"That's why the overall situation down the mountain is still pretty good."
"It's only been three months since it rained, but things might change in a while," Xu Han said dejectedly.
"Let's go to the clinic first!" Seeing that Xu Han was in a bad mood, Lu Chuan changed the subject.
So the two of them set off together for the clinic, and when they arrived, there were fewer people inside than usual.
Uncle Zhang was dispensing medicine for a patient at the counter when he saw the two of them come in. He quickly called over the apprentice to continue dispensing medicine for the patient, while he led Lu Chuan and Xu Han into the backyard.
Uncle Zhang immediately asked, "How have you been lately? Do you have enough food?"
Lu Chuan replied, "I bought more grain during the autumn harvest when prices were low, and we have enough to eat for now. How is Uncle Zhang doing lately?"
"Thanks to your reminder to buy more grain while it was cheap, plus the grain grown on the farm, we had enough to eat. If you don't have enough, remember to tell Uncle Zhang, and I can still spare some for you."
"We bought quite a lot to save trouble, and we also grew some miscellaneous grains at home last year, which was enough to make ends meet. Let's keep Uncle Zhang's grain for now!"
"Who knows what the future holds! And judging by the weather, it doesn't look like it'll rain again anytime soon," Lu Chuan said, his face full of worry.
"Yes! We don't know when the heavens will send rain. It's the time for spring planting now, and if this continues, the autumn harvest will be greatly reduced."
"That's the situation! If we can't plant during the spring, the autumn harvest will definitely be reduced. If the drought continues later, the situation may become even worse," Xu Han added.
"Fortunately, we also grow winter wheat here. After the summer harvest, if the family plans their food carefully, it should be enough to help the people get through this year."
While you're deep in the mountains, take advantage of the spring season to dig up wild vegetables and stock up as much as possible. If anything unexpected happens, the wild vegetables can last for a while.
"If a drought occurs, I'm afraid it will be difficult to even find wild vegetables to eat," Uncle Zhang said earnestly.
"Okay, we understand, Uncle Zhang. We might be going down the mountain less often these days."
Before Lu Chuan could finish speaking, Uncle Zhang interrupted, "I understand. You two have a plan in mind. You're just going to stay in the mountains and live your own peaceful life. Try to stock up on some food first. The temperature is abnormal, so make plans as soon as possible."
"We'll come down the mountain more often when the drought situation improves."
“Okay, Uncle Zhang, we came down today to buy some everyday necessities. We’ll be leaving in a bit,” Lu Chuan said.
"Uncle Zhang, these are wild vegetables we just dug yesterday. Here's some fresh vegetables for you to enjoy." Xu Han handed the basket to Uncle Zhang.
"Oh my, I'm not going to refuse this. It's harder to get fresh wild vegetables these days than before."
In previous years, farmers would dig them up and sell them in the county town! This year, everyone's busy stocking up for themselves! Fewer people are coming out to buy wild vegetables.” Uncle Zhang chuckled as he accepted the gift.
Then Lu Chuan and Xu Han said goodbye. Before leaving, they bought some saltpeter so they could make some ice to cool off if the weather got hot later.
I won't go to Manxianglou today. There's nothing I want to buy, so I'd better go home early.
Before heading back, I detoured to a general store and bought some brown sugar and rock sugar. Luckily, there was no limit to the amount you could buy, but the price was a few coins more expensive than before.
On the way back, I saw many farmers planting crops in the fields on both sides of the official road.
Lu Chuan found a kind-looking old man and asked, "Uncle, what kind of thing is this?"
Seeing that it was a young man, the old man spoke frankly, "The weather has been bad this year, so the magistrate ordered the planting of some drought-resistant crops. I'm planting sorghum. Plant some in the empty spaces along the edges of the fields, and we'll be able to get some harvest eventually."
"Oh, I see! No wonder I've seen people busy in the fields all along the way."
"That's right! This year's harvest is bad. All the able-bodied people in the family are in the fields, while the women and children are running up the mountain to stock up on food while the wild vegetables are just coming out in spring. In case of any unexpected event, wild vegetables might be a lifesaver."
Even the three- or four-year-old toddlers were herded up the mountain.
"Is there really going to be a drought? I don't recall ever having one before," Lu Chuan asked, feigning ignorance.
“Young man, you are still young and haven’t experienced it. There was a major drought twenty years ago. Many people here fled here back then, and I was one of them.”
Because of past experiences, I quickly stock up on food just in case the weather changes even slightly. Of course, everyone hopes they'll never need it.
"Oh, I see! The younger generation is young and doesn't have any elders to help them, so they don't know the situation. Well then, I'll really get ready," Lu Chuan said.
Upon hearing this, the old man quickly added, "No wonder you asked that! It turns out there are no elders in the family to look after things! Generally, those who are a little older still remember the drought that year!"
During the drought that year, the weather was just as abnormal as this year—no rain and high temperatures. Anyone who has experienced it will start to make plans when they see this situation.
Young men, you should hurry and gather as much as you can while there's plenty of food on the mountain in spring! Even if you don't need it now, you can dry it as vegetables in winter, which is better than having nothing to eat later.”
“Okay, sir, we’ve got it. We’ll go home and get ready.”
After saying goodbye to the old man, Lu Chuan and Xu Han began their journey home.
Xu Han thought to herself, "I have to say that people in ancient times were quite sensitive to the weather. Unlike modern times, where agricultural technology is advanced, there are no large-scale droughts in ancient times."
In order for their children and grandchildren to survive, some elderly people are quite sensitive to the weather.
Moreover, they were much more calculating than modern people. They were farming families who relied on the weather for their livelihood, and they paid close attention to changes in the weather.
During the autumn harvest, if you're not careful, the mature crops in the field may get rained on, or drought may affect the crop yield.
Every year, we rely on the harvest from our small plot of land to make a living, so we have to be very careful with our money.
As a modern person, Xu Han truly admires these elderly people with rich life experience; they know far more than we imagine.
As the two walked home and traveled by boat, they suddenly noticed that people from the foot of the mountain had ventured deeper into the mountains than in previous years, and there were obvious signs of human activity.
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