Going into the mountains means death, not going into the mountains also means death, so since death is inevitable anyway, why be afraid to go into the mountains?
However, people generally hope to have a complete body after death, so they probably won't go into the deep mountains unless absolutely necessary. After all, if someone is conscripted into the army, there is still hope of survival, but ordinary people would definitely not survive if they went into the mountains.
The mountains are full of fierce tigers and wild beasts. If you go in, can you come out alive?
However, what they didn't know was that there was another family living deep in the mountains, and that all the wild animals in the nearby mountains had already been hunted down.
Grandpa Zhao interrupted, saying, "We don't need to worry too much. Let's check on things again tomorrow. They probably won't be here anytime soon."
The Taoist priest agreed, "Yes, be more alert when you sleep at night. For the time being, Xiao Chuan and I will be feeding the chickens in the orchard. Girl, you stay home and take good care of the children. Don't go out of the yard during this period. If you must go out, wait until Xiao Chuan and I are here, and find someone to go out with you."
Xu Han nodded. "I understand. Don't worry, I will definitely take good care of the child."
Lu Chuan continued, "Many people abandoned their belongings and rations while fleeing for their lives. It's almost October, and the weather is getting colder and colder. They have no food or blankets, and they certainly won't last long in this weather."
Even if they aren't arrested, they probably won't be able to survive on their own.
Don't worry, this situation won't last long; they might not even make it this far.
"Xiaochuan is right, we don't need to worry too much."
Xu Han pursed her lips, but ultimately remained silent.
Although these people are pitiful, in an era where one can only protect oneself and one's family, Xu Han dares not be a saint.
There are too many people in this society who need help; we simply can't help them all.
Even if you can save someone, you don't know if the person you're saving is a human or a ghost. They might stab you in the back at any time.
Rather than doing that, it's better to just be a spectator.
If she really had to choose, Xu Han would definitely choose her own family without hesitation, since the lives of other people really didn't concern her much. She had neither the ability nor the obligation to help them.
In this chaotic world, Xu Han only selfishly thinks that her own family should be safe and sound, and dares not hope for anything else.
After discussing it further, the group made some adjustments to the plan and got back to work.
For four or five days in a row, the officers and soldiers went into the mountains every morning to arrest people. As more and more people were arrested, the farmers also became bolder and began to venture deeper into the mountains.
As the farmers ventured deeper into the mountains, the soldiers naturally followed. As they went further and further into the mountains, the soldiers simply set up camp there and didn't return at night, continuing their search during the day.
However, this way of life did not last long. Just as the farmers were getting closer and closer to the valley, all the soldiers suddenly withdrew.
Xu Han was anxiously thinking of a solution at home when she first heard the news and was a little incredulous.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Are they all really gone? Not a single person left?"
Lu Chuan smiled and nodded, "They've all really left. There isn't a single soldier left on the mountain."
"Why did they all suddenly leave? What happened this time?"
The Taoist priest said, "It shouldn't be. It's probably because most of the able-bodied men on the mountain have already been captured by them, and there aren't many left, so they don't plan to continue capturing them."
Xu Han laughed and said, "Haha, if that's really the case, that would be wonderful. These past few days, because of this matter, I haven't dared to sleep soundly. Now I can finally get a good night's sleep."
Grandpa Zhao and the others had completely different concerns: "These people are all commendable. It is no easy feat to have lasted this long without food or warm clothing."
The Taoist priest also said with great regret, "There's nothing we can do. Being born in this era means we're destined to experience hardship."
From another perspective, those who hide in the mountains are cowards. For a man to flee to the mountains when his country is in trouble, instead of serving his country, is not the behavior of a true man.
However, from the perspective of their roles as sons, fathers, and husbands, they were not at all wrong. Given the unstable and precarious state of the country, it was perfectly normal for them to want to protect their own families.
After all, for these people, going to the battlefield is a matter of life and death. Once they go to the battlefield, how many of them can come back alive?
They are also fathers, sons, and husbands; they also have people to protect, and their own obligations and responsibilities.
If these people were Lu Chuan, Xu Han would also selfishly let him hide and prevent him from being captured and sent to the battlefield.
After all, in this society, a man is truly the pillar of a family. If a family loses its head, it will definitely be bullied and forced to make a living by this ruthless society.
Lu Chuan continued, "In any case, the soldiers have withdrawn, which is a good thing for us. The soldiers' departure means that the group of people hiding in the mountains are out of danger, and I believe they should come down the mountain soon."
After listening, Xu Han asked, "If they go down the mountain, will they be arrested by the soldiers again?"
Grandpa Zhao explained, "Probably not, but it's not certain. If the government is still conscripting men after they come down the mountain, then they will definitely be arrested."
The Taoist priest continued, "During this period, the government has arrested many people, not only those from our area, but also those from other regions. Yunhua said in his letter that other places are also conscripting men, and some people who received advance notice and fled south did not escape the fate of being conscripted. Many people were caught and brought back while on their escape route."
The entire Yuanqing Kingdom is conscripting soldiers. The situation might be slightly better in the south, where conscription isn't mandatory. However, many people are still leaving home to join the army. Some are forced, while others are doing so voluntarily.
Xu Han sighed, "Sigh, I don't know when this life of constant anxiety will end."
Lu Chuan continued, "Although the conscription issue may have come to an end, we still cannot let our guard down. The army is not far from us now, and our county may fall one day, but there is no need to worry too much. After all, we live deep in the mountains, and the enemy will not be able to find us here."
Unless someone leads the way, no one would know that people live here.
Moreover, even if others wanted to lead the way, they wouldn't know where we lived.
After the disaster, we rarely come down the mountain. Almost no one knows that people still live there, so there's nothing to be afraid of; we are safe.
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