Chapter 269: Searching for Family

They didn’t stop when passing through Changping.

Yan Lao’er and Yan Yu took turns poling the raft, which sped swiftly down the river. Before the people at the dock could even make out what was covered under the oilcloth on the raft, it had already vanished from sight.

Traveling upstream was certainly more taxing than going with the current.

No matter how strong Yan Yu was, he couldn’t match the relentless rush of the river day and night. Thankfully, they had Sanbao. When there was no one around, they could lie back and let Sanbao pull the raft, maintaining a steady, swift pace.

When they reached Gufeng, Yan Lao’er left Sanbao in a secluded spot to guard the raft, then he and his daughter went to find Chai Tou and the others.

“Was there really medicine in Changping?” Chai Tou asked.

Yan Lao’er replied, “There was, but it was expensive. So we went to Guiyuan Town in Linhai Prefecture instead. It was cheaper there.”

He described the prices in Changping.

Even though they had expected it, the others still clicked their tongues in disbelief.

“Chai Tou, why are you still doing burials?” Yan Lao’er asked, puzzled.

Yan Yu noticed a subtle shift in the expressions of the constables nearby. They exchanged glances, and she immediately understood.

They didn’t believe her father.

Or maybe they did, but didn’t think it was that serious. The burial site was far from the riverbank, hidden deep in a forest where few people went. How could that possibly affect the local water and soil?

According to Yan Lao’er’s suggestion, all the bodies of those who had died from illness should be exhumed and cremated. But no one wanted to do that kind of work—it was filthy, exhausting, and bound to draw resentment.

The bodies had already been buried in a mass grave. Digging them up again would disturb the dead, and their families would never understand the necessity.

This was exactly why she wanted her father to take the Imperial Examination.

So his voice could carry weight.

Only then did Yan Lao’er realize the problem.

He didn’t take it to heart. After all, who would agree to burn the dead just because someone said so? People valued resting in peace after death. Their hesitation was understandable.

So he patiently explained again the dangers of polluting the water and soil.

But seeing that they were still brushing him off, he stopped. No point wasting breath.

He could only sigh deeply in his heart.

Then he perked up and carefully pulled out a small porcelain bottle from inside his coat.

“Chai Tou, take a look. This is Divine Water we got from Guiyuan Town. They say it can cure all illnesses. I thought, what if it really works? So we asked for it with all sincerity. If any of the sick are willing to try, we can give them a share.”

“Divine Water?”

Chai Tou didn’t take it.

The constables exchanged skeptical glances.

They were part of the constabulary, and had seen every trick in the book. Of all people, they were the least likely to believe in this kind of thing.

They had heard countless silver-tongued liars, spinning outrageous tales without batting an eye. But once locked up in the yamen and thrown into the dungeon, they all spilled everything like beans from a bamboo tube.

It was always just another scam to cheat people out of their money.

Yan Lao’er was speechless.

When he talked about scientific reasoning, they didn’t believe him and clung to old customs.

Now that he brought up something vague and miraculous, they suddenly became rational.

How was that fair?

“Whether this Divine Water works or not, I can’t say for sure. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes—just heard others talk about it. But I figured, things are already this bad, it can’t get any worse. Why not give it a try? At least it gives people a little hope.” Yan Lao’er spoke with a pitiful sincerity.

The youngest of the group, Shi Shu, was moved. “Chai Tou, why don’t we let him try? Didn’t we just find out about…”

Find out about what?

Yan Lao’er and Yan Yu both turned to him at once.

Seeing the father and daughter staring at him with such intensity, Shi Shu said, “The people you’re looking for—Chai Tou helped ask around. Turns out there really are refugees from Qishan Prefecture. They’re from a place called Da’an Village, exactly like you said. They must be the ones you’re looking for.”

There was a trace of sympathy in his eyes.

They had found their people, but finding them here, at this time and place, wasn’t exactly good news.

“Da’an Village…” Yan Lao’er pressed eagerly, “Yes, we’re from Xiao’an Village, and they’re from Da’an. They really came! They actually followed us here! Is it a whole family? Are they surnamed Jiang?”

Madam Cui’s maiden name was Jiang, and she had firmly believed that her family would follow them to Guanzhou.

“I think there’s a Jiang family, and a few others—some surnamed Li, some Guan… Whether they’re the ones you’re looking for, you’ll know once you see them,” Shi Shu said, recalling what little he had overheard.

“It’d be best if we could meet them,” Yan Lao’er said, puzzled by the mention of several families. Worried he might mistake someone else for them, he thought it best to ask in person.

But as soon as that thought surfaced, he realized the problem.

Even if he saw them up close, would he really recognize them?

