Chapter Eighty-Three: Fortunately
Xiong Zixiang dragged his leaden legs, trudging through the mud on his way home.
The rain was still falling, not heavy, not light, but continuous, as if the sky had a hole in it.
His constable uniform was so covered in mud that its original color was no longer visible, and his face and hair were also covered in dried mud spots.
The horrific scene of the dragon's departure in Liujiawa, north of the county, was still vivid in my mind. It swept away half of the mountain, and the old Liu family's house was almost completely buried.
He and his brothers dug all day with shovels and their bare hands before finally managing to pull out Old Liu and his youngest son, who was starving and on the verge of death.
Old Liu was covered in dust and dirt, but he was still quite strong. However, the child was very weak and kept saying that he couldn't breathe.
Everyone quickly fed him a bowl of warm rice porridge, which helped him recover a bit before they rushed to find a doctor.
Seeing that the person had been safely rescued, the magistrate bowed deeply to everyone and said, "Brothers, you've worked hard, you've really worked hard!"
"This rain... it's unpredictable, it shows no sign of stopping. Liujiawa has suffered a disaster, and the situation elsewhere... isn't much better. I'm afraid... I'm afraid some unscrupulous people will take advantage of this chaos to fish in troubled waters! I'll have to rely on you brothers to keep a close eye on things and stay alert!"
The constables following Xiong Zixiang returned the greeting with clasped hands.
"Rest assured, sir!"
"We will certainly do our best!"
"Whatever you need, sir, just give the order!"
Xiong Zixiang responded in a hoarse voice.
The magistrate nodded: "Good, good, everyone go back and rest first, and get plenty of rest!"
With his family on his mind, Xiong Zixiang ignored his aches and pains and thanked the magistrate before hurrying back home.
He was stunned when he pushed open the gate to his own yard.
His mother, Song, and his daughter-in-law, Zhang, were busy working together in the house.
Even the sheets on the kang (a heated brick bed) were rolled up, as if they were about to move house.
Upon noticing him, her eyes lit up, but then she saw his muddy and disheveled appearance and her brows immediately furrowed: "Brother Zixiang, you're finally back! Are the people in Liujiawa alright?"
She walked over quickly and patted the mud off his shoulder: "Look at you covered in mud. Come on, there's still hot water on the stove. Go wash up first."
Xiong Zixiang was completely bewildered and so tired that he just wanted to sit down. His mother, Song, came over and patted the dirt off him with concern.
"Oh my child, you've suffered so much! Sit down and rest! Look at you, covered in mud..."
"Mother, what...what is this?"
Xiong Zixiang pointed to the bundles and luggage on the ground and asked, panting.
Madam Song sighed, her words quickening as she spoke: "Oh, it's hard to explain in a short time. Something big has happened in the village! Your father and father-in-law are discussing it... Sigh, I'm also worried and need to hurry back to pack some things. I'll have someone tell you!"
As she spoke, she hurriedly reminded him to be careful: "Be careful, quickly get him some hot water to wash up, and then get him something warm to eat to fill his stomach!"
After saying that, he hurriedly went back to his own yard to pack his things.
Quickly and efficiently prepare a large basin of hot water and bring it to him.
"Quick, take off these dirty clothes and wipe them! I'll go heat up some porridge for you."
As she spoke, she added more firewood to the stove.
Xiong Zixiang was indeed exhausted. As instructed, he took off his dirty clothes and wrung out a hot towel to wipe his face and neck.
The warm steam helped him relax his tense nerves a little.
She was busy heating porridge by the stove, her mouth never stopping.
“The village has been in chaos these past two days while you were away. Elder Sun beat the gong to gather the villagers, saying that the river was rising dangerously high and that everyone should prepare in advance. He also sent people to keep an eye on things. If they hear the gong, it means a flood is coming and they should run to the charity hall in the county town as soon as possible!”
Xiong Zixiang paused in his washing motion, his brows furrowing.
She carefully brought over the hot porridge and put it in his hands, then said, "Father and Father-in-law discussed it. Our shop has sturdy brick walls and is located on higher ground. Yesterday afternoon, taking advantage of the light rain, Father and Uncle drove Dazhuang to move the sheep, chickens, and the important things, grain, and bedding from the shop over there and settled them in."
