Chapter 6: How to Support Them

Some people travel through time with impressive skills. They are science and engineering men, scientific emperors, and as soon as they land, they start mining coal, extracting minerals, smelting steel, manufacturing machine guns, cannons, tanks, and warships, almost even building spaceships. As for myself? I am a liberal arts man, and when my computer breaks down, I can only feel anxious; it takes me half a day just to plan changing a light bulb. This path is also not feasible.

"Defeat has indeed occurred, but not so many have died." Guan Zhuofan understood why his sister-in-law and Tubo were so excited to see him—apparently, they were relieved that he had escaped with his life. "Over three thousand have fallen, and the Mongolian soldiers under the Prince of Monks suffered even more casualties. The Imperial and Green Camps combined have lost only about one thousand foreign troops." Suddenly recalling something, he tentatively said, "By the way, Ma Eqi has fallen."

Ah! Sister-in-law exclaimed, covering her mouth, "What does this mean... His child is only three years old, and in the future, they will be a widow and an orphan. Alas, it is difficult." Her eyes slowly turned red. Guan Zhuofan observed her reaction and realized that this Ma Eqi was not only a friend but also seemed to have a connection between their families. He thought that he should take some time in the future to visit and see if there was anything he could do to help.

Just as he was thinking this, a little girl suddenly jumped in from outside the hall. She was of a young age, with two small braids on her head, delicate and adorable. Upon seeing Guan Zhuofan, she smiled and ran towards him

Guan Zhuofan, in his own room at the West Chamber, thoroughly washed himself with the well water brought by Tubo, changed into a clean gown, and lay down on the kang, comfortably letting out a sigh of relief

While exclaiming "great joy," he pulled the attendant and bent over to exit.

Having come to this realization, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief in my heart

With a goal in place, how should it be achieved? He momentarily had no ideas related to the map or the book, so he decided to change his approach and first recall how others had become wealthy after their own journeys through time.

Sister-in-law Guan, it's not that I don't trust you, but as we approach the middle of August, shouldn't your family repay the six debts for rice? We are also running a small business, and with three festivals in a year, the principle of repaying debts applies everywhere, doesn't it

He had long been hungry, and with the thin rice porridge, he swept everything off the table, patted his belly, and was only about seventy percent full.

The person speaking loudly is a middle-aged man resembling a shop owner, broad and stout, with a strong voice

Boss Yang, however, did not dare to accept it—over a few hundred wen in copper coins, he had produced such a large ingot of silver, where could he possibly find it? He did not dare to look at Guan Zhuofan, stammered for a while, and could only force a bitter smile, saying: "This little amount of money, what is it worth? Let’s settle it together at the end of the year... Guan family’s sister-in-law, I am blinded by greed, you are magnanimous, and I believe you will not hold this against me... The third young master has returned, this is truly a great joy, a great joy..."

Otherwise, how about... ? ... clinging to a powerful figure? Choose a remarkable character from history, rush in to express unwavering loyalty, and from then on become a mere hair on their leg, living without worries. This does sound like a feasible path; however, in times of war, finding a stable leg to cling to is not an easy task. Moreover, once you find a suitable leg, can you hold on firmly? And if you do hold on, will you be knocked down by unforeseen changes? These are all questions to consider. It is important to understand that while the leg may be recorded in history, you are not. There is no guarantee for your future or your life, which means that clinging to a leg carries risks, and one must be cautious in doing so.

Without saying a word, this must be the child of the elder brother and sister-in-law. Although this sister-in-law appears to be just in her early twenties, women in this era married and gave birth early. Having a daughter around four or five years old is not unusual. He sighed inwardly, thinking: They really leave no room for opportunity. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the little girl call out cheerfully, "Third Brother," and she rushed into his arms.

The situation at home has been roughly understood. There is a beautiful sister-in-law, accompanied by a younger sister, an old steward named Tubo, a rough maid named Xiaofu, and himself, making a total of five people. Since he has returned, he is naturally the pillar of the family, and the first objective now is to ensure that these five people are well taken care of

"Do not look down on others with your dog eyes!" Guan Zhuofan said, his face flushed, pointing at Boss Yang, "It's better to leave yourself some room. It's just money, right? Tuber, give it to him!" After saying this, he placed the silver into Tuber's hands.

Tubor felt a weight in his hand, and upon closer inspection, he saw a silver ingot with a direct connection to the top, which was indeed a twenty-tael standard silver ingot. Instantly, he stood tall and confident, holding the silver, and approached Boss Yang, saying: "Boss Yang, take a look, this silver from my young master is genuine, right? Altogether, I owe you nine hundred and forty wen in cash, which converts to six taels and two fen in silver! This is twenty taels; please do me the favor of giving me the change."

Guan Zhuofan's knife and luggage were delivered to the west wing by the old butler, Tubo. Since he had not yet eaten, his beautiful sister-in-law, accompanied by a maid, set the table with food for him in the main hall, and then sat beside him to watch him eat. It was already past noon, so the food was all cold. He glanced at the table: a bowl of thin rice porridge, three steamed buns, and a few small dishes, but there was not a trace of meat to be seen

Although the sister-in-law did not complain to him, the situation at home was not good, as evidenced by the meal just served—he only made the decision to buy meat this time because he had returned and was feeling generous; otherwise, he would not have done so if it were not for the dire circumstances. As for the house, it might have been left by the father or the elder brother, and the conditions under which the father and elder brother lived in the past will gradually become clear in the future

Gu Bai, naturally, has the surname Bai, prefixed by her husband's surname. Bai's pretty face flushed bright red, leaving her speechless. After a long while, she lifted her head and said: "Fine, my family eats meat only once every two months, so you have a point. Please give me one more day; I will sell it tomorrow... sell it..."

