The carriage rumbled along the old official road again, though at a slower pace this time.
Since they weren't planning a midday camp for rest, they weren't pushing the horses. A gentler pace meant less strain on them.
Besides, they needed to wait for the people from Shan'ao Village. As long as they maintained a steady speed, the villagers, though slower, could keep up, and they would still meet before nightfall.
The Jin family's convoy could keep pace and even had spare horses. Steward Du had told Gao Dashan that the women and children from their village could ride, with their flat carts pulled by horses, capable of carrying some people.
The Jin family currently had a decent relationship with the people of Shan'ao Village. This was because Steward Du, after losing horses, had consulted an elder from the village who understood such matters. Upon learning that the sick horses were unfit for consumption, he had them thrown into the river. This act had earned him gratitude, preventing the dwindling Jin family members from potentially eating another diseased horse and falling ill.
What was more important, however, was the realization that the Jin family's convoy, despite having ample money, had limited supplies and few people. Steward Du, for his own stable livelihood, had begun earnestly advising his master. He had finally persuaded him, and now he was also encouraging the Jin family head to foster good relations with the people of Shan'ao Village, seeing it as a beneficial step. More people meant more connections. Perhaps even inviting them to join the Jin family would be a wise choice, especially considering their substantial labor force. Steward Du genuinely thought it was a good idea.
As for his master, the Jin family head, he was terrified of the possibility of his servants rebelling. He was now extremely close to Steward Du, obediently following his lead, and had become quite compliant. He had handed over the decision-making power to Steward Du, entrusting him with full responsibility for matters.
Steward Du naturally had the authority to allow any willing women and children from Shan'ao Village to ride on the carts, thus lightening their burden and enabling them to keep pace more effectively.
Gao Dashan was naturally grateful. His own family had expressed their unwillingness to be separated, as in these times, unexpected events could occur at any moment, and it was more comforting for the family to stay together, even if they were to die, they wanted to die together. However, others were willing. After repeated confirmations that the village would travel with the Cheng and Jin families, they eagerly clamored to get on the carts. A brief commotion ensued, and they only settled down after Gao Dashan's stern words, with women and children given priority for the seats. The men, being more physically capable, would walk, and their luggage could also be placed on the carts. After a moment of deliberation, they began piling their heavier belongings onto the carts.
After this slight delay, the convoy set off again.
The Cheng family led the way. The Jin family's convoy followed in the middle, maintaining some distance from the Cheng family's vehicles. Some of the people from Shan'ao Village brought up the rear. Although there were gaps between them, they could still see each other's people, merely a matter of leading or trailing. However, as the people from Shan'ao Village would be walking, they were expected to fall significantly behind due to their limited stamina.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao both marveled at the Jin family's convoy, acknowledging how fortunate they were to have a sensible Steward Du. Otherwise, their convoy might not have lasted long. By helping the people of Shan'ao Village now, they had earned a measure of goodwill that would be remembered.
The Cheng family's convoy had nearly all its goods loaded, with even the previously empty spaces filled with firewood. The hard-won firewood couldn't be discarded carelessly. Seeing this, Cheng Hao instructed them to pack it properly onto the carts. This would save time in the future collecting firewood and also prevent it from being stolen later. The outcome proved this foresight correct.
Especially as the Cheng family's convoy led the way, they observed that the road ahead was no longer desolate. Instead, they occasionally encountered small groups of people also fleeing with their belongings. However, these groups were not using the official roads. Like the people from Shan'ao Village, they were taking mountain paths, which were generally faster than the direct official road. The Cheng family members could see groups occasionally passing by on the mountainside. When these groups spotted their convoy, they would freeze in fear, only daring to peek out and observe them after the convoy had sped past. They were quite timid.
The Cheng family, however, felt more secure. After all, they had a larger group. Regardless of their current relationships, the combined strength of these three groups, even with distances between them, formed a considerable force. It had a somewhat majestic aura. Others, upon seeing this, naturally avoided them and dared not attempt to block their path. Furthermore, the large horse-drawn carriages themselves possessed an imposing presence, exuding a sense of pressure. With guards clearing the way, people naturally felt apprehensive and wouldn't dare to obstruct them. Thus, they continued smoothly towards their next destination.
Inside the carriages, the concubines taught the children calligraphy and poetry, ensuring they wouldn't grow up illiterate. They lectured them diligently. Meanwhile, the Cheng family head, Master Cheng, was sound asleep, embracing Madam Cheng. Jiang Xiyue, leaning against the window on the couch, was also dozing uncomfortably. Her dreams were filled with those two annoying individuals being affectionate, causing her to frown in annoyance. The wet nurse and maids, not daring to disturb them, huddled by another window, mending clothes.
On the carriages of Cheng Fengtai and Cheng Kaichun, everyone else was also fast asleep. With nothing else to do, they sought amusement in their dreams. Cai Shi and Xi Shi, now separated, felt a little lonely without their usual chats. However, they were busy using scraps of cloth provided by Uncle Ji to make socks, hats, and other small items for the children, preparing for winter. What mother could possibly be idle?
The children, having siblings, were able to huddle together and whisper amongst themselves. Looking out the window, everything was novel and fresh. The furthest they had ever traveled before wasn't very far, and this was their first time on such a long journey. Everything was new and intriguing to them. They chattered quietly, their innocent words bringing smiles to their mothers' faces, easing some of their anxieties.
In the vehicles at the rear of the convoy, those who had been logging the previous night were naturally catching up on sleep. It was quite peaceful. Brothers Cheng Dazhuang and Cheng Dali were also sleeping soundly, as if dead to the world. Cheng Xiaoxi, however, would occasionally lift the oiled cloth to check on the basket containing the rabbits. Seeing the big grey rabbit diligently eating wild vegetables brought him peace of mind. He then pulled the oiled cloth back down, leaving only about two inches at the bottom for ventilation. Cheng Xiaoxi, imagining how magnificent his rabbit herd would become one day, couldn't help but grin foolishly, feeling very secure.
Their section of the convoy was relatively quiet. Su Miaomiao's carriage, however, was lively. She was busy with her herbs. She propped up the window ledge, some items for sun-drying, others for air-drying. Parts that needed separating were divided for later medicinal use. While she bustled about, she also had to take notes, thoroughly occupied.
Cheng Hao didn't interfere, simply telling her to be careful and letting her do as she pleased. Having something to do would keep her settled and prevent her from bothering him. He was currently drawing a map of their route. Surprisingly, Uncle Ji knew something about some of the locations. When he went to settle accounts at the rural estates, the people there often traveled to sell their farm produce. During casual conversations, he had heard about some places, and could provide Cheng Hao with a general overview. Cheng Hao used another piece of parchment to sketch it out according to Uncle Ji's recollections. Given their current distance, reaching a neighboring country wouldn't be a simple undertaking. However, those lands represented stability and peace, a yearning for their troubled region. They had to go. With unrest everywhere, it was truly difficult to quell the situation in a short period.