The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

Hearing this, Chen Huai'an felt a pang of sadness.

Chen Sujin sold herself out in the same way back then.

If that family hadn't insisted on selling Xiao He, who was still an infant, Chen Sujin wouldn't have had to run away with Xiao He.

Li Chengqian noticed Chen Huai'an's mood and changed the subject: "Since you're facing such difficulties, is there anything you need? Or, would the court's implementation of the Xiyao policy be more beneficial to you?"

Zhang Peng was speechless for a moment, and he and his sister Zhang Yan looked at each other, not knowing how to answer.

Even if he was slow to realize, he would eventually realize that this problem was not simple.

So I didn't dare say anything more.

Chen Huai'an gave Li Chengqian an appreciative look, then said, "Don't be afraid, just say so. If you need anything, just say so. Otherwise, how would I know?"

"And how should we formulate policies that are beneficial to you?"

Zhang Peng really didn't know what to say, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "Your Excellency, the court is actually really good now. My mother used to tell me a lot about how the Sui Dynasty was, and compared to that, the current court is simply too good to be true."

"The taxes are not heavy. Even if there is no good harvest, as long as there is no natural disaster, after paying the taxes, people can have some of the grain they grow left over after eating it."

"In addition, the imperial court has not conscripted laborers for a long time, and they even pay wages for their work. My mother often says that we have been born in a good time. If we can get through these few years, things will gradually get better."

"Now I can go work for the imperial court and earn money, and I'm already very satisfied."

Chen Huai'an chuckled. Perhaps Zhang Peng was simple-minded, or perhaps the other party had a need but dared not mention it.

In short, if you keep asking, you definitely won't get anything out of them.

So Chen Huai'an changed direction and inquired about Zhang Peng's daily life, what he was busy with, how the villagers of Xiaoxi Village lived, and what troubles they had.

Zhang Peng answered all the questions, and the three Zhang sisters would occasionally chime in with their own answers.

In particular, the lively twin sisters Zhang Xier and Zhang Queer, perhaps because of their young age and lack of awareness of their identities, gave more truthful answers.

Unfortunately, Chen Huai'an still didn't find out anything specific.

However, seeing the specific situation of the locust plague and witnessing the people catching and killing locusts proved to be effective, making the trip worthwhile.

Just as Chen Huai'an was about to return, a voice rang out: "Look, Minister Chen is right there!"

"Where? Where is it!?"

"Damn it, fourth brother, get out of my way..."

Chen Huai'an and Li Chengqian turned their heads in confusion and saw dozens of people running excitedly toward them, carrying different things, including small tables and chairs, large iron pots, bowls and chopsticks and other items.

Chen Huai'an even saw four villagers with shining eyes carrying a pig that was tied up tightly.

The one leading the group was Aunt Xiao, whom we had met before, and she was carrying two pieces of cured meat.

"Slow down...slow down."

Behind the crowd, an elderly man in his sixties, leaning on a cane, tried to keep up with the group, but he was too old and had worked hard for many years, so he was clearly no longer able to keep up.

But he seemed to have a lot of prestige; as soon as he spoke, two burly men stepped back to support him.

"It really is Minister Chen! Sister Xiao didn't lie to us!" After running closer, a villager who had seen Chen Huai'an in Chang'an shouted excitedly.

"Really?!"

"How could it be false? I saw the Minister in Chang'an with my own eyes. I remember it was last year, when Minister Chen and Minister Pei..."

"That's wonderful! It's actually Minister Chen alive! I must meet him!"

"What are you saying?! Listen to what you're saying! Have you even seen the dead Minister Chen?"

"...There's no such opportunity, but I've heard about it."

Chen Huai'an: "..."

Li Chengqian chuckled; of course he knew what these villagers meant by "heard of".

Isn't it just Chen Huai'an faking his death last time?

Haven't the common people heard about this?

"Your Excellency!" Aunt Xiao came running over breathlessly, holding up two pieces of cured meat with a beaming smile. "Look at this, the cured meat I made myself, it smells so good!"

"I'll make it for you right away!"

"No...no need!" Chen Huai'an was stunned for a moment, then quickly stopped him. "You can keep this meat for yourself. It's too wasteful to give it to us. It's not easy for you to save up some meat. Save it for the New Year."

"I heard from Zhang Peng that your husband is still working outside, and he's working very hard. You should keep him."

"What's so hard about him?" Aunt Xiao scoffed. "He eats very well. The imperial court provides him with three meals a day, and he occasionally gets to eat meat. It's a waste to leave it for him."

"You should have it. He'll be happy if he knew I gave you the meat."

"Yes, yes." Another woman in her thirties held up a bunch of vegetables in her hand. "These are vegetables that I painstakingly grew at home. They were just picked and are very fresh."

"What's that? I have salt here. My husband brought back some fine salt last time he came back. He said it was a reward from the manager because he did a good job. We haven't been able to bear eating it since he brought it back, but now it's finally coming in handy."

"And me! I have some excellent seasonings here, bought from a merchant from the Hu family. I heard that adding them makes the flavor even better..."

"Look, look at this big pot of mine. It's only been made for less than two months. Cooking with it will be absolutely delicious."

The villagers of Xiaoxi Village chattered amongst themselves, showing off the things they had brought—things they usually wouldn't eat or use, but which they had all brought out at this moment.

"You're nothing!"

At that moment, the four men carrying the tightly bound pig shouted, "Look, look, this is the real treasure!"

"The pigs I raised last March were fed with grass cut every day. They were plump and healthy, and today is the perfect time to slaughter them for dinner!"

"Yes, yes, yes, good pig, good pig! Fourth brother, you're really generous. You usually cherish it, even more than your wife. You actually took it out today. You've really made something of yourself!" Aunt Xiao beamed with joy.

"That's nothing," Zhang Laosi grumbled. "It's a blessing for this pig to be eaten by the Minister. All my hard work in taking care of it wasn't for nothing."

"Hahaha, fourth brother's wife, you're really willing to do this!" someone laughed and teased.

A simple-looking woman grinned and said, "My husband is right. It's a great blessing for this pig to be eaten by the Minister. Why would I be reluctant?"

After saying that, she looked at Chen Huai'an expectantly: "Minister, we'll slaughter a pig for you to eat."

"..."