Chapter Title: Chapter 72 Fright Night

Chapter Seventy-Two: A Night of Horror

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Chen couldn't help but be solemn and agreed. Twenty bottles of healing potion were filled. He took out two contracts from his bosom.

"This is what the young owner brought to Mrs. Lin under his explanation. The two copies of the Shaodong family were signed, and General Qin and General Hong were the witnesses, Lin Niangzi took a look, if there was no discrepancy, it could be signed! ”

Qiu Chen nodded, still took it over and read it carefully, confirming that the terms of the contract were agreed upon by her and Liao Wenqing yesterday, and there was no change, so she signed it very cooperatively, kept one for herself, and handed one to the shopkeeper Chen to Liao Wenqing to take back.

The contract is for a period of two years. Within two years, except for a few major festivals, or natural disasters that are beyond the power of manpower to resist the shutdown, the Lin family made 200 jars of healing medicine every ten years, and the Huichun Hall uniformly supplied medicinal raw materials, and the price was roughly agreed in the contract. Qiu Chen didn't know the bid yesterday, but the contract had been filled in at this time, and the price of each jar of healing medicine was thirty taels. Qiu Chen had calculated the cost before, and according to the price of medicinal materials supplied by the Rejuvenation Hall, plus labor and loss, the cost of each altar of healing medicine was a little more than eight taels. In addition, Qiu Chen's cost a little more than one or two for each jar of twenty 'insurance seeds', and the cost of one jar of healing medicine is almost exactly ten taels. Not counting transportation costs and operating costs, the gross profit for each jar of healing medicine sold is twenty taels!

Because Qiu Chen bore the labor costs and losses, the contract did not mention the operating costs and transportation costs. The profit paid to Qiu Chen in each altar is forty percent, eight taels!

This time, Shopkeeper Chen not only brought the contract over, but also advanced the first batch of 200 jars of healing medicine in advance, a total of 1,600 taels! It is also to prevent Qiu Chen from running out of money and not being able to make a full effort. Shopkeeper Chen also brought Liao Wenqing to say that the first profit was advanced in advance, and the rest of the profit could only be paid after Huichun Tang and the buyer settled the payment.

This is the normal settlement procedure for buying and selling, and Qiu Chen has no objections. Shopkeeper Chen also took the first month's 'Poria Paste' sales account book to Qiu Chen, a month, Poria Cocos Paste got a total net profit of 126 taels of 44 yuan, according to the contract, Qiu Chen should get 63 taels of money, in addition to her advance of 10 taels, there are 53 taels of silver, this time the shopkeeper Chen also brought over. In addition, there is also a period of time when the payment for Luo Bu Ma Tea is two hundred and forty-eight taels, which is different from the one thousand six hundred taels of silver tickets, which are all cash silver, put in a small bag, and handed over to Qiu Chen once.

After the accounts of these silver coins were explained, Shopkeeper Chen did not say goodbye as Qiu Chen expected, but picked up the teacup and drank the tea.

Qiu Chen guessed that there must be something wrong with him, and he didn't ask, but only smiled and carried the teapot: "Shopkeeper Chen, that cup of tea is already cold, let's change it!" ”

Hearing Qiu Chen say this, he couldn't help but put down the teacup, and watched Qiu Chen change the hot tea for him, and then smiled: "Mrs. Lin, I still have some personal matters I want to ask for, and I also ask Mrs. Lin to look at the next thin noodles, and consider more!" ”

Qiu Chen was puzzled in her heart, she really couldn't think of anything worth asking for by Shopkeeper Chen. Could it be that Shopkeeper Chen saw that it was easy for him to make money from pharmaceuticals, and he wanted to get involved? If this is the case, and she agrees, will she commit the taboo of the Rejuvenation Hall? It's been two months since she came here, Qiu Chen has touched all kinds of taboos many times, and she also knows that all walks of life in this era have their own industry rules, and it is nothing for her to give a little profit to the shopkeeper Chen, but she is afraid that she will violate the industry rules and affect her and the Huichun Hall, or the good cooperative relationship between her and the Liao family!

Unabashedly showing a hint of surprise, Qiu Chen smiled and said: "Shopkeeper Chen's words are too outward, I can take care of anything you have!" ”

"Then I will be cheeky and say......" Shopkeeper Chen said, beckoned him to bring the kid, and said to Qiu Chen, "Lin Niangzi, this kid is one of my brothers' children, his family is a family heirloom, just because that brother has experienced all kinds of thrills over the years, he vowed not to let his children and grandchildren continue to eat clothes and rice, so he begged to come to the next and find a suitable shop for this child as an apprentice." Thinking about it, there is really no proper place to go, so I can only be cheeky to ask Lin Niangzi to accept this child temporarily, if the child refuses to suffer or has other problems, Lin Niangzi can spit on the lower face, and never let Lin Niangzi be embarrassed. If so, Lin Niangzi saw that this child was still clever and could endure hardships, and begged Lin Niangzi to accept him and let him learn some crafts with him, so that he could eat without drying clothes in the future. ”

Qiu Chen listened silently, although the shopkeeper Chen said that the child's father had no idea of making clothes again, but after all, the clothes were also considered to be people in the yamen, no matter when, the people in the yamen had two sides, and they had all kinds of conveniences; If you offend, you may be able to get into a lot of trouble at any time!

