Parents are busy farming

After five days of arduous trek, the caravan finally saw the majestic and huge city gate. Before entering the city, Ye Zifen felt a strange feeling in her heart - completely different from the past.

There used to be government officials guarding the city gates, but there wouldn't be so many anymore, and everyone wouldn't be checked one by one.

Although they did not examine them, they specifically questioned the people from the village they had brought with them.

She wanted to ask, but seeing so many people queuing up to enter the city, she had to give up. Anyway, she would go back to see Magistrate Su after the goods were delivered to Fuke Lai.

After entering the city gate, this feeling became even weirder. There seemed to be a heavy haze hanging over everyone's faces, and the atmosphere was extremely depressing.

Although it was still unclear when the accident happened, seeing this situation, Ye Zifen did not dare to delay at all and led the caravan straight in the direction of Fuke.

On the way, when passers-by saw the people following them, they all showed alert eyes, as if they were worried that this group of people would do something.

Not only that, but everyone also started to be wary of the caravan itself.

As the team leader, Ye Zifen walked at the head of the queue, paying close attention to the movements of the crowd around him.

Some people in the city recognized her and showed no ill intentions, but their expressions remained solemn and solemn.

This situation made Ye Zifen anxious, and she couldn't help but speed up her pace.

She knew that she must find Wang Sheng and others as soon as possible to clarify the current situation.

As Ye Zifen speeds up, the entire caravan follows closely behind, and the speed also increases accordingly.

However, this is a pain for those who have traveled all the way here.

I originally thought that I would be able to take a rest after arriving at the county town, but unexpectedly, my journey was now even more hurried.

When Ye Zifen rode her horse slowly to the door of Fuke Lai, she couldn't help but widen her eyes and open her mouth in surprise - there were actually many fewer people coming to Fuke Lai for dinner than before!

You know, Fuke Lai was very lively in the past. There were always crowds of people at the door and a constant flow of people. It would never be as deserted and deserted as it is now.

What's more, the Chinese New Year is about to come, and business people come here to discuss next year's plans and connect with each other.

Ye Zifen thought to herself: "It can't be because there is no cargo ship at the dock, right?"

While she was thinking, she quickly jumped off the horse, threw the reins aside neatly, and then rushed towards Fukelai like a whirlwind.

As soon as she stepped into Fu Ke Lai, the situation inside made her extremely disappointed.

I saw that the store was empty, and there were very few customers. Even if it wasn't dinner time yet, it shouldn't be so deserted! There were only two or three tables of guests sitting and dining sparsely.

Fortunately, Wang Sheng was sitting at the counter and writing hard, seeming to be completely immersed in his own world.

Ye Zifen walked quickly to his side, but he was unaware of it.

It wasn't until she picked up the riding crop in her hand and tapped the counter lightly that Wang Sheng suddenly came back to his senses and raised his head.

When he saw Ye Zifen standing in front of him, his face immediately showed an ecstatic expression, and he quickly asked: "Miss, are you back? Are you here specifically to celebrate the New Year?"

However, Ye Zifen did not answer his question, but asked directly: "Did something happen in the county? Why do you feel that everyone's faces are so strange?"

After Wang Sheng heard this, he couldn't help but sigh deeply and replied solemnly: "Yes, an earth-shattering event did happen, and this matter is by no means comparable to ordinary trivial matters."

Ye Zifen was very worried and couldn't wait to ask: "What kind of thing is it?"

Wang Sheng frowned and replied in a low tone: "Not long ago, a group of robbers suddenly broke into our county. They looted many shops. This case has been reported to the county government, but surprisingly Yes, so far, the county government has still not given a reply.”

Zifen looked suspicious and continued to ask: "Did it happen at night?"

Wang Sheng shook his head quickly, "Not at night, but in broad daylight, when the world is clear."

Ye Zifen felt more and more fishy that something was going on, "How dare you commit such an arrogant and public robbery in broad daylight, while the Yamen was helpless and unable to solve the case? There must be some ulterior secret hidden in it."

Wang Sheng nodded repeatedly in agreement, "It is indeed very strange. These bandits are huge in number and unscrupulous. They rob anything they see. Fortunately, miss, your shop at home escaped, but those shops near the North City Gate were all brutally attacked. , no one is spared.”

Before he finished speaking, Ye Zifen suddenly interrupted and asked: "Then do you know who these robbers are?"

Wang Sheng nodded slightly, sighed, and said: "As far as I know, they are a group of displaced refugees!"

Hearing this, Ye Zifen had a clear understanding in his heart, but the expression on his face became more solemn.

She knew very well that if this matter was really caused by the refugees who had fled, even if the county government intervened, it would be difficult to recover the stolen property.

After all, these refugees are also ordinary people. Magistrate Su will definitely feel sympathy, but at the same time he is worried that this move will provoke a popular uprising.

Ye Zifen was thinking to herself and said: "So, from that day on, if you want to enter the city, you must go through strict interrogation. Is that right?"

Wang Sheng nodded silently in agreement.

Ye Zifen never expected that the refugees from the north would arrive so quickly.

You know, there are many cities in the north. Why don't they choose other places to settle, but instead flock here?

Originally, she thought it would take at least some time for something like this to happen.

It seems that there are other reasons for this.

Then, she turned to look at Wang Sheng and ordered: "Since the caravan has returned with the goods, you can unload the goods first. I have important things to do and must go to the county office immediately. If If you encounter any problem that cannot be solved, you can discuss it with Meng'er and decide how to deal with it."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Zifen hurriedly walked out the door, not even bothering to dress up.

With steps like the wind, she quickly left through the back door of Fu Ke Lai. She just didn't want to meet the caravan members at the front door, so as not to have to talk to them.

Wang Sheng wanted to continue to persuade him a few more words, but when he saw Ye Zifen's retreating figure, he could only helplessly shake his head.

Then, he slowly walked out from behind the counter and began to direct people to unload the goods.

Then, he asked two other guys to go to the third floor to tidy up the room so that everyone could get enough rest.

Seeing basket after basket of goods being moved into the backyard, he hurriedly wrote to Xiang Zhibo asking how much supplies he needed.