In this tranquil courtyard, Si Mingye and Chu Wanwan's life unfolds like a serene painting.
In the early morning, sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows and waking the sleeping courtyard.
Si Mingye got up early and began practicing his swordplay in the courtyard. His sword flashed, his movements agile, each motion brimming with power and elegance.
Chu Wanwan watched quietly from the side, her eyes full of love and admiration.
After Si Mingye finished practicing his swordsmanship, Chu Wanwan handed him a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
In the afternoon, they sat under the grape trellis in the courtyard, brewed a pot of tea, held an ancient book in their hands, and enjoyed the leisurely time.
In the evening, they cooked together a simple yet delicious dinner.
Si Mingye was in charge of starting the fire and cooking, while Chu Wanwan carefully prepared the ingredients; the two worked together seamlessly.
The kitchen was filled with the aroma of food, a truly homey feeling.
After dinner, they would stroll hand in hand along the paths near the courtyard, enjoying the beautiful sunset and feeling the tranquility and beauty of nature.
They raised some chicks and rabbits in the yard and also cultivated a small vegetable garden.
The chicks were running around happily in the yard, their fluffy appearance was extremely cute.
Chu Wanwan would often scatter some grains and watch the chicks eagerly peck at them.
The little rabbits were quietly grazing in a corner, occasionally pricking up their ears as if listening to the sounds around them.
In the vegetable garden, all kinds of vegetables are thriving.
Si Mingye and Chu Wanwan carefully tended to these green lives, watering, fertilizing, and weeding, every action filled with their love for life.
Watching the tender green vegetable leaves grow strong in the sunlight, they felt a great sense of accomplishment.
As the seasons change, the courtyard presents different beautiful scenes.
In spring, hundreds of flowers bloom, filling the air with fragrance;
In summer, the trees provide ample shade, making it cool and pleasant.
In autumn, the fruits are plentiful, and the joy of harvest permeates the air;
In winter, as snowflakes fall, the courtyard transforms into a fairytale world.
Si Mingye and Chu Wanwan spent many beautiful days in this small courtyard. Their love, like the flowers in the courtyard, grew more and more radiant with the nourishment of time.
This situation lasted for thirty years, and the world went from being peaceful and stable to being plagued by war.
The smoke of war filled the entire land. Si Mingye and Chu Wanwan's small courtyard was not spared from being affected by this turbulent situation.
The once tranquil courtyard was now frequently disturbed by distant shouts of battle and the clash of weapons.
The chicks that used to run happily in the yard and the rabbits that used to graze peacefully have become frightened because of the war.
As the war intensified, more and more refugees poured into Youzhou City.
They were ragged, haggard, and their eyes were filled with despair and helplessness.
The current lord of Youzhou City comes from a family of military generals and is deeply concerned about the influx of refugees.
However, they still decided to open the city gates and accept refugees.
The food supply in Youzhou City is becoming increasingly strained due to the need to provide relief to refugees.
“Lord Su, we can’t accept any more refugees. Our Youzhou city’s food supply is not enough to feed our current population for ten days. Moreover, the Jin army has already entered Canaan Pass and will soon be besieging our Youzhou city.”
"A strategist said with a look of great anxiety."
Lord Su paced back and forth in the hall, his brow furrowed. He knew that accepting refugees was a matter of morality, but the dual crises of food shortages and approaching enemy forces were putting him under immense pressure.
“If we don’t accept the refugees, they will have nowhere to go and will either starve to death or be slaughtered by the enemy in the war,” Lord Su said gravely.
"But if we continue to accept them, our Youzhou City will also face a desperate situation. There is war everywhere, people are fleeing in all directions, and crops are left unattended. This has led to a shortage of food in various places. If the granaries of Youzhou City are empty, it will be very difficult to buy more."
Therefore, I suggest that the remaining grain be left for the ten thousand soldiers in Youzhou City!
"With enough food, the soldiers were able to fight bravely against the enemy and protect our city and people."
The strategist's words plunged Lord Su into deeper thought. He understood that the strategist's considerations were not without merit; the soldiers did indeed need sufficient food to maintain their fighting strength and protect Youzhou City and its inhabitants.
However, looking at those desperate and helpless refugees, he found it hard to bring himself to turn them away.
"Let's think of other ways. There must be a way to both accept refugees and ensure a food supply," Lord Su said firmly.
The strategist sighed helplessly. His city lord was good in every way, except that he was too soft-hearted.
"Lord, the granary manager wants to see you! He says it's urgent!" a soldier reported as he entered.
"Let him in!" Lord Su frowned.
He must be reporting that the city's grain reserves are running low again, but he has already sent people to collect grain everywhere. Now all the cities are short of grain, and no one is willing to sell to him.
As soon as the granary manager entered, he excitedly exclaimed, "Lord City, the granary is full!"
"What? What did you say?" the city lord and the strategist exclaimed in unison.
"At noon, I sent people to the granary to fetch grain to cook porridge for the refugees, and found that the granary, which was originally mostly empty, was miraculously full."
The granary manager continued excitedly:
"At first, I couldn't believe my eyes and checked several times. The granary was full of grain, as if it had appeared out of thin air."
Lord Su and his strategist exchanged bewildered glances.
They immediately got up and went to check the granary, only to find that the once empty granary was now indeed filled with grain.
"What exactly is going on?" Lord Su muttered to himself.
"I don't know! According to the soldiers guarding the granary, they've been diligently patrolling and guarding it for fear of it being looted by refugees, and no one has ever approached the granary. The appearance of this grain is very strange!"
The granary manager reported the facts truthfully.
"No one has come near? How is that possible? Did all this grain fall from the sky?" the strategist exclaimed in astonishment.
Lord Su frowned, lost in thought. He paced back and forth in the granary, carefully observing the suddenly appearing grain.
"Get a doctor to check if the grain is poisonous. If it isn't, then don't worry about where it came from; the priority is to help the refugees!"
Soon, a doctor was summoned. The doctor carefully examined the grain, smelling and looking at it, and even took some samples for further testing. After a while, the doctor stood up and reported to City Lord Su: "Your Lordship, this grain is not poisonous and can be eaten without worry."
Lord Su was overjoyed and immediately ordered the granary manager to organize people to distribute the food. The refugees, upon learning that they had enough food, showed long-lost smiles, their gratitude towards Lord Su overflowing.
However, Lord Su's doubts did not dissipate. Where did this grain come from? He sent people to inquire everywhere, but they still could not find the answer.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com