The affairs of the Ji family cannot be solved by hiding and moving to wherever they move. Qi Younian asked Ji Xiaotang's family to move to Fucheng and live with the Mu family, which was just convenient for protection. And this kind of protection can only be temporary, not forever.

"Xiaotang, if you want to go to sea, I can help." There was silence between the two for a while, and Qi Younian suddenly said again.

Ji Xiaotang raised his eyes to look at Qi Younian.

Qi Younian nodded slightly.

It is no secret that the Ji family invested in the merchant ships that went to sea. Those people doubted their identities, and naturally had other interpretations of their actions.

Second Master Ji also said that when things are urgent, let Third Master Ji take her and Changsheng to sea. Master Ji Er didn't say that the whole family would leave, on the one hand, he thought that he really didn't want to go, and on the other hand, he also understood that if the whole family left, then no one could leave.

If Qi Younian was willing to help, of course things would be different. However, it only replaced some of the Congji family who paid the price with Qi Younian.

Even with Qi Younian's help, the Ji family was not so easy to leave.

"Ayou, I don't plan to go to sea, and neither does my father." Ji Xiaotang sued Qi Younian.

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

"Well, I've figured it out." Ji Xiaotang nodded.

If Ji Xiaotang wants to stay, then he will naturally try his best to help Ji Xiaotang. Qi Younian saw that Ji Xiaotang was resolute, and he secretly made up his mind.

“…… The royal family has been pursuing this matter for a long time. The fourth brother was still a minor, and he was entrusted with an important task by Emperor Daxing. The Holy One is enthroned today. He also urged the fourth brother several times. Qi Younian saw that there was no one left and right, lowered his voice, and said slowly.

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

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

"The fourth brother has been investigating this matter for many years, and it has been quite effective, locking up several of the most suspicious people's homes and focusing on the investigation."

"Ayo, you mean. Suspicious person is not just one? Ji Xiaotang seemed to have grasped some key, and immediately asked Qi Younian.

Qi Younian nodded.

"The remnants of Dayan are already very clear, and they are in the midst of killing wolves. As for the descendants of the Great Song royal family. The fourth brother locked up a total of three households. Qi Younian said softly again.

It turned out that their Ji family was not the only one being targeted. This is undoubtedly a new lease of life for them. Ji Xiaotang's heart moved, and then he was full of gratitude to Qi Younian.

Qi Younian gave these to her, which had a great deal to do with it.

"Ayou......" Ji Xiaotang shouted. And yet at the moment. Compared with Qi Younian's dedication, any words of gratitude pale and weak.

Ji Xiaotang didn't say anything, but Qi Younian's heart trembled. The more Ji Xiaotang thanked him, the more powerless he felt. That's all he can help Ji Xiaotang. He wanted to shelter Ji Xiaotang and the Ji family, but he also knew very well that in this matter. There's really nothing he can do.

He can't protect Ji Xiaotang, this is the most heart-wrenching realization for him.

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

In the world of Great Qin, the only one who can shelter Ji Xiaotang and the Ji family is Qin Zhen, the prince of Jing'an.

"After years of tracking, the fourth brother seems to have identified your family." In the end, Qi Younian said, "The fourth brother is deeply favored by the Emperor Daxing, and now he is also very appreciated and trusted by His Majesty and the Queen Mother, and he has handed over all the power to investigate the Qi and Xie families to the fourth brother. The fourth brother's investigation went deep into Ren'an's mansion, and I happened to be in Ren'an, and the fourth brother entrusted me with some things. ”

In addition, the old marquis had also participated in the investigation before, so Qi Younian would know so clearly.

"Ayou, the Great Qin world is so big, it shouldn't be a coincidence that you came to Ren'an." Ji Xiaotang said softly.

"Now that I think about it, it is." Qi Younian nodded.

"Also, Ayo, thank you for telling me this. These are important to me. ”

"Xiaotang, don't thank me. I only hate myself for not being able to protect you. If this works for you, I'll be able to have some peace of mind. Qi Younian said in a deep voice.

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

Qin Zhen has a monopoly on the investigation of the Qi and Xie families, and with 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 outside suddenly darkened, and then the wind started. Ji Xiaotang got up, walked to the flower window and looked outside.