To tell the truth, as soon as Qiu Chen heard that he was from the yamen, especially because the oral comment was quite poor, she had the heart to reject the child. didn't open his mouth for a while, but he was just thinking about how to open his mouth so as not to embarrass Shopkeeper Chen too much.

As soon as she was silent, the somewhat black and thin child suddenly knelt down towards Qiu Chen, and said prostrately: "This aunt, please accept the kid." I'll listen to my aunt and work hard! ”

Qiu Chen is not from this era, she can't stand kneeling and kneeling at every turn, she stretched out her hand to pull the child up, and her hands were thin and touched, so that she couldn't say the words of refusal again.

Frowning slightly, Qiu Chen finally felt a little unbearable, and asked, "How old are you this year?" What is your name? Did you go to school? ”

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Chen secretly relieved himself.

I heard the child say: "The kid's name is Zhao Chengfang, and everyone in the family calls him Chengzi." I am 10 years old. When I was six years old, I went to school for a year and knew a little bit of words. ”

Ten years old! is two years older than Junzhang, but no matter how big or heavy this child is, I'm afraid it's not as good as Junzhang, who is two years younger than him. Looking at the child again, although he was wearing a cyan linen jacket, the sleeves and trousers were obviously shorter, revealing a layer of purple-brown scabs on his wrists and ankles, which were actually caused by the healing of chilblains...... This child obviously has a father who is a catcher in clothes, no matter what, the child shouldn't even have no clothes, and it's not right to have frostbite on his hands and feet...... Looking at this situation, it is better to love children in the village and ordinary people!

Raising his eyes to look at Chengzi's thin and unpretentious little face, Qiu Chen groaned slightly, and then beckoned Junzhang Junyan and said, "You brothers go to boil water and make a bowl of oil tea to eat!" ”

He told him uneasily: "Be careful, don't burn!" ”

Junyan Junzhang agreed with a smile, and came over and pulled Chengzi into the house to make oil tea to eat.

Qiu Chen then sat back at the low table, looked at Shopkeeper Chen and asked directly, "Shopkeeper Chen, do you still have anything to say?" ”

"Huh?" Shopkeeper Chen was slightly stunned, and then blushed and clenched his fists and accused, "I hope that Mrs. Lin is not strange." Just in front of the child, I couldn't say some words. The child's father is a good county official, but the child died at the age of seven and a half, when he was eight years old, his father married a woman, the woman started, and the initial was fine, a year later the woman gave birth to a son, and gradually became cold to the child, although not to beat and scold, but always unable to take care of food and clothing. Now the woman gave birth to another son, and the child was left unattended. His father was making clothes, and he had to go out for ten days and half a month at every turn, but he couldn't rest assured, and he couldn't control the woman, so he asked me to find a place for the child to eat...... Alas! This kid is very pitiful, and after considering a few places, it is not very appropriate, but he still thinks that Lin Niangzi is kind and generous, so he brought him over. Lin Niangzi doesn't have to pay for it, just give him a full bite to eat, and it's good! ”

Qiu Chen just looked at the child's appearance, and always felt that Shopkeeper Chen had something to hide, but he didn't expect this to be the case. With such a background, I really can't bear not to accept him.

secretly scolded Chengzi's father in his heart for being hateful, Qiu Chen could only sigh and agree, but the premise was to sign a living deed for Chengzi. The so-called living deed is similar to the modern employment contract, but it is stricter than the employment contract.

Although the shopkeeper Chen accepted the commission of Chengzi's father, he was a little afraid to accept this condition. I don't know if the Chengzi has been paying attention to this side, seeing that the shopkeeper Chen was indecisive, the child hurriedly ran over again and knelt down in front of Qiu Chen: "Auntie, I am willing to sign the living deed!" ”

Well, the child is willing to do it himself, and Shopkeeper Chen doesn't have to be afraid to take responsibility.

So, Qiu Chen brought a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and the shopkeeper Chen wrote a contract, and asked Chengzi to sign it with his handprint, and the shopkeeper Chen was a witness and also signed and pressed his handprint. In the next five years, Chengzi will be regarded as the Lin family.

