When Huo Shu returned from Hongli Village, he set the departure date for the eighteenth of next month.
That meant they had only about half a month left before setting off.
Most of their supplies were already prepared, and in these days, Huo Shu spent most of his time training the men.
Ji Taoyu busied himself with packing food, clothing, and other necessities for the journey.
Amid the bustle, the tenth day of the second month arrived in no time.
Ji Taoyu and Huo Shu made a trip into town to collect some medicine from Huang Yinsheng’s medical hall and also to bid farewell.
After the twelfth, Huo Shu began bringing back livestock and carts one after another, then went into town to transport the cloth and tea back to the village, keeping everything under his control.
By the fifteenth, all the goods had been retrieved.
Seeing that all dozen or so men had gathered, Ji Yangzong took the opportunity to invite everyone for a meal.
"To have everyone gathered here today, joining my son-in-law on this business venture, I am truly honored by your trust. Let me toast you all."
"You’re too kind, Village Head Ji. It’s our fortune to be able to travel with Brother Huo. Stuck farming our meager plots, life had lost its promise. If not for Brother Huo, we wouldn’t have this chance to venture out. We should be the ones toasting you and Brother Huo!"
After Ge Liang spoke, several others stood up as well.
Ji Yangzong quickly waved his hands. "Look at you, Xiao Ge, always so eloquent. Come, let’s all drink this cup together."
After downing the drink, Ji Yangzong urged everyone to sit. "Don’t hold back—eat, eat!"
After a few rounds of drinks, the men from both villages, already somewhat familiar, grew even more relaxed.
Huang Manjing brought out two more hot dishes for the table.
Seizing the moment, Ji Yangzong had Daniu bring out a bamboo basket of flatbread.
"My son has always been frail since childhood. Now that he’s traveling with his husband, I’m afraid he’ll inevitably cause trouble for everyone. As his father, there’s little else I can do to help, so I’ve prepared some travel funds for everyone as a token of apology."
The men from their own village had already been informed beforehand and showed no surprise, but the men from Hongli Village froze slightly, their drinking motions halting as they exchanged glances with Ge Liang.
"The village head’s love for his child is truly moving. We too are fathers and sons, of course we’ll look after Brother Ji’s fulang."
Seeing Ge Liang speak up, the others had no choice but to agree.
Huo Shu raised his cup. "Let me toast everyone."
"Come, come, Brother Huo!"
Outside the door, Ji Taoyu listened to the conversation inside and let out a sigh.
It pained him that his father had to pave the way for him in advance, just so he wouldn’t be treated poorly on the journey.
A bitter taste rose in his heart, and he felt even more guilty toward his parents. Even after getting married, he was still making them worry like this.
His expression dimmed as he quietly retreated.
By the time the meal ended, a few sparse stars had appeared in the sky.
The men from Hongli Village were slightly drunk, and emboldened by the alcohol, one of them voiced his dissatisfaction.
"What’s Huo Shu’s deal? We signed life-and-death contracts, staking our futures on him, and now he’s bringing his fulang along? He never mentioned this before, suddenly dropping it on us like this."
"If it were an ordinary person, fine, but everyone knows what the Ji family’s ger is like."
The man grumbled, "I thought Huo Shu was reliable, that’s why we agreed to follow him. But now it seems he’s just another fool led by lust."
"Enough, enough. They’re newlyweds, it’s only been a few days since they married. It’s natural he wouldn’t want to leave yet."
"If you’d just gotten married and had to leave for a year or more, would you be willing to leave your wife and kids behind?"
Ge Liang said irritably, "He’s prepared everything for us, all we have to do is show up. What more do you want? Village Head Ji even gave us extra funds. Besides, having a fulang along to help with food and clothing isn’t a bad thing, he even knows medicine."
"What kind of half-baked doctor can’t even cure himself but thinks he can treat others? Ge Liang, you’re too easygoing, letting them have their way. We’re going out to make money, not to be bodyguards for their little honeymoon!"
"Tian Fu, you’re crossing the line!"
Ge Liang’s face darkened. "We’re about to set off, don’t stir up trouble now. What kind of man can’t tolerate a single fulang? Where’s your dignity?"
"Tian Fu had a bit too much to drink, he’s not thinking straight. Don’t take it to heart, Ge Liang."
The others, sensing the tension, quickly stepped in to mediate, calming the brewing conflict.
After the feast ended, Ji Yangzong had drunk quite a bit with the young men. Being older, his alcohol tolerance wasn’t what it used to be, and he was already struggling.
Huang Manjing hurriedly helped him inside to rest, while Ji Taoyu prepared sobering soup for both his father and Huo Shu.
Huo Shu wasn’t particularly drunk, but he reeked of alcohol, so he stripped off his clothes and washed up.
He didn’t waste Ji Taoyu’s ginger soup, downing it in one go.
Then, together with Ji Taoyu, he cleaned up the dishes from the table.
"You should go to bed early. We’re leaving soon, get plenty of rest these next two days."
Ji Taoyu said, "It’s fine. Washing dishes doesn’t take much time."
Huo Shu didn’t press further, and the two of them finished washing the dishes together.
A few days later, the day of departure finally arrived.
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