"The mountain rain is coming, and the wind is full of buildings." Ji Xiaotang said slowly.

The sky was overcast, but there was not the slightest moisture in the wind, so it was obviously impossible for it to rain. Qi Younian nodded, he understood that Ji Xiaotang was not talking about the current weather.

The wind was blowing, and it was not easy to stay in the flower hall, so Ji Xiaotang and Qi Younian got up and went to the front, and they met Master Ji San. It turned out that a banquet had been prepared in front of him, and Master Ji San was ordered by Master Ji to come over and invite Qi Younian to the table.

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

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

"Uncle, you take Ayou to the front seat. I went to spend time with my grandmother. Ji Xiaotang said to Master Ji San.

"Oh...... good." Master Ji San nodded in agreement, and took Qi Younian to the front.

……

Qi Younian left after eating a banquet at Ji's house, and went to the county government to rest. This time, Qi You came to celebrate Ji Xiaotang's birthday, he also brought errands with him, and he had some things to discuss with Xie Zhi County, so he needed to live in the county office.

Of course, Ji Xiaotang knew that Qi Younian had other really important errands.

When the lamp was in hand, everyone in the Ji family gathered in Mrs. Ji's house and talked with Shen and the others.

Second Master Ji first asked Mu Jiahao how the drought situation was around Ren'an City.

Mu Jiahao was on the road ahead. He had already seen the situation in the granges around Qingyuan, and when it came to Ren An's situation, he shook his head. There was a general drought in all prefectures and counties of Ren'an Province. Among them, the drought in Qingyuan County is relatively mild.

The Mu family also has a grange outside Ren'an City, as well as orchards and mountains in the mountains of Mujiazhai.

"At the time of the wheat harvest, only three-tenths or four-tenths of the previous year was harvested, and now looking at the situation, the autumn harvest is only afraid that there will be no grain in some fields. My father and eldest brother and I have calculated that if we can receive one-tenth of the past, it is already a mercy of God. "Mu Jiahao told the second master.

"Maternal grandmother, little uncle. Now that there is enough food in the city, if you can't buy food, can you still have enough food at home? Ji Xiaotang asked.

"Listen to your grandfather. There is still a lot of grain in stock in the grain shops in the city, but the price has risen a lot. Shen said.

"The food stock at home should be enough for next year." Zhang spoke quickly, and then said, "This is thanks to Xiaotang's reminder." This year, all the grain on the grange has been kept. In addition, an extra half a year's worth of grain has been prepared. ”

The Mu family lives in Fucheng, and it is customary that the family only has a month's worth of grain at home, but after listening to Ji Xiaotang's construction, the family has more grain. As for the other middle- and upper-class families in Fucheng, they are probably similar to the habits of the Mu family.

These people don't have enough food at home, so they can buy it, but they have to pay more money. It is sad that the poor families have no food in their homes. And because of the rise in food prices, they can't afford to buy food from the store.

And if the grain stores can't get enough food, then most of the people in the city will starve.

The same is true for rural households outside the city.

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

"My grandfather, my eldest uncle, and my youngest uncle didn't have much money, so I didn't have to buy high-priced grain. My family still has a lot of food in stock, and I already saved my grandfather's share, but this time my uncle went back, so I quietly brought some with me, and saved enough for next year. Ji Xiaotang said.

The reason for this early arrangement is that considering that Ren'an Mansion will be chaotic in the later period, the travel between Ren'an and Qingyuan will not be as convenient and safe as it is now. At the same time, she was also very worried that if something happened, the Mu family would starve.

"Mother, just listen to Xiaotang, just in case." Second Mrs. Ji was even more concerned about her mother's family, and she was afraid that the Shen family would not accept it, so she was busy persuading.

Shen is not a hypocritical person, and when he heard his daughter and granddaughter say this, he nodded.

Zhang and Mu Jiahao saw Shen nodding, and they were also willing in their hearts. The Mu family is different from the Ji family, the Mu family does not have many fields, and more than half of the usual grain is purchased. As for the fruit of the orchard, it is not to be eaten. In addition, this year's drought has caused the orchards in the mountains to harvest extremely bleak. On Ji Xiaotang's birthday, Shen took a lot of effort to collect a cart of good fruits and bring them to his granddaughter to try.

