Chapter 2: Dividing the Rations

Hearing the man's question, the old tribesman looked at the endless sea and beach and said softly, "As the saying goes, live by the mountain, eat from the mountain; live by the sea, eat from the sea. I heard that every time the sea water rises, some fish and shrimps will be washed up from the sea, so we will not lack food."

"Okay then, let's just listen to the old patriarch!"

Everyone in the Su family agreed.

Therefore, the old patriarch asked people to sort out the quantity of these potatoes and sweet potatoes, intending to distribute them according to the number of people in each family.

However, when it was Su Qian's family of four's turn to claim it, disagreements arose.

A short dark woman jumped out and said, "I don't agree with them taking these things. If they were, we wouldn't be exiled to this island! Why should they enjoy the same things as us?"

Su Qian slowly turned around and looked at the shouting woman, with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

The original body's memory was quite familiar with this person, Su Jiang.

The daughter-in-law of the Su family, a member of the Su family's side branch, lived in the countryside with the old patriarch and others all her life.

It was not until General Su made great achievements that the Su family was relocated to the suburbs of the capital.

Originally, I was not familiar with this woman, but my family of four had been subjected to ridicule and sarcasm along the way, all because of Su Jiang's instigation.

However, fortunately, the old members of the clan were fair and just, and stopped those members of the Su family at the critical moment, so that no major incident occurred due to her instigation.

As a man who was decisive in killing in the last days, Su Qian was too disdainful to argue with such a gossipy woman.

She looked directly at the Su Lao tribesman to see how he would react.

If the old patriarch handles things fairly, that's fine. But if he stands idly by, then I will have to teach Su Jiang a lesson on how to behave!

Perhaps sensing Su Qian's gaze, the old patriarch knocked the ground heavily with his walking stick.

Su Jiang was so frightened that his neck shrank and he took a step back unconsciously.

"You guys! They have been treated so hard along the way! But have you ever thought about it? Who brought you to the capital to enjoy the glory and wealth? Who told you not to dig for food in the fields?"

The old patriarch sighed and said to the Su clan members, "During the exile, I couldn't say some things because of those officials. We are blood relatives from the same origin, why are you forcing me like this?"

He paused, looked at Gu Luyun, Su Qian and others again, and said loudly, "I have watched Ah Sheng grow up. He is not the kind of person who would betray his country. He was able to remember us Su family members when he was in glory and wealth. He is kind-hearted! Anyway, I don't believe Ah Sheng would surrender to the enemy! I believe that one day the Dongli Kingdom will return Ah Sheng, and our Su family will be innocent!"

Listening to the old patriarch's passionate speech, the Su clan members lowered their heads in shame.

Su Qian, on the other hand, looked at the old patriarch with admiration. Such an old man was indeed worthy of the words "highly respected".

Since he said so, as long as Su Jiang never provokes their family again in the future, the past matters will be settled!

Afterwards, the old patriarch continued, "This is not the time for us to start an internal conflict. We should unite as one and wait for Ah Sheng to clear his name and take us back to the capital! As the saying goes, a group of scattered sands cannot accomplish great things. Only a clenched fist can bring strength! If anyone dares to make things difficult for Ah Sheng's family again in the future, I will never forgive you!"

He hit the beach hard with his crutch again, staring sternly at the Su clan members and spoke.

All the members of the Su clan, especially those who had ridiculed Gu Luyun and her four children on the way to exile, had a trace of guilt on their faces.

They lowered their heads and answered in unison, "Yes! We listen to the old patriarch!"

The old tribesman nodded with satisfaction and looked at a middle-aged man with a simple face standing aside, "Acheng, you are a good boy. I know how much you have taken care of your sister-in-law and your nephew along the way. It is not easy to survive on this island, and there are no adult males in the Asheng family. You have to take care of their mother and son."

The honest man named is Su Qian's second uncle, who has a simple and honest personality and is not good at speaking.

Along the way, the tribesmen ridiculed his sister-in-law and nephews. He was not good at speaking, so he could only let his wife and daughter protect them.

The second uncle of the Su family nodded gently and was about to speak when the woman standing next to her stepped forward and said, "Old clan leader, don't worry! We will definitely take good care of my eldest sister-in-law. With your words, those who bully their orphans and widows will not dare to do so openly!"

The one who was speaking was the second sister-in-law of the Su family. Her personality was the opposite of the second uncle of the Su family. She was a fierce woman.

Along the way, it was thanks to her and her eldest daughter who stepped up to fight against those vicious-mouthed tribesmen and protected the original body.

Otherwise, with his original frail body, he would have died of depression long ago.

The old patriarch stroked his white beard with satisfaction and looked at Su Qian, "Qian girl, quickly take back the share that belongs to your family!"

Su Qian nodded and was about to use the hem of her clothes to catch the potatoes and sweet potatoes.

A pair of slender arms and a clear voice appeared from the room. "Ah Qian, aren't you sick? Sister will help you!"

Su Qian raised her head and smiled at the visitor, "Thank you so much, Sister Xi!"

The person who came was the eldest daughter of Su's second uncle, who was only one year older than the original person.

But like her mother, she has a hot-tempered temper.

Because he and the original body grew up together in General Su's mansion, they have a very good relationship.

Although they grew up together in the general's mansion, the original body's personality was more fragile, and she did not have the elegance and strength that a general's daughter should have.

Su Xi, on the other hand, prefers horse riding and hunting, and has been like a tomboy since she was young.

Therefore, General Su also treated Su Xi as his own son. Whatever the original body had, Su Xi would also have.

Su Xi quickly helped Su Qian put those things into her pockets. She held her pocket with one hand and pulled Su Qian back to where Gu Luyun was with the other.

Soon, all the potatoes and sweet potatoes were distributed, with each family getting about three to five pounds of each.

The Su family members who received potatoes and sweet potatoes looked at the heavy things in their pockets, and a glimmer of light appeared in their numb eyes.

Just as the old patriarch was about to lead everyone to find a place to live on the island, a middle-aged man with bare feet and his sleeves rolled up walked out from behind a rock not far away.

The man had a square face. When he saw the Su clan members, he took two quick steps forward and said, "You are the people sent here today to open up the wasteland, right?"

The old tribesman turned his head and looked at the other party. "Yes, Your Excellency is?"

"Oh, I am also a pioneer on this island. The official sent a message saying that someone will come today and asked me to take you to learn about the situation on the island."

"Oh, then I'll trouble this young man!"

The old patriarch quickly bowed towards the square-faced man.

"Old man, you are too kind!"

The man quickly moved aside and said, "It's just a piece of cake for me! Come on, I'll take you to where you live first!"

Then he led the group behind the rock.