The courtyard gate of Osmanthus's house was pushed open impatiently. Eldest Girl was the first to run out, followed by Si Jin pulling Er Fu, with the two daughters-in-law walking at the very back.
Si Jin pulled her sister over to Qin Sang's side:
"Mother, Sister is here."
Qin Sang showed everyone the divorce papers that had already been signed with a thumbprint:
"My Er Fu has already divorced Butcher Hu. Butcher Hu has already signed it. Butcher Hu, do you have any objections?"
Butcher Hu was covered in dust and the stench of urine. Slumped on the ground like a dead dog, he didn't dare to go back on his word:
"I... have no... objections."
Qin Sang said loudly:
"Fellow neighbors of Tianjia Village, you are all witnesses today. From now on, my Er Fu has no further involvement with Butcher Hu. If this Butcher Hu ever comes to cause trouble again, I will report it directly to the officials for his arrest.
Butcher Hu, did you hear me?"
Butcher Hu was unwilling but powerless to change the situation. The bones in his body felt as if they had been beaten soft, and all his strength had dissipated. Most importantly, he had no idea what kind of underhanded, sinister methods Widow Tian had used; it was simply terrifying.
He couldn't even hear her move. It felt like nothing at first, yet it made him wish he were dead.
"I... I heard you."
Having received a satisfactory answer, Qin Sang finally handed the divorce papers to Tian Erfu:
"Er Fu, you don't have to be afraid of him taking you away anymore. Keep this safe. Mother will always be your support from now on."
These words were spoken calmly and decisively, giving Tian Erfu a sense of security she had never felt before.
Taking the papers from her mother with both hands, Tian Erfu's tears flowed like a spring. She hugged Si Jin and began to cry tears of joy.
Qin Sang turned to look at Butcher Hu and spoke coldly:
"Today, for the sake of my Er Fu returning in one piece, I'll spare your life.
If you dare to cause trouble again, I will take your life.
If you don't believe me, you can try it again."
Butcher Hu shuddered instinctively. Under the bright sun, he only felt cold.
He believed Widow Tian's words; she really could take his life.
As a man, he could even feel that this woman wanted to kill him right at this moment.
The instinct for survival made Butcher Hu kneel before Qin Sang, prostrating himself:
"I... I won't anymore..."
Qin Sang felt that today's lesson should be enough. Butcher Hu might not fear knives or axes, but an invisible electric current was something unpredictable and uncontrollable for him.
The unknown was the most terrifying thing.
Of course, what Qin Sang said was also true.
If he dared to come again, she really would take his life.
"Scram."
Upon hearing this, Butcher Hu didn't even dare to retrieve the butcher knife stuck in the earthen wall. He scrambled away, stumbling every three steps.
Watching his retreating figure, the people of Tianjia Village thought he looked as pathetic as could be.
Their admiration for Qin Sang couldn't help
but reach a new height.
"You're amazing, Da Zhuang's Mother."
"Da Zhuang's Mother, what method did you use? This Butcher Hu used to kill pigs without blinking, yet this is the first time I've seen him wet his pants in fear."
Qin Sang smiled and said:
"It's nothing. Back then, seeing that I was often a woman alone at home, my Chang He taught me a few life-saving tricks. They just happened to come in handy."
Seeing that everyone was still curious, Qin Sang cupped her hands to the surroundings and said loudly:
"I must also thank everyone today for helping my family stop Butcher Hu from making trouble. If not for you neighbors, Butcher Hu would surely have kicked the door down. Thank you."
Everyone waved their hands. In truth, they were only there to put on a show of strength; none had dared to step forward and shout at him. After all, Butcher Hu was holding a knife, and no one wanted to actually bring trouble upon themselves.
"Not at all, it's only right, only right."
Qin Sang then continued:
"Since everyone is here, I'm planning to ask the villagers to help my family rush the production of mosquito coils. One day's work for five catties of flour and two catties of water. I wonder if everyone is willing."
Bringing this up now was partly because everyone was already there, saving time, and partly because Qin Sang wanted to shift their attention so they wouldn't all be curious about how she had thrashed Butcher Hu like that.
Sure enough, upon hearing this news, everyone was incredibly excited and immediately put the matter of Butcher Hu to the back of their minds:
"Da Zhuang's Mother, I'll do it! With such a good deal, only a fool wouldn't do it."
"Right, right, Da Zhuang's Mother, how many people can one family send? My family has five laborers; can they all come?"
"Is there really water? Da Zhuang's Mother, we're all from the same village, you can't lie to us."
Qin Sang explained further:
"It's naturally true. We can start this afternoon. After you go back and eat something, regardless of age or gender, you can all come over to take on work."
Some said they could skip the meal, but Qin Sang smiled and said that without food, they wouldn't have the strength to work. Immediately, someone agreed, fearing that Qin Sang wouldn't give them work if they didn't eat lunch.
Seeing everyone leave quickly, Qin Sang was finally satisfied.
After a while, only the Village Chief, Tian Yougen, and Hunter Xu and his son remained.
Tian Yougen walked over, supporting the Village Chief's father:
"I just told my father about the possibility of Rebel Soldiers."
Qin Sang nodded and walked over, looking at the Village Chief:
"Village Chief, the news is definitely true. Families in Town with news and connections have already closed their doors to hide. Our village cannot just sit and wait for death."
The Village Chief leaned on his cane, his face full of worry:
"Do we really have to hide in the great mountains? In previous years, going into the mountains was fine; even if it was just picking fruit or eating leaves, we could barely survive.
But look at it now..." The Village Chief looked up toward the back mountain, his eyes sorrowful:
"The locusts have passed through; there aren't even any leaves to eat."
Hunter Xu spoke up:
"There is still game in the mountains. Perhaps we can also find water sources. Even without leaves, grass roots can fill the stomach. Though life will be hard, it's better than being slaughtered once the Rebel Soldiers arrive."
Qin Sang nodded:
"The village is full of farming folk with no power to resist. Rebel Soldiers burn, kill, and pillage. If we are swept up by them, we'll be forced to kill and pillage as well. Then, once the Government Soldiers arrive, we'll be cut down all the same.
Hiding in the mountains is just a temporary measure. As soon as the chaos is settled, we can come down and return home."
In ancient times, hiding in the deep mountains during times of unrest was a helpless but common move. Some people even hid in the mountains to be self-sufficient, avoiding taxes and oppression, living their own lives regardless of the turmoil outside or what year it was.
"During these three days, I will also try my best to ask Steward Huang to sell me more grain. The Village Chief can notify the villagers: those willing to go up the mountain with me should prepare well during these three days. For those who aren't, I won't force them.
With the grain exchanged over these three days, everyone can last for a while no matter where they go."
After hearing Qin Sang's words, the Village Chief made a decision:
"Da Zhuang's Mother, You Gen said that quite a few people already know about the Rebel Soldiers. In a moment, I'll have You Gen, You Di, and You Cai go door-to-door to notify everyone. Tonight, I'll ask them which families are willing to enter the mountains together."
Qin Sang had no objections. According to her own thoughts, even if her family settled in the mountains alone, they wouldn't have to worry. It would be more troublesome for the villagers to go together, but it would provide an extra layer of security.
Furthermore, if the villagers went together, they could continue digging for medicinal herbs so they wouldn't just sit around and use up their resources.
Tian Yougen supported the Village Chief as they hurried home. Qin Sang also had many things to arrange. She turned to Hunter Xu and his son and asked:
"Hunter Xu, can I ask you to take me and San Gui into the mountains tomorrow?"