither tall nor short, of medium build, with a wide face and a square forehead, slightly stout, with a triangular black beard under his chin, wearing a square scarf hat, dressed in a hemp blue shirt, neat and not a single wrinkle, looking like a manager at first glance.

  When Yao Cunhui bowed and greeted him with a "Uncle Yi", Yi Guanshi's warm eyes sparkled, and he smiled as he returned the bow. With a standard bow, he politely said: "Is this Miss Yao? I don't deserve such a title from you, miss!"

  "This time there's a lot of trouble, Yao Cunhui is grateful, this one sentence Uncle you deserve it!" Yao Cunhui smiled.

  Yi Guanshi smiled slightly and no longer declined. He then introduced his daughter and two attendants to Yao Cunhui.

  Two attendants, twenty-seven or eight years old, with ordinary looks and dignified demeanor; Yi Feng was much younger, only two years older than Yao Cunhui, wearing a light green shirt, with fair skin, bright eyes, and when she smiled, two deep dimples appeared on her cheeks, making people involuntarily want to get close to her.

  After the two parties met, they set off immediately. The two horse-drawn carriages were rearranged: Yao Cunhui and her daughter Yi Guanshi in one carriage, with Fan Li as the coachman; Xiao Xing, Xiao Li, and Fan Shuangshuang in the other, with Xiao Wu as the driver, and Xiao Liu sitting beside him.

  Rushing along the way, after half a day, they changed boats and arrived when the sky was already dark, fortunately, the moonlight was bright at night, so it wasn't too late.

  Yao Cunhui did not expect that Lin Zhanggui would actually be waiting for him at the desolate dock, and when he saw him smiling and calling out "Second Miss", Yao Cunhui was stunned, and it wasn't until half a moment later that he came to his senses and asked: "Lin Zhanggui! How did you end up here?!"

  "It was the young lady and her husband who sent someone riding a fast horse to report, saying that the miss would arrive tonight, but I was still worried, didn't expect to see the second miss!"

  "So that's it! My sister and brother-in-law have a heart!" Yao Cunhui was very grateful in her heart.

  Yao Cunhui immediately introduced Lin Zhanggui and Yi Guanshi to each other. Lin Zhanggui had a good impression of Da Guniang due to this matter, and upon learning that Yi Guanshi was there to help, he secretly felt relieved - having a local person present made discussing matters much more convenient, especially since this local person was an expert in the field! Lin Zhanggui was also very polite and enthusiastic towards Yi Guanshi.

  "Let's go back home first! It's simple here, and it would be inconvenient for Second Miss and Mr. Yi!" said Lin Zhuang with a smile.

  Yao Cunhui also smiled and politely said a few words to Yi Guanshi, who repeatedly replied that he didn't dare.

  Lin Zhanggui was an old hand in the business world, and he had a set of skills to entertain people. On the way, he quickly became familiar with Yi Guan's jokes and laughter. His subordinates didn't wait for his orders and went to chat with Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu on their own. Yao Cunhui and others also whispered to Yi Feng, and the atmosphere between the two sides soon became harmonious and relaxed.

  This place is indeed "Lake Village", Lin Zhanggui came to pick them up not with a horse-drawn carriage, but with a small boat. The winding path didn't know how many turns it made, and suddenly in front of them was a bright light, finally appearing were the twinkling lights of lanterns.

  Abandoning the boat and going ashore, Lin Zhanggui apologized while inviting them: "There is no inn here, we rented a villa from a local Yang surname gentleman to stay in, the place is a bit small, Second Miss will have to put up with it! Please forgive us, Old Brother Yi!"

  "I don't care, as long as I have a place to live!" Yao Cunhui said without any hesitation, with a faint smile on her face. Under the bright moonlight, her eyes shone brightly, like stars twinkling in the sky.

  Everyone was stunned, and they did not expect this second young lady to be so well-behaved.

  Yi Guan Shi laughed and said: "We're even more at ease now, having a place to settle down is all that matters!"

  "That's good! That's good!" Lin Zhuangui's entangled and uneasy heart finally fell back into his chest. He thought of countless ways to bring up the matter with Yao Cunhui, but felt that no matter how he brought it up, he would inevitably be scolded for at least eight or nine out of ten times. So he simply used the most direct language, and unexpectedly escaped unscathed!

  The yard was indeed small, but fortunately it was still divided into inner and outer yards. Under the moonlight, it looked tidy, and Lin Zhanggui must have cleaned up already.

  That night, the darkness had deepened, and after hastily saying a few words, they each went to rest.

  The next morning, Lin Zhanggui told Yao Cunhui and Yi Guanshi about the situation he had heard and seen over the past three or four days. Yao Cunhui was not an expert in such matters, so he mostly listened while Yi Guanshi asked detailed questions.

  Some of the Lin family's shopkeepers responded promptly, while others did not. Yi Guan Shi didn't mind and smiled, saying "It doesn't matter, go take a look and you'll know."

  Yao Cunhui asked Yi Guanshi to bring Fan Li and Fan Shuang, brother and sister, to give them more guidance.

  This was said by Fan Li and his sister earlier. Lin Zhanggui is a rice dealer, it's impossible for him to stay here for long. The Fan family, including Fan Shuangshuang, were originally farmers, but they lost their land and had to find another way to make a living. Now they can be considered as returning to their original profession.

