As night falls, the bonfire glows with warm light.
The next morning, everyone in the camp began to get busy, preparing for the upcoming departure.
Su Huaiyue carefully pulled out the thorny weeds in front of her tent and caught a glimpse of Wei Che walking out of the tent. He seemed more relaxed than yesterday.
"Did you have a good rest last night?"
Su Huaiyue asked as he brushed off the dust on his body.
Wei Che nodded, and then added: "Not bad, after all, it's been a while since I camped outside."
Su Huaiyue couldn't help but grin. Although this wilderness camp was not comfortable, she still felt a brief sense of comfort.
At this time, Lord Li walked towards them, his expression solemn but not without a hint of friendliness. "Are you ready? The spies came back and said there's a village ten miles to the east. Although there aren't many people, it looks like it should be a good place to stay."
Su Huaiyue cast a look at Wei Che for confirmation, and Wei Che nodded: "Then let's set off as a team."
People quickly packed up their belongings in the camp and the team filed towards the village in the east.
Along the way, Su Huaiyue followed Wei Che and discussed the next plans with Lord Li from time to time.
The road became increasingly rugged, with weeds growing all around, and it was obvious that no one had walked on it for a long time.
But this was not a difficult task for a group of tough officials and experienced people.
After traveling for a while, they finally arrived at the seemingly abandoned village.
Rows of thatched houses stand in the twilight, as if they were carved by time and left mottled traces.
"Over there," Lord Li pointed at the dilapidated stone tablet at the entrance of the village and frowned slightly, "it should be called Wangjia Village."
Su Huaiyue and Wei Che stood at the entrance of the village, carefully looking at the surrounding environment.
Su Huaiyue whispered, "It's so quiet, even a little too quiet."
Lord Li raised his eyebrows slightly, looked around, and alertly watched for any possible movement.
He turned sideways and waved at the crowd, "Check the surroundings and try not to disturb anyone in that village."
As the order was given, the team dispersed and carefully searched every corner.
Su Huaiyue stayed at the entrance of the village, his hand unconsciously resting on the dagger at his waist.
"Wei Che," she couldn't help but whisper, "Do you think there's something wrong here?"
Wei Che's eyes were determined, and he listened attentively to the sounds coming from the wind: "It's possible. But we must understand clearly what is going on here before we can move forward with confidence."
The sun gradually set, and its light cast a soft warmth in the sky around the village.
Su Huaiyue led a small group of people and, under the guidance of Wei Che and Lord Li, slowly walked into the village.
Although the village is dilapidated, the fragrance of the green grass and the weathered old stone walls still exude the vitality and warmth that existed thousands of years ago.
"Is anyone there?"
Su Huaiyue shouted into the air, and the echo rippled back and forth in the empty village.
In an instant, several dilapidated wooden doors creaked open, and a thin old man walked out slowly. He looked a little dull, but also wise.
"Excuse me, old man, are you the mayor of this village?"
Su Huaiyue took a step forward and asked gently.
The village chief nodded slightly, "Yes, I am the village chief of this village."
His voice was hoarse, but full of vitality.
Wei Che and Lord Li followed and hesitated for a moment.
"Why is this village so desolate?"
Faced with the question, the village chief thought for a moment before continuing, "Alas, this was once a peaceful little village, but life has become increasingly difficult this past year."
Su Huaiyue keenly caught the helplessness in his words, "Can you tell us in detail? What exactly happened here?"
The village chief took a deep breath and his eyes swept across every corner of the village.
"It all started with the famine in Dongzhou. The grain allocated by the imperial court was distributed as soon as it arrived in the town. The town only governs three villages, and those two villages have connections and often deal with the town, so naturally they get some grain. But our place is remote and the land is barren..."
He shrugged helplessly.
Su Huaiyue's heart was shocked, and an unspeakable bitterness surged in his chest.
She remembered Wei Che's whispers on the road, and she understood why the village seemed so empty.
"Then why..."
Wei Che interrupted, his tone filled with worry, "Where are all the people in the village?"
"The younger ones who can leave have gone out to make a living."
The village chief spread his hands helplessly and said, "Those who remain here are only the old, weak, and sick who are unable to move around."
Lord Li couldn't help but frown. He muttered softly, "How could this famine become so serious?"
"Alas, there's nothing we can do about it..."
The village chief waved his hand and said, "I heard that Dongzhou is also working hard to mobilize food, but it's still a long way off for us to get it."
When Su Huaiyue saw this, an unknown sense of desolation surged in his heart. This wasteland and the suffering villagers made people sigh.
She nodded. "We'll try to find a solution. Perhaps we can help you contact the town officials and see if there's anything we can do to help you."
The village chief nodded gratefully and arranged accommodation for them.
The night gradually deepened.
Su Huaiyue sat in the simple room, staring at the dim light, and couldn't help thinking.
Wei Che had been pondering at the table for a long time, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Wei Che," she said softly, breaking the silence, "what should we do?"
Wei Che raised his head, his eyes firm but gentle.
He considered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Lord Li's petition to the court may gain some attention for the village, but we can't rely solely on external aid. The people of the village need hope to be motivated to persevere."
Su Huaiyue nodded, feeling slightly shocked.
His thinking is always so meticulous and practical.
She thought of the difficulties she had encountered along the way and turned her gaze to the window, as if looking for answers through the darkness.
At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, and Lord Li appeared at the door. He looked a little tired, but his expression was extremely serious.
"I've thought about it. I'll write back to the capital tomorrow morning, requesting additional assistance. But before that, we still have to solve the current problem."
His tone was firm, but he couldn't hide the worry between his brows.
Su Huaiyue took a look at the little food left in the room and knew very well that these things would not last long.
After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Perhaps we can go to the town and see if we can find some merchants willing to cooperate and temporarily mobilize some food."
"In town..."
Lord Li obviously realized that this was the most feasible option at the moment. "But with the limited funds we have, I'm afraid it will be difficult. I'll have to trouble Madam Wei to think of a solution."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com