Ji Bo immediately went to check, not delaying even half a moment.
Cheng Hao increasingly felt he was a good person to keep by his side as an assistant, but he needed to observe further to see if the old man was loyal.
He only worried that Ji Bo might favor the Cheng family head; the truth remained to be seen.
After Ji Bo left.
Cheng Hao continued to organize the carriages, checking each vehicle for soundness.
He then summoned the servant in charge of grain, requested provisions to feed the horses and mules, as they were essential for the journey and naturally could not be neglected.
Fortunately.
While other items might have been stolen, the feed for the horses and mules was intact.
Three mule carts were fully packed, enough to sustain them for a good while.
Otherwise.
The journey would inevitably be delayed.
Ensuring the transportation was secured solved a major part of the travel concerns.
Cheng Hao spent some time inspecting all the vehicles, then helped the servants distribute the supplies, ensuring everything was evenly allocated to each cart.
Each horse-drawn carriage was equipped with a copper kettle for boiling water, a large lidded wooden barrel for water, a double-fish bronze basin, and bedding that was to be taken back to the cart by whoever used it last night.
Newly made unleavened biscuits were placed ten to a cart.
At least enough to last for a while.
The water in the lidded wooden barrels was strictly for drinking, not for washing.
After all, they were fleeing.
There was no need for such fuss.
Next were the water skins; these were limited, with each master getting one.
Servants would have to share.
Newly made clothes were also distributed, two sets per person according to the headcount.
The weather was starting to turn cold.
Care must be taken.
Getting sick would be troublesome.
Cheng Hao worked alongside the servants, only relaxing after everything was organized.
It wasn't that he was idle and enjoyed doing chores, but in times like these, he had experienced the benefits of staying with a group yesterday.
Therefore.
This group could not be disbanded easily, and being alone made one more vulnerable to becoming a target. Cheng Hao had to arrange things himself.
Who told him his cheap father was unreliable?
Someone had to bear the burden.
This was also an opportunity to earn favor and win over some people.
Cheng Hao did not trust his cheap father; he knew his character all too well.
He was a purely selfish individual.
To ensure his and Su Miaomiao's safety, he had to win people over.
When necessary.
This group might be able to protect him and Su Miaomiao, and it would be their foundation.
Cheng Hao indeed did a good job.
The servants increasingly admired the young master who had been away studying for so long.
When Ji Bo returned.
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, the old man said, "It's all counted, all counted."
He then began to report to his young master.
Cheng Hao listened and mentally processed the information, organizing the people and their relationships.
The convoy currently consisted of fifty people.
Three horse-riding guards led the way.
The first carriage carried two concubines, three children (two boys and one girl), a servant driving the cart, and a maid sitting beside him, totaling nine people.
The second carriage carried the Cheng family head and his wife, Jiang Xiyue, an elderly personal servant, and two young maids around ten years old, all inside the carriage.
A total of six people.
Six horse-riding guards accompanied them.
The third carriage was Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao's, with the fewest people. Outside were only the driver, Lai Fu, and Ji Bo himself.
A total of four people.
The fourth and fifth carriages carried Cheng Fengtai's family of four and Cheng Kaichun's family of five respectively, including four servants in the driver's position.
A total of thirteen people.
Behind them were relatives from other branches who had not yet left, namely the strong men Cheng Dali and Cheng Dazhuang, and a half-grown boy, Cheng Xiaoxi.
The three of them, along with six male servants, drove the mule carts loaded with supplies.
A total of nine people.
Cheng Hao nodded, praising Ji Bo for doing a good job. This way, no one could sneak in during the chaos. The times were chaotic, and the convoy should temporarily maintain this number. Once things stabilized, they could consider taking in more people.
Ji Bo had spent considerable effort counting everyone and explaining the relationships of these distant relatives to Cheng Hao, ensuring he understood perfectly.
Cheng Hao closed his eyes to consolidate the information, and when he opened them, he had fully digested it.
He said again, "Thank you for your hard work, Ji Bo. Please rest for a while."
Ji Bo was around forty years old and had never married. Ever since he was rescued by the Cheng family, all his efforts had been dedicated to them.
He was visibly tired but still said respectfully, "It is my duty to serve the young master. You don't need to thank me. I shall take my leave."
Cheng Hao nodded in agreement.
The two then parted.
Over there, the Cheng family head and his wife were gradually awakened by the commotion outside.
Cheng Hao immediately rushed to Su Miaomiao's side, finding her sitting groggily and looking around for him. As soon as she saw him, her eyes fixed, and her lips began to pout, looking exceptionally pampered.
He immediately went over, picked up her clothes, and covered her.
After she was dressed.
Su Miaomiao finally woke up completely. She stood up and stretched lazily, her joints making cracking sounds. She was like a big cat stretching, exuding an air of languid freedom.
She shook her head from side to side, making a couple more cracking sounds. She turned and raised an eyebrow, smiling jauntily and saying, "So refreshed!" She couldn't help but hop.
The feeling of regaining control of her body was wonderful. It felt so good!
Su Miaomiao felt her body was in optimal condition, capable of running several kilometers without issue. She also considered making exercise a priority.
They were fleeing, after all.
She had to quickly bring this body back to at least fifty percent of her former strength, then she wouldn't be afraid of two strong men!
Cheng Hao watched her stretch and limber up, almost as if she were performing a set of military exercises.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
Then he shook his head.
This was the real Su Miaomiao. The teary-eyed, sniffling Su Miaomiao from yesterday was a rare, childlike version. In her normal state, this spirited demeanor was her true self.
Those around her were already dumbfounded, thinking this young girl was truly…
Too uninhibited.
Yesterday, she was a delicate young girl, and today she was so spirited?
Her entire aura had changed.
The Cheng family head also noticed. With his uncombed, slightly disheveled hair, he stared and said, "This child is certainly unusual, haha…"
He gave a forced laugh.
The Cheng family mother covered her mouth and smiled, "Like a little monkey…"
After speaking.
Worried it might be inappropriate.
Her tone was a bit too mocking.
She then added with a smile, "I thought she would be a quiet young lady raised in seclusion, like our Xiyue. I didn't expect her to be so lively and active."
As the Cheng family mother spoke, she couldn't help but compare her to her niece.
She felt her niece was even better.
The Cheng family head, with fewer thoughts, also smiled at his remarried wife's words, "Lively is good, quiet is good, all is good, all is good."
After all, he was a businessman, and his words offended no one.