coobybook Chapter 261: Rescue
Chapter 261: Rescue
Shen Qingshan thought that Shen Nanzhi was just going to find someone, then bring the person back, work at home, and go out again next year.
Or maybe he didn't know Shen Nanzhi well enough. Shen Huai'en knew that it was not Shen Nanzhi's character to just bring the person back and give up the business that he had worked hard on for several months.
She would only help the two of them gain a foothold in the county and have their own place, instead of running back in disgrace.
People all have xenophobic ideas. Ding Xiangrong was slick and clever, but he could not make a name for himself in a foreign land. Most of the letters he wrote back were complaints. It was always Shen Nanzhi who helped them and gradually made progress.
Not to mention Shen Desheng, a country boy with limited knowledge, strong strength and ambition, he repeatedly ran into obstacles.
Due to the heavy snow, neither of them was able to return in time. They thought that they could make some money by the end of the year so that they could report to Shen Nanzhi and save face.
Now I’m trapped in the county and can’t go back even if I want to.
Shen Nanzhi went to find Shen Desheng first. After all, he was his cousin and was closer to him than Ding Xiangrong. It was also because he had a more honest personality and was not as smart as Ding Xiangrong and could protect himself.
The county town that Shen Desheng went to was called Shao County, which was hundreds of miles away from his own county. All the official roads along the way were closed, and it was difficult to see pedestrians.
The carriage had a hard time moving and almost got stuck, but luckily it was a sled, so it wasn't difficult to move.
Shen Nanzhi saw that the situation was difficult to deal with, so he and the young men of the Shen family solidified the road ahead to make it easier for the carriage to move.
In this way, the speed would be very slow, and she was not in a hurry. It was only a few hundred miles, and even if she walked, she would definitely be able to get there in two days.
There was enough food in the car, as well as charcoal, a stove, and an iron pot. After walking for an hour, we would take a break, boil some hot water, and cook some dry food. Only when we were full would we have the strength to work.
The mule was so tired that it was breathing out white air. The snow was too deep and it took a long time to pull its legs out, so it was naturally difficult to walk.
I also prepared some fodder for the mule, cooked a pot of corn porridge, and added some bean powder mixed with soybeans and black beans. The mule was happy to eat it.
Both the people and the mules needed to rest, so they found a place sheltered from the wind, boiled some water, cooked sweet potato porridge, and added cornmeal paste to make a hot meal.
It’s not easy to get something hot to eat when you’re out, so no one is picky anymore.
"There seems to be someone in front."
Shen Changan is the oldest and most stable of the young men this time. He is also Shen Nanzhi's cousin. He is the one who talks to Shen Nanzhi about everything.
Shen Nanzhi has really a lot of cousins, and she can't even name most of them. After all, there are differences between men and women. Usually, it's Shen Qingshan and Shen Huai'en who deal with them. These cousins see her as shy and timid, just like their elders, and dare not approach her.
This time when I went out with my cousin, I realized that she had such a good temper and was cheerful and generous. But she was so beautiful that I didn't dare to look at her for too long.
"You stay and hide if anything happens."
Shen Nanzhi was a skilled and courageous man. He took out a dagger and hid it in his sleeve, then went forward to meet the man. It turned out to be a woman in her thirties.
The woman was walking with difficulty in the snow. When she heard the noise and looked up, she was startled to see Shen Nanzhi. It was very strange that a good-looking young man suddenly appeared in the heavy snow.
"You, where did you come from?"
Shen Nanzhi asked, "Where are you from, big sister? Why are you alone in the snow?"
The woman's eyes lit up. This young man didn't look like a bad guy. She said, "My wife went out and encountered an accident. The carriage was crushed and the coachman and guards were also injured. Is there any house nearby?
If you can find someone to help, our family will definitely reward you handsomely."
Shen Nanzhi also relaxed his vigilance. If the wife of a wealthy family met with danger while going out, he must help her.
"Big sister, wait a moment, I'll go call someone over. If you run into trouble when you're out, I'll definitely need help, don't worry."
Shen Nanzhi had already gone back and called everyone over. They were all strong and healthy young men, which made the woman feel relieved as more people would make the work easier.
Only a kilometer away was the place where the lady died. The carriage had fallen into a deep ditch on the side of the road. The lady and the young lady were still in the carriage and could not be moved.
Two guards, a coachman, two maids, and two old women were all helpless.
Fortunately, Mrs. Liu came back with her people. The maids were so worried as the lady was pregnant.
"How is the lady?"
"The young lady was crying just now, and the lady also spoke, but it didn't sound good. Hurry up and save her."
Shen Nanzhi took the lead and said, "Let me take a look. You guys, go get the rope from our carriage, remove the shaft, and pull up the carriage first.
"Okay, you three go, and we'll stay to help cousin Nan Zhi."
Shen Nanzhi was now dressed in men's clothes and always shouted the wrong name along the way. This time, there were outsiders present, and Shen Changan was very alert and did not shout the wrong name.
Shen Nanzhi walked forward to take a look, picked up a shovel, and dug a gap in the soil near the carriage. He waited for the rope and the shaft to come, tied them to the trees, and tied both sides of the carriage. With the concerted efforts of several people, they pulled up the carriage.
