Chapter 96 The Calm Before the Storm

Shen Qing didn't think the hit rate was low.

Compared with bows and arrows, repeating crossbows require less effort, and even a half-grown child can pull the trigger to shoot an arrow; and there is a sight on top of the repeating crossbow, which greatly reduces the difficulty.

She felt that the repeating crossbow was most suitable for women in the rear, as they did not need to rush to the front to fight. When danger came, its lethality was even greater than that in close combat.

Ah Bing, Ah Li, Xiao Yu, Xiao Shui, Xiang Zhong and Xiao Shan one by one, and the rest will wait until they meet up with Master Jiang, who will then select a group of people to distribute the remaining fourteen sticks.

How about letting Ah Bing and Xiao Yu try it out when we get back? If it works for her, she can go to the city tomorrow and buy another batch...

The terrain of Yangcheng and Xingcheng is not much different. They are flat as far as the eye can see. However, it is normal for two adjacent cities to have the same terrain.

In this flat terrain, Jiang Xiangxi still tried his best to find a piece of wasteland with slightly higher terrain.

He cut down a dozen trees as thick as an adult man's arm from the nearby woods and carried them over.

On this side, Jiang Xiangdong and Jiang Xiangnan first used a hoe to dig a small hole, and then used a shovel to shovel out the soil one shovel at a time to expand and deepen the hole.

Jiang Xiangnan wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked in confusion, "Brother, it's so convenient for us to build a house in the woods. We don't need to dig a hole or cut wood to move it here. Why doesn't mother agree?"

It's not a deep mountain or old forest, it's just a small piece of wild forest. Even a rabbit or pheasant can't hide there. There's no need to worry about attacks from wild beasts. What should I worry about?

"Third brother, just dig the hole well. Mother said that when it rains and thunders, you can't be under a tree, otherwise you will easily be struck by lightning!" Jiang Shui looked up and replied.

She bent down and cleared the weeds on the wasteland, but instead of throwing them away, she put them aside to dry.

The sun in June is scorching, and the weeds can wither in one day and dry out in two days, making them perfect for starting a fire when it rains.

Jiang Xiangdong was the most steadfast in his mother's obedience. He immediately agreed, "Yeah, have you forgotten how scary thunder is in the summer? If you're not afraid, just stay in the woods. I'll listen to you anyway."

Jiang Xiangnan shrank his neck, hummed as he worked, and didn't dare to respond.

Guan Li and Jiang Yu were selecting suitable cattails to dry, not for making a fire, but to weave straw sandals - they had also made straw sandals in the village, but at that time they were busy making brushes, dry food, clothes and cloth shoes, so they didn't have time to weave a few more pairs.

Now that I have some free time, I can dry more cattails to make straw sandals.

Seeing Jiang Xiangnan silent, the two thought he was tired and didn't want to work. Jiang Yu then persuaded him, "Even though it's just a temporary stay, we can build a tent and live more comfortably, right? There are quite a few of us, and a big tent is better than huddled in a tarpaulin."

"Not only that, if a heavy rainstorm comes, the tarpaulin may not be able to withstand the pressure without support. Wouldn't it be better to have a shed with the tarpaulin nailed on top to make it rainproof, breathable and spacious?" Guan Li analyzed.

Jiang Xiangnan was originally just chattering away, but when he saw his family members comforting him one by one, he immediately swung the hoe faster, for fear that if he was slow, people would misunderstand that he had a problem with it!

When Shen Qing came back, he saw that the place had been found, the living shed had been built, and the stove had been built... It turned out that there is strength in numbers.

She looked carefully and saw that the third brother, who had always loved to be cunning and lazy, was now swinging his hoe so hard that it was almost smoking. He was working as hard as the second brother!

Is this still the lazy Jiang Xiangnan? This is really strange.

But for a man, it's a good thing to love to work, and it's even better to be a man who has work in mind.

"Mom, you're back!"

"Have you sold the brush?"

