Chapter 241

Chapter 241

Hundreds of people fled with backpacks and carts, and even without much noise, the commotion they made was truly... Every village they passed, the villagers who heard the sound were so frightened they dared not make a sound.

A few bold ones grabbed hoes and ran out to see what was happening, and found it was a group of refugees. At first they were a bit nervous, seeing how many there were, worried they might attack the village. They hastily gathered the villagers at the entrance, adults and children alike gripping hoes and sickles in a tense standoff, only to find that the refugees had no intention of entering the village to loot. They just kept their heads down and ran as if ghosts were chasing them, without even glancing their way.

"What's this? Who are these people?"

"Refugees, I suppose? All dirty and disheveled. Lately there've been a lot of refugees passing on the road outside our village."

"I remember now! The other day people from Mao Village said this couldn't go on—strangers coming and going every day, who knows if they'd take the chance to steal kids or grain. They set up a barrier at Erwan Ditch to block them. These must be the refugees blocked by Mao Village..."

"Then how did they get through?"

"Idiot!" an old woman spat. "They didn't manage to stop them, obviously!"

Damn refugees! Just how chaotic is the outside world now! They were starting to cause trouble in gangs again! Why wouldn't that damned heaven let ordinary folks live in peace? Not a single day of stability!

The fleeing crowd constantly kept watch, fearing that nearby villages might also come out to block them. They were even prepared to fight. But fortunately, things were better than they had expected. Villagers came out to watch the commotion in waves, but almost none tried to stop them.

"Head for that mountain!" shouted the leader, Zhao Sandi, pointing at a peak. They were already far from the village that had tried to block them. "Everyone, hold on! Don't stop. We'll rest when we get there!"

"San Di, no one's chasing us anymore!"

"Let's rest! We're about to drop dead. Really can't run anymore..."

"Rest? This is a matter of life and death! Who has time to let you rest?" Old Lady Zhou propped her hands on her knees, barely catching her breath, but still found the energy to retort. "Not to brag, but you all need more practice. This is nothing! You haven't experienced the night we raided Wuling Village. Seriously, we ran for most of the night, our legs nearly fell off!"

She slapped her little grandson's butt as he scurried past, then turned to glare at the two women from Liuhe Village who had complained about resting. Snorting with disdain, she clutched her aching belly and kept pace with the crowd. "Hurry up, don't hold us back! Da Gen hates laggards. If he says run, we run. If Sandi says rest at the foot of the mountain, do as you're told!"

With that, ignoring the woman's muttered complaints about why she herself wasn't listening, she pushed past their family, grabbed the lagging Chun Miao, and huffed and puffed toward the donkey cart where Wang and her family were.

Whether fleeing or traveling, she always found a way to squeeze close to Old Zhao's donkey cart—not right beside it, but close behind. That spot belonged to her, Old Lady Zhou, and no one could take it!

Seeing this, the other villagers from Liuhe Village, though exhausted and moaning that they couldn't go on, kept their feet moving, gritting their teeth and following closely.

They knew their place. Old Man Zhao was bringing up the rear, Zhao Sandi was leading at the front, and the dangers ahead and behind were being handled. All they had to do was run. If they still lagged behind, they might as well die early and be reborn—what was the point of living?

"Third Brother, I see Uncle Zhao and the others!" Qing Xuan's voice came from the side. He had good stamina and sharp eyes, so Zhao Sandi had entrusted him with keeping an eye on the rear.

The formation was too long and chaotic. If messages weren't relayed in time, those at the front would be like headless flies, and those at the back wouldn't be able to catch up.

"Anyone chasing?" Zhao Sandi asked quickly.

"No, just Uncle and the others," Qing Xuan called back.

"Good, I understand!" A relaxed smile appeared on Zhao Sandi's face. He looked around again; there were almost no villages visible near the foot of the mountain.

Maybe there were, but hidden by the terrain. That didn't matter. They didn't plan to stay long, and had no intention of starting a conflict with locals. As long as no one provoked them, they would move on tomorrow morning.

