ome officials remembered the intrigues and schemes within their own families, truly envying the unity and harmony of the Li family. They even envied the Li family for having such an outstanding eldest...The villagers blushed and whispered, "They are just little children. We can't possibly lay a hand on them."
Uncle Wang snorted, “Those aren’t just a few little kids! Someone is testing us! This time you guys showed mercy and gave them food, soon there will be even more people coming to whine and ask for food. Afterward, you won't be able to get rid of them!”
The village head came out, carrying a smoking teapot in his hand, and nodded in agreement.
"Lao Wang is right. It's not the dry season of spring or the snowy mountains now. Even if there's no food, as long as you are diligent, there will be wild vegetables on the mountain nearby. Picking some won't starve us to death! They are just testing us. Once we open our mouths, they will never stop."
Li Laosan reminisced about his escape from the north to Kyoto, sighing as he said...
"Fourth Uncle and the village head were right. On our way to Junyang, we once softened our hearts and gave some food to the children. As a result, our food was robbed the next day. If it weren't for Fourth Brother always being able to catch some wild chickens and rabbits, we would have starved to death on the road."
Perhaps feeling that no one believed him, he led them along the direction the children had run, and quietly crept forward.
Indeed, under the grove of trees less than fifty or sixty paces away, there were several men scolding and beating a child.
"Useless things, can't even beg for a meal back! They won't give it if you ask, you guys won't cry, cry until your heart breaks, they'll surely soften their hearts and give it to you."
"So, you guys can't get enough to eat, can you Don't you see what they're eating What are they cooking in the pot Do they have a lot of rations"
When the children were beaten, they cried and wailed, which made the several men even more angry.
They were still talking when, suddenly, they saw Li Lao San and his men. They immediately shrank their necks in fear.
Li Laosan and others looked cold, slowly raising the axes in their hands.
Those few people turned and ran, followed by crying children behind them. What a mess!
Li Lao San and the others did not chase after them. On their way back, they were all in heavy spirits.
This chaotic world is terrifying. The news hasn't fully spread yet, and there are still wild plants and leaves on the mountain to fill our stomachs.
But so many calculations, so much coveting.
In another month, there will be nothing left to eat on the mountain, and the barbarians will come hunting us down. At that point...
A heavy stone seemed to press down on everyone's hearts. No one dared to think about it, let alone imagine it.
Let's go, we have to hurry, not a moment to spare!
At this moment, this was the consensus reached by everyone without discussion.
As darkness deepened, everyone had finished most of their bowls of congee. The congee was topped with a few pieces of chicken or duck meat and some broth.
The little boys were truly happy with their three pieces of chicken, they all ate with smiles on their faces.
Just like Jia Yin, this little girl also had a bowl of meat and rice soup.
The Li family members gathered together, each taking their own chicken meat and putting it into a bowl.
Li Laotai slowly shredded the chicken into fine strands, mixing it into the vegetable porridge and feeding it to her granddaughter, mouthful by mouthful.
And the rest of them, sipping porridge and gnawing on bones, found it delicious too.
Jia Yin's heart ached, wanting to refuse, but she also knew she couldn't possibly.
At this time, she ate more and slept more, which could reassure her family even more.
As expected, she ate most of the bowl of congee with effort, her small belly bulging from fullness.
The whole family was overjoyed.
"Foo Niao eats so well, it smells delicious. In the future, she should continue eating like this too."
"That's right, eat more and sleep more, it's good to be chubby like a little pig."
Our Fu Niu is blessed. She eats anything without fuss or picky eating.
Jia Yin was supporting her grandmother's shoulders, turning around beside her, treating it as after-dinner exercise.
Occasionally, she would run to hug her second uncle, kiss her parents, and sit in her third aunt's lap, swaying her little legs back and forth, acting like a happy child.
Make home more comforting and joyful for everyone during this time.
Uncle Zhao, several old masters, and Dr. Zhang were gathered together, eating and talking at the same time.
Although in the wild, the night was dark and gloomy, like a monstrous beast ready to devour you, leaving one with a heavy heart.
But fleeing for four or five days now, having traveled over a hundred li, has been relatively smooth sailing, giving everyone a bit of hope.
As long as you are not afraid of hardship, gather together like this and keep going, in a month, you will reach the Jinsha River no matter what.
