The North is the general name for this area, and everyone is used to calling it this. When talking about Yinshan Pass, I am afraid that many people have to think about it before they realize that this is the real name of this place.
Yinshan Pass has been an important battlefield since ancient times. It is much larger than ordinary cities. Patrolling soldiers can be seen everywhere in the city, and even the common people are all dressed neatly, with their tall stature giving off a tough aura.
Hua Zhi sat high on her horse and looked around along the way. The anxiety and worry in her heart actually subsided a lot when she arrived at the destination.
Even though this was a place of exile, it was not like she had imagined where there were only supervisors and laborers. At first glance, there was not much difference between this place and other places. The only difference was probably that there was not as much freedom.
As long as the money could be used to her advantage, she would be happy. She didn't dare ask for more.
It took nearly half an hour to reach the South City after entering the city from the East Gate. It was obviously more chaotic than the East City, with much more people and more patrolling soldiers.
Hua Zhi and his group were carrying large and small bags, and it was obvious that they were from outside. However, strangely, they did not bully them. Some people even smiled at them kindly. One of the men, with his hands folded, pointed to an inn in the distance and said, "Go there to stay the night. The rooms are clean and the price is reasonable."
Hua Zhi was stunned, and immediately thanked him and walked in that direction.
Seeing that she was easy to talk to, the man came up to her and introduced himself, "My name is Hu Gua. You are here to deliver something, right? I haven't seen outsiders come for a while."
Hua Zhi originally only had some vague guesses in her mind, but after hearing what he said, there was nothing she couldn't understand. The situation in Nancheng was special, and probably everyone knew what the outsiders were doing here.
The Daqing law only stipulates that exiled people cannot leave without permission, but it does not stipulate that family members cannot visit them. Everyone has three or five relatives and friends, but only a few actually come to this place of exile to visit. Over time, this place has become a place to test people's hearts. The people who come here do not need to be outstanding. Even a servant will be looked up to by those who live here for various reasons.
That's why they were treated so kindly after entering South City. Hua Zhi felt a little uncomfortable, and her guard was instantly dispelled. "It's bitterly cold in the north, I'm worried that my family will suffer, so please send some thick clothes over."
"That's thoughtful of you. The winter here is really hard to endure." The man walked with a limp, but it did not affect his speed. He did not even glance at Hua Zhi for the second time and treated him like an ordinary person. He felt even more fond of him in his heart. For him, this ordinariness was the most precious thing.
"I wonder who the young master is looking for? I'm very familiar with this place, maybe I recognize him."
Hua Zhi's mind raced, and she made a decision in an instant. "I'm looking for the Hua family. They should have arrived here in September. I wonder if this big brother recognizes them?"
"The Hua family, I know, they live not far from here, and I know one of their servants. It's almost time for dinner, we have to hurry."
It was effortless. Hua Zhi let out a sigh of relief and thanked sincerely, "Thank you, big brother."
"Hey, don't be polite. Just because you are willing to come here despite your small body, I am willing to show you the way." As Hu Gua said this, he was about to pat Hua Zhi's shoulder, but Gu Yanxi was quick to step in between the two of them and pulled up her hood.
Hu Gua was a little surprised at first, but when he saw his action, he smiled and said, "You have to wear it. It's not like other places here. It's very cold."
Hua Zhi looked at Gu Yanxi gratefully, and nodded to Hu Gua with a smile, "I didn't know the weather could be so cold until I got here."
"That's right." Hu Gua said, and suddenly pointed forward, "That one, do you recognize it?"
A young man in a cotton jacket and shorts was walking quickly from the west with his arms full of something. Hua Zhi actually recognized him. He was the man who came with his father. His name was Chen Shan.
She looked back, Dongzi understood and ran over quickly.
When Chen Shan saw Dongzi, he was stunned. When he heard that the young lady was coming, he almost threw away the things in his arms. Dongzi quickly reached out to take them.
Chen Shan, who had freed his hands, ran over and bowed, "Greetings, Chen Shan..."
Dongzi kicked him. When he looked up and saw the young lady's attire, he immediately changed his tone, "Chen Shan greets the young master."
"Hurry up, are you going to bring food to your father?"
"I am delivering food to the eldest and third masters. Now that the masters have separated, I will take care of the eldest and third masters. The other masters are being taken care of by others."
Hua Zhi nodded, turned around and motioned Dongzi to take out a porcelain bottle from the package and handed it to Hu Gua, "This is a frostbite medicine prescribed by an old doctor. It is said to be very effective. Brother Hu might as well try it."
If Hu Gua was given silver, he would still put on a sour face, but he couldn't refuse this useful frostbite medicine. He took it with a grin and said, "Then I won't be polite. I have lived in this city for many years. If you have anything you want to know, just come to me. Chen Shan knows where I live."
"Yes, there will definitely be times when we trouble Brother Hu."
As soon as Hu Gua left, Chen Shan, who had been trying hard to hold back his tears, immediately had tears in his eyes. "Miss, I didn't expect you to come."
"As we walked, the food was getting cold."
"Yes." Chen Shan wiped his eyes, took the tightly packed lunch box from Dongzi and held it in his arms.
"Is Grandfather in good health? How about the others? What are they doing now? Are they adapting well?"
"The old master had a cough on the way, and he didn't get better even after seeing a doctor. The fourth master made some arrangements and found a light copying job for the old master. However, there aren't many light jobs here, and our Hua family came later, so we spent a lot of money, and we only arranged for the old master and several masters from the side branches. The others have suffered more or less, especially the young masters. Several of them have been sick these days."
As Chen Shan spoke, his eyes became red again, but his hands were busy, so he had to rub them on his shoulders.
Hua Zhi's expression remained unchanged. Young people can endure a little hardship and it will pass. As long as their grandfather and father can have an easier time, it will be fine. However, even if it is easier, it is only relative to the hard labor.
"Have you encountered any trouble?"
"When I first came here, there were some who bullied the newcomers, but the Fourth Master dealt with them all. These days, the Fourth Master has managed his relationship with the higher-ups better. Plus, the Hua family has a lot of people, so no one would mess with them easily."
"The fourth master is responsible for all external affairs?"
"yes."
As she expected, she still had to rely on her fourth uncle for these chores. With her father's literary talent, he would offend people as soon as he opened his mouth. Neither her second uncle nor her third uncle would be able to do that.
PS: Thank you girls for your concern. Kong Kong is just lack of sleep, so all these problems came. It will be fine after a rest.