Seeing he remained silent, Zhao Jiaqi continued her persuasion, "While waiting for you, I'll cultivate high-yield crops. This land here is too barren, and after the war, it's even more desolate. If we can grow high-yield grains, perhaps those who left will return to live here, as it is their homeland."
The deep longing for home, the land one cannot bear to leave!
Upon hearing that it would benefit the farmers, Fan Zehao no longer hesitated, "Even if you want to leave, I won't be at ease. However, you saying you'll live in the countryside, where it's relatively peaceful, that might work. But you'll need to be careful. I'll send some of my injured soldiers, those who can no longer fight on the battlefield, to follow you for protection."
She smiled and shook her head, directly refusing the kind offer, "I am not the general's wife now, just a woman who fled to the countryside. This identity will arouse the least suspicion. If you send those men, it will be obvious I am no ordinary person, wouldn't that draw more attention!"
After much back and forth, Fan Zehao couldn't dissuade her and had to let her go.
He escorted her to a nearby town and could only watch from horseback as she rode away, his heart feeling rather unsettled.
Mother and daughter asked for directions all the way until they found a small village, surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one. It was mid-April, and the mountains were lush and green; the environment was quite beautiful.
Moreover, many people had remained in this village, about fifty households. The village chief was tall and thin, with bulging eyes and very high cheekbones. His cheeks were so gaunt they had no flesh, a true description of skin and bones. He looked about forty years old.
"Uncle, we are refugees who have fled here. We are a widowed mother and child, with nowhere else to go. We wish to settle in this village. They said you are the village chief, so I've come to ask if it's alright."
The delicate and weak persona of Fan Jiaqi was a masterful Oscar-worthy performance. She had onions hidden in her sleeves, placed them under her eyes when pretending to cry, and then secretly pinched her finger to make it bleed. The stimulation was intense.
At this point, she didn't need to pretend anymore; the tears were unstoppable.
Seeing her mother weeping profusely, Jun Jun was reminded of her own mother and her wet nurse who had died on the road. She too began to cry.
He originally intended to scold her for calling him "Uncle" at his age, but seeing her pitiful state, he swallowed the words he was about to say.
"Fine, stop crying. Our village is very poor, and we only have the old and the young left. Those who are capable have all run away. If you want to stay, then find an empty house and live there."
The village chief led them into the village, introducing them as they walked, "My name is Wei Damao. Our town is called Linyan Town, and our village is Xikou Village. It's the village furthest from the town. The villagers are very honest and kind. You can rest assured living here... Alright, alright, stop crying. I haven't bullied you."
All the way, the woman's tears hadn't stopped. When he reached the end of his speech, he couldn't bear it any longer and impatiently said to her.
Zhao Jiaqi also wanted to stop crying, but her eyes wouldn't allow it!
She had pinched too hard earlier, overdone it.
Sniffling and wiping her tears, she nodded, "Yes, yes, I won't cry anymore. It's probably... too sad, I can't stop!"
Wei Damao: ...
Could it be that her entire family had died? Leaving only her and the child?
Thinking of this, he felt pity for Zhao Jiaqi. He picked up Jun Jun and truly acted the good Samaritan, taking the mother and daughter to a household.
Wei Damao introduced the family, "This family is all gone, so you can live here. We'll talk about official registration later. Right now, the town magistrate and the county official are busy sorting things out and don't have time for this!"
After putting down the child, he pointed to the small courtyard next door, "That's my house. If you need any help, just shout. When you sleep at night, remember to bolt the door!"
It was not easy for a young widow with a child. She shouldn't be bullied at night.
In these times of war and chaos, countless wives had lost their husbands, and homes were in need of people!
By housing them next door, he could also look after them.
Zhao Jiaqi nodded slightly. The man opposite her was also someone with a cold exterior but a warm heart. He looked ill-tempered, but in reality, he was quite kind.
"Thank you, Village Chief. Thank you so much. Um... I have one more small request!"
Since she was asking for one thing, she might as well ask for more.
The village chief frowned and asked, "We are all villagers now, no need to talk about requests. If I can do it, I will certainly help you!"
These words were like a reassurance to her, and she smiled, "I want to buy an acre of land to farm, preferably fertile land. I wonder if anyone here is selling?"
Wei Damao raised an eyebrow. Had this young wife gone mad? What fertile land was there here? Wasn't all the land like this!
That's right, how could an outsider know the poverty of this region.
He waved his hand, "Why buy? I'll give you an acre. Plant whatever you like. Let me tell you beforehand, even if you tend this land diligently, it won't yield much grain. Don't waste your effort. It's better to go up the mountain to pick some wood ear or white fungus to sell!"
Zhao Jiaqi: ...
It seemed it was even poorer than she had imagined.
If these farmers didn't farm and relied solely on things from the mountain, how could they afford a year's expenses for a family, let alone save anything.
She just nodded and didn't say anything. Regardless of what the village chief said, she had to see the land. Whether it could grow grain would be known after her assessment.
After Wei Damao finished speaking, he left. Zhao Jiaqi, leading the child, rolled up her sleeves and started cleaning. She took apart the quilt and washed it. After tidying up everything inside and out, it was unknowingly dark.
The two of them rummaged through the kitchen and found some withered potatoes, which they roasted and ate. Jun Jun was also well-behaved, eating whatever was given, not picky.
That night, mother and daughter bolted the door and used a table to further secure it, creating a secondary defense.
During the night, Zhao Jiaqi tossed and turned, her mind filled with many thoughts, only falling into a deep sleep in the latter half of the night.
The next morning, upon opening the door, she found a basket of sweet potatoes placed at the entrance. They were small but much better than the potatoes they had eaten last night.
Zhao Jiaqi's mind subtly shifted, she knew it was from the village chief next door, as if he was afraid they wouldn't be able to find food when they first arrived.
"Jun Jun, we'll eat roasted sweet potatoes today. Later, let's go up the mountain to find some food and enjoy the scenery!"
Upon seeing the items, Jun Jun pinched her nose and ran away. With a pained expression, she pointed at the thin, long things on the ground and said, "Mom, if we eat too much of this, even our farts will smell bad!"
Fan Jiaqi chuckled. It seemed this child had eaten a lot and experienced this during the famine. She waved at Jun Jun, "If you don't eat, you'll starve. Do you want to starve to death or hold in a few stinky farts!"
Ren Yingjun wrinkled her nose in disgust, touching her stomach. She still shuffled closer, "I'll endure it. At most, I'll run far away when I fart!"
She was not old, but her skin was quite thin!