270 Unthinkable

Although there has been drought in the past two years, people like Ping'an have not really suffered from the drought. They have never lacked drink, daily necessities and food. They just need to be frugal in using water.

But in the past two days, what they saw was completely different from Yong'an. This was a real drought. The river was so shallow that only water could be scooped with a spoon, the wells were almost dry, and the fields were basically covered with dead leaves.

The closer we got to the north border, the fewer people there were on the road. When we passed by a village, we saw from afar that it was quiet and lifeless. Only when we heard the occasional smoke coming out of the chimney did we know that there were still people in the village.

In the evening they checked into the inn. Apart from them, there were only a few other guests in the inn.

The shopkeeper recognized Ming Wanli and sighed repeatedly, "Manager Ming, the North is completely different from when you came here three years ago. Those who could leave have left recently, and those who have nowhere to go can only stay at home. Fortunately, God has mercy on us and it rained twice this month, so we are not without drinking water.

If it hadn't rained recently, I would have planned to leave, but now that it's raining, I'm thinking I won't leave for the time being. My inn is not small, and people coming and going need a place to stay. Besides, my second son is still in the military camp, and my wife doesn't want to leave either."

Ming Wanli said, "Manager Tu, what's your second son's name? What does he do? We might be able to meet him."

Shopkeeper Tu's eyes were obviously full of smiles: "My son is under Director Guan, his name is Tu Chao, he is good at managing finances, so he doesn't have to go to the front to fight, otherwise, how can he, a gentle boy, defeat the tall and strong Mongolians?

A few years ago, it was his eldest brother who was supposed to go, but he refused, saying that he was a student and did well enough without having to go to the front to fight. His brother couldn't do that. My eldest son is a cook who cooks in the inn. He has no other skills, and we don't know when this war will end. Manager Ming, why are you here at this time?"

"Manager Tu, the ones who just went up were my eldest son and Master Ping An. They volunteered to go to the border town to be military doctors, saying that saving one more soldier is a good thing. I am here to do odd jobs and protect my eldest son."

Shopkeeper Tu was shocked: "Oh, I was a step late just now, and I didn't see the eldest master. The eldest master is really a good man. I have to pay my respects to him later. Master Ping An? Who is Master Ping An?"

"My eldest son's apprentice is a very smart young man. He is good at medicine and studying. He will turn twelve next month. He won the first place in the county and prefectural examinations. I won't say more. This is the dinner. The shopkeeper may make some steamed buns for us early tomorrow morning. We won't have time to eat properly at noon."

"Manager Ming, I'll let my eldest son wake up the noodles tonight. Even if you want to find a place to eat at noon, it may not be easy. There are not many small restaurants along the way. Everyone has fled. You should walk a little further tomorrow so that you can go to Anyang County to stay at night."

Ming Wanli frowned: "It's a bit far from here. I originally planned to stay in a small town on the side of the road tomorrow night, so I have to set off early in the morning."

He told this to Sun Sicheng during dinner.

Sun Sicheng could only sigh: "The situation here is beyond my imagination. Wanli, how long will the food we brought last?"

“My Lord, the dozen of you are the ones who actually took up the quota. Only eight of us came as private guards and may have to eat our own food. Xiao Ming is one of them.

This time I brought a mule cart of food, about 2,000 kilograms, including dried vegetables, bacon, and lard. It should be enough for half a year. I will go to the nearby market to buy them, but it is not convenient, so I will ask Baichuan to send a cart."

Sun Sicheng nodded. At this speed, they would reach their destination in the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. Everyone would suffer this year.

"Master, I think you should take advantage of this time today, when everyone is together, to emphasize the rules to them again. The captain of these 25 people is Uncle Ming, and the deputy captain is Uncle He. Everyone must listen to the arrangements of Uncle Ming and Uncle He. No one can be dragged away to work somewhere else at will, as this will easily lead to chaos.

In my group, the team leader is Xiao Wu and the deputy team leader is Er Qiang. They basically take care of the small matters themselves, otherwise Uncle Ming will be exhausted. "

"Ping An is right. Wanli, He Jin, I'm leaving these people in your hands. Don't let anyone separate them. There are many people in the barracks. It's true that we are here to rescue people, but my people cannot be taken to the front to rescue the wounded. Some people say that I should just let him come to me."

Wanli agreed with this deeply. He was also worried about these things. Once the war became intense, people might be dragged everywhere, and there was no guarantee that the people taken away were safe.

After the meal, Ming Wanli emphasized these things to everyone. Everyone nodded. Compared with the high spirits in the past few days, they were a little depressed today. Even the two most heartless ones were silent.

The war was now two days' journey away from them, and even here, it was a desolation that these young people had never seen before.

Wang Xiaochen pulled Xiao Ming to Yuan Qing and said, "Yuan Qing, when we get to the border, I'll let Xiao Ming follow you. You can take him with you wherever you go. Is that okay?"

Yuan Qing said, "Brother Xiaochen, I mainly help with the laundry and cooking. Xiaoming can follow me, but you have to tell him not to run out casually. There are too many people there and it's not good if something happens."

Xiao Ming was perceptive: "Brother Yuanqing, I won't run around. I'll just follow you and light the fire and do the work."

Ping'an saw that it was not yet dark, so he asked Erqiang and the others to go and wash their clothes and hair. Although the river was shallow, it was not far from the inn, so they could carry water themselves.

He really wanted to cut his long hair off with a pair of scissors. It got dirty too easily and was difficult to wash or dry.

In an instant, only Sun Sicheng and a few others were left.

"Wanli, of the herbs we brought this time, you and your men should keep a small portion of the commonly used medicines so that you don't have to go to the military doctor to ask for medicines when the time comes. The rest will be donated when we get there.

Wang Quan came with us. He doesn't know anything about medicine, so let him take Yuan Qing to help with chores. If possible, I will talk to the military doctor when we get there, and my people will follow Ping An and me."

Ming Wanli asked the shopkeeper Tu to help him collect some eggs and other foods that could be stored and replenished overnight, and he didn't mind the higher price.

Shopkeeper Tu agreed immediately. He had lived here for many years and knew the surrounding situation very well. Although many shops had closed and most of the people had left, they still had to live their lives and make money.

Ming Wanli simply asked him to continue helping him collect some things and put them in the cellar. He would come back by car to pick them up two months later.

Firewood can be bought nearby or chopped by oneself. After all, there are eight or nine of them who are not under anyone's supervision, do not receive a monthly salary or eat meals, and can still help their master.