"The width of the main room is about ten steps, so it is better to follow this in the wings, and then there are three rooms in the east and west wings. The length is about twenty-two or three steps, and it can be used in the yard, and it is better to be larger, and there is no shortage of firewood at home anyway. Shen Hongjun said after a rough estimate.

Yun Xue nodded, what Shen Hongjun said was indeed feasible, the courtyard of the Han family was already quite large, and the east and west wings were slightly spacious, which was not in the way. Just like Shen Hongjun said, the family has firewood, and the house is bigger, and the bigger the house, just burn more fires. "Okay, I'll listen to you." Yun Xue said with a smile.

After deciding on the size of the house, Yun Xue went to the village to find the men of the Zheng family and the Zhang family, these two are the most capable people in the village, and they can do anything. The men of the Zheng family also helped Yun Xue find a carpenter, and said that the construction would start on April 12.

On the morning of the tenth day of the fourth lunar month, Yun Xue and Tianfu put on an ox cart together, ready to go to the county town to buy some things. As a result, before the two of them came out of the house, Shen Hongjun asked Yun Zhen to drive the carriage over, while he, Shen Zhong and another person followed on horseback, "I'm just going to go to the county seat to have a look, let's go over together." After all, the ox cart at home is too slow, and if you go to the county seat, it won't be noon? Shen Hongjun said.

Shen Zhong on the side couldn't help but pout, the son of the heart is now more and more able to talk nonsense. Obviously, the guards in the county town came over yesterday, where do you need to go over and check today? It's clear that I just want to accompany the beautiful woman to the county seat, and I have to find such a high-sounding reason.

However, Shen Zhong only dared to think about it in his heart, he didn't dare to say it.

Yun Xue thought about it and felt that the ox cart was indeed too slow, "Okay, let's use the carriage." ”

Tianfu went to untie the cow again, and then tied it to the small hillside east of the Han family. "Second sister, the cow is on the east slope, you take the time to take a look, just don't let people take it away." Tianfu said to Yunni. Yunting and they were not at home, Dong Lao led Yunxia out, and it could only be that Yunni often came out to see.

"Okay, I see." Yunni replied.

Yun Zhen and Tianfu drove the carriage, Yun Xue sat in the carriage, Shen Hongjun took Shen Zhong and another person on horseback, and the group walked towards the county seat.

Yun Xue was panicked in the carriage, so she lifted the veil on the side of the carriage and looked outside.

On the banks of the Yalu River in April, birds and flowers are singing everywhere, and the cliffs on both sides of the river are full of red. A large piece of Yingshan red, red like fire, reflected in the river, lining the spring water of the river also came alive.

On the river, there are wooden rows floating by from time to time, and at this time, many wooden rows are opened one after another. The wooden men, dressed in robes, hats on their heads, and swords under their feet, stood energetically on the river row, staring ahead with blazing eyes.

When Yun Xue saw these people, she remembered the situation when she put the rehearsal, and she really didn't want to go through that kind of day again.

"What's wrong? Remembering the original rehearsal again? Shen Hongjun was originally following next to the carriage, but when he saw that the look on Yun Xue's face was wrong, he knew that she might have remembered something unpleasant. I think that it was providence, if you hadn't let the platoon go to Anton, how could you have saved me halfway? If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I'd have died a long time ago. He laughs.

Yun Xue also remembered the situation at that time, and couldn't help laughing, "At that time, we all thought you were a big trouble. If I hadn't recognized you, maybe the big guy would have thrown you into the river to feed the fish. ”

Shen Hongjun saw Yun Xue smile, so he was relieved, "Yes, so I said it was the will of heaven, but I just met your wooden chop." ”

The two talked and laughed, and Yun Xue quickly put aside the unpleasant emotions just now. The carriage went very fast, and before noon, they arrived at the county seat. Maybe it's because of spring ploughing, or maybe it's because people are having a hard time, the county doesn't look as lively as in previous years.

There are few people buying things in the market, but there are many people who come to sell things. At this time, there are very few vegetable sellers, and the small vegetables in the garden of every household have just been planted, so where can they sell vegetables? Occasionally, one or two are just selling garlic sprouts, green onions, or wild vegetables. More of them are still sellers of poultry and livestock. Nowadays, it is difficult for ordinary people to even eat, and many people even eat things such as chaff and other things mixed with food, so naturally there is not so much grain to feed these livestock.

Although everything is now recovering, and there are wild vegetables and grasses everywhere, no one is willing to buy the chickens and ducks that have been raised for a year. But people don't have food to eat, so they can't kill these chickens and ducks to eat at home, right? That's a waste. Many people bring their own poultry and want to sell them for some rice and grain to go back, and a chicken can be exchanged for some rice and grain.

