Refugees
Zhou Liulang widened his eyes and said directly, "I don't want to!"
Man Bao also disagreed, "It's fine for Liu Ge to accompany me. And we have Da Tou and Da Ya." "Why do you want to switch with Liu Ge, Er Ge?"
Zhou Erlang looked at her and asked, "Do you really despise Er Ge this much?"
"It's not that," Man Bao pointed with her finger, but she just didn't want Er Ge to follow. Could this be the generation gap that Koko mentioned?
Zhou Erlang pushed the cart forward in line and whispered, "There are many people in the city now." You must listen to me. If you don't behave, we will go back home now.
Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads and obediently followed.
Despite the large number of people in the queue, the service was quite fast. Zhou Liulang and the soldiers guarding the city gate got to know each other. They only glanced at each other, did not inspect too closely, and allowed them to pass.
Of course, the entrance fee was unavoidable.
Having not been to the county town for some time, Man Bao felt that the city was different from before.
There were more people in the city now, but she did not feel the liveliness. The people passing by on the street were in a hurry, with faces either carrying a hint of sorrow or vigilance, or wearing a numb expression, rushing back and forth.
Man Bao sat on the cart, the joy on her face couldn't help but fade away as she curiously watched the people walking past her.
Zhou Erlang quickened his pace, pushing the cart swiftly into the street that specialized in selling agricultural products, and found a stall in a corner.
He unloaded the goods, placed an upside-down bamboo basket, and carefully arranged the tofu on a fine sieve. Just as he was about to ask Lao Liu to stay and watch the stall, he took Man Bao to the back of the county government office and saw a group of people walking down the street, rummaging through the goods on every stall. ###
Unable to restrain himself, he pulled all four of his children behind him, stood them in place, and quietly asked the neighboring stall owner, "Brother, who are they?"
In a county like Luojiang, there were only a few people who set up stalls on this street. In the past few days and over the last year, Zhou Erlang had visited this place frequently, so the stall owner recognized him.
Looking around, he whispered, "They are from the gambling house street, a man named Xiao Dalang." Since the refugees entered the city, incidents of theft and robbery have been occurring frequently. Xiao Dalang and his men occupied all three streets near us. "They collect protection fees daily." "In case there are refugees causing trouble or stealing, they help resolve the issues."
Zhou Erlang thought he might only come for a day. Not wanting to pay the protection fee, he asked, "What if we don't pay?"
"Not pay?" After looking around, the stall owner whispered, "If you don't pay, the refugees might snatch your things before kicking you out and confiscating the goods on your stall; that would be a loss."
Zhou Erlang was astonished, "Don't the officials take care of it?"
"They are too busy." A few days ago, heavy rain caused some houses to collapse, resulting in fatalities. Many villages along the Luojiang riverbank were flooded, and numerous people were swept away by the water. It is unknown whether they are alive or dead. The officials sent all the clerks from the county office away. Only the soldiers are patrolling in the city; they don't care about these trivial matters at all.
After considering, Zhou Erlang glanced at the group of people approaching. After quickly scanning his younger siblings and nieces standing behind him, he didn't dare to take the risk and asked in a low voice, "How much are you offering?"
The stall owner said, "My goods are not valuable, and the location is not good. I charge six wen coins a day."
Zhou Erlang felt heartbroken. Six wen coins could buy four large meat buns.
Zhou Liulang returned to the stall and sat down. The group of people soon approached. The neighboring stall owner had already taken out the money and was waiting. Upon their arrival, they promptly handed over the money.
They tossed the copper coins to their followers, smiling, and asked, "Is business going well these days?"
The stall owner sighed, "Not quite good." Despite the large population in the city, selling items is becoming more challenging.
They clicked their tongues and said, "All these refugee migrants, what money do they have?" Due to their presence, even individuals with financial means are hesitant to venture outside. But you guys are much better than the villagers; at least you have some income every day. They are now crying for a piece of land.
As they were talking, they walked up to Zhou Erlang. It was clear that they had a good memory. They glanced at Zhou Erlang and smiled, "Are you new here?"
Zhou Erlang nodded repeatedly and handed over the money he had clenched in his hand, explaining carefully, "It's rare to have good weather today." We have some locally made products at home, so we decided to bring them to the city to see how they would fare. "We came in a hurry and didn't know that this street is managed by Mr. Xiao, so we didn't bring any gifts."
Mr. Xiao found his words pleasing and smiled. He looked at the items on Zhou Erlang's stall, which were common bamboo weavings and tofu in a sieve.
He had no use for bamboo weavings, but tofu…
He curiously asked, "Does your family still make tofu?"
"Yes, my sister-in-law can make it." Her skills are average. Why don't you try it, Mr. Xiao? If you find it tasty, you are welcome to come again next time.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Dalang wanted to pick up the tofu, but the people who came to buy vegetables usually brought their own baskets or bowls, and he was empty-handed.
Zhou Erlang chose a bamboo basket from his younger siblings, lined it with leaves, and placed the tofu inside. ###
He picked several pieces until the small bamboo basket was full before handing it to Xiao Dalang.
It wasn't much, only four pieces of tofu, but due to the small bamboo basket, it appeared like a lot.
Zhou Erlang was very satisfied, thinking that the bamboo basket was really well-made.
Xiao Dalang was also pleased. He took the bamboo basket and asked, "How much is it?"
"It's free." It's all homemade, so it's not valuable. "As long as you like it, Mr." Xiao."
Xiao Dalang nodded and said, "Alright, if you encounter any difficulties in the county town in the future, look for me. I oversee this street." Since I have received your payment, I will naturally ensure your safety.
Zhou Erlang thanked him profusely and breathed a sigh of relief after seeing them off.
The neighboring stall owner approached and said, "Zhou Er, you are really generous. Is that basket of tofu, along with the bamboo basket, worth more than six wen?"
Zhou Erlang checked his pockets. He only brought fifteen yuan with him today, including the entrance fee, didn't earn a penny, and almost spent all the money.
He sighed, "I would rather give them gifts than cash."
The stall owner said, "Don't be fooled. Money isn't worth much these days."
Zhou Erlang frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
"You have just arrived in the city and are unaware that the price of grain at the grain store has skyrocketed." "Now, a dou of rice has risen to thirty wen."