"Leave Brother Ji in the shop to watch over things, he's setting up the shed for Yangyang and Dazhuang. Let's all move to the shop first, so if the gong sounds, we can hitch up the cart and get going. If we see any elderly people or children who can't run on the road, we can give them a ride. When we get to the county town, we'll squeeze into the shop and give the charity hall's space to families with more members!"
As Xiong Zixiang held his bowl of porridge, he listened attentively as he explained everything that was going on at home and outside. A hint of relief appeared on his tired face.
"Well, it's good that things are settled at the shop. I'll... take a nap first? I really can't stay awake any longer."
Noticing that his eyelids were drooping, she quickly said, "Okay, go on! I've laid out a mattress for you on the kang (heated brick bed). Get some rest and recharge, just in case..." She didn't finish her sentence, only urging him to go and rest.
Xiong Zixiang really couldn't hold on any longer. After hastily washing himself up and changing into clean undergarments, he collapsed onto the kang (a heated brick bed) covered with a clean mattress and fell into a deep sleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.
However, this sleep was destined to be restless.
After an unknown amount of time, a series of urgent gong sounds suddenly rang out, followed by a huge rumble. The village chief's hoarse shouts pierced through the rain, filled with unprecedented terror.
The gong sounds like a death knell, one after another, urgent and frantic!
In the distance, the continuous rumbling sound grew clearer and clearer, as if the earth was roaring!
Xiong Zixiang jumped up from the kang (a heated brick bed) with a start, his heart pounding.
Almost simultaneously, Zhang Yili rushed in from the outer room, his face pale, but his eyes unusually calm.
"Quick! Brother Zixiang! The flood is coming! Let's go!"
Outside, chaos reigned. Cries, screams, urging voices, and the sound of running footsteps mingled with the pouring rain, surging in like a tidal wave.
The two rushed out of the house, and in the yard, the whole family had gathered.
Since most of their belongings and livestock had already been moved, the group was now traveling light, carrying only their most essential personal bags and some dry rations.
Dazhuang had already hitched up the cart, and bedding had been laid out on it, creating a place for Xiaobao and Xiaonan to sit.
"Quick! Get in the car!" Old Man Xiong roared, his voice trembling.
Xiong Zixiang jumped onto the carriage shaft and grabbed the whip.
Zhang Liuyi deftly helped Xiong Zijuan carry Xiaobao into the car, and Li Xiulan also sat down with Xiaonan in her arms.
Aunt Wang and Song helped each other climb into the car, while Zhang Dashan and Zhang Dahe stood guard beside the car.
Just then, the gate to the neighboring courtyard was suddenly kicked open, and Shuanzi staggered out, carrying his father on his back.
Li Hefu, who has difficulty walking, was lying on his son's back with a look of terror on his face.
Shuanzi was young, and he stumbled and fell while carrying his father on his back!
"embolus!"
With quick eyes and hands, Xiong Zixiang jumped off the cart and rushed over, grabbing Li Hefu's leg from behind: "Quick! Put him on the cart!" He helped Shuanzi lift Li Hefu onto the oxcart, carrying him with both arms and legs.
The bus was already cramped, and when Li Hefu got on, everyone squeezed in even more tightly.
"Shuanzi, come up and help your dad!" Zhang Yili called out.
"Shuanzi, where's your mother?" Xiong Zixiang asked urgently.
"Mother... Mother went to call my second uncle!" Shuanzi gasped for breath, almost crying.
"Come on up first. Aunt Feng is quite mobile; she should be fine!"
Zhang Yili also pulled Shuanzi onto the vehicle.
She herself, along with Zhang Dashan and Zhang Dahe, walked alongside the car, protecting it.
"Hold on tight!"
Xiong Zixiang cracked his whip.
Dazhuang struggled to pull the cart out of the courtyard gate and joined the flow of people fleeing the disaster.
Chaos reigned on the road!
On the muddy roads, people fled in their families, crying and shouting.
The rain was still falling, and the ground was slippery.
The dull rumbling sound grew closer and closer!
Zhang Yili followed closely beside the car, his eyes constantly scanning the roadside.
She saw Granny Zhao at the west end of the village. She was very old and was being half-carried and half-dragged by her son. She was walking unsteadily, struggling in the mud, and it looked like she was about to be swept away by the crowd surging behind her.
