Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Another one who couldn't sleep that night was Zhao Beichuan. Listening to the pattering rain, he tossed and turned on his wooden bed, unable to fall asleep.

The rain had been pouring since the afternoon and continued deep into the night. He worried about how things were at home—whether the house was leaking, if Xiaonian and Xiaodou were cold, and what about Lu Xiaolang...

"Cough, cough, cough. Is Da Chuan still awake?" Lu Guang, who was sleeping next to him, woke up from his coughing.

"Can't sleep. The rain is too heavy, and I'm worried about home."

Lu Guang got up to use the outhouse; by the time he returned, his straw shoes were soaked through.

"Wow, the water outside is half a foot deep. I wonder if we'll be able to take a break tomorrow."

Zhao Beichuan sat up abruptly and walked to the door, noticing that the water was almost seeping into the room.

They were staying in an old military camp. When Ping Prefecture's Lord Yang Xian reclaimed the lost territories, he moved the troops north, leaving this place vacant for the laborers to stay temporarily.

The ground here was slightly higher than other areas. If it was already this deep here, the water elsewhere must be even worse!

Zhao Beichuan paced anxiously like an ant on a hot pan.

Many others shared his concern and couldn't sleep either. They sat up to discuss their options.

"Maybe we should go talk to the officials tomorrow morning and ask for permission to return home?"

"Will they allow it? There are so many of us. Who will do the work if everyone goes back?"

"The mud wall at my house cracked last winter. I don't know if it can withstand this rain."

Hearing this, Zhao Beichuan felt a knot form in his throat. Their house was also in disrepair. What if it collapsed under the rain?

It took forever for dawn to arrive, and although the rain had lessened, dark clouds still loomed overhead, suggesting another heavy downpour was imminent.

Everyone quickly put on their hats and went to plead with the minor officials.

"Sir, please show mercy. My elderly mother is at home. What if the house collapses?"

"Yes, my wife is pregnant, and I'm really worried."

The official's residence was already surrounded by a crowd, some of whom had arrived even earlier than Zhao Beichuan and his group.

"I can't let you go without orders from above. Go back."

"Sir! Please!" Some people had already knelt down and started bowing.

The minor official looked helpless. "I have no say in this. Begging me won't help. My own family might be in trouble too."

He had a wife and children, and their house was equally dilapidated. Despite his small official position, which seemed impressive but barely provided enough to make ends meet, he was just as worried as everyone else.

Everyone stood trembling in the rain, watching as thunder began to rumble, signaling another torrential downpour. Many broke down in tears, feeling utterly hopeless.

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves approached from the distance. "Where is the official in charge of Qiushui Town's labor?"

"I am here," the minor official hurried out to greet them.

The rider wore an oilskin cloak and a hat, holding a token. "By order of the county magistrate, due to recent floods causing distress to the people and potential damage to farmland, all town labor duties are hereby suspended. People are to return home to repair their houses and protect their fields to prevent crop failure during the autumn harvest!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd knelt and bowed, shouting, "The county magistrate is merciful! The county magistrate is kind!"

"Alright, hurry and pack your things to head home!" The rider didn't linger; he still had other towns to visit.

Zhao Beichuan sprinted back, having packed his belongings the previous night, planning to pay to redeem his labor if the officials wouldn't release him.

The government had a rule: paying three strings of coins could exempt one person from labor. However, most commoners couldn't afford such an expense, often taking years to save even that much money. The suspension of labor saved him a significant amount.

Everyone rushed back without delay, navigating the slippery and muddy mountain path. Many fell along the way, but those who didn't break any bones got back up and continued.

Zhao Beichuan, tall and long-legged, moved swiftly, soon leaving his fellow villagers far behind.

This thirty-mile mountain path usually took at least two hours on a clear day, but today, he ran the distance in just over an hour.

Standing on a distant hill, he saw his house. The once-flat thatched roof now had a dark spot, and upon closer inspection, it revealed a black hole!

Zhao Beichuan stumbled, nearly falling. His house had collapsed!

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward home, praying that the children were safe, that they must be safe...

Within a short while, Zhao Beichuan stood outside his front gate, looking at the completely collapsed bedroom. He called out tremulously, "Xiaonian! Douzi!"

No response. Zhao Beichuan suddenly remembered the day his mother passed away, also during a heavy rainstorm, when rain mixed with blood, emitting a nauseating stench.

Watching his mother's face turn gray, he felt fear for the first time, just as he did now, making him shiver uncontrollably.

Step by step, he approached the collapsed bedroom. "Douzi, Xiaonian, brother is back... Where are you?" Only the thunderous roar answered him.

Just as he was about to give up, a voice came from behind, "Zhao Beichuan? Why are you back?"

Lu Yao had returned to check on the chicks. Last night, after the house collapsed, he had taken Xiaodou and Xiaonian to the neighboring house of Tian Er's sister-in-law. Now that the rain had lessened, Lu Yao remembered his chicks and wondered if they had survived the flood.

