She went to bed early and woke up early the next day. When a rooster crowed, Song Ning got up. Song Dahai and Liu Yuelan were still asleep, so Song Ning tiptoed around without disturbing them.
When Song Ning got up, he would start cooking. When Liu Yuelan fell ill, Song Ning would take the initiative to cook.
This morning, Song Ning kneaded the dough, rolled it out, cut it into strips, sprinkled seasonings on top, brushed it with a thin layer of oil, rolled it up, rolled it flat again, and then pan-fried it.
While the pancakes were cooking, I took out the eggs I had bought earlier, added some chopped vegetable leaves, a little bit of batter mixed with water, and various seasonings. A small bowl of fragrant egg drop soup was ready.
After eating and feeding the chickens, Song Ning decided it was almost time to brew the medicine. Then, carrying her basket, she went up the mountain again. Her little potato was waiting for her; she wondered if it had grown up yet.
When we entered the mountains, the sun hadn't risen yet, but by the time we reached the top, the sun was already high in the sky.
Song Ning took a breath and continued climbing into the valley.
Upon entering the valley, she noticed that the leaves growing on the ground were significantly more lush than before.
They dug up a bunch of potatoes, and they were indeed much bigger than before. If they grew any longer, they could definitely grow even bigger, but Song Ning couldn't wait.
If we wait any longer, people in Nanshan Village will starve to death.
After coming down from the mountain, she showed the potatoes she had dug up to Song Dahai: "Dad, these have grown big."
The largest one before was only the size of her fist, but now the smallest one is bigger than her fist.
Song Ning took two potatoes, cut them up, and put them in a pot to steam. When they were almost done, Song Dahai went to see the village chief.
As soon as the village chief entered, Song Ning brought out a bowl of steamed potatoes.
The village chief was puzzled, but he was genuinely surprised by what was in the bowl; it was golden yellow and looked delicious.
"Village chief, please have a taste."
The village chief had never seen this before, so he grabbed a piece and, as soon as the potato entered his mouth, raised his voice: "What is this?"
Song Ning shook her head: "I don't recognize it either, but it's edible, tastes pretty good, and can fill my stomach."
The village chief's eyes widened instantly, like two light bulbs: "Where did you get this?"
“I saw it on the mountain. There’s a valley on the back of the mountain, and it’s full of these things. If we could dig them all out, it would be enough to feed a family for several months.”
Upon hearing that it was in the back mountain, the village chief's previously excited expression gradually calmed down.
People in this era believed in ghosts and gods. Ever since people died one after another on the mountain, the villagers felt that they had angered the mountain god and the mountain god was taking revenge. So, no one who went up the mountain ever came back.
Including the village chief's second son.
But when it comes to survival, nothing else matters.
The village chief made a decision immediately: "I'll go and call for help right away."
The village chief gathered all the villagers together, stood on the platform and explained the situation, which caused an uproar among them.
"Really? I've lived in Nanshan Village my whole life and I've never heard of a place like this in the village."
"Didn't you hear what the village chief said? It's not Nanshan, it's the back mountain."
"What? That place is incredibly eerie! I'd rather starve to death than go there!"
"The Li family next door to me had three sons who went up the mountain together, but only one came back. That one died not long after. All three strong young men were gone in less than three days!"
......
Song Ning thought everyone would be happy to hear that there was something to fill their stomachs, but to her surprise, it caused an uproar, but there was only surprise and no joy.
Many people died in the village back then. In order to suppress the evil spirits, the people went to the temple to invite a Buddha statue and put it on the mountain to keep it in check. But who would have thought that the people who delivered the Buddha statue would never come back?
Now, no one dared to go up anymore. Even the bravest ones only dared to linger at the foot of the mountain.
Without food, they could at least survive on wild vegetables and tree bark, but going up the mountain would definitely be a one-way trip. The choice was obvious.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
What should have been a joyous occasion for the whole village turned out to be a tragedy; not a single household dared to go up.
When the village chief returned home, he was immediately berated by Madam Yu.
"Have you forgotten how your son died? Huh?" Madam Yu's eyes reddened, and she choked up as she spoke.
If my second son hadn't gone up the mountain, he'd probably be married and a father by now...
The village chief sighed, silently puffed on his pipe, and remained silent for a long time.
Song Ning heard about what happened today and understood everyone's feelings.
But to say that the back mountain is haunted by ghosts and monsters is utter nonsense.
She checked last time she went there, and as long as you climb normally and don't touch anything you don't recognize, you'll be fine.
There are many poisonous plants on the mountain. They are brightly colored and beautiful, and look no different from wild fruits. They look delicious, but they are all poisonous.
When villagers go up the mountain, they want to dig up anything they see to take back, and they inevitably come across these things.
However, once she told the village chief about this, her mission was complete. Some things were ingrained in her heart, and she was powerless to change them. Whether or not to go up the mountain was not her decision.
She has already planted potatoes in the space, so her family can eat as many as they want without having to worry about anything.
Even as night fell, not a single household in the village thought of going up the hill behind the village to dig potatoes. Everyone was quiet and didn't react at all.
They thought the matter was over, but the next day, the village chief arrived in a great hurry with seven or eight grown men.
Each of them carried a basket on their back and a hoe on their shoulders; if you didn't know better, you'd think they were there to collect debts.
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