Master Liu came to Guo Mansion under the scorching sun. Before he sat down to drink a glass of ice water, a servant came to invite him, saying that Guo Juren had invited him to the study to discuss something.
Master Liu was a little strange. In the past few years since he came to Guo Mansion to teach boxing, Guo Juren didn't see him often except during holidays.
Both father and son of the Guo family were present in the study, and they sat down after greeting each other.
"Quin Zi's martial arts has improved very quickly, thanks to Master Liu's careful teaching." Father Guo said a few polite words before getting down to the topic.
Guo Juren said: "Since last summer, there has been no rain all year round, and the crops have been harvested. The people's homes have no food left, and many people die of hunger. Summer has not yet entered this year, and the weather is already so hot. People nearby come to my Sheliang. Although my Guo family There is a little bit of food left over, but it can’t feed the whole town.”
"If I don't help the villagers, I'm afraid many people will starve to death. If I try my best to provide relief, I'm afraid the food reserves won't last too long. The imperial court has not provided disaster relief so far. As time goes by, there will be a civil unrest!"
Guo Juren calmed down and said: "Some time ago, news came from Linxian County that a strong man gathered thousands of refugees and occupied Lingniutoushan, calling himself the King of Troubled Times!"
"If the imperial court does not provide disaster relief, I am afraid that unrest is not far away. I was thinking of moving my family to the county town, but yesterday my son said that the refugees crossing the border range from thousands to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands. The low walls of the county town are really It’s hard to resist! I’m afraid only Long’an County can survive it safely.”
Master Liu recalled that a drought occurred in the West more than ten years ago, when he was less than ten years old.
In order to survive, the family sold their land at a low price and fled to the west. Parents and sisters starved to death one after another.
Later, the refugees who were fleeing from famine rose up in rebellion and dragged the young man into them. Along the way, they also conquered several towns and took advantage of many large households.
Later, the refugees were defeated by the county soldiers in the county town. The young Master Liu was also captured. Because he was young, he was not killed. He was captured by the government and sold in the slave market in the county town. If the Zhenyuan Escort Bureau had not bought him at that time, , I’m afraid I won’t be who I am now.
After so many years, Master Liu still has lingering fears every time he thinks about this.
Then he said: "Guo Huai is right. The refugees are all hungry people who dare to do anything! This drought is so serious and the scope is so large. I am afraid it is more serious than the turmoil in the West ten years ago! Stay here I’m afraid the county town is not safe either. The refugees there will definitely not be able to break through. The walls there are high and thick, and there are many martial arts masters there!”
Guo Ju pretended to be embarrassed and said: "Although the county town is good, it is too far away. It may not be easy for the whole family to move! If Master Liu is interested, our two families can move to the county town together, and there will be a family there. Take care of me. My Guo family doesn’t have anything else, but we still have some money. All the expenses for moving will be paid by our family!”
Master Liu heard this and said happily: "I have been thinking of moving recently, but I am suffering from too little money and savings, and I can't worry about these hundreds of acres of land. Mr. Guo has said so, and my family is willing to move to the county town with your house!"
Guo Juren saw that Master Liu was willing to cooperate, so he said: "Master Liu has lived in the county town for many years and is familiar with the place. I would like to ask Master Liu to go to the county town to make a front stop and bring money to buy a place in the county town. The house is also convenient for everyone to have a place to stay! ”
Master Liu made a calculation in his mind and said: "It's only the beginning of spring, and the people's homes can still hold on for a while, and I'm afraid there won't be chaos yet. I'll set off at 4:15 tomorrow morning. I'll ride for three hours every morning and afternoon, and I can cover 150 miles." , If this is the case, it will take less than ten days to reach Long'an County, and the arrangements will be made within three days, and it will take another ten days to return. A month will be enough for this round trip! "
Guo Juren was very satisfied with this, so he said: "Without further delay, Master Liu, sit down for a moment, I will ask my wife to prepare the banknotes, and we will set off tomorrow!"
After a while, Guo Juren took out a brown paper bag and took out a stack of banknotes. Said: "Here are thirty thousand taels of silver notes!"
He took out a box from the study and said, "There are five hundred taels of silver in it. Master Liu brought it with him to spend on the road!"
Master Liu was not polite, took the banknotes and money, and said I would go back and prepare, and set off early tomorrow morning!
