Chapter 25: A Surge in Refugees, Rising Grain Prices

This time, Jiang Fan's journey to Tonghe County was twice as fast as before.

Due to advancing to the Refining Flesh Realm, not only did his strength surge, but his speed also skyrocketed.

When running, it was like a swift horse.

So it wasn't long before he arrived at Tonghe County.

Of course, before that, Jiang Fan used the Disguise Technique to change his appearance.

Originally he was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old young man, but by altering the state of his facial muscles, he became a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, looking well-weathered.

This way, even if he met villagers from Osmanthus Village, they couldn't recognize him.

"Hmm? Why are there so many more people in Tonghe County?"

Jiang Fan quickly noticed that the line of people at the gate of Tonghe County had increased significantly compared to before.

And many seemed to be outsiders.

Each of them covered in dust, faces sallow and lean.

He quietly moved forward to gather information.

"It seems that the number of refugees from the North is increasing and they are flooding into our Tonghe County."

"It's no wonder, given that the Red Eyebrow Army is getting stronger. It's said this rebel army has attacked and taken over a dozen cities recently, now commanding tens of thousands of troops."

"Really? If that's the case, won't the Court be at risk of being overthrown?"

"That can't happen. The Court is so powerful. How can a mere rebel army overthrow it?"

"That's right. Once the Court's army arrives, the mere Red Eyebrow Army will surely be obliterated."

"The problem is, when will the Court's army arrive?"

"Exactly. By the time they might arrive, our Tonghe County could be conquered by the Red Eyebrow Army, and then we'd be executed."

"Bah, don't say such unlucky things."

Many people were also worried.

Although life in Tonghe County is quite tough, at least it's very safe.

Once the Red Eyebrow Army arrives, chaos and conflict will erupt, and no one knows how many would die.

At least for the people at the bottom, it would definitely be a devastating disaster.

"The Red Eyebrow Army?"

Jiang Fan didn't expect to find out such critical information upon arriving at Tonghe County; the so-called Red Eyebrow Army is a rebel force composed of numerous bandits and Green Forest Heroes coming together.

Their eyebrows are dyed red, hence called the Red Eyebrow Army.

Since their uprising, they have been rapidly expanding with the potential to sweep across the nation.

They have already conquered more than a dozen cities consecutively.

This has also put the Court in a desperate situation.

Once the Red Eyebrow Army reaches the vicinity of Tonghe County, it will undoubtedly bring a bloodbath.

Osmanthus Village cannot remain untouched.

Though the Red Eyebrow Army is a rebel force, being originated from bandits, their methods are quite ruthless.

Moreover, they are very greedy.

Wherever they go, it's like locusts sweeping through, leaving nothing behind.

Of course, what's more important now isn't the Red Eyebrow Army, but the massive influx of refugees from the North.

After all, the Red Eyebrow Army cannot reach here immediately.

But the arrival of these refugees is very real.

These refugees have no jobs and are hungry. For food, they might do anything.

Undoubtedly, this period will see a very poor security environment.

It's possible these refugees might turn to banditry, plundering everywhere.

"Sure enough, grain prices have risen by ten percent."

After arriving in Tonghe County, Jiang Fan immediately went to purchase food and found that compared to last time, grain prices had increased by ten percent with a trend of continuous rise.

If a significant number of refugees arrive in Tonghe County, or if the Red Eyebrow Army attacks, prices could rise several times, which is quite normal.

Furthermore, even with money, it might not be possible to buy grain.

So he also needed to hasten his food purchases, exchanging his silver taels into food.

This way, even if grain prices soar, it wouldn't matter to him.

"The food can initially be transported to a cave on a small hill near Osmanthus Village."

"Then at night, bring the food back home."

"After several trips, at least one or two years' worth of food can be stored."

Jiang Fan's eyes glittered, contemplating his food transport plan.

He originally considered hiring carriages or donkeys to transport food, but the commotion would be too great.

At that time, who knows if his identity would be exposed.

So, he decided to work a little harder himself and make several trips.

This way, it would at least remain confidential.

......

In the next three or four days, Jiang Fan frequently traveled between Tonghe County and Osmanthus Village.

He spent most of his silver taels on buying food.

During the day, he first transported the food to the hill near Osmanthus Village.

Then at night, he moved the food back home, storing it in the cellar.

After several days of effort, he finally managed to store a substantial amount of food.

At least it could satisfy over a year's food needs.

Since he acted very cautiously and used the Disguise Technique to change his appearance, he didn't expose any trace or attract the attention of any wrongdoers, everything went very smoothly.

However, this is quite normal.

For ordinary people, more than a hundred silver taels is indeed a lot, like an astronomical figure.

But for the hundreds of thousands of people in Tonghe County, it's quite insignificant.

This amount of grain doesn't really count for much, naturally not causing much attention.

Plus, with his cautious approach, those who might notice are basically nonexistent.

"Husband, you actually bought back so much food?!"

"Can we possibly finish all this food?"

But for Su Weiwei, she was stunned. In her life, it was the first time seeing so much food at home. It was simply too overwhelming.

She couldn't imagine when they would be able to finish it all.

Furthermore, Jiang Fan didn't just buy rice, but also a lot of cured meat, vegetables, soybeans, salt, pork fat, and so on.

In short, all sorts of food, everything was available.

"Trouble may arise in this period."

"So preparations must be made in advance."

"With this food, we won't need to frequently go to Tonghe County in the future."

Jiang Fan explained.

"That's true, the road to Tonghe County is indeed too dangerous."

"Even though nothing happened to you previously, it's impossible not to get wet while frequently walking beside a river."

"It's better to go less often to Tonghe County."

Su Weiwei couldn't help but nod.

In fact, every time Jiang Fan went to Tonghe County, she was worried, afraid something unexpected might happen to her husband, and now reducing trips to Tonghe County is indeed a good thing.

"Don't worry, we will be fine."

"We'll surely live well."

Jiang Fan embraced Su Weiwei, feeling more longing for strength in his heart, as in this chaotic world, only power could protect him and ensure his safety.

"Husband."

Su Weiwei raised her head, her beautiful eyes ardently watching Jiang Fan, filled with endless charm.

Seeing this, Jiang Fan couldn't control himself, holding Su Weiwei, entering the bedroom.

Instantly, it became full of spring spirit, the bed swaying.