Seeing so many more people suddenly appear, and several teams looking quite strong, immediately made one feel a sense of crisis. The young couple couldn't help but feel fortunate that they had arrived early and already secured housing.
Otherwise.
With this kind of momentum, more and more people would likely arrive, and prices within the city would surely rise, with rent being the most ridiculously inflated.
Su Miaomiao and Cheng Hao exchanged glances, unable to suppress a chuckle.
Old Ji, Steward Du, and Gao Dashan, seeing the young couple return, came over to inquire. Only upon their safe return did they finally relax.
"How was it? Is the city truly as good as they say? Young masters, please tell us!"
Steward Du looked at them expectantly, his gaze yearning.
It was quite amusing.
Old Ji also looked at his young master and mistress, equally curious.
Gao Dashan asked directly, "Is it truly like a time of peace and prosperity within?"
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao confirmed their hopes.
"It is indeed as the people here say, a prosperous place. Everyone is diligently living their lives, just like before, though there are slight differences. But compared to life outside, it is truly peaceful."
"Yes, and there's so much delicious food! Countless shops and stalls. We only browsed the area near the city gate, and we could already feel the prosperity within. We heard there are even more fun and novel things in the more central areas, and it's truly vast."
After Su Miaomiao exclaimed this, Cheng Hao added, "We heard the city's land area is three times that of Fengcheng, so you can imagine how big it is. If we truly wanted to explore, we wouldn't finish in three days and three nights."
Everyone immediately became excited, straining their ears to listen.
Word spread quickly.
Most people in the caravan already knew, and they began to look forward to it.
Upon hearing this, Master Cheng even sent a young maidservant to relay a message, asking why they were still delaying. They should prepare quickly and enter the city!
Old Ji and Steward Du were naturally pleased as well.
The two immediately went to make arrangements.
Gao Dashan hesitated for a moment, then finally voiced his concern, "Those from our Shana Village who don't have household registration..."
He swallowed the rest of his sentence, then gritted his teeth and said, "Those in our village without household registration cannot enter. They have already discussed it; if there's no other way, they plan to find a place to live in these mountains."
Gao Dashan explained that they had originally planned to stay by the city gate, but seeing the living conditions here, and with more and more people arriving.
It was truly terrible.
And there were many sick people, they worried about contracting illnesses.
After all, it was also very dirty here.
And chaotic.
The small group they left behind simply couldn't manage.
Especially with women and children present.
Cheng Hao had naturally considered this problem and said softly, "Money makes the world go round. Leave this matter to me. As you said, outside the city is too dangerous. Leaving a small group is not feasible; they'll just be food for others, not even enough to fill their teeth."
Furthermore.
Life within the city would likely not be as calm as it appeared on the surface.
With the influx of so many people.
And those who could enter the city were either wealthy, noble, or possessed some skill.
Such people couldn't all be law-abiding. There would inevitably be trouble.
Therefore, it's the same old saying.
The more people in a group, the more secure they feel. And their caravan had always upheld the principle of not easily abandoning anyone, especially when none of them were burdens. Although there were often squabbles and even fights, in the face of major issues, everyone could unite, which was quite good.
Cheng Hao didn't want to abandon anyone. His own people, including the two other groups who were reluctantly brought in, the three caravans had traveled such a long distance, their reliability was naturally higher than others. Of course, it was best to stay together. More people meant more strength, which could also deter some individuals.
Gao Dashan was somewhat taken aback by this. He hadn't expected Cheng Hao to go to such lengths.
He sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"Your great kindness will never be forgotten by the people of Shana Village! From now on, you are our village's great benefactor! We will honor you for generations to come!"
Gao Dashan was also very emotional. He had never imagined that such a young man could be so responsible. He felt that by being taken under his wing, Cheng Hao would treat each of them seriously and was truly dependable.
Cheng Hao said it wasn't necessary and then asked Gao Dashan to go back and inform their villagers that they would all enter the city, not a single person left behind.
"Oh, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you. Miao Miao and I have also secured housing. It's a three-courtyard compound. Each of our three caravans will use one courtyard. Aside from the front courtyard, you can arrange the other two yourselves once you're inside. As for the rent, we'll discuss that after we enter."
Cheng Hao's words again stunned everyone. They hadn't expected the young couple to be so swift! They had exchanged some silver and already secured housing.
When this news spread through the three teams, everyone was amazed.
Master Cheng, although initially surprised by this news, immediately felt relieved and praised repeatedly, "My son is capable! He handles everything thoughtfully and properly!"
Having a place to live as soon as they entered the city.
Everyone was overjoyed.
Master Jin, upon hearing this, was very pleased, saying that following Cheng family was indeed the right choice!
The other young ladies also cheered, some even lamenting with a hint of envy that Su Miaomiao had truly struck gold, finding such a reliable husband.
The people of Shana Village were naturally the most excited. They had been reluctant to part ways, only to be told that no one would be left behind. They were utterly surprised and overjoyed, tears welling up in their eyes.
They clasped their hands together, fervently praying to heaven to protect these two wonderful children, who had saved them from dire straits time and again. They were truly good people!
"We get to live in big houses as soon as we enter, oh my. I've never lived in a house that didn't leak rain in my life!"
"Indeed. I never dared to dream of living in the city, let alone a three-courtyard compound! If someone had told me this a while ago, I wouldn't have believed them. I'm so happy I'm almost dazed!"
"Young Master Cheng and the Mistress are truly remarkable, no words for them!"
"Indeed, they are young but handle matters more thoughtfully than adults!"
Everyone praised them endlessly.
They were all incredibly excited.
Fueled by this enthusiasm, their group smoothly entered the city.
At the point where they needed household registration.
Cheng Hao pulled aside the person in charge and spoke with him. Then, using double the price, he managed to get these ten or so people through.
This was handled discreetly, without alerting others.
The steward guard was quite pleased, and even became friendly with Cheng Hao because of it.
Killing two birds with one stone.