Chapter 125: Arrival

At the Shen family home.

Shen San and his wife, Mrs. Li, knew that the main family and a few others had fled. They had even visited the main family’s small courtyard.

When they saw their son return, they grabbed Shen Jin, “Where did your big brother go?”

Shen Jin shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Shen San was so angry his mouth twisted, “You run there every day, how can you not know? Do you think I don’t know you sneak out every morning? Who do you take after, keeping silent about such a big matter?”

Shen Jin was already feeling down. Hearing his father’s scolding, he didn’t want to speak. After a push from Mrs. Li, he finally burst out, “I really don’t know. Why would big brother tell me, so I could tell you?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Mrs. Li smacked him on the back, “Watch your tone! We are your family. Have you been bribed with a few trifles? Who raised you?”

If she hadn’t known Shen Lie was good at hunting, she wouldn’t have turned a blind eye to her son running to the main family every day. Now, she wasn’t sure if he had learned any hunting skills, but he had certainly been swayed against his own family. What a great skill!

Shen Jin, too upset to speak, turned and ran out.

Shen Yin, who had been following Shen Jin, also hurried after him. Shen Tie, delayed by his sister Tianya, couldn’t escape in time.

Shen Jin didn’t go anywhere specific, just to the small hill where they practiced slingshots.

This place still had many leaves hanging, used as targets for their practice, and is now devoid of the people who used to practice.

Shen Jin, without much thought, sat on the big round stone they used to rest on.

Shen Yin, sitting beside him, whispered, “Brother, do you really not know where big brother went?”

Shen Jin shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Shen Yin lowered his head. Since learning that their eldest brother, sister-in-law, second brother, and sister had left with other families, he had kept this question to himself: “Brother, why didn’t big brother take us?”

The sadness and disappointment were palpable.

Seeing his brother’s distress, Shen Jin’s nose tingled, and his eyes reddened. But he still explained, “They couldn’t take us. If they took us, would they take our parents too?”

Both brothers were well aware of the strained relationship between the families. Shen Yin hung his head in silence.

Seeing his brother like this, Shen Jin wanted to cheer him up. He whispered, “Big brother taught me many things and dug a hiding place for us. He also gave me a slingshot. I’ll show you.”

Shen Yin’s attention was piqued, “Really?”

“Really. Come on, but don’t tell anyone. If you do, it’ll be useless.”

“Can we tell our parents?”

“No. We’ll dig another one near our house later and then tell them.”

Shen Jin, remembering something, pulled Shen Yin, “Wait, let’s go to big brother’s house first.”

“Why?”

“To find useful things to hide.”

The so-called useful things were too big for the small hiding place. They found an old clay pot, the same one used for cooking when Shen An and Shen Ning split the family.

Although it was old, it was still useful, whether for cooking or storing water.

Shen Yin, quick-witted, also rummaged through the other houses. While the villagers were still distracted, they found jars, pots, and even sets of bowls and chopsticks, which they stored in the hiding place like treasures.

Shen Yin’s complaints vanished. As a child, he didn’t understand the danger; he just thought this secret hideout was wonderful and loved it immensely.

…

Compared to the unease in Shili Village, the atmosphere in the cave at the grain storage point was tense but unified. Even the temporarily added Xu family wasn’t much of a burden.

Among the three children, the oldest was quiet and resilient, hardly making a sound. The younger two, probably having never ventured into deep forests before, or perhaps missing their parents and siblings, had a harder time. The youngest even cried when Shopkeeper Xu left, but after some comforting words from Shopkeeper Xu and the old lady, they settled down.

After everyone ate some dry food, Shen Lie organized a rest period.

They had been carrying loads for a day and a half, and everyone was exhausted. Moreover, they hadn’t had a proper rest for two consecutive nights. The first night was spent packing and leaving at midnight. The second night, they found a cave, lit two fires, spread snake-repellent powder, and kept watch, but the constant howls and roars of wild animals kept everyone awake.

