After hearing what Butcher Yun said, everyone began to think. The village chief also lowered his head and thought for a while before continuing.

"What you mean is that the officers and soldiers want to tell us that the city gate is not safe, and we should either find a way to enter the city or leave early. Is that what you mean?" As soon as the village chief finished speaking, everyone stared at Yun the Butcher.

"Yes, village chief. That's what he meant. If the government wants to keep the water and food in the city, they will definitely find a way to let the refugees at the city gate leave and go somewhere else. Now there are rich families in the city who give porridge to these refugees every day. It's like hanging a carrot in front of a donkey. Once the carrot is gone, there will definitely be problems." Yun the Butcher replied.

"We don't know anyone from the city, and we don't plan to settle down in the city. Let's think about going to the city to purchase supplies now," said the village chief.

"Yes, the village chief is right. We should buy supplies quickly and leave this dangerous place as soon as possible." Li Xiucai said.

"Butcher Yun, how much does it cost per person to enter the city now?"

"It costs one or two taels of silver per person to enter the city now. So, in order to save money, we can't send too many people to purchase supplies. It's better to save money to buy food." Yun the butcher said to everyone.

"The city entrance fee has increased a lot. I remember that the last time Li Xiucai and his teacher came here, the entrance fee was still ten cents per person. Am I remembering correctly?" The villager said as he turned to look at Li Xiucai.

"Yes, you remember correctly. The last time I came here, it was indeed ten cents per person." Li Xiucai replied.

"Raising the city entry fee is also intended to restrict people from entering the city. Now, let's determine the candidates for entering the city. Last time, after I talked about this matter, no one came to me. So, now, let's discuss it. Let's try to go to the city early tomorrow morning." The village chief asked everyone to choose, it could be themselves or someone else.

"Village chief, I think Yun the Butcher, Zhang the Hunter and Li the Scholar did a great job today. I support the three of them going to the city to purchase supplies." Uncle Wu suggested.

"Yes, Village Chief, I agree."

"Yes, Village Chief, I agree."

Hearing the same voice from the crowd, the village chief waved his hand and asked everyone to stop.

"Okay, then let's decide on these three first. Do we need to add other people? In addition, they are going to the city to purchase supplies for the villagers, so the village will pay for their travel expenses. This is a decision that I have discussed with the elders. Do you have any objections?" The village chief turned his head and looked at everyone.

"We all have no objection, Village Chief." Everyone said in unison.

The village chief was very happy after hearing everyone's answers. He finally did not lose heart in serving the villagers.

"Village chief, how about the three of us? Li Xiucai and Zhang the hunter will go together, and I'll bring my Yun Yiyi. Don't worry, we will pay for Yiyi's fare to the city. The main thing is that Yiyi is a smart and strong child, and she can help me a lot." Yun the butcher quickly explained to everyone.

"Okay, then your family will pay for Yun Yiyi's entry into the city. Then Li Xiucai, Zhang the Hunter, you two will form a group, is that okay?" asked the village chief.

Li Xiucai and Zhang the Hunter looked at each other and shook their heads. Thus, Yun the Butcher, Li Xiucai, and Zhang the Hunter were allowed to enter the city.

"Village chief, I will drive my donkey cart tomorrow so that we can carry more things. Hunter Zhang and Scholar Li should also drive a cart. Let's take advantage of this opportunity to go into the city to purchase more. It will be difficult to have such opportunities on the road later." Butcher Yun said to the village chief.

"Okay, Brother Yun, then Brother Zhang and I will drive my family's car tomorrow." Li Xiucai looked at Zhang the Hunter and said.

"You will leave the city in the evening. I will arrange two people to wait at the city gate in advance. If you find you, come back and tell us. I will bring people to pick you up then. However, it is best for you to wait until the rich family has distributed porridge before coming out. This way, you will attract less attention." The village chief instructed Yun the butcher and the other three.

"Everyone go back and hurry up to count what needs to be bought. We must go to the city tomorrow morning. If you drag your feet and don't report, we won't help with the purchase." The village chief said to everyone with a stern face.

After hearing this, everyone hurried back to count the supplies they needed to buy for tomorrow.

Butcher Yun returned to the Yun family's resting place and found the sleeping area already prepared for the night. Zhang was cooking something, but the large pot was steaming. Yun's eldest brother was lighting the fire, while Yun Yiyi, the second brother, and the third brother stood in a row around the pot, watching Zhang cook. The sun was still a little short of setting, so it was a good time to eat in the remaining light.

"What delicious food have you made?" Yun the butcher asked Zhang.

"There are sauerkraut and broken pancakes in the pot. I originally wanted to use lard to fry eggs for the children, but I found that there were too many people around and the smell was too strong. I was afraid of attracting other people's attention, so I didn't fry them. Later, after the eggs are distributed to everyone's bowls, I will add lard. That way the smell will not be strong and will not attract other people's attention. As for the eggs, we will cook them and eat them tomorrow morning and give one to each child. By the way, if you meet someone selling eggs tomorrow, be sure to buy more." Zhang whispered to Yun the butcher.

"Okay, I'll remember that. You did the right thing. There are too many refugees around now, so it's not appropriate to be too ostentatious." Butcher Yun raised his finger and praised Zhang.

Zhang gave Yun the butcher a cold look and ignored him. They were already an old married couple, and it was so embarrassing to behave like this in front of the children.

Yun Yiyi and the others covered their mouths and laughed secretly. Soon, the rice was ready. Everyone gathered in a circle, holding their bowls and slurping down the food. Even though only a spoonful of lard was added, everyone still thought it was incredibly fragrant and delicious.

After dinner, the sun had already set, and everyone lay down on their mats, preparing for sleep. As darkness fell, some women in Yunjia Village, still freshly prepared, were reluctant to light oil lamps, so they ate in the dark. Therefore, one could clearly hear the men cursing and the children crying. In Yunjia Village, some men would not help in the kitchen. They believed that cooking was a woman's job, none of their business.

Back in Yunjia Village, they would come home from the fields, sit down, and wait for dinner. When they were done, they would push their bowls onto the table and leave. Cooking and housework were all women's responsibility. If there were few children, it would be easy, but if there were many, women would have endless chores to do.

On the road to escape famine, these men would at most help with building the stove and collecting firewood, but they wouldn't do anything else. That's why they would eat until dark. If they had lent a hand, they would have eaten earlier. After all, cooking at that time was not complicated.