Chapter 146 What did Wang Chunniang do?
Zhou Dalang met Lu Dalang and his wife on the road. When Chen Lie said he had something to say, he didn't think much about it. After all, today was the first day that all the young and strong men would live in the valley. Before that, they were all busy transporting grain and had never gathered together. It was normal for Zhou Dalang to talk about the future rules.
He didn't ask any more questions and agreed immediately: "Okay, then I'll go back and tell my family, and ask my parents to come over after breakfast, and also tell Uncle Shi's family."
After hearing what Zhou Dalang said, Lu Dalang smiled and said that he would tell his family when he got home and come back after breakfast.
Several people walked back, Wang Chunniang followed behind, and curled her lips after turning around.
Going out to pick wild vegetables and still talking on the phone shows how capable you are.
However, she also knew that she was not welcomed by anyone in the valley and had to behave herself, so she only dared to mutter these words in her heart and dared not say a word. She even dared to keep any expression of impropriety secret from others.
Chen An and Wang Yunzheng had just returned home from morning reading when they saw Wang Chunniang curling her lips. He was stunned for a moment, thinking he was dazzled, and took one more look.
Wang Chunniang just curled her lips, but when she raised her eyes, she met Chen An's gaze. She was so scared that her heart skipped a beat and she almost screamed.
She barely managed to swallow her scream and forced a smile: "Xiao An An Ning? Are you back from school?"
Chen An and Chen Ning nodded, and stopped with the three Xu brothers and sisters to greet Zhou Dalang and the others.
After Zhou Dalang and Lu Dalang and their spouses walked away for a while, Shen An asked Shen Ning in a low voice: "Was Aunt Lu's expression a little strange just now?"
Shen Ning didn’t see it, and was a little confused: “Is there?”
Wang Yunzheng glanced at Wang Chunniang's back and nodded, "He curled his lips."
Shen An glanced at Wang Chunniang's back and realized that he was not mistaken.
Chen Lie had already entered the cave, and was holding Sang Luo's two drawings and looking at the cave wall to figure out the size and where the wall needed to be repaired. Chen An came over and asked, "Brother, what did Uncle Lu and Brother Zhou do when they came here just now?"
Shen Lie glanced at him and asked, "Why are you asking this?"
Chen An said, "Didn't Aunt Lu and the others just leave? Aning and I were just coming back, and she just turned around and we met. I saw her curl her lips and make a weird face for just a moment. I thought I saw it wrong, but Yun Zheng saw it too."
Shen Lie didn't find it strange to hear this, but the disgust in his eyes deepened.
Shameless, ungrateful, and unsatisfied.
After leaving the valley, we will be as far away from the Lu family's eldest branch as possible.
His emotion only flashed in his eyes, but his voice was calm: "It's nothing serious. Put the book down and go to your brother Dashan's house and Grandma Xu's house to tell them. Ask them to take the trouble to come to our house after breakfast and talk about how to get out of the valley in the future."
fine?
There was a hint of doubt on Chen An's face. He nodded, stood up, put the bamboo slips in his hand into a cloth bag and put them on the shelf before going out.
A few steps out of the cave, he paused.
Let the Chen and Xu families talk about leaving the valley in the future. Now that the Chen and Xu families have been notified, what about the three families on the opposite side?
People from the Lu and Zhou families came, and the Shi family, maybe the Zhou or Lu family brought a message, so what the eldest brother just said to Uncle Lu and the others at the entrance of the cave was to come over after breakfast and tell them about the valley???
This is such a common sentence, what does Aunt Lu mean by pouting?
Chen An put himself in the situation and thought carefully about what his elder brother said, then savored the look he had just seen on Wang Chunniang's face - was it mockery?
He pursed his lips, feeling unhappy.
Big Brother and Dashan Brother have worked hard to lead us all for several months, and we only had peace and quiet last night. Now they have to take us out to get food. Can't they say a few words before going out?
What are you mocking? Why are you mocking?
He looked angrily at Wang Chunniang who was still walking on the road on the mountainside across the valley and had not yet returned home. Even though she was Hu Zi's biological mother, he was still angry.
Besides, who broke the bag of grain in their house? This matter has not been concluded yet. Since his sister-in-law didn't talk to him about it, he didn't dare to think about it... At this moment, Shen An couldn't help but look at Wang Chunniang again.
No way?
