Zhou Lin's face showed some shame:
"I... my wife's family has an uncle who does a little business in the county Town. I'll just go there to take shelter."
Qin Sang didn't force him. This was a voluntary matter anyway. Zhou Lin had been scared witless by the giant snake, and there was nothing she could do about it.
"I have no objection. However, when I saw Steward Huang last time, he said the county Town gates would be closed to outsiders. If you don't have very strong connections, I'm afraid you won't even be able to enter the city."
Zhou Lin's face turned pale repeatedly. He had been badly frightened yesterday and had traveled through the night; he looked quite distracted and lost:
"That... that's still better than going into the mountains. Maybe the Rebel Soldiers won't even come to a small place like ours."
Qin Sang stopped trying to persuade him. She saw Tian Dazhuang and several girls from the family standing at the door, looking out expectantly. Da Huang lunged in front of Eldest Girl, his tail wagging like a propeller. Eldest Girl couldn't wait and ran over on her short little legs:
"Grandma! Grandma is back!"
"Mother, Mother is back."
"Mother!"
Everyone came out to greet her. The rising and falling cries of 'Mother' eased Qin Sang's heart, which had been serious and tense for several days. A slight smile curved her lips:
"How is everything at home? Are the mosquito coils all ready?"
Eldest Brothers Wife nodded:
"They're ready and already loaded onto the cart. It's just that there are so many mosquito coils that there's no room for the herbs."
Qin Sang hadn't planned on selling herbs to Steward Huang this time anyway. Supplies would be scarce in the mountains, so she would sell the herbs to the Mall later to be prepared for any eventuality:
"It doesn't matter. Just put them in the cellar I had you prepare. Have the rewards for completing the goals been handed out?"
"They have."
Er Fu said:
"Mother, the clothes and shoes you ordered have also been delivered. But there are so many—fully forty or fifty sets. Do we have to take them all up the mountain?"
These couldn't be bought from the Mall, so Qin Sang definitely intended to take them:
"Third Brothers Wife, has the Small Cart your father was making been delivered?"
Third Brothers Wife nodded hurriedly:
"It's here, it's here. All ten Small Carts are in the courtyard."
Qin Sang nodded:
"That's good. Take all the clothes, bedding, food, and supplies. Pack up what can't be carried and tie it to the backs of the Horses and mules. Our family is large; with everyone carrying a bundle, we can haul quite a bit."
Everyone nodded in unison:
"Yes, Mother."
Qin Sang turned to look at Tian Yougen:
"Paternal uncle, time is short. My plan is to head into the mountains today. Everyone can set off first without waiting for me to return from Town."
I had my In-law make ten Wheelbarrows. I'll keep two for our own use, and I plan to give the other eight to the Village Chief to distribute. Families with many things or elderly members can have priority.
Especially Widow Xia's family; I plan to leave one for her."
Zhou Lin said:
"But I heard her family doesn't plan to go into the mountains. What's the use of leaving one for her?"
Qin Sang glanced at him and said:
"Maybe they're unwilling to go because they don't have the tools? I'll stop by her house to ask before I go to Town. Even if her family really doesn't go, I'll leave a Small Cart for her. In case the Rebel Soldiers really come, she won't be completely helpless."
Seeing Qin Sang's sincere expression, Zhou Lin opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately held back.
Tian Yougen felt that Qin Sang was even considering such matters for the villagers, and with such detail. He greatly admired her, so how could they refuse?
"Alright, I'll tell my father. I'll thank you on behalf of the villagers first."
Qin Sang waved her hand:
"We're all fellow villagers; I help where I can."
Er Fu, San Gui, Si Jin, help push the extra Wheelbarrows to Grandpa Village Chief's house. Da Zhuang and I are going to Town."
Hunter Xu was taken aback and asked:
"Da Zhuangs Mother, do you not want the villagers to escort you this time?"
Qin Sang thought for a moment and shook her head:
"No, everyone needs time to pack. Da Zhuang and I will go and come back quickly."
