That morning, there were loud sounds of gongs and drums outside, and many people had just finished their meals.
When it comes to eating, it's basically just simple noodles, and not many people even drink rice porridge.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know. I heard that the old man in the village died of thirst yesterday."
"Ah, this world..."
…
Xia Manni didn't know what was going on, but judging from the village chief's facial expression, it wasn't a good thing.
"Well, you're all here, right? Let me tell you something today."
As soon as the village chief said this, everyone around fell silent.
Why does the village chief's voice sound heavy?
Is there anything worse than a drought?
The answer is yes.
"According to the imperial decree, we need to hand over ten shi of grain this year."
"What? So much more than last year?"
"Are you going to let people live?"
"There's already no crops left this season, and yet we're still handing over so much grain. Isn't this asking for death?"
"It seems the court is at war somewhere again."
"The lives of ordinary people are worthless."
There was chaos down there. This was the first time the village chief failed to stop it in time. His expression showed that he was also very dissatisfied with the matter.
"Officials will come to collect it tomorrow, so you should prepare yourselves."
After the village chief finished speaking, he went straight home without even stopping.
The people who stayed behind discussed the matter for a long time before returning home with a sigh.
Xia Manni sighed softly in her heart. This world is crazy after all.
The first thing she did after returning home was to take inventory of the supplies she had.
After deducting the land tax, the family only had ten bags of rice and three bags of noodles.
The various dried vegetables are almost gone, and only the dried bamboo shoots that were dried earlier are left.
The vegetables at the back of the yard haven't grown big and are looking wilted because they haven't been watered enough.
I have a set of clothes for each season, and I can also organize a set of pots, pans, and utensils.
Apart from this, there is nothing else.
Xia Manni brought Da Wa with her and made some changes to the list written by Da Wa.
Finally, we decided what to buy and prepare.
Xia Manni took the children to the mountains and picked all the wild vegetables, food and herbs that could be picked.
There are people going up the mountain now, and some families who can't stand it have even started living on the mountain.
After all, the temperature is lower in the mountains and there is mountain spring water.
During this period, Xia Manni took the children to the market and bought some food.
She also bought a few shoe uppers, planning to make another pair of shoes for each of them.
Considering that the weather is varied when going out, she bought oilcloth, a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat.
Xia Manni has experience in camping, and the most important thing for camping is food.
Xia Manni bought a small pot specifically for this purpose, which she could then put directly on the fire to roast the food and enjoy it hot.
Speaking of food, there may not be water immediately on the road to escape famine, so Xia Manni plans to take the children and walk along the mountain.
These days, Xia Manni has also thought about taking the children to live in the mountains, but she always feels that this is not the fundamental solution to the problem.
After all, there was heavy snow before. Could it be dry forever?
The snowy mountains are not a good place to stay. If you can stay on the plains, you should stay on the plains.
But she hadn't decided where they were going to escape to.
"Hey, isn't this my sister Mannie?"
"Oh, Fatty."
When Xia Manni got closer, she realized that the person pushing the cart was the fat guy she had beaten before.
"What are you doing?"
Xia Manni took a look and saw that there were a lot of things on the cart, and besides the things, there was also a woman sitting in a hurry.
As for why she was so impetuous, it was because she was already standing in front of Xia Manni.
"Are you Xia Manni?"
"This is my wife."
"Oh, hello sister-in-law. You are so beautiful."
It’s not that Xia Manni is flattering. This fat guy’s wife is plump and pretty, and she is also bold in her actions.
"Haha, little sister can talk."
After Fat Brother’s wife finished speaking, she gave Fat Brother a look and sat back on the cart.
"Manelle, come here and let me talk to you."
Fatty called Xia Manni to a corner in a low voice and said, "Mannier, we've known each other for a while, and your sister-in-law thinks you're a good person. Let me give you some news."
"What news?"
"Your sister-in-law's family had some connections who said there might be a disaster here. Once a disaster occurs, there might be more chaos. Isn't this..."
"I understand, Fatty. I also saw Mr. Zheng leave a few days ago."
Fatty nodded. How could he forget that this girl Mannie had a connection with the government?
"That's good. Just keep it in mind. It's not easy for you to take care of four children. You should leave as early as possible."
"Fat brother, I'm not familiar with this place. Can I ask where you and your sister-in-law are going?"
Having said that, Fat Brother first turned around and looked at his wife.
Seeing her nod at him, Fatty whispered, "Your sister-in-law's family is in Jin'an..."
Just then, a group of people came from a distance.
Fat Brother hurried back to push the cart, but by this time Fat Brother's wife had already pushed the cart away.
Xia Manni didn't even have time to say goodbye to Fat Brother. She observed the team of officers and soldiers and felt that they did not look like locals.
"Let's go to the bookstore."
"Mom, do we still need to buy books?"
Originally, Da Wa wanted to say that buying books at this time was a waste. But considering that the other person was his mother, he didn't dare to say it so directly.
"No, Mom wants to buy a map."
Before this, Xia Manni had not decided where to go, but now she has decided.
She wanted to take this opportunity to go to Jin'an.
That was the political power center of this dynasty. She thought that even if something unexpected happened in the future, it should be safer there.
Since so many people with connections have chosen to set out on the journey, it means that it may not just be a weather issue.
After all, although the drought is severe now, people will not die of thirst, they just drink less water.
But after a long time, it’s hard to say.
Don't wait until there is not a drop of water left before you hit the road.
And these unfamiliar officers and soldiers can explain everything.
"Let's go quickly and go home as soon as we finish shopping."
The eldest and second child pushed the cart together. On the cart sat the third and fourth child, as well as the things they bought today.
The map was not easy to buy, and she went all the way to the last bookstore before she could buy it.
And it cost a lot of money.
On the way, Da Wa asked, "Mom, are we going to Jin'an?"
"Big Baby, how did you know?"
"The boss just said that a lot of people are buying this map."
Xia Manni nodded: "As expected of our eldest child."
Erwa, Sanwa and Sinier were a little confused.
The talkative third child shut up involuntarily after looking at his elder brother and mother who had serious faces.
"Manny, are you back?"
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