“Afraid you won’t be able to meet them today,” Chai Tou said. “The magistrate just issued a strict order—no one is allowed to wander around. Everyone must stay within designated areas.”

He glanced at Yan Lao’er. That order, in fact, had something to do with him.

It was this man who had brought a letter from Crouching Tiger for Doctor An.

After receiving it, the magistrate of Gufeng City not only changed the prescription but also, after consulting with several physicians, issued this new rule.

Fortunately, they had asked around early. Otherwise, with everyone confined to their own little patch of ground, it would’ve been impossible to find anyone.

Yan Lao’er quietly let out a breath of relief.

If they couldn’t meet today, then so be it.

But then, anxiety crept back in.

If it really was Da’an Village next to theirs, then being in Gufeng right now was not a good sign.

“Then when can I see them? Or maybe… is it possible to look at their household registration records?” Thanks to Old Yan, he understood a bit about how these things worked.

Even if he couldn’t meet them in person, the records would suffice.

The documents would clearly list the identities of the disaster victims.

Chai Tou said, “How do you think we’ve been searching? We had someone check the registration records. But…” He paused, his tone turning heavy. “You need to be prepared. Those records were only used at the very beginning. Later on, so many people died that they didn’t even have time to cross out the names…”

In other words, the person might still be alive—or they might not.

“I’ve already agreed to help, so I’ll get to the bottom of it for you. Go home for now. Come back in a couple of days for news.” Chai Tou recalled how the city lord of Gufeng had designated separate zones for the refugees. It wasn’t a bad idea—it actually made it easier to find people.

In the next day or two, the city lord also planned to reorganize the registration records and tally up the actual death toll…

Yan Lao’er subconsciously tightened his grip on the porcelain vial in his hand.

“Chai Tou, from what Brother Shi Shu said just now… does that mean we can actually bring the people out and try this Divine Water?”

Chai Tou furrowed his brow. “You yourself said you’re not sure what this so-called cure-all Divine Water can actually do. But… it’s still a glimmer of hope. If you want to try, using that as a reason is enough to get them brought out. Just be prepared—if they do come out, they’ll have to drink the Divine Water.”

Yan Lao’er’s eyes lit up.

Such a good opportunity?!

He had to admit, they were willing to offer the medicine to save people, but compared to complete strangers, he’d much rather give it to the folks from Da’an Village—people who were connected to their own.

“Chai Tou, even if this Divine Water doesn’t work, it won’t harm anyone either. Plenty of people in Guiyuan Town have drunk it, and they seemed fine. If we can just bring them out, that would be more than enough. I can see them for myself, and when I go back, I’ll have something to tell the villagers. Better than them staying here forever, with their families back home left in the dark.”

There was a trace of sorrow in his voice.

It touched everyone who heard it.

Wasn’t it true? In Gufeng’s current state, death had become the norm.

Having some hope was better than none.

Chai Tou decided to help him make the trip.

Yan Lao’er was endlessly grateful.

But before Chai Tou could bring anyone from Da’an Village, Doctor An from Huimin Hall arrived first.

“Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!” The old doctor didn’t come alone. With him was his third younger brother—Uncle An San, the uncle of Young Doctor An.

“That so-called Divine Water, hand it over and let me take a look.” Uncle An San didn’t bother with pleasantries.

Yan Lao’er eyed him warily and took several steps back.

He even hid the porcelain vial behind his back, not letting them get a single glance.

Was he joking?

That medicine had been hard-won.

It wasn’t just about the value of the items they’d traded for it—there was also the steep cost in time and the rarity of the trading platform.

Factor in all those hidden costs, and calling the medicine in his hand a miracle drug wasn’t an exaggeration.

But calling it “Divine Water” made it sound like superstition, instantly putting it at odds with doctors who valued medicinal theory and clinical reasoning.

To them, the claim that it could “cure all diseases” was nothing short of laughable.

How could he hand over the porcelain vial?

What if they dropped it or broke it? Who would pay for that? Who could afford to?

He wouldn’t even let someone lick it to taste—what a waste that would be.

He said nothing and didn’t move closer.

Between them stretched an invisible chasm.

The two Doctor Ans couldn’t easily cross it either.

At the end of the day, they were doctors with compassion. They didn’t want to risk spreading illness to others.

While the standoff continued, Chai Tou returned with the people.

From a distance, Yan Lao’er saw a group of people in tattered clothes and worn-out shoes, covered in dirt from head to toe.

There were old and young, tall and short, men and women.

But all of them were so grimy and gray that it was impossible to tell who was who.

Yan Lao’er felt a weight lift from his heart—but strangely, he didn’t feel happy at all.

So this was the true state of the refugees in Gufeng City?

What they’d seen before was just the tip of the iceberg?

