Space Farming: Traveling through Ancient Times to Do Business

And the price was high, at least ten cents per pound. You should know that in the past, an egg only cost one cent.

Walking into an inn, Jiang Xue looked around and saw that the inn was deserted with almost no customers.

There was a faint smell of mold and staleness in the air, which made people frown involuntarily.

The innkeeper and the waiters also looked listless. It was obvious that the disaster had seriously affected their business and lives.

"Dear guests, would you like to stay at our hotel?" An elderly-looking waiter forced a smile and came forward. As he spoke, he took off the towel draped over his shoulders, threw it over his shoulders, then bent over and stretched out his hand, making a gesture of invitation.

Xuan Si nodded and asked, "Are there any rooms available? We want three."

The waiter said quickly, "Of course there is. Five taels of silver for the upper room."

"So expensive?" Before Xuan Liu could say anything, Xuan Si couldn't help but interrupt, "Aren't you guys ripping our customers off?"

The waiter smiled awkwardly, "Sir, your words are too harsh. How dare we say that? The truth is that everything has been increasing in price recently. If we don't raise prices, our store won't be able to continue operating."

Xuan Si frowned and continued to ask: "What's the most expensive thing out there right now?"

The waiter scratched his head and thought for a while before answering, "Elm bark flour has increased the most, and now it is sold for ten cents per pound."

After hearing this, Xuan Si couldn't help but sigh, turned to look at Xuan Yuchen, and said, "Master, although the price is a bit expensive, it's not safe outside now, I think it's better to stay here."

Xuan Yuchen nodded slightly, indicating his agreement. So Xuan Si took out fifteen taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to the waiter, and ordered: "Prepare three upper rooms for us and get some hot water."

The waiter happily took the silver and nodded repeatedly in agreement, "Okay! Gentlemen, please follow me." After that, he led the three of them into the inn.

"Waiter, how far is Bincheng from here?"

"We'll set out tomorrow morning and arrive by noon." The waiter was stunned and replied immediately.

After thinking for a while, the waiter said, "Sir, everyone is heading south, why are you going to Bincheng?"

"I want to go and see it."

"Sir, you are from another place, right? It's not a good idea to go to Bincheng. The city is closed."

"The city is closed?" Xuan Yuchen frowned when he heard this, and his tone was a bit solemn. He turned to look at Jiang Xue, and a trace of worry flashed in the eyes of both of them.

Jiang Xue knew the severity of the plague. She bit her lower lip tightly, and her heart was filled with worry for the innocent people. "Waiter, is this plague really that serious? Even Bincheng is sealed off?" She tried her best to make her voice sound calm, but she could not hide her inner anxiety.

The waiter sighed, his face full of helplessness. "Yes, sir. This plague is very fierce. I heard that many people have died. The government has no choice but to order the city to be closed. Now, people outside are thinking of fleeing south, hoping to escape this disaster. But where can we locals escape to?"

At this point, the waiter's eyes flashed with panic, and he seemed to be worried about his future. "Sir, I think you should change your route. Bincheng is not a good place to go right now. I'm afraid I won't be able to live peacefully in this inn for a few days. I'm also planning to pack up and flee south with my family."

"Waiter, thank you for your reminder. However, we still have to go to Bincheng. Don't worry, we will be careful." Xuan Yuchen said to the waiter, his tone full of gratitude and determination.

Seeing this, the waiter said nothing more and just quietly prepared a room for them. In this era full of uncertainty, everyone has their own choices and destiny. And he can only do his best to provide a temporary safe haven for these guests who have come from afar.

......

On the city wall, several officers and soldiers in armor held spears, standing there with stern expressions, their eyes revealing unquestionable determination.

Under the city wall, a group of villagers were trapped, their faces filled with anxiety, fear and helplessness. They shouted at the top of their lungs, hoping for a glimmer of hope.

"I'm not sick, let me out, I want to go back!" The voice of a middle-aged man stood out, his eyes full of longing and worry for his family. However, the only response he got was the cold words of the officers and soldiers and even stricter vigilance.

"Get lost! If you come any closer, don't blame me for not using my knife to identify you!" an officer shouted sternly, his voice carrying unquestionable authority. The villagers retreated in fear, but the despair in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

"Sir, we are healthy, please let us out!" another villager cried out, his voice full of pleading and helplessness. However, the officer responded with an even colder rejection: "No, this is an order from above, no one is allowed to leave without permission."

"Yes, I have an old mother at home!" A young woman also joined the shouting, her eyes full of concern and reluctance for her relatives. But in the face of this ruthless plague, personal emotions seem so small and powerless.

"Master Guan, you are forcing us to death!" an old man said in a trembling voice, his eyes full of despair and fear for the future. However, the officers and soldiers seemed to have hearts of stone, and they remained indifferent to their posts.

......

Binh Thanh County Government

"Master, are you still going to defend Bincheng to the death?" Mrs. Zhang looked at her husband with a worried look on her face.

Master Zhang nodded firmly: "As long as Bincheng County is here, I, Master Zhang, will be here. If Bincheng is destroyed, I, Master Zhang, will be destroyed!"

"Master, but Yu'er is only three years old, still so young." Mrs. Zhang said with tears in her eyes.

"Madam, the court will definitely send someone to rescue us." Lord Zhang comforted.

"It's been so long, has the court sent anyone?" Mrs. Zhang asked back.

"Madam..." Lord Zhang didn't know what to say.

"Master!" Mrs. Zhang threw herself into Master Zhang's arms.

"Take the lady away." Lord Zhang ordered the guard beside him.

"Yes, sir," the guard replied.

"Sir, the death toll at the southern epidemic prevention point has reached more than a thousand today, including two doctors." A soldier came to report.

"What?" Lord Zhang stood up in shock. "What's going on?"

"It is said that the plague has worsened and many people have died in the streets." The soldier replied.

"Damn it!" Lord Zhang slammed his fist on the table, his face full of regret and anger, "What should we do with these people?" As he spoke, he covered his face tightly with his hands, his heart filled with endless pain.