"Mom, let me help you take down the bamboo basket. It's so heavy. What's that?"

Seeing Shen Qing coming back, the children who were working put down their work and swarmed around him like tired birds returning to the forest.

Even Huahua, who was over three years old, ran over happily, calling "Grandma" in a soft voice.

Shen Qingxian handed the paper bag in his hand to Huahua and said softly, "This is the honey osmanthus cake. Take it to fill your stomach. But you can only eat one piece, otherwise you won't be able to eat dinner later."

Huahua didn't expect that Grandma would bring her some pastries after going out. She happily praised her, "Grandma is so nice! Great Grandma!"

Shen Qing lovingly touched her granddaughter's furry head, feeling sweeter than if she had eaten a cake herself.

Jiang Shui and Jiang Xiangbei, who took the bamboo basket and put it on the ground, also saw clearly what was inside. The two of them had different expressions and were so nervous that they didn't know how to start.

Seeing that the two looked abnormal, the others gathered around them.

Even Guan Xiaoshan, who was sitting on a straw mat carving wood carvings, noticed the sudden quietness and looked over. Seeing that everyone was sitting in a circle without making any sound, he stood up and walked over with his crutches.

Huo Bing couldn't help but pick up the crossbow from the bamboo basket, put it in front of his eyes and aimed at the woods in front of him. His movements were smooth and efficient.

Shen Qing's eyes showed admiration.

Jiang Xiangxi and Jiang Xiangnan took a step behind and took it out. They weighed it in their hands and then, imitating their elder sister-in-law, held it in front of their eyes, looking out through the small round hole on the top. They asked curiously, "Mom, is this a bow and arrow?"

Carpenter Guan and Guan Xiaoshan also picked up one each and looked at it repeatedly, from top to bottom and from inside to outside, while estimating whether they could do it.

Shen Qing replied, "The crossbow is also a type of bow and arrow, right? You guys who have broadswords don't have crossbows."

You can't bite off more than you can chew. One person cannot use a broadsword and a crossbow at the same time. Wouldn't it be a waste of resources to have two things at the same time?

Guan Xiaoshan looked at Shen Qing expectantly and asked cautiously, "Auntie, can you give me some?"

Shen Qing smiled and said, "Of course you can. You already have a share! This is perfect for you to use for self-defense."

Guan Xiaoshan bit his lower lip and asked embarrassedly: "Auntie, I, I want to open it, is that okay?"

Shen Qing didn't react for a moment.

"I want to take a look at the structure inside and see if I can try to make it myself, but if I fail, this sword may be ruined..." Guan Xiaoshan's voice became lower and lower as he spoke.

He is only twelve years old and cannot be considered an adult. Now he wants to take apart the crossbow and play with it like a child. Will his aunt think he is too playful?

Shen Qing understood and said happily, "Of course! Feel free to tear it apart. I'll go to the city tomorrow to buy some more. If you can make it in the future, you won't have to spend money on it, right?"

This batch will always break down after a long time, and she can't always rely on the mall. Besides, she can rely on it, but others can't. After they learn it, they can make it themselves!

"Don't worry, Auntie!" Guan Xiaoshan nodded earnestly in assurance after being recognized. It felt so good to be trusted by others.

Jiang Yu was not interested in the crossbows. She took out all the crossbows from the bamboo basket and saw a large piece of meat at the bottom of the basket.

After sniffing the smell, she looked up and asked, "Sister-in-law, is this mutton?"

"Well, remove the lamb bones and save them to make lamb soup in the evening, and eat it with noodles for breakfast tomorrow; cut the lamb into thin slices and stir-fry, add more green onions and garlic, stir-fry two more vegetables, and simmer a pot of rice." Shen Qing arranged.

Jiang Xiangnan, who seemed to be concentrating on using the crossbow, actually had his ears perked up. When he heard about mutton soup with pancakes and stir-fried mutton with rice, he felt that the whole afternoon of digging holes was nothing.

Is this really a way to escape famine? Why does he think it's so good to be out here?