Chapter 314 An avalanche occurs
The snow continued unabated.
It was still snowing on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
Cheng Wanwan announced that this year's work would end here, and work would resume on the seventh day of the first lunar month next year. Everyone would gather at the soap workshop to receive this month's wages so that everyone could have a prosperous New Year.
Whether they were workers in the soap workshop or "vagrants" responsible for digging ponds, they all came together to settle their wages.
Payday is always the happiest time; the atmosphere is always lively.
"Oh dear, our family finally has some extra money."
"I've been thinking of going to the city to buy meat for days now, but with this snow falling like this, when will it ever end?"
"We're out of oil and salt at home. Never mind, I'll go to the city and buy some New Year's goods. We're even more shabby than last year."
"Then let's all go together, help each other out, and chat as we walk. We'll eventually make it to the city."
"..."
Many villagers made plans to go shopping for New Year's goods together.
Tomorrow is the Little New Year, and according to tradition, we should eat something good. The children in the family have worked hard all year, so we should buy more meat.
Twenty or thirty women had made an appointment, carrying baskets on their backs. Before they even left the village, they heard panicked voices.
"Oh no! My house has collapsed!"
"Oh my God, my house collapsed under the weight of the snow."
"It's so cold, they're not leaving us any way to survive!"
"..."
The people of Xindahe Village stood in the snow, crying and lamenting.
Their thatched hut was a makeshift structure, not very sturdy. When snow fell on the roof, it collapsed under the weight of the snow before they could clear it away.
Fortunately, it was a thatched hut, so even if it collapsed, it wouldn't kill anyone. However, their only place to live was gone, and the hearts of these people, which had finally settled down, were thrown into chaos again at this moment.
The village head rushed over to take charge: "The snow is too heavy. The thatched huts definitely won't last long. Everyone living in the thatched huts, move out!"
Old Mrs. Zhu's house was also a thatched hut. Although it hadn't collapsed, it looked really dangerous. Without saying a word, she told her children to load all the eggs in the house onto the oxcart, and also to bring out all their luggage and bedding, as well as the two large pots on the stove.
"Village head, whatever you say, we'll do."
Old Mrs. Zhu looked like she was obeying orders.
The displaced people whose houses had collapsed gradually quieted down, walked over, pushed aside the thatched roofs, gathered some belongings from inside the houses, and gathered on the snow.
"The Cao family's silkworm breeding and weaving workshop has been completed. It consists of three rows of houses, thirty rooms, and a large courtyard with three courtyards." The village head said slowly, "That courtyard is Miss Cao's private residence, and no one is allowed to trespass. Those work rooms can be used temporarily. Three families can squeeze into one room to get through this difficult time first."
The Cao family's workshop was a brick and tile house, much grander than the mud-brick houses. People who were used to living in thatched huts naturally nodded in approval.
"Anyone with valuables can leave them at my house or at Aunt Dashan's house," the village head continued. "Dahe Village has always been a unified whole. We must stand together no matter what happens. Anyone who dares to take advantage of the chaos to steal anything can get away with being kicked out of Dahe Village. Do you all understand?"
"I heard you!"
Everyone agreed in unison.
The women who were preparing to go to the city to buy New Year's goods temporarily put aside their own affairs and rushed over to help tidy up their accommodations. They lent a hand to anyone who needed help, and the group of people busied themselves with great enthusiasm.
The village head breathed a sigh of relief. He was extremely grateful that the Cao family had built a house in Dahe Village; otherwise, he really wouldn't know how to arrange accommodation for so many people.
However, if you use the Cao family's house, you must inform the Cao family in advance.
Just because Master Cao is generous doesn't mean you can take it upon yourself to occupy someone else's house. There's no such logic in this world.
The village head decided to go to Hekou County, which would also be a good opportunity to bring back some New Year's goods.
He stopped by Cheng Wanwan's house on the way: "Auntie Dashan, do you need any New Year's goods? I'm going to Hekou Town anyway, I'll bring them back for you on the way."
Cheng Wanwan shook her head. She had everything at home, and even if she didn't have it, she could buy it from the mall. She didn't need to go to the city specifically.
