nycdaug Chapter 38 Worry
Chapter 38 Worry
When Uncle He heard that Yunyi was leaving, he hurriedly tried to persuade her to stay, but Yunyi really couldn't afford to delay any longer. If she didn't go back soon, those kids would probably think she had run away. They had finally managed to change their opinion of her a little bit, and she couldn't let all her efforts go to waste.
Uncle He was a man of good manners. When he saw that Yunyi was determined to leave, he asked the shop assistant to go out and hire a donkey cart.
Horses were very precious in this era; not everyone could buy or afford to keep them.
Even if we could afford to buy and raise them, there's nowhere to buy them; the better horses are all for military use.
Sometimes, if someone is seen riding a horse on the street, the officials might approach and inquire about it.
Therefore, the streets were full of oxcarts, mule carts, and donkey carts.
To avoid trouble, Uncle He hired a donkey cart directly.
Yunyi did not refuse. After giving Lin Yanran some instructions, she got on the donkey cart.
Even if we set off before dawn, we probably wouldn't arrive in Carp Town until noon, and we wouldn't get home until the afternoon.
Of course, with the convenient conditions, Yunyi wouldn't just ride back empty-handed in the donkey cart. She asked the driver to take her around Qingshui Town and found that the prices there were a bit cheaper than in Liyu Town, and there was a wider variety of goods. So, she bought a cartload of things before setting off.
Because this area borders Longxi Prefecture, it only took a little over an hour to see the boundary marker of Longxi Prefecture. Crossing the marker meant entering the territory of Longxi Prefecture.
"Girl, we've been walking for almost two hours. Shall we find a place to rest? At least let the donkey have some water," the coachman asked Yunyi for her opinion.
“Okay.” Yunyi naturally wouldn’t refuse. After all, in such hot weather, even a person would be exhausted after walking for two hours straight, let alone a donkey.
The driver stopped at a shady spot by the river.
"There's not much water in this river," Yunyi said, frowning slightly as she looked at the riverbed that was only partially exposed.
"Sigh." Old Zhou, the driver, sighed. "We've been short of water all year round here. In previous years, we would get a few rain showers in March and April, and also in mid-to-late May and June. Although sometimes the rain wasn't heavy, it was enough to alleviate the drought. But this year, we only had one rain shower in March, and it hasn't rained since April."
Although drought is beneficial for the summer harvest, if it continues to be dry, there will be a drought, and the autumn harvest will be in jeopardy.
Yunyi also looked up at the sky, her mood becoming somewhat heavy. If it really didn't rain, the autumn harvest would be poor, and the people would have a very difficult time.
However, compared to other places, Xiajiazhuang has no shortage of water, but unfortunately, the land there is not good for growing crops, which is the point of contention.
“In the past, with General Gu guarding Tianyang Pass, even if there was a drought, everyone could get through it by working hard. But now…” Old Zhou sighed again, took out his pipe and puffed on it, his face full of worry about the future.
"Shouldn't the imperial court send someone to replace General Gu?"
"It's that Marquis of Zhenbei, I guess. He's just here to make an appearance." Old Zhou curled his lip.
"How to say?"
“When General Gu was guarding Tianyang Pass, the people of Northern Liang were a bit arrogant at first, but later they got scared of the north and took the initiative to propose trade. Back then, the people’s lives were truly peaceful. It’s a pity that since General Gu and his wife died in battle, the court sent a Marquis of Zhenbei, and it’s only been a little over a year, and Northern Liang has started to act recklessly again.” Old Zhou shook his head and put away his pipe. “Maybe war will break out this year.”
Just then, a group of people walked along the main road. Judging from their clothing, they were escorts carrying prisoners.
The prisoners were all wearing handcuffs and shackles. They had walked for an unknown amount of time, and they were all exhausted, weak, and swaying precariously, on the verge of collapsing at any moment.
Although the escorts were also weary from their journey, they were full of energy because they had eaten well, and some of them would even crack their whips a couple of times if they were walking slowly.
These people were heading towards Longxi Prefecture; they were probably going to be sent to Heicheng.
Yunyi glanced at it and then looked away, took a sip of water, and swallowed the steamed bun in her hand.
By this time, the donkey pulling the cart had eaten and drunk its fill, and Old Zhou even groomed its fur before preparing to set off.
Just as Yunyi was about to get on the bus, a commotion suddenly broke out in the line ahead; someone had fainted.
"Get out of here, or else..." The escort was very dissatisfied and shouted, brandishing his whip, "The whip will not show any mercy."
However, the whip was caught halfway through.
"My grandfather is old and has fainted. How can he get here?" a young boy's voice came. "Don't forget, my grandfather is a scholar. If something really happens to him, can you take responsibility?"
"You..." The escort who was about to hit them glared, but was pulled back by another escort next to him. After muttering a few words, he finally stopped making things difficult for them and walked to the side, giving them time to rescue them.
However, in such an environment, without medicine or doctors, one can only endure the illness. Young people can manage, but the old man who fainted is over sixty years old. How can he endure it?
"Dad, wake up..." a woman's crying voice came, "Is there a doctor? Help!"
Yunyi couldn't stand by and watch someone die, so she immediately tried to step forward, but was stopped by Lao Zhou.
“Girl, those are exiled prisoners, they've all committed crimes, you…”
“I’m a doctor, I can’t just stand by and watch someone die,” Yunyi smiled. “Don’t worry, nothing will happen.” She then took out a handkerchief and covered her face before walking over.
"I am a doctor, please make way."
Upon hearing this, those who had been surrounding the old man quickly made way.
The guards looked over and, seeing it was a young girl, didn't stop her.
Yunyi checked the unconscious old man, and without saying much, she hurriedly took out silver needles, first bleeding his ten fingers, and then performing acupuncture on acupoints such as Neiguan and Laogong.
Then he took out a piece of candy from his purse, asked Old Zhou to get a bowl and fill it with water, put the candy in it, and after it melted, fed it to the old man little by little.
"Young lady, how is my grandfather?" The young man, who had been speaking so righteously just moments before, now looked at Yunyi with earnest concern.
"The fainting was caused by palpitations." Yunyi glanced at him. "Fortunately, it was discovered in time." Actually, low blood sugar could also be a factor.
At this moment, the old man let out a cry and then slightly opened his eyes.
"Dad, how are you?" The man and woman beside him rushed over.
"Thank you, young lady." Xiao Taiping then looked at Yun Yi, "May I ask how to address you? If..."