Qiu Chen took out five taels of silver and handed it to Chengzi: "This is your deed silver." You're done! ”

Chengzi shook his head and said, "I didn't spend any money, so I asked my aunt to save it for me." ”

Qiu Chen thought about it, nodded in response, and put away the five taels of silver. He also beckoned Junzhang Junyan: "You go and find him a set of well-fitting clothes and pants, and then boil water for him to take a bath and wash his hair." Tonight, let him sleep with you on a kang! ”

Junzhang Junyan is honest and simple, and Chengzi is very sensible and well-behaved, so he is naturally willing to have multiple partners. happily pulled Chengzi and said to Qiu Chen: "Auntie, let's eat oil tea first, and then give him a bath!" ”

Qiu Chen waved his hand: "Go, go, go!" ”

Chengzi was dragged by Junyan Junzhang and walked a few steps, stopped again, returned to the shopkeeper Chen, knelt down and kowtowed to the shopkeeper Chen, and said, "Uncle Chen, thank you for your hard work for your nephew." I also asked Uncle Chen to see my father and say, I am very good here, so that he doesn't have to worry about it! ”

When he said this, Shopkeeper Chen couldn't hold it anymore, blinked his eyes vigorously, forced himself to prevent tears from flowing out, and said with a slight choked voice: "Don't worry, I will tell your father well." Your aunt is a kind and generous person, but you also need to have a good eye and work hard......"

Chengzi nodded in response: "Don't worry, uncle, my nephew has written it down!" ”

Shopkeeper Chen waved his hand and said, "Go!" ”

Chengzi kowtowed to Shopkeeper Chen again, and then followed Junzhang Junyan.

Watching Chengzi follow Junyan Junzhang and Afu Aman into the house, Shopkeeper Chen turned his face sideways, wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, sniffed, and then got up and bowed to Qiu Chen and said, "This time it's cheeky, which makes Lin Niangzi embarrassed!" In the future, this child Lin Niangzi will be here, so Lin Niangzi will have to worry a lot! ”

Qiu Chen naturally didn't accept his courtesy, got up to avoid it, and returned the blessing again, and then said: "Shopkeeper Chen, this child is here, don't dare to say it, but it's okay to be well fed and clothed." Further, if this child could listen to the teachings, I would see something wrong and say something about it. ”

She didn't know that Shopkeeper Chen saluted her at this time, thanking her for it, mainly entrusting her, hoping that Qiu Chen would treat her well and not be too harsh. In the future, as long as Shopkeeper Chen does not leave the Rejuvenation Hall, she will have more time to deal with Shopkeeper Chen, so she will not beat around the bush and directly say what she can promise. As for whether he succeeds or not, and how much he learns, it depends on whether the child becomes a talent or not.

Shopkeeper Chen said: "That's nature. But if there is a mistake, Lin Niangzi doesn't have to scruple, she should be beaten and scolded. ”

Private affairs, whether to say or not to say are all over, and the shopkeeper Chen will not stay longer and leave. Before leaving, Qiu Chen called Chengzi out and asked Chengzi to send the shopkeeper Chen for a ride. She only got to the door, then turned back, put away the two deeds and silver tickets, and went to the backyard to continue frying Luo Buma. If there is anything to say in front of her, it is not easy to say, and I will also give a chance to let the shopkeeper Chen talk to Chengzi.

Qiu Chen almost finished frying Luo Buma, Chengzi changed into a cyan muslin shirt and pants, and followed Junzhang Junyan to the backyard with wet hair.

Seeing that Junyan Junzhang led in a black and thin child, Lan Ying opened her mouth and smiled: "Whose little brother is this?" This looks very handsome, but it's too thin! ”

Qiu Chen smiled: "This is our family just recruited a small worker, called Chengzi!" He also called: "Chengzi, this is your Aunt Lan Ying, Aunt Qingshan and Uncle Qinghe!" ”

Chengzi immediately called someone, and Lan Ying and the three of them responded with a smile. Chengzi automatically squatted in front of the stove to light a fire for Qiu Chen and Lan Ying.

Junzhang Junyan saw that he couldn't help here, so he said to Qiu Chen, took the basket and sickle, and took Afu Aman to mow the grass.

Qiu Chen didn't say anything else, but only said, "Small fire, evenly!" ”

Unexpectedly, Qiu Chen didn't take it seriously, and he came up to point him out, Chengzi was overjoyed in his heart, but his subordinates carefully controlled the fire in the stove. Well, he has been doing a lot of cooking work at home in the past few years, and it is still very easy to take care of the two stoves.

With Chengzi burning the fire, Qiu Chen and Lan Ying didn't have to be distracted, they concentrated on frying the medicine, and the speed was naturally a lot, and it didn't take long for Luo Buma to finish frying.

Chengzi helped to turn the bamboo basket again, and Qiu Chen asked him to help the Qingshan family and Qinghe's family, and put it aside and poured it into the basket.

Looking at the sky, the sun had set, and Qiu Chen couldn't help but think about Junwen Junshu. At this time, the two children should have passed Chengjiadian, almost to Qingshui Town, right?

