The Cheng family's caravan had begun preparing for their meal. The logging progress was good, and they expected to finish by tomorrow, allowing them to build a wooden beam for the carriages to cross the river.
The delicious food was a fitting way to celebrate.
Everyone received a large bowl of wild mushroom and vegetable soup. It was so flavorful that even the mixed-in wild vegetables tasted much better, leaving everyone feeling full and satisfied.
Su Miaomiao and Cheng Hao had initially planned to omit the wild vegetables, but Cai shi and Xi shi vouched for the richness of the oil, the savory sauce, and the abundance of mushrooms. They assured them that even with a lot of wild vegetables added, the stew would still be fragrant.
Their assurance proved to be true.
The young couple, it turned out, didn't have as much practical knowledge as the more experienced elders.
Fortunately, neither of them was stubborn and readily accepted the suggestion.
At this moment,
Everyone ate until their stomachs were round, feeling immensely content.
They ate with gusto.
Although flatbreads were distributed according to portions, a large bowl of mushroom soup was enough to make one feel stuffed. For those who wanted more, refills were plentiful.
Xiao Wuzi, Xiao Liuzi, and Lai Fu and Jia Wang, the young boys, were the biggest eaters.
However, they had also worked diligently.
Their hands were nearly raw, yet they didn't utter a single complaint.
They all worked with great effort.
Uncle Ji, feeling for the children, gave each of them generous portions. While there wasn't an abundance of meat, everyone received a few pieces.
Furthermore,
The mushrooms and wild vegetables this time were even tastier than the meat. Although the wild rabbit and bamboo rat meat were chewable, they weren't tender, and the texture was rather tough.
Still, since they hadn't eaten much meat recently, everyone cherished it and ate it all.
Everyone was in high spirits,
Eagerly anticipating finishing the logging quickly tomorrow and crossing the river.
Steward Du arrived just as Uncle Ji was about to eat. He always ate last. Upon seeing his old friend, he called out, "How is it, have you eaten? If not, it's perfect, I'll spare you half a bowl, and you can have this half piece of flatbread."
As he spoke, he was about to share his own food with his friend.
Steward Du swallowed, but ultimately didn't accept, "You eat, you eat. I imagine they'll be starting to eat soon too, it's not urgent. I'm not that hungry yet."
Though his stomach rumbled loudly, he still didn't take his old friend's share of food.
It hadn't come to that.
People had their own difficulties.
Upon hearing that the Jin family's caravan was also preparing to cook, Uncle Ji finally started eating and asked, "Why have you come to see me? Is there something you need?"
Seeing his expression, he knew he must be seeking help.
Steward Du's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression urgent, yet he controlled himself and remained silent, unsure how to begin. Only when Uncle Ji spoke did he follow along, asking, "How did you know? Ah, never mind, nothing can escape your sharp eyes. I've come to ask you about something."
He then recounted the incident of the Jin family's caravan horses dying to Uncle Ji. "Tell me, what do you think? These horses were indeed worked hard, but they were fine before. I hadn't been watching for long when they suddenly collapsed and started twitching?"
Although Steward Du wasn't skilled in horse care, after some thought, he became quite alarmed. If his suspicion was correct, then the horse plague he initially feared was a minor issue. This was someone poisoning the horses to eat them!
He nervously glanced around before speaking to Uncle Ji again, "You tell me, are they killing the horses now, and will they be killing us later?"
Hearing this, Steward Du shuddered. During past wars, he had heard of places that, facing forced grain requisitions and famine, resorted to cannibalism. He had only heard of it, never encountered it.
With such an incident suddenly occurring in the caravan, he was terrified.
Uncle Ji felt a chill down his spine after listening. He couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you check how the horses died? You must determine the cause..."
Steward Du replied with a crestfallen face, "There used to be a dedicated horse caretaker. Later, this person fell ill and was abandoned in the mountains by the master. I don't know if the horses died of illness or were harmed by something..."
He admitted he didn't understand either.
Uncle Ji also found the matter troublesome but advised, "Don't blame me for not reminding you. We've known each other for over ten years, and I must advise you to be cautious. If your master is muddled, you have to be the one to guide him. We who follow our masters can't prosper if they don't, unless we can escape our status as servants."
Otherwise,
Without household registration, you'd be scrutinized everywhere. Even though things are chaotic now, if a slightly stronger city were to offer refuge later, you likely wouldn't be allowed in without registration, unless all household registrations were invalidated at that time.
But how chaotic would it have to be?
Uncle Ji didn't dare to imagine.
Steward Du was simply getting a headache. He pleaded in distress, "This is the second reason I've come to find you. I want you to give me some advice on how to make the master willing to listen to our counsel, and how to manage the subordinates..."
In his younger days, he had indeed been a personal servant to the Jin family master. However, as he aged, he became more of a steward. He couldn't manage the master's affairs, especially since the Jin family master's temper had become increasingly volatile, and he wouldn't listen to Steward Du.
Over time,
Steward Du contented himself with doing his assigned duties and completely ignored other matters.
Now, he couldn't afford to ignore them.
Uncle Ji had some experience in this regard and shared it all with him, adding, "In short, you must be reasonable. With reason, you can't be wrong. You need to make him believe you, feel that what you say is sound and reliable. Then, for any major issues in the future, he will be willing to listen to your words."
He also stated that in the current situation, they should inform the Jin master directly and let him know about the frightening matter that Steward Du himself was worried about. However, this shouldn't be stated directly but guided so that the master would draw the conclusion himself.
This way, it would shock him severely and force him to take it seriously.
Furthermore,
They needed to ascertain how the horses died and whether the meat was edible.
If it was edible,
They could then consider whether to eat it.
If they were unsure,
It was best not to eat it; contracting an illness could truly cost them their lives.
Uncle Ji said all he could. He had also finished his lunch. After a large bowl of fragrant soup, the old man could be content for half the day.
Su Miaomiao was indeed right; this meal had successfully soothed everyone.
Everyone could find a sliver of comfort from their taste buds amidst the tense escape. After eating their fill and resting for a while, they would have to get back to work.
Uncle Ji announced he had to leave and told Steward Du to ponder things himself.
Before he could leave,
Gao Dashan, seeing an opportunity, approached. He first nodded to Uncle Ji in greeting and then directly addressed Steward Du, "You are the Jin family's steward? May I speak with you privately? I have something to discuss."
Steward Du was a bit surprised that a seemingly inconspicuous team tucked away in a corner would approach him. He nodded and replied, "I am."