Chapter 0006: Treading the Heavens

The servant is quite robust, with an unknown real name, going by the alias Wei Jianxiong. He has broad shoulders and a stout waist, a beard that covers his cheeks, carrying a book box on his back, and a thick iron rod horizontally strapped at his waist

Then the starving man said: "I do not believe it, open the bundle and take a look."

Although Wei Jianxiong is a servant, he speaks without courtesy, reminding: "Young Master, this is not the time for lamentation. We have exhausted our funds and must hurry to Jinghai County to visit friends and borrow money; otherwise, we will have no choice but to beg our way back to Yanshan. This journey is likely to be fraught with danger, so we must be cautious in all matters."

Thus, Jinghai County ceased operations, but the Jichong Level Post Station could not be dismantled, so the court had no choice but to relocate the Yangqingshui Post to Tianjin

Then go to Henan

The so-called able-bodied men are merely those who can still pick up a stick and fight desperately; the remaining starving people have long been too weak to walk. They hold various "weapons" in their hands, which can be used for combat and looting at critical moments, and can serve as walking sticks during the march.

After many days of famine, what meat is there to eat

A master and a servant emerged from the city of Tianjin

Although the South Wharf is not as bustling as the North Wharf, it is home to the "Extreme Charge Level" (the highest level) post station—Yang Qingshui Post.

Having experienced the events of the past few days, Zhao Han has long since adapted

At this moment, the other party had not reacted when the tip of the bamboo spear accurately pierced their throat with the scissors.

... ...

Understood, I will henceforth be called Zhenshanxiang

A bamboo pole, tied with a half pair of scissors, held in the hands of a child, poses no threat whatsoever

Second brother, I am cold

After several consecutive days of heavy rain, the water level of the canal has returned to normal, and the temporary wooden bridge has been dismantled. The starving people outside the canal find it difficult to cross, and they have gradually dispersed.

The siblings marched forward, and no one dared to obstruct them

Another day has passed

Elder brother, are we just going to let them pass? They must have valuables on them

The siblings squatted under the eaves eating, and the bookstore owner did not chase them away, only asking them not to stay too close to the door

But it is still cold

No one is allowed to enter or exit, and the two siblings are temporarily blocked from proceeding.

I have heard that Shandong also suffered from disasters last year

Be quiet, there is so much nonsense, anyway, there will be a place to go when the time comes

I can no longer stay in Tianjin; the temperature difference between day and night is already significant. If I delay my departure southward, I will surely suffer from ailments due to the cold after autumn arrives

After Zhao Han and his siblings walked far away, "Elder Brother" felt increasingly frustrated and said: "This life is unbearable. Not only are we bullied by the officials and soldiers, but now we are also intimidated by a child. We have no money to pay the summer grain tax upon returning home, and if we stay here, we will starve to death. We might as well band together and pull off a big job!"

Neglecting the plan to make money from storytelling, Zhao Han immediately prepared food

Zhao Hanhang is very cautious in his actions; every time he buys food, he does not patronize the same shop. However, he has still attracted attention, simply because he is a child who has been paying with small silver coins in the apothecary for several consecutive days

Fei Yinghuan closed her folding fan, effortlessly drew her scholar's sword, and continued on her way with composure and poise

Zhao Han stood by the moat, gazing at the situation of the disaster victims across the way, feeling that passage should be smooth.

Alas, regardless of the circumstances, I can still be considered a resolute man

The money stolen from the lord's house was immediately used up one-tenth of it

It is only the beginning of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, yet a sudden cold wave has unexpectedly arrived

Zhao Han plans to head to the South Wharf, traveling downstream along the Grand Canal.

The siblings headed straight towards the southeast of the city, where Tianjin Wei School and the Imperial Examination Hall are located, which is the place for students in Tianjin to study and take exams

Originally, I was to take the imperial examination in Beijing, but unexpectedly, not only did I fail to make the list, but I also found myself stranded in Tianjin on my way back home. Moreover, I inexplicably fell seriously ill, and all the money I had was spent on seeking medical treatment, leaving me now without even the funds to hire a boat.

It is crucial to act decisively! Are Brothers Zhang, Zhao, and Chen ready?

No," Zhao Han replied expressionlessly

The siblings walked among the countless famished people, with numerous numb or greedy gazes directed at them, to which he responded with a fierce glare

All is ready

The last group of disaster victims, indeed, lay flat outside the city of Tianjin, unable to move due to starvation, waiting for death.

