Chapter 115 Did you reveal your family fortune?
It was agreed that Sang Luo would mark the four bags of grain that each family would take away tomorrow, and they would come to pick them up before dawn. Then everyone said goodbye, and Chen Youtian asked Sang Luo for Qin Fangniang's quilt and took it away.
Only then did Chen Lie realize that Qin Fangniang and Gan had been staying up all night at home these days, so he thanked them again. The two of them escorted everyone out of the courtyard together.
At the foot of Shenjia Mountain, after turning the ridge, everyone was looking happy. Suddenly, Old Man Lu stopped and said, "Everyone, there is something I want to tell you now."
Everyone stopped.
Old Man Lu looked at Shi Dalang, then at Zhou Cunzheng, and said, "Those of us who came here only need to know about what happened today. Everyone should be careful when you go home and don't say a word."
Shi Dalang was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "This is natural."
Old Man Lu shook his head: "I mean our own family, your wives and children."
Everyone was stunned, even Lu Erlang was a little slow to react.
Old Man Lu said, "There is no such thing as a wall that is impenetrable. You have to keep your mouth shut. The more people know, the greater the risk of it leaking out. Besides, apart from A Lie and Old Chen's family, everyone has relatives here, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Erlang understood.
When they received the notification from Shi Erlang today, the eldest sister-in-law's eyes lit up when she heard that a place had been found. She immediately asked if the place was big enough and whether she could bring people from her mother's family along.
In fact, every daughter-in-law who marries into the family has her own parents' home, and his wife also has one. His wife's thoughts about her parents' home are actually the same, but they are all aware of such things and cannot mention them.
The eldest sister-in-law of the Shi family, the second sister-in-law of the Shi family, and the two daughters-in-law of the Zhou Cunzheng family all have their own parents' homes.
But his mother's family has her own family. For example, he has three brothers-in-law. Each of them has a wife, and the wife has her own family, so how can he bring her over?
What's more, they are not just individual families. Not to mention the clan, there are countless brothers and sisters of the father-in-law and mother-in-law.
With so many relatives and friends, three Shili Villages could not accommodate them all, let alone a place that is only 1/3 the size of Shili Village.
If it's their own ability, then there's no need to talk about being a good person, but their three families obviously benefited from the Shen family and the Chen family, and they didn't have to sacrifice other people's safety to be generous with their generosity.
They were all smart people, and they all quickly understood what Old Man Lu meant, and they all fell silent.
Since one has a way to make a living, relatives naturally want to take care of him, but their ability is really not enough, which makes one feel painful.
Zhoucun was the first to realize this. He had made a promise when he privately approached Chen Lie to ask them to take him with them. So he was the first to nod his head. "That's right. We can't rely on others to keep our mouths shut. We should be stricter with ourselves. Don't mention the direction of the hiding place, how long and how far we will walk, and what features there are on the terrain. Those who are delivering food should also remind them to avoid being found by others following the directions. Whether the food is lost beforehand or a bunch of people come afterward, it will cost our lives."
Everyone nodded.
Shi Dalang thought for a while and asked tentatively: "Dashan, can you sell me some of the medicine your family makes? Just a little bit, I will send some to the Yue family and my second brother's Yue family, let them practice their archery like us, and then look for a hiding place deeper in the country."
If you don't hide deep enough, you won't be safe when chaos comes. But if you don't have the necessary skills to go deep enough, you may die faster.
Chen Dashan glanced at him and said, "I can make some medicine for you. Give the money for buying raw materials to A Lie. A Lie will help you. But you asked your Yue family to go deep into the mountains. I don't say that without certain experience, even if you know some archery, it may not be safe. If something really happens, I'm afraid you will regret it in the future."
