Chapter 108: I’ll Learn Too

“Didn’t you ask Uncle Youtian for help?” Shen Lie asked.

“We did, but we only asked for help with the difficult tasks. Sister-in-law insists on doing what she can herself. She says favors should be saved for crucial moments and that we can’t rely on others for everything.”

It made sense, but she was so young—a little girl shouldn’t have to be so tough.

However, thinking back to when she first arrived in the village with Shen An and Shen Ning, it must have been incredibly difficult. Their third uncle and aunt weren’t well-liked, and they had a knack for making enemies. Shen Lie himself had only managed to get along with the Chen family by sticking close to Chen Dashan. The two families didn’t interact much otherwise.

The fact that she had managed to build good relationships with four families was entirely due to Sang Luo’s abilities. Making tofu was one thing, but her approach to dealing with people also played a significant role.

The smile that Shen Lie had been wearing all day finally faded as he asked Shen An, “What other things in the house did your sister-in-law make herself?”

“Oh, there are lots!” Shen An began listing them one by one, making sure to point out what Uncle Youtian and the other families had helped with, as well as what the kids’ group had contributed.

As Shen Lie worked, he listened to his brother recount how everything in their home had come to be. He asked a few questions here and there, trying to get a full picture.

Before the bamboo racks were even finished, Shen Lie had a pretty good idea of what life had been like for Sang Luo and his siblings over the past six months.

He knew exactly what their situation had been when they first split from the family, how dire things had gotten during the worst of it, and the steps they had taken—like the first time they caught fish, made the first batch of magical tofu, set up their stall, cleared the land, and built the house. He also heard about the letters from Shen Jin, and how their third uncle and aunt had tried to climb over the wall at night, only to be bitten by the geese and punished with forced labor.

Shen An’s animated storytelling, alternating between sadness, joy, and excitement, made Shen Lie feel as though he had lived through it all himself.

Near the end of their conversation, Shen An’s face showed a mix of worry and sadness. “Big brother, is it true that there might be war? Do a lot of people die in wars?”

Shen Lie was silent. He wanted to comfort his brother but chose to be honest. “There’s a good chance, yes. That’s why we need to prepare. If things really get bad, we might have to hide in the mountains for a long time.”

Shen An was reluctant to leave their home, which he had seen built up bit by bit and into which he had put much effort. But he also understood that if they had to flee, they wouldn’t have time to worry about the house.

“Big brother, are there many wild animals in the mountains?”

Shen Lie had always warned him and Shen Ning to stay out of the mountains, and Sang Luo had only allowed them to explore the outskirts.

Shen Lie nodded. “Yes, there are many. That’s why you need to learn skills to protect yourself, your sister-in-law, and Shen Ning. We’ll start either tomorrow or the day after. Big Brother, Dashan, Uncle Lu, and Uncle Shi will take turns teaching you. You, Shen Ning, Dashan, Big Niu, Little Niu, Shuanzhu, Tie Zhu, Daniu, Huzi, and the three brothers from Uncle Zhou’s family all need to learn.”

The kids would learn the same way he and Chen Dashan had, with even more rigorous training. Every bit of skill would reduce the danger for them and the group as a whole.

Shen An’s eyes lit up at the thought of learning survival skills. “Brother, will you teach me archery?”

All boys admired martial skills, and Shen An was no exception.

Shen Lie smiled. “Archery is just one part. You’ll need to learn to track animals and how to respond to different situations. Most importantly, you need to build your strength and speed. Climbing trees and swimming are essential too. When things get dangerous, if you can’t fight, you need to be able to run.”

Shen An’s eyes grew even brighter. “Brother, where will we get the bows and arrows?”

Shen An knew their family wasn’t allowed to keep arrows at home. He asked because he knew Shen Lie and Dashan had made their own bows and arrows in the mountains.

Shen Lie flicked his brother’s forehead. “You’re thinking too far ahead. First, you’ll learn to use a slingshot to practice your aim. And remember, don’t talk about this outside.”