Thinking about it like this, Qiu Chen went back to his room and took out an old quilt and an old pillow that had been replaced and dismantled. Prepare to use it for Naruko at night. Then, start making dinner.

Thinking that Junwen Junshu must be tired after running for a day, he is ready to do something good at night.

After thinking about it, Qiu Chen took out the few remaining hams, sliced the meat, cut the bones into sections, and added bamboo grates to the top of the stew pot to heat the steamed buns, and in the other pot, boiled a pot of rice porridge.

It just so happened that when Yuxiang came over at noon, he brought a basket of tender thorny sprouts, Qiu Chen took them out and picked them, washed them, put half of them in eggs and scrambled them, and put the other half in the ham to make them fresh and greasy. I also fried cabbage with bacon meat, fried shredded radish with shrimp skin, and cut a small pot of pickles and mixed them with sesame oil -- the ham is limited, and the young and strong people who dig the pond outside have a large amount of rice, and it is not enough to eat two more dishes.

The four dishes and one soup were ready, and the sky was a little numb and dark, and Liu Zhanxiang and the three of them said goodbye and left. Lan Ying and the three of them cleaned up Luo Buma in the back, and they all came over to help clean up the food, set up the tables, chairs, and chopsticks, Qiu Chen asked them to piggyback and watch the fire in the stove, and beckoned the young people who were digging the pond to eat, and she went out to the village to greet her.

Out of the gate, Qiu Chen beckoned Erkui and Qingshan, asked them to take the young men to rest, go back to dinner, and go straight over the pond that had been dug for more than half of the pond and walked towards the entrance of the village.

It turned out that it was someone else waiting for her, but this time she was here waiting for her family to return, only to know that waiting was so uncomfortable, as the sky became darker and darker, her heart became more and more anxious, as if every minute passed very slowly. Looking at the road leading to the outside of the village in the gradually submerged darkness, Qiu Chen hated to turn into clairvoyance, and suddenly saw the situation of Junwen Junshu. I also deeply hate the inconvenience of communication and transportation in this era, if it is modern, but only a few dozen miles away, why go back and forth in a day, and why is it anxious and worried here, but there is no way to contact.

The sound of footsteps came from behind him.

Lin Xu, Junyan Junzhang and Afu Aman all came over, followed by a torch Chengzi.

Seeing the hula hula burning torches, Qiu Chen hated to pat himself on the head, the last time he went to the county seat, he always thought that there was something to do, sure enough, she forgot to buy two lanterns, what is convenient to go out, in the future, the yard will be bigger, and the yard will hang a lamp, otherwise it will be black and rumbling everywhere you go, and you are afraid of falling into the pit when you go to the toilet.

Annoyed, Qiu Chen took Aman in Lin Xu's arms, patted him in his arms, and asked Lin Xu again: "Why are you all here?" All the people in the family have dinner? ”

There are nearly two thousand taels of silver in the house, in case you don't pay attention and happen to be touched by a thief, then you don't feel distressed to death!

This is a large amount of income after she arrived at this shijie!

Lin Xu said: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, when we went out, Sister Lan Ying greeted her, and Brother Manchu also went over to take a thousand friends, and we said hello." ”

"Oh, that's good!" Qiu Chen was relieved this time. The others are okay, and she already trusts Lan Ying and his wife very much.

With someone by his side, talking, although he was still anxious, he felt much better, and time was not so difficult, and finally, after the sun did not go away after the sky, and the moon rose again, the sound of horses' hooves was faintly heard on the dark dirt road.

Junyan jumped up as soon as he could, rushed towards the road, and shouted as he ran: "Big brother, second brother......"

Junzhang was about to catch up, but was grabbed by Qiu Chen: "Don't run up, it's dark, what if I can't see you, what should I do?!" ”

As he spoke, Qiu Chen had already stuffed Aman to Lin Xu, raised his legs and strode desperately, chasing Junyan and running.

Although the sky was clear and the moonlight was almost full, the faint moonlight was still too light in the wild, the bushes on both sides were black, and the small figure of Junyan disappeared from Qiu Chen's sight after a few moments.

At this moment, a thin cloud obscured the moonlight, making the night pitch black.

Qiu Chen was anxious in his heart, although Junyan shouted loudly, but what if? It's so dark!

After running a few steps, Qiu Chen heard that something was wrong, the faint sound of horses' hooves was getting closer and closer, and it became clearer and clearer, so that she could hear clearly, the sound of horses' hooves was definitely not something that a horse could step out, although she couldn't hear the sound to identify the number of horses, but she could be sure that it was not just Junwen Junshu driving the carriage...... Or, it's not like they're waiting for Junwen Junshu at all!

Somehow, Qiu Chen suddenly remembered what Hong Zhanpeng, the county seat, said that day--"...... Rong people buckle the edge"!

Since Anping County has been put on guard, is it possible that Liujiaao, still fifty or sixty miles north of Anping, will be plundered by the Rong people?