Shi Dalang gritted his teeth and said, "It's better to be prepared than to be caught unprepared. At least practice first. I have been following you for more than half a year. I will take the time to explain the things in the jungle in detail and take you to the forest a few times. They are going to hide in the mountains anyway. It's up to them to decide whether to go deep into the mountains or not. Having more life-saving skills and things will always mean more ways to escape. Maybe you can save a few lives at the critical moment. This way, I won't feel guilty."
That's true.
Chen Dashan hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Okay, I want to go into the mountains. I'll have to let A Lie or A Lie's wife go to buy the medicine. My grandma can make the medicine. I'll talk to her when I get back. You can talk to A Lie tomorrow."
After thinking for a while, he said, "But it won't be much. I will only give a little bit to each family. It can be used to save lives at critical moments. This medicine is too poisonous. I dare not pass it on to others. It is limited to you and Uncle Shi's Yue family. Don't leak it to relatives and friends. This medicine is too poisonous. If things get really chaotic later, if someone uses it on someone with ulterior motives, we will have committed a great sin."
Shi Dalang was delighted when he heard this: "I understand. As long as there is enough to save your life, it will be fine. I will definitely give you detailed instructions."
Lu Erlang and Zhou Cunzheng also saw hope.
…
In the small courtyard halfway up the mountain, Chen Lie finally had his dinner. Chen An and Chen Ning squatted aside and looked at the leather. Sang Luo used hemp thread to embroider the word "Chen" on the grain bag.
By the time he finished eating, Shen An had already boiled water for him to take a bath. He washed his hair and took a bath quickly. Shen An and Shen Ning smiled and pushed him to the edge of the bed, where he lay down with his head resting on the edge of the bed where a dry towel was laid. Shen An and Shen Ning helped him wipe his hair together.
Sang Luo was still making dried bean curd in the kitchen. Chen Lie thought he would wait for her to come over because he had a lot to say to Sang Luo. However, he did not expect that before Sang Luo came over, his eyelids became heavier and heavier, and he passed away before his hair was completely dry.
When Sang Luo came over, she saw the little brother and sister wiping their eldest brother's wet hair bit by bit as gently as possible. The one whose hair was being wiped had fallen into a deep sleep.
I stayed in the woods for thirteen days, and I probably didn't get a single good night's sleep.
Sang Luo raised her index finger to her lips, turned back to the kitchen quietly, shoveled some half-burned charcoal from the stove with the old pottery jar that used to hold money, put it quietly beside the bed, and signaled Chen An and Shen Ning to help Chen Lie dry his wet hair.
The Shen family's room was full of warmth, but the scene at other homes down the mountain was quite different.
Needless to say, the Chen family was the least worrying family. The Shi family and the Zhou family were also okay. They just said that they had found the place, but the head of the family said it was inconvenient to say where exactly. The tactful ones in the family did not ask too many questions. They were all excited to make preparations to set out early the next morning. Some were looking for leggings, some were preparing dry food, some were organizing baskets, and they also took the raincoats and rain curtains at home.
The daughters-in-law also missed their parents' home, and when they heard that they would find ways to help, at least to give their families some means of survival in the forest, they all smiled and were very grateful.
Only the Lu family has an outlier.
Lu Dalang's wife, Wang Chunniang.
She was already a little unhappy when she saw that her father-in-law only brought her second uncle but not her husband when he went to the Shen family to discuss important matters. Now when she asked about the details, both her father-in-law and her second uncle kept silent and didn't say much.
Wang Chunniang was unhappy.
No matter which family it is, the eldest son and grandson are always valued. Why is it so different in their family?
It’s bad enough that the old lady favors the second son’s wife, but now the father-in-law is also openly favoring the second uncle.
When she was packing up, she found that one of her own baskets was empty. Upon asking, she found out that it was used to carry grain bags for Chen Lie's family. Wang Chunniang's displeasure was evident on her face, especially when she knew that Chen Lie and Sang Luo would not go to the mountains.
When Wang Chunniang had an opinion about something, she seldom said it openly. She would keep it in her heart and remember it, feeling uncomfortable for the rest of her life.
