When it was completely dark, the family gathered around the steaming stove, finally able to eat dumplings.

Tao Hongying first served three bowls: one for Mr. Cui, one for Doctor Zhang, and one for the village chief and Uncle Zhao.

There weren't many dumplings, but it was the thought that counted.

Compared to other families, the Li family has the most thin noodles.

But there were only four bowls of dumplings left on the stove, which was not enough to eat.

Tao Hongying had made preparations in advance. She had also cooked sorghum porridge in another small pot, one bowl for each person, along with pickled vegetables. Four bowls of dumplings were placed in the middle of the table to be eaten as a side dish.

Grandma Li put four or five on her plate for her granddaughter, and her grandsons each put two on their plates, so there weren't many left.

She wanted to give some to her son and daughter-in-law, but Li Lao Er said he had an upset stomach and didn't want to eat.

Li Laosan said he wanted to drink porridge, and Li Laosi said he ate roasted rabbit during the day.

Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru also refused to touch their chopsticks, clearly wanting to save food for the elderly and children.

These are the pillars of the family, always doing the hardest work.

But earning enough to eat and drink well is what I'm most reluctant to give up.

It seems that as long as the elderly and children are well-fed and watered, they are happier than if they had eaten themselves.

In the end, it was only because Grandma Li insisted that they each ate two or three pieces, and then refused to touch their chopsticks anymore.

Jiayin held a dumpling in her hand and tried to bite it with her few little teeth.

Seeing her mother secretly take her dumpling out and put it in her father's bowl, she felt a mix of sadness and warmth in her heart, and almost shed tears.

Then she ate even more, wanting to grow up quickly and earn more money so that her family could have an endless supply of dumplings!

Days passed by, and the small mountain stream was like a machine.

At first, there were some stumbles and bumps during the break-in period, but after half a month, it was already running at high speed and extremely proficient.

Patrol, stand guard, drill, hunt.

Everyone did everything perfectly, and every day was busy and fulfilling.

After battling wolves, enduring arduous journeys, risking their lives to suppress bandits, and even witnessing the tragic state of the Guo family.

Everyone has a more direct understanding of this chaotic world!

They don't train themselves to be stronger, sharpen their knives, run faster, or unite more.

Their fate won't be much better than the Guo family's!

Every day, the farmers who would normally toil in the fields, sweating profusely, now wield machetes and relentlessly hack at straw figures made of dry grass.

Chop off heads, chop off arms, tackle someone and chop off legs!

In short, they practiced few moves, but they were all deadly techniques.

The goal is to inflict maximum damage on the enemy with minimal effort.

Because their courage, strength, and even skill were insufficient to sustain them in a hundred or so fights with any enemy.

We have no choice but to fight! If we fight, we might survive; if we don't, we're just waiting to die!

The women in the cave took care of the elderly and children, boiled water and cooked meals. Occasionally, they would lift the curtain to look down, which made them feel much safer.

Perhaps one day in the future they will still lose their lives, but at least they struggled and fought desperately against this damn world!

Inside the small cave, Mr. Wen was also talking to Mrs. Cui.

"Although we are called the Tianwu Dynasty, since the founding of the country two hundred years ago, the Yuanzu has been suppressing military generals and letting civil officials dominate. The constant infighting in the court has caused the country's strength to decline. Otherwise, we would not have been bullied to this extent by a small barbarian tribe."

"Yes, the military families that were prominent during the founding of the nation have all declined, and today's generals are no match for the barbarians. The court... has even gone so far as to move the capital! If the founding emperor knew this, he would probably rush back from the dead!"

Madam Cui sighed, seemingly remembering something.

Mr. Cui glanced at the villagers below one last time and said, "If our Tianwu were a nation of soldiers, a nation of martial spirit, even if everyone were like these villagers below, we wouldn't have ended up like this, like stray dogs!"

Before the words had even finished, Doctor Zhang climbed up from the bottom of the cave. The old man didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Mr. Wen, I'm here as a persuader. The Li family wants Jiaren to become your apprentice and study under you. They asked me to inquire about it."

After saying that, as if afraid that Mr. Wen would not agree, he added, "In my opinion, I would naturally hope that you would agree. Even if you don't formally accept me as a disciple, just teaching me for a period of time would be fine. The Li family... don't underestimate them just because they are farmers. They have some strange abilities that are different from ordinary farmers."

"How is it different?" Mr. Wen didn't intend to refuse. After all, Jiaren was a smart and hardworking boy, a real talent for studying. He was also eager to learn from him, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to teach him everything he knew during this period.

Doctor Zhang smacked his lips twice and said, "I can't explain it either, but it just feels different. Also, you probably don't know this, but I came to the Li family because Ye boy brought me from Kyoto. I was there to save Ye boy's life, but when I arrived, Ye boy was completely cured. Ye boy said he healed himself without medicine, but how is that possible? Also, this trip south has caused so many families to be destroyed and people to die. Even families like the Guo family are all dead."

But look at the Li family; they led this entire village, and not a single one died. Don't you think something's amiss? In short, the Li family is either incredibly fortunate, or they're hiding a master; befriending them is definitely the right thing to do.”

Mr. Wen and Mrs. Cui exchanged a glance and both laughed.

“Alright, then I’ll listen to you and accept Jiaren as my disciple.” Mr. Wen agreed immediately, and Doctor Zhang left right away.

The Li family was delighted to hear the news, and Jiaren was especially thrilled.

He knew Mr. Wen's scholarship all too well; to be able to study under Mr. Wen was an immense stroke of luck for him.

Old Lady Li made the arrangements immediately. Fortunately, Li Laosi was not on duty the next day, so he invited Liu the镖头 (bodyguard), and brought Jiayi and Liu Yang. The four of them went into the forest again, and that night they carried a deer back.

On the third day, the entire village, young and old, came down from the cave and lit more than a dozen bonfires.

The Li family brought out half a sack of sorghum rice, slaughtered a deer to stew the meat, cooked vegetable porridge, and held a banquet.

In the presence of the entire village, a grand apprenticeship ceremony was held for Mr. Wen and Jiaren.

Jiaren tidied himself up neatly and respectfully knelt before Mr. Wen, kowtowing three times.

Mr. Wen was somewhat excited and said loudly, "Since you have accepted me as your master, you are now a member of our school. I want to tell you that our school is not unknown. Within the Tianwu academic school, we are the school of mind learning, dedicated to the study of mind learning, and we also support the enlightenment of the people and attach importance to elementary education."

Your grandmaster, who was also my teacher, was once a Grand Secretary of the court. Because he was disgusted by the infighting in the court, he retired to the countryside and eventually died of illness.

Madam Cui is your aunt, and I am the last disciple of your grandmaster. Unfortunately, I have lived a mediocre life and have never been able to carry forward the School of Mind.

You are my first disciple. I don't know if you will have any other junior brothers and sisters in the future, but as the eldest brother, the glory of our sect will be passed on to you.

We met in humble beginnings and our bond deepened through hardship. As your teacher, I can't help you much, but I will impart all my knowledge and skills without reservation!

Having said that, he solemnly took out a jade pendant from his bosom. "This was carved by your grandmaster himself and given to me when he accepted me as a disciple. Now I'm giving it to you; I hope you will cherish it!"