"Why don't we share some of our food with them? First of all, we are all from the same village, and no one can predict natural disasters or man-made disasters. Secondly, the way they look at us is getting more and more wrong. Although we have the power to fight them, we can't do it unless we have no other choice. It would be even worse if we get hurt by them. What do you think?"
Jiang Xueying gathered several families together to discuss the strategy for the next few days. Now that the arrow is on the string, it has to be shot. Should they preserve the food and fight to the death, or distribute some of the food and delay?
The families looked at each other without saying a word.
Although it was always the men who were supporting the men outside, the women knew that these men were so hungry that they might do anything. Naturally, they did not want their men to get hurt when a head-on confrontation occurred.
"Ma'am, I listen to you."
The one who broke the silence was naturally Qiao, who had always been centered around Jiang Xueying. After all the worry and fear during this period of time, coupled with poor eating and sleeping habits in recent days, she had lost a lot of weight and looked very haggard.
Jiang Xueying nodded and looked at the other families.
"What do you think? It's okay if it's inconvenient. It's all voluntary."
Many people sighed. No matter how many conflicts there were in the past, it was time to let go of those things. What's more, everyone would see each other sooner or later, so some things could not be done so decisively.
"Okay, we'll all listen to Sister Jiang."
Looking at the trusting expressions of the crowd, Jiang Xueying smiled gratefully at everyone, and then thought about it for a while.
"How about this, we leave about three days' worth of food for the family, I think that should be enough, and we can share the rest with them."
Several families nodded, naturally without any objection.
From the moment they discovered the river was rising to the time they took refuge in the mountains, it was Jiang Xueying who made timely decisions to take them to safety and save their lives, and now they have great trust in her.
The next day, Jiang Xueying and several families came to the open space with food. Many people were so hungry that their chests were sticking to their backs. When they saw the food, their eyes naturally lit up and they swarmed over to grab it.
Jiang Xueying naturally would not give in. Some of the stronger ones would grab more, so the old, the young, and the weak would naturally not get anything. This was unfair and more likely to bring trouble upon themselves.
So Jiang Xueying asked the men from each family to stop these people and guard the precious food firmly.
"Don't worry, everyone has a share. This is the food that our families have saved for everyone. The quantity is limited. If you eat it, we will have no more, so everyone should line up first and don't crowd."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone lined up immediately. Even those who wanted to snatch the food by brute force gave up the idea. After all, there would be no good consequences if they incurred public anger. Everyone stretched their necks to look at the food in Jiang Xueying's hand, swallowing their saliva. Many people's stomachs were growling, and the gleam of desire to survive in their eyes was even stronger.
Jiang Xueying and Qiao handed the food to them one by one. Many people were so grateful to Jiang Xueying and others after receiving the food that they almost knelt on the ground and kowtowed a few times, as if they were living Bodhisattvas who saved people from suffering.
On the tenth day, just as Jiang Xueying had expected, the flood finally began to recede slowly. Many people saw this scene and could no longer hold back and rushed towards the village, fearing that it would be too late if they were a little late.
However, Jiang Xueying and others did not move. Instead, they stood at the entrance of the cave and looked at the village destroyed by the flood. The prosperity of the past had long disappeared, leaving only broken walls and ruins. A flood destroyed all their efforts over the years.
Many people couldn't help crying when they saw this scene. Natural disasters are ruthless, but people are kind, leaving behind only devastation.
Although many people couldn't wait and ran towards the village, more villagers followed Jiang Xueying and others and stood there without moving.
The village chief came to Jiang Xueying and felt helpless when he saw the devastated village.
"Wife of the Ye family, do you think we should go back?"
"Yes, Sister Jiang, if you say go back, then we will go back..."
Everyone looked like they were asking Jiang Xueying to make the decision, and they trusted her completely.
It was because Jiang Xueying suggested going up the mountain that many people saved their lives, and it also made them believe in Jiang Xueying's judgment more. She influenced many people unknowingly.
Feeling everyone's trust, Jiang Xueying thought for a while and then gave them some advice.
"After the flood receded, the sewage and waste were washed out and left on the ground. They are harmful to the human body. If you touch them rashly, you will easily get sick. You can tear off some cloth and soak your face in water. Be careful."
She looked serious, and although her voice was not loud, every word was powerful: "Now is a critical moment, everyone must be careful not to touch anything after going down the mountain. If you want to touch anything, those things must be fumigated with mugwort."
After listening to Jiang Xueying's detailed explanation, everyone's expression changed and they couldn't help but doubt. Is this matter so serious?
Jiang Xueying naturally knew what they were thinking. After all, this was all modern knowledge. There would be serious illness after a major disaster. If you weren't careful, it would likely cause an epidemic. Nowadays, there was a shortage of medicines and medical skills, and it would be difficult to control the situation.
"You all know how many people died of injuries or diseases down there. If they were soaked in water, the toxins in their bodies would enter the water and remain in various places. If you want to stay alive, listen to me. Also, be careful after you get down the mountain. Don't eat the food and livestock at home."
"Why is that?"
Some people couldn't help but ask, those food were all saved by them with great efforts, if they couldn't eat them, how could they survive? And those livestock were just drowned, wouldn't it be fine if they washed and boiled them?
Normally they would not even bear to eat those animals, so wouldn’t it be a waste if they weren’t eaten now that they’re dead?
"Of course, it's because those things were soaked in the flood. Things soaked in the flood are contaminated and cannot be eaten casually. Those invisible things have penetrated deep into the flesh. Even if they are washed and cooked, they cannot be eaten."
Jiang Xueying was not angry and patiently explained to the villagers. She also knew that everyone was concerned about food and livestock. Those were the things they used to survive, and everyone would definitely feel it was a pity if they couldn't be eaten.
The village chief was a man who had experienced all kinds of storms. Although he had never encountered such a big flood, he thought what Jiang Xueying said made sense, so he naturally believed her very much.
"Okay, everyone, just do as Jiang Xueying said. Let's go down the mountain quickly and see if we can fix the house."
The houses are the heritage passed down in the village for many years and are where people live. The floods submerged their homes and no one knows what will happen to them. Everyone is very worried and upset.
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