"Brother Zixiang, stop for a second!" Zhang Liuyi shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice sounding particularly urgent amidst the noise.
Upon hearing the sound, Xiong Zixiang immediately tightened the reins.
Zhang Liuyi and Zhang Dahe quickly stepped forward and practically carried Zhao Pozi, who was panting heavily and whose legs were too weak to stand, to the side of the car.
"Quick! Grandma Zhao, get in the car!" Zhang Yili called out.
When Aunt Wang on the bus saw that it was Granny Zhao, she quickly moved over to make room and stretched out her hand: "Aunt Zhao! Come on in!"
Li Xiulan also lent a hand: "Grandma Zhao, sit tight!"
Granny Zhao's son repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Granny Zhao was helped into the car by the crowd. Still in shock, she was panting and unable to speak. She just held tightly to Aunt Wang's hand, tears streaming down her face.
Granny Zhao's son rushed to the car. Seeing his mother safely board, he was so moved he repeatedly bowed, his voice trembling with emotion: "Thank you! Thank you for looking out! Thank you, Zixiang! Thank you, Brother Dashan and Brother Dahe! You...you are truly my saviors! If it weren't for you..."
He choked up and could only keep bowing.
"Stop talking! Hurry up and follow the car! Protect your mother!" Zhang Dashan urged from the side.
"Yes! Yes!" Granny Zhao's son nodded vigorously, wiped his face, and stood tightly guard beside the car.
The cart struggled to move forward through the mud.
Finally, the county town wall came into view, and a large crowd gathered at the town gate.
The cart struggled to move to the city gate, and before it had even come to a complete stop, several cries choked with sobs could be heard.
"Mother! Mother, my younger brother, and the Zhang family are together!"
"Shuanzi! His dad!"
Shuanzi quickly jumped off the car and rushed into his mother's arms. Aunt Feng wiped away her tears and cried, unable to utter a single word.
Zhao Pozi's daughter-in-law rushed over and grabbed her mother-in-law's hand tightly: "Wenxin, sister! Brother Zixiang! Thanks to you! Thanks to you for taking my mother-in-law with you, our Zhao family will remember this kindness for a lifetime!"
Old Man Xiong jumped off the car and said, "Zixiang, be careful. You take Dazhuang and the things and go to the shop to settle down first! My in-laws, Brother Dahe, the rest of us who are still able to walk, go to the charity hall and see if we can lend a hand and help settle things down, or find out if anyone from our village hasn't arrived yet."
The oxcart made its way through the crowded people to the shop.
Pushing open the shop door, a damp, musty smell hit you.
Inside the shop, Zhang Liuji was keeping watch.
The sheep and chickens were relatively peaceful under the shed built outside the house.
Upon seeing them enter, Zhang Liuji immediately greeted them, his face filled with urgency: "You've arrived! Where are my father, second uncle, and Uncle Xiong?"
He scanned the crowd with his eyes, afraid that he might get separated from them.
“We parted ways at the county town gate. My father and the others went to the charity hall to check on the situation,” Zhang Yili replied.
Zhang Liuji finally breathed a long sigh of relief, his heart finally at ease.
The tension that had been building up to its limit finally eased at that moment.
The fear, the escape, and the crowds along the way have now turned into a heavy exhaustion.
Aunt Wang's legs went weak, her body swayed, and she almost fell over.
Li Xiulan reacted quickly, reaching out to support her forcefully: "Mother! Be careful!"
Aunt Wang leaned against her daughter-in-law, and tears streamed down her face.
Her shoulders trembled slightly, and tears fell silently onto her clothes.
Li Xiulan's eyes also reddened. She tightened her grip on her mother-in-law's arm and softly comforted her, "Mother... don't cry... we're all alright... we're all here... that's better than anything, isn't it?"
Aunt Wang raised her rough hand and wiped away her tears haphazardly, but the tears flowed like beads from a broken string, impossible to wipe away.
Her voice was filled with the relief of surviving a disaster: "My belongings... I'm afraid... I'm afraid they're all gone... that flood... such a huge flood... but... but at least I'm still alive..."
As she spoke, she gripped Li Xiulan's arm tightly, the two women leaning against each other for support.
Zhang Liuli leaned against the door, quietly watching this scene.
She turned her head again and saw Xiong Zixiang.
As long as the person is still alive, that's better than anything else.
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