"Brother, it's not worth exhausting yourself over this matter," advised a starving man.

Having selected three thousand strong men and brought along several hundred family members of these strong men, they marched grandly towards the south

Wei Jianxiong picked up the wrought iron rod and surveyed the surrounding famished people. Wherever his gaze fell, those with ulterior motives lowered their heads.

... ...

Tianjin is prosperous, and even a relay station can afford to sustain itself

In the middle of the night, the younger sister trembled in his arms, holding Zhao Han tightly to keep warm

The siblings' complexion has improved significantly; they can run and jump, no longer feeling tired after a short distance.

That night, I slept under the eaves of the bookstore

The famine-stricken man, referred to as "Big Brother," bared his teeth and grinned menacingly at Zhao Han, but ultimately stepped aside to clear the way

No matter how much the moral standards of society decline, scholars must maintain their dignity, and ruffians dare not act recklessly near the academy

The disaster victims are completely disorganized, setting up tents here and makeshift shelters there, with the vast majority living in the open air. If danger arises, it is sufficient to assert dominance by killing one or two; the rest will choose to retreat.

As they walked, three more starving individuals blocked their path

It is estimated to have antibacterial effects, and the swelling subsided within half a day. Unfortunately, Zhao Han always suffers from constipation; whenever he exerts himself, the wound bursts open. After several days of this ordeal, he ended up sending one or two taels of silver to the pharmacy.

Zhao Han removed the tattered cloth from the tip of the spear, holding the spear in one hand and his sister in the other, while carrying a backpack as he crossed the bridge and departed

The price of grain in Tianjin is becoming increasingly expensive. For instance, the price of steamed buns has risen by 30% in just a few days, which is certainly due to the grain merchants in Tianjin taking advantage of the situation

Unfortunately, no matter how fiercely the children behave, they ultimately lack the protection of adults

After the rainfall, many starving individuals chose to return to their hometowns, borrowing high-interest loans to purchase seeds for replanting food crops. However, upon returning to their registered residence, they encountered government officials demanding grain, forcing them to quickly pay their taxes. As a result, they could only choose to return to Tianjin to evade the tax collectors.

Zhao Zhenfang felt somewhat afraid, quickly grasping the hem of her garment and following closely in her footsteps.

In Henan, there was a drought two years ago, and a flood the year before that, causing many disaster victims to come to our village to beg for food

After the uprising, we cannot stay in North Zhili; we will march straight to Shandong. First, we will seize Yangliuqing Town, allowing everyone to have a hearty meal, and then we will attack Jinghai County. If we can fight, we will; if we cannot take it, we will retreat. North Zhili is experiencing a severe drought, and there is little grain; Shandong has more food.

The two individuals stepped over the moat, and the moment they crossed the bridge, they immediately became serious

Little did one know that after crossing the moat, it would be discovered that from Yangqingshui Post all the way to the South Wharf, and extending to the residential areas outside the city, soldiers were stationed everywhere

Money can be earned again, but one's health must be well taken care of

Hurry up

Half a day later, the consumption of the meat soup concluded

Having purchased some dry provisions, a few pounds of mixed grains, and a small amount of inferior quality salt, the siblings set out of the city together the following day

A few students from the卫 school came together, selected some items in the store, and left with their newly purchased books.

A thug approached, only to find that the target had vanished, infuriated, he stomped his feet and cursed.

The master is a scholar named Fei Yinghuan, approximately forty years of age. He is dressed in a Confucian robe, has a slender figure and a beautiful beard, holds a folding fan in his hand, and has a long sword hanging at his waist

A chorus of gasps erupted all around as the famished crowd, with their predatory gazes, swiftly avoided Zhao Han, this little harbinger of misfortune

"Little sister, hold onto second brother's clothes and don't walk too far behind," Zhao Han advised

Two li away from the South City Moat, several large vats have long been set up, and someone is shouting among the crowd of starving people: "The meat is finally here, hurry up and go eat!"

After advancing for several hundred steps, I saw Zhao Han carrying items, and his backpack was bulging. One after another, dozens of starving people surrounded him.

Zhao Han was also awakened by the cold, and could not help but curse: "This cursed weather, it simply leaves no way for the poor to survive"

Without crutches, these individuals find it difficult to even walk

Zhao Han has already stirred the wings of a butterfly, and in the first year of the Chongzhen era, a bandit leader named Ta Potian has inexplicably emerged in North Zhili.

The ointment is quite effective, but it is a bit expensive, costing three qian of silver per spoon

The starving people immediately stepped forward, completely disregarding Zhao Han.

