The Xue family head and the Qi family head both expressed they would not. The ancestral home of General Wu's family was known for its righteousness, so given the rumors, life inside must surely be peaceful. Moreover, they provided free porridge regularly!
This was why the nearby villagers had not rioted. Instead, they accepted the relief porridge and worked hard to save money to live within the city, or perhaps they could sell their labor and do the menial, dirty jobs inside.
After all, with so many wealthy families in the city, servants were naturally needed.
And precisely because of this.
Those outside were not driven to revolt. They were kept dangling by this sliver of hope.
From this perspective.
The people of Que Zhou City, General Wu's ancestral home, were quite adept at handling things.
The Cheng family head was already itching to go.
The Xue family head added fuel to the fire, advising, "Look at the world outside now! How can we possibly live? There is unrest all around, and it's hard to fathom people's hearts. There are fierce beasts roaming the wilderness. If one is unlucky, it could mean total annihilation, the destruction of an entire family!"
They were still some distance from Que Zhou City. The Xue family head, having witnessed the "invincible" capabilities of the Cheng family's convoy, naturally wanted to travel with them.
This was why he was so earnestly sharing the information he knew.
The Xue family head said, "Life within the city can be quite comfortable with just a little wealth! It's not like we have to go bankrupt! Besides, they use their might to protect the city; what's wrong with us contributing a bit of money? Why be reluctant to part with this small sum? If Brother Cheng cannot afford this amount, I can cover it for you first! Consider it a destined encounter."
He spoke quite generously.
In reality, he also wanted to latch onto the Cheng family's convoy. With the Cheng family there, the rest of the journey would be much safer. He considered it like hiring a security escort, and being escorted to Que Zhou City would be a good thing!
However, a businessman knew how to speak, hiding his own intentions behind pleasant words. This way, the Cheng family would also owe him a favor.
The Yu family head, being a shrewd individual himself, quickly chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! In this world, knowing more people and traveling together provides support. Since we've met, it's also fate. If you lack the funds, I have some as well. Brother Cheng, you needn't worry about this matter!"
Both of them expressed that Que Zhou City was truly the best destination nearby.
"Otherwise, with the vastness of this world and smoke everywhere, where else would you go?"
These words struck a chord with the Cheng family head. He began to waver, "You two younger brothers speak the truth. But still, I need to think about it." Though excited, he wasn't foolish enough to change his route rashly.
Compared to outsiders.
The Cheng family head trusted his own kin and his own people more.
The two family heads decided to cease their efforts.
They stopped bothering him, saying they should consider it and decide later whether to travel with them.
Both family heads had business dealings in Que Zhou City, so they were more familiar with the routes and even had maps, with acquaintances there.
They also urged the Cheng family head to seriously consider that traveling with them was the right path!
The Cheng family head smiled and nodded repeatedly in agreement, watching the two depart. Only then did he sigh with relief, his face full of exhaustion. These recent days of fleeing and hardship were, after all, incomparable to life in their grand estate before.
He seemed to have aged considerably.
His temples had even turned white.
Cheng Fengtai and Cheng Kaichun watched with a hint of surprise but said nothing more.
The Cheng family head looked at these two relatives and said, "Among my kin, I value you two the most. After all, it's easier to talk to intelligent people like us. Dali and Dazhuang only have brute force, and I won't listen to them. I only want to ask for your opinions: do you think we should go to Que Zhou City?"
Cheng Kaichun was already overwhelmed by these words. Their experiences on this journey could already be considered fortunate. They were already suffering so much; if their luck were to turn for the worse, wouldn't their experiences be even more bitter?
He was already afraid.
The more chaotic the outside world was, the more beautiful Que Zhou City seemed, as described by the Xue and Yu family heads. They could even have revelry there every night!
Let alone in this chaotic era.
Even in peaceful times before, Cheng Kaichun had never experienced such a thing.
He thought that since he had ingratiated himself with the Cheng family head, he should follow him into the city to live a good life. If he were to flee on his own, he probably wouldn't even be able to get past the gates of Que Zhou City. Now, relying on the Cheng family head's prestige, two other wealthy families were rushing to pay for them to enter the city and enjoy themselves?
Why wouldn't they go?
Cheng Kaichun couldn't wait to fly into the city and enjoy himself!
He exclaimed excitedly, "Go! Why wouldn't we go? Brother Cheng! They want to give us money to go into the city?"
It wasn't their own money!
And in his opinion, those who deceive you of your money are villains. If people want to give you money, how can they be bad people? They are definitely good people!
The Cheng family head was naturally tempted as well. Cheng Kaichun's words made his heart yearn for it. But he also wanted to hear Cheng Fengtai's opinion, as he had been the one opposing it earlier. He wanted to hear what thoughts he had now.
Cheng Fengtai, compared to Cheng Kaichun, was more composed. He still shook his head and said, "There's no free lunch in this world. It can't be that simple. I suspect that to live in the city, not only will there be an entrance fee, but the houses to live in will also have to be rented, and then food, drink, and all expenses will cost money. And we have so many people..."
These words indeed served as a stark reminder to the Cheng family head, making him break out in a cold sweat. He immediately nodded and said with lingering fear, "You speak the truth. How can there be a free lunch in this world? It's definitely not that simple. Those two are just repeating hearsay, passed through how many mouths..."
These words remained to be verified.
But if they were true.
The distance to the neighboring country was tens of thousands of miles. What might happen on the road?
No one could guarantee.
If Que Zhou City could withstand the turmoil, then they could indeed live a peaceful life by relying on it. But if not, another fierce battle would ensue before they could escape. Yet, wandering outside, the dangers in the later stages were also unpredictable.
If they encountered large numbers of refugees surging towards them, could their small convoy withstand it? Or if they met experienced bandits later, could their small convoy's military strength withstand bloodthirsty villains?
Cheng Fengtai also fell silent.
The Cheng family head was lazy, cowardly, and lacked initiative, but he wasn't entirely foolish. He had also struggled and managed businesses for a while, so he wasn't a complete simpleton.
Now, when discussing matters, he spoke quite eloquently.
However, the underlying meaning in his words still revealed a longing for Que Zhou City.
But it was understandable.
Having experienced such a period of displacement and wandering, who wouldn't long for stability?