He raised a wooden stick with a red cloth tied to it, slowed his pace, and turned to shout to the crowd: "Folks, we're about to enter the mountains. We need to find a sheltered spot to spend the night! Keep an eye on the children. Hold your own kids close and watch them carefully. We're crossing an unfamiliar mountain—stay alert!"

"Got it! We're watching them. The kids won't wander off."

"Watch out for traps the villagers might have dug. Step where the person ahead stepped." Zhao Shanao moved more steadily than the younger ones despite his cane, his loud voice reminding everyone, "Those in front, cut a stick and poke the ground, especially where leaves are thick. The mountain path is slippery, and we're not familiar with it. If you fall into a ditch and break a leg, no one's going to carry you!"

"Brother Shanao is right! Everyone, be careful—step firmly, one footprint at a time!" Village Chief Sun quickly chimed in.

"Understood!" Those in front answered in unison. Those behind nodded silently, following the footprints left by those ahead.

Through all the falls and lessons learned along the way, these old folks who seemed to need a cane every step and sighed twice before moving, sometimes even needing grandchildren to carry them, were actually much more attentive and meticulous than the strong young people.

Listening to the elderly pays off—it saves a lot of trouble.

Winter days grow dark early. One moment it seemed light, the next they could barely see.

Toddlers who couldn't walk well were carried on their parents' backs. Slightly older children who could walk were tied to their mothers by a cloth strip—one end around the child's waist, the other around the mother. It was a bit awkward to walk, but it kept the child in sight, prevented them from running off, and allowed the mother to catch them quickly if they slipped.

It must have rained yesterday, because the mountain path was muddy and slippery. Shoes didn't grip well, and people were falling all around. The dull thud of buttocks hitting the ground, accompanied by startled cries, was quite frightening.

As the twelfth lunar month approached, the weather grew colder every day.

Even the villagers from Liuhe Village felt that this winter was abnormally cold. They kept moving but couldn't keep their hands and feet warm, let alone those staying home.

They didn't know if it was because of the big flood this year or just a feeling. The hardships of fleeing made them overlook many things, and they had no energy to ponder. Their exhaustion made every day a blur. Frostbitten ears, chapped hands and feet told them that this winter was strange. Perhaps it was because they had no roof, or maybe fatigue had heightened their senses.

They couldn't explain it, so they didn't mention it.

"There's a sheltered flat slope ahead! Hold on, we're almost there!" Wu Dazhu's rough but joyful voice rang out in all directions, giving the weary travelers a much-needed boost. "Men, keep an eye out—if you see dry firewood, grab a couple of bundles. We'll rough it tonight and light plenty of bonfires to keep warm!"

"Roughing it" meant no stoves, no water gathering, no latrines—just the bare minimum.

They still had dry rations, and they could relieve themselves in the woods. But in this freezing weather, once they stopped, the wind would chill them to the bone. Without several bonfires, they wouldn't be able to sleep.

It was hard to find firewood in winter, and they couldn't always find a suitable campsite. Some places were far from mountains, or just small hills where trees belonged to individual villages. Spring rain and winter firewood were precious. Stealing meant fighting, and sneaking risked being chased. Collecting firewood along the way had become a habit.

No one needed to be told to gather wood—they had been doing it since entering the mountains. But when they said "rough it," that was impossible. They would freeze to death.

"We need to boil some hot water. Building a stove isn't a big deal..." a grandmother who doted on her children couldn't help saying. "We adults can manage, but let the kids have a bowl of hot water to warm up. It's too cold. They've sweated all day, and now stopping suddenly, the wind will chill them. Without something hot, they might get sick."

"Yeah, it's not too much trouble. We still have strength. You rest, we'll do the work."

"It's not safe to look for water at night."

"Why not? Bring more people. There are villages nearby—water won't be a problem..."

As soon as the donkey cart stopped, Zhao Xiaobao couldn't wait to lift the curtain and jump down. Hearing this, she looked at her nieces and nephews, their noses red and runny, sniffling pitifully. She reached out to tug her mother's sleeve, coaxing, "Mom..."

