After all, in times of famine, food and warmth are the lifeblood of the entire family.
Even though most people have kindness in their hearts, it is impossible for them to help them at the cost of their own family's lives.
“Thank you for the reminder, Brother Daqiang, we will.
Thank you for the firewood you sent us. We can have some wild fruits tonight to fill our stomachs."
Seeing that they still had wild fruits, Daqiang didn't say anything and left.
It was an August day, and the night wind was very strong. Fortunately, there was a small hill behind them to block the view. Sitting around the fire, Chaoge held Leng Xiaoran in his arms, letting him rest comfortably.
Unexpectedly, just after Daqiang left for a while, his father came towards Chaoge and the others again.
Seeing the uncle, Chaoge and his siblings stood up hurriedly: "Uncle Dong, thank you for the firewood."
"You're welcome, everyone has worked hard on the journey.
At least we have more men on our side. You siblings are all sick and small. You are definitely no match for the refugees in grabbing firewood. It's just a matter of convenience.
I just wanted to tell you that we will see a big mountain in about half a day on the road tomorrow.
If you want to go west, besides following the official road, you can also climb over the mountain.
However, if you take the official road, the journey will be much longer, and it will take at least two or three more days.
But if we climb over the mountain, it will only take two or three days and save more than a hundred miles.
Our village has decided to go to the mountains.
Although the official road is flatter, it is very likely that you can find water and some food in the mountains.
But there are many dangers in the mountains. There might be wild beasts roaming around, or there might be miasma at night.
I just want to ask you, do you want to take the mountain road with us or take the official road?"
Chaoge actually wanted to take the official route, but Leng Liecheng's body required medication.
Moreover, if she went into the mountains, based on her experience of following her uncle to collect herbs in her previous life, she might be able to find some precious medicinal herbs.
In this way, as long as they reach a place where they can enter the city, those medicinal herbs can be converted into cash.
By then, no matter how expensive food is, she has money on her side, so it would be good to exchange it for some food.
Chaoge didn't know how long their bodies could endure the journey without any staple food.
Besides, going into the mountains not only yields medicinal herbs, but also provides the opportunity to find more food, so she would naturally choose to go into the mountains!
"Big sister, how do we choose?"
After hearing Uncle Dong's analysis of the seriousness of the matter, Leng Furong suddenly lost her composure and unconsciously turned her gaze to Chaoge, expecting her to make a decision.
"Let's go into the mountains too. We have nothing. If we had enough food, it would be fine to take the official road, but going into the mountains is our only option."
After Chaoge finished speaking, Leng Liecheng also nodded in agreement: “Well, life and death are determined by fate, so let’s go into the mountains.
This way, you can save a few days of walking.
In the mountains, there might be a chance to find food, but there is definitely no chance of finding it on the official roads."
"Well, you are indeed courageous.
We come out here, and who doesn't want to survive?
Since this has been decided, you brothers and sisters should continue to follow the people from our village tomorrow and don’t fall behind.”
Uncle Dong looked at the siblings with admiration, said a few words to them, and then went back.
"Little pigeon, can we really get to Big Sister smoothly?"
After watching Uncle Dong leave, Leng Furong sat down on the ground, hugged her knees, and curled up. Her feet had already been covered with blisters. She felt pain, but she didn't dare to say it out loud like she used to.
She knew that if the little pigeon had not taken care of them along the way, they would have been in great danger.
If she continued to complain, it would only cause more trouble to the little pigeon.
Moreover, Uncle Dong had just said that the mountains were full of dangers. She felt that she was so delicate that she might not be able to leave the mountains alive.
Chaoge looked around and suddenly became serious: "I will!"
Leng Furong, who originally had no confidence, gradually became firm in her fragile heart after hearing Chaoge's firm words.
“Little Dove, you are right. We have gone through so much hardship. It is just a mountain. We will definitely reach Xilin County safely and find our elder sister!
Don't worry, little pigeon. When I find my elder sister, I will let her repay you well."
The eldest daughter Leng Qianrou also married a county magistrate, but Chaoge actually did not think the matter was that simple.
After Leng Qianrou learned about the misfortune in her mother's family, I wonder if she dares to wade into this muddy water?
Even if she dared, would her husband, the county magistrate, allow it?
But at the moment, Leng Furong and the others were so strong, and they completely regarded seeing Leng Qianrou as their last belief. Chaoge didn't want to tell them the unknown things in advance and affect their mood.
Leng Xiaoran might be too tired. Although Chaoge carried him most of the time along the way, how could he, at such a young age, handle it?
After eating a wild fruit, he fell asleep in Chaoge's arms in a daze.
"You two take good care of me. I'm going to go see if there are any rattan sticks nearby. I want to weave a backpack so that if I come across anything useful in the mountains, I can put it in it."
"I'll go with you."
Seeing Chaoge stand up, Leng Liecheng also crawled up from the ground, dragging his weak body due to the cold.
He had forced himself to walk here, and seeing his erratic body, Chaoge pushed him back: "You haven't recovered from the cold yet, take a good rest first, if you leave, there will be no one to protect your second sister and third brother.
I'll be back soon. "
After saying this, Chaoge dragged his tired body towards the foot of the small hill behind him.
It wasn't something she did on a whim. She just remembered it when she saw a lot of people pulling vines over there.
Arriving at the foot of the mountain, Chaoge looked at the wild vines that were about the size of his little finger and had no idea where to start.
Others at least had kitchen knives or axes in their hands, but she had nothing.
"Sister, can I borrow your kitchen knife?"
It just so happened that a woman had already cut a bundle of vines and was about to finish her work and take them home.
But when she turned around, she was met with an extremely hideous face, which frightened the woman so much that the cane in her hand instantly fell to the ground!
“Ghost!”
The little woman's scream attracted the people who had picked up firewood nearby to look over here.
In the light of the fire, Chaoge's disfigured face scared the people around her so much that they all moved a few meters away from her.
Those looks of fear and disgust instantly shattered Chaoge's heart, which had been strong all day!
She covered her face and subconsciously took a few steps back, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
"What the hell are you yelling about!"
Daqiang appeared beside Chaoge at some point, holding an axe in his hand. His originally honest face was now filled with anger in his eyes. He looked like he was protecting his child. He directly blocked Chaoge behind him and looked at the frightened young woman with dissatisfaction.
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