To the eternal you

Chapter 9 Lu Shangshi Chapter

"Village Chief Kontian, are there enough supplies recently? Do people in the village save enough food for the winter?"

Qi maintained a gentle rhythm and walked parallel with the village chief Konta. The old man looked thin and thin, but he was full of energy. When he heard the girl's question, there was a helpless smile on his face.

"Pray for your kindness. The Lord of the Imperial Palace in Yantian Village is sympathetic. If it is built on this important land of commercial roads, if there are no disasters and disasters, although you can't be rich and rich, but in this era, you can still live a stable life and have a good meal. I can eat."

"Usually, we can save enough food for the winter... But now, alas, half of the young people in the village died in battle with the Shenhu, and their bones have not returned yet."

The pain caused by the war is still on this land and has not dissipated. Some houses they passed by can see that they are already covered with spider webs through the paper windows with several large holes.

"You should have heard that there have been bandits on this trade route for a long time. Every time the adults from the Heavenly Leader came to hunt them down, they were lucky enough to escape with their lives, and they came out to do evil again soon after."

"As for food, these materials are very valuable. Those small grain merchants only sell in outlying islands because bandits dare not take this business route. The price is even higher and there are also bandits who are eyeing them. If they hadn't just left a while ago Liyue Merchant Guild, let us get some surplus food, maybe after this winter, the only hundred or so households left in Yantian Village will die again."

After passing by a hut, the old man also pointed to their backyard, which was simply surrounded by a small fence, and some radishes, vegetables and fruits were planted inside.

"On weekdays, we also pick and plant some ourselves, and saving a little is enough to make ends meet, but after that disaster, a lot of crops on the ground died, and the Tianhu adults also disappeared."

Qi Moran wrote down the news again. Both the sky fox and the ground fox used to be creatures living in the wild of the white fox, but now their disappearance has a great impact.

"Last year there was no harvest. This year, we hurriedly picked and planted the seeds and managed to survive until the autumn harvest. But during the most difficult period, what we ate were the violet melons that were picked and planted since ancient times. But our Konta Village relied on this Kontaran to make a fortune. The fruit of the violet melon tree is taken and eaten, and it is heartbreaking."

The old man's words were full of bitterness.

"What we have worked hard all our lives is to let our children and grandchildren live a good life. After eating zucchini melons, we will lose Kontaran. Without Kontaran, our income will be greatly reduced. At that time, we had no money to buy food and were a little hungry. Those who couldn’t do it simply left the village and went to seek refuge with their relatives, and there were quite a few bastards who went to become thieves.”

"Hey, I let you read a joke, and please forgive the old man's gossip."

When the village chief Konta mentioned those who ran off to become bandits, his tone showed a trace of hatred and even regret.

"No, I will truthfully record the words of Village Chief Kontian. In addition to contacting the survey and making arrangements to maintain the trade routes between the two sides, I also have plans to end this group of thieves when I come here this time."

The voice of prayer comforted me.

"This is... your great kindness and virtue to Konta Village, Konta Village will never forget it!"

The old man bowed deeply to her, including everywhere behind him, who also showed excitement and bowed their heads. There are too few officials who are willing to take care of them these days. Daen, most of them let the people ignore them but pay heavy taxes, let alone take over these scattered villagers scattered around Daoqi beyond their authority.

Narugami, the highest authority, doesn't care about worldly affairs, and concentrates on recuperating in the castle tower, while Inazuma, who won the war, is already devastated, and the soldiers are exhausted.

Looking at this scene, Qi only felt sad. Along the way, she saw a thin woman with a child on her back who was still working hard, a dark man with bare arms, carrying bundles of wheat to the granary, and a few wearing rags. Even little bare-bottomed children help their mothers under the trees.

It's no wonder that the village head would rather offer Kontaran compensation than punish the young men in the village. Once injured, the consequences in this world are self-evident.

What I have done is just my duty and obligation. Do I really deserve their thanks? She thinks she should be able to do better. After returning home, talk to Granny Chun and let her think of a way together.

Even...Even if she is hated by her mother, she still wants to have a good talk with her mother about it.

"Village chief Konta is serious. I haven't finished my work yet. I can't afford to be so grateful. Speaking of it... I found that everyone in the village is in good spirits."

Changing the subject was a bit clumsy, but Village Chief Konta felt that the gentle and polite girl was more friendly than all the officials he had ever met, so he smiled cheerfully.

"Pray for the wisdom of your lord. As you said, although we have endured hardships, we have finally overcome it. In this land that the Lord of the Imperial Palace is watching, we will not steal, commit adultery, lie, or use violence."

"This is a waist that people with a conscience in Konta Village can't bend over. If we, who have lived on this land since ancient times, abandon our conscience, how can we have the face to meet our ancestors? We, who have been sympathized by the Great Imperial Palace, have already lived a happy life." Better than too many villages."

"...that makes sense."

There is indeed hope in their eyes, as well as a firm heart of faith. Although life is difficult, they are optimistic, so it seems that she is too pessimistic.

