Chapter 84 After the Disaster
The rain has stopped.
When the first ray of sunlight barely pierced through the clouds and shone on the damp stone slabs of the county town, the entire town seemed to breathe a silent sigh of relief.
When Xiong Laohan, Zhang Dashan, and Zhang Dahe dragged their weary steps back to the shop, it was already dark.
A few oil lamps were lit in the shop, casting a dim, yellowish light.
The original layout of the shop was completely disrupted, with essential grains and sundries piled up on the first floor and covered with tarpaulins.
The second and third floors were temporarily partitioned into several small spaces using bedding and cloth, which barely accommodated the two families.
The corner of the courtyard, which was originally used to store miscellaneous items, was transformed by Zhang Liuji into a sturdy shed using wooden planks and tarpaulins, where Yangyang and Dazhuang temporarily settled.
"Father, Father-in-law, Uncle, you're back?"
Zhang Liuyi was busy preparing dinner by the stove: simple brown rice, some pickled vegetables, and dried green beans that hadn't spoiled from being soaked in water, which he had found in the shop.
Seeing the elders return, she carefully put down what she was doing and went to greet them.
Old Man Xiong plopped down on the bench, took off his soaking wet straw hat, and breathed a heavy sigh of relief, like an ox that had been pulling a plow all day.
He then recounted what he had seen and heard at the charity hall that day.
"It's a good thing we didn't go. The charity hall was so crowded that there was no room to squeeze in. The straw mats on the ground were all touching each other. The smell... it gave me a headache."
He rubbed his rough palms, which were still covered in dirt and grime.
Zhang Dashan also sat down, his brows furrowed, and he rubbed his lower back.
"The grain is still being distributed; the county government has opened the granaries, but there are too many people."
He paused, his voice growing heavy: "You have to wait in a really long line to get water. If you go late, the water is just mortar at the bottom, it's undrinkable. There aren't enough latrines either. The men are doing a little better, but the woman next to me in line is blushing with embarrassment and still hasn't gotten any."
Zhang Dahe replied, his face showing worry.
"Moreover, it wasn't just our village that suffered from the disaster. People from Liushugou, Xinghuaping... many villages came over. The charity hall was too crowded, and many people were huddled on the side of the street."
"I also heard... I heard that in some low-lying villages, the water came too fast and people couldn't escape and are trapped in the villages. They're lacking food and water here, and they don't know if they can survive there. Damn this natural disaster, how are we going to get through this?"
Zhang Liuji, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, polishing a wooden tenon with a whetstone, suddenly looked up and stopped what he was doing.
"Why are there still people trapped in the village? Didn't the county government send people?" He asked his father, his brows furrowed.
"Do you think everyone makes decisions as early as the elders in our village?" Zhang Dahe rolled his eyes at his son.
Zhang Liuji stopped talking after hearing his father's words, and just looked down at the few smooth pieces of wood and some thick coarse cloth at his feet.
These were originally intended to reinforce the livestock shed in the backyard, but now he wants...
He buried his head and started grinding the tenon again, applying even more force with his hands, and wood shavings fell down in a flurry.
Having survived such an ordeal, being able to have a hot meal is already a blessing.
After the meal, Zhang Liuji didn't help clean up the dishes as usual. Instead, he picked up his toolbox and the pieces of wood and said to his wife, Li Xiulan.
"Xiulan, you and the child should go to bed early. I'm going out for a bit."
Li Xiulan looked at the tools in his hands, then at his furrowed brows, and asked softly, "Are you going to the charity?"
“Hmm, there are too many people over there, and the women and children don’t even have a place to relieve themselves. It’s not a good thing. I’ll go take a look and see if I can set up a few simple frames and put up curtains to at least create some space.”
As he spoke, he picked up his things and walked out.
Li Xiulan followed him to the door: "Here's a lantern for you, be careful not to slip."
Zhang Liuji hummed in agreement, took the lantern, and went out the door.
The dim yellow light quickly disappeared into the damp, cold night.
Meanwhile, Xiong Zixiang couldn't sit still any longer.
He got up, took the constable's uniform off the wall, shook off the dust, put it on neatly, and then slung his sword over his shoulder.
Walking to the stove, he said to Zhang Liuyi, who was clearing away the dishes, "Liuyi, I'm going to the yamen. We definitely don't have enough manpower right now. We need to arrange for people to rescue those trapped in the village, and we also need people to keep watch on the streets to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the chaos."
She stopped what she was doing, looked up at him, and nodded: "Okay, go quickly, be careful, and come back soon."