This thought popped up all of a sudden, rushing into his brain, and Ren Qiu Chen boasted that he was calm and rational, how could he not calm himself down at this time. Her heart was beating wildly, and her whole brain was frantically changing the bloody clips she saw in history books, TV series, and movies, but she couldn't calm down and find a way to deal with it.

If it is home, she may still calmly look for a way to escape and hide in the mountains; Or you can hide the children in a few large vats at home...... But now, all around him is a long wilderness, and there is no hiding place except for a few low shrubs that have just sprouted.

They are a big family, and a woman leads a large group of children, running, can't run! Hide, nowhere to hide!

was afraid and anxious in his heart, but Qiu Chen didn't stop running, but suddenly increased his speed because he guessed about the comers, and was worried about Junyan's safety.

In front of the village is a striking tree with a crooked big willow tree, and after this big willow tree is directly connected to the official road of Qingshui Town. Qiu Chen could already clearly hear the slightly dull sound of the horse's hooves on the dirt road, and it was obvious that those who came on horseback had already come to the front.

At this moment, Qiu Chen was overjoyed in her heart, because she saw Junyan. Although this kid ran out to greet his brothers on the spur of the moment, after all, he had been waiting for horses with his family since he was a child, and he didn't pay attention to the initial impulse and joy, and when he arrived here, Qiu Chen could hear that the number of horses was wrong, and Junyan could naturally hear it. The boy was very disappointed and a little unwilling, so he stopped under the big willow tree, waited for someone to come, and still held a glimmer of hope, his two brothers drove the carriage, and also returned to the sound of horses' hooves.

Qiu Chen's heart was relieved, he didn't think much about it, he stretched out his hand and pulled Junyan, and ran back. Over there, Lin Xu is still leading four children! Nariko is still carrying a torch...... In the dark of night, the firelight will undoubtedly attract attention

That kid was still not happy, but Qiu Chen's strength was so great at this moment, it was not that he could break away at all, so he sensed that something was wrong, and ran back with Qiu Chen in a daze.

At this moment, Qiu Chen really 'hated to give birth to wings', so that she could fly home with the children with a whoosh, and escape from the sound of horses' hooves getting closer and closer behind her.

Fortunately, Jun Yan didn't run far just now, Qiu Chen pulled him to run fifty or sixty meters, bypassing a dense bush, and saw the torch emitting firelight.

Seeing Junyan obediently running away, Qiu Chen let go of his hand and commanded in a low voice: "Don't ask Weishenme, pull Junzhang to hide in the trees!" No matter what happens, I don't call you, don't come out! Don't make a noise, too! ”

Jun Yan didn't know why, but he also realized that he couldn't ask the reason at this time, and ran over with Qiu Chen, Lin Xu didn't know why, and he was a little surprised to see the two of them running back. Jun Yan didn't say a word, stretched out his hand and pulled Jun Zhang, and drilled into the trees beside the road.

Qiu Chen also ran to him, reached out and took the torch in Chengzi's hand, and stuffed Ah Fu's little hand into Chengzi's hand: "Hide, don't make a sound!" Wait until I tell you to come out again! ”

As he spoke, looking at Ah Fu and Ah Man with panicked expressions, he hurriedly picked up his son and daughter's little faces and kissed them, and secretly said in his heart: "Ah Fu Aman, if I can pass this level, I will really be your mother!" I don't want to think about the past! ”

But he tried to put a smile on his face, and whispered to Afu Aman: "Fu'er Man'er, my mother will play a game with you." Hide it and don't speak, whoever speaks first loses, you know? ”

Ah Fu Aman looked at the smile on his mother's face, the question and panic on his face faded, Ah Fu nodded obediently, and Ah Man also reached out to cover his mouth and nodded vigorously.

The horse's hooves were getting closer and closer, as if they were already close behind, Qiu Chen pushed Lin Xu Aman and Chengzi Afu into the bushes on the side of the road, watched the bushes shake a few times, and regained their calm, and then finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She raised the torch in her hand, raised her hand to straighten her hair that was a little messy because of running, stretched the corners of her slightly messy clothes, took deep breaths, made herself calm and calm on the surface, and told herself in her heart, "I'm just waiting for my two nephews to come home...... Why hasn't Junwen Junshu come back yet? Could it be that something unexpected has happened before......"

Giving herself a psychological hint like this, Qiu Chen was anxiously worried in her heart, and it really appeared on her face.

Speaking slowly, in fact, it is a blink of an eye, Qiu Chen has just stood up, the sound of horses' hooves has bypassed the crooked-necked willow tree, and Qiu Chen's heart is also tightened more and more tightly as the sound of horses' hooves approaches.

At this moment, the other party has already seen her, right?

I couldn't see the other party's clothes and appearance, I could only tell by the faint moonlight, there was a large group of people riding horses in front of me, and I couldn't see how many people were in the dim light, I only felt that the black pressure was approaching, and it seemed that even the thin moonlight was obscuring.

