Seeing her daughter-in-law's concern for her son, Old Lady Li replied patiently, "They're fine. The cave is quiet, and no one is causing trouble. It's just that the people outside are afraid they won't get much food, so they started fighting."
Wang Cuihua was relieved to hear that everything was alright.
No matter how much you try to guard against it, you can't guard against people's hearts. She thought there was enough food, and every household would get enough, so people wouldn't fight.
However, things still turned out differently than she expected.
She really couldn't understand why, with so much food in the cave, enough for every household to eat rice every day, people would fight over it because they were afraid of not getting any.
She thought about it for a long time before she came up with an answer.
In her previous life, she was born in a peaceful era, received compulsory education, and always believed in the country and the compatriots who would help each other when one was in trouble.
But now it's ancient times, when people can't get enough to eat or wear, and there are frequent battles on the borders. Landlords exploit farmers, and bandits rob people along the way.
They are completely unaware that modern rescue methods are not applicable to the current situation.
The government always deploys a large number of troops to maintain order during disaster relief efforts, precisely because they fear incidents of fighting and looting.
The house full of food was like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey for the villagers who were starving. They couldn't care less about reason.
Occasionally, screams could be heard outside, making Zhen Wanwan and the others inside the cave restless.
Without hesitation, she rummaged through drawers and cabinets, looking for any medicine or bandages she might need.
Thinking of the riots, Zhen Wanwan found a few more weapons in her space for self-defense.
At first, they could comfort themselves that nothing would happen to the men in the family.
But as time went by, the arguments grew louder and louder, and even the most composed women began to panic.
Even the strongest heart would be uneasy in this situation. Zhen's family members were already restless, peeking out from time to time to see if anyone had come to their house.
Siqin was serving her mistress dinner when she was startled by screams coming from outside. She dropped the bowl in shock and immediately stood up to protect Madam Fang.
"Someone come here!"
A guard stepped in, nodded, and awaited instructions.
Madam Fang sat demurely, and upon seeing the guard enter, she asked indifferently, "What happened outside?"
"Reporting to Madam, it was the villagers who were afraid of an unequal distribution of grain that caused them to fight each other."
Siqin exclaimed in shock, "These villagers are so arrogant. Why don't they just find out how much grain they have and distribute it to everyone?"
"You silly girl, I've spoiled you too much. How is our situation any different from that of the grain?"
Yes, if these villagers don't find food, and they get hungry enough, we will become delicious meat on their plates.
Although they have many guards, if the villagers have any designs on them, the consequences could be dire!
Siqin clutched her sleeve, clearly realizing the gravity of the situation. Her eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Madam Fang, sobbing, "Madam, what should we do now? It's pouring rain outside, and we can't leave even if we want to."
"Use your brain in everything you do. Go next door and bring Zhenniangzi and the others over. Tell them I have some new flower patterns here."
She felt quite helpless about her daughter; her loyalty was beyond question, but she wasn't very quick-witted.
Never mind, she'll protect her from now on.
A little while later, Zhen Wanwan came over by herself. Her mother and the others didn't want to come, saying they were worried about the food at home.
Actually, she was afraid that some villagers would cause trouble and raid her home. Before leaving, she had already given everyone weapons, which made her feel a little more at ease.
"Mrs. Fang."
"You've arrived, please have a seat. Siqin, go and get some pastries," Madam Fang greeted her warmly.
After not speaking face-to-face for several days, Madam Fang had become even more beautiful. Her eyes and brows were gentle, and she exuded the aura of a loving mother. Compared to her, it was like comparing clouds to mud.
She didn't stand on ceremony and sat down without hesitation.
"Madam Fang, are you aware that others have already started making a fuss?"
Time was of the essence, and Zhen Wanwan didn't want to beat around the bush, so she got straight to the point.
"Of course I know. That's why I asked Siqin to come here."
"I am currently powerless to even kill a chicken. I wonder if I could ask one of Madam's guards to go and check on the situation?"
They are completely blind to the situation there and know nothing about it, so they can't take any action.
Those left behind here are mostly women and children. After thinking about it, she realized that the guards on Madam Fang's side were more reliable and would be able to return safely.
Mrs. Fang readily agreed, and the two chatted about childcare for a while before absentmindedly glancing outside the door.
Not long after, the guard returned.
"How is it? Please tell me the truth, sir."
The guard hesitated, then carefully said, "Over there... many of the villagers over there have been beaten bloody, and some have even died..."
What he didn't say was that the scene was even more bloody; the villagers were like madmen, their eyes bloodshot, not even sparing women and children.
Several of their people were seriously injured, and the villagers all had injuries to varying degrees.
Zhen Wanwan was dumbfounded. This was more serious than she had imagined. Was she also guilty of indirect murder?
If the villagers hadn't been told about the food issue, they would still be alive and well.
But now...
At this moment, she began to doubt herself.
Seeing that her face was pale, Madam Fang gently touched Zhen Wanwan and asked worriedly, "Madam Zhen, Madam Zhen? Are you feeling unwell? I'll call a doctor over."
"I'm fine. May I ask the madam's physician to prepare some medicine and come with me to treat the patient?"
"this……"
Madam Fang hesitated, not because she was unwilling, but because they had very few medicinal herbs left, not enough to treat so many patients.
Zhen Wanwan was anxious and spoke without thinking. Seeing their hesitation, she remembered that medicinal herbs were now more expensive and rarer than grains!
"If it's inconvenient for you, don't insist. Just lend me one person."
Upon hearing this, Madam Fang and Siqin both breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to saving their own lives and the lives of the villagers, their own was naturally more precious.
“Of course, Siqin asked the doctor to go with Zhenniangzi to save the person.”
A deafening roar echoed through the sky, lightning flashed and thunder roared, making humanity seem so insignificant.
Zhen Wanwan walked heavily toward the grain cave, facing the damp road.
Originally, Old Lady Li was extremely unwilling to go, but in the end she used her trump card, crying and making a scene, and only then did she get her way.
She carried a medicine box in one hand and gripped a weapon in the other. If anyone dared to hit her, she would not hesitate to strike.
"Ah! My hand!"
"Zhao Si, you despicable man, I'm not finished with you."
"I'll fight you to the death."
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