But there are not many people who really buy things, and who is not tightening their belts to live now? The county town is not bad, there are a lot of rich people, and some of them can be sold. If it is left in the town, I am afraid that there will be fewer people to buy.

"Girl, come and see this chicken, if you want it, I'll give you a cheaper price." A middle-aged woman said when she saw someone.

Yun Xue happened to come here, and was also pulled by the middle-aged woman, "Girl, you should take pity on me." I also have two little grandchildren who are only three or four years old at home, and they cry all the time. The body is skinny and bone-skinned, and there is only a big head left dangling, and it hurts to look at it. Girl, this chicken has been raised for a long time, and I don't want much, just give fifty wen for one catty, and I can exchange it for two catties of coarse grain. The woman had a sad look on her face, and she didn't let go of Yun Xue.

Yun Xue looked at the woman, and sure enough, her face was pale and white, and the green tendons on her thin hands were bulging out. Look at the chickens next to them, they are not too big, they are worse than what I just saw. Yun Xue originally didn't plan to buy chickens, but she also had them at home. But seeing this woman like this, Yun Xue really couldn't bear it. "Auntie, I want all three of your chickens, you can find a scale to weigh it."

Building a house is not a trivial task, and it takes a lot of things just to serve these people for dinner. Yun Xue didn't want to do too badly, there was Shen Hongjun in it. It's okay to buy a few chickens, at least one more dish.

As for the fact that this chicken turned out to be fifty wen a catty, Yun Xue didn't say anything. Nowadays, white rice has been sold for 50 wen, corn can be sold for 25 wen, and even sorghum rice can be sold for about 18 wen. A chicken is only three or five catties, and it can be exchanged for ten catties of sorghum rice.

When the woman heard this, she was overjoyed, and hurriedly weighed all the three chickens, "Girl, the total is more than thirteen catties, and I don't want a fraction." ”

Yun Xue calculated, then took out six strings of copper coins and handed them to the woman. These copper coins have just been exchanged. Now one or two pieces of silver can be exchanged for more than 800 copper coins, compared with the past can be exchanged for more than 900 or 1,000 copper coins, this copper coin looks like it is worth money, but in fact, it is not resistant to spending. Because most of the people use copper coins on weekdays, few people directly use silver. Prices remain high, and what could have been bought for ten cents is now unavailable for twenty cents, so it would be strange if the people's lives were better.

The woman took the copper coin, thanked her for her kindness, and went straight to the rice store. I don't know how long she sold these three chickens and exchanged them for enough food for their family.

Yun Xue sighed, "Zhiyuan, you said that there is really no way to solve the current situation?" ”

Shen Hongjun shook his head, "Last year, the entire imperial court was quite chaotic. After the new monarch ascended the throne, he thoroughly checked the money and grain depots in various places, and then found that many places were empty. Last year, several princes rebelled, and troops were sent to garrison them in various places, which was also a big expense. In fact, the imperial court exempted the local tax for three years, and as long as the people cultivated safely and steadily, they would be able to ease their efforts in the autumn. It's just that right now, some people are going to starve. Shen Hongjun was also very helpless, this kind of thing was not something he could solve.

"You don't have to worry too much, it won't be until June, and a batch of new grain will come down from the south. At that time, there should be merchants who can traffic it back, and some of them can be solved. The rest still needs to be in the autumn, and since I have sent people to garrison here this year, I will not let Gao Li make trouble, and I don't think it will be like last year. As long as you can hold on for now, you can get better in the fall. Shen Hongjun saw the disappointed look on Yun Xue's face, and couldn't help but open his mouth to persuade him.

Yun Xue also understands that these things are indeed not something that can be done overnight. Now that the imperial court can send troops to garrison it, it is already very rare to say, where would the imperial court pay attention to these in the past? So, Yun Xue didn't inquire about anything anymore, just walked along the street to see what else could be bought back.

The group walked back and forth along the market for two rounds, and finally Yunxue bought five or six chickens, as well as half a fan of pork, and some things such as head and hooves in the water. These things are taken back and dealt with, and they are good to eat.

There was enough food at home, so Yun Xue didn't spend that unjust money, but just bought some spices and other things.

At this time, it was already noon, and everyone was a little hungry, so they wanted to find a place to eat.

"Childe, let's go find a restaurant." Shen Zhong said as he looked around.

Shen Hongjun shook his head, "Forget it, it's too troublesome to go to the restaurant, it's better to eat at a roadside stall." He pointed to a wonton stand in front of him, his eyes flashing, "That's it." ”

Yun Xue also saw the wonton stall, where a woman in her forties was looking at the stall. There weren't many people today, and the woman wasn't very busy. Yun Xue looked at the woman, always feeling as if she had seen them.

"That's where I met you that August. At that time, Shen Zhong thought that your back basket was in the way, and then you almost quarreled with him. Do you remember what it was like? Shen Hongjun whispered in Yun Xue's ear.