Thinking of Hu Zi, his good friend since childhood, he quickly suppressed the thought and dared not think too much about it. However, his mind inevitably recalled what happened in the middle of the night in December last year. At that time, it was Hu Zi's mother who leaked the details of everyone's grain storage, and in the middle of the night each family anxiously discussed how to deal with it.
Although he didn't hear the whole thing, he still got the general idea by piecing together the pieces.
…
Although they stockpiled a lot of food while hiding from the disaster in the valley, they still ate two meals a day frugally when they were not busy with farming or doing heavy physical work, and it was naturally simple to cook.
Sang Luo also had bean porridge today, which was mainly made of soybeans, with some red beans and rice added.
Just after finishing breakfast, Shen Ning collected the dishes and went to wash them, and people from each family came, starting from the Lu family on the other side, calling the next family after another, and when they arrived at the Shen family cave, the Xu family next door came over, and everyone was there.
Chen Lie had something to say. There were so many people coming from each family, including all the adults and children. Fortunately, there was not much else at the entrance of each cave, except for a lot of wood thrown outside to dry. So they simply chose a piece of wood to use as a stool and sat down to talk.
Everyone was there, and Chen Lie didn't keep anyone in suspense.
"We talked about the situation outside yesterday. I believe everyone wants to go out as much as possible to get some food and store it before the chaos. If chaos really breaks out, don't leave the valley if you can."
"The reason why I asked everyone to come here today is that there are two things I need to say first."
Everyone nodded, and Old Man Chen said, "Tell me, is there anything you want us to pay attention to?"
Chen Lie smiled and said, "I'll explain the situation first. It's dangerous to leave the valley. Each family has to make their own decision on whether to leave or not."
Everyone was stunned. They didn't think it was this, but most people didn't take it too seriously. Shi Erlang's wife smiled and said, "We know, but we have you and Dashan. Lu Er and our uncle are also okay. Be careful. It should be fine, right? We have come this way all the way."
Chen Lie shook his head: "Aunt Shi, it's not that simple. The reason why we have been transporting grain smoothly these past few times is that we have experienced people leading the way every time and we are careful enough, but the biggest reliance is actually the poison arrows."
When the word "cury poison" was mentioned, everyone was stunned.
Yes, Chen Lie and Sang Luo bought the medicinal herbs at a high price to make the arrow poison. Every time they set out, Chen Lie or Chen Dashan would give everyone a small bottle as a backup and collect it when they arrived.
They encountered many ferocious beasts, wolves and jackals along the way. Even the women and children who only made the trip encountered them several times. It was only because Chen Lie and his friends were brave, careful and skilled, and they had the poison arrows, that they were able to arrive safely.
When Chen Lie suddenly mentioned this, everyone's heart skipped a beat. Those who reacted quickly realized that arrow poison was bought with money, and it was not cheap, so it was not something that could be used indefinitely.
Sure enough, Chen Lie said, "The price of arrow poison is high, and we have consumed a lot of food in the past few months. The first thing I want to tell you today is that I don't have much arrow poison left. I don't know how chaotic the world will be in the future. I don't plan to use the remaining amount for the time being. I have to save it for future use."
"So I have to explain today that there will be no arrow poison for everyone when you leave the valley in the future. Everyone can only protect themselves with their own strength. If you want to bring your family with you, you must be able to protect them. Otherwise, you should think carefully."
When he said this, everyone reacted in different ways, but most people were confused. They were happy to go out of the valley to get food, but suddenly they heard that the amulet was gone, and they were at a loss for a moment.
Sang Luo glanced at Wang Chunniang and saw that she was stunned at first, then her face turned pale, and she looked away without saying a word.
Mrs. Chen, Old Man Chen, and Chen Dashan looked at Chen Lie in surprise.
The two families were too familiar with each other, especially Chen Dashan, who had been a partner with Shen Lie for many years. As soon as he met Shen Lie's gaze, he realized that something was wrong and quickly retracted his expression.
Mrs. Chen and Old Man Chen were also shrewd people. They looked at Chen Lie and then at Sang Luo. Seeing that Sang Luo looked calm, the old couple looked at each other and tacitly kept silent. No expression could be seen on their faces.
No one noticed the Chen family's reaction at this moment.
Gan was a little worried, but she was the most clear-headed person in the Shi family. Shi Erlang's wife was still looking at her in confusion for advice, but Gan had already asked Chen Lie: "If there is no arrow poison, is it risky for us to go out?"
Since they entered the Cloud Valley, the valley has been closed off. They are well protected inside and don't know much about the situation outside the valley.