After dinner, everyone tidied up briefly. Some went on duty for the night watch, while others went to sleep.
After a day's walk, the blisters on their feet burned like fire, but no one paid attention.
After picking it, walking will be more painful tomorrow.
One can only wait for the soles of their feet to be worn down day after day, blisters forming and being crushed as flesh quickly turns into calluses in the midst of forward movement.
Wu Sanniang crouched beside the bonfire, listening to the earth-shaking roars, carefully patching up her worn shoes.
Li Laotai walked around for a while, seeing this and said.
"Tomorrow at noon, let's see if we can find some suitable grass to weave a few pairs of large straw sandals. It would be fine even if they are just worn outside cloth shoes – every little bit saved is helpful."
Wu Sanniang also nodded, "I think so too. We still have over twenty days to go. At this rate, we won't even have enough shoes."
After a few idle words, Old Madam Li returned to her makeshift shed.
As expected, her granddaughter wasn't asleep yet, sitting there with wide eyes waiting for her.
Beside her, Jia'an was already fast asleep, snoring softly. Her belly was covered with a small quilt made by her granddaughter.
Who could not love such a sensible granddaughter
Old Li held her granddaughter, gently kissing her forehead, and wrapped her own outer garment around the child. The two of them finally fell asleep.
The next day, they set off at dawn as usual. Everyone was familiar with their duties and worked together more smoothly.
Women and the elderly were truly searching for reeds, weaving straw sandals as they walked.
The rest of the refugees who had been following at a safe distance, seeing this, also began to imitate them.
For a while, the roadside mugwort was snatched up earlier than the wild vegetables.
Thus, they journeyed through the night, everyone steeling their hearts and ignoring any pleas for pity or attempts at conversation.
Anyone who came near was met with a raised cleaver, and they all left in peace for two days.
Finally, on a sweltering summer day when the autumn tiger was at its peak, the crowd approached the city gate of Jin'an, the first county town to be reached on their journey south.
Seven or eight miles away, everyone could see that the city gate was crowded with people, so many that it was impossible to pass through.
On both sides of the city gate, quite a number of people remained in the open space.
In the autumn wind, faint cries and angry shouts could be heard, making one's heart ache.
Seeing the confusion among the villagers, the village head discussed with Li's family and led everyone to set up camp first.
Having walked this way for so many days, it's time to rest for an afternoon and scout the situation ahead.
The village head remained behind, while Li Lao Si took his sons, Jia Ren and Jia Yi, along with several other villagers to check out the city gate.
The rest were also worried and busy collecting reeds, digging up wild vegetables, foraging for mountain produce and wild fruits, and even doing laundry and cooking. They were all working hard non-stop.
Jia Yin was carried on Tao Hongying's back, her head spinning from the swaying. Seeing her father about to leave, she opened her little hands and called out.
"Father, father!"
Li Lao Si turned back, guessing that his daughter was going to follow. He quickly coaxed her.
"Girl, it seems like things aren't going well over there. Dad will go take a look and be back soon."
But Jia Yin refused, and continued to clamor about going with them.
Li Laotai was busy tending the fire, reluctant to see her granddaughter unhappy. She called out,
"With Funiu here, even if something happens, so many people shouldn't be unable to protect her!"
Li Lao Si had no choice but to agree.
Soon, Jia Yin was put on her father's back and they set off towards the city gate.
As the crowd drew closer, the cries and shouts grew increasingly audible.
Here's the translation of your text:The three chapters for today are here as promised~ Huahua shamelessly came to beg for more, leaving five-star reviews and recommendations. Yesterday's goal of adding 100 reviews wasn't met, so Huahua will continue updating tomorrow!
As long as the five-star rating reaches 220 before noon tomorrow, when it's currently at 126, I will update with five more chapters! Five-star reviews are very important to me and this book. But my comment count and five-star ratings are still too low, so please give me a five-star review~
> Out of over a thousand people, there are 100 who are willing to just give it a tap and that's enough. For those little treasures who are willing to chase to the latest chapter, thank you for moving your fingers and giving Huahua a five-star review! Love you all~ Group chat~under her care.”In a room this small, even her softest whispers were audible to everyone.Then, everyone burst into laughter.With such a mother-in-law, Dr. Tang's life is certainly interesting!Li Laota...