But if she could hold it all in, at least it wouldn't bother other people. But her face unconsciously fell, and anyone could tell at a glance.
Old Mrs. Lu had been with her daughter-in-law for fifteen years and knew exactly what she was thinking. She was so angry that she was lying on her back.
When you ask her what she is unhappy about, she rambles on, saying that she is worried about the danger of delivering grain into the mountains, and then she mutters about why so many people from her family have gone, not to mention that Lu Dalang and his three brothers have gone, and Shuanzhu is going too.
Shuanzhu, the eldest son of Lu Dalang, is fourteen years old. In half a month it will be the New Year, and he will be fifteen years old then.
After all, the things that I care about the most are hidden. I feel that my mother-in-law won't scold me if I speak them out, but I have to bring out the few things that I do care about to block them.
Mrs. Lu didn't really scold her, she just smiled and said, "It's really dangerous in the deep mountains. Before you leave, you and the boss can think it over and decide whether you want to stay in the village in the future."
Wang Chunniang was immediately choked and became mute.
Lu Dalang shook his head again and again: "Mom, don't listen to Chunniang's nonsense. The mountains are dangerous because Alie and Dashan tried the way for us first. How can it be more dangerous than the first time they went? They didn't say a word at the time and went to find a way first. Besides, we will live in the mountains in the future, so what's the danger?"
Mrs. Lu's face looked better, and she looked at her eldest grandson again: "Shuanzhu, we're going to carry grain into the mountains tomorrow. Do you dare to go?"
Shuanzhu's eyes sparkled: "Grandma, I dare. I'm pretty good at archery, and my second uncle will secretly give me a few good arrows. Besides, my father and my second and third uncles are all going, so I'm not afraid."
Tiezhu and Huzi were also envious. Tiezhu said, "Actually, I think I'm pretty good at archery, and I'm pretty strong too. Grandpa, grandma, can't you let me go too? I don't have to carry the basket, but I can still carry a basket of food."
Hu Zi, Hu Zi is too young. He knows that he will not get a share this time, so he can only envy.
Mrs. Lu looked at her grandchildren and finally smiled. She turned to ask her second son, "How is Tiezhu's archery training going?"
Lu Erlang laughed: "It's still a little short of the mark, the strength is not enough, and the aim is not good if it's a little far away."
Mrs. Lu looked at her second grandson and said with a smile, "Did you listen? You need to practice more."
Turning to look at her grandchildren, she said, "Grandma is asking you, are you willing to pick up some food and send it up the mountain for your brother Shen Lie and sister-in-law A Luo's family?"
The three brothers all laughed: "Yes!"
Shuanzhu glanced at his mother, then quickly looked away and said, "Our family is doing well now thanks to Sister-in-law A Luo who helped Second Aunt do business. Brother Lie also taught me how to use the bow and arrow."
Tiezhu was very happy, not knowing the quarrel between his grandmother and mother. "Brother Lie and Brother Dashan are leading us to escape, so of course I am willing. I said I will go with them with a backpack on my back. I am not good at archery, so if there are wild animals, I will climb a tree and you guys can fight them."
Hu Zi chimed in: "There are refugees now. Xiao An's family is small and they live in a remote place. It's not safe for his brother to be away from home."
Mrs. Lu's eyes were already curved after hearing what she had heard. Feng Liuniang also pursed her lips and lowered her head to smile. Only Wang Chunniang looked embarrassed, and was angry that her three sons were being foolish and none of them appreciated her kindness.
Old Madam Lu was too lazy to look at her. She just said to her grandchildren, "You are all good children. You should remember the kindness you receive from others. I won't say that you should repay a drop of kindness with a spring of water. At least you should know what is good and what is bad, be grateful, and repay when you are able or when the other party needs it. This is the principle of life. Another thing is that our help in transporting grain this time is not a reward. Your brother Alie and sister-in-law A Luo gave us compensation. You will know it on the way."
