The villagers of Liujia Village were apprehensive and, more than anything, frustrated. They were all native northerners, with no relatives or friends in the south, and their families were short of money. If they moved south, they feared they would end up as slaves for the wealthy.
If possible, no one wants to kneel down and call someone master!
But in order to survive, I may have to bow my head even if I don’t want to…
Fortunately, Village Chief Liu brought back good news!
"Haha, don't worry, everyone! Grandpa Tai and his men have found a great place. There's a particularly secluded valley, a cave we can stay in, a water source, and a dangerous path to guard!"
"Really?" The villagers were so excited that they all rushed to ask.
"Where is the valley? Is it far?"
"Can it accommodate so many of us?"
"Can we go check it out in advance? Only then will we know what to bring..."
Village Chief Liu waved his hand, stopping the noise, and said, "Everyone, stop arguing and listen to me. Grandpa Tai said the valley is so big that even if we stay here until next spring, we can reclaim it and grow crops, so hiding here for a year or two won't be a problem. The cave is also big enough to accommodate five or six hundred people. We can mark out the land in advance, build a stove and a kang, and prepare firewood. Oh, there's so much to do!"
"However, the entrance to that place is small, with only a small path wide enough for one person to pass, and you have to climb over four or five mountains. Everyone, remember to only take your valuables, food, and bedding with you. If you can't take any other furniture or belongings with you, seal them up in the cellar. Don't worry about running out of things to use. This winter, you'll have plenty of time to weave baskets and make benches and tables!"
Everyone nodded in agreement. Some people couldn't help but get anxious and urged the village chief, "Village chief, take people to check it out quickly and find a good spot for everyone."
Village Chief Liu nodded and instructed everyone, "This place was discovered by the Tai family. The Zhang family happened to be nearby and went over to take a closer look. We're lucky enough to be hiding here. Everyone, please be more humble and yield to them from now on. If anyone gets ahead of themselves and annoys the Tai family, don't blame me for taking ruthless action!"
"No, no, don't worry, Village Chief!"
"Yes, the Tai family is good to us, and we are grateful in our hearts."
The villagers all expressed their opinions quickly, which made Village Chief Liu reluctantly satisfied. Only then did he arrange things in a more detailed manner.
Soon, Liujia Village also joined the refugee team and became busy little ants!
In the whole village, regardless of gender, age or status, everyone is united in heart and strength. Even if someone is short of manpower, the neighbors will lend a hand.
This is when you see the benefits of living together with people of the same clan!
In Sanchahe, more than ten miles away, a village meeting was also being held, but the atmosphere was not pleasant.
The Tai family specially sent someone to explain the matter of taking refuge in the mountains in detail. Apart from the location of the valley, they did not hide the other advantages such as water sources and caves from Village Chief Dong.
Village chief Dong was so happy that he quickly asked his family to pack up their things, and then called the whole village to gather and announce the good news.
Unfortunately, the happiness and gratitude he imagined did not appear. Instead, the villagers were hesitant and dithering.
"Village Chief, it's almost twenty miles from here to Taijia Village, and if we continue into the mountains... I'm afraid it will take two days in total. I'm afraid those of us who are older can't handle it."
"Yes, Village Chief, it's really too far, and we haven't even seen what the valley looks like. What if it's the Tai family... talking nonsense, what are we going to do then?"
"Village chief, we have no shortage of food, and we have many people in the village. If the Russian devils really attack, we are not without the ability to fight. Besides, the border defense troops are very powerful. Over the years, the Russian devils have often come to cause trouble, but each time nothing happened. I believe there will be no problem this year..."
The villagers were chattering, one after another, but in the final analysis, they just didn't want to make any trouble and didn't want to leave the village.
Village Chief Dong was furious when he heard this and slammed the table in anger, "You lazy bastards, you really make me mad! It's ok that you're a little slow at work on weekdays, but now when we're running for our lives, you're actually dragging us down!
"In previous years, it was the Rakshasa devils who came here to cause trouble, which was not surprising. But open your eyes and see, this year all the wealthy families in the city have fled! They are more informed than us. Even if we don't know what's going on, can't we just follow suit and do the same?
"And then there's the old man from the Tai family, a man known for his intelligence for miles around. In just one year, he's brought Tai Village back to a better life. He's even started to go into the mountains to find a way out, but the situation is bad! Liu and Zhang villages, fearing they'd be left behind, are following closely behind the Tai family.
"You guys, instead of being pulled away, are even trying to retreat! You're just a bunch of idiots!"
The villagers were unhappy about being scolded. Although they did not refute, they looked unconvinced.
Village chief Dong’s eldest son was afraid that his father would get hurt from being angry, so he spoke up to help smooth things over.
"Dad, don't be too angry. Everyone's concerns are justified. After all, we've lived in this home for decades, and leaving it like that is too sudden. Besides, we're not like the Liu and Zhang families who live at the foot of the mountain. It's so far away, and it's not easy to bring your family into the mountains."
Why don't you let us all think about it, go home and discuss it, and then we'll make a decision."
Village chief Dong looked at the villagers' expressions and was also disappointed. He waved his hand and went into the house.
Boss Dong smiled bitterly and quickly said to everyone, "Don't blame my father for being harsh. This year is indeed more dangerous than previous years. He's just afraid that something bad might happen to everyone, and it would be too late to regret it then."
"Go home and think about it carefully. My father is going to the Tai family tomorrow morning. If any of you want to go with him, please let me know in advance. If you don't come... you will have to stay in the village!"
The villagers nodded and turned away.
That night, the main halls of every household were bustling with activity. Some said it would be better to hide, some said that the city people were timid and afraid of death, and some even said that the Tai family was making a big deal out of nothing.
In short, most families decided to stay and live a quiet life, and were unwilling to go to the mountains and sleep in the open air.
On the second day, Village Chief Dong waited until noon, and only three families decided to go into the mountains.
One family was a lame old man with a little grandson, another was a widow with two little girls, and his brother's family of six, young and old.
Village chief Dong sighed deeply, told the three families to pack their things and be ready to leave at any time, and then drove the ox cart to Taijia Village.
It’s hard to persuade that damn ghost with kind words!
Just do your best and have a clear conscience!
In Taijia Village, Old Master Tai and Third Master Tai were strolling around the village, with Zhimaqiu following beside them with Zhuzhu on his back, jogging from time to time.
The long hair that made Zhimaqiu scorch to death in the summer finally came in handy at this time. It not only blocked the cold wind, but also allowed Zhuzhu to hold on to it and sit steadily on its back.
Zhimaqiu shook his head, trying to shake off the small braids on top of his head, but unfortunately he never succeeded.
Zhuzhu tied it herself before going out, and also added a string of silver bells.
It's just a mastiff, it can make wolves retreat on the grassland, but it was completely subdued by a little girl...
Zhimaqiu said that it was a good thing that there were no companions here, otherwise he would have been embarrassed!
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