They had barely managed to reach the first grain storage point.

Old Man Lu, familiar with the route, knew this was typical for a first-time journey. He and Shi Dalang kept watch while the others rested.

The cave had some dry grass brought back by Old Man Lu and others. Each family spread out their share, laying several mats together. Each family had one mat, creating a large shared sleeping area. Larger families had to sit or lean since the cave wasn’t very big and stored grain as well.

Sang Luo’s family of four also had one mat. The two little ones collapsed on it, too tired to move their legs or toes. Their legs and feet ached intensely, a result of their regular heavy lifting and mountain climbing. Otherwise, they might have cried.

Sang Luo thought about this when she heard low sobbing nearby. It was the little girl from the Xu family, crying from leg pain.

Many children from other families, who hadn’t been trained, were in similar pain. Shi family’s San Niu and Qiao’er, Lu family’s Shitou and Axu, Chen family’s little girl, were only slightly better off than the Xu children. Hearing the Xu girl cry, they started to cry too.

Sang Luo wanted to heat some water for hot compresses but found herself equally sore. Sitting down amplified her pain tenfold. She called Shen Lie to heat some water.

Among them, only Shen Lie and Lu Er seemed unaffected, likely due to their experience over the past two or three years.

Shen Lie nodded and went to fetch water. The cave had stored water, but not much was left after using some for food earlier.

Once the water was heated, he called each family to bring a basin for hot water. They soaked cloths in it and applied them to the children’s legs and feet. Shen Lie brought a basin to Sang Luo.

Sang Luo had already prepared several cloths. When she was about to wring one out, Shen Lie stopped her, “It’s too hot, let me do it.”

There were six cloths: two for Sang Luo, two for her younger siblings Shen An and Shen Ning. The latter were small and didn’t need much. Sang Luo turned away, covered her legs with a blanket, and applied the hot compresses.

Shen Lie blushed, especially when wringing cloths for Sang Luo, feeling his ears burn.

The hot compresses worked. After a few rounds, the children stopped crying. Even the little girl from the Xu family quieted down. Some of the youngest children fell asleep while being tended to.

The cave was filled with soft breaths and faint snores.

Sang Luo’s eyelids grew heavy. Seeing Shen Lie empty the basin and dry the cloths before sitting on a nearby haystack, she pointed to Shen An and Shen Ning, “Hold them in the middle, you haven’t slept for two days. Lie down and rest; we need you to keep watch tonight.”

The forest was most dangerous at night.

Shen Lie hesitated. Sang Luo had already fallen asleep.

Looking at the mat and blanket, Shen Lie felt his ears burn more. He hadn’t slept for two days and needed to stay alert for the journey ahead. He moved his siblings to the middle, found a narrow spot, and lay down.

Hearing his movements, Sang Luo smiled slightly before drifting into a deep sleep.

…

On February 4th, Shen San took Mrs. Li’s key and finally went to the county with their family heirloom gold bracelet to the pawnshop. He traveled with some villagers to the county, where they split up and agreed to meet up later to return together.

Meanwhile, those resting at the first grain storage point cave were joined by Chen Dashan’s group carrying grain. As they approached, it was clear some were injured.

Zhou Erlang, Zhou Sanlang, Chen Youtian, and Zhou’s second daughter-in-law had wounds, with the latter looking particularly pale.

Shen Lie frowned and asked Chen Dashan, “What happened?”

Chen Dashan, still shaken, replied, “Wolves. Luckily, only four of them. If it had been a larger pack, it wouldn’t have just been injuries. Zhou’s second daughter-in-law got bitten, but her thick clothes and quick rescue saved her.”

Everyone gasped.

Zhou’s village chief and his wife rushed to check on their daughter-in-law, “Ah Yun, where are you hurt? Have you applied medicine?”

Wang Yun shook her head, “I’m fine, I’ve applied medicine. I was just scared. Everyone got hurt saving me.”

Wang Yun was still trembling. She had learned