The two pieces of silk clothing for children that were taken from the marquis's residence, Zhao Han had always been reluctant to wear. At this moment, however, he could not afford to hesitate and hurriedly had his younger sister put them on to keep warm

Zhao Han coldly smiled as he brandished his weapon, the scissors at the tip of the bamboo spear still dripping with blood, creating a standoff with the three individuals.

He suddenly had an idea; perhaps he could make money by telling stories, and he could freely concoct tales of fantasy and martial arts.

Blood gushed out, the target collapsed with a thud, and disbelief filled their eyes

Remember, from now on, do not call me by my real name, lest one day the court digs up my ancestors' graves. I am called Tapo Tian

As they drew closer to each other, Zhao Han suddenly thrust his spear forward.

Decades ago, Yangqingshui Post was located further south in Yangliuqing Town, relying on financial allocations from Jinghai County to sustain itself

I know, what bad luck!" Fei Yinghuan said with a look of helplessness

Until she passed through the area of starving people, Fei Yinghuan finally sheathed her sword, turned around, and looked back at the countless corpses on the ground, sighing with compassion: "When the nation flourishes, the people suffer; when the nation perishes, the people suffer. Alas, the ancients truly do not deceive me"

Opposite Wei School, there is a bookstore

The starving people had long suspected the truth, but on the brink of starvation, they could not afford to think too much. In fact, many of the starving individuals secretly consumed meat, though it was not openly acknowledged.

A few days later, the starving populace, unable to breach the defensive line, began to disperse in groups.

However, the number of starving people in the western and southern parts of the city seems to be increasing, with only a moat standing in their way

... ...

Heaven shows mercy, two malnourished children, after being drenched in a heavy rain, surprisingly did not fall ill, which can be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune

Zhao Hanting advanced with his spear, always ready to kill and establish his authority; in this chaotic world, there is no room for even the slightest compassion of a woman

Where are there only three? It is in the thousands and tens of thousands!

There are indeed too many officials passing through the relay stations, regardless of whether they have official business, they display their official badges to enjoy free meals and accommodations, and they are also served with fine wine and delicacies

After more than half a month of ample food and rest, although his strength is still not great, Zhao Han's speed has improved compared to before

Zhao Zhengfang lowered her head to look at the wounds of the deceased, the blood-soaked scene instilling a sense of fear in her, as her small hand tightly clutched her second brother's clothing while moving forward

A mere post station has unexpectedly become the largest fixed fiscal expenditure in Jinghai County

Zhao Han did not spare any expense, alternating daily between purchasing meat-filled buns and vegetable buns to eat

Zhao Han has never practiced traditional martial arts and does not know how to use a spear, but he is quite skilled in bayonet techniques

A portion chose to leave and seek a living by begging in the rural countryside.

Two robust disaster victims, staring at the retreating figures of the two individuals, began to whisper to each other

To the southeast of Tianjin City, there is also a South Wharf

Tianjin Beima Dock is located in the northeast of the city

Just the three of us

Zhao Han took his younger sister's hand and, at the street corner, suddenly quickened his pace, then dashed into another alley.

Apply to the affected area, feeling cool and refreshing, reminiscent of Mayinglong

Zhao Han sneered: "Come a little closer, and I will show you."

In the southern and western parts of Tianjin, over 50,000 starving people have gathered, causing the Tianjin officials to hastily dispatch troops to construct defensive lines

A somewhat robust famine victim stepped forward and asked with ill intentions, "Did you bring any food from the city?"

The summer grain tax must be settled before September. The officials in Northern Zhili are pressing urgently, and the local county officials can only grit their teeth and collect the taxes.

Gradually, the alertness began to relax; those outside could not enter, but those inside were allowed to go out

This is the late Ming Dynasty, not a peaceful China of the 21st century

Fei Yinghuan, a descendant of a prestigious family, is not as financially well-off as Zhao Han

The siblings could only huddle together, curled up under the eaves, managing to endure until dawn

Zhao Han secretly glanced over, and all the students had novels in their hands

Some choose to stubbornly hold on, believing that as long as they can drag it out until September, after the summer grain collection period, they will not fear the authorities upon returning home. The overdue taxes will then become "accounting arrears." In two or three years, for the convenience of collecting the new taxes for the following year, the emperor will naturally issue an edict to "erase the arrears."

It is akin to the predation of tigers and leopards; whenever there is a possibility of injury, they will choose to change their target