Wang smiled and patted her chubby hand. The child was young but already so caring. Thinking of the coughing she'd heard along the way, no matter whose child, they were all children she had watched grow up. She felt a pang of sympathy. Turning to her third son, she said, "While it's not completely dark yet, take Xiao Wu and the others to find water. Xiaobao has been sitting in the cart all day—let her stretch her legs."

Zhao Sandi immediately dropped what he was doing. "Alright!"

"Bring Qing Xuan along too," Wang added. Since the family had no more secrets, an extra person could carry more water.

People gradually stopped. The sounds of unloading carts and carrying mats and quilts came from all directions.

Some women, worried about dirty bedding, took sickles to gather grass and leaves to spread under their mats—not only to keep out moisture but also for extra softness. Well-behaved children, seeing their mothers busy, helped carry the grass, running back and forth tirelessly.

Seeing this, Wang called over her eldest daughter-in-law and said gently, "Take out two packets of the cold remedy. Also ask who has the brown sugar and ginger. Share some so we can boil a pot of ginger soup for everyone."

"Sure!" Zhu Shi nodded briskly.

The two villages had pooled their money, and Old Man Zhao used it to buy the most essential winter clothes and bedding with the stored grain from the big granary, along with food for both villages—all paid for by their family. The pooled silver was used to buy various necessities, like salt, sugar, and medicine, which were indispensable on the road. Their family kept a portion and donated the rest to the communal fund.

These communal items, except for the clothes and bedding distributed to each family, weren't divided further. They belonged to everyone. For the brown sugar and ginger Wang wanted, they had to ask who had sugar and who had ginger, then combine them.

The brown sugar happened to be carried by Village Chief Sun's wife. Hearing they wanted to make brown sugar water, the old woman couldn't help feeling reluctant. She went to Wang and said, "Sister, we still have a long way to go. Brown sugar is precious—we should save it. Ginger soup can also warm you up. Just pound two slices of ginger. Our village children are raised rough—they're fine with just ginger soup..."

In the past, she would never have haggled over two pieces of brown sugar. Her family was one of the most comfortable in the village. She hadn't suffered much in life. Her husband was a respected village chief, her son and daughter-in-law were filial, and her grandchildren were obedient. Many people envied her good fortune.

But a flood had not only taken her son but also swept away her once stable and comfortable life.

She glanced down at herself; in just a few short days, her once-pampered hands had become rough and unsightly. And Wang Shi, who was about the same age as her and even looked older and more burdened with hardship, had barely walked at all on the journey.

Back then, the people of Wanxia Village had begged them for shelter, and now the people of Liuhe Village were begging for their protection. Truly, fate played its tricks; who could have predicted it?

Wang Shi noticed the bitter smile on her face and, though unsure of the reason, smiled back to comfort her: "Elder sister is right. We've got a long road ahead; we need to make what we have last."

Before the other could respond, she continued, "But I was thinking that adding some brown sugar to the ginger tea would make it more effective. It’s not just for the children. You and I have been through it—there are some hardships that we women aren't comfortable talking about with outsiders. Brown sugar water warms you up and does you good, so this is a good chance to give them a little boost."

Village Chief Sun's wife was taken aback, then quickly understood. She turned to look at the women busy at work.

They were older, their monthly cycles had ended years ago, but these young wives and girls still had theirs every month. Some could endure the hardship, others couldn't. On the run, there was no time to worry about it; no matter how uncomfortable their bodies felt, they didn't dare to stop walking.

They endured, they persisted. The weather was freezing, and women's bodies were naturally weak and vulnerable to cold. If they ignored their health, even if they eventually found safety, illness would take root, and the days ahead would be rough.

Wang Shi had thought further ahead than she had; she had been narrow-minded.

"Yes, younger sister has considered everything well. We'll do as you say—add some brown sugar and let them all drink more!" Her face flushed with embarrassment, but she was genuinely convinced. No wonder even old lady Zhou, such a difficult character, didn't dare to cause trouble around Wang Shi. She had originally thought Wang Shi was quiet and reluctant to take charge, but it turned out she had a plan—she just didn't like to stand out.