"Ma'am, Miss, how are you?"
As soon as the carriage was lifted up, a young woman of about twenty-four or twenty-five and a little girl of about five or six were helped out by maids. Both had pale faces, as if they had survived a disaster.
"We're fine."
While the maids were busy taking care of their masters, Shen Nanzhi had already pulled up the carriage swiftly. She was very strong and pulled up the carriage weighing several hundred pounds easily without any effort.
In order not to expose my own abilities, I asked everyone for help. It doesn't hurt to keep some cards in mind when you go out.
One of the guards injured his leg and the other injured his arm. Their faces looked a little gloomy. They looked at each other and said nothing.
"Thank you so much for saving our lady's life. Please accept this little token of your appreciation."
Madam Liu stuffed a purse into Shen Nanzhi's pocket, which contained fifty taels of silver. Shen Nanzhi accepted it without hesitation: "You are so polite, sister. Since you are so sincere, we will accept it."
One of the guards couldn't help but say, "You are not modest. Isn't it your duty to be brave and righteous when you are out in public? How dare you accept money?"
Shen Changan wanted to teach him a lesson, but was stopped by Shen Nanzhi, who smiled and said, "We work hard, so shouldn't we get paid?
But you, if you don't have the skills, don't take on the job. If you don't have the ability, you will hurt others and yourself. Do you have the nerve to take the salary given by your wife?
I will quit my job and go home to practice for a few more years."
They ridiculed him for not being capable enough to protect his master, which made him very angry. "You little white-faced boy, are you looking for a beating? Do you know who we belong to?"
Shen Nanzhi put the purse into the space, pinched his waist and said: "You are incapable of saving people, but now you are so arrogant. I see that you don't worry about the master at all, and the injury is not serious. Have you been bribed to murder the master?"
The guard's pupils contracted. "You are slandering me, shut up!"
"The first to tease is the cheap one. You scolded me first. So I saved someone, so I have to be immoral for accepting some money? You are not a good person at first glance."
Madam Liu looked thoughtful and suspiciously stared at the two of them. Another guard pulled his companion and said, "Stop talking and let them go."
Shen Nanzhi had no intention of interfering in their affairs. After receiving the money, he waved and said, "Let's go."
"Wait a moment, young man. I have something to ask you. Can you come over and talk?"
It was the woman who was rescued. There was a curtain between them and a maid was serving her inside, which made it quite mysterious.
There are many rules in wealthy families. Women in the inner house are not allowed to meet men from other families. If their appearance is seen by others, they will be exposed to the public and criticized by the world. Rumors can drown a person.
Shen Nanzhi walked over and said, "Madam, please speak."
"Ahem, young man, we were in trouble this time. Thank you for saving us. I also have a favor to ask. What are you doing? I want to hire you to escort us home, and I will definitely reward you handsomely."
This lady is not stupid. The two guards do not look trustworthy. They are women, children and infants. If they have bad intentions, there will be no one to help.
So she set her sights on Shen Nanzhi.
Shen Nanzhi said, "We are going out to look for someone. We are going to Shao County. If it is on the way, it is okay to help. If it is not on the way, then I am sorry. I will not change the route."
Aunt Liu said happily, "We are also going back to Shao County, so it's on the way, young man, let's go together."
"alright."
Just think of it as making extra money, Shen Nanzhi feels that he has good fortune.
The little girl secretly showed her face to look at her. Shen Nanzhi took out candy from her sleeve and said, "Here, you can have some. Miss is so cute."
"Thank you. My mother won't let me eat candy from strangers. They are all bad people who kidnap children."
Shen Nanzhi smiled and said, "Your mother taught you very well. Eat. I'm not a bad person. Are you hungry? We have hot soup and rice here. Do you want some?"
The little girl was obviously hungry. It was so cold, and she was trapped in the carriage for most of the day. She was scared and hungry, but she still asked her mother: "Mom, my brother is good-looking and doesn't look like a bad person. Can we eat his food?"
Madam's gentle voice rang out: "Sure, Zhao Jie'er, go ahead."
The girl was still young and there was no distinction between boys and girls, so she happily ran out to play with Shen Nanzhi.
"Wait here for a moment, we will come over to join you. Chang'an, take the four people and stay here to protect the lady."
She was also on guard against the two guards, and saw that their faces became even uglier. She smiled provocatively and said, "Let you provoke me first."
The hot-tempered guards wanted to draw their knives, but Shen Nanzhi's eyes fell on a small tree as thick as a bowl beside the road, and he kicked it and broke it. "Firewood is hard to find, so this tree is just right for splitting and burning."
The guard was shocked. He was hiding his true identity. This was trouble.
Shen Changan sneered. How many heads do they have to go against Sister Nanzhi?
Shen Nanzhi left some candy and some snacks for Zhao Jie'er, then went back to pack up and meet them.
With Shen Changan and the others guarding her, the lady was obviously relieved. However, just when the maids were relieved, they suddenly saw the lady frowning, holding her bulging belly, and exclaimed: "Madam, what's wrong with you? It's terrible, are you going to give birth?"