"Dad, is there any money left in our village?" Yun Yiyi asked curiously.

"Our village was originally a clan. Later, it gradually expanded into a village. Therefore, our village chief is also the clan leader. The village chief has always been surnamed Yun, and no one with a different surname is chosen. Normally, any village affairs are handled by the village chief, and it is also the village chief who handles any dealings with the government.

However, major village affairs are usually decided after consultation between the village chief and the three elders. For example, our recent escape from famine was a decision made after the village chief and the elders discussed it together, and then convened a meeting to discuss the matter. There are many villages like ours, where members are essentially all from the same clan. The advantage is that being a clan leader makes it easier to manage. This also fosters greater unity and prevents bullying from other villages. Some villages with a wide variety of surnames are less cohesive.

When choosing a village chief, no matter which surname is chosen, the other surnames are dissatisfied. In villages like theirs, the village chief is usually rotated among the people, and there is no fixed position. Normally, when there are small matters, the villagers prefer to go to their own clan leader to resolve them. They are afraid that the village chief will favor his own clan members when handling matters. Of course, this situation is also very common.

"Our clan used to have clan fields, which were wastelands reclaimed by villagers every year and handed over to the village according to a certain proportion. When the clan fields were planted, everyone planted and harvested together. After deducting taxes, a portion of grain would be kept for future use. The rest would be sold, and the proceeds would be kept by the village chief for future use. For example, every Dragon Boat Festival, the village would give out rice dumplings, Mid-Autumn Festival, moon cakes, and Chinese New Year, meat.

Although the amount wasn't much, the sense of ceremony was great. Furthermore, the drought of the past two years had left many families without food, and it was only thanks to the village's previously stored grain that everyone had managed to survive for so long. This time, the village chief and the elders discussed taking out the village's stored silver to buy more food as a backup.

In a year like this, grain is more practical. Everyone fears being unable to buy food even with money while fleeing famine. "Although everyone may not have read much, they are full of life wisdom," Butcher Yun explained to Yun Yiyi.

Yun Yiyi was deeply moved after hearing this. In modern times, relationships are often distant, with little interaction. When they have free time, they tend to stay home. Unlike Yunjia Village, where villagers fight and quarrel on a daily basis, they unite in crucial moments. Therefore, the power of a clan is immense.

"Dad, the elders and the village chief are really thinking long-term." Yun Yiyi praised.

"Haha, that's a must. A dull person can't be a village chief or a clan elder. And the current village chief and clan elders were all brought up by the previous village chief and clan elders when they were very young, and taught by hand. Unlike some villages, where village chiefs are constantly changing. That's because the village chiefs they elect, unlike us who were taught from a young age, have little experience and don't know how to handle many things. If they don't handle things well, the villagers want to replace them."

"If it were just our family fleeing famine like this, I would never have dared to be so ostentatious. We wouldn't have prepared so much food, meat, oil, and salt. If we prepared too much, we would be seen as fat sheep by others and easily robbed by the refugees. If we were robbed, our family would have no way to survive. Perhaps you will say that we are strong and can beat the refugees. However, two fists are no match for four hands. We can't beat a group of refugees with just a few people.

"But, look, we're all fleeing famine together. Even though we've prepared a lot of supplies, other refugees wouldn't dare to steal anything easily. The last time Grandma Zhang's water was stolen is a prime example. Many young men from the village went there, and they even broke the arms and legs of the refugees who were trying to steal the water.

None of the refugees watching from the side stepped forward to stop us. This is because they are afraid and dare not provoke us. This is killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. If we had just let those refugees who were trying to steal water go, we would definitely have encountered more people stealing our things later. Because they know we are cowardly and dare not resist. So, this is the power of unity. "Yun the Butcher continued.

"Yes, Dad. I also felt that we shouldn't have let the refugees who stole the water off easily. At that time, the surrounding refugees looked at us like wolves seeing meat, their eyes gleaming. Only terrifying means can deter those who do evil."

"Yes, Yiyi, you can be kind but not cowardly. When you encounter danger, you must resist, then those bad guys will be afraid. However, you are a child, you hide behind adults and we will protect you. You can't rush forward. Last time, you hit the snake and scared your mother and me. If it was a poisonous snake and it really bit you, what should we do?" Yun the butcher took this opportunity to nag again.

"Oh, Dad. That thing has passed, why are you still bringing it up? My mother doesn't nag me anymore. I'll be angry if you keep talking about it." Yun Yiyi said angrily.

"Okay, okay, as long as you listen to me, I won't say anything more in the future." Yun the Butcher laughed.

"Dad, what are we going to buy now?"

"Let's go forward. We also need to buy some ginger, eggs, and seasonings for cooking. As for other things, we'll buy them if we come across something suitable." Butcher Yun said after thinking for a while.

"Dad, you look at the shop over there, I'll look at the shop over here, and I'll tell you when I see the grocery store." Yun Yiyi observed the shops on the roadside as they walked.

Butcher Yun and his companions walked about four hundred meters and found a grocery store on the right side of the road. Many baskets and mats were placed in front of the store, and several customers were shopping inside. The seasonings and salt that Zhang was looking for should be available in this store. Butcher Yun tied the donkey cart to the wooden stake in front of the store. Then, a young man came out to help watch the cart. Butcher Yun and Yun Yiyi walked into the store.

As Yun Yiyi entered the shop, she spotted a basket of large ginger near the entrance, still covered in dried mud. The ginger looked fresh, likely fresh from the harvest. It was truly rare to find such fresh ginger in this day and age. Yun Yiyi then looked inside the shop. To the east of the shop were shelves lined with cloth bags, all open, revealing star anise, bay leaves, cinnamon, and other spices.

There were also bags filled with grains: soybeans, mung beans, millet, corn, and other cereals. In the open space in the middle, large vats were placed, and the aroma of oil, sauce, and sesame oil mixed in could be smelled. To the west of the store were baskets filled with eggs, goose eggs, red dates, walnuts, shelled peanuts, and other items.