She said with some concern, "Uncle Village Head, you're getting old. Falling down is no joke. You should let Tiezhu's father go instead."
"That simpleton, a real blockhead, couldn't even speak properly when he saw Master Cao, making him a laughingstock." The village head belittled his son. "Since you don't have anything to take with you, I'll be going now."
“Local head, I’ll go with you.” Cheng Zhao suddenly spoke up. “Tomorrow is the Little New Year, I should go back to the Cheng family.”
Cheng Wanwan suddenly felt reluctant to part with him. She raised her hand to straighten his collar and said, "Be careful on the road. Come back after the New Year."
Because it was difficult to travel due to the snow, she didn't prepare anything for Cheng Zhao to take back. In one bundle, she packed some clothes to change into and three or four books that he could read and review during the New Year.
Cheng Zhao carried his bundle and followed the village head out.
Afu was also going back with them; he had to hurry back to serve the young master.
"Cousin Cheng!" Zhao Sidan called out from under the eaves, "Many of your books are still at my house. Remember to come over after the New Year!"
Afu turned around and said, "Don't worry, our young master will come on the third day of the Lunar New Year, and Brother Cheng will definitely not be later than the third day."
If it weren't for dealing with the refugees, the young master would probably have come to Dahe Village long ago.
The village head, Cheng Zhao, and Afu helped each other to the main road. For the first part of the road, villagers were clearing snow, so it wasn't too slippery. After walking for a while, the snow got deeper and deeper, making it harder and harder to walk. Fortunately, it was all fresh snow, so it was just difficult to walk on, but not slippery.
The three walked ahead, followed by thirty or forty women.
This group of women were going to the city to buy New Year's goods.
"Now that Cheng Tongsheng has returned to Chengjia Village, do you think Old Madam Cheng will ask him to come again?"
"Oh... that old lady is being unreasonable, she definitely won't agree to let her eldest grandson come to our Dahe Village again."
"Old Mrs. Cheng is really too stupid. Her daughter has become a ninth-rank lady, and instead of coaxing and pampering her, she actually ruined the relationship. I really don't know what she was thinking."
"Isn't it all because they have a precious grandson? If Cheng Tongsheng passes the exam, he'll definitely become a high-ranking official. Perhaps in the Cheng family's eyes, an official with real power is much better than a low-ranking lady."
"Hey, I think I heard something. Did you guys hear it?"
The thirty or forty women immediately fell silent.
"Squeak—squeak—"
I don't know what the sound was, but it grew louder and louder.
"Oh my god!" Aunt Wang exclaimed. "Village head! Cheng Zhao! Afu! Run!"
There was a main road with mountains on both sides. The three people in front were walking in the middle of the narrowest part of the two mountains. The slope above the mountain was the windward side. The snow that had accumulated for seven or eight days suddenly cracked open, and the snow slid down uncontrollably with a rumble, pressing down in large swathes.
As soon as Aunt Wang spoke, the snow slid down even faster.
Before the village head and his two companions could even react to what was happening, they were buried by the snow.
Cheng Wanwan sat on the heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove) practicing calligraphy. She now practices calligraphy for an hour every day to cultivate her character, and gradually her handwriting has become presentable.
Suddenly, a sharp sound rang out from outside the window, and her hand trembled, ruining a piece of calligraphy.
"Auntie, something terrible has happened!" Chunhua rushed in, her face filled with panic, her voice trembling with tears. "All the snow on the mountain has fallen, burying the village head, Cousin Cheng, and Afu..."
Cheng Wanwan suddenly stood up.
An avalanche has occurred!
She put on her shoes and went outside, only to see the village head's husband crying and rushing toward the main road.
"Dashan, quickly pull him back!" Cheng Wanwan took a deep breath. "Notify the entire patrol team to assemble and stand by, and everyone is strictly forbidden to speak loudly!"
Sometimes, a gust of wind or a loud noise can cause an avalanche if the external pressure exceeds the cohesion of the snow.
If a person buried in snow cannot be rescued within half an hour, there is no hope of survival.
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