They had no choice but to change route and head to Shangjun.

Only when she got to the ground did Wei Xiyao feel thankful for how wise Uncle Dong's decision was.

There are very few monsters near Guangyan County, and things are becoming more stable.

The eldest cousin and her child were safe and sound. When the sisters met, they hugged each other and cried bitterly again.

It was only then that she learned from her eldest cousin that her uncles had already led their troops back to Yizhou.

If they hadn't met the Song family, they would have gone there in vain.

The three of them stayed at the Song family temporarily.

My nephew's body got some rest and his complexion gradually returned to normal.

Before Wei Xiyao could feel happy, high temperatures and drought arrived...

If we don’t find a way to find food and water, I’m afraid the people in the city will not be able to survive.

Wei Xiyao thought for a moment, then walked towards Dong Zhiyao in the pavilion. She bowed and said, "Thank you so much, Uncle Dong, for saving my life. I don't know how to repay you. If you need me in the future, just give me your orders."

Dong Zhiyao didn't even raise his head, but just made a soft "hmm" sound in response.

After spending more than half a year together, he gradually understood the temperament of this Wei girl.

No matter how harsh the environment was or how dangerous it was outside, she could always grit her teeth and get through it on her own. From winter to summer, she followed him for hundreds of miles, and never complained even if his attitude was cold and ruthless.

He is a person of strong character.

The same is true for Wei Xirou in Guangyan County.

Do all the young ladies from the Qinghe Wei family look like this?

Wei Xiyao had become accustomed to his indifferent attitude and said to herself, "I plan to stay here first and help my eldest cousin stabilize Guangyan County. The well water in the county town has been polluted, so we have no choice but to go out and find a water source."

She had already made up her mind. Her eldest cousin led people to the surrounding villages and forests, looking for food and water. She wanted to go out and help. They were short of food and water, and with three mouths to feed, they couldn't stay in the Song residence all day waiting for her eldest cousin to feed them.

Uncle Dong was her savior. After finally arriving at a safe place to rest, she felt embarrassed to ask others to go out and help.

Wei Xiyao thought for a moment and asked, "I wonder what Uncle Dong's plans are next?"

Dong Zhiyao replied without thinking, "What are you planning? The drought outside is worse than winter. Can I leave barefoot?"

The implication is that he won't leave for the time being.

Wei Xiyao heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that. "Then please, Uncle Dong, stay home and help me look after my nephew."

Dong Zhiyao had a strange look on his face. He wanted to say something but didn't say it in the end. He just nodded to show his agreement.

No matter where we are, everyone is struggling to survive.

………

Wei Xiyin followed her two uncles out of the old house.

Just because my third uncle said he wanted to go to the blacksmith shop.

She then said, "Cousin Ting is still in the county town. I'll take my uncle there."

It's rare to have time to stay in the dock right now, so I might as well go there to learn about the latest situation and make plans for what's next.

Wei Mingsheng had to go home and say goodbye to them at the door.

When he left, he hesitated to speak to Wei Xiyin several times, wanting to ask where his disappointing son was, but he finally held back.

The eldest son has made little progress and is working for the fort outside. It is impossible to call him back now.

Wei Xiyin knew it very well, but pretended not to see it. If her fourth uncle really asked her, she really didn't know how to answer.

Now we can only wait for news.

There were only a few people left in the blacksmith shop, and the rest went to the county town to build a new furnace.

The arsenal in the county town was the first to be planned and construction had begun, with Wei Ting personally overseeing it.

The temperature inside the shop was extremely high.

Wei Mingyuan, however, looked calm and let the sweat flow. He took off the ring-handled sword from his waist and handed it to the craftsman to be refined in the furnace. He stood guard by the furnace without fear of the high temperature.

When he planned to join the army, he was met with opposition from his clan members as soon as he said it. However, he was young and frivolous, and he did what he wanted. He joined the army without hesitation despite everyone's opposition.

His mother was so angry that she ignored him for several years and didn't reply to any of the letters he sent back.

After the patriarch learned the news, he sent someone to deliver the knife. The knife has been with him for more than ten years, through thick and thin, and he has never left it.

But Wei Xiyin couldn't stand the high temperature inside.

She stood outside the door under the eaves holding her small curling stone, attracting people to question her.

Considering the high temperature here, the blacksmiths take turns going to the county town. The one who stays in the dock today is Master Jia.

Wei Xiyin asked: "How is the progress?"

Master Jia wiped the sweat off his body and bowed, "My lady, the ore we brought back has begun to be refined. We are currently forging the spearheads for the long tassel spears. Lord Ting took inventory of the weapons a while ago. The new recruits we have brought in are not enough. We still have a shortage of more than 800."

"There are only two furnaces burning right now. If there were more, people wouldn't be able to stay inside."

Wei Xiyin frowned slightly, it was indeed true.

There are now six furnaces in the blacksmith shop, and the other four dare not be opened at all. In addition, the ore still needs to be refined. As a result, the efficiency seems to have returned to its original state.

She then asked, "Do you know what's going on in the county? I still haven't had time to go there."

Master Jia said truthfully, "Master Jiu has recruited a thousand people to work in the county town. Mr. Ting is personally overseeing the work there, and progress is rapid. The outer walls have been completed, and a warehouse for storing ore is being built these days. As for the furnaces, two large ones have already been built, and their locations were determined in advance using blueprints drawn up by a mason."

Wei Xiyin nodded. "Apart from the spearhead, is there any statistics on the number of gaps in the other protective gear?"

"I'm not sure about the small one. The spear head hasn't been completed yet, and Mr. Quting didn't mention the remaining quantity."

Wei Xiyin was silent. She tapped her fingers and thought. The progress was too slow. She couldn't wait until winter to complete the process.

Moreover, the weapons of the 3,000 Wei family soldiers need to be re-forged, so weapons are indispensable.

She couldn't wait that long.

You must know that once winter comes, the monsters will come back again, and they may even become stronger.

Neither summer nor winter is a good time to survive.

Master Jia thought for a moment and then talked about the current situation of the blacksmith shop. He said, "Young lady, you may not know that after you left, the blacksmith shop hired a new group of blacksmiths and apprentices. They are the surviving civilians rescued by Captain Yuan. Now there are five blacksmiths and thirty-three apprentices in the shop."

Wei Xiyin's brows relaxed upon hearing this. "This is a good thing. Since there are enough people, we can start smelting on both sides at the same time. The blacksmith shop in the county can completely build and work at the same time."

Master Jia responded, "Lord Ting thinks the same way."

"Then I'll go over and take a look later and ask how big the gap is, and let cousin Ting make plans for both sides." She couldn't help but glance at Wei Mingyuan, who was standing still in the room.

Wei Xiyin mustered up the courage to step into the blacksmith shop, and was instantly enveloped in scorching heat. It felt like being roasted on an iron grid.

"Weapons take time to forge. Ling County has changed a lot now. How about Third Uncle go to the county town with my niece?"