Chapter 62 Shifting the Blame, Chu Feng and Zhou Xiaoxiao's Heart-to-Heart Talk

Chu Feng walked up and looked at the drawing of the fire-stick on the map.

"So this is the so-called firelock? What use does it have?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Just remember that it is a hidden weapon, and it travels at a speed so fast that people simply cannot dodge it. Once it is pointed at you, you'd better run for your life."

"And what is this map?" Chu Feng asked.

Ever since Liu Xi and Liao Zi'ang realized they could push this troublesome task onto Chu Feng, they had become much more lenient toward him.

No matter what Chu Feng asked, they answered earnestly.

"This matter is classified, but you are now considered one of our government officials. The situation on the front lines is looking rather grim, and there is a high possibility that one day, the people of Daxia might march right to our doorsteps. That is why we are carrying this defense map with us. Our next task is to inspect all the locations marked on it."

"Then we will be leaving now."

Liu Xi was already too impatient to stay a moment longer.

Watching the two of them leave, Chu Feng smiled.

Du Dahai, standing nearby, worriedly asked, "Why did those two dump a task like capturing someone onto you?"

"Why else? Because they are too lazy to handle it themselves, and they even offered me such a generous condition just to get rid of it."

"Then you agreed?"

"Why wouldn't I? But agreeing doesn't mean I actually have to do it, right?" Chu Feng chuckled.

The primary reason those two were so eager to shift the burden was precisely because they wouldn't suffer any consequences even if the mission failed.

However, another piece of information they had dropped gave Chu Feng some pause.

Daxia might actually attack and invade the town?

Was moving their family to the town truly a wise choice?

During times of war between two nations, it was always the towns and major cities that suffered the slaughter of their populations. Villages were often overlooked. A village would only be targeted if it happened to lie directly along the invading army's route of march.

Yet their village was tucked away in an isolated spot, with the towering Yulong Snow Mountain right beside it. Unless the strategists in Daxia had lost their minds, they would never march through a place like this.

That being said, staying in the town might actually be less safe than remaining in the village.

After leaving Du Dahai's house, Chu Feng returned home.

Zhou Xiaoxiao had filled out quite a bit during this period. Eating better had provided her with proper nourishment, and on top of that, she now had peace of mind. The family no longer had to worry about their next meal.

Especially with the New Year approaching—having grain in hand brought true tranquility to the heart.

Chu Feng had been striving hard to move to the town, yet he had neglected to discuss the matter thoroughly with Zhou Xiaoxiao.

"Woof, woof, woof!"

Benben was looking more and more like a fully grown dog now. Seeing Chu Feng, it happily bounded forward to welcome him.

Huahua lay lazily on the roof of the woodshed, looking much like its mother had when she first arrived at Chu Feng's home.

"You're back."

"Xiaoxiao, let me ask you a question," Chu Feng said.

"What is it?"

"Would you like to live in the town?"

He had anticipated that Zhou Xiaoxiao might say no, and he had also considered that she might say yes, most likely after careful thought.

Yet, to his surprise, Zhou Xiaoxiao didn't even hesitate. She shook her head directly and said, "I don't want to go to the town."

"Why?"

Chu Feng was somewhat taken aback by her decisiveness.

"It's not nice there," Zhou Xiaoxiao replied.

Chu Feng scratched his head and looked around. Aside from a vast expanse of white snow, the village lacked any vibrant colors, and very few people even walked about, given the heavy snow.

"Could it possibly be worse than the village? Here, we can't even buy everyday goods, and it takes half a day's walk just to reach the town. There are no opportunities to earn money either, leaving us with only the Yulong Mountains for company day after day. Besides, we have silver now. If we move to the city, we can live a very comfortable life," Chu Feng argued.

Zhou Xiaoxiao looked at him and said, "Husband, do you want to live in the town? If you want to go, your lowly wife will follow you wherever you go."

"I want to hear your opinion," Chu Feng said gently.

"I really don't want to go, because the town is unstable. When we were back at Xiliu Village, news would arrive every single day about which town or city had been breached by Daxia soldiers—how they slaughtered the cities, killed people, and even practiced cannibalism. Moreover, people in the towns are cold and heartless, unlike the villagers here. Sister Wang taught me how to raise silkworms, the village chief's family always stepped up whenever we needed help, and the other villagers stood by us during disputes. Isn't that wonderful?"

"But we have money; we can buy a large courtyard in the town and even hire a maidservant for you."

"In the event that the city falls, wouldn't the wealthy be the very first ones targeted and liquidated? Besides, I don't like having people wait on me," Zhou Xiaoxiao hurriedly shook her head.

Then, seemingly recalling something, she added earnestly, "But I know my husband surely has his own plans, and your plans must be right. If you truly wish to go to the town, I will go with you."

With a wife like this, what more could a man ask for?

"Xiaoxiao, husband, we've come again."

An aged, weathered voice drifted in from outside the door.

Chu Feng turned his head to look and saw Zhou Youqiang—Zhou Xiaoxiao's uncle.

The moment she saw them, Zhou Xiaoxiao's face instantly fell. Yet, unlike before, there was no trace of fear left in her expression.

Because she was no longer the person she used to be.

"Uncle, what brings you here?"

"I figured these things might be of some use to you," Zhou Youqiang said, dragging a burlap sack.

Inside the sack were various iron nails, a hoe, some fencing materials, and even a lump of saltpeter.

At the sight of the saltpeter, Chu Feng's eyes lit up instantly. However, he remained silent and simply looked at Zhou Xiaoxiao.

Zhou Xiaoxiao inspected the contents of the sack and asked, "What are you looking to trade these for?"

"Just some grain, a little grain will do," Zhou Youqiang said with an ingratiating grin.

Not far away, Wang Xiufen stood quietly, not uttering a single word, nor even stepping any closer.

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Xiaoxiao said, "Alright, wait here."

She walked into the woodshed and brought out a modest bundle of supplies.

"This is all the grain your items are worth. Do you want it or not?"

Zhou Xiaoxiao's tone was as cold as if she were facing her sworn enemies.

Zhou Youqiang dared not be picky. He hoisted the sack, feeling a considerable weight to it, and his face lit up with joy.

"Then we'll be off. Once I manage to gather more things, Uncle will come back to see you."

"Goodbye, Uncle."

Chu Feng did not interfere throughout the entire exchange. It wasn't until Zhou Youqiang and Wang Xiufen had departed that he asked with some curiosity, "What did you give them?"

"Some unpolished brown rice."

"Brown rice? Isn't that all the brown rice we had left?"

Ever since Chu Feng came into money, they hadn't bought any more brown rice. There had been barely two catties left. What Zhou Youqiang brought could easily be worth much more than that meager amount of grain.

"And some bones."

"Bones?"

"Yes, the ones Benben and Huahua chewed on. There wasn't much meat left on them anyway. The puppies couldn't crack them, and I was planning to wait until they grew a bit bigger to let them gnaw on them. Since they wanted them, I just gave them away."

Hearing this, Chu Feng was momentarily left speechless.

Good grief, she had literally traded away their dogs' leftovers to those two?