The men from Shan'ao Village arrived when it was completely dark.
Gao Dashan, leading the villagers through a shortcut, was also exhausted. Everyone was weary.
The women hurried to meet them, supporting their husbands as they went back to rest.
They were very diligent.
In the time it took, they had already prepared bedding for sleeping.
The more meticulous ones even set up coverings.
Using branches and large leaves, they could shield themselves from the night's cold wind.
He Shi had done just that. Her children, well-fed, were curled up asleep inside, their faces flushed and nestled close together.
This way, it was warmer.
She had ultimately brought the children onto the cart. To stay together as a family, they had to compromise with reality. The men struggled on the journey; how could the women and young children keep up?
Moreover, all the women and children in the village were willing to ride the cart. As a woman, she couldn't let her children hold them back. The other men wouldn't wait for her either.
In the end, she brought the children onto the cart and arrived here first.
Now that she saw her husband, her heart felt at ease.
Gao Dashan lifted the cloth curtain that served as a door and looked inside. Seeing the children sleeping soundly, he felt a little comforted. No matter how tired, it was worth it.
"Weren't we supposed to rest at the Chaobei Temple? Why is everyone resting outside?"
Gao Dashan lowered the curtain again and used a stone to weigh down a corner, blocking the wind.
He turned and asked.
He Shi dug out a sweet potato she had been warming by the fire in front of their makeshift shelter. Their grain was running low, and sweet potatoes were a rare delicacy.
Thinking her husband had a hard journey, she was willing to give him two to eat.
Hearing his question, she said softly, "You don't know, the people here are very fierce and wouldn't let us in. I suppose it makes sense; with things so chaotic now, who would dare let strangers onto their territory?"
Gao Dashan's feet were covered in blisters from the journey, but his constant alertness had kept him from noticing. Now, reunited with his family, he felt the pain as he relaxed.
He nodded upon hearing her words, fully understanding.
He Shi saw her husband frowning and worriedly asked. Upon learning his feet were in pain, she became anxious, "Quick, take off your shoes and socks so I can see. They must be blistered. They'll heal faster if they're lanced."
Then she worried again.
This was only the first day of their journey, and this had already happened. Who knew what lay ahead?
He Shi felt terribly distressed.
Gao Dashan, of course, didn't pretend to be tough. He readily took off his shoes and socks, letting his feet warm by the fire. "To be honest, I didn't feel much pain on the way. I just felt cold, colder and colder as we walked. My feet were almost numb."
He Shi didn't mind. She told her husband to eat something to fill his stomach first, while she got some warm water. There was no water source nearby, and the only one was at the temple, which they couldn't possibly get from others. They had to use the little water they had saved.
Seeing her about to fetch warm water to clean his feet, Gao Dashan immediately said in a low voice, "Don't waste water. We don't know when we'll be able to store more water again..."
He Shi replied, "Then you won't clean your feet? What if they rot and you can't walk?"
As she said this.
Gao Dashan dared not refute her.
He Shi then softened her tone, saying, "Will there be no water? Everyone needs water. They will definitely look for a water source. With so many people from the Cheng and Jin families, don't they need to drink? This isn't a severe drought; what are you afraid of?"
Gao Dashan then gave a sheepish laugh and obediently finished his dinner first. Seeing it was sweet potato, he had wanted to ask his wife why she didn't save it for the children and herself. This thing, with a hint of sweetness, was a rare delicacy.
But seeing her worried expression, he didn't dare to upset her further. He knew she cared about him.
However, Gao Dashan also realized a problem: this wouldn't work. They couldn't match the speed of horses relying on human power. Today, the Cheng and Jin families had traveled at a steady pace, and only by taking shortcuts had they barely kept up.
By the next day.
Their stamina wouldn't recover that quickly at all; they definitely wouldn't be able to keep up.
He worried.
But abandoning the Cheng family's convoy meant a loss for the people of Shan'ao Village.
"How about we talk to the Cheng family tomorrow and see if they can take more of our people on their supply carts? You see, they have one or two people driving the carts at the back. We could offer some salt to get a ride?"
Gao Dashan said this, having observed that although the Cheng family's supply carts had a lot of goods, they could still fit some people by squeezing. At least, it would allow them to rest in shifts and keep up with their speed.
He Shi wholeheartedly agreed. Every household had plenty of salt, and carrying it was heavy. It would be better to use it for a ride and save their lives first.
If this continued.
People would simply be worked to death.
As for the later stages.
They could find food through other means; they wouldn't truly starve.
Gao Dashan then began to ponder.
Steward Du and Steward Ji did come to offer their condolences later.
This was quite good.
Gao Dashan planned to think it over and talk to them tomorrow morning.
The Jin family's convoy was already full.
It was a great relief that the women, children, and some luggage could be accommodated on the carts.
The remaining men needed a solution.
The people of Shan'ao Village managed their own dinners and were all taken care of.
They didn't cause any trouble for the Cheng and Jin families.
During their rest, the people from the three groups were not too far apart and could look out for each other.
The Jin family also had hot food, and everyone was satisfied.
Only a few scattered individuals lamented the wasted opportunity of not being able to eat the meat of that sick horse.
"If we could eat it, it would be enough for us to eat for quite some time!"
"Alas, what a pity. Life is truly bitter now. In the past, we could eat meat every few days. Now, not even a shred of meat can be seen!"
"The Cheng family next door seems to be stewing meat? I can smell the aroma."
"Yes, yes, I can smell it too. It smells so good. This gruel I'm eating has no flavor. It would be so satisfying to eat meat soup on this cold day!"
This remark resonated with other servants. Several people gathered together, drinking their gruel.
They talked and envied.
"I heard the Cheng family can eat meat, thanks to their newly married young madam? Can such a delicate young girl hunt? Is it true?"
"Hey, who knows? But that's what I heard. They are all praising the new bride there. A hunting bride, this is the first time I've heard of it."
"Whether she's rare or not, it's good to have meat! If our convoy had such a capable person, we could eat meat and meat soup every meal and wouldn't have to eat this bland gruel."
Despite their complaints, this servant honestly took a big gulp.
So did the others.
Once they finished eating, their tongues started wagging.
As they talked.
They circled back to the matter of the horse, missing the opportunity to eat it greatly.
They all said it was a waste to throw it away.
It would have been better to die with a full stomach.
But soon, Steward Du, who was passing by, overheard them and reprimanded them a few times before they stopped. He was afraid that if it stirred up the cravings of some people, they might do something harmful to the convoy if they got agitated. Therefore, it had to be strictly forbidden!
Others naturally did not dare to speak carelessly again.