Traveling through the mountains and farming

Chapter 108 Fang Xuewen

After Luo Dashan and his group of six had breakfast, they hurried to the secluded valley to meet up with He Lizheng and the others. Then they set out together and headed straight out of the mountain.

They planned to first find the friend who took He Lizheng to the dark market last time to inquire about the situation.

After all, it has been more than twenty days since He Lizheng and his team last went to the dark market, and they are afraid that something unexpected might have happened in the meantime.

Just in case, they thought it would be better to find out the current situation of the dark market before making further plans.

On the way, Li Changli asked in confusion: "He Lizheng, your friend is also hiding in the mountains, how can we find him?"

"He is in a dilapidated mountain temple near the fork in the mountain road leading to our side and to Jiangbei County."

"Why did he choose that place to hide instead of going into the mountains? Wouldn't it be safer that way?"

"His youngest son and his father-in-law's family secretly fled to Jiangbei County. He was worried that his youngest son and his family were waiting at that intersection, hoping to run into them by chance."

He had advised that friend before that it was still a bit dangerous there and asked him to find some other place to hide.

But his friend was unwilling to do so, so he asked his eldest son to take his family into the mountains to avoid disaster, while he stayed alone in the ruined temple waiting for news from his youngest son.

His eldest son couldn't persuade him, so he could only go to the dilapidated temple every now and then to send him clothes and food.

After hearing this, everyone couldn't help but quicken their pace.

When they arrived at the dilapidated mountain temple near the fork, they found that the temple was empty and there was no one in sight.

"Let's look around outside, maybe he is nearby." Li Changli suggested.

So everyone scattered and searched carefully around the mountain temple.

"Come and see, this is a road trampled by people. It must have been formed by people walking on it every day." Luo Dashan shouted loudly.

Everyone gathered around to take a look and saw that it was a path that was formed by long-term and daily walking.

"Let's go along and take a look." He Lizheng said decisively.

The group walked along the path, and soon they saw a man in his forties sitting under a big tree.

He looked haggard and had a dull look in his eyes, staring at the fork in the road.

He Lizheng recognized him as his friend Fang Xuewen.

He hurried forward and called softly, "Lao Fang, why are you sitting here?"

The man slowly turned his head and saw He Lizheng and others. He was stunned at first, then stood up and walked towards them.

"Why are you here?" Fang Xuewen asked in a hoarse voice.

He Lizheng sighed: "We came to see you and find out about the situation in the dark market."

Fang Xuewen frowned and said, "I heard that the dark market has moved to a new location."

After hearing this, everyone felt disappointed.

"Then what should we do? Brother Fang, do you know where the new location is?" Li Changli asked anxiously.

"My eldest son went there a few days ago and waited there for two days before he found the acquaintance who sold the goods to him before. That's when he learned the news."

"Where is your son now? Can we ask him to lead the way?" Luo Dashan asked anxiously.

"He should come and bring me food today. You guys wait here. The dark market won't open until tomorrow morning anyway."

After hearing this, everyone decided to wait for Fang Xuewen's son to arrive.

He Lizheng asked with concern: "Lao Fang, you have been guarding here all the time, do you have any news about your youngest son?"

Fang Xuewen lowered his head in pain: "No, there is no news at all."

Luo Dashan next to him comforted him: "Don't worry too much, maybe they are already on their way back."

Fang Xuewen raised his head after hearing this, his eyes full of hope: "I hope so."

They continued to sit cross-legged on the ground with Fang Xuewen, chatting and waiting. The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows very long.

"Dad!" A shout came from the direction of the temple.

Everyone looked back and saw a tall man in his twenties, carrying a bundle on his back and holding a basket in his hands, which seemed to contain some easy-to-store food.

It was Fang Xuewen’s eldest son Fang Yu. He was slightly stunned when he saw everyone.

Fang Xuewen quickly stood up and said, "These are all my friends who came to inquire about the situation in the dark market."

He Lizheng and the others immediately stood up and consulted Fang Yu about the situation in the dark market in detail, and asked if it would be convenient for them to go together tomorrow.

At his father's suggestion, Fang Yu agreed to their request.

So they planned to stay in the mountain temple for one night and rush to the dark market before the market opened tomorrow.

Inside the mountain temple, everyone simply ate some dry food, cleared out a place, spread some hay, and began to rest.

However, everyone was somewhat worried about going to the dark market tomorrow, and they tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

The change of location of the dark market made He Lizheng somewhat worried. He sat up and said softly:

"Everyone should be extra careful during this trip to the dark market, especially keep your money close to you."

Li Changli also echoed: "Yes, especially after entering the dark market, we must be more cautious. I hope everything goes well and we can buy the things we urgently need."

Fang Yu comforted everyone: "As long as we act carefully, nothing should go wrong."

He had been there two or three times and thought there shouldn't be any problem.

In order to set off earlier tomorrow, he did not go back today and stayed in the mountain temple with He Lizheng and others for one night.

As everyone was talking, the night gradually deepened.

The next morning, before daybreak, everyone got up and prepared to set off.

They walked along the mountain road. No one spoke much along the way. They were all silently thinking about the upcoming dark market transaction.

Finally, before the morning hour, they arrived at the dark market.

The entrance to the valley is narrow, only wide enough for two people to pass side by side. The lush trees on both sides completely cover the entrance.

Led by Fang Yu, everyone walked into the valley cautiously.

After entering, they saw a spacious venue. The scene before them made them feel as if they had come to a country market.

It was still dark, and torches were lit on every stall, but there were no goods for sale. The stall owners tacitly used some obscure symbols or objects to hint at what they were selling.

But there was no hustle and bustle of a market, only buyers and sellers talking in low voices, as if they were afraid that any louder voices would cause unnecessary trouble.

Fang Yu knew that Li Changli and the others wanted to buy salt, so he took them to the inconspicuous corner stall where they had bought salt before.

When he arrived at the stall, the stall owner recognized Fang Yu and immediately lowered his voice to ask:

"Are you still buying salt?"

Fang Yu shook his head and pointed at He Lizheng and others behind him: "My friend is buying salt in large quantities. How much do you have?"

The stall owner looked embarrassed and whispered, "You should also know that the purchase of salt has long been limited. The salt I sell is what I asked many relatives and friends to buy every day and save up. There is not much, only 15 kilograms left, and it is not easy to save up."

Li Changli heard that they were still short of half the quantity, and they needed to buy 30 kilograms of salt in total.

He said anxiously: "Brother, do you have any acquaintances who sell salt? We need thirty kilograms."