"Ah, here we are. Look at the old man's memory. It was so fun to chat with Mr. Qi, and he almost passed by."

The village chief Konta laughed, and pointed his crutch flexibly at a house that was built a little more firmly.

"This is where the group of businessmen boarded, but now only Mr. Lu lives."

Then he tapped the young man who was standing next to him with his crutches, and shouted angrily: "What are you doing just staring blankly, go and call Mr. Lu out! Do you still want Mr. Qi to do it yourself?"

"Ah?! I'm sorry old man, I'm sorry Mr. Qi! It's us who are rude—"

The older of the two stepped out with a mocking smile, came to the door, patted it, and shouted: "Mr. Lu! Mr. Lu, open the door quickly. The official is here, and I want to give you peace!"

The other, who was younger, quickly climbed up the tree next to the yard to see if anyone was there.

"Hmph, these two brats are cows, they won't move unless they whip."

Village head Konta stroked his beard, his mouth was disgusted, but there was some love in his eyes.

"You two are interested." Qi Wen said.

Hearing the beauty's praise, the two of them blushed immediately, and the movements of their hands became a lot heavier. The one who climbed the tree wanted to jump directly into the yard and bring him out quickly.

"It's coming! It's coming! Don't shoot it badly!"

A few middle-aged men's voices were vaguely heard.

After a while, the door was opened. The man called Mr. Lu looked tired. He was wearing a coarse linen shirt similar to that of the village chief, and he had a mustache. His appearance looked more like glass moon people.

As soon as he opened the door, the eyes of the two young men lit up, and they pushed him out. He was so scared that he thought something was wrong, until he came to the head of Qihe Village.

"Hey, the old village head, and this—" Mr. Lu couldn't help muttering to himself, "Clear water produces hibiscus, and it's natural to carve."

Such a beautiful woman is worthy of this poem!

Black hair and purple pupils, handsome appearance, a simple official uniform, quiet and gentle, like a lily lily after rain, such a temperament and appearance, in Liyue, it would make business gentry spend a lot of money to win a beautiful woman to smile.

I had to find a way to ask her where she came from, Mr. Lu respectfully said: "I don't know the girl's name, what can I do to find it?"

"Thanks for the compliment from Mr., just ask me to pray. This time I came to confirm with you whether it is true that you, Lu Renjia, Xiao Binyi, Shen Maobing, Ning Xuding and others jointly voted for the entrustment."

The girl was calm and natural, took out the entrustment, read a few names from it, and then looked at his reaction, it seemed a little surprised.

"Here, Miss Qi, ah no, Master Qi! How dare we lie to the government as a good citizen!"

Mr. Lu waved his hand quickly, his tone was sincere, and he was so anxious that even the government said it.

"Don't worry, I don't doubt what you mean, it's just a customary question, and some details, please answer truthfully."

Qi nodded, then looked at the village chief.

"Ah, to discuss important matters, why not go to the old man's house, it's quite spacious, and there are no idlers."

Under the leadership of the old village head, a group of people came to the village head's house. As the village head said, it was indeed spacious, with no furniture, only simple beds, cooking utensils, and old tatami mats.

The girl was sitting on the only cushion. The village chief wanted to leave, but was stopped by prayers, hoping that he would provide some basis for judgment, and Mr. Lu also sat down respectfully opposite the girl, explaining the situation in detail.

It is said that this group of thieves was founded by a strange guy who called himself the Floating Wanderers, but I heard that there was no news a long time ago, and this group of people also claimed to be an organization of the Floating Wanderers.

Furthermore, the girl and the girl know the same information, and have disappeared for a while recently, and Mr. Lu and his group are all unlucky ones who were robbed, but fortunately they escaped.

But as the saying goes, the more you take a step back, the more you think about it, the more angry you get, and the goods are gone, and they have no money to go back, so they have to stay in Yantian Village and help with some farm work. The reason why Mr. Lu is called Mr.

But he is one of the rare ones who can read well. The village head hired him to teach the children, and occasionally to help out with advice. Just like this, they really made some money, relying on him to negotiate with the people of the Liyue Chamber of Commerce ( In fact, it was the villagers who sold it miserably) so that they were willing to collect some Kontian dyes at a high price and sell them back to Liyue, in exchange for surplus grain to survive the winter.

Then there are some bits and pieces of gossip, for example, the weapons on these bandits are well maintained, at least not like those who fall into bandits and have trouble eating, and want to maintain their weapons?

Obviously there is some stronghold, or some guy is secretly raising them, and the purpose is clear, and they can run away quickly.

If you have the ability to go to Tianling or Dingding to make a living, although you won't be able to sit in a high position controlled by family members, it should not be difficult to support yourself.

But it is such a group of people, obviously there are many members, and they can escape the pursuit of Tianling Xingxing by luck every time.

Rather, it's more like deliberately hanging on to the sky.

Generally speaking, there are too many members, good and evil are mixed, and the people below are not well controlled. It is a common problem for most miscellaneous fish and bandits to show their feet and attract officers and soldiers to hunt them down.