In previous years, it was extremely easy to let alone one car, even five or ten cars.

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

"It's just my duty, it's just a little filial piety." Second Master Ji said busily. Over the years, he felt very ashamed of Mrs. Ji and the Mu family, and he was very happy to be able to help the Mu family.

"That's good." Zhang also laughed and said, "My sister and brother-in-law don't know that the price of this grain has risen, and the grain is not better." Those who have a conscience are just some old rice. There are also those who have no conscience, I don't know what is mixed in them, where are people eating. ”

"It's come to this?" Mrs. Ji asked.

"Some people have already bought such food, but no one dares to bully our family yet." Zhang replied, "This is just the beginning, and when the New Year is over, I don't know what will happen." ”

The people in the room fell silent, and everyone knew that Zhang's words were by no means alarmist.

"Sister, brother-in-law," Mu Jiahao was silent for a while before speaking again, "With my sister and brother-in-law here, we don't have to worry about it at home." My father asked me to ask if my sister and brother-in-law could produce some food at that time. My father had some old brothers, as well as our colleagues in the army, and I was afraid that I would not be able to get food at that time. ”

The Mu family is not worried about themselves, but the Mu family also has relatives and friends, clansmen in the Mu family's village, and comrades in the army. The situation of these people's families is not as good as that of the Mu family, and they will definitely starve when the time comes.

"Okay." Second Master Ji thought about it for a while, and then agreed very happily.

"Little uncle, you have estimated the number, and we are good to know it." Ji Xiaotang reminded Mu Jiahao.

"I haven't counted this yet, because I don't know the situation of my sister and brother-in-law here, so I'm going to ask first." Mu Jiahao touched his head and said with a smile.

"Go back and let them estimate it, and then send someone to sue Sù." Shen said, "You take care of your own family first, and when the time comes, everyone will not starve to death, that is, you will sign up." ”

The Shen family didn't know that the Ji family had already started stockpiling grain, so they thought that although the Ji family had a lot of fertile land and was self-sufficient, they would not have too much surplus grain to take care of others.

"Grandmother, rest assured, we have our own arrangements." Ji Xiaotang said.

"At this time, everyone is naturally helping each other. What my Ji family can do, I will spare no effort. Second Master Ji said.

Shen nodded lightly in satisfaction, thinking that Mu Hong would be very happy if he knew that Second Master Ji said this. As for Mu Jiahao and Zhang, they were both moved by Ji Er's words. Although Master Ji Er is a scholar, when it comes to morality and feelings, he is no different from the Mu family.

……

In the autumn of the seventh year of Longqing

Following the floods in the south, there was a general drought in the north, and many places had not harvested the grain, and the people were panicked. The barbarians in the north were also affected by the drought, so they were ready to move, and they had the intention of plundering southward.

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

Ji Xiaotang also wore a water-red cloak on the outside of his lotus-colored long gown, and was hurriedly walking on the bluestone road surrounded by a few little girls. It's still late autumn, but it's already as cold as winter in previous years.

Passing through a moon door, there is a study in front of it. When the servant at the door of the study saw Ji Xiaotang coming, one hurriedly reported inside, and the other two flew over to salute Ji Xiaotang.

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

Ji Xiaotang nodded lightly, and walked up the steps into the study surrounded by everyone.

The brazier had been gathered in the study, and he didn't feel cold. Master Ji Er and Master Ji San sat behind the bookcase, and the other stood in front of the book, and when they saw Ji Xiaotang coming, both of them had smiles on their faces.

"Xiaotang is here, sit down." Master Ji San waved his hand to send the serving girl out, and personally moved the chair to Ji Xiaotang.

"Let's all sit down and talk." Ji Er said.

Master Ji San couldn't sit still, but looking at Second Master Ji and Ji Xiaotang, he had to be patient and sit in front of the bookcase with Ji Xiaotang.

"Daddy, uncle, is Wanjia's fleet back?" Ji Xiaotang looked much more stable than Master Ji San, but he was not in a hurry in his heart, so as soon as he sat down, he asked. (To be continued......)