No one in the family knew about the arrow poison yet. The old man asked Old Man Chen privately. Those medicines were not cheap. A lot of medicinal materials were needed to produce a finished product. Ali and his wife spent a lot of money. It was the Shi family who proposed to buy some, and Dashan agreed.
But Mrs. Lu didn't plan to tell her eldest daughter-in-law about this, nor did she plan to buy one for her in-laws, the Wang family, because it was not suitable, so now even her eldest son doesn't know about this.
She looked at her sons and daughters-in-law again and said, "Besides, if we really talk about it this time, it was Dashan who helped A'lie. They were the only ones who knew the way and had the ability to lead the way. One of them had to stay in the village. If something really happened, someone had to protect us old and weak people into the mountains. A'lie can stay at home because Dashan is willing to run around. When other people thank us politely, we dare not accept it. We are so proud that we don't even know how much we weigh."
Lu Dalang's brothers nodded hurriedly, and even his grandchildren thought about it carefully and finally nodded. The younger ones, such as Shitou and Axu, were still a little confused, but it would be good to listen to these principles more often.
Teaching children, grandchildren and daughters-in-law means teaching them in daily life. Seeing that everyone had listened, Mrs. Lu considered the lecture over. As for the one who didn't listen, well, she couldn't teach him anymore.
Thinking of saving face for Wang Chunniang, the mother and aunt, in front of the children, she did not teach her by name, but only said: "There is one more important point, which I have been reminding you of recently. I am not afraid of reminding you again today. Don't say a word about family affairs outside. The world is going to be in chaos. Guarding the grain is guarding the lives of our family, young and old, and also the lives of several families we are close to. Do you understand?"
Everyone nodded, even the youngest, A Xu, said in a baby voice that he remembered it.
Mrs. Lu then waved her hand and told them to leave: "Okay, get ready early and go to bed early so that you will have more energy tomorrow. Chunniang and Liuniang go back to the house to help clean up, and go to the kitchen to help prepare some dry food for them to take with them on the road tomorrow."
Back in the house, Mrs. Lu sighed to Old Man Lu, "Back then, our family was poor, and I was young and inexperienced. The eldest brother chose her, and the two villages were far apart. I asked around and only heard that she was diligent and capable, so I went to see her secretly. She was indeed not bad, so I agreed. I didn't expect that she was only virtuous on the surface, but was actually petty and confused. If I hadn't been afraid that Shuanzhu's five brothers and sisters would be corrupted by her, I would have wanted to divide the family and end the matter, out of sight, out of mind."
Old Man Lu just shook his head: "Okay, there's no need to be angry. Shuanzhu is already so old. When life is peaceful, find a good wife for him. It will be great if there is a capable person in the next generation of the eldest branch who can manage the family."
Mrs. Lu nodded and said, "It can only be done this way. It's hard to change one's nature. I haven't been able to teach him well in the past ten years. I can't teach him anymore."
Having said this, he suppressed his worries, took out the leg wrap that Old Man Lu was going to use the next day and put it on the table, saying, "Don't think about it anymore. You will also carry food tomorrow. Go to bed early. I will go to the kitchen to make some dry food for you to take tomorrow."
…
Wang Chunniang was also embarrassed in front of the whole family in the main hall. She followed the man back to his room with a red face. When she got back to her room, she could still think about Lu Dalang and whispered, "Did my father say if I could bring my family with me?"
Lu Dalang: “…”
He never thought about bringing Yue's family with him from the beginning to the end, and never asked his father at all.
Besides, can he say that his father is now guarding him as well? The road is divided into two parts, and he is asked to take the first half, and he is not needed in the second half.
Lu Dalang sighed and could only advise: "Don't mention this again in the future. How can you take it with you? Your father and your four brothers, how many uncles and cousins do you have? And your four brothers' wives also have their own families."