Not to mention that this group of vagabonds are still allied with the Treasure Thieves. If you can't catch you vagabonds, I can't catch a few sleazy thieves?

But those members of the treasure robbery group who were arrested were wronged to death, and they all said they didn't know. I heard that some of them worked with the Furonman in the past, but it seemed that there was something wrong with the uneven distribution of spoils. Find out which colleagues are still hanging out with them.

"I understand. Thank you for your cooperation. The shogunate will resolve this entrustment as soon as possible, and will notify you if the goods are recovered."

Although everyone knows that most of the stolen goods are impossible to recover. After all, they also have access to them, whether they resell them to the black market or use them for themselves. But Mr. Lu still nodded repeatedly.

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, we have let go of it for a while. It would be best if we can get it back. If we can't get it back, I will have no complaints. I just hope that the officers and soldiers of the shogunate can bring them to justice and give us back. justice."

"That should be the case." Qi took back the power of attorney and nodded earnestly to him.

"Then I'm satisfied, and I'll take my leave first." Mr. Lu cupped his hands and left with a smile on his face.

The village head, Kontian, also stroked his beard, and commented: "Mr. Lu has a kind and honest personality, and the other partners in his partnership have made money. A few days ago, he posted the money to let them go back to outlying islands to reconsider the business."

"The village head of Konta said so, so I can rest assured." The girl admired this old man very much, and she still trusted him to lead the head of a village in Konta village. Just when the girl was about to go back, she suddenly remembered something and said seriously. Said: "By the way, when I came here, I heard the village chief said that someone in the village seems to have joined the gang of bandits?"

"...Well, it's not something to be ashamed of. The old man has long lost his face. You treat us sincerely, and we will not hide it. It is true."

Village head Konta took a sip of his bitter tea, the corners of his mouth were bitter.

"The head of my village didn't take good care of these children, and he was powerless to stop them. They secretly ran away at night with a group. I only heard that someone saw them wandering around the edge of the shadow mountain recently. I don't know what happened to them. , let me have such a bastard in Konta Village, is Master Qi thinking...?"

He thought of something, and quickly persuaded: "These thieves are doing evil, and they are rampant and domineering on weekdays, causing disasters in the village. There may be more people. It is better to be careful when you are alone. Go back to Daoqiu City and make a long-term plan."

Although he knew that in this time of disaster, the girl who dared to come to Konta Village alone would definitely have something to rely on, but the old man still couldn't help worrying.

Although this delicate and expensive female doll did not see the guards, she might be hiding somewhere, but let Master Qi go into danger like this, not to mention being injured. Seeing them, the old man feels Dirty adults' eyes.

"Don't worry, I have my own measure."

Qi smiled softly, and she would always return the same warmth to others' concern.

"Then, sorry to bother you, I may trouble you again later, please forgive me."

"No problem, no problem, it is our honor to pray that your lord is willing to come, and the old man will sweep the couch to welcome you."

Village head Konta also smiled, his wrinkles stretched a lot.

After leaving the village chief's house, Qi didn't stop, and walked towards Yingxiang Mountain without stopping.

Only the villagers of Kontian Village were left watching the girl's delicate back as she walked further and further away.

"This... the village chief, are you really not going to follow? What if Master Qi encounters some thieves!"

"Yes, this is too dangerous!"

The two youths who followed in the afternoon said anxiously.

"Your intentions are good, but you can't help Master Qi, and the autumn harvest in the village has just passed, and there are still many things that need manpower."

The words of Village Chief Konta are cold and ruthless, but very realistic.

"Master Qi must have something to rely on to come here alone, and she is far smarter than us. What we can think of, Sir Qi will only think further, don't worry about it anymore, what should you do when you are gone?"

"Also, have you forgotten that kid who is shadowing Xiangshan?"

The words of the village chief made the villagers look stiff.

"You mean the kid who hangs out with the tengu?"

"I heard it's called Iwazo?"

"A while ago, it seemed to be living in Caimen's house."

This name seemed to have a different kind of magic power, which made everyone quiet.

"That's right, he is also on the other side of Yingxiang Mountain, so if there is a destiny, he should be able to help Lord Shangqi."

"As expected of the village chief, he is really considerate."

"Okay, okay, since Iwakura kid is here, it shouldn't be a problem. With his character, he should be able to discuss with Master Qi and even help."

In the end, the villagers left with their own feelings. Only a few young people showed reluctance and hesitation, but they still looked at the village, gritted their teeth and stopped thinking, and turned their heads and entered the village.

The old village chief walked home step by step with his hands behind his back and on crutches, his back stretched and slender.

There was one more thing he didn't tell the villagers.

That girl... looks very similar to the Ogosho-sama, no, except that she is a little younger, it's almost as if she was carved out of the same mold.

What is going on, the truth is too terrifying, Konda Kannosuke dare not think too much.

He just wanted to spend the rest of his life in Konta Village safely.

PS: 4700 words big update, one time to see a cool!I hope to count more votes, collect them, and post them~