Shen Xi's question, "Guess what?", stunned Leng Aofu.
Looking at Shenxi's confident demeanor, she guessed that Shenxi had a way to save herself.
What methods can be used to save oneself?
Shenxi laughed and said, "There was once a book that said you could make activated charcoal from charred wood to absorb toxic gases. The smoke and toxic gases in the forest are the root cause of why we can't get out."
"There's such activated carbon?" Leng Aofu had never heard of it in all her travels.
Chenxi nodded.
"As for the underground heat, I think we should wait another day. It will dissipate a lot, especially since it's late autumn and there's dew at night. We can just head north. The journey is shorter and there are fewer and fewer trees. We can clear the ground or put a stone or soil under our feet every other step."
"It will just require you all to endure hunger for another day. Although you can bear it, you will certainly suffer."
Zheng Ankang replied resolutely, "I am not afraid of suffering."
Village chief Lu Zhuang also said, "We are not afraid of suffering."
Although I feel really uncomfortable right now, I'm both thirsty and hungry.
But if we can escape, what do these sins matter? Just over two months ago, we were often starving.
In the past two years, fewer children have been born in the village. Only two families had children, and those were born two years ago.
In the past two years, even those that were born have all died.
They simply cannot survive, and are even stillborn.
Who would dare to have a child during a famine? Wouldn't they risk their lives?
It was only after Shenxi came to power that people had enough to eat.
The villagers not only did not resent Chenxi at this time, but on the contrary, they were all sincerely convinced that whatever the leader did, he had a reason.
Shenxi couldn't help but sigh. Was there really not enough food in this era?
Even if it's a natural disaster, it's the drought in the north that's worse this year. In the south, apart from a few prefectures that have experienced floods this year, other places have been enjoying bumper harvests.
The new rice varieties, in particular, have greatly increased rice production.
But why do ordinary people in the south also face similar difficulties in their lives?
It's nothing more than man-made disaster.
Man-made disasters are the amplifiers of natural disasters; without man-made disasters, many natural disasters could be overcome.
The grain supply in the north is not insufficient; in previous years, there have been bumper harvests, but the people still lacked food.
No matter how bountiful the harvest, the people had no grain reserves.
In good years, a family can work hard and have enough to eat, but in bad years they go hungry. In this year's severe drought, people have almost nothing to eat and have become refugees.
In addition, the princes have grown up and started fighting among themselves. There are forces belonging to the princes in various places, and they secretly exploit the people. In addition, the major aristocratic families take the opportunity to annex land and keep slaves and guards.
The Emperor intends to suppress the powerful clans and royal families, but unfortunately, suppressing one only leads to the rise of one or more others. Killing a prince might result in the sphere of influence being divided up by the powerful clans or princes.
Every time unrest is quelled, it requires soldiers, provisions, and money, and it is always the ordinary people who foot the bill.
Quantitative changes have led to qualitative changes, and now uprisings and unrest are breaking out everywhere.
The imperial court was too busy to deal with its own problems and was utterly powerless to suppress various uprisings and unrest.
Chenxi looked up at the top of the cliff. There was still a lot of smoke, but the temperature at the bottom of the cliff had obviously dropped a lot compared to before.
The sky gradually darkened again.
Zheng Hongfang's calls, made every ten minutes or so, brought a sense of peace to the people in the basin.
The subsequent arrival of villagers and militia from other areas made clearing the road much easier.
After all, they were all carrying fire extinguishers.
Han Rang was busy for a moment, and the iron shovel in his hand was almost flying.
Because Dou Yong instructed his soldiers to water the road first and then clean it, there was no possibility of the fire reigniting.
And as time went on, the number of smoking trees decreased. Although smoke still lingered in the forest, the smoke below had indeed decreased.
The road was not officially opened until midnight.
It leads to the top of the cliff.
Zheng Hongfang shouted, "Commander, how are you?"
Chenxi had everyone shout together, "It's okay."
The echoing words, "It's alright," completely put Zheng Hongfang at ease.
Zheng Hongfang shouted, "Quickly, lower the rope!"
Although the cliff was also burned, it was not as scorching as the forest above because it only had vines and a few trees, and no thick layer of fallen leaves.
There's no need to worry about it reigniting.
Shenxi was pushed by the crowd to go up first.
Shenxi didn't stand on ceremony and grabbed the rope directly. Although she was too hungry to climb, she didn't need to do it herself.
She tied the rope around her waist, and someone above would pull her up.
Chenxi arrived at the top of the cliff first.
Just as I reached the top of the cliff, I was suddenly embraced by someone.
"Commander, you scared me to death."
Upon hearing the voice, Chenxi knew who it was.
"Xiuyan, I'm fine." Shenxi gently patted Xing Xiuyan's back to comfort her.
Xing Xiuyan still wouldn't let go of Chenxi, sobbing, "Commander, you must take Xiuyan with you when you go out in the future."
Helpless, Shenxi could only nod and comfort her: "Okay, I'll take you with me from now on. Alright, there are so many people here."
Han Rang felt a pang of jealousy, wishing he were a woman too, so he could share his worries with the leader like Miss Xing.
Seeing Xing Xiuyan's emotions so open, Zheng Hongfang couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart. She was a girl of deep affection and kindness.
Dou Yong then took out water and food and handed them over: "Commander, have some first."
Xing Xiuyan then remembered that Shen Xi had been hungry for more than two days.
They immediately took the food and water.
Shenxi had been holding back, but now that she saw food and water, she certainly wouldn't be polite.
He first took a few sips of water.
She felt alive again as soon as the cool water entered her throat.
My throat is already dry and sore. If I don't drink water soon, I probably won't be able to speak for several days.
I ate something after I had replenished my fluids.
Sure enough, my throat hurt a little when I swallowed the food.
When everyone comes up, they first drink water before taking a bite of food.
Before everyone could come up, Zheng Hongfang saw that Shen Xi had finished eating and drinking and suggested, "Chief, let us escort you away first, and you can rest when we reach Luzhuangzi."
After all, there aren't enough special masks for everyone.
They can only leave in batches.
"Okay, remember, don't lose a single person."
"Don't worry, sir, I will personally guard this place."
Zheng Hongfang assured that the guards who came up, along with Han Rang and others, would escort Shen Xi away from here.
Chenxi has many things to deal with and cannot wait here.
When everyone returned to Lu Village, Xing Xiuyan personally fetched water and had Chenxi clean it up.
She brought Shenxi another bowl of porridge, knowing that the commander hadn't eaten enough. Judging from the way Shenxi ate the pancakes, his throat must be sore.
This is the perfect time to drink porridge.
Han Rang tidied himself up, walked in, bowed, and said, "Commander, I have something to report."
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