Chen Lie looked at Shi Dalang and said, "Uncle Shi has been with us in the deep mountains and forests for more than half a year. He knows the dangers best. He is one of the four of us who has been in the group for several years. His reaction and fighting skills are better than ordinary people. He has been injured several times when fighting wild beasts in the mountains and forests. If it's just us, it's okay. Although it's dangerous, we still dare to go out. But if we bring others with us, we have to weigh it carefully."
"If nothing else, we were able to find this valley because we encountered black bears, not to mention wolves. There were quite a few of them, and we sold a lot of wolf skins. I still have a few in my cave. But our place is naturally strategic, and wild animals can't get in. You must have heard faint wolf howls at night, right? There were wild boars in the outer area, and we encountered a group of them when we came back. There should be just as many in the inner area."
Wang Chunniang's face turned even paler.
Sang Luo raised her eyes and took a look, then lowered them to hide the smile in her eyes.
Chen Lie pointed to the dozen or so racks under the two trees outside his house and said, "When I came back this time, I saw that Ah Luo had built so many racks to grow vegetables. I heard that everyone else did the same. This way, a lot of space on the cliff can be used to grow beans. Plant one kind higher up, plus the land allocated to each family and the stored food, if you save some, you won't be full and may have to endure a little hunger, but you won't starve to death."
He glanced at Wang Chunniang without leaving any trace when he said this, then retracted his gaze and said, "So, whether to go out of the mountain or not, everyone should think about it. Going out of the mountain is dangerous, and you may get hurt or die. Of course, if you are lucky, you can eat meat. Not going out of the mountain will be more difficult, but it is safe."
Everyone was silent.
However, Lu Erlang and Shi Dalang did not think much of it. Only those who had been to the mountains realized that what Chen Lie said was very pertinent.
If they all rush out, they really can't protect them. They don't have the ability to do so.
Chen Lie had used enough medicine along the way. Not to mention that there wasn't much left, even if there was some left, he couldn't just let people continue to supply them with a clear conscience.
Lu Erlang said, "Alie is telling the truth. The mountains are indeed dangerous, more dangerous than you think. So, when you encounter a pack of wolves, the wolves with poison arrows can be killed with just one arrow, but without poison arrows, it is very difficult to kill one. It is very likely that it will kill or injure several old, weak, women and children before it dies. That's why there are so many refugees hiding in the outer areas, but our inner areas are relatively quiet. Those of us with better skills may be able to protect our families, but for those of average skills, it is a great achievement to protect ourselves from death or injury."
Shi Dalang also nodded and asked Shen Lie: “What’s the other thing you want to say?”
Chen Lie pointed to the outside of the valley and said, "The second thing is, the entrance and exit we used to transport grain will not be used from today on unless we encounter a big danger. This is because the entrance and exit is too low. There are high mountains in the distance where people can hide. It is difficult to hide from this side and it is not safe. It may expose the existence of the valley. Dashan and I will go around and camouflage the outside again, and then we will use another entrance and exit in the future."
Shi Dalang looked up at the largest and highest cave in the valley. It was too high. He had lost an arm and had never climbed up there.
"This must be nearly three meters, right?"
Chen Lie nodded: "It's quite dangerous, but we can get up there. Dashan and I will go up and throw down a rope for assistance. It should be no problem. Dashan and I will go out and make some camouflage on the periphery. In addition, the entrance of the cave can also be modified to make it easier to hide and transport things inside."
"The canyon entrance on the ground is too narrow and directly on the mountain. It's not easy to change it, and it's not safe to change it. The one halfway up the mountain is suitable for using the new shelter method. We don't have to bother finding another place to hide larger baskets and backpacks. We can bring firewood in during the winter, and we can store it directly in the cave halfway up the mountain, taking up less space in the canyon below."
"That's all. Today, Dashan and I will go out to deal with the two entrances and exits. If you want to go out of the valley to pick and hunt, you have to start from tomorrow. You can think carefully about whether to go out or not today. I won't force you. It's all fine."
This sentence ends today's conversation.
…
Each family did not need to go back to their own homes, as they started discussing the issue on the spot.
As for the Shi family, Shi Dalang felt that there was no problem. Although he had a disabled hand and it might not be safe for him to take Gan out, it was no problem for him to take his brother out, as Shi Er was still capable enough.
Lu Erlang looked at his third brother and said, "You should be fine if I take you with me."