  Fan Lei's temperament is perhaps better suited to staying here and farming than entering the business world. Moreover, Fan Shuang's meticulous and careful nature makes her a suitable companion to offer timely reminders. Once things settle down on this side, they can bring their mother over as well, and everyone will be happy.

  Yi Guanshi readily agreed, and when he came, Master had instructed him carefully. Now that he was here, everything would be done according to Second Miss's wishes. He was Master's trusted confidant, how could he not follow his master's words? Master doted on Big Madam, so it was likely that he did this to make Big Madam smile too!

  Moreover, this second young lady of the family is extremely amiable and friendly to others. Along the way, they chatted happily and unconsciously drew closer together. He was also happy to help the second young lady with such a busy task. Although in his heart he didn't think much of her method.

  Yao Cunhui was overjoyed and immediately called Fan Li to pay respects to Yiguan Shi, who returned half a courtesy. Afterwards, the group went out to conduct an on-site investigation.

  It's indeed very desolate here. They settled in a small town on the lake, which is the central area of the lake, and there are still few people to be seen. The local residents make a living by fishing, planting some vegetables in front of and behind their houses, with rivers and ports crisscrossing each other, and every household lives by the water.

  Traveling by boat through the town, everything is quiet and deserted, without any signs of life or smoke, making it impossible for Yao Cunhui to associate it with the prosperous and wealthy Huzhou in history.

  After leaving the town and walking for about half a day, they abandoned their boat and went ashore. Before them lay a vast expanse of desolate wilderness, with weeds growing thickly everywhere. Underfoot was a sea of marshy grassland. Yao Cun Hui stretched out her hand to explore, finding that in some places the water was deeper than her elbow.

  "This place is always like this." Lin Zhuang said with some embarrassment, and let out a sigh.

  Yi Guanshi glanced at them and said: "That's right, I've been to Huxiang before, it's indeed a land of water and prosperity!"

  "Is there a place with slightly higher terrain?" asked Yao Cunhui.

  Lin thought for a moment and replied: "Yes, it's better in the northwest. But only slightly," he added to himself.

  "Let's go take a look over there!" Yao Cunhui immediately turned around.

  After two days, the group of people had walked around Lake Xiang all around, and Fan Li was increasingly losing confidence, with each step heavier than the last. Yao Cunhui remained expressionless.

  To be honest, seeing such desolation and bleakness, the kind of desolation that seeps into one's bones, is enough to strike down any high-flying enthusiasm and strong confidence, sending it straight down to the eighteenth level of hell! But Yao Cunhui knew she had no way out, she could only move forward!

  Isn't this Huzhou? It's the Huzhou that is famous for its fertile land and rich resources! To be the first pioneer on this vast land, what an honor it is! Why not keep going?

  "Is Second Miss still planning on buying land?" The question was asked by Yi Guan Shi. From his experience, if they were to develop this place, it would be a big commotion!

  "Must." Yao Cunhui lightly spat out the word, without a hint of hesitation, and said: "Tomorrow we'll go to the government office."

  “……Yes, Second Miss!” Lin Zhang's eyes hesitated for a moment, and the words of doubt and persuasion that were about to be spoken were ultimately left unspoken. Looking at the second miss in front of him, he suddenly had a moment of dizziness: was this still the same second miss who followed him with a smile, asking various questions, and humbly seeking guidance? Her expression, momentum, and confident command, where was there even half a hint of the gentle, soft, and delicate little girl she used to be? And it had only been a short few months since then.

  "What? Are you guys scared? So lacking in confidence? I guarantee, this trip of ours will definitely not be in vain!" Yao Cunhui raised an eyebrow, her eyes shining brightly. Under the sunlight, her smile was radiant and carefree.

  "I believe in Second Miss! As long as Second Miss says to continue, I will definitely persevere to the end!" Fan Lai usually didn't speak much, but this time he was the first to respond to Yao Cunhui.

  Persevere, these two words had supported him for a long, long time on the road, although in the end he didn't walk to the expected path and didn't get the expected results. But after twists and turns, isn't this now a new beginning? He could persevere once, why can't he persevere again?

  Yao Cunhui understood this feeling, because he had experienced it before.

  "I am too, Second Miss! As long as Second Miss can make use of me, I will do whatever Second Miss says!" Fan Shuangshuang also expressed her stance.

  Lin Zhanggui and others looked at each other, Lin Zhanggui smiled and said: "Second Miss, since you have made up your mind, we will follow suit."

  "I won't let you down!" Yao Cunhui smiled brightly.

  Originally, this place in Lake Township was not qualified to set up a government office, but the place was really too big and there was no government office to manage it, so the imperial court set up a small and simple government office in the town. It is said that it is a county government office, but it is not included in the list; it is said that it is not a county government office, but it performs the duties of a county government office.

  This is an absurd existence.

  When Yao Cunhui and others arrived, the "master" who was not of good quality had just gotten out of bed, shook his head, blinked his somewhat dizzy eyes, stared for a while, and still thought that this servant had delivered the wrong message.

  It's said that the visitor was dressed in a bright and elegant attire, with an air of refinement, looking just like a wealthy person. Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhao immediately regained his spirits, quickly finished washing up, and came out to greet the guest.

  When he heard Yao Cunhui say that he wanted to buy land, his eyes widened, his gaze was dull, and he didn't come back to himself for half a moment. The first sentence after coming back to himself was: "What? You, you say it again?"