"We can't go north of Liangzhou where we are. That will be the first place where people fleeing famine will flock to. After all, in the same state, it is the first choice for all people fleeing famine because they don't have to travel through mountains and rivers."
Ripple's analysis was very careful.
This naturally includes information provided by Shijiu, as well as the conclusion drawn by Lianyi after he went to the bookstore and stared at the owner's murderous eyes and checked the Dagan map.
"So where do we go, according to you?"
"Go to Huangzhou."
Lian Yi said directly.
"But I heard that it's close to the border, the area is vast and sparsely populated, and the soil is not fertile."
Song Dachuan said that these news were spread by word of mouth. When men gathered together to brag, they would talk about things their companions didn't know, so Song Dachuan had heard about it.
"It is precisely because the land is vast and the population is sparse that there is a shortage of people. If we go there, we can settle down there and get more land."
Lianyi continued to deceive.
"But there are wars at the border, and I heard that death is a common occurrence."
"The border is guarded by General Chang, so it won't be easy to break through. Besides, we are going to Huangzhou, not settling directly at the border. Huangzhou is twice as big as Liangzhou!"
"This is no small matter, we still have to investigate it carefully."
The head of the Zhang family was obviously tempted, but after all, this concerned the lives of the whole family, so he had to be cautious.
"Boss, take Shitou (Zhang Shi) and Dachuan to the county tomorrow to find out the situation there. It would be even better if we can buy some food."
"Okay, Dad!"
All three of them agreed.
"Go back and talk to your wives about this matter, and discuss it with each other."
Old Man Zhang made a summary speech at the end.
"Yes, Dad."
When Song Dachuan and his family returned to their house, Hu Zi hugged Lian Yi's neck and asked quietly:
"Sister, are we leaving here?"
"Well, in order to survive, we might have to leave here for a while."
"Will you come back?"
"have no idea."
"All right!"
"Huzi can't bear to leave here?"
"No, going to a new place will allow Hu Zi to meet new friends."
Hu Zi said in a low voice.
Due to physical reasons, Hu Zi has basically never left home since he was a child. Before the age of three, he was in poor health and basically grew up in Hui Niang's arms. After the age of three, he grew up in Lianyi's arms. Only this year has he become stronger, but in order to avoid illness and because Hui Niang was worried, Hu Zi basically has no playmates of the same age.
"Huzi, stop messing with your sister. I'll take you to wipe your face. Let's get some rest. Your father still has something to discuss with your sister."
Hui Niang carried Hu Zi to the bedroom, while Song Dachuan was discussing the next steps with Lian Yi.
"Tomorrow I will go to the county with your uncle and uncle to check the situation. If the situation is really that bad, the family should be prepared. I estimate that after the fall, the food supply of each household should be exhausted. Without food, people will starve to death. People who are extremely hungry are very scary."
Song Dachuan said in a low voice.
"My father and I have the same idea. If my grandfather's family doesn't want to go with us, we will also set off alone. But before that, my father has to go to Songjia Village."
Ripple continued.
"What are you going to do in Songjia Village?"
"Borrow food. If we can't borrow food, tell them we are going to escape famine."
Ripple said calmly.
Song Dachuan is not a fool, he understood it after a little thought.
If they go to borrow food now, the Song family will not lend it to them even if they have it. If they cannot borrow food, they will naturally flee from famine to survive. The Song family will not get entangled with them and even hope that they are as far away as possible, which will make it easier for them to move. After all, they have a lot of food stored.
After discussing what to do next, Song Dachuan went to bed early.
The next day, after watching Song Dachuan leave, Lianyi went up Wankou Mountain again on the pretext of looking for food.
There is basically no green stuff to be seen on the outskirts of Wankou Mountain. Whatever can be picked has been picked. Groups of women are walking inside with their children, hoping to dig up some food to fill their stomachs.
Fortunately, autumn was approaching, and many things in the mountains and forests were already bearing fruit. Although they were not yet ripe, they could at least satisfy hunger. These things were also rapidly decreasing, so Lianyi could only walk deeper into the forest, picked a basket of dandelions, and hurried down the mountain.
It was not until the sun set that the Zhang brothers and Song Dachuan returned to Zhangjia Village. However, the three of them did not look well, their clothes were torn, and there were wounds on their faces. The three of them each held a wooden stick in their hands, and they returned empty-handed.
"Dad, you're hurt!"
Hui Niang exclaimed and her eyes immediately turned red.
Lian Yi also frowned and said:
"Dad, did you encounter disaster victims?"
"Well, we bought half a bag of food in Yongfeng County, but it was robbed on the way. If I hadn't seen the situation was not right and picked up a stick to disperse the people who surrounded us, the three of us would have almost been unable to escape."
Song Dachuan said with lingering fear.
Although there was no harvest in the fields now, he listened to Lianyi and stored a lot of food before the New Year, so the family could still have enough food and drink. Especially since he was a strong laborer, Hui Niang and Lianyi would rather eat less than let him starve.
In order to not be too conspicuous, Song Dachuan would paint his face darker every time he went out to look thin. In fact, he was quite strong because he was well fed. This time, it was all thanks to him that the three of them were able to return safely.
"Is the situation in the county already so serious?"
Ripple asked, frowning.
“Well, Yongfeng County has closed the city gates and is not letting the disaster victims in. We are allowed to enter the city because we are a village under the jurisdiction of Yongfeng County and nothing serious has happened to us.
The situation in the county is not good either. There are beggars everywhere on the streets, the doors of wealthy families are all closed, and there are very few pedestrians on the road. But there is no influx of disaster victims, so it is safe for the time being.
There was a long line at the only open grain store. We waited in line for half a day and only bought half a bag of grain mixed with sand. As a result, before we left the county town and even reached Wangshan Town, the grain was snatched away by the victims.
Your uncle refused to accept the defeat and wanted to take it back, so he was besieged by those hungry victims. I had no choice but to rush over with a stick and beat them up, and then I escaped."
Hui Niang was so distressed that she had already brought over some warm brown rice porridge and steamed corn bread, as well as a plate of stir-fried dandelions that Lianyi had dug up from Wankou Mountain during the day.
Song Dachuan didn't say much. He ate the dinner left for him in a few bites, then wiped his mouth and said:
"The situation is not good now. If we are prepared earlier, we can leave a day earlier."
"Got it, Huzi's father. Let's go ask him about his plans tomorrow."
Hui Niang still wanted to go with her family. After all, she had four younger brothers, and it would be safer with more male children.
"I know. I will definitely ask my parents. I am also planning to go to Songjia Village to prevent them from biting us everywhere."
Hui Niang didn't understand, but nodded anyway. Just then she heard Hu Zi calling for his mother from the bedroom, so she immediately turned around and went into the bedroom.
"Dad, I went into Wankou Mountain today and had an unexpected gain."
See you tomorrow, my dears~
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