Chapter 67: The Sixth Trial of Starvation and Thirst (Three)

  Shi Jin asked the old man about the location of the three wells, one in the backyard of the Kong family and two in the inner courtyard of the dye house on Yuanbao Street. The one in the Kong family's backyard was naturally for the use of the family members, so let's not mention it. However, the other two wells were guarded by Huang Tianba and others to make money, which posed a threat to the safety of the entire city, so Shi Jin had to take care of it.

  But there was one thing that made Shi Jin somewhat puzzled, no matter how he thought about it, he felt that something was fishy. Those two major forces were making a fortune from this, but relying solely on water, how could they survive? Now that the city is surrounded, they can't even go out to buy grain and grass, can they still eat money as food?

  Shi Jin thought there must be a reason for this and asked the old man, "Old man, what's the use of collecting so much silver inside the besieged city?"

  "This is not something you outsiders can know, I just said that this Huayin County is the world of two major forces besides the county magistrate. They have been operating in Huayin County for many years, and the county magistrate has to give them face. During the time when grain and grass were collected throughout the city, not only did they not collect from the two big families, but I just heard that the deceased county magistrate had secretly made a deal with the Kong family." The old man said, getting angry, indignantly saying: "The Kong family used the name of supporting anti-banditry to spend several thousand taels of silver to buy several thousand dan of grain and grass, and it's said they're hoarding it in the warehouse behind their dye house. Alas, we common people have no one to rely on, and it's all because of their recklessness."

  Shi Jin originally had a fire in his heart, and now after hearing this speech, the fire in his heart surged three more feet. However, no matter what, one path was becoming increasingly clear. With water available, food would also be available. Shi Jin's anger was directed at the collusion between officials and merchants, but this trip hadn't been a complete waste after all.

  Just as Shi Jin was about to leave on the pretext, the old man said another shocking sentence: "This day is hopeless, when the government soldiers break in, even if you don't starve to death, it's better not to pass. When the city is broken, I advise you to leave quickly and go wherever you want!"

  "Don't worry, old man. This city won't be breached and the people won't starve to death." Shi Jin comforted the old man, hoping to give him a glimmer of hope.

  "Don't be foolish, young one. I heard Huang Tianba's subordinates say that those bandits won't last long, within three days the city will definitely fall."

  Shi Jin heard this in his heart, and couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain. He smiled lightly and said with a hint of mockery, "I hope Huang Tianba's clever calculations will bring him good fortune!"

  The old man listened to him speaking lightly, but he himself was not so optimistic, thinking that this young man from outside did not know the root of the matter and was arrogant. So he went on to say: "Don't underestimate the Huang family, their words may come true. In those years, Huang Tianba's father Huang Yizhe was the commander of the Huazhou army, and had some connections with the officials, so the words that came out of his house always had some origin."

  Shi Jin listened to the old man's serious tone and felt a bit of competitiveness, firmly saying: "Even if Huang Tianba is the commander-in-chief, whether this city falls or not isn't up to him!"

  The old man shook his head, still thinking that Shi Jin was too young and arrogant, and even in his youth he couldn't compare to this. The old man saw that Shi Jin's heart was too stubborn, so he didn't continue the conversation, changed the subject, stood up and said: "You must be tired too, come rest your feet." As he spoke, he picked up the candle holder, wanting to light the way for Shi Jin.

  Shi Jin originally wanted to visit a few more families, probe into the situation in the city, and understand the people's sentiments. But unexpectedly, he gained so many unexpected benefits. The purpose of this trip has been achieved, and there is no need to pretend anymore, so he found an excuse, thanked the old man and came out the door.

  When the gate closed behind Shi Jin, Jinxiaopan lit up the lantern again and walked in front of him. With the light from the candle, Jinxiaopan saw that Shi Jin's face was not as stiff as before, but had a slightly relaxed expression. As he followed Shi Jin forward, he asked: "Master, where are we going?"

  "Go to Yuanbao Avenue, Kong's Dye House." Shi Jin said with a sly smile spreading across his face.

  At this moment, Shi Jin was brewing another good show in his heart. He walked all the way, calculating in his heart. When he arrived at Yuanbao Street, Shi Jin also had a vague idea in his mind.

  When Shi Jin and Jinyu were about to arrive at the Kong family dye house, Shi Jin suddenly stopped in his tracks. Jinyu was made somewhat depressed by Shi Jin's silence along the way, and even more so by his sudden stop, and hastily stopped as well, saying in a low voice: "Master, is there something on your mind? If you need me, just give the order!"

  Shi Jin pinched his chin, thought for a moment, and then searched himself from head to toe, seemingly finding nothing. He then looked up at Jinxia and asked, "Little Jin, do you have any silver on you?"

  "Silver is naturally available, I don't know how much the master wants, what to buy, and the little one will run errands." Jin Jiaoban said, taking out the money bag from his waist and handing it over to Shi Jin.

  Shi Jin looked at him with a silly expression and laughed, saying very seriously: "For just one cent!"

  "A single coin? What can a single coin do, the master of the house?" Jin Jie took out a copper coin from his money bag and handed it to Shi Jin, with a mind full of doubts.

  "Good question! Little Jin, don't underestimate this copper coin." Shi Jin said, holding the copper coin in front of Jin's footboard. He narrowed one eye and looked at Jin's footboard through the square hole of the copper coin, then continued: "One copper coin can't buy much, but this one can buy water and rice!"

  What the army lacks most right now are these two things, if you can really buy them with this money, then this bag, no, several bags from the counterfeit family will all be yours. Jin Jieban looked at Shi Jin with a mixture of trust and skepticism on his face, as if this big boss he secretly admired could conjure up grain and water with just a flicker of his eyes.

  But Shi Jin looked at his serious expression and didn't say anything more. He grasped the copper coins in his palm, smiled and nodded to Jin Jue to walk forward together.

  The two of them walked forward, and Shi Jin spoke again: "Later we'll go to the Kong's dye shop to buy water. Maybe the owner will be friendly towards us, or maybe they won't sell to us and will drive us out after seeing our account. No matter what, watch my gestures and actions, and at that time, keep your eyes bright. If necessary, I'll make a gesture to signal you."

  "The little one understands, the master is at ease!" Jin Jiaoban heard about Shi Jin's style of doing things from Chen Da's side, and now he sees it like this. He naturally wants to go and do something extremely important but also very interesting. So, apart from being delighted in his heart, he also stirred up his enthusiasm for work. No matter what he does, he waits for the master's word!