As for the bows and arrows, they would make them privately. Once the kids were proficient with slingshots, they would choose a few with potential to train with bows in the mountains.

Shen An grinned. “I understand.”

…

The two bamboo racks that had been so difficult for Sang Luo to make were easily handled by Shen Lie. When Sang Luo and Shen Ning returned, they saw him skillfully working with the bamboo. By the time Sang Luo and Shen Ning had made lunch and taken a nap afterward, the two racks were finished.

What kind of efficiency is this?

The crucial thing was that what he made looked good, possessing a unique elegance that she couldn’t match.

Sang Luo finally understood why Chen Youtian said Shen Lie excelled at making these things—some people just have a natural talent for it.

Sang Luo looked around the bamboo rack and admired how well it was made, making her previous racks look crude by comparison.

She helped carry the racks, and together, they moved the two racks into the main room.

The room, which wasn’t very big to begin with, now contained two beds, a food rack, a table, and these two new racks, making it quite cramped.

Shen Lie looked around, “We’ll make do for a while. I’ll head out in a couple of days to find a place, and once I find one, we can move these things gradually.”

Sang Luo smiled, “It’s not about making do. Having so much grain gives a sense of security. However, we need to find a stable place quickly to move this grain; it’s not safe to leave it here.”

Shen Lie nodded and went to move the grain bags temporarily stored in the kitchen. What used to require Sang Luo and the kids to move together, he easily lifted, not even hoisting them onto his shoulders, likely to avoid damaging his new clothes. He effortlessly carried nine bags of rice and beans over with just his arm strength.

Sang Luo finally understood Shen Lie’s claims of great strength weren’t just bragging.

After finishing the work, Shen Lie turned to leave, but Sang Luo stopped him, “Wait a moment.”

Shen Lie stood still, thinking she needed him to do something, but she took a money bag from under her pillow instead.

The money bag, which Sang Luo had casually placed before her nap, was now placed on the table. “Since we’re living together now, you should know about the household finances. Today, we bought grains, rice, medicine, and your clothes and shoes. Here’s all the money we have left. Take a look.”

Living together means sharing responsibilities. Sang Luo felt it was important for Shen Lie to know about their financial situation since they both contributed to earning it.

Shen Lie was a bit stunned but then said, “You don’t need to show me. You can manage it.”

He was truly sincere, not even considering the possibility that if she left after a few years of peace, he might be left with nothing.

Sang Luo decisively poured out the money onto the table and counted, “Nineteen taels of silver, one string of copper coins is one hundred wen, and there are over five hundred more wen.”

She looked at Shen Lie’s clothes and said, “Later, I’ll go to the village to buy some cloth to make you another outfit and a pair of shoes, so you’ll have something to change into. We’ll save the rest of the fabric, in case we need to leave. We don’t know how long we’ll be out there, so it’s best to be prepared.”

Hearing that Sang Luo wanted to make clothes and shoes for him made Shen Lie feel warm again. Listening to her serious plans for their preparations eased that feeling somewhat, and he nodded, thanking her.

Sang Luo was straightforward, seeing making clothes and shoes for Shen Lie as a way to save on costs, just like making clothes for Shen An and Shen Ning, without any additional considerations. Seeing Shen Lie had no objections, she said, “With the remaining nineteen taels of silver, we don’t need to buy more grain, as we might not be able to take it with us.”

She looked at the piles of grain. The kitchen still had several bags of soybeans, along with those stored at Dongfu Tower, which hadn’t been transported back yet. Just for their family of four, this food could last a year and a half if eaten sparingly.

To avoid disaster, they needed to go far enough away. Even if they mobilized all the men from a few families, it would take numerous trips to move all the grain.

