When they finally returned to the farmstead, the temperature had completely cooled. On the way here, quite a lot of people stuffed dry grass under their clothes for warmth. Luckily there were many of them so they could use body heat to warm each other at nights so no one came down with a cold. The boundaries between men and women were also put away and the women also sat close to the men at nights for sleep. 

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“Finally back.” Walking out of the woods they finally saw the farm fields. The crops that could be harvested in winter were few so currently only Chinese cabbage and spinach were planted. 

These vegetables make up the rare greens that could be found on the table during winter.

But only for awhile as most of it would have to be pickled with the salt brother Dao bought from a private salt merchant which was cheaper than the salt sold by the government. 

Sometimes brother Dao would also take the men to hunt in the woods——the only catch being a wild pheasant and a wild boar, both rather skinny but at least it was meat.

The farmstead did not raise livestock so there was no meat to eat. 

Seeing that Lin Yuan had returned with foodstuff, everyone sighed in relief. These laden filled carts contained quite a lot of foodstuff and in addition to the grains from the fall harvest, it was enough for them to eat for one to two years. 

This was the advantage of few people but there was also a negative side. 

They didn’t have weapons as they couldn’t even afford copper, let alone iron. The price for just one iron pot would take up an entire common family’s life savings. 

Lin Yuan thought on how to get his hands on some iron, but even if he had iron, without a bkacksmith it would be useless. 

The sharpness and durability of knives and swords required a blacksmith’s work.

If the casting was not up to par then the weapons could easily break which could cause one to lose his life if it broke in the middle of a fight. 

Actually, axes could be a good option. Lin Yuan rubbed his chin, axes were not easily broken nor did it require much training and had a heavy weight that could deal extensive damage. 

The most important thing——they were familiar to people who farmed the land. 

Though they wielded hoes easily as well. 

Lin Yuan asked Jiang Gui who just got down from the ox cart: “Third brother, do you know where they sell axes?” 

Jiang Gui: “Before when working in the city government I had the connection, but now…..” 

Whether the city government still existed was still in question. 

Lin Yuan sighed, he could only leave it for later. 

“Axe?” Zhu Zhongba suddenly in5serts himself into the conversation, smiling with white teeth, “No one is selling anymore?”

Anything related to iron was almost impossible to buy. 

Lin Yuan sighed, his heart full of despair. Where did the rebel armies even get their hands on iron weapons, he really wanted some too! 

“But I know where an iron ore mine is located.” Zhu Zhongba said, “except it is heavily guarded by soldiers. Even if we were to steal, it likely won’t be successful.” 

Zhu Zhongba: “But nowadays, everywhere is in upheaval, the armed soldiers should be less than before.” 

Lin Yuan’s eyes lit up.

“Big brother! Second brother!” Lin Yuan called to brother Dao and Yang Zi’an, “there’s something we need to discuss! To the meeting room!”  

Meeting room as the name implied, was the place to hold meetings and was dubbed by Lin Yuan. He was not a real ancient person, he might have the original owner’s memories but memory did not mean he could remember all of the books the original owner had read. So it was best to stick with what he was familiar with. 

Brother Dao leaned on his hoe and rubbed the back of his head: “Strange, not resting after a long travel but discussing official business, os fourth brother made of iron?” 

Yang Zi’an said sarcastically: “Better than you swearing brotherhood all over the place.” 

Brother Dao wass not happy: “How can you describe it like that? I am making important brotherly ties. Let me tell you, the world will only worsen, with more brothers to have each other’s back is better than fighting alone.” 

Yang Zi’an: “Fine, fine, you are right, let’s go.”

Brother Dao did not move from his spot, shamelessly putting on an expression that said ‘if you don’t apologize then I won’t move.’ 

Yang Zi’an ignored him: “It’s up to you.” 

Brother Dao followed along, crestfallen. 

Lin Yuan first introduced Zhu Zhongba, not in detail but only saying that he had a beggar background and was trustworthy. 

Brother Dao’s gaze when it settled on Zhu Zhongba changed——this was a good candidate for swearing brotherhood!

“Big brother, second brother, you both know what it is like nowadays. I predict that soon rebellion will sound, when the time comes even remote places like here might not be safe.” Lin Yuan said calmly. He could trust the people in front of him. Besides, if they weren’t trustworthy, where would they go to report? Wu City? No one would be that foolish, besides they all were aware of each other’s roots so there was no need to hold suspicion. 

“Then what should we do?” Li Congrong was shocked. 

Everyone else looked at Lin Yuan, they all understood the reasoning but they were still unsure how to face the situation at hand. 

Lin Yuan only remembered that Zhu Yuanzhang joined the Red Turbans when he was 25 and the year was the 13th year of Yuan Shun. Therefore, the Red Turbans rebelled before the 13th year of Yuan Shun. 

A rebellion that hadn’t made it past two to three years was not much of a threat, therefore the Red Turbans possibly rebelled in the 10th or 11th year of Yuan Shun. 

The leaders of the Red Turbans were Han Shantong, Liu Futong and Xu Shouhui.

Han Shantong later proclaimed himself the emperor of ‘Great Song’. He was not only a leader of the Red Turbans but also had connections with the White Lotus (TN: a religious and political movement that appealed to many Han Chinese who found solace in worship of Wusheng Laomu, who was foretold to gather all her children at the millennium into one family). 

“Presently, we need more people.” Lin Yuan said, “this way we can have the ability to protect ourselves. These people must also have weapons, or else we would be just like a fish on the cutting board.” 

Including Zhu Zhongba, everyone swallowed.

Jiang Gui: “This is….what do you mean? Raise a private army? This, this is something to be executed for, if the imperial court finds out…..” 

Brother Dao also agreed: “Right, right, right. The imperial court has how many soldiers, what are we, something for them to pick their teeth with?” 

But Lin Yuan shook his head: “It’s not like we are going to be obvious about it. Here we are surrounded by mountains and rivers, away from the eyes of people. It is already hidden, we juat need to be careful then the imperial court will not discover us.” He did not mention that before long the imperial court would have their attention taken away by the other rebelling factions. 

The death of Han Shantong was exactly because of the imperial court managing to encircle his troops and annihilate him. 

“In order to have weapons, we need iron.” Lin Yuan looked at them, “big brother, second brother, third brother, please listen to little brother. No one can be exempt during turbulent times. If we do not rebel but follow the flow, this is one path, but when war begins will we truly be able to remain unaffected?” 

“When the time comes and we can’t protect ourselves, we would be lamb for the slaughter.” Lin Yuan also said, “let’s put this aside for now but what about bandits? Can we hold up against bandits?” 

Their only weapon being hoes, whereas the bandits that could pose a threat all had weapons. Even if they were not of good quality but it was at least better than a few hoes used for farming.

Everyone looked down, raising a private army…..their ancestors had all been honest commoners, and had never done something that might as well be a rebellion! 

Zhu Zhongba lost his entire family, so he said: “I think brother Lin is right, even if we don’t rebel we still should have the means for staying alive. We need food to fill our bellies, weapons to fight off bandits. Only when there are more people can we have the ability to protect our livelihoods.” 

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Brother Dao said with an expression showing his world had just been overturned: “I….I need to think for a bit.”

Yang Zi’an also did not say anything. 

Jiang Gui sat fidgeting as if he was sitting on needles.

No one wanted to rebel, who would when they could have a safe and easy life?

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The bag of foodstuff was left with the beggars. Lin Yuan saw them directly eating the old grains hungrily and could not explain the feeling he got. Sometimes he thought that the collapse of Yuan dynasty was heaven’s will. The later stage of Yuan was simply too miserable with drought, famine, and plague all happening at the same time. It would be unreasonable if it did not collapse with so many years of natural disasters. 

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The beggars who had been only able to see food before finally became clearheaded with a few bites to relieve their hunger. They would not be able to win in a fight against Lin Yuan’s people but they were still covetuous, following the procession for several miles before leaving when it was clear Lin Yuan was not willing to take them in. 

No one knew what would wait for them when they left. 

Lin Yuan also didn’t know. 

Lin Yuan only knew that his ability had limits. If he could help he would, but it would be impossible to help this many. 

Zhu Zhongba was a young man and was quite familiar with pulling the cart, putting his energy into it and causing Lin Yuan to become absentminded. The future emperor was pulling the cart for him, who would even believe it? 

After all, he was a newcomer so at his side someone asked him: “Zhongba where are you from?” 

Zhu Zhongba: “Zhongli, Hao Province.” 

The person at his side sighed: “That is quite far.” 

Zhu Zhongba smiled: “Not too far.”

“How old are you?” The person asked. 

Zhu Zhongba: “How old do I look?” 

Lin Yuan suddenly answered: “19.” 

Zhu Zhongba paused, then he raised a thumb: “What a correct guess.” 

Wasn’t it? Lin Yuan looked at the road ahead. He was considerably aware of Zhu Yuanzhang’s historical facts and knew that he joined Guo Zixing’s Red Turbans when he was 25 years old. And then married Guo Zixing’s adopted daughter Ma shi. Ma shi could be considered Zhu Yuanzhang’s lucky star. 

Everytime Zhu Yuanzhang was framed by others and locked up by Guo Zixing it was all thanks to Ma shi who had to contend with the situation. After gaining military power, all the documents and accounts were managed by Ma shi. There was also a legend that during a lost battle, Ma shi relied on her big feet to carry Zhu Yuanzhang as they fled from the enemy army. 

Lin Yuan sighed, ai, such a good woman was Zhu Yuanzhang’s wife, he dared not even think of stealing. 

Considerate, gentle, cultured and could even provide support for her husband’s career. Able to face hardships as well as share wealth together. 

Lin Yuan envied Zhu Yuanzhang a bit in his heart. 

Besides, big feet was not much of a flaw. In the modern times, his office had two female coworkers who wore size 42 shoes (TN: 42 EU size, 11 US), and it didn’t look all that strange. 

Lin Yuan sighed again, this kind of woman, in these sorts of times, you could only meet by chance and not by request.

Just being cultured was something that could filter out a lot of people. 

“My dad died from starvation, my oldest brother and oldest nephew as well.” Zhu Zhongba recalled his past and his eyes flickered with dark unclear emotions, “my sister married and my third oldest brother married and lives with his wife’s family.” 

The people near him did not continue to ask, who didn’t have a painful past? 

Dying from starvation, it was too normal an occurrence. 

The money for disaster relief provided by the imperial court was exploited at every government level. In the end, the actual sum received by the common people was not even one percent of what they should have got. 

The scent of wine and meat come from behind vermillion doors, but the roads outside were covered with the bones of the frozen (TN: a line from Tang dynasty poet Du Fu’s poem that mocks how the scent of wine and meat drifts from behind the vermillion doors of the rich while just outside the poor are dying from the cold and starvation). It described what was reality on earth, occurring everyday.

“It will be better.” Lin Yuan said suddenly, “it will become better.” 

It would just take a long time. 

Zhu Zhongba smiled: “Us poor people, being able to eat fully is enough.” 

The common people did not want much. To be able to eat fully and dress warmly, no worry of taking a beating, and having a family was enough to satisfy them. Once such things were not possible then their requests would decrease to just having something to eat so long as they didn’t die from starvation. Once the lowest condition could not even be met, then they would stand up and shout out the ancient saying: Are the lives of aristocracy, officials, and generals naturally more precious and noble than ours? (TN: first said by Chen Sheng and then later used as a slogan for rebellion) 

The Zhu Yuanzhang of now perhaps had already learned to hide his hate and anger at the imperial court deep in his heart. He could calmly speak of his past, as if he had no emotions, but Lin Yuan was clear, this kind of hate was burrowed deep in your bones and could never be dug out.

“Right, brother Lin.” Zhu Zhongba said as he pulled the cart, “how come you have so much foodstuff?” 

The surrounding people also perked their ears, they all wanted to know! 

Lin Yuan: “I have a farmstead with a population of about 100. Now that the times are hard, the harvested grains are not enough so I left to buy some from outside. I cannot let the people following me suffer hunger.”  

Zhu Zhongba looked at Lin Yuan with different eyes, strange emotions roiling in them. In the end, he sighed: “Brother Lin, I have never seen a boss like you.” 

His previous boss would not even let him bury his family’s bodies. Without the landowner’s permission, he could not find any land to give them a burial.

It was only another landowner who gave him a piece of land to bury them under, but even then it was without any proper coffins. 

What landowner would be concerned whether their tenant farmers were able to eat fully? If it was possible they would have them be animals who could be used for physical labor and didn’t need to eat at all. 

Zhu Zhongba suddenly came across a peculiarly different landowner that his expression when looking at Lin Yuan became more respectful and solemn.

“It is almost winter.” Lin Yuan tucked in his neck, having felt the lowering temperature. In these times there were no electrical heaters, only cotton blankets which not everyone could afford. 

Zhu Zhongba did not say anything, no one said anything. 

Jiang Gui sneezed: “Fourth brother, do you want to add on another coat.”

Lin Yuan only then remembered he had packed another two thin cotton coats. He had the two coats given to two women who were carrying children. The women themselves wrre thin and yet they were trying to block the wind from their children. 

A mother’s nature…..  

“Thank you boss, thank you boss!” 

“Boss is kindhearted, I will give boss kowtow!”

The two women wrapped their children in the coats and immediately kneeled, kowtowing three times with sincerity. 

Lin Yuan looked at the other people who watched with longing and said: “If you gave birth to children then I would have the coats given to you as well.” 

The men paused, then all laughed out loud.

“How can we have such ability.” 

“Hahaha, maybe if you find a man to do it, it might just happen.”

“Why are you looking at my behind?” 

“I see your behind is big, it can definitely bear children.” 

With the group of men telling each other vulgar jokes, the depressed atmosphere from before warmed up. 

Zhu Zhongba was also smiling. He pulled the cart but did not feel it to be too heavy since three other men were also pulling it with him. In the back there was also the families of these men pushing at the cart. The cart was ladened with foodstuff, no matter how heavy they would not complain.

Jiang Gui lead the ox cart, saying to Lin Yuan: “Don’t let brother Dao see this fellow.” 

Lin Yuan was confused: “Why? Brother Dao would not be against…..” 

“Ai, what are you thinking!” Jiang Gui said lowly, “I see this fellow may have an ordinary appearance but his eyes are clear and his body strong. I’m afraid once brother Dao catches sight of him he will want to become sworn brothers with him.”

Jiang Gui: “Then you will become fifth brother.” 

Lin Yuan: “……” 

I actually forgot something like this.

A cold breeze blew past and brother Dao who was currently tending to the fields sneezed. Rubbing his nose: “Who, who is scolding me?”

Yang Zi’an chewed on a piece of grass on the side, expressionless but with a disdainful look in his eyes when he glanced towards Li Congrong. 

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If not for his prevention, Li Congrong almost became sworn brothers with another two strong men. The fellow truly does deserve a scolding. 

AN: Li Congrong: “Not swearing brotherhood is not possible, relying on swearing brotherhood as a means of livelihood.” (TN: In Chinese this is written like a tongue twister but it loses its tongue twister qualities when translated into English ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

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“There’s someone in the front!” The person who walked ahead of the procession relayed the news back.

Lin Yuan’s expression changed. They had no weapons so in order to improve safety he had people with small and skinny physiques walk ahead to act as scouts. Once they noticed something out of the ordinary then they must relay the news back.

But this was after all the first time they had done scouting work so they didn’t know how to relay the news, just giving a vague ‘There’s someone’. Not even a description of what the people looked like.

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“Stop.” Lin Yuan ordered. Everyone stopped in their tracks, their faces looking confused, not knowing what had happened. 

Jiang Gui ilwas also scared, he asked: “Fourth brother, what should we do now?” 

“Let’s not panic.” Lin Yuan said, “wait for the news from the front.” 

There were too many of them so it was impossible to hide. Retreating was also not possible with this many foodstuff, they would not be able to move quickly. Unless absolutely necessary, Lin Yuan was unwilling to abandon the foodstuff. It represented the lives of so many people that depended on it before next year’s harvest. 

The front relayed news again.  

“It’s a group of beggars.” Lin Yuan sighed in relief. A beggar’s physical strength was not even as strong as the people he just bought. At least they had days that weren’t filled with hunger before they had no choice but to sell themselves. But most beggars did not have many good days.

Very soon, they encountered the group of beggars. 

A group of the elderly, sick and/or handicapped. They passed through the woods, eating anything they could get their hands on. Every one of them were stooped over and malnourished with no light in their eyes, as if the walking dead.  

They saw the carts ladened with foodstuff and every one of them took on the resemblance of wolves, their eyes gleaming. The people surrounding the carts tensed in wariness, they knew the foodstuff was also the source of their survival. Winter was coming but so long as they followed their new master to his farmstead then they would be able to continue living on. 

If these beggars stole away the foodstuff, injuring their new master, then they were basically finished. 

But the group of beggars did not rashly rush forward, only standing a distance away staring as if statues unaffected by the outside surroundings.

Lin Yuan also did not move. Both sides stood in a deadlock with the trees and grass between them and the wind blowing by. It had a sense of a confrontation between two expert martial artists.

After an hour or so, Lin Yuan hollered, not wanting to waste anymore time: “Do you have a leader? Come out and talk!” 

Only then did the beggars react. They seemed to discuss among themselves and after awhile a young man walked out. 

Lin Yuan also went forward. 

Jiang Gui tugged at Lin Yuan’s wrist: “Fourth brother, you…..” 

 LLin Yuan patted his shoulder in reassurance: “Third brother, don’t worry, I have my own considerations.” 

The young man was dressed in rags but did not stoop his back. His skin was slightly dark and body sturdy. His face had some freckles and could not be considered handsome but neither was he bad-looking. He stopped in front of Lin Yuan: “This gongzi…..”(TN: Gongzi is used to refer to the son of an official or nobility in ancient times, but now it is used as a polite reference to someone’s son) 

Lin Yuan interrupted: “My foodstuff has a limit and we are currently in a hurry to return. There is a limit to the foodstuff I can spare for you all.” 

His meaning was that he was willing to use foodstuff in return for them to move out of the way but they could not be too greedy. 

Lin Yuan’s side did not have any weapons and neither did he truly want to fight to the death with this group of beggars. He was unsure which side would win in the end. 

Only thinking of the stock of foodstuff in the granary back home made him feel a little better for parting with some foodstuff now.

The young man was rather tactful, saying suddenly: “We are planning to head towards Jiangnan.” 

Lin Yuan examined him again: “Why Jiangnan?” 

The man smiled: “To try our luck.” 

The recent years were full of drought, famine, and plague that resulted in many people abandoning their homes and with no way of getting by. Lin Yuan saw that the other had politeness, seeming as if he had recieved some education before, so he said: “Jiangnan is likely to have danger….” 

He said it out of good intentions. 

The young man: “The world now, is there even a place without danger?” 

“I would like to ask Gongzi’s name.” The young man said. 

Lin Yuan had his people carry over a bag of foodstuff. One bag was not a lot so he was able to afford giving it away. 

“My surname is Lin, Lin Yuan.” Lin Yuan also asked, “brother, what is your name?”

The young man smiled, showing white teeth: “Zhu Baba.” (Literally it translates to Zhu Eight Eight but the surname Zhu sounds the same as the Chinese word pig and the number eight in Chinese sounds like the word for dad. So it sounds like he said Pig Daddy which is what Lin Yuan hears) 

Lin Yuan: “……” Someone who named their son Pig Daddy actually existed in this world? Was this taking advantage of pigs or being taken advantage of by pigs? 

The man also said: “You can also call me Zhu Zhongba.”  

Lin Yuan’s knees weakened, suddening kneeling down. 

Zhu Zhongba, dressed in beggar rags, saw the action as a result of Lin Yuan’s legs being weak from walking too much, but he still laughed: “Lin Gongzi, of what reason are you performing such courtesy on our first meeting?”  

Lin Yuan: “……” If I say you are Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of Ming dynasty, would you believe it? (TN: the birth name of Zhu Yuanzhang, Ming’s founding emperor is Zhu Zhongba) 

Would you believe it if I said that you will defeat Chen Youliang and other warlords winning the empire in the end? 

Would you believe it if I said Empress Ma died and you executed all of the ministers who put you on the throne? 

Ai, knowing too much could be painful sometimes. 

Lin Yuan’s head was a bit jumbled up, but he still speedily weighed the pros and cons. 

Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the nearby Huang Jue temple to become a monk in the fourth year of emperor Yuan Shun’s reign. Only staying for a few weeks before being dispatched out. He wandered as an errant monk for four years returning in the eighth reign of Yuan Shun. 

As a monk, he gained education and culture. 

On his wanderings he increased his knowledge and exprience.

Because he married Ma shi so he entered the landowning class, having the capital to raise an army. 

Lin Yuan thought for awhile but could not come up with anything, only saying: “Brother Zhu is physically strong and able-bodied, I am lacking in talents like you. If you like, you can come with us. I can’t guarantee on anything else but eating and drinking your fill will be guaranteed.”

How did it go…..if he could lend a hand then he would. He didn’t truly need to grasp the other’s thigh (TN: espression similar to riding on someone’s coattails). 

Besides, Zhu Yuanzhang might not even agree, after all there was a group of beggars behind him. He was probably not someone who would abandon the beggars and seek survival on his own. 

“Brother Lin actually has such a kind heart!” Zhu Zhongba’s eyes gleamed. It had been several days since he had ate fully. He might be young and strong but he could not win against the experienced beggars when it came to fighting for food. Zhu Zhongba, “Let’s go!” 

Lin Yuan…..wait….what happened to loving the common people as if they were his children and only executing corrupt officials? 

Love the common people as a father loves his children? 

He wondered when Liu Futong would rebel, he only remembered such a person but not the time. 

Neither did he remember the time Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youliang rebelled either. 

In any case, take the steps one at a time.

Zhu Zhongba suddenly asked Lin Yuan: “Brother Lin?” 

Lin Yuan pointed at the beggars behind him: “Then these people?”

Zhu Zhongba: “Strangers coming together by chance, meeting and separating are all fate.” 

Lin Yuan: “….…” 

Zhu Zhongba said quietly: “I haven’t eaten fully for a long time. Don’t look at their skinny frames, they are quite good at fighting for food.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Lin Yuan had a complicated look in his eyes, he must have met a fake Zhu Yuanzhang. 

Perhaps it was just a case of the same name? 

TN: One of the more important supporting characters showing up! They will all be entering the scene soon, including ML.

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Buying grains was easier than Lin Yuan had thought. Da niang‘s surname ws Zhao and her husband’s was Zhang. The people here called her Zhao da niang or old Zhang’s wife. She called her husband back from the fields and warned him: “Don’t be stubborn, even if the price is a bit low but at least it’s better than have it taking up space in the granary.” 

Her man said impatiently: “I know.” 

Zhao da niang: “Remember what I said!” 

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The price was easily agreed upon and Jiang Gui bought all of Zhao da niang‘s old grains as well as a few other families’ storage of old grains. In all it took ten carts to carry it all. 

They could not afford to buy more ox so the only choice left was to hire or buy people to manually pull it back to the farmstead. 

“How much money do we have left?” Jiang Gui handed a bowl of water to Lin Yuan who only just noticed his too dry throat. He calculated mentally before saying in a low voice, “Only 50 taels left.” 

They had brought along almost all of their money.

Jiang Gui: “Buy people.” 

Lin Yuan nodded. They must go to another town to buy people, the place here had no people to buy. The food could be left here and no one would steal it since the people here don’t care for the old grains. Zhao da niang agreed readily and promised to watch the foodstuff for them. 

50 taels did not look a lot but nowadays the price for a grown man was only 2 taels while women and children were all 1 tael. And this was according to better circumstances, but now the price woulf have probably dropped to 1 tael for a grown man and half a tael or less for women and children. 

Lin Yuan did not plan to follow the ethics of modern times. In the modern era, human trafficking was of course an evil sin but in this time, the people willing to sell themselves were poor people who had no means of livelihood so they wanted to be bought by a good master family so that they may have a chance at surviving. 

The motive and the era was different, therefore you could not use the same ethics and values to treat the same issue. 

On the way to the next town, Lin Yuan said to Jiang Gui: “Brother Jiang, what do you think this world will turn into? Even worse or slowly get better?” 

Jiang Gui looked into the distance, his expression complicated, in the end he sighed: “Even worse. While working in the city government I have heard how the current emperor does not bother with state affairs and the officials are all doing what they like. Before Wu City fell, the prisons were all filled with the common people.” 

“There is also a plague in the north and it will only spread south with the northern refugees flowing in.” 

Lin Yuan knew about the plague, it could be counted as a major reason for the collapse of the Yuan dynasty. Some scholars believed that the plague during Yuan dynasty was actually Europe’s black plague, but there was no proof, just a theory.

In this time, plagues were incurable, anyone who was infected could only wait for death, wallowing in despair. 

But Lin Yuan had not expected the plague to arrive this fast; it took him completely off guard. 

He had thought it would appear during the last couple years before Yuan dynasty officially ended. But there was a large discrepancy between reality and his expectations. 

“Fourth brother.” Jiang Gui said suddenly, he rubbed his chin as if embarrassed, “When disaster hit Wu City, your sister-in-law and I were both scared, scared that you would not take us in.” 

Lin Yuan was about to say something but Jiang Gui continued: “If you were not willing to take us in I would not blame you. It is all fate.” 

That kind of situation, if he was in Lin Yuan’s place, perhaps he would not have so readily agreed. 

Jiang Gui said: “Fourth brother, gege‘s life is saved by you. If you have any problems, let me know, gege I, can even give up my life.” 

Lin Yuan smiled: “Third brother, we must live to enjoy a good life, think positively.” 

“To be able to eat fully and dress warmly, that is a good life.” Jiang Gui smiled. 

Lin Yuan discovered, since the Wu City disaster, Jiang Gui had become more reticent and steady. He was likely under a lot of stress, a family of six, all relying on him to support. So he was filled with trepidation, not daring to even take a break.

Probably because he was afraid that once he fell, the rest of his family would not be able to continue to stay on. 

Sworn brothers might sound pretty, but just how reliable was the relationship? 

When they arrived at Baishan town Lin Yuan felt as if his strength had completely sapped away. It took three days of travel and when he saw the town’s sign he almost fainted in excitement. No wonder Liu town (the town they just left from) had hardly any outsiders, not only was the road mushy but also rocky. In the end they had to get off the cart to lead the ox. 

Compared to Liu town, Baishan town appeared more pitiful and depressing. The streets were filled with beggars in rags and poor people looking to sell themselves. There were no street vendors either and the tea shops and restaurants were all closed. It was just three days of travel, but on one side it was heaven while the other side was hell. 

Luckily, the inns were still open. Lin Yuan and Jiang Gui both checked in and saw that the inn had very little customers, the price was also very cheap. 

The waiter was a malnourished young man, he waited on them attentively with the hopes that the customers would give a small tip. 

Lin Yuan knew that before long, money would begin to lose their value. The most important thing was foodstuff. 

When the time came for the sound of rebellion, foodstuff would become even more important. 

Therefore, this time Lin Yuan planned to buy grown able-bodied men and women. Normally they would farm the land but if needed then they should also be able to take up their hoes and fight off bandits. 

An entire street was devoted to people selling themselves to potential buyers. Some had been befallen with bandits, their whole families dead, leaving them alone.

There were also entire families out on the streets together, hoping to meet a kindhearted buyer who would buy their entire family. 

Lin Yuan and Jiang Gui walked a few rounds to decide on their choices. Young men and women that had families, with children or elderly in tow would be even better. 

This kind of person was the least inclined to betrayal becuase their families were their weak points. They would not just think of their own survival but must also think of their family’s survival. 

But Lin Yuan had also informed them, if they wanted to bring their families along, then he would not pay more money, just the price of the young man or woman. But he could guarantee that their families would have food to eat. 

The group of people were all willing. 

They no longer needed to live a vagrant life and could now have food to eat. As for the money they get for selling themselves, it was not as important to them. 

These people would be accompanying Lin Yuan and Jiang Gui back to Liu town the next morning. They didn’t have any posessions to pack so they could leave anytime.

In total, Lin Yuan bought 40 people, with an additional 80 people who wrre family members.…. 

When they arrived it was just the two of them, but when they left it was quite a large procession. 

The entire way, almost everyone walked, even Lin Yuan and Jiang Gui——there was no helping it, the road was too rocky and tricky, if not careful they could fall off and be crushed or worse. 

The people were rather reverent of Lin Yuan, and dared not talk amongst themselves, only focusing on walking. The ox cart was packed with foodstuff, just some dry bean curd cakes. There was no water, but there was a river in the woods. No one bothered boiling it in their hurry to continue on, even Lin Yuan drank directly from the river.

 Lin Yuan could only comfort himself with the knowledge that the possibility of parasites and disease-causing bacteria in living water was relatively small.

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Ten carts of foodstuff in total, one and a half cart must require four grown men to pull.

Luckily, they had one ox with them, with only some difficulty it should be enough. 

It was about time to return, Lin Yuan’s heart was set on speeding home.

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On a rare sunny day, Li Da got up early to wash his clothes. He now lived in the employee dormitories——a name that Boss called it with. At first they felt awkward but after getting used to it, it became natural. He used a wooden basin to fill with water and brought it over to the balcony to wash his clothes. The balcony was hanged with a tough string that could hold a lot of clothes although it wasn’t as if they had many. Even the old cotton shirt they now wear was given by Boss. 

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So what he was currently washing were under clothes, which were basically a couple of ragged pieces. 

“What are we eating this morning?” Next to him old Zhang asked. 

Li Da: “How do I know? I’ll go to the dining hall after I finish washing.” 

The dining hall was a grass shack but it was made sturdy. The women cooked the meals in the back where the stoves were. The food was cooked in large pots, the only good thing was that there was no lack of salt or oil. Just this was already extremely tasty for them. 

The women were all the female family members of Yang Zi’an’s friends. They were brought over after the autumn harvest and as a result escaped the disaster at Wu City. 

Old Zhang laughed at Li Da: “Look at how you wash, it is going to rip.” 

Li Da looked at the raggedy cloth in his hands and could not deny what old Zhang said. He looked at the forest not far away: “Boss is going out?”

He saw an ox cart. 

Old Zhang looked in the same direction and also discovered Lin Yuan getting into an ox cart. He thought a bit and said: “Maybe Boss is going to Wu City to have a look?”

Li Da startled: “Go to Wu City for what? To lose your life for nothing?” 

Old Zhang have Li Da a slap: “Quickly shut your crow’s beak (TN: expression for a person making unlucky remarks). Boss has boss’s own plans.”

Next to the forest Lin Yuan said to the others seeing him off: “You all go back, once I have finished I will come back.” 

The place where they would be heading was a bit far away. Wu City was affected by disaster and the nearby villages would not be much better off. He and Jiang Gui would be traveling lightly, bringing nothing else but money.

“No matter if it is of good or bad quality, as long as it is edible buy them all back.” Old father Lin advised repeatedly. 

Lin Yuan: “Dad, I know. This period that I am not here, if you have any problems ask big brother Li and second brother Yang.” 

Old father Lin also knew that Lin Yuan had three sworn brothers. He felt that his son was very smart, in a unfamiliar place having sworn brothers was a very good thing. His attitude toward Li, Yang and Jiang was therefore very warm, treating them as his sons. 

Li Congrong said: “Little brother, don’t worry about this side, as long as I am here I won’t let your heart’s blood (TN: expression for an expenditure or project that took a lot of effort) be wasted.” 

Lin Yuan: “Big brother, it is our heart’s blood.” 

Li Congrong laughed: “Yes, I said the wrong thing again.” 

Yang Zi’an on the other hand said: “Don’t take the main roads, make detours if you have to. Abandon the cart and hide if you sense something wrong.” 

Jiang Gui responded: “Second brother, don’t worry, we know the score.”

Lin Yuan knew that when the time came he must hire people or buy people in order to cart all of the food stuff back. Just relying on him and Jiang Gui, forget about carting the food back just walking on the road without being robbed or killed would be fortunate. 

The turbulent times would not easily end soon, at least there would be many years until then, in fact it would be about 10 years time.

If the man power was too little then it would be very difficult to be self-sufficient. Farming the land might be possible but other necessities would continue to be used up. Once the positive cycle he set up was broken and a vicious cycle took its place, then his small base would easily disintegrate from the inside.

Compared to hiring, Lin Yuan preferred buying people. Most of the ones not willing to become slaves or servants haf already fallen into becoming bandits.

And the ones willing to become slaves or servants, they had already brainwashed themselves and would not easily betray their master. 

He would have liked to bring people from the farmstead with him but the problem was that they only had one ox and one donkey. And because they wrre afraid the donkey would die on the way, they could only use the ox cart. 

Jiang Gui however had a lot of confidence. He had gone to the village that was their destination before. The people there were quite valiant and stalwart but also hospitable. Most of them were farmers but a few were hunters. 

He had heard that in the earlier days the entire village were experienced hunters, learning how to set traps and use the bow and arrow from a young age. They even knew how to blow poison arrows which were made from using the poison secreted from a toad specie common to the area. Only using just a bit and it could paralyze a full grown ox. 

Jiang Gui said: “The area on that side is fertile with few people and a lot of land so their old grains stock will definitely be abundant.” 

Lin Yuan did not know how to drive a cart, so the task was given to Jiang Gui. Lin Yuan sat on the cart and took a sip of water. He looked at the trees and bushes, if he was here to tread the green (TN: phrase that describes going for a walk in the spring when the grass has turned green especially during spring hike season around Qingming festival 清明, 4th-6th April), perhaps he would praise the scenery and the fresh air. But unfortunately he was not so instead he only felt fidgety. 

They traveled for five days on the road. During the time they only ate dried cake with water to wash it down and slept on the cart at night. They had the ox cart stop deep in the forest and set up a fire next to it. They dared not sleep too deeply and took turns keeping watch. 

After all, while with the fire wild animals would not come close but it could not scare away people. 

Only 5 days but Lin Yuan felt like he lived a month.  Jiang Gui’s beard even grew out a lot, looking more weather beaten than five days ago. Lin Yuan was much better off since his body was only 15 and had yet to secrete as much hormones as Jiang Gui. Only a few hairs popped up——which he pulled out. 

Growing a few whiskers on his chin…..was that any proper?! 

“Almost there!” Jiang Gui became excited, shaking Lin Yuan at his side. Lin Yuan rubbed at his sore behind, widening his eyes at the road which became open spaced and wide. 

On the side of the road he even saw a tea shop set up by the locals for passing travelers and merchants to use, of course, for a fee. 

It was as if the place had not been affected by refugees at all. They wrre living their self-sufficient days. No matter if they were men or women they all jad the ability to protect themselves, even young children who had yet to learn to walk must learn to hold a bow first. 

Lin Yuan also asked Jiang Gui in detail and found out that most of the people here were Han Chinese, only a small portion were Mongolian.

The Mongolians here were not officials, just common people who had intermarried with the Han Chinese, completely assimilating into the area. 

“Da niang!” (TN: a friendly way to refer to an older lady) Jiang Gui stopped the cart just outside the tea shop on the side of the road. 

Da niang looked to be in her forties but her physique was strong and sturdy. Without looking at her face it would even be believable to say she was in her early thirties. 

“Feed it bean mash or hay?” Da niang looked at their ox.  

Jiang Gui looked towards Lin Yuan, Lin Yuan said: “Feed it some bean mash.” 

The beans here were actually used to feed cows, Lin Yuan felt as if he had discovered a treasure chest. 

Da niang served them tea, a dish of appetizers and two bowls of porridge. At this time there were no other customers so da niang held her grandson and sat on one side singing to him the local lullabies. 

Lin Yuan finished his porridge and finally felt alive again. He then asked: “Da niang, we are from another region, and want to buy some grains back.” 

He was not afraid that this was a black shop (TN: literally means an inn that kills and robs guests esp. in traditional fiction), no black shop proprietor was a woman, and not only was she a woman but she also had her grandson with her. 

Besides, the shop could even afford to use bean mash for cows and even provide white rice porridge, so they would not take risks for money. 

Da niang turned her head, her face with an expression of delight: “Are old grains alright?” 

Her family just harvested new grains and the granery could no longer fit. But old grains were unable to be sold without it being too cheap. Her husband in a fit of pique decided not to sell. Now they were stuck with grains no one wanted to eat. Old grains had a moldy taste so both adults and children disliked eating it. Their village was also remote, with the nearest village taking three days of travel by ox cart. There was no main road so it was difficult to cart the food elsewhere and there was the possibilty of bandits. Da niang had for quite a while a headache on what to do about that stock of old grains. 

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Almost every family in the area has the same headache. 

Outside people wrre dying from hunger, but here they wdre fretting about having too much foodstuff. When Lin Yuan found out he didn’t know what kind of expression to put on. 

In a sense, this place could be considered a hidden utopia.

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It was close to entering winter before the employee dormitories were finally finished building. Artisans had stayed for half a year and it was time for them to leave. 

Lin Yuan stood in front of the dormitory, quite satisfied. Compared with modern apartment buildings this building was not bad at all. Besides it had three floors which ws considered rather difficult to build in these times. 

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Apart from the artisans, the refugees that had built the entire half year had expressions on their faces that looked like they were attending a funeral. The refugees who worked here, although they did not receive ant wages, they could eat well and dress warmly however. Every few days they could even eat some meat, this kind of life was too rare during these times. 

“Boss, I can farm the land.” The refugee saw Lin Yuan and immediately threw himself on his knees, his eyes tearing, “I don’t need any wages.” 

Once he kneeled down the refugees behind him also followed his lead. They were all grown people in their prime, both men and women were all young but they already had the appearance of someone older. 

Lin Yuan originally did not plan to have them leave. Currently the only people farming the land were Yang Zi’an and his friends. And even among them only 40 farmed while 20 extracted oil. Only 40 people farming the land and yet they handled it well. Aside from them being experienced farmers, the most important reason was because they were all physically strong. 

These people were already preparing to bring over their families and settle down here. 

Lin Yuan helped up the first person to kneel and patted his shoulder: “I never said to have you all leave. As long as anyone wants to stay they can. As long as you work diligently then you will be able to eat your fill.” 