Wang Chunniang: "Why should I bring them to their mother's house?"
Lu Dalang: “…”
Then why should I bring your mother's family?
Your parents are human beings, but your brother’s wife’s parents are not human beings?
He couldn't say this. If he did, he would either quarrel or his wife would cry. He could only say, "We don't have that ability. We notified you when we bought grain and sent you a letter when we bought beans. Your family and the families of your uncles and aunts have fifty or sixty young and strong people. They are much stronger than ours, so don't worry about it."
As for delivering the letter, what can he do if his father-in-law doesn't buy it at all?
Wang Chunniang sat by the bed wiping her tears. Lu Dalang was overwhelmed, but there was nothing he could do. He could only pretend that he didn't hear anything and started packing things for tomorrow's trip up the mountain. Halfway through, he realized something and turned to ask Wang Chunniang, "You didn't tell your parents how much grain we bought, did you?"
Wang Chunniang's body stiffened and her eyes flickered.
Lu Dalang's face turned black.
It's really not unfair that he is guarded by his father.
He glared at Wang Chunniang, his eyes red with anger: "I think you think your life is too good, and you want to cause some trouble for your family."
Wang Chunniang was both ashamed and angry. She knew a little about the tempers of her parents and brothers, but it was so humiliating to be bluntly thrown in the face by a man. Although she felt embarrassed, she did feel a little regretful.
She is also a mother, and she has children to take care of. Her family didn’t buy any food this year…
Wang Chunniang trembled her lips and said, "I didn't say much. I just mentioned it a few times when I went back to my parents' home to buy grain for the first few times."
In fact, they were scolding Feng Liu's mother, saying that she was showing off just because she made some money, and that buying some food was a big deal, and so on. She also said that her mother-in-law was biased. These were all words that her mother and sister-in-law tricked her into saying when she was scolding her.
Some people shared her hatred for her and cursed her sisters-in-law and mother-in-law, stood on her side to let her vent her anger, and said that she lived a good life, praising her to the point of making her feel flattered. Some words came out of her mouth without any consideration.
How could Lu Dalang not understand the person next to him? If he had only said a few words when buying food for the first few times, it would not have had any impact on the family, and she would not have had this expression.
He pointed at Wang Chunniang and was speechless for a long time. Now he could only thank Chen Lie and Chen Dashan for finding a way out early. While there was no chaos, the food in the house had to be sent away quickly. When he really had to leave, he must not be caught up by the Yue family.
He took several deep breaths, but still couldn't get over the frustration. He pointed at Wang Chunniang and said, "Okay, I think you don't have to stay at home. Tiezhu wants to go to the mountains, so why can't you go? Come with me to the mountains to fetch grain tomorrow morning. It's better than being slow and being missed by your parents."
Wang Chunniang was dumbfounded: "Whose woman carries grain into the mountains?"
Lu Dalang snorted, "What about women? In the countryside, women work just like men. Don't you think too many people come into the mountains? I tell you, you forgot one. My father will go to pick up grain tomorrow. If he wasn't afraid that the family would leave too cleanly and attract the attention of the villagers, believe it or not, my mother would go too."
"You only know that there are many people from our family, but why don't you think about the fact that we have a lot of people and food. How can we compare with the Shi family, which only has a few people?"
"Since you have given all the wealth in our family to your mother's family, then you should help pick the food. The sooner you finish picking, the better. We can't keep you in the village any longer. I'm afraid that sooner or later our whole family will be sold out by you. I'll tell my parents right away."
Wang Chunniang was so weak that she didn't know where she got the strength from. She rushed over and grabbed Lu Dalang and said, "Don't tell your parents. I'll carry the food. I'll carry the food with you."
She took the initiative to pick up the grain, so she could still have some face at home. But if her father-in-law and mother-in-law knew that she had revealed the family secrets back to her parents' home, she would have no face at all.
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