Chapter 352: Preparing to Depart

"Then I’ll take my leave first."

The message was delivered, and Yuan Jing didn’t stay any longer. He nodded at Lu Zheng and turned to leave.

"Senior Brother, it’s not too late to leave after lunch."

"No need, I was just passing by." Yuan Jing waved his hand and hurried away.

Lu Zheng looked at the sky, then at the few people in the hall. Before he could speak, Liu Qingquan and Liu San came in with food boxes.

"Sister! Brother-in-law! Time to eat!"

...

"Where are we going?" Liu Qingyan asked Lu Zheng after taking a small bite of her meal.

"Since we’re going, we’ll naturally head to the hardest-hit area, especially since I have the gourd." Lu Zheng patted the gourd at his waist, "We’ll buy more grain and medicine to take to the disaster area."

Liu Qingyan nodded repeatedly, "Renxin Hall still has some medicinal supplies in stock, we’ll take those too."

"I’ll go to the county to purchase some this afternoon, and we’ll set off early tomorrow morning."

"Alright!"

...

After lunch, Lu Zheng went home first. The matter came too suddenly, and he hadn’t reacted yet.

In fact, there had been refugees a few days ago, but not many, so he didn’t pay attention. He had been staying home recently, so he didn’t notice.

He didn’t expect he’d have to leave again so soon.

"Uncle Li!"

"Young Master!"

"Go buy some grain and medicine, as much as possible," Lu Zheng said.

Uncle Li asked, "Does Young Master also intend to aid the refugees outside the city? The County Government Office has already opened storage, and the big families in the city have each made donations, setting up porridge stations, I was about to ask Young Master about it.

It’s just that the spring plowing in many places was damaged, and the grain price has already increased by two or three tenths. The big households doing charity are all using their own stored grain."

"I see!" Lu Zheng nodded, "Don’t worry, just buy what you can, I intend to take it away."

"Young Master is leaving?" Uncle Li was taken aback.

"Yes." Lu Zheng nodded, "The order comes from the sect, I need to go to the disaster area in the northwest, leaving tomorrow morning, so please hurry, buy as much as possible, and if you lack funds, let me know."

"Yes! I’ll be quick!"

...

Half an hour later, Uncle Li brought Zhao Wenrong and Zhou Mingsheng inside.

"Why are you here?"

"Greetings, Young Master Lu!" Zhao Wenrong cupped his hands and said, "I heard Young Master is about to travel far, so I came specifically to donate a batch of grain and fodder."

"Hmm? Grain and fodder?"

"My Zhao family’s business is not small, and a batch of grain and fodder recently arrived in Tonglin County that was originally intended for sale in Yaozhou. However, due to the flooding in several states, I decided to donate this batch of grain entirely."

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, "To donate, such kindness?"

Zhao Wenrong was somewhat embarrassed, knowing that his previous attempt to forcibly buy the Sweet Shop’s storefront was hard to explain, so he chose to skip the topic, emphasizing, "In such major matters, my Zhao family will not fall behind."

"Alright, continue."

Zhao Wenrong said, "There are not many disaster victims here in Tonglin County, but the roads to the disaster area are difficult and reportedly dangerous, so I..."

Zhao Wenrong felt a bit embarrassed, "I heard that Young Master Lu is willing to go to great lengths to reach the disaster area, so I decided to give this batch of grain entirely to you, please take it with your convoy as it represents the Zhao family’s goodwill."

Lu Zheng looked at Zhao Wenrong, "If you let me take it away, it won’t have anything to do with the Zhao family, the goods donated, but not even a name left."

"Never mind that, I only seek peace of mind," Zhao Wenrong hurriedly said.

Lu Zheng nodded.

First, seeing patients at Renxin Hall, then purchasing from the Sweet Shop, and now directly sending a batch of grain... none of these are hard pushes but thoughtful acts achieving mutual benefits, especially the last one, mainly charitable for the disaster victims.

Lu Zheng couldn’t help but ask, "Don’t the Zhao family mind you doing this?"

Zhao Wenrong smiled proudly, "Don’t worry, Young Master, my grandmother dotes on me the most. It’s just a convoy of grain, a small matter!"

Zhou Mingsheng, "..."

"Alright, thank you then, take me to your convoy." Lu Zheng stood up tall.

Zhao Wenrong had indeed helped resolve Lu Zheng’s dilemma, as he had been considering whether to procure grain in the modern era but lacked channels and was pressed for time, risking disappearance if he bought too much...

Although it’s unlikely anyone would notice, it’s better to be cautious.

With this batch of grain, Lu Zheng had enough time to prepare in the modern era.

...

Zhao Wenrong brought Lu Zheng to a courtyard not far from Cong’an Square. Inside, dozens of large carts were parked, each loaded with bags of millet and rice.

However, compared to the selective breeding of modern small and large rice, the grain here in the Great Jing Dynasty was somewhat different in appearance.

Zhao Wenrong said, "The drivers are long-term workers of the Zhao family, and there are some guards, you don’t need to worry about..."

Lu Zheng waved his hand, "They don’t need to come with me."

"Huh?"

Lu Zheng looked at Zhao Wenrong, "These dozens of carts of grain, all for me to take for disaster relief?"

"Yes!" Zhao Wenrong immediately nodded.

"Alright then." Lu Zheng nodded and reached for the gourd at his waist, "Collect!"

In the next moment, the bags of grain on the carts began to shrink and were collected into Lu Zheng’s gourd.

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned, someone exclaimed, causing the guards inside the house to come out, only to be also frozen in surprise.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Fortunately, there was no need for storing these grains elsewhere after bombing the Peach Mother Divine Mountain with high-explosive bombs; otherwise, I’d have to rent a warehouse in modern times.

Although Zhao Wenrong’s batch of grain was considerable, compared to the countless disaster victims, it was still a drop in the bucket. However, the major effort for disaster relief was still on the Court; Lu Zheng’s portion was for immediate relief, ensuring the victims would not starve.

There was quite a bit, taking several dozen breaths before Lu Zheng collected it all, then turned to Zhao Wenrong.

"Thank you, Brother Zhao." Lu Zheng cupped his hands.

Doing good and accumulating virtue, actions speak louder than words. No matter what, the Zhao family did send these dozens of carts of millet to the disaster victims.

"Not at all!"

Zhao Wenrong was almost frightened to death, he never imagined Lu Zheng could use an Immortal Technique like Nasumi in a Mustard Seed, such a technique in operas is usually the work of top-notch bosses!

...

After leaving the Zhao family, Lu Zheng crossed over to modern times again, seeing it was still early, and went to a remote industrial area to rent a large warehouse.

Though uncertain if it would be needed, being prepared doesn’t hurt, especially since Lu Zheng wasn’t short on money, paying a full year’s rent plus a prepayment for water and electricity.

Early the next morning, Lu Zheng went out, preparing to head next door to knock, only to see Liu Qingyan coming out with the five women from Five Beauties Manor.

Lu Zheng: ???

"Yesterday afternoon, Cai Niang came to see me, and after I told her about the situation, she discussed it with Miss Hua and the others, and they all came to help us." Liu Qingyan said helplessly.