The Zhou family was a little confused. Zhou Cunzheng and his wife looked at each other, then at their three sons, with hesitation on their faces...
Zhoucunzheng's wife: "We can grow vegetables, raise chickens, and plant some beans, right?"
Wild vegetables are not necessary, as they have plenty of food stored at home.
Zhou Dalang was indeed a little weak in the knees, and he was not very good at martial arts, but Zhou Erlang looked at his parents and wife and tentatively said, "We don't need to go out every time, but I think it's okay to go out with everyone occasionally?"
This requires the Zhou family to discuss it themselves.
The Xu family never thought about hunting. They had enough food, chickens, ducks and vegetables, so they could live a good life without going out.
The Chen family has a Chen Dashan, so needless to say, he is capable of taking care of either his father or his mother.
The only one left was the eldest wife of the Lu family, Lu Dalang, whose lips trembled and he dared not say a word for a long time.
The fifteen-year-old Shuanzhu looked at his father, then at his mother, and said hesitantly, "If it's our family, should I go?"
Wang Chunniang's face suddenly changed. She grabbed her son and blurted out "No."
Then she realized that it would be possible if there was someone who could take her with him. She looked at Chen Lie and Chen Dashan, thought about it, and then looked at Lu Erlang.
Wang Chunniang's lips trembled, and she mustered up the courage to say, "Second Uncle, can you take the tie-post with you?"
The two families have separated, so it's impossible for no one in their family to be unable to leave, right?
The corners of Shen Lie's lips curled up. Lu Er and the eldest branch of the Lu family, especially Wang Chunniang, were not much better than his family and the third branch. They treated their nephews well, but not their brothers and sisters-in-law.
He just smiled.
Sure enough, Lu Erlang said with a cold face: "Sister-in-law, you are joking. I don't have the ability to lead so many people."
Wang Chunniang was choked: "I mean, uncle stays at home and changes the tie pole, okay?"
Lu Sanlang did not shy away from it and rolled his eyes. It was so cruel that when it came time to go to war, the eldest brother's life was important, but the second brother's life was not.
When there is an advantage, let him stay on the post and replace him.
How can you be so smart?
After doing so many bad things, he still thinks that the second brother is as easy to talk to as he was in the past.
Lu Er ignored him and looked at Lu Dalang: "Brother, do you think so too?"
Lu Dalang blushed and said, "No, no."
Reach out to pull Wang Chunniang.
Shuanzhu frowned and said, "Mom, I mean I can go by myself."
Wang Chunniang grabbed him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
She went to see Lu Erlang again and wanted to say something, but Mrs. Lu was fed up with her calculations and said, "Okay, go back. If you don't have the skills, you can farm and you won't starve to death. Why are you greedy for meat? There is no good thing that won't fall on you. You can just lie at home and meat will fall from the sky. You have to be able to hold it in your mouth."
He turned around and smiled and said to Chen Lie and Chen Dashan: “In our family, Erlang and Sanlang will go.”
The matter is settled.
Lu Dalang didn't say a word from beginning to end.
Every family had furniture to make, and the work was dispersed after the discussion.
Before Sang Luo could even smile, Mrs. Chen came over and asked her in a low voice, "What did Wang Chunniang do?"
Sang Luo's eyebrows jumped when she heard this.
Is this old lady really very cunning?
Her expression was very clear. Mrs. Chen was happy and pulled her into the cave: "Just wait and see the result, right? It's just that their room can't get out, and..."
She looked outside the cave and saw that only Chen Lie and her family were there, so she said, "We've made a lot of medicine, but it hasn't been used up yet. And I recognize that herb. I taught you and A Lie how to recognize it on the way here. It will be ready for harvest in three months. How could I not know what the two of you are doing?"
Sang Luo burst out laughing and hugged Granny Chen's arm: "Thank you grandma for not exposing us."
Mrs. Chen pinched her cheek gently and said, "If she hadn't been naughty, you and A-lie wouldn't have eaten so much. Come on, tell me, what did Wang Chunniang do?"
Sang Luo glanced at the old lady and smiled: "What Chen Lie said is the truth. It is true that we cannot bring too many people with us. If we rush out and something happens, it will be too late to regret it."
After being glared at by the old lady half-seriously, he smiled and asked her to wait for a moment, then turned around and took out two stacked bags from the shelf and handed them to her: "I don't know what she did. I didn't see it and have no proof. But take a look at this and see if it is different from the bag in your house that was gnawed by mice a few days ago."
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