"The width of the main room is about ten steps, so it is better to follow this in the wings, and then there are three rooms in the east and west wings. The length is about twenty-two or three steps, and it can be used in the yard, and it is better to be larger, and there is no shortage of firewood at home anyway. Shen Hongjun said after a rough estimate.

Yun Xue nodded, what Shen Hongjun said was indeed feasible, the courtyard of the Han family was already quite large, and the east and west wings were slightly spacious, which was not in the way. Just like Shen Hongjun said, the family has firewood, and the house is bigger, and the bigger the house, just burn more fires. "Okay, I'll listen to you." Yun Xue said with a smile.

After deciding on the size of the house, Yun Xue went to the village to find the men of the Zheng family and the Zhang family, these two are the most capable people in the village, and they can do anything. The men of the Zheng family also helped Yun Xue find a carpenter, and said that the construction would start on April 12.

On the morning of the tenth day of the fourth lunar month, Yun Xue and Tianfu put on an ox cart together, ready to go to the county town to buy some things. As a result, before the two of them came out of the house, Shen Hongjun asked Yun Zhen to drive the carriage over, while he, Shen Zhong and another person followed on horseback, "I'm just going to go to the county seat to have a look, let's go over together." After all, the ox cart at home is too slow, and if you go to the county seat, it won't be noon? Shen Hongjun said.

Shen Zhong on the side couldn't help but pout, the son of the heart is now more and more able to talk nonsense. Obviously, the guards in the county town came over yesterday, where do you need to go over and check today? It's clear that I just want to accompany the beautiful woman to the county seat, and I have to find such a high-sounding reason.

However, Shen Zhong only dared to think about it in his heart, he didn't dare to say it.

Yun Xue thought about it and felt that the ox cart was indeed too slow, "Okay, let's use the carriage." ”

Tianfu went to untie the cow again, and then tied it to the small hillside east of the Han family. "Second sister, the cow is on the east slope, you take the time to take a look, just don't let people take it away." Tianfu said to Yunni. Yunting and they were not at home, Dong Lao led Yunxia out, and it could only be that Yunni often came out to see.

"Okay, I see." Yunni replied.

Yun Zhen and Tianfu drove the carriage, Yun Xue sat in the carriage, Shen Hongjun took Shen Zhong and another person on horseback, and the group walked towards the county seat.

Yun Xue was panicked in the carriage, so she lifted the veil on the side of the carriage and looked outside.

On the banks of the Yalu River in April, birds and flowers are singing everywhere, and the cliffs on both sides of the river are full of red. A large piece of Yingshan red, red like fire, reflected in the river, lining the spring water of the river also came alive.

On the river, there are wooden rows floating by from time to time, and at this time, many wooden rows are opened one after another. The wooden men, dressed in robes, hats on their heads, and swords under their feet, stood energetically on the river row, staring ahead with blazing eyes.

When Yun Xue saw these people, she remembered the situation when she put the rehearsal, and she really didn't want to go through that kind of day again.

"What's wrong? Remembering the original rehearsal again? Shen Hongjun was originally following next to the carriage, but when he saw that the look on Yun Xue's face was wrong, he knew that she might have remembered something unpleasant. I think that it was providence, if you hadn't let the platoon go to Anton, how could you have saved me halfway? If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I'd have died a long time ago. He laughs.

Yun Xue also remembered the situation at that time, and couldn't help laughing, "At that time, we all thought you were a big trouble. If I hadn't recognized you, maybe the big guy would have thrown you into the river to feed the fish. ”

Shen Hongjun saw Yun Xue smile, so he was relieved, "Yes, so I said it was the will of heaven, but I just met your wooden chop." ”

The two talked and laughed, and Yun Xue quickly put aside the unpleasant emotions just now. The carriage went very fast, and before noon, they arrived at the county seat. Maybe it's because of spring ploughing, or maybe it's because people are having a hard time, the county doesn't look as lively as in previous years.

There are few people buying things in the market, but there are many people who come to sell things. At this time, there are very few vegetable sellers, and the small vegetables in the garden of every household have just been planted, so where can they sell vegetables? Occasionally, one or two are just selling garlic sprouts, green onions, or wild vegetables. More of them are still sellers of poultry and livestock. Nowadays, it is difficult for ordinary people to even eat, and many people even eat things such as chaff and other things mixed with food, so naturally there is not so much grain to feed these livestock.

Although everything is now recovering, and there are wild vegetables and grasses everywhere, no one is willing to buy the chickens and ducks that have been raised for a year. But people don't have food to eat, so they can't kill these chickens and ducks to eat at home, right? That's a waste. Many people bring their own poultry and want to sell them for some rice and grain to go back, and a chicken can be exchanged for some rice and grain.