“Boss! Boss! I will give you kowtow!” It was unclear who shouted it but this crowd of people pressed their foreheads to the ground, none of them were feigning it, the kowtows were true and honest. 

Lin Yuan did not say anything. He didn’t know what to say, it was too stunning. 

When he still lived in the modern times, no one even bowed at him, let alone kowtow. 

In the evening, the artisans left in an ox cart. Their families were all in Wu City. They earned a half a year worth of wages and it was time to reunite with their families. 

Speaking of, during the period between early autumn and start of winter, Wu City’s refugees and residents unexpectedly did not have any conflicts. 

Jiang Gui sent a message, and it turned out several of Wu City’s wealthy families provided flatcakes everyday outside the city. Likely because there were too many refugees, they could not afford to hand out porridge so it was replaced with bean curd cakes. The refugees weren’t picky, being able to eat was enough so Wu City’s tense atmosphere eased up a bit.

It was not easy for Jiang Gui during this period either. The government became increasingly busy. Originally as a minor official he did not need to manage too many affairs but there was not enough staff on hand. At the start of winter, Jiang Gui put on a cotton coat and was about to leave when he heard someone yell from outside his courtyard: “The refugees have charged in! The refugees have entered the city!” 

The refugees had starved for this long and should not have any strength but when people were in desperate straits they would be able to burst out unimaginable potential. 

Wu City’s military strength had a limit. This group of refugees did not have any weapons only using whatever they picked up on the streets. 

When the first person died in a fight, the struggle could no longer stop easily. 

One side must be completely defeated before it ended. 

And before it ended there would be others who would die one after another. 

Jiang Gui immediately bolted the doors and returned inside in large steps, telling his family to not leave the house. He then opened a crack in the window to check out the situation outside. Jiang Gui’s wife Chen shi covered her mouth, almost having cried out at the scene outside.

They saw a refugee clad in rags and appearing like a skeleton, throw himself on a passerby. Opening his mouth he bit down fiercely on the person’s throat. The passerby struggled but their struggle became less and less. The refugee tore at the passerby’s skin and flesh, blood trickling down his mouth. 

He no longer looked like a person. 

But his motive was not to cannibalize. When the passerby died, the refugee began to search the body for money and valuables.

Chen shi‘s face paled, grasping at Jiang Gui’s arm in terror, screams echoing in her ears. 

From the refugees, and from the soldiers and passerbys. 

If the soldiers were killed, then the refugees would break into the house. 

Jiang Gui decisively made a decision: “Let’s go, you go call mom and dad and Da Wa, I will get the cart ready. Let’s leave now.” 

Chen shi ran into the house in a panic. 

When entering, she heard a scream coming from the next door neighbor’s place. This almost had her fall down trembling.

But still, with a pale face she called her parents and parents-in-law out. 

The Jiangs’ house had two entrances, and at the back with a small path was where the donkey was tied. A donkey cart could not be compared to a horse carriage or a ox cart but they had four elderly and one child, using a donkey cart was much faster than walking. 

Jiang Gui lead the donkey in the front, Chen shi walking at his side. In the back was Wu City, their home. Chen shi walked some steps and then turned her head to take a look, with every look a tear fell down. When they left, they did not bring anything, it was all left in the house. They fled with nothing, although their life was guaranteed but Chen shi knew that with no money or food, in such a large world where could they go? 

“We go to my sworn brother’s place.” Jiang Gui saw his wife’s worries and said, “My sworn brother has land in the countryside.” 

Chen shi was a bit hesitant: “We suddenly show up, I’m afraid……” 

Jiang Gui knew what his wife was afraid of, afraid that Lin Yuan would be unwilling to take them in, after all in these times, taking in more people would mean more mouths to feed. Besides, they were sworn brothers and not blood brothers. And anyways, even with blood brothers there was possibilty of strife. 

“Still……we must try.” Jiang Gui was also unsure.

They dared not walk the main roads, only the small paths. Once they heard the sounds of people, they would hide in the trees. 

Nobody knew how Wu City had turned out, Jiang Gui also dared not think of it. “A fire has started.” Chen shi looked at the direction of Wu City where billowing smoke was filling the sky.

Jiang Gui: “Don’t look, let’s go.” 

Wu City was finished, Jiang Gui thought privately. 

Lin Yuan was surprised when he saw Jiang Gui. He knew Wu City would be in an upheaval, but he did not think it would be this serious. Jiang Gui practically described the place as hell on earth. Lin Yuan immediately consoled: “Third brother, you just stay with no worries.”

The Jiang family was settled in the employee dormitories. The beds were all made by the artisans and had upper and lower bunks. Six people could live in one room and there were chairs and stools. But they could not cook or boil water which must be done outside. 

“Brother Jiang.” Lin Yuan visited Jiang Gui in the evening, “in a few days come with me to the nearest village, we must buy some storage grains back.” 

Jiang Gui sat on the floor. He had already recovered his spirit and nodded in agreement.  

Jiang Gui was clear that even if he and Lin Yuan were sworn brothers he could not take advantage and must do some things to prove he was not a rice bucket. 

Currently, Li Congrong and Yang Zi’an must farm and the oil plant was still extracting oil. But the oil would no longer be used to sell but used by themselves. They would stop when they stocked up enough and the 20 people doing the extracting would then take up hoes and farm the land. 

Yang Zi’an and Li Congrong did not say anything when they heard about Wu City. 

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The news could not be kept under wraps so very soon everyone also knew what happened in Wu City. 

When working, everyone was silent and more strength was used. No one slacked off.

Sometimes, one extra grain might mean a bit more chance to survive.

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