Chapter 101 On the road
As soon as he walked out of the city gate and within less than an incense stick of time, Sun Shan knew why Huangyang County was so poor.
This place is too remote and mountainous.
The escort arrived at the entrance of the mountain road and said to everyone: "Everyone, please pay attention. We are walking on the mountain road now. Please pay attention to safety and don't fall down."
After he finished speaking, the escort got down from the carriage and switched to pulling a donkey cart.
Because this is an uphill road, if people don't get off to control the donkey cart, it might overturn.
Sun Bomin said to Sun Shan, "Son, sit still and don't move."
After saying that, Sun Boming also got out of the car and followed the escort.
In fact, the passengers can get off the bus or not, but the farmers feel sorry for the livestock and don’t want to tire them out.
The escort who was pulling the cart in front was named Zhang, and he was also called Zhang the Archer. He smiled and said, "Brother Sun, you don't have to get off. The donkey will do."
Sun Bomin shook his head and said, "It's okay, I'll follow you."
Sun Shan, De Ge'er and Gu Yu huddled together tightly, afraid of falling.
De Geer whispered, "Shanzi, this road is so steep, even steeper than the mountain road we took out of Sunjia Village."
Sun Shan nodded and said, "Well, don't move. It will hurt if you fall."
This mountain road, also known as the official road, has the only advantage that it is wider than the road out of Sunjia Village.
The road out of the village can only accommodate one car, but this road can accommodate two cars at the same time. It is neatly built without any potholes.
After walking for a while, they finally climbed up the slope and Sun Boming and the bodyguard got into the car.
This section of the road is slightly flat and can be driven.
Sun Shan looked down the mountain and saw that the county town was not far away. The low houses and the palm-sized county town were nothing like the village in his previous life.
The village chief had nothing to do, so he started chatting with the middle-aged man who was traveling with him.
The village chief asked, "Brother, are you going to the capital city too?"
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Yes, let's go to the city to have a look."
Sun Shan looked over in confusion. The man had an ordinary appearance, a slightly plump figure, a ruddy complexion, and seemed to be living a good life.
Seeing that he was not so enthusiastic, the village chief started chatting with Master Zhang again.
He asked, "Brother Zhang, which escort mission have you returned from recently?" The village chief thought that after drinking the celebratory wine, he must make an appointment with the escort agency.
Escort Zhang shook his head and said, "Village Chief Sun, I don't know the exact time of return. But now there is a lot of trade between the two places, and there is frequent transportation of goods. There will be more escort trips back to Huangyang County, so it is easy to book."
The village chief nodded to show that he understood.
Escort Zhang was a lively man and started chatting with the village chief and Sun Boming.
Escort Zhang asked curiously, "Village Chief Sun, Brother Bomin, are you going to the city to attend the scholar's banquet this time?"
Speaking of this, the village chief was happy and said with a smile: "Yes, our daughter married to the capital, and our grandson is very smart. He passed the imperial examination not long ago and became a scholar. Or something like that?"
Sun Bomin remembered it too well. Sun Shan added, "Grandpa, it's the food student."
De Ge'er said proudly, "He ranked ninth in the exam. My cousin is really good. The government even gives him food. Our teacher said that my cousin has a good chance of passing the exam and becoming a government official in the future."
The village chief glared at De Ge'er and said, "What you said before was very good, but as an official, you are too exaggerated. Others don't believe you and suspect that you are just bragging."
The middle-aged man next to him sneered secretly, "Official? You think you are a cabbage, you can become one just like that!" But he couldn't help but envy her, he was already a scholar at such a young age, Huangyang County hadn't had a scholar for many years. Not long ago, the county magistrate lost his temper and scolded the county's teacher.
But the coachman Zhang, the escort, is very knowledgeable. Although he is only about 20 years old, he has been escorting for 4-5 years and is more experienced than most people.
He said admiringly: "Brother De, you are right. Your eldest cousin is a scholar at such a young age. It is not long before he becomes an official."
The middle-aged man, the village chief and others were stunned.
Sun Boming thought, Brother Zhang is even more exaggerated than Brother De. Is he saying happy things just to please us, the customers?
Seeing that they didn't believe him, Escort Zhang said seriously, "Village Chief Sun, your Sun family's daughter married into the He family. Oh, let me tell you, that's incredible. I heard that many people in the He family are officials. They are a wealthy family. It's not surprising that your grandson will become an official in the future."
The village chief said modestly: "Hey, brother Zhang, I'm telling you the truth, my daughter only married into the side branch of the He family, which can't compare with the main family."
Escort Zhang disagreed and said seriously, "Village Chief Sun, you don't know that we all prosper together. It's nice to be under a big tree. Your grandson has a bright future."
After a pause, he whispered, "Village Chief Sun, you and I are old acquaintances. To be honest, you must take advantage of the He family's boat and let the children of the family leave Huangyang County. Others want this opportunity, but can't find it."
When Sun Shan heard what Master Zhang said, he agreed with it very much. If a poor person wants to turn his life around, first, he must be gifted and have abilities that others cannot. Second, he must take advantage of all conditions and cling to others shamelessly.
Escort Zhang’s suggestion is the second one.
They chatted for a while and then reached the uphill mountain road. Sun Boming and the escort got off the car and walked slowly with the team.
We got on and off the bus and drove like this for an entire afternoon. Then Zhu Biaotou, who was in front of us, shouted, "Stop. It's getting dark. Let's find a place to stay for the night."
Sun Shan looked around. This place was between two protruding mountains. There was a small mountain village not far away with about 20 households. Surprisingly, half of the houses were made of blue bricks and tiles. It looked richer than Sunjia Village.
Everyone followed Zhu Biaotou. Before they entered the village, a man of the same age as Sun Bomin came out to greet them. He said cheerfully, "Zhu Biaotou, you are here. We have been waiting for a long time. The room is ready."
Zhu Biaotou nodded and said, "Thank you for your help, brother."
The team followed the man into the village, turned a corner, and came to a large courtyard. After everyone entered the courtyard, the man closed the door.
Soon several young men came out and helped the escort agency unload the goods and feed the livestock.
Zhu Biaotou said to Sun Shan and the others, "Village Chief Sun, you should understand the situation here."
The village chief nodded and said, "Open a room for us, the kind with inner rooms."
Every time I go to the city, I stay at this farmhouse.
The man smiled and said, "Okay, follow me."
Sun Shan glanced at the middle-aged man traveling with him, and he also asked for a room.
Sun Shan and others followed the man to a blue brick and tile house. The house was quite large, with one bedroom and one living room, and it was very clean.
Sun Bomin said to the man, "Brother, how do you calculate the cost of meals?" In the past, when he traveled, he always brought dry food with him and had never eaten.
The man smiled and said, "15 wen per person, the same price for adults and children, with vegetables and meat, and rice as much as you want."
When Sun Bomin heard the price, he found it acceptable and ordered 5 meals.
The man grinned and asked the guest to wait.
The weather was hot, and before leaving, the man said that if he wanted to take a shower, he could go to the kitchen and use the hot water for free.
After the man left, Sun Shan, De Ge'er and Gu Yu looked at the house and the large yard outside curiously.
The village chief ordered: "Guyu, Shanzi, Dege'er, you guys stay in the inner room, and we adults stay in the outer room."
After a pause, he continued, "Guyu, stay inside the house and don't go out. If you want to go out, be sure to call someone to go out with you."
There was a large group of young men outside, and Guyu was a girl, so she had to avoid being bumped into.
Guyu nodded and said, "Grandpa, I understand. I'm not going anywhere. I'll just stay in the house."