Lin Zizheng and the other two wrapped themselves up tightly, chose a new bush with fewer red caterpillars, and chopped the bushes quickly with their hatchets, soon clearing a path wide enough for ox carts and carts to pass through.
“Go, go, go!”
"quick!"
Lin Rui, Lin Zizheng and the other two stood at the intersection on both sides, directing the way. They would even step forward to help those who were walking slowly. After making sure everyone had left, they quickly joined the end of the group and caught up.
Fortunately, they passed the red worm forest and entered the deep mountains. There was a cool shade under the towering trees, which gave people who were almost sweating from the scorching sun a place to rest.
The temperature difference between the forest and the outside is nearly ten degrees. After entering the forest, everyone felt that their breath became colder, and the mosquito masks tied on their faces were no longer so stuffy that they could not breathe.
The feeling of physical comfort finally increased a lot. Lin Pingmao took the water bag handed to him by his son, gulped down several mouthfuls in succession, and then took a long breath. His legs were shaking with fatigue.
He was nearly sixty years old, which was considered a long life in ancient times. The father and mother of the three Lin Changxi brothers were younger than Lin Pingmao, but they did not live longer than him. They passed away one after another at the age of fifty.
This is inseparable from the hard life in ancient times. Farmers worked in the fields every day, and they didn't eat well, dress well, or get enough nutrition. There were three boys in the family, and they had to get married and have children when they grew up. The betrothal money had to be saved since they were born. They saved money and were reluctant to buy themselves a decent set of clothes. It was normal for them to die early in the farming family.
Lin Rui's legs were also very sore, but they were much better than yesterday. He walked a little further and took out his water bag and took a few sips of water.
Everyone was tired and hungry, and Lin Changxi's stomach was already rumbling: "Zhen Niang, quickly get some dry food to fill our stomachs."
Feng Zhenniang is a master at managing grain. With her around, grain is treated as if it were the apple of her eye. In her heart, grain is second only to her son, and no one would let her throw away a grain of rice.
People who have experienced hunger know better than anyone how valuable food is. Feng Zhenniang refused to eat unless she was extremely hungry. Even if she ate, she would only eat half full and save the remaining half for the night.
She was very generous to her husband and children. She gave each of them a piece of baked pancake made of a mixture of white flour and whole grains, and also took out some pickled vegetables from the jar.
Seeing that Feng Zhenniang gave him three taels of bread for a piece, Lin Rui couldn't help but say, "Mom, men have big appetites and can't be left hungry. Give him three taels and five pieces so that he can have the strength to work after eating. Brother-in-law and father will get three pieces, I will get two pieces, Mu will get two pieces, Mom and my two sisters will get one and a half pieces, and Niuniu will get one piece. From now on, we will follow this amount."
He knew how frugal his mother was. She was heartbroken when the dry rice she cooked last time was so delicious. If he didn't ask for anything, she might be more frugal in the future.
How could anyone survive such a long journey in the morning without some meat? Wasn't the reason he prepared so much food so that his family could have enough food to eat while fleeing the famine?
Feng Zhenniang was heartbroken. Even though her son had already told her the reason, she was still heartbroken to see him eating like that.
Lin Changxi also advised: "Zhen Niang, think about it, it's all the same. Only when we are full can we have the strength to travel. If we are half full, our pace will naturally be slower. Do you want to eat a lot and reach Huangmo Pass quickly without suffering as much, or do you want to wait for three to five years, suffering from cold and hunger before you arrive? By then, all the food will be gone!"
Feng Zhenniang finally listened to the old man and took the pancake and started to gobble it up. Zhao Qing and Mu Tou also ate with great effort. They worked hard and sweated all the way. Their clothes were soaked with sweat. The rice and meat they had eaten yesterday had long been digested.
His stomach was growling with hunger, and even Lin Rui felt that the hard stone-like bread was as delicious as a feast. As long as people are hungry, any food can taste like a banquet.
After drinking their water, Lin Pingmao and his family ate their pancakes peacefully. Although they had enough food, they were not as lavish as Lin Changxi's family. The men got one and a half pancakes, and the women and children got one, which was enough to barely fill their stomachs.
The situation of Lin Changfa and Lin Changhe's families was similar. There were more than 30 people in their four households. They sold their land and obtained a lot of food in exchange from fellow villagers. However, they didn't know how long the journey would be, so they didn't dare to eat too much, for fear that they would run out of food before reaching their destination.
Zhang Dacui got angry after she fumbled with the bread from the food bag, complaining quietly, "Look at you guys, you left Linjia Village and messed with that kid from Lin Changxi's family instead of staying here. You must be crazy!"
After saying this, she faced the eager gazes of her husband, son, and daughter-in-law and stuffed two pickled salted eggs between her grandson Xiaozhan and granddaughter Xiangxiang, saying distressedly, "Look at how exhausted my grandson and granddaughter have become!"
It is not necessarily tiring for children. It is a joy for them to migrate with adults, having food, drinks and fun along the way. They are young and do not know what worry feels like.
"Thank you, grandma." The grandchildren were taught very well by their two daughters-in-law. Zhang Dacui listened to the two baby voices and felt very happy in her heart.
The more she loves, the more angry she becomes with her husband and two ignorant sons. However, Tan Ying doesn't think so. Since she left Linjia Village and hid in the mountains, she hasn't had a nightmare for a long time.
In the few days before she came back from her mother's house, she had nightmares every day. In the dream, Linjia Village was surrounded by fire, and her husband, parents-in-law, elder brother and sister-in-law were all killed by bandits. Xiaozhan and Xiangxiang's small bodies were floating in a deep well, and the flames burned half the sky. She was haunted by such dreams and could not move at all, just like she was sleep-paralyzed.
Ever since her husband and father-in-law decided to leave Linjia Village, the heavy stone weighing on her heart was finally lifted.
"Mom, please don't say that. Second Uncle didn't force us to leave with a knife. We did it voluntarily. Lin Rui also gave me medicine powder when I was injured. These are all favors. I can't repay you, and you can't hurt me with bad words!" said Lin Zicheng, who was lying on the clothes in the cart.
Lin Ziyang also said, "Mom, Chengzi is right. Stop complaining. You've seen the ox cart and the gear Lin Rui brought with him. They're even more complete than the village head's. If he hadn't made money from his business, how could he have bought such a nice ox cart? He even gave up his business and went home to take his parents, sister, and brother-in-law and run away. Doesn't this show that the capital is extremely dangerous?"
Zhang Dacui continued to grumble, "Who knows where he got all that money? Maybe it came from some shady source, and that's why he absconded with it!"
Lin Changhe and his two sons looked at each other and shook their heads. Their mother was stuck in a rut and couldn't get out. Even if they didn't believe what Lin Rui said, they had to believe the situation of Cheng Ziyue's family. The tragedy happened only two hills away from Linjia Village. Did she have to gamble the lives of her entire family on this lucky chance?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