Some people travel through time and space bringing with them rare treasures, such as mirrors, crystals, glass balls, artificial pearls, and so on. Just taking out a few of these can exchange for mountains of gold and silver. As for oneself? They arrive empty-handed, without even a single hair to their name. This path is not viable.

Third brother? So she is not my sister-in-law's daughter, but rather my own younger sister? Guan Zhuofan felt a bit dazed, thinking to himself that his late father was quite something, leaving behind such a young sister for him.

Guan Zhuofan could see the family's predicament and hurriedly said insincerely, "I am full, I am full." He stared blankly at her, thinking to himself: My elder brother is a jinx, unable to keep such a beautiful and virtuous wife, and he died first, what bad luck he has.

Zhuo Fan, what is this..." Bai looked at Guan Zhuo Fan in his official attire, both surprised and delighted, yet also fearful that he might harm Boss Yang, and hurriedly pulled him back.

Fortunately, I still possess a skill that can certainly provide me with a means of livelihood in this era. However, I have yet to decide whether to utilize this skill and when to do so. But there is no rush; after all, I have a backup plan. Guan Zhuofan understands that since he is a banner man, he is entitled to receive a monthly stipend. His sister-in-law, being a widow, should also receive a pension each month. Combined, these two sources of income should be sufficient to support the food and drink of five family members. But there is no rush; after all, I have a backup plan. Guan Zhuofan understands that since he is a banner man, he is entitled to receive a monthly stipend. His sister-in-law, being a widow, should also receive a pension each month. Combined, these two sources of income should be sufficient to support the food and drink of five family members.

"Yes, yes, yes, I have always been indebted to you, Boss Yang, and there is no reason not to repay. This is just to say that I will return half first, and for the other half, please extend it for another half month. Once the September payment is settled, I will send it to you." His sister-in-law was pleading in a low and humble tone.

... ...

Sister-in-law noticed that he was still unsatisfied, her face flushed, and she said: "Zhuo Fan, you didn't eat enough, did you? I'll have Xiao Fu go to the butcher to get a big piece of meat and cook it for you tonight. You people who wield knives and guns need to eat well; otherwise, you won't have the strength."

Sister-in-law spoke up: "Xiaoyun! Be a good girl and go out to play, your sister has important matters to discuss with your third brother."

Boss Yang thought that he could easily bully a widow from the Bai family, especially since it was only natural to collect debts during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Therefore, he spoke harshly, insisting that she repay the money. Little did he expect that this commotion would attract a seventh-rank military officer. His own words were too malicious, and he was in the wrong from the start. After being struck down by Guan Zhuofan's palm, he fell to the ground, struggling to get up, hunched over and covering his face, too afraid to make a sound

"What a load of nonsense!" Boss Yang said sarcastically, "What else do you have to sell? Unless you plan to sell yourself to..." Before he could finish his sentence, his expression suddenly changed. The arrogance he had just displayed faded, and he appeared somewhat subdued, his posture shrinking slightly. Mrs. Bai, who was so angry that tears were welling up in her eyes, followed his gaze and turned to look. She saw a young military officer approaching, dressed in a brand new rhinoceros-hide uniform, with a red-tasseled cap adorned with a plain gold top, and wearing a pair of swift boots. He strode over confidently and, without a word, spread his fingers wide and slapped Boss Yang across the face.

Some individuals who traverse time come equipped with exceptional skills, such as special forces, elite assassins, or martial arts heroes. Regardless of the era they find themselves in, they can dominate their surroundings, beheading generals amidst a million troops, achieving fame, and making everyone bow at their feet. As for myself, although I consider my skills in swordsmanship and horsemanship to be quite proficient, I fear I am still a far cry from the legendary masters. Thus, this path is not viable. Although I consider my skills in swordsmanship and horsemanship to be quite proficient, I fear I am still a far cry from the legendary masters. Thus, this path is not viable.

Why is it again "sister"? Guan Zhuofan was completely bewildered. After pondering for a while, he suddenly realized: this little girl is not his own sister, but rather his sister-in-law's sister

Since I cannot make up my mind for the moment, I might as well not think about it for now. I still have a silver ingot sent by Alhatu in my package, which I can give to my sister-in-law later to spend for a while. I just checked the almanac; today is the 8th day of the 8th month, and there are still 20 days until the Anglo-French forces enter the city, so I can take my time to ponder. As my mind relaxed, a sense of fatigue washed over me, and I unknowingly fell asleep. I had not slept long when, in a hazy state, I seemed to hear someone arguing in the courtyard. My heart stirred, and I jumped off the kang, opened the door a crack, and looked outside. As my mind relaxed, a sense of fatigue washed over me, and I unknowingly fell asleep. I had not slept long when, in a hazy state, I seemed to hear someone arguing in the courtyard. My heart stirred, and I jumped off the kang, opened the door a crack, and looked outside.

However, upon reflection, I find it rather amusing; isn't this just a way of living off others and waiting for death?

Boss Yang's expression turned sour as he shouted, "Guan Baishi, I see you as a widow, and I let you off, yet you pretend to be pitiful in front of me." He pointed at Xiao Fu, who was standing nearby, lost in thought while holding a piece of meat, and said, "What is the price of meat? What is the price of rice? You have no money to pay your debts, yet you have money to eat meat?"

His sister-in-law seemed accustomed to his demeanor and was not concerned. With a worried expression on her face, she quietly asked, "Zhuo Fan, it is said that the battle at Bali Bridge was a defeat, and that over ten thousand soldiers died. Is that true?"

... ...