Xiong Zixiang nodded without saying anything more, pushed open the door, and strode out, disappearing into the damp, cold night.
At this moment, the county government office was brightly lit inside and out, with many people bustling about, making it seem exceptionally busy than usual.
Xiong Zixiang stepped through the gate, walked around the screen wall, and saw the county magistrate and his clerk sitting around a map spread out in the council hall, both of them with their brows furrowed.
The magistrate pressed his finger heavily on the map, his lips tightly pressed together, and several blisters appeared at the corners of his mouth.
Xiong Zixiang stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "My lord."
The county magistrate looked up when he heard the voice, and when he saw it was him, his eyes were filled with urgency.
"Zixiang! You've come at the right time. Your family must have moved to the charity center by now, right? How are they doing there? Are they having any difficulties?"
Xiong Zixiang replied in a deep voice, "Your Excellency, my family members did not stay at the charity hall because our own shop still had vacancies. However, my father just returned from the charity hall, which was overcrowded, making it extremely inconvenient to use water and latrines, and the people were suffering terribly. Furthermore, according to my father, the areas of Liushugou and Xinghuaping to the south are low-lying, and I fear that some villagers may not have been able to evacuate in time and are trapped in the villages, lacking food and clothing, in a critical situation!"
The magistrate slammed his hand on the table, both anxious and helpless.
"I know that all the constables and laborers we can send out have been dispatched, but we are short-handed, boats are even harder to find, and the roads have been destroyed by floods, making rescue efforts extremely difficult. Zixiang, quickly gather all the constables, and those who can be mobilized should immediately go with Wang and the others to those disaster-stricken villages to check on the rescue efforts. Tell everyone to be extremely cautious and prioritize their own safety!"
"Yes, sir! I obey!"
Xiong Zixiang clasped his hands in acceptance, then turned and strode out of the council hall.
In the courtyard, many of the constables on night duty had already gathered together, discussing the disaster in hushed tones.
Xiong Zixiang glanced around and shouted in a deep voice.
"Li Si! Wang Wu!...and the rest of you, immediately go to the stables to prepare the horses, and follow Captain Wang out of the city towards Liushugou and Xinghuaping in the south to search for and rescue the trapped villagers. Be careful of yourselves!"
"Yes, boss!"
The constables who were called upon responded in unison and immediately dispersed to prepare.
Xiong Zixiang's gaze fell on the remaining two people.
Zhao Delu was burly, and the scar on his face danced in the lamplight, while Qian San'er was lean and capable with sharp eyes.
"Delu, San'er, come with me."
"Boss, aren't we going to rescue them?" Zhao Delu asked gruffly.
"Wang Ban Tou and his men will handle the rescue." Xiong Zixiang slung his knife over his shoulder and picked up his lantern. "We'll patrol the streets. This city is packed with people now, all sorts of people. You never know, there might be some black-hearted bastards trying to take advantage of the chaos to make a profit."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two of them: "Especially near the charity hall, where there are many people and things are chaotic, we need to keep a close eye on things and lend a hand if we see anyone in trouble."
"Yes!" Zhao Delu and Qian San'er responded in unison, each carrying a lantern and a knife, and followed closely behind Xiong Zixiang.
The three walked out of the county government gate and into the damp, cold streets after the rain.
The lantern's glow spread out in a small, warm yellow circle on the wet stone pavement.
The streets were quieter than during the day. Many refugees huddled under the eaves of houses along the street, wrapped in thin clothes, shivering.
Seeing three constables carrying lanterns and waist knives walk by, especially the scar on Zhao Delu's face, many people felt fear in their eyes and subconsciously shrank into the shadows.
Xiong Zixiang slowed his pace, his gaze carefully sweeping over the corners on both sides of the street.
At the entrance of a narrow alley, the lantern light flickered, revealing several teenagers pushing and shoving an old woman carrying a bundle, muttering something vulgar.
"What are you doing!" Zhao Delu shouted.
The boys trembled with fright. When they turned around and saw that it was the officials, especially when they saw Zhao Delu's face, they were instantly terrified. They let out a strange scream, turned around and ran away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
As Xiong Zixiang walked over, the old woman saw his broad back and muscular build, which was even more frightening than the young boys. She trembled with fear and huddled up in a ball, clutching her bundle.
"Auntie, don't be afraid." Xiong Zixiang softened his voice. "We're from the government, we won't rob you. Which village are you from? What are you doing here?"
The old woman, still shaken, stammered, "The...willow grove's...charity hall...we couldn't squeeze in...in the bundle...it's...it's the last bit of food..."
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