Why were they in such a filthy, chaotic state?

Like he could read his mind, Chai Tou stepped forward and explained.

“These folks were settled farther out. Life’s harder there.” Even fetching water or boiling rice gruel was a challenge the farther away you were.

And that watery gruel, so thin you could count the rice grains, was something they barely got a sip of.

Now they’d been suddenly brought here, and they were clearly nervous and uneasy.

As they stumbled closer and finally got a good look at Yan Lao’er’s face, a few of them started trembling.

They pointed at him, trying to speak, but couldn’t get a single word out.

“Yan… Yan… Yan Lao’er? Is that you? Are you really…”

The moment Yan Lao’er heard that, he knew—they really did know him!

He rushed forward, eyes wide, trying to make out their faces through the layers of grime.

“Yes, yes, it’s me, Yan Lao’er from Xiao’an Village, from the Scholar Yan family! Come closer, I can’t tell who’s who. Is Madam Cui’s father here?”

“You… you…” One man, trembling all over, pointed at him for a while—then fainted on the spot.

Yan Lao’er: …

Come on, don’t get so worked up! Say something! At least tell me your name or which family you’re from!

“Yan Er! It really is you!” The tallest man in the group took two big steps forward, wiped his face hard, and said, “It’s me, Old Guan—Butcher Guan! Don’t you remember? You used to buy meat from me all the time, always told me not to tell anyone. I never did! Kept it quiet for you! And every third time, I’d even give you a little extra. You still owe me two qian of silver, remember?

Luo San from your village learned how to slaughter pigs from me. Why’d you take so long to show up? We’ve been looking all over for you!”

This burly man, once strong and robust, now had tears streaming down his face.

Still, he managed to hold back his sobs, trying to save a shred of dignity. But the tears wouldn’t stop, carving two clear tracks down his cheeks. It was impossible not to notice.

Yan Lao’er: Thanks a lot, really!

Weren’t you the one who said not to tell anyone? Couldn’t you at least pull me aside? What’s so hard about having a private word?

“I… my son-in-law is your village’s Physician Cui. That Madam Cui you mentioned, is she from his family?” an elderly man asked hopefully.

“Aiyo, Uncle, that’s right! My Madam Cui talks about you all the time. We finally found you!” Yan Lao’er quickly matched the two speakers and their families to the names he knew.

Then he looked at the rest of the group.

Every single one of them knew him.

All the weakness and despair from before vanished in an instant. Everyone rushed to introduce themselves, eager to explain how their families were connected to Xiao’an Village.

And sure enough, there wasn’t a single outsider among them.

They were all relatives or close ties to Xiao’an Village.

Which made sense—who else would go through all this trouble, leaving home behind to follow them all the way to Guanzhou?

“Yan Er, take a good look. This is your wife’s uncle!” Butcher Guan helped lift the unconscious man and, not minding the mess, wiped his face clean with his hand so Yan Lao’er could see more clearly.

Yan Lao’er sucked in a sharp breath.

He’d just been thinking about these people a few days ago, trying to sort out who his relatives were.

And now, here one of them was, right in front of him.

“That’s my great-uncle?” Yan Yu whispered, trying to piece the relationship together.

Yan Lao’er nodded. “Should be. You don’t just make up family ties.”

“Then the woman next to him must be my great-aunt-in-law?” Yan Yu asked again.

Yan Lao’er: …

“That’s probably not what they call it around here. Better not say anything for now. You’re still dressed as a boy—they might not recognize you. Just keep quiet.”

Yan Yu nodded seriously, deciding to play the mute for now.

It would be too embarrassing if she called someone by the wrong title.

Yan Lao’er turned back. “This is my uncle? What happened to him? Why’s he like this? Is he sick too? Did he faint?”

“No, no, we’re all fine, no one’s sick,” the woman beside the man quickly explained. “Your uncle was just overwhelmed when he saw you. How’s Meizi? And your Er Ya? And your in-law brother, Heng-ge’er, and Daya’er…”

Yan Lao’er thought to himself, No doubt about it now.

No one but family would know the names of everyone in his household.

“They’re all doing well,” Yan Lao’er said quickly. “Are you all okay? No one’s sick?”

As soon as he asked, it was like someone hit pause. Everyone fell silent.

“Uuuuu…” Finally, a woman couldn’t hold it in anymore. She rushed forward, crying. “Yan Er, my husband’s sick. A while back, someone took him away, and he never came back. You… you’re capable, can you help us find out… if he’s… still alive?”

She seemed to pour every ounce of strength into those words.

As soon as she finished, her body gave out.

Two children, one older and one younger, caught her just in time, their small bodies doing their best to keep her from collapsing.

(End of Chapter)