Qiu Chenqiang suppressed the nervousness in his heart, raised the torch in his hand, and shouted, "Is it Junwen Junshu?" ”

Before the words fell, the horse team may have seen the firelight, and had already gathered the reins of the horses together, and there was a sound of horses wheezing, and the sound of horses' hooves Qiu Chen was more than ten steps in front of him, and suddenly stopped...... It was not as Qiu Chen imagined that he would slash with a knife or stab with a spear!

Qiu Chen was shocked in his heart, horses are not comparable to people, they can order and prohibit, they can train to be so neat and solemn, except for the horse's hooves, there is not even a sound of horse neighing...... Not only does it require superb riding skills, but also how strict and disciplined training and norms should this be?

It can be seen that this group of people is definitely not ordinary people, they are the army, and they are definitely well-trained elite soldiers!

Qiu Chen was frightened, but he could only continue to pretend, and said, "Ah, I'm sorry, I recognized the wrong person." Where do the brothers come from? Have you ever met two carriage boys on the road? ”

A man drove his horse out of the procession and approached.

Qiu Chen pressed his heart, which was about to pop out of the cavity, and raised the torch in his hand vigorously, trying to see the other party's clothes and appearance. Although the northern nomads are also yellow people, there are always some differences between them and the people of the Central Plains in terms of appearance and clothing!

The men who came out and behind them were dressed in black, wrapped in a wide waistband, and dressed neatly in riding clothes. There is no nomadic logo, animal skin and bone decoration, hair ...... It seems that nomads in this era are all shaved hair, right? Looking up, everyone was wearing hats, and they couldn't see their hair at all. However, what reassured Qiu Chen was that she didn't see the sides and the back of her head hanging down and the small braids.

When she looked at the other party quietly, she immediately spoke: "Mrs. Lin, are you waiting for her nephews to return?" ”

With a sound of Lin Niangzi, Qiu Chen's hand shook, and he almost threw the torch out of his hand.

After steady, she raised the torch to see the other party's face. Just now I just looked at the other party's clothes, and this person turned his face sideways and didn't see it, but now, the person immediately seemed to cooperate with her to turn his face to her, so she saw the other party's facial features clearly - slightly dark face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, straight nose and wide mouth, and a joking smile in his bright eyes, he actually came to Lin's house yesterday to have a meal Hong Zhanpeng!

Recognizing that it was Hong Zhanpeng, Qiu Chen barely took a breath and immediately let it out, his legs were weak, and he almost sat on the ground.

Biting the tip of her tongue, the sharp stinging pain made her reassert, but her expression relaxed slightly, and she bent down slightly to salute, and then said, "It turned out to be Brother Hong!" …… Yes, my two nephews went to the county today, and they haven't come back at this hour, so I don't worry about coming over to greet them. ”

The banter in Hong Zhanpeng's eyes was gone, and he raised his head and said in a deep voice: "Mrs. Lin doesn't have to wait, your two nephews won't come back tonight!" ”

When Qiu Chen heard this, his heart immediately lifted up again, and he hurriedly asked, "Brother Hong, what happened?" …… What, have you seen my two nephews? ”

Hong Zhanpeng shook his head, shattering Qiu Chen's hope.

"You don't have to ask anything else, your nephew should be fine if he is in the county seat. Go home and wait. Ming'er, they should be able to come back! ”

Sometimes, it's good to know that there's more to do. Qiu Chen also understands this truth. Although he was concerned, he didn't ask any more questions, only thanked Hong Zhanpeng, and turned around and walked into the bushes on the side of the road with torches held high, calling out the six children, big and small.

Ah Man had tears on his little face, and his mouth was still covered by Lin Xu's hand, as soon as he saw Qiu Chen, he immediately pitifully broke away from his uncle's hand, called his mother, and threw himself into Qiu Chen's arms.

Qiu Chen handed the torch to Lin Xu, hugged Aman tightly, gently patted the little girl's shoulder, and then reached out to hold Afu's little hand, dragged it back to the road, nodded towards Hong Zhanpeng, asked no more questions, and turned around and walked home.

Seeing a woman dragging a large group of children, Hong Zhanpeng sat on horseback and was silent for a long time. An attendant beside him stepped forward, approached Hong Zhanpeng's ear, and whispered, "General, this woman ......."

Hong Zhanpeng's face was cold, his eyes swept coldly to the man's face, Shengsheng made the other party shiver, leaned out and shrank back, Hong Zhanpeng closed his gaze, and said coldly with the volume that several people around him could hear, "Forget about this today!" ”

"Yes!" Low responses sounded neatly at the same time.

Hong Zhanpeng's face was a little pale, and when he saw the flickering firelight slowly disappearing into the bushes of the house, he raised his hand and waved, and dozens of horses galloped along the barren slope on the east side of Liujiaao unconsciously.