Don't worry, if we aren't back by noon, you all head into the mountains first. Don't wait for us.
Hunter Xu, you'll definitely need to lead the way into the mountains. My Third Brothers Wife is pregnant, so I hope you can look after her a bit."
Hunter Xu nodded solemnly:
"I will. Don't worry."
Having received his promise, Qin Sang felt relieved.
"Da Zhuang, let's go."
Qin Sang gave a shout, entered the courtyard, and hopped onto the carriage. Da Zhuang also hurriedly jumped onto the mule cart. Both were experienced now; as soon as they got on, they put on the masks Qin Sang had made to protect against the road dust.
Eldest Brothers Wife rushed into the kitchen, grabbing the dry rations and water she had prepared earlier and chasing after them to hand them over.
"Hurry and pack at home. If you don't see us by noon, follow the villagers into the mountains. Be good."
After giving her instructions, Qin Sang flicked the reins. The Horse seemed to sense her urgency and broke into a run.
Tian Dazhuang followed closely behind with the mule cart.
Before leaving the village, Qin Sang pulled the carriage to a stop at Widow Xia's house.
The courtyard gate was open. The blind Granny Xia was sitting at the entrance. Qin Sang called out:
"Granny, is Sister at home?"
Hearing the sound of the carriage, Widow Xia came out from the courtyard to greet her:
"Sister-In-law, do you need something from me?"
Qin Sang didn't waste words and asked directly:
"Do you not plan to go into the mountains?"
Widow Xia looked at her Mother-In-law beside her with some difficulty:
"Sister-In-law, we..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Widow Xia fell to her knees with a thud:
"Sister-In-law, can I beg a favor of you? Can you take my four children into the mountains? I am willing to serve you like an ox or a Horse in the next life, I only hope you can save them."
Qin Sang sighed inwardly. An old woman, four small children, and one disabled person—all of them were weighed down on this woman's shoulders. With the chaos of war coming, how could this woman bear it?
Before Qin Sang could help her up, Granny Xia beside her anxiously reached out and felt for her daughter-In-law:
"You go too. Didn't this old woman tell you? You follow them up the mountain too. How can the four little ones manage without you to care for them?"
Widow Xia's eyes were filled with tears:
"But Mother, you and Younger Brother-in-law..."
Granny Xia forced a smile:
"I'm already so old; I won't be a burden to the children. Your younger brother also told me last night that he won't be a burden to them either."
Besides, the Rebel Soldiers might not come. Maybe staying in the village with the second son will even save us some effort."
Qin Sang could see it. This whole family wanted to live and wanted to go up the mountain, but they felt they couldn't.
Qin Sang helped Granny Xia pull Widow Xia up:
"I've had the Village Chief leave a Wheelbarrow for you; see if you can use it. If you all go up the mountain, I'll have Er Fu support Granny, and I'll have Si Jin look after the little ones. The four children are about the same age as my Eldest Girl; it'll be good for the children to go into the mountains and play together."
Hearing this, Widow Xia wanted to kneel again in gratitude, but Qin Sang quickly stopped her:
"Don't. I still have to go to Town, so don't delay either. Go to the Village Chief's and bring the cart back, then hurry and pack."
Granny Xia repeatedly spoke words of thanks as she was supported by her daughter-In-law to see Qin Sang to the carriage. The carriage set off once more, more than three times faster than before.
After traveling for a while, Da Zhuang's shout came from behind:
"Mother, there are displaced people ahead. Be careful!"
Qin Sang saw them too. There was still one large bend before they would be level with the displaced people.
Hearing the sound of the carriage, those displaced people turned their heads one after another. Seeing a mule cart and a carriage both covered high with oilcloth and each driven by only one person, some people from afar gripped their shoulder poles or sticks and stared intently as they approached, looking as if they were eager to try something.
Qin Sang turned and shouted back:
"Da Zhuang, don't be afraid. Follow me closely. Don't stop!"