Chapter 183: The Liu Family’s Plan (Recommended Chapter, Additional Update)

Chapter 183: The Liu Family's Plan (Recommended Chapter, Additional Update)

"Just in case—" the man was still uneasy.

"There's no need to worry."

"She's the type who fears death very much."

Wang Dashi glanced at the man. "Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility." He added.

With this, everyone finally felt reassured and no one looked back.

That night, in Xiashui Village, the Liu family gathered.

Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu called their two sons for a talk.

"The drought is getting worse. Not just in the village, but the things you bring back are also decreasing."

"Your mother and I think that if it doesn't improve, you two should stop going out to collect goods until after the drought passes." Uncle Liu said, puffing on his pipe as he looked at his sons.

It had been tough on them; both were sunburnt like pieces of charcoal.

The brothers exchanged a glance.

Finally, Liu Daniu spoke to his father.

"Alright! I'll go into town tomorrow and inform Sister Song."

"And what about Da Niuni? Should we—bring them back?" Liu Daniu asked uncertainly.

His wife and sister were living comfortably in town with plenty of food and water.

Deep down, he didn't want them to return and suffer.

But if he and his brother stopped collecting goods, there would be less work for them in town.

He feared his parents might not agree to let them stay in town.

Hearing his eldest son's words, Uncle Liu glanced at Aunt Liu.

Aunt Liu only gave him a look without saying anything.

Uncle Liu then said, "No need. They help sell bean sprouts and make straw shoes for the Song family. They can earn some money. Staying in town is better than being here."

"Besides, your wife is pregnant. It's better for her to stay in town."

Liu Daniu felt relieved upon hearing this.

"Dad, what do we do next?" Liu Erniu quickly asked.

The crops in the fields had all dried up, and most of the livestock had been sold.

Now that they weren't collecting goods anymore, they needed something else to do.

Uncle Liu turned to Aunt Liu again.

Seeing her nod, he looked back at his sons.

"You two should know about what happened to the Wang family today."

The brothers nodded, exchanging another glance.

Poor Wang Dashan, to have such parents.

Uncle Liu sighed.

"Money brought back news that Qian Village is preparing to flee the famine."

"Also, based on your observations from the villages, most places within ten miles are in bad shape, except for a few."

"Your mother and I are worried—" Uncle Liu didn't continue.

Liu Daniu and Liu Erniu both changed expressions.

"What are you worried about, Dad?" Liu Erniu asked directly.

Uncle Liu looked at his second son.

"We're worried that if the drought continues, more villages will flee. When that happens, Xiashui Village might also be affected."

He had lived in Xiashui Village for most of his life and didn't want to leave.

But if too many villages fled, their village would become unstable.

If people started leaving, the village would dwindle, causing more problems.

"Didn't Uncle Village Chief say that Xiashui Village won't leave?" Liu Erniu immediately asked.

Uncle Liu looked at his second son.

"That's what the Village Chief said to keep morale up. If it comes to it, staying means waiting to die, right?"

Liu Erniu's face changed.

"What do we do then?"

Liu Daniu frowned, looking at his father.

"We've earned some money recently, and our food supply is enough for now. We don't have to leave, right?" he asked.

"Um." Uncle Liu nodded.

"But even if we stay, others might leave. Staying might not be a good thing for us." He continued.

Hearing this, everyone fell silent.

They could imagine what their father was worried about.

Living in the village with peace of mind largely depended on the large number of people in the village.

If the villagers all left and they stayed, there would likely be many troubles.

Perhaps even danger.

"Dad, what do you think we should do?" Liu Danni asked Uncle Liu quickly.

Liu Erniu also looked nervously at his father.

Uncle Liu took a deep puff of his pipe, then exhaled a cloud of smoke.

Sighing, he said, "If it comes to it, our family will move to the town as well."

Upon hearing this, the brothers were taken aback.

Then, their faces lit up with joy.

"Dad! Does that mean we're going to buy a courtyard in the town?!" Liu Erniu asked immediately.

"Dad!" Liu Danni exclaimed excitedly.

Uncle Liu gave his sons an annoyed look.

He removed the pipe and tapped it on the table.

"Says you! It's not that easy to buy a courtyard in the town!"

The Song family's courtyard cost nearly 250 taels of silver, which was more than twice their entire savings.

Based on previous prices, they might have been able to buy a smaller courtyard in West Market.

But given the current situation, few families would be willing to sell their courtyards.

Moreover, they couldn't spend all their money on a courtyard without leaving any for emergencies.

If a famine really struck, their food supplies wouldn't last long.

Hearing this, the brothers' expressions turned disappointed.

Seeing this, Aunt Liu finally spoke up.

"Your father and I mean to rent a courtyard in the town. At the very least, we can rent a few rooms."

Noticing the brothers looking at her, Aunt Liu continued, "While not many people are thinking of moving to the town yet, you two should go into the town tomorrow and inquire around."

"If you can rent a courtyard, you'll live in the town and find work there."

Aunt Liu glanced at Uncle Liu.

"Your father and I will stay in Xiashui Village for a while longer. If the villagers decide to leave, we'll join you in the town."

With more people and more opportunities, finding a living would be easier in the town.

It's better than fleeing the famine.

The brothers exchanged a glance, then nodded.

If they had a place to live in the town, finding work would indeed be much easier.

"Alright! When I deliver goods tomorrow, I'll ask Sister Song for help. They've been in the town for quite some time now and know the situation better."

His wife and sister rented two rooms with the help of the Song family. The rooms were good and the rent was cheap.

Now that they needed to find another place, asking the Song family for help would be the most reliable option.

"Um! That's the idea," Aunt Liu said.

After a moment, she added, "Don't go empty-handed. Tomorrow, I'll pick out twenty eggs for you to bring along. Consider it a small token of our appreciation."

Liu Danni smiled and agreed.

The next day.

At the Song family's courtyard.

Liu Danni brought Liu Erniu and arrived early in the morning.

At this time, the Song family was still selling water in the courtyard.

Qin Xiaoyao and the others were busy picking bean sprouts under the shed.

Upon learning that the Liu brothers had arrived, Qin Xiaoyao came out of the shed.