A fierce wife enters the house: She helps up a house full of spineless people.

Wang Jinzhu's words shocked everyone present.

"No, no way! Jinzhu, this is absolutely unacceptable!" Wang Shun was the first to react, his face flushed red, waving his hands repeatedly, "How can we let you pay for this! This...this is too much for us!"

"Yes, niece Jinzhu, we appreciate your kindness, but we can't accept this money," Wang Gui added. He was a proud man, and accepting such a great favor from a junior was more painful than death for him.

Even brothers wouldn't help each other out with a few dozen taels of silver.

"Shut up, all of you!"

A loud shout came from Wang Dali.

He glared at Wang Shun and Wang Gui, his voice booming, "Is this the time to talk about face? Is money more important than life? You grown men, making excuses here, do you want your whole families to starve to death outside the city with you?"

"Who was it that said they trusted Jinzhu and were willing to follow her out into the world? Now that we've just arrived and encountered some difficulties, they're backing down? My daughter treats you all like family, and you're acting like strangers!" Wang Dali became increasingly angry as he spoke, pointing at them, "If you really had any backbone, you should turn back right now! Do you even think you can go back?!"

The last sentence completely shattered Wang Shun and Wang Gui's last psychological defenses.

Yes, we can't go back.

"Uncle Wang Shun, Uncle Wang Gui, my father is right. Consider this money a loan to you. After we move to the city, we'll need to continue running our workshop, and we'll need your help. We can only trust our own people," Wang Jinzhu added.

Her gaze swept over Wang Shun, Wang Gui, Chen Xinghua, and Zhao Xiu.

"So," Wang Jinzhu changed the subject and concluded, "this money for going to the city isn't a gift from me, nor is it a loan. It's an advance payment of your wages."

Advance payment of wages?

These words, like a ray of light, instantly illuminated the gloomy faces of the crowd and preserved their dignity.

Wang Jinzhu looked at him, her eyes clear and firm. "From now on, you'll work for me, and the deductions will be made gradually from your wages. You'll only start receiving your full wages when the deductions are complete. What do you think of this method?"

This isn't an advance payment; it's just a different way of saying it to save face.

"Alright, that's settled then." Wang Jinzhu waved her hand, regaining her usual efficiency. "Now, everyone, put away your money carefully, don't take out a single coin. Too many people around will attract attention, so don't expose your wealth. When it's time to pay, I'll pay first."

Night fell.

"It's about time, let's go." Wang Jinzhu glanced at the sky and said in a low voice.

The caravan moved silently. They had wrapped the hooves of their cattle and horses in rags, so they made almost no sound as they walked on the dirt road.

After walking for about half an hour, they finally reached the base of the abandoned watchtower.

In the pitch-black night, a figure emerged from behind the watchtower. It was the scarred-faced soldier from earlier that day.

"Did you bring the money?" Scarface asked in a low voice.

Wang Jinzhu stepped forward, took out a heavy cloth bag from her bosom, and handed it over.

Scarface took the cloth bag, opened it, and glanced inside. There was a one-hundred-tael silver note and over one hundred taels of loose silver. By the dim moonlight, he carefully examined the bank's mark on the note, weighed the loose silver, and nodded in satisfaction.

"You guys know the rules." Scarface stuffed the money into his pocket. "Come with me. Remember, no matter what you see or hear, keep your mouth shut. If anyone makes a sound and gets arrested by the patrol, I won't be responsible."

Everyone held their breath and followed closely behind Scarface.

Scarface led them around the main gate to a small side door at a corner of the city wall. He knocked three times, and someone inside quickly opened the door a crack.

"Hurry up, go in!" Scarface urged.

The procession filed in. After the last oxcart went in, the side gate slammed shut.

Once inside the city, everyone finally felt a little relieved. But before they could celebrate for long, a cold wind blew by, and everyone shivered.

The streets were pitch black, not a soul in sight. The shops on both sides had their doors and windows tightly shut, not a single ray of light could get in.

The prefectural city had a curfew. If you wandered the streets in the middle of the night and were caught by patrolling soldiers, you would be arrested, beaten, and thrown out as a vagrant.

"Jinzhu, which way do we go now?" Wang Dali gripped the butcher knife in his hand tightly, looking around warily.

Wang Jinzhu recalled Scarface's words: "Go west to Houkou Village. Everyone, walk quietly and don't talk."

The group set off again. Along the way, they were filled with trepidation, fearing they might encounter patrolling soldiers. Several times, they heard the sound of orderly footsteps and the clanging of armor in the distance, which frightened them so much that they quickly hid in the dark alleys, holding their breath. Only after the patrol had gone far away did they dare to peek out and continue their journey.

The city was huge. They walked for more than an hour, until their legs were almost broken, before they finally saw the Houkou Village that Scarface had mentioned.

This place, though called a village, is actually a large slum on the very edge of the prefectural city. The houses are dilapidated, some without even roofs, just a few broken wooden planks.

"This...this is Houkou Village?" Wang Guilan covered her nose, her face full of disgust.

Wang Jinzhu looked around. The place was indeed dilapidated, but for them, having a place to shelter from the wind and rain was better than anything else.

"Everyone, look around and see if there's an empty courtyard. We can make do for the night," Wang Jinzhu instructed in a low voice.

The men scattered to search. Not long after, Wang Tianfang returned running.

"Jinzhu, there's a big courtyard up ahead. The gate is broken, and it's overgrown with weeds. It looks like it's been abandoned for a long time. The houses are a bit dilapidated, but there's enough space for all of us to live in."

"Let's go take a look."

Everyone followed Wang Tianfang to the abandoned courtyard. Half of the courtyard wall had collapsed, and the two broken wooden doors were ajar, creaking loudly in the wind. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, a corner of the roof of the main house had collapsed, and all the windows of the side rooms were broken.

"This will do," Wang Jinzhu decided immediately. "Tianfang, you take some men and clear the weeds in the yard to make a space for the car. Everyone move your things inside and sleep on the floor for the night. Remember, whatever you do, don't light a fire or make any light out."

Everyone quickly got to work. They had been running around for a day and a night and were completely exhausted. After spreading out their bedding, they all collapsed into bed and fell asleep immediately.