But there are not many people who really buy things, and who is not tightening their belts to live now? The county town is not bad, there are a lot of rich people, and some of them can be sold. If it is left in the town, I am afraid that there will be fewer people to buy.

"Girl, come and see this chicken, if you want it, I'll give you a cheaper price." A middle-aged woman said when she saw someone.

Yun Xue happened to come here, and was also pulled by the middle-aged woman, "Girl, you should take pity on me." I also have two little grandchildren who are only three or four years old at home, and they cry all the time. The body is skinny and bone-skinned, and there is only a big head left dangling, and it hurts to look at it. Girl, this chicken has been raised for a long time, and I don't want much, just give fifty wen for one catty, and I can exchange it for two catties of coarse grain. The woman had a sad look on her face, and she didn't let go of Yun Xue.

Yun Xue looked at the woman, and sure enough, her face was pale and white, and the green tendons on her thin hands were bulging out. Look at the chickens next to them, they are not too big, they are worse than what I just saw. Yun Xue originally didn't plan to buy chickens, but she also had them at home. But seeing this woman like this, Yun Xue really couldn't bear it. "Auntie, I want all three of your chickens, you can find a scale to weigh it."

Building a house is not a trivial task, and it takes a lot of things just to serve these people for dinner. Yun Xue didn't want to do too badly, there was Shen Hongjun in it. It's okay to buy a few chickens, at least one more dish.

As for the fact that this chicken turned out to be fifty wen a catty, Yun Xue didn't say anything. Nowadays, white rice has been sold for 50 wen, corn can be sold for 25 wen, and even sorghum rice can be sold for about 18 wen. A chicken is only three or five catties, and it can be exchanged for ten catties of sorghum rice.

When the woman heard this, she was overjoyed, and hurriedly weighed all the three chickens, "Girl, the total is more than thirteen catties, and I don't want a fraction." ”

Yun Xue calculated, then took out six strings of copper coins and handed them to the woman. These copper coins have just been exchanged. Now one or two pieces of silver can be exchanged for more than 800 copper coins, compared with the past can be exchanged for more than 900 or 1,000 copper coins, this copper coin looks like it is worth money, but in fact, it is not resistant to spending. Because most of the people use copper coins on weekdays, few people directly use silver. Prices remain high, and what could have been bought for ten cents is now unavailable for twenty cents, so it would be strange if the people's lives were better.

The woman took the copper coin, thanked her for her kindness, and went straight to the rice store. I don't know how long she sold these three chickens and exchanged them for enough food for their family.

Yun Xue sighed, "Zhiyuan, you said that there is really no way to solve the current situation?" ”

Shen Hongjun shook his head, "Last year, the entire imperial court was quite chaotic. After the new monarch ascended the throne, he thoroughly checked the money and grain depots in various places, and then found that many places were empty. Last year, several princes rebelled, and troops were sent to garrison them in various places, which was also a big expense. In fact, the imperial court exempted the local tax for three years, and as long as the people cultivated safely and steadily, they would be able to ease their efforts in the autumn. It's just that right now, some people are going to starve. Shen Hongjun was also very helpless, this kind of thing was not something he could solve.

"You don't have to worry too much, it won't be until June, and a batch of new grain will come down from the south. At that time, there should be merchants who can traffic it back, and some of them can be solved. The rest still needs to be in the autumn, and since I have sent people to garrison here this year, I will not let Gao Li make trouble, and I don't think it will be like last year. As long as you can hold on for now, you can get better in the fall. Shen Hongjun saw the disappointed look on Yun Xue's face, and couldn't help but open his mouth to persuade him.

Yun Xue also understands that these things are indeed not something that can be done overnight. Now that the imperial court can send troops to garrison it, it is already very rare to say, where would the imperial court pay attention to these in the past? So, Yun Xue didn't inquire about anything anymore, just walked along the street to see what else could be bought back.

The group walked back and forth along the market for two rounds, and finally Yunxue bought five or six chickens, as well as half a fan of pork, and some things such as head and hooves in the water. These things are taken back and dealt with, and they are good to eat.

There was enough food at home, so Yun Xue didn't spend that unjust money, but just bought some spices and other things.

At this time, it was already noon, and everyone was a little hungry, so they wanted to find a place to eat.

"Childe, let's go find a restaurant." Shen Zhong said as he looked around.

Shen Hongjun shook his head, "Forget it, it's too troublesome to go to the restaurant, it's better to eat at a roadside stall." He pointed to a wonton stand in front of him, his eyes flashing, "That's it." ”

Yun Xue also saw the wonton stall, where a woman in her forties was looking at the stall. There weren't many people today, and the woman wasn't very busy. Yun Xue looked at the woman, always feeling as if she had seen them.

"That's where I met you that August. At that time, Shen Zhong thought that your back basket was in the way, and then you almost quarreled with him. Do you remember what it was like? Shen Hongjun whispered in Yun Xue's ear.