The other women echoed this sentiment, and even the men nodded in agreement.
Many people's minds started to stir again. "See? You may be strong, but how can one man handle several women and children?! You still have to rely on their numbers and strength. We'll ask for some more food later, and this matter will be over." They didn't plan to pursue the matter of their men being beaten anymore!
Liu scoffed, "What a bunch of lunatics! These days you can encounter all sorts of monsters and demons!"
After surveying the crowd and taking in their expressions, Qin San Niang spoke slowly and deliberately.
"We're running low on food too, but I know everyone's having a tough time right now. I bet many of you are already out of food, otherwise you wouldn't be so ungrateful and repay kindness with enmity! I have a bag of big steamed buns here, the best quality flat steamed buns, plus a bag of sugar cubes, and a ten-pound bag of millet. There's not much, so whoever wants it can grab it. Whoever gets it keeps it, how about it?"
After saying that, he asked Wu Chunhua to bring out all the items, which had been prepared in advance.
Despite her strong reluctance to give the things to this group of trash, Wu Chunhua suppressed her emotions, thinking that Qin Sanniang must have her own plans. She quickly took out all the things and deliberately lifted a corner of the bundle containing steamed buns, placing it on a tall bluestone next to her, as instructed by Qin Sanniang.
Standing to the side was Gu Qingshan, who was holding a bow and arrow.
Now, everyone's eyes widened in astonishment!
Those big, white steamed buns are made entirely of white flour, without a trace of dark flour or wheat bran. Even in good years, we might not be able to afford them. There must be at least ten in this bag! You can smell the aroma of wheat even from this far away.
And that huge bag of sugar cubes—white sugar cubes, of course! Those women only get a bowl of sugar water when they give birth, and even that's made with brown sugar. Not to mention that bag of millet, probably weighing over ten pounds! That's practically a lifesaver!
The crowd was filled with excitement, and some were already itching to act. However, some men, though very tempted, had not yet lost their minds.
"Madam Qin, what do you mean by this? Aren't you telling us to kill each other?" The man who spoke must have some brains, but are you sure others think the same way you do? Madam Qin tilted her head and looked at him without answering.
While the man was speaking, someone had already run quickly toward the grain! The man who was speaking was also a little anxious. His wife, holding their child, was urging him to hurry up, otherwise there wouldn't be a single crumb left!
Thinking of those candies and steamed buns, which the child hadn't eaten in a long time, he didn't care about anything else and quickly ran forward with the others.
The lame mother quickly dragged her son to an open space on the side, cursing under her breath. She knew she was no match for those men, and her old man was utterly useless and couldn't be relied on at all. Her eyes were fixed on the front, hoping she could still find a way out...
Qin San Niang stared coldly at these people, her eyes revealing disdain and contempt.
The steamed buns in the bundle were scattered all over the ground, but no one cared. Those who managed to grab one broke off a piece and put it in their mouths. Before long, it was snatched away by others. Even the steamed buns mixed with mud and sand were stuffed into people's mouths, not to mention the millet and white sugar!
The group started hitting each other and quickly became a chaotic mess. Look, their eyes were bloodshot. These men, who usually called each other brothers, were now fighting over a grain of rice and a little sugar. There was no trace of kinship among them!
Look, this is bestiality!
Upon seeing this scene, Lu Dingtian quickly came over to stop them. Although he said he would no longer interfere in their affairs, they were still of the same clan. He couldn't bear to watch his own clan members kill each other.
Seeing this, Old Mrs. Chen had no choice but to tell her eldest son to protect his father and prevent anyone from hurting him.
However, the villagers were all in a frenzy, and many of them had been injured or bruised, so no one heard his cries!
Old Mrs. Chen awkwardly approached Qin San Niang and her group, followed by her eldest daughter-in-law, Zhang Shi. The two bowed first.
"Sister-in-law, Madam Qin, Madam Wu, and Brother Gu, we, the people of Lujia Village, were wrong in what we did. I apologize to you on their behalf! We are so grateful for your help along the way, otherwise we would have perished in the jaws of wolves. Our whole family will remember this! Now that things have come to this, it is not appropriate to say anything more about traveling with you. Let us part ways here. If we are destined to meet again, my children and grandchildren will never forget your great kindness!"
Old Mrs. Chen was a rare wise woman. Liu waved her hand, but couldn't bring herself to say anything about traveling with them again. After all, Old Mrs. Chen's family couldn't leave their clan. This was the tragedy of the times. Clan members were blood relatives, and blood relatives were the foundation for survival in this world. Who would leave their roots unless absolutely necessary?
People like Qin San Niang and Wu Shi were abandoned by their clansmen. As for Liu Shi, she had no choice but to flee the famine with her eldest daughter because her husband had died early and her son had joined the army.
"Sister, your family is good, but the people in this village have different thoughts, so be careful. The road ahead will be more and more difficult, so take care!" Liu sighed, and then led A'nan and Xiao Er into the carriage.
Qin San Niang gently helped Old Lady Chen up, "Auntie, it's fate that we met. I hope everything goes well for you both. If you have to leave your clan, it's not a big deal. Starting a new branch is the only hope! Also, please take good care of Zhao Di. She's a pitiful child. This is just a small token of my appreciation!"
After carefully putting away what she had in her hands, Old Mrs. Chen nodded solemnly.
Gu Qingshan immediately jumped onto the mule cart, and the group, now free of burdens, sped away under the moonlight.
Not far behind, a pair of resentful eyes followed the carriage into the distance.
"Zhaodi, what are you doing here? Go back with me quickly, lest those blind fools hurt you!"
When Zhao Di saw Old Mrs. Chen walking over, the light in her eyes dimmed instantly, and she turned around and put on a cute little rabbit expression.
Holding Zhao Di'er's hand in one hand, and asking her daughters-in-law to look after their own children, she led Zhao Di'er to the back of the donkey cart.
"Zhaodi, tell Grandma, did you tell Qin Niangzi's family about the cripple and the others?" This matter was of great importance, so Old Mrs. Chen asked in a low voice.
Just now, when Qin San Niang was helping herself up, a piece of silver was slipped into her hand. When no one was around, Old Lady Chen took a closer look and found that it was five taels of silver! The implication was that she should take care of Zhao Di, and Zhao Di's mother, Zhao Juhua, was definitely not a good person. The most likely reason was that Zhao Di had done something for Qin San Niang's family. After thinking it over, it must be related to what happened tonight.
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