Hearing this, Shen Lie refocused on the important matters, nodding, “Indeed, it’s hard to transport. We noticed a few caves on our way back. They’re livable and deep in the mountains, far from people, but I’m not entirely satisfied with their safety. We need to keep searching. The grain we have should be enough for now. Unless there’s a severe drought or flood, we can find plenty to eat in the mountains.”

They agreed on this point, so Sang Luo said, “Alright, we’ll keep the nineteen taels for household expenses and use them as needed.”

Shen Lie readily agreed, “As you say, just keep it safe.”

He had no intention of managing the money.

Sang Luo was pleased with his attitude and quickly put the money back in the bag, storing it safely.

Shen Lie, with a small smile, said, “I’m heading out to discuss some things with Dashan and the others.”

Sang Luo nodded casually, “Go ahead.”

Shen Lie left, and Sang Luo continued making shoes.

Before long, Shen An and Shen Ning, who had been missing since her nap, returned with Huzi and Erniu following them.

Shen Ning aside, the three boys were visibly excited, huddled together, whispering about something.

This was the first time the children had come over since the snow melted. Sang Luo, while working on her sewing, looked at them several times and then called Shen Ning over, “Did your second brother find some silver?”

Shen Ning chuckled.

“No, big brother said he would teach them hunting. Not just second brother, but also Dashan, Daniu, Erniu, Tiezhu, Shuanzhu, and Huzi. All the older kids are going to learn.” She added, a bit excited and nervous, “It seems like I and Sister Daniu also have to learn. But, sister-in-law, do girls learn hunting too?”

Sang Luo blinked. This wasn’t just hunting; it was jungle survival training.

She nodded, “Isn’t it good to have someone teach you? It’s always useful to know more skills.”

Shen Ning felt reassured.

Sang Luo called out to Shen An, who was talking with his friends outside, and asked, “What did your big brother say he would teach you about hunting? Did he mention any specifics?”

Shen An’s eyes sparkled as he repeated what his big brother said to Sang Luo.

Listening carefully, Sang Luo nodded and asked, “Among the long list of names, isn’t mine included?”

Shen An: ???

“Do you need to learn this too, Sister-in-law?”

“Isn’t this something for us kids to learn?”

When Shen Lie returned, Sang Luo asked him the same question, leaving him bewildered, “You want to learn this too?”

Sang Luo looked back at him, “Why wouldn’t I learn? Do you think wolves and tigers will automatically avoid me?”

Shen Lie’s face turned slightly red, and he stuttered, “Tigers and leopards probably won’t, but we’ll be cautious before bringing you over.”

They had to make multiple trips to deliver the grain; surely they wouldn’t settle in a den of tigers and wolves.

As he spoke, he noticed Sang Luo still staring at him, and he couldn’t continue his explanation. It got stuck in his throat, and all that came out was, “Then I’ll teach you.”

Sang Luo burst into laughter. Shen Lie’s skin was already bronzed from the sun, and she only now noticed that his ears turned red when she stared at him.

She chuckled, “The rest isn’t important. Just teach me how to climb trees and shoot arrows.”

Then her expression shifted, and she asked, “Shen Lie, if we encounter a fierce beast, is there a type of poison we can apply directly to the arrowhead? We wouldn’t use it normally, but it would be crucial for self-defense in emergencies.”

These were just a group of child soldiers, after all. No matter how much they trained, their combat effectiveness would be limited. Shen Lie’s goal was simply to make everyone more adaptable to the wilderness, to be able to escape first if anything happened, and to have a few capable individuals to deal with it.

But if they had poisoned arrows, women and children with good archery skills wouldn’t be inferior to mountain hunters.

Shen Lie’s eyes brightened, “I’ll go ask Dashan.”

If anyone was most likely to know about such things, it would be Chen Dashan. Although the chance was small because they hadn’t mentioned it during their journey back, nor had they prepared for it.

Come to think of it, during the drought year, Chen Dashan and his relatives were only eleven years old when they separated. Their knowledge was limited. Even if they learned to hunt, it was something they had figured out together over the years.