Zhao Beichuan rushed over, eyes red with urgency, grabbing Lu Yao's arm. "Where are Xiaonian and Xiaodou? Are they hurt?"

"They're next door, not hurt, just a bit chilled."

Feeling a surge of relief, Zhao Beichuan removed his hat and placed it on Lu Yao's head. "I'll go see them first!"

Lu Yao watched him run off, adjusting the hat on his head. This man hadn't even explained why he had suddenly returned.

Never mind, he thought, first check on the chicks. The chicken coop, newly built by Lu's father, had two levels, with boards on top for the chickens to rest when they grew bigger.

Opening the coop, Lu Yao found the chicks huddled together on the upper board, trembling but alive.

Seeing there was still some distance between the board and the water, Lu Yao left them be. "Hold on a bit longer, little ones. It's flooded outside. We'll move once the rain stops." He closed the coop door again.

Next door, when Zhao Beichuan entered the house, Zhao Xiaonian and Zhao Xiaodou were playfully tickling Tian Dazhuang, pinning him down.

*

"Douzi, Xiaonian!"

"Big Brother?" The two children turned around and rushed over, delighted.

Zhao Beichuan hugged them tightly, feeling their warm presence, finally putting his mind at ease.

"Da Chuan is back," said Tian Er's sister-in-law, coming out from the east room.

"Thank you, Sister-in-Law, for taking care of them."

"Hey, this little thing isn't worth thanking me for. You should thank your husband. If he hadn't brought the child over last night, we might have been buried under the house."

Xiaonian said, "We were lucky Sister-in-law woke us up. He told us to leave first and almost got hit by a beam!"

Beichuan nodded gratefully. He never expected Lu Yao to be so considerate. Without marrying Lu Yao... he didn't dare to imagine it. For the first time, he felt fortunate to have married this husband.

"Will the government officials pursue you for suddenly returning?" It was forbidden to return home without permission while serving labor duty. The last time Beichuan came back, he did so secretly without making a fuss.

"The county magistrate ordered all those serving labor duty to return, fearing that the flood would destroy the fields and lead to a poor harvest in autumn."

In ancient times, the performance of officials was largely determined by tax revenue. High tax revenue with no major issues usually resulted in a middle-to-upper rating, while low tax revenue meant a lower rating. In case of natural disasters, the county magistrate would be the first to take the blame.

Granny Tian said, "No wonder. It's good that you're back. We can't do without someone in charge at home."

As they were talking, Lu Yao entered.

"The chicks are all alive."

Xiaodou and Xiaonian cheered, "Great!"

"Come inside and warm up." Granny Tian found a dry towel and handed it to Lu Yao to wipe the rain from his face.

"Thank you." Beichuan's deep voice sounded beside him.

Lu Yao looked up in surprise, seeing gratitude in his eyes. Compared to their first meeting, when Beichuan had been stern, he now seemed much more approachable.

He had to admit, this guy was really handsome, even after being drenched like a wet chicken, with his damp clothes clinging to his body, revealing the contours of his abs...

"There's no need to thank me; it's what I should do." Lu Yao felt his face getting hot and turned to discuss with Granny Tian about letting Xiaonian and Xiaodou stay here for a few days, paying ten coins per day.

"What's the point of paying? The two kids don't eat much." Granny Tian's words were polite, but her face was beaming.

"That won't do. They're causing you trouble, so the money is necessary."

Beichuan also nodded, "We'll be in your care for these few days."

"No trouble at all. Don't you two have a place to stay? Why not stay here too?"

The Tians' house had three rooms, recently renovated. The east and west rooms were bedrooms, and the middle room was the kitchen. With Beichuan and Lu Yao staying there, it would be a bit crowded.

"Can we fit?"

"We can manage. Dazhuang can sleep with us in the east room, and you three can sleep in the west room."

Beichuan said, "Once the weather clears, I'll fix the house and leave."

"Don't worry about it. Stay here as long as you need." She wanted to earn more money at ten coins a day!

Lu Yao gave Granny Tian the millet he had salvaged from home. Given Beichuan's big appetite, ten coins a day seemed a bit insufficient.

Granny Tian didn't refuse. For lunch, she made a pot of porridge and a bowl of pickled radish.

Lu Yao wasn't very hungry and drank half a bowl before feeling full. The two children didn't eat much either, and even Beichuan only had one bowl before putting down his chopsticks.

After lunch, Lu Yao planned to go home and salvage some more items. Last night, they left in a hurry, leaving many things behind. Seeing the other side of the house swaying, he worried it might collapse, smashing everything inside. Several new clay bowls he had bought would be a waste if broken.

As Lu Yao stepped outside, Beichuan followed, silently placing the bamboo hat on his head and walking ahead.

Lu Yao adjusted the hat, looking at Beichuan's tall figure, and couldn't help but think, how manly!