The old couple each had their own strengths; they handled matters openly and without selfishness, earning people's trust.

By the time Zhao Sandi led a string of nephews carrying buckets away, each family had found a spot to settle, laid down dry firewood as a base, then spread out mats and quilts. The women began building stoves, the men took a break to rest, and the boys and girls paired up to gather firewood nearby. When the water-seekers returned, they could start boiling the brown sugar ginger water and the cold medicine. Then, whether for prevention or treatment, each would drink what they needed.

Campfires blazed up one after another, illuminating a group of bustling people.

Some, exhausted, sank into a deep sleep, snoring rose all around. Meanwhile, Old Man Zhao's group, who had been bringing up the rear, finally arrived late.

"Where is Xiaobao?" Old Man Zhao, not seeing his daughter, asked right away.

"Her third brother took her to get water," Wang Shi replied. She checked the old man and saw he wasn't injured, breathing a sigh of relief. "What took you so long?"

"Long? I ran the whole way back! Those little bastards were like maniacs; they chased us for a while after we left." Old Man Zhao plopped down on their spread mat, tugged at his collar. He had worked up a sweat from the fight, making him uncomfortably hot and sticky.

"Change clothes? You're soaked through. If the wind hits you, you might catch a chill."

"Alright." Though he didn't think he would catch cold, he always listened to his wife. He stood up and went to search their cart.

As for his daughter, finding water was just a cover; she must have taken her brothers and nephews to the magical land for a private feast.

A few of the daughters-in-law could take turns resting on the donkey cart and go to the magical land anytime to eat and drink well. The others had to act discreetly. After Qing Xuan had revealed the secret of the magical land, there was nothing left to hide. The family members now did these things with a clear conscience.

"Who's on watch tonight?" After changing clothes and checking the surroundings, seeing that everyone had settled well and didn't need much supervision, Old Man Zhao felt satisfied and called out loudly.

"Uncle, tonight it's my turn and Old Zhu's," Man Liang said, jumping up with a cornbread in his mouth.

Zhu Laicai, squatting beside him, also hurriedly responded, "Uncle, if there's anything, just tell us."

"Tell you what? Nothing to say. Same as always." Old Man Zhao smiled and walked over to squat beside them, casually taking the steamed bun handed to him by Man Liang's wife and stuffing it in his mouth without hesitation. They were all family, no need for formalities. "I just feel that it's getting colder day by day. Sitting through the night is tough, even with a fire. I was thinking I've got an extra quilt. I'll have your aunt bring it out later. Whoever's on watch can throw an extra blanket over themselves. It'll give a little warmth, even just a bit. Something's better than nothing."

Each family had a fixed number of quilts; there were no extras to lend to those on night watch. The elderly and children at home didn't have enough, even when they huddled together to sleep. Their family didn't lack that one or two quilts. No outsider knew what was inside the donkey cart, and no one was nosy enough to lift their curtain. Giving out one quilt didn't count as much.

"That's great! Then I'll thank Uncle and Aunt on behalf of everyone!" Zhu Laicai beamed with joy. This was good for everyone. Night watch wasn't a big deal, but the bitter cold was truly torment. Usually, by the end of the night, both thighs would be frozen stiff. With a quilt to cover up and a fire to warm by, the night wouldn't be so hard.

"Are you sure you have enough? You have many kids at home. We can just use the fire; don't let the kids suffer," Man Liang said worriedly. In this season, no family had enough bedding. Old Zhao's family had many grandchildren; he was genuinely concerned for the kids.

"Don't worry about it." Old Man Zhao laughed and gave Man Liang a firm pat on the head. "We have enough."

Many nearby heard this. Some were pleased, others worried.

Old Man Zhao waved his hand and said no more. He finished the bland steamed bun, stood up, and returned to their resting spot. He asked his wife to bring out a fairly warm