Chapter 51: Want to Form an Alliance?
Mu Dasheng glanced in the direction Mu Chunping and the others had left behind the mountain.
"Dajiang, don't panic before anything happens. You are the backbone of our Shanglin Village. If you panic, everyone will panic even more."
Aren't they just refugees?
We are refugees too, we can't be afraid. At worst, we'll fight to the death.
Escaping famine is inherently fraught with peril, and we had already foreseen this situation before we set off.
Facing the refugees on the great river, we must not be afraid, much less back down.
Jianfei and the others haven't returned yet. I wonder if the children have encountered any danger in the mountains?
We must guard our base camp well while we're out there, lest the children return to find they have no family left.
Alas! It's just that my body is too weak to help you.
"Brother Dasheng, don't say that. You were only trying to save me and our fellow villagers back then..."
The village chief was also very saddened when he talked about Mu Dasheng's leg. Back then, Mu Dasheng was bitten by a wild beast and fell off a cliff while trying to save him and the villagers with him.
Although the person was eventually saved, their leg was permanently damaged...
Seeing the village chief's expression, Mu Dasheng smiled and waved his hand, feigning indifference.
"Alright. Let's not talk about the past, let's talk about the current situation."
"Uncle Dajiang..."
Lin Hai ran over from the outside.
He was one of the people on night duty that night. When the village chief saw Lin Hai rushing over in a panic, he thought something had happened and hurriedly stood up.
"Dahai, what brings you here? Did something happen?"
Lin Hai shook his head.
"Uncle, don't worry, nothing's wrong."
Lin Hai, having caught his breath, continued,
“A housekeeper from the family that Uncle Dajiang camped next door just came over and said he has something to discuss with you.”
"The family that had a fight with Mu Chengrong today?"
Lin Hai nodded.
"Yes, that's the one."
The village chief thought for a moment and then looked at Mu Dasheng.
"It seems we're not the only ones panicking; they're probably even more panicked than us."
"Brother Dasheng, I'll go check on things. We can't let our family bear the blame for the trouble caused by the two families."
...
The village chief followed Lin Hai to the edge of the camp, and upon seeing the steward, went straight to the point.
"What brings you here, butler?"
The butler gave a forced smile.
"Village chief, our master thinks there will be a tough battle tonight and would like to ask your village for cooperation. Is that possible?"
The village chief glanced indifferently at the enemy camp. Even at this hour, there wasn't a single sentry in sight; they all seemed to be pampered old men.
"Our two camps are so close. Whether we form an alliance or not, we are both easy targets in the eyes of those outsiders. If something really happens at night, we will inevitably have to guard our respective positions."
The butler paused for a moment, then smiled faintly and said in a low voice,
“Village chief, you have a lot of people and we have few. Our master's idea is that our servants help guard one direction so that our masters can bring their luggage into your camp…”
"No need!" The village chief interrupted the steward before he could finish speaking.
"No need for such trouble. The villagers in our village are all uncouth and your master may not be used to living here. Besides, the campsites for each household in our village have already been set up."
"It would be too much trouble for everyone to make room for you if you were to enter the camp now. If your esteemed household is truly concerned, then you should guard the outer perimeter and prevent thieves from breaking in from that side."
"village……"
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now, Lin Hai. Be extra vigilant tonight and keep a close watch on this place; don't let a single mouse in."
…………
The village chief strolled around the camp and couldn't help but sigh. Tonight was going to be a tough battle.
He considered having the villagers evacuate in advance, but with more than 400 people, they were too conspicuous to hide.
Taking the initiative is even less feasible, as there are refugees everywhere outside. They can only wait for the enemy to come to them and then annihilate them with all their might.
...
Several burly men were gathered in a ditch a hundred meters away from Shanglin Village. A man with a full beard looked at a burly man with a tiger-like build.
"Brother, we've found fifty people in total."
The burly man with the tiger-like features frowned.
"With so many refugees outside, how come there are only fifty people? Isn't that too few?"
The bearded man sighed.
"Alas! There are many refugees, but they are all ordinary people. No one wants to take risks. If they can make a living, no one would want to kill or commit arson."
A gaunt man standing nearby spoke to the tiger-like man.
"Brother, fifty men are enough. Although the other side has many people, most of them are elderly and children. Our fifty men are all young and strong, which is more than enough to deal with them."
The tiger-shaped giant pondered for a moment.
"Alright, each of you will lead a team to break in from different directions. Remember, we're here for supplies, so try not to hurt anyone."
"We're few in number, so don't be greedy. Just grab food and water; don't take anything else..."
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