With the busy farming season over, Yunqi and his family, besides attending the monkey's wedding, started building two small side rooms in the yard to store miscellaneous items. Their family was incredibly hoarding; dried wild vegetables, salted eggs, and smoked dried fish filled the entire room to capacity. If they didn't make room for these odds and ends, those two little rascals would rummage through everything every day and scatter it everywhere.
Yun Zhizhong also led his soldiers back to the city some time ago. This time there were no partings, because according to the information he revealed, they might be assigned to local areas after returning. If nothing unexpected happens, they might set up camp in the town, which would be close to home.
Ever since seeing the traps that Si Cheng and his friends set up, using snakes as bait every day and reaping quite good results, many people in the village have been imitating them, and all sorts of traps have appeared. Some are made of bamboo strips, some are made of rope, and some are even wrapped with several layers of old mosquito nets. There are all kinds of traps.
Perhaps because this weather is suitable for snakes to grow and fish to reproduce, there are always snakes to kill and fish to catch, so the villagers have a good harvest every day.
Perhaps because they've seen so many snakes, and the village is frequently cleaned up, large snakes are rarely seen anymore. Now, even the village children aren't afraid of small snakes; they even dare to chase them with sticks.
Because we've been eating fish for a while now, and fish is the most oil-consuming food, the oil is being used up quickly, and now the village is running out of oil.
Although many families raise large, fat pigs, even if all the fat from the pork is rendered out, it's impossible to maintain that level of fat indefinitely.
Many villagers gathered together to discuss whether there was any way to exchange oil nearby, but they all rejected the idea. Now, no matter where you are, you keep these things tightly under your belt.
Si Cheng was also asking his father-in-law if there were any large oil mills nearby. Several people had approached him in the past few days, wanting him to take them to the city to look for one.
Yun Zhiming glanced at his wife furtively and whispered to Si Cheng.
"My uncle's family has a large tea plantation. Back then, they specifically looked for camellia trees suitable for growing here. Every year around this time, they could collect a lot of tea seeds to press for oil. But I don't know how it is now. I went there when they came to plant it. The researchers there said that this tree was a new variety that could survive at temperatures tens of degrees below zero. I just don't know if that's true. Your mother has always wanted to go and see it, but we haven't dared to ask so as not to bother us. If you want to go out, you could ask them to look there. I don't know if any have been destroyed."
"How about we take Mom back to see her?"
"Don't go there. She used to hide and cry a lot a while ago, but she's been a bit better lately. Don't provoke her. If you're going, you should go soon, since many people still know about that tea garden. Now the entire Hujia Village is gone, it's like an abandoned place, anyone can go and pick the tea."
"Then let's set off tomorrow to take a look. What should we say if Mom asks?" Si Cheng directly passed this difficult question to his father-in-law.
"Let's keep it a secret for now. If it really doesn't work, we can take her there to see her after you've scouted the route this time."
Now that a choice has been made, Sicheng went to the village chief and told him about it. As for whether everyone should give it a try, that's up to them.
"Go, we have to try, no matter what. Even if it doesn't work, we should still go out and ask around to see if there are any rapeseed seeds nearby. Otherwise, we'll all have to rely on that little bit of animal fat to make a living in the future." The village chief made the decision immediately. If it could create better conditions for their families, why not give it a try?
The next morning, everyone gathered at the village entrance as usual. Since the destination was unclear this time, the village chief simply told everyone that they were going out to find oil together. This time, the group was even larger than before. In order to train the next generation, the village required all teenagers over 15 years old to participate, including many young girls.
Many families have only one child, so many of the people going out this time are father-son or father-daughter pairs, and of course there are also many couples.
With the addition of new villagers, the procession became even more impressive.
After much pleading and cajoling, Yun Qi finally convinced her parents to allow her to travel.
Si Cheng readily agreed to go out with Yun Qi. In his previous life, Yun Qi often worked with him, and the two of them could always find food in places where others couldn't find it, which was also a testament to their strength.
Moreover, at this time, everyone can feel more deeply that there is no distinction between men and women in this world. If the women in the village can stand up, they will become another force.
Because there were too many people, they were divided into several major groups. Most people formed groups with those they were close to, and several group leaders were selected. These group leaders listened to Sicheng, which made management easier.
The villagers had no objections to Si Cheng being chosen to lead the group; his abilities were undeniable, and anyone who disagreed could challenge him. The difference in ability was too great for anyone to be so unreasonable. Moreover, Si Cheng had played a crucial role on several outings, and the villagers had unconsciously come to feel more secure with him in the group.
“There are many people going out this time. Since you have decided to go out and gain experience, you must follow the arrangements and not hold everyone back.” After the village chief finished speaking, he turned his gaze to the new villagers. “This is your first time participating in our village’s activities. If you don’t understand something, ask more questions. Don’t make decisions on your own. Since you have joined our village, you will be treated the same as everyone else in the village. You must have a sense of collective honor.”
After saying that, he assigned a few people to guide them, so that they wouldn't wander around aimlessly without knowing the terrain.
Once outside the village, Si Cheng led Yun Qi to clear the way.
"Brother Cheng, why don't we go ahead?" Yun Xun and the others wanted to replace Yun Qi when they saw her walking in front. Although Brother Cheng was very capable, he couldn't necessarily take care of everything perfectly, and it wouldn't be good if something went wrong.
"No need, just take care of yourselves," Si Cheng refused directly.
"Don't worry! I'm not someone to be trifled with, and I definitely won't hold you back." Yun Qi turned around and grinned at them.
Seeing the couple's persistence, Yunxun and the others didn't say anything more, but simply followed them even closer.
Noticing what was happening behind her, Yunqi complained to her husband in a low voice, "I haven't been out of the game for a long time, and these guys have looked down on me."
"It's not like we won't give you a chance to get out. Just do your best from now on, and I guarantee you'll become a legend." Si Cheng thought of a classic quote from long ago and chuckled to himself.
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