Chapter 123: Chapter 123: A Bit Overwhelmed

Yi Meng had been worried about this problem for the past few days. When she saw Qi Quanjin coming to discuss it with her, she too was at a loss: “The nearby forests have been traversed by us, and there’s no way to use the previous method to make a water pit.”

Qi Quanjin irritably scratched his head: “Then let’s wait until we set off tomorrow to talk about it! Wife, let’s rest early.”

The couple didn’t come to any conclusion after discussing, and when they lay down, their faces still showed worry.

But no matter what, as soon as it was light the next day, this convoy of five horse-drawn carriages still set off.

The carriage in the middle had a rather simple canopy, while the other four were all open-top.

Chestnuts, jerky, and grains were laid at the bottom of the carts, with various household items piled on top.

When pushing the carts, the items seemed plenty, but when placed on the horse-drawn carriages, it didn’t appear to be that much after all.

The sides of the carts could be lowered.

At this time, two cart boards had been let down, allowing the elderly and women to sit on them. Though not as comfortable as inside the carriage, they could stretch their legs a bit.

Qi Quanjin continued to lead the group at the front, determining the route and checking road conditions.

They walked on for more than half a day.

As the sun tilted west, the convoy stopped to rest in a relatively flat area.

The nearest forest was a straight hundred or so meters away.

No one really wanted to get close to the forest, fearing that the wolves might come charging at night, craving water to drink.

Now the people needed water to drink, and there were five horses requiring water too. With the remaining water, by tomorrow night, it might not be enough.

So, everyone’s mood was not too good at this moment, if not sighing, they were still feeling about the same.

Yi Meng quietly tugged at Qi Quanjin’s clothes; he understood and immediately said, “My wife and I will check around nearby. You all tidy up first!”

After saying this, they didn’t even take a water bucket, just each took an axe and walked toward the distant forest.

“What are you going to do in the forest at this time?”

Someone asked.

Someone immediately replied, “Why ask, the couple of Old Four is capable, they’re certainly not going off recklessly.”

Everyone heard this and thought it was reasonable.

After entering the forest and walking a dozen or so meters, the two stopped and started digging soil at the edge below a rock.

With the rock there, the soil absorbed water more slowly.

“Brother Jin, do you think the wolf pack will appear again?”

While digging, Yi Meng chatted with Qi Quanjin.

Qi Quanjin paused his digging, somewhat uncertain, said, “I, I suppose not?”

“I feel like they might still follow us.”

Yi Meng, on the other hand, thought that the wolfs might not easily give up.

Qi Quanjin continued digging: “If they want to follow, let them follow. I’ll dig a trough aside; if they really come, let them drink water there.”

Yi Meng didn’t object.

The Space Spring Water had accumulated quite a bit over these days, and after digging a pit more than half a meter deep, the two quickly filled it up with water together.

Water was also added to the trough, though when it would be completely absorbed was uncertain.

By this time, the sky hadn’t darkened yet, and the afterglow of the sunset coated the world in a layer of gold.

The couple, dragging their fatigued bodies, walked out of the forest towards the group in the distance.

Everyone, seeing the two finally returned, collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

As soon as Qi Quanjin reached them, his mother called out: “Old Four, where have you two been? You’ve been in the forest so long, what if something dangerous had happened?”

The other wives also nodded repeatedly, eyes full of worry and fear.

Qi Quanjin and Yi Meng felt warm inside and very embarrassed.

However, the couple had already thought of a strategy before they came back.

Qi Quanjin quickly said, “We went up the mountain to look for water.”

“What? You went to find water? Then why didn’t you call a few more people!”

Mrs. Qi not only wasn’t happy, but even angrier: “Just look at how big-hearted you two are, what if something had happened…”

Saying this, her eyes reddened.

Yi Meng quickly stepped forward to assist her mother-in-law: “Mother, don’t worry. We didn’t go deep into the mountain, just wandered nearby. We were quite lucky to find a water pit, though it’s not very deep nor large, and there’s not much water left in it. So, we hurried back to get everyone to fetch water.”

Hearing water had been found, everyone’s eyes lit up.

“Old Four’s wife, you really found water? Oh, this is fantastic!”

“Is the water far from us? Is there still time to go now?”

They all buzzed with questions about the water.

Mr. Zhou Sr. was nearby, and upon hearing the news, came over quickly. When he heard water had been found, he immediately called out: “Why are you all standing around? Hurry and arrange people to fetch water!”

With Mr. Zhou Sr.’s reminder, everyone realized they were too busy talking and had forgotten to do the proper task.

Qi Quanjin led the way, and Yi Meng followed for another round trip.

She feared that if the soil absorbed water too quickly, at least she could secretly add more.

Not sure if the leaves lined with stones in the pit could slow down the water reduction, in any case, following seemed more assured.

Now, a dozen or so people went with them.

At the campsite, besides the elderly and children, only four men and two women were left to guard.

Though they had horse-drawn carriages, not all the handcarts were dismantled, keeping two to handle emergencies.

At this point, the handcarts carried four large water jars, and the men and women going along either carried a shoulder pole or backed baskets, which had jars and pots inside.

Seeing this setup, Yi Meng secretly exhaled in relief.

Luckily she came along; otherwise, the little water in the pit couldn’t fill so many containers.

Upon entering the forest, the light suddenly dimmed a lot.

Qi Quanjin had them light small torches for the path.

They dared not have large torches.

There were trees and grass everywhere, and a slight mishap could cause a forest fire.

They all were extremely cautious.

Just within a single round trip, half the water in the pit was already gone.

Yi Meng’s heart tightened, and she hurried forward, using the excuse of helping to draw water to sneak more water into the pit.

Watching each container getting filled, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but Yi Meng felt faint.

A day of traveling, digging a pit on the mountain, and secretly adding water just now, all while fearing people might notice, drained her tremendously, making her body hard to bear.

Qi Quanjin called everyone to descend, only then noticing his wife sitting still by the water pit, he hurried forward.

Seeing her face pale, Qi Quanjin was frightened: “Wife, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing, just a bit hungry.”

Yi Meng, not wanting him to worry, smiled: “I’ll rest a bit. Let everyone go back first; you stay with me for a bit.”

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