After returning home with a few children, Lan Ying came out of the house, looked behind Qiu Chen, and said in surprise: "Why, didn't you pick up Junwen and Junshu?" ”

Qiu Chen nodded: "I think there is something delayed in the county, our boundary is very stable, and the road is smooth, so there will be no accidents...... Well, I should be back tomorrow. ”

Lan Ying heard that Qiu Chen understood better than her, so she didn't say more, reached out and touched Aman's pigtails, and said with a smile: "Okay, it's so late, if you don't eat, the children will also starve!" I'll warm the rice in the pot, so hurry up and clean up and eat. I'm going to pick it up for you! ”

Man Hoard had already set up Youqian, and Qiu Chen led the children to take a look, but none of them wanted to go up to play. Qiu Chen thanked him and sent Lan Ying out of the door with Man Hoard, who had been transferred out of the backyard.

Served the food hot, Hong Zhanpeng said those words, the children hid in the bushes and heard them, and there was no need for Qiu Chen to say anything, but, because they were all worried about the safety of Junwen and Junshu, no one could eat it, so they all took a few bites and put down the dishes and chopsticks.

"Eat, you have to eat if you don't want to. When you're full, you'll have energy in case something happens! Qiu Chen said, after feeding Aman, he put it on the kang, picked up a bowl of rice and ate it in a big gulp.

Lin Xu was the first to silently pick up the dishes and chopsticks again, and a few children also ate in silence.

The Lin family's dinner table never pays attention to the rules of 'food without words', and always talks and laughs while eating, which is lively and warm. At this dinner, the family ate very quietly, except for the slight sound of the dishes and chopsticks clinking, they didn't hear anything else.

After eating a full meal, Qiu Chen put Afu Aman into the quilt, asked Junyan Junzhang to also go back to the North House Kang, and told the children not to take off their clothes when they went to bed. asked Chengzi to go to the north of the West Chamber to burn the kang, but she only left Lin Xu to burn the fire for herself.

There is no hair on the noodles, so you can only make pancakes. Qiu Chen said to Lin Xu while baking the cake: "Sleep awake tonight, although it may not be really wrong, but we have to be just in case." ”

Lin Xu nodded silently, and Qiu Chen said again: "I think about it, even if the courtyard wall of our courtyard is raised, no one can stop it if it really comes." As soon as you heard the movement, you ran with Ah Fu on your back, took the package I prepared for you and ran to the backyard. The corner of the yard is full of ladders, and you carry Ah Fu to climb the ladder and go out, and then run up the mountain, and you don't have to run too far. Above where we cut wood, there was a pond, and near that pond there was a hidden cave. You take Ah Fu and go there to hide. There is bread in the baggage, and there is water in the pond, enough for you to hide for a few days......"

Hearing that Qiu Chen just arranged for him and Ah Fu, he didn't mention how he avoided it at all, and couldn't help but worry: "Sister-in-law, what about you and Man'er?" ”

Qiu Chen sighed softly and said, "Man'er is too small to take out...... Let Junzhang Junyan take her to hide in the kang cave of the East House...... There is also an adult, who has water and food, and can hide for a few days. ”

Seeing that Lin Xu was frowning and was about to ask, Qiu Chen smiled and raised his hand to stop him from asking, and said, "Don't worry about me." I'm about the same size as you, and when the time comes, I'll change into your clothes and wipe my head and face, and I'll be able to dodge it. When the time comes, you just remember that there is no wind at all, and you will come home. ”

As he spoke, he lowered his body and leaned into Lin Xu's ear and said, "I'll seal the silver in the jar and put it in the ash pit in the backyard later." Let's all come back, and naturally I'll dig it out. If...... Go and dig out the jar, buy a hundred acres of land, and live a good life with Ah Fu...... That's enough money for you and Ah Fu to grow up and study. ”

These words have a faint meaning of explaining the aftermath.

Lin Xu was anxious, stretched out his hand to hold Qiu Chen's sleeve and said, "Sister-in-law, let's run together!" It happened just now, and it was too late for me to come out, otherwise I would have implicated Afu Aman. But this time, I am a dignified man of the Lin family, and I can't leave the women and children at home and steal my life alone! ”

As he spoke, his eyes turned red, and he actually shed tears.

Qiu Chen raised his hand and patted Lin Xu on the shoulder, looked at the tearful young man in front of him, and said, "Second brother, you listen to sister-in-law, I can't go, I can't put Junyan Junzhang...... And Chengzi dropped! ”

"Let's go together......" Lin Xu shouted.

