The Emperor is busy reducing the power of the regional princes; if a flood occurs, will he care about ordinary people like us...?

A short while later, Ling Ran and Fan Jiang returned, driving the donkey cart into the yard. One continued driving the cart while the other turned around and closed the yard gate.

The two men, looking tense, said, "We heard it in the prefectural city..."

"Brother Ling, Brother Ling, Father has come back and told us!" Fan He quickly informed him.

The two then noticed the oxcart was also there, and said, "The atmosphere outside has changed. Before, most people were happy and gloating."

Nowadays, apart from the scholars and students still engaging in loud and boisterous discussions in the restaurants, the owners of general stores, cloth shops, blacksmith shops, and other similar establishments are all preoccupied, fearing that the world will descend into chaos.

Business people are more sensitive to the slightest changes in the market.

Shui Qing said to Ling Ran and Fan Jiang, "The things you've bought over the past few months are almost enough. There's no need to go to the prefectural city tomorrow."

If it's really not enough, she'll secretly add it in as long as it's available in the store.

The warehouse was piled high with supplies. It was hard to tell how much was used up since it wasn't taken by one person.

The more things you have, the more likely you are to take advantage of the situation.

Fan Jiang replied readily, "Alright! Mother, I'll go chop firewood tomorrow!"

The firewood at home has been burned recently, freeing up a lot of space in the storeroom. He can go up the mountain to collect firewood again tomorrow when he has some free time.

"No rush. You and Ling Ran can take the donkey cart early tomorrow morning and we'll go to your maternal grandfather's house in Niutou Town." Shui Qing thought it was necessary to make the trip.

The government has posted a notice prohibiting people from brewing wine privately. My mother and the others should know this and will surely comply.

But Wen Hua had previously said she wanted to go to the prefectural city to find an apprenticeship or shop assistant job, so she had to go and see if she had found one. If she had, she would send someone a message and ask them to come back as soon as possible.

The Hu family is small, so the three of them can look after each other if anything happens.

At least we don't have to worry about each other.

Ling Ran and Fan Jiang both responded with a "yes".

Shuiqing then instructed her children in the courtyard: "Tomorrow when we go out, you should lock and bolt the courtyard gate and try not to go out."

Not just tomorrow, but from now on you need to get into the habit of closing and locking the door after you leave, understand?

"Know!"

"Don't worry, Mother."

They vaguely sensed that their family was different from the others in the village.

Other families didn't seem to care much about the reduction of the power of the princes, but my parents and Brother Ling seemed to attach great importance to it.

The villagers took the flood seriously, believing it was better to be safe than sorry. However, my parents didn't seem too worried about it.

These days, the family has been buying things and food non-stop, not just for a possible flood, but more like preparing for a war.

Will there really be a war?

It feels like something from so far away.

The next day, Fan Jin continued to go to the prefectural city to buy grain.

Shui Qing led Ling Ran and Fan Jiang in a donkey cart to Niutou Town.

It has to be said that having two cars at home is very convenient in critical moments.

Niutou Town is very peaceful.

The Hu family home was even more peaceful.

After knocking on the courtyard gate, Madam Hu opened it and saw Shui Qing and the other two. She smiled and said, "I knew you would come."

Yesterday, your younger brother saw the notice in the prefectural city, asked his employer for leave, and rushed back to tell me that brewing wine was not allowed.

He went to help your father slaughter a pig this morning. He was going to bring some fresh pork to your place later to let you know, but I didn't expect you to arrive first.