Chapter 67: Chapter 67: What to Do When There’s No Water?

Suppressing his doubts, Qi Quanjin advised, “We can worry about the water later. For now, we must leave; otherwise, if a fight breaks out, our village might not benefit at all.”

Though Yongping Village had many men, they were constantly on the move, and each individual’s physical condition certainly couldn’t compare to those who stayed in the village.

So if a fight did occur, it would only be these outsiders who suffer.

The village chief obviously understood this, nodding immediately, “Water flows downward; let’s circle around to lower ground outside the village, and we might find a water source.”

“No, we should head toward the mountain.”

Qi Quanjin rejected the village chief’s plan, “The possibility of finding a water source in lower ground is indeed great, but similarly, the fields of these villagers are likely to be near those water sources.”

“Chief, if we blatantly go into their fields, I guess the women and children of their village will come out to attack us.”

He opposed the plan, providing his reasoning, not leaving room for others to doubt him.

The village chief’s youngest son, Ji Hu, couldn’t help but nod in agreement, “Father, I think Brother Jin makes sense. Consider most of our village’s fields are on the south side, which isn’t just lower but also more spacious.”

As he spoke, Ji Hu glanced at the northern mountain range, “Look at those mountains, they’re way taller than the ones in our village. If it were me, I would definitely not want to go to the forested area to clear land and farm.”

The village chief didn’t like his youngest son interrupting, glaring at him, yet he couldn’t refute what he said.

Indeed, if it were him, he wouldn’t leave the flat land in the south to clear land on the mountain.

With a long sigh, the village chief said, “Quanjin, I’m old, not as capable as before. You’ll have to take on more responsibilities in the future for village matters!”

At his words, not only Qi family’s two brothers but also all the Qi family members were taken aback.

Qi Quanjin quickly waved his hand, “Chief, please don’t say that. We can’t do without you; it’s just due to traveling that you’re feeling uncomfortable now. Once we find a stable place, let Doctor Qin and Doctor Yin help you recuperate, and I bet you’ll outshine us young ones!”

These words comforted the village chief, though he clearly distinguished between flattery and reality.

With a slight smile on his face, the village chief gestured dismissively, “Alright, you take the lead to scout ahead! We can’t stay here long. If that group targets us, both old and young in our group, and the many women, it won’t be safe.”

“Yes!”

Qi Quanjin didn’t waste any more words.

As for bearing more responsibility, he wouldn’t dwell on that, but the necessary tasks still needed doing.

Not only considering the safety of others but also the safety of his own family.

Soon, the group began moving through the half-person-high wild grass field, heading toward the mountains.

Qi Quanjin personally led some men to clear the way.

Using sticks to whip the grass and sickles to sever it, they forcefully cleared a small path.

The people followed behind, their eyes occasionally glancing toward the nearby village.

If only their village had such sturdy stone houses, would they not need to fear those rebels?

Even so, they didn’t dare really think about entering the village.

Those weapons, especially the bows and arrows, looked too intimidating.

The newly opened path wasn’t easy to walk; it didn’t seem far, yet by the time they reached the edge of the forest at the mountain’s foot, dusk had fallen.

In the distance, the village showed flickers of firelight, seemingly someone holding a torch on patrol.

The villagers tidied up a clearing, everyone trying their best to huddle together.

Qi Quanjin looked at the distant village, at the firelights, recalling the firm stance of those people, clenching his fists.

If their village had such cohesion, even if rebels came to cause trouble, they would be capable of fighting back!

Qi Manman was completely unaware of the adults’ concerns.

Having sat on the cart all day again, while exhausted and able to sleep, she was still a child—spending the entire day sitting, no matter how well-behaved, was unbearable for any child.

So, the moment the convoy stopped, the children eagerly hopped off the cart to run around, bringing some joy to the otherwise staid group.

Water was scarce, and every household was using it sparingly.

Even the Qi family cut out washing up at night, though they persisted with washing hands before meals and after using the restroom.

Yi Meng looked at the near-empty water jar, uneasy.

The past couple of days, with no water source found, the stored water at home was rapidly decreasing; if not for secretly supplementing with spring water from her space, they would have surely lacked water for washing hands.

Today, they were left with this bit of water; even the mother-in-law came to check earlier, trying to add more would easily be discovered.

What to do?

Yi Meng was anxious, her lips turning red with the brewing stress, predicting they’d blister by tomorrow.

“Meng Niang, Mother said to pour some water out to boil, and with some cakes, that’s dinner.”

Ai Zhaodi walked over, holding a small clay pot used recently for boiling water.

Yi Meng responded, accepting the pot, carefully ladling the stored water from the jar bit by bit with a small bowl.

Each time she ladled, she discreetly added some water from her space to replenish it.

Better than nothing, every bit helps.

During these days, Yi Meng finally found the right opportunity to enter her space.

First, she planted seeds of ginseng and vegetables, then watered them with the spring at the back of the house.

Though they didn’t grow with the astonishing speed she imagined, the vegetables had sprouted, growing faster than those outside.

Unfortunately, Yi Meng was clueless about farming, so she couldn’t discern the specific ratio.

Having filled half the pot, Yi Meng handed it to Ai Zhaodi, then put the lid back on the jar, standing on the cart to search for her daughter’s figure.

Qi Manman was being led by Qi Liulang through the forest to find medicinal herbs.

Qi Liulang, as Qi Quanjin and Yi Meng’s first son, particularly cared for his little sister.

Upon hearing his sister wanted to look around, he planned to use the time hunting herbs to take her for a stroll.

Yet, they dared not venture far, staying nearby; too far would lead into the forest, which was pitch black—despite being the eldest in the family, he was terribly scared.

Yi Meng saw her eldest son and daughter squatting before a large tree, doing something unknown, prompting her to jump off the cart and walk over.

As she approached, Yi Meng was startled by the scene before her, almost crying out.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep