Summer of the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Fuxi of the Qian Dynasty.
The land of Yazhou seemed to be placed in a giant furnace, with the scorching sun mercilessly baking every inch of the land.
There wasn't a single cloud in the sky; it was a blindingly blue, and even the air seemed distorted by the heat.
On the vast Yazhou Plain, the once lush vegetation has long since withered and turned yellow and brittle, making a "rustling" cracking sound when the wind blows.
The land has cracked open with deep fissures, and even the once surging Sangshui River is now reduced to a few puddles of murky water.
The riverbed was exposed, and the cracked mud emitted suffocating heat. Occasionally, a few fish could be seen struggling in the muddy water.
Their fate is so similar to that of the villagers who watch helplessly as their crops wither.
In just a few days, the drought had developed to a desperate point, and even the remote village of Stone Village was not spared.
The crops in the village had long since withered and died, but the villagers were still unwilling to give up.
During this period, the imperial court distributed relief grain twice, but there was no further follow-up.
Fortunately, the weather in Shitou Village was good last year, and every household still had surplus food, so they did not run out of food.
The water shortage is now a matter of utmost urgency.
At the village chief's call, the villagers followed the dried-up riverbed, traversing mountains and valleys in search of any remaining water sources.
However, for several days in a row, not a single drop of water was found.
Nowadays, villagers no longer expect to irrigate their crops; they are simply grateful to find a well to sustain their livelihood.
Wang Degui squatted in his yard, smoking one pipe of tobacco after another.
His dark skin appeared even rougher under the scorching sun, and his eyes were vacant, as if he were pondering something, or as if he wasn't thinking about anything at all.
When Wang Chengwu returned from outside, Wang Degui immediately stood up to greet him.
Wang Chengwu was covered in sweat and his lips were cracked. As soon as he entered the door, he rushed to the water vat, scooped up a ladle of water, and gulped it down.
Wang Degui frowned with heartache as he looked at the water droplets dripping from his son's mouth.
"Well, have you found water?" he asked anxiously.
Wang Chengwu wiped his mouth and shook his head. "Where is the water? We've searched all the nearby hills, but there isn't even a stinking ditch. The village chief said that the well at the village entrance is running low on water, and each household will only be allowed to fetch two buckets of water a day from now on."
Upon hearing this, Wang Degui's heart sank completely.
He snatched the ladle from Wang Chengwu's hand, which was about to be used to scoop water from the vat, and muttered under his breath, "Heavens are trying to cut off our way of survival..."
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Wang Xiuxiu stood aside, quietly watching all of this.
In fact, as early as when the drought first began to show signs, she had the idea of ​​persuading the Wang family to flee.
However, what do land and homes mean to farmers like Wang Degui who have made a living by farming all their lives?
That was their lifelong support, their root.
Therefore, despite her great anxiety, she dared not speak rashly.
At this moment, Wang Xiuxiu felt the time was right.
She took a deep breath, slowly walked to Wang Degui's side, and whispered, "Father, I went to the county a few days ago and heard some news..."
She carefully observed Wang Degui's reaction and tentatively suggested that the whole family leave the village together to find a new path.
After listening, Wang Degui did not immediately express his opinion, but silently smoked his pipe.
His pipe emitted wisps of smoke, and amidst the swirling smoke, his expression grew increasingly solemn.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart couldn't help but clench.
If she couldn't persuade Wang Degui to flee with his family this time, she would have to think of another way.
She even began to consider whether she should try to persuade Manager Zheng of Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop again to find a way out.
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