Zhao Quan's wife followed Zhang Xiu'e's gaze toward the hill and said, "You're right, mushrooms often grow there, but as soon as a seedling appears, people snatch it up and eat it, and they stop growing in the last few days."
"I'll go give it a try."
A group of people provided cover on the other side of the hill, while Zhao Quan called over some strong men to help.
Zhang Xiu'e was quite capable; if she hadn't been pampered in the General's Mansion for the past few years, she could have made a name for herself in this turbulent society, just like the men.
The group dug down ten meters but found no water, only damp, sticky mud. Zhao Quan watched with some disappointment.
"What should we do? It's seven meters deep, and we still haven't seen a drop of water."
"It's only ten meters, what's the rush?"
"My lady, you've really gone through a lot. Perhaps you should give up..."
Zhang Xiu'e was immediately displeased. "You're a grown man, how can you be so easily discouraged? You want to give up before you've even seen any results! Don't you think about your wife and children? Can you bear to watch them starve to death? If this place doesn't work out, then we'll find another one. A real man should always find a way!"
After being scolded, Zhao Quan, covered in dust, picked up his tools again. "Fine! Just for what you said, I'm going all out today! Everyone, let's put in a good effort and draw water, then all the villagers will be saved!"
Upon hearing this, everyone resumed their hard work with renewed vigor.
In less than half a day, they finally dug a well that could produce water.
Zhang Xiue collapsed to the ground to rest from exhaustion. The others used buckets to bring up some water, and each person was given a bowl to drink.
Zhao Quan took a sip of water from the deep well. The sweet, cool liquid flowed down his throat into his stomach, feeling as refreshed as parched seedlings receiving long-awaited rain.
"This water is clean and tastes good, let's quickly thank our benefactor!"
As they spoke, the group of people knelt down in Zhang Xiu'e's direction.
"No, no, no! We're the same age, I can't accept your bow!"
"Thank you so much, my benefactor! You've given our whole village water to drink. Even though there's only one well, it's no longer a problem to grow vegetables for our own consumption!"
Zhang Xiu'e smiled and said, "You must be careful not to let the people in Shanyang City find out, or they will come looking for trouble again."
"Yes, we know that."
"Alright, it's getting late, we should leave now."
Just as Zhang Xiue was about to turn around, Zhao Quan blocked her way. "Is our benefactor heading south?"
"yes."
"Going south from here, we'll likely pass through a desert area, so we should bring plenty of water just in case."
Zhang Xiue had no idea what the road conditions were like ahead. She wondered how they could be heading into the desert when they had only just left the capital.
"Isn't the area to the south under our dynasty's jurisdiction? How come there's a desert there?"
"South of Shanyang County, there is a small area belonging to Xizhou. That area is a vast desert, and it would be difficult for a group of weak and vulnerable women like you to get there. If you ask me, you should spend a lot of money to travel by water!"
Zhao Quan's words completely awakened Song He'er, and she quickly took out all the water bags and water bottles in the team and went to the well to fetch water.
Zhang Xiue flatly rejected Zhao Quan's suggestion, "We can't take the waterway. First, we can't afford the toll, and second, the waterway isn't safe. In these turbulent times, there are often water pirates!"
"Third Aunt is right. It's better for us to travel by land. Although the environment is harsh, at least there are no bandits in this place, so we won't have to deal with bandits."
"Yes, He'er is right."
Zhao Quan sighed, "Since you've already made up your mind, then let's set off as soon as possible..."
After filling all the water containers, Zhang Xiue carried them back to the group.
Besides a few water vats, there was no extra water in Song He'er's space. Right now, she had to use all the usable containers in the space to store water...
While Zhao Quan and the others were away, Song He'er immediately took out a pipe from her spatial storage and frantically sucked water from the well into her space. In less than half an incense stick's time, all the containers in her space were filled to the brim with clean water.
Just as the group was about to set off, Huan Ge'er woke up and was crying, wanting Qin Xiaoniang to hold him.
"He'er, your clothes are all wet. Take them off quickly, or you'll catch a cold!"
Song He'er smiled and said, "Mother, are you getting senile? What am I supposed to wear if I take off these clothes? You forgot, we don't have any clothes to change into!"
These words stirred up another wave of sadness in Qin Xiaoniang's heart.
Zhao Quan's wife, who was standing next to him, took out a coarse cloth garment from her bundle. Although it was old and patched, it was clean.
“This is what I usually wear for work, it’s nothing special, please give it to this young lady.”
Qin Xiaoniang was somewhat embarrassed, "How can we take your clothes?"
"Hey, take these! We farmers don't have enough clothes for everyday wear, so two pieces are enough. Besides, even though we're hungry, we have clothes for all four seasons, so don't worry!"
After her repeated explanations, Qin Xiaoniang finally accepted the clothes.
Seeing that they could not delay any longer, the group bid farewell and continued south.
After leaving the village, we indeed reached the border area, where everything was desolate and there wasn't a soul in sight.
Zhang Xiue parked the car on the side of the road and advised, "The weather looks bad. It's going to rain tonight. We need to make some clothes quickly so we can prepare them. Otherwise, we'll all be freezing after the rain!"
Su Yu's wife nodded. "The material is thick and the stitching is good, but even if the four of us work together, we can only finish two or three pieces!"
"Let's make them for the kids first, and we can just put them on if we get cold!"
"This is the only way."
As soon as they finished speaking, the group quickly set up a makeshift shelter there. It was a piece of scrap leather they had picked up on the road when they encountered the landslide, and now it came in handy.
Song He'er thought for a moment, didn't she have a lot of ordinary clothes that she brought from the General's Mansion in her space?
Why not take it out?
But if I just take it out, I'm afraid it will arouse suspicion. I need to come up with a suitable excuse!
Song He'er had a sudden inspiration and came up with a solution that would satisfy both parties.
So she confidently walked up to Zhang Xiue and asked her for a few pieces of fabric that were similar in color and style to the clothes.
"He'er, what do you need these for?"
"Third Aunt, I am a girl after all, and I know a bit about needlework. Let me help you."
Zhang Xiue smiled and said, "No need, be careful not to prick yourself with the needle. Go help your aunt cook!"
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