The affairs of the Ji family cannot be solved by hiding, and can be solved wherever they move.￠￡￡, Qi Younian asked Ji Xiaotang and his family to move to the Fucheng City and live with the Mu family, which was only convenient for protection. This kind of protection can only be done for a while, not for a lifetime.

"Xiaotang, if you want to go out to sea, I can help." After a while, Qi Younian suddenly said again.

Ji Xiaotang looked up at Qi Younian.

Qi You nodded gently young.

It is no secret that the Ji family invested in the merchant ships going to sea. Those people doubted their identities and naturally had another interpretation of their move.

Master Ji Er once said that when things were urgent, Master Ji San asked Master Ji to take her and Changsheng to sea. Master Ji Er did not say that the whole family would leave. On the one hand, he thought he really didn't want to leave, and on the other hand, he also understood that if the whole family would leave, no one would leave.

If Qi Younian was willing to help, things would certainly be different. However, they only replaced part of the Ji family who paid the price with Qi Younian.

Even with Qi Younian's help, the Ji family would not leave so easily.

"Ayou, I don't plan to go out to sea, so is my dad." Ji Xiaotang told Qi Younian.

"In this way..., if you stay, I don't know what will happen. Xiaotang, have you thought about it?"

"Well, I've thought about it." Ji Xiaotang nodded.

If Ji Xiaotang wants to stay, he will naturally do his best to help Ji Xiaotang. Seeing that Ji Xiaotang is determined, Qi Younian secretly made up his mind.

"...The royal family has been pursuing this matter for a long time. The fourth brother was underage and was entrusted with important tasks by the Emperor of the Great Bank. Now that the emperor ascended the throne, he has urged the fourth brother several times." Qi Younian looked at the side of the house, lowered his voice and said slowly.

Ji Xiaotang's eyes lit up. She knew that Qi Younian wanted to tell her everything he knew.

The so-called knowing oneself and knowing one's enemy is exactly what Ji Xiaotang needs most at present.

"The fourth brother has been chasing this matter for many years and has been quite effective. He has locked in several of the most suspicious families. Focus on investigations."

"Ayou, you mean, there is more than just one suspicious person?" Ji Xiaotang seemed to have grasped some key and immediately asked Qi Younian.

Qi Younian nodded.

"The remnants of Dayan are already very clear. Just among the Sha Polang. As for the descendants of the Song Dynasty royal family, the fourth brother has locked in three families." Qi Younian said softly again.

It turned out that the Ji family was not the only one who was targeted. This undoubtedly added new vitality to them. Ji Xiaotang's heart moved and then he was full of gratitude to Qi Younian.￠￡,

Qi Younian told her this, which was a huge concern.

"Ayou..." Ji Xiaotang shouted. However, at this moment, compared to Qi Younian's efforts, any words of gratitude seemed pale and powerless.

Ji Xiaotang didn't say anything, but Qi Younian's heart trembled. The more grateful Ji Xiaotang was to him, the more powerless he felt. The only thing he could help Ji Xiaotang was. He wanted to protect Ji Xiaotang and the Ji family, but he knew very well that he was actually powerless in this matter.

He could not protect Ji Xiaotang. This was the most heartbreaking understanding that made him feel.

It was precisely because of his understanding of this that he forced himself to bury his deep affection for Ji Xiaotang. Even when he knew Qin Zhen's intention, he tried his best to persuade Ji Xiaotang to accept Qin Zhen's gift.

In the world of Qin, only Prince Jing'an Qin Zhen can protect Ji Xiaotang and the Ji family.

"After years of investigation, the fourth brother seems to have determined your family." Finally, Qi Younian said again, "The fourth brother is deeply favored by the Emperor of the Great Shang Dynasty, and now he is highly appreciated and trusted by His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. He will investigate and give all the power of the Xie family to the fourth brother. The fourth brother's investigation went deep into Ren'an's mansion. I happened to be in Ren'an, and the fourth brother entrusted me some things."

In addition, the old Marquis had also participated in the investigation before, so Qi Younian knew so clearly.

"Ayou, the world of Qin is so big. It should not be a coincidence that you come to Ren An." Ji Xiaotang said softly.

"I think about it now, that's true." Qi Younian nodded.

"Also, Ayou, thank you for telling me these. These are very important to me."

"Xiaotang, don't thank me. I just hate myself for not protecting you. If these are useful to you, I can feel at ease." Qi Younian said in a deep voice.

What Qi Younian said is not only useful to her, it is simply very useful.

Qin Zhen was investigating the matters of Qi and Xie families. However, based on her observation of Qin Zhen’s words and actions, the Ji family’s life should be here.

While the two were talking in the flower hall, the sky suddenly became dark outside, and then the wind blew. Ji Xiaotang got up, walked to the flower window and looked out.

"The storm is coming and the wind fills the building." Ji Xiaotang said slowly.

The sky was covered with clouds, but there was no moist water vapor in the wind, so it was obvious that it would not rain. Qi Younian nodded. He understood that Ji Xiaotang was not talking about the current weather.

When the wind blew, it was not easy to stay in the flower hall. Ji Xiaotang and Qi Younian got up and came forward, and they were meeting Master Ji San. It turned out that a banquet had been prepared in front. Master Ji San came to invite Qi Younian to the table on the order of Master Ji Er. "≤,

"Ayou, you're making it easy for me to find." Master Ji San said with a smile, his eyes shining across Ji Xiaotang and Qi Younian's faces.

Qi Younian and Ji Xiaotang both avoided Master Ji San's gaze.

"Uncle, take Ayou to the front seat. I'll go with my grandmother." Ji Xiaotang said to Master Ji San.

"Oh... OK." Master Ji San nodded and agreed, and took Qi Younian forward.

...

Qi Younian left after a banquet at the Ji family and went straight to the county government to rest. This time, Qi Younian came here not only to escort Shen and celebrate Ji Xiaotang's birthday, but also had errands on him, and had to discuss some things with County Magistrate Xie, so he needed to live in the county government.

Of course Ji Xiaotang knew that Qi Younian had another important job.

When the lights were in hand, the Ji family gathered in Mrs. Ji'er's house and talked with Shen and others.

Master Ji Er first asked Mu Jiahao what the drought is in the surrounding area of ​​Ren'an City.

Mu Jiahao had seen the situation of the farms around Qingyuan on the road before. When talking about Ren'an's situation, he shook his head. There were generally severe droughts in all prefectures and counties in Ren'an Prefecture, among which the drought conditions in Qingyuan County were relatively mild.

The Mu family also has farms outside Ren'an City, as well as orchards and mountains in Mujiazhai Mountain.

"When wheat harvest was harvested, I only collected three or four tenths of the previous year. Now, depending on the situation, I am afraid that some fields will have no harvest. My father and I have calculated that if we can receive one tenth of the past, it is God who shows mercy." Mu Jiahao told Master Ji Er.

"Grandma and uncle, now there is enough food in the city. If you can't buy food, can the food in your home be enough?" Ji Xiaotang asked.

"I heard from your grandfather that there are still many grain stores in the city, but the prices have increased a lot." Shen said.

"The food stored in the family should be enough for next year." Zhang said quickly, and then said, "It's thanks to Xiaotang's reminder. The grain in the farm has been kept this year, and there is also an additional food stored in half a year."

The Mu family lives in Fucheng, and is used to saving food for only one month at home. After listening to Ji Xiaotang's advice, he only stored more food at home. As for other middle-aged and upper-class families in Fucheng, it is probably similar to the Mu family's habits.

These families don’t have enough food, so they can buy it, but they have to pay more money. What’s sad is that those poor families have no food in their homes and cannot afford the food from their shops because of the rising grain prices.

Once the grain shop cannot provide food, most people in the city will go hungry.

The same is true for the situation in rural areas outside the city.

Ji Xiaotang quickly calculated in his heart. Now it seems that the Mu family will not be hungry, but life will not be too easy.

"My grandfather, uncle and uncle don't have much salary, so there is no need to buy high-priced grain. My family has a lot of grain stored here, so I originally saved the share of my grandfather's family. This time, my uncle will take some with me when he returns, so he can save enough for the next year." Ji Xiaotang said.

This early arrangement was because considering that the Ren'an Mansion would be in chaos in the later period. The exchanges between Ren'an and Qingyuan would not be as convenient and safe as they are now. At the same time, she was also very worried that if she had a life, the Mu family would go hungry.

"Mom, just listen to Xiaotang. Just in case." Mrs. Ji Er was even more concerned about her parents' family. She was afraid that Shen would not accept it, so she hurriedly advised.

Shen was not a pretentious person. After hearing what his daughter and granddaughter said, he nodded.

When Zhang and Mu Family nodded, they were willing to do so when they saw Shen. The Mu Family and Ji Family were different. The Mu Family did not have much land, and most of the food usually had to be purchased. As for the fruits in the orchards, they could not be eaten as food. Moreover, this year's drought, the harvest of the orchards in the mountains was extremely bleak. On Ji Xiaotang's birthday, Shen took a lot of effort to collect a truck of good fruits and bring them to his granddaughter for his taste.

In previous years, not to mention one car, even five cars or ten cars would be very easy.

"Brother-in-law, then we won't be polite to you." Mu Jiahao clasped his fists to Master Ji Er.

"It's just my duty, just to fulfill my filial piety." Mr. Ji Er hurriedly said. Over the years, he felt very sorry for Mrs. Ji Er and the Mu family. He was very happy to be able to help the Mu family.

"This is great." Zhang also smiled, "My sister and brother-in-law don't know yet. The price of this food has risen, and the food is not better. Those with conscience are nothing but some old rice. There are also those without conscience. I don't know what is mixed in it, and where is it eaten by people."

"It's already reached this point?" Mrs. Ji Er asked.

"Someone has bought such food, but no one dares to bully us." Zhang replied, "This is the beginning. When the Chinese New Year is over and the green and yellow are not in line, I still don't know what it will be like."

Everyone in the room became silent. Everyone knew that Zhang's words were by no means exaggerated.

"Sister, brother-in-law," Mu Jiahao was silent for a while before speaking again, "We are not worried about our sister and brother-in-law. My father asked me to ask if my sister and brother-in-law could be able to make some food at that time. My father had some old brothers and colleagues in the army, and I was afraid that the food would not be available for assistance by then."

The Mu family is not worried about themselves, but the Mu family also has relatives and friends, tribe members in the Mu family village, and comrades in the army. The situation in these people's families is not as good as that in the Mu family, and they will definitely go hungry at that time.

"Okay." Master Ji Er thought for a moment and agreed happily.

"Uncle, you have estimated the number, so we have a clear idea." Ji Xiaotang reminded Mu Jiahao.

"This is not counted yet, because I don't know the situation here of my sister and brother-in-law, so I plan to ask first." Mu Jiahao touched his head and said with a silly smile.

"Let them estimate it when they go back, and then hit someone to tell me." Shen said, "You should take care of your own family first. Then everyone will keep starving to death, and just sign up."

The Shen family didn't know that the Ji family had started to stock up on grain for a long time, and they thought that although the Ji family had abundant fertile land and had enough self-sufficiency, there would not be too much surplus to take care of others.

"Don't worry, grandma, we have our own arrangements." Ji Xiaotang said.

"At this time, everyone will naturally help and watch. My Ji family will spare no effort to do what he can do." Master Ji Er said.

Shen nodded slightly with relief, thinking in his heart that Mu Hong would be very happy if he knew that Master Ji Er said this. As for Mu Jiahao and Mr. Zhang, they were all moved by Master Ji Er's words. Although Master Ji Er is a scholar, he is no different from the Mu family when it comes to being loyal and valuing feelings.

...

Autumn of the seventh year of Longqing

Following the floods in the south, there were generally severe droughts in the north, and there were mostly grains that had not been harvested and the people were in panic. In addition, the barbarians in the north were also affected by drought, so they were ready to move, which was quite like going south to rob.

The situation of internal and external difficulties in the Qin Dynasty has begun to emerge.

Ji Xiaotang's long-bodied bun was covered with a water-red cloak outside. He was walking hurriedly on the bluestone road surrounded by a few little girls. It was still late autumn, but it was as cold as it was in winter in previous years.

After passing through a moon gate, there was a study room in front. When the servant who served at the study door saw Ji Xiaotang coming, one of them quickly returned it, and the other two ran over to salute Ji Xiaotang.

"The girl is here, the second and third masters are waiting for the girl."

Ji Xiaotang nodded slightly and walked up the steps and walked into the study room surrounded by everyone.

The brazier was already gathered in the study room, and it was not cold. Master Ji Er and Master Ji San sat behind the desk, and the other was standing in front of the book. When they saw Ji Xiaotang coming, they both smiled on their faces.

"Xiaotang is here, sit down quickly." Master Ji San waved his hand and beat the maid who served and moved the chair to Ji Xiaotang himself.

"Everyone sit down and talk." Master Ji Er said.

Master Ji San could not sit still, but looking at Master Ji Er and Ji Xiaotang, they had to wait and sit in front of the desk with Ji Xiaotang.
Chapter completed!