Qiu Chen shook his head, patted Lin Xu's hand and said, "We can never put the bet on one place." Moreover, this is an escape, and the possibility of natural exposure is greater when there are more people...... Don't worry, our family is just getting better, and I haven't had time to enjoy the blessings, so how can I be willing to leave you. Hehe, besides, it doesn't have to be anything, but let's take precautions and be prepared! ”

Finally persuaded Lin Xu to agree, Qiu Chen continued to roll out the cakes, and baked nearly two feet of thick cakes, enough for the family to eat for four days, before he stopped. took out three more burdens, divided the cash into three parts, took a set of clothes from Ah Fu and Lin Xu, put them in and wrapped them, and handed them to Lin Xu even when Ah Fu was asleep. She went to the West Chamber and called Chengzi to go to the East Chamber.

Stuffed a knotted bag into the kang hole, and explained to Chengzi one by one. Let Chengzi go back to the north room of the West Wing to sleep, she went to see the gate, walked around the courtyard again, went to the backyard to bury the small porcelain jar with silver sealed, sprinkled a layer of dust on the surface, covered up the traces, and then went back to her room.

He barely dared to close his eyes all night, and in the dark, listening to the children around him breathing evenly, Qiu Chen felt for the first time the importance of social stability to ordinary people. She was nervous and apprehensive, and the idea of doing something for this stability came to her. The warriors can get on their horses and kill the enemy, what can she do?

I had a book in my hand, but I couldn't read it at all. Qiu Chen's eyes were open, his mind was full of chaotic thoughts, but his body could only curl up and sit on the corner of the kang...... It's as if the body and mind have been completely separated.

In the second half of the night, heavy sleepiness hit, Qiu Chen was unconsciously confused for a while, but after two quarters of an hour, he woke up again. When I looked up, the window paper was slightly grayish.

It's almost dawn! When it's dawn, doesn't that mean the danger is gone?!

Qiu Chen felt alive again.

She didn't dare to sleep anymore, got out of bed, gritted her teeth and moved for a while, before she moved her sore, numb and stiff body, legs and feet, and hurriedly scooped cold water to wash her face. The cold water stirred his face, dispelling the heavy sleepiness, and seemed to calm the chaotic and irritable thoughts.

After hurriedly freshening up, Qiu Chen changed his clothes like rags, lit a fire and began to make breakfast.

Although nothing happened in the village, Junwen Junshu also did not return overnight. She can't walk around at night and say, it's dawn at this time, she has to find a way to go to the county seat to have a look, if she doesn't see Junwen Junshu, she will be driven crazy by this kind of news lag.

Burning the fire, Qiu Chen somehow remembered the legendary Wangfu Cliff, Wangfu Stone, and what day and night...... couldn't help laughing, she couldn't do that kind of thing, and she was in a hurry!

Chengzi slept vigilantly, and when he heard the movement, he also got up, and after whispering hello, he was about to light the fire. Qiu Chen drove him to wash up first, and then Lin Xu also came over, and several people had the same look of tiredness on their faces.

After Chengzi finished washing, he poured water for Lin Xu again, and then came over hand and foot to help Qiu Chen light the fire.

Qiu Chen put the rice in the pot and explained to Lin Xu: "After eating, you still go to the academy and don't mention these things to others." I'll go to the county seat after dinner, and I'll have to go find Junwen and them. ”

This time, Lin Xu didn't raise any objections, and agreed very cooperatively, and reassured Qiu Chen that he would take care of the family and let her not worry about the family.

Qiu Chen smiled and nodded with satisfaction, and did not ask Lin Xu how to take care of the family. This child is not blindly afraid, not blindly nervous, and can be calm and do things, which means that this child has really grown up!

Qiu Chen simply ate breakfast, took some cash, cleaned up, and prepared to go to Lan Ying's house to explain and set off.

Lin Xu and Chengzi sent her out, and they had been working silently Chengzi said, "Auntie, let me go with you." I'm familiar with that side, so I'm good at running errands if there's anything I do! ”

Qiu Chen wanted to refuse, but Lin Xu said, "Sister-in-law, let him follow, if there is anything on the road, there is a helper." ”

Seeing that he was black and thin but obviously calmer than his peers, Qiu Chen was silent for a moment, and then agreed. There are several children in the family who are taken care of by Lan Ying and his wife, she really might as well take Chengzi with her, what is better than her to run errands, and she knows more about society than her, and she can ask him if she encounters anything.

Also, Chengzi's father is in the yamen after all, if he wants to find out about something, it will be more or less a relationship between the Lin family and her, who have no foundation!

Seeing Qiu Chen agree, Chengzi couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face. Qiu Chen frowned again: "You haven't eaten yet......"

Chengzi hurriedly said: "It's okay, it's okay!" With that, he turned around and ran back to the house, took the bag that Qiu Chen had prepared for him, ran back again, and said to Qiu Chen: "Auntie, carry this on your back, just eat some on the way." ”

Seeing him like this, Qiu Chen didn't say anything more, and instructed Lin Xu a few more words, opened the door, and walked out.

As soon as the door opened, there was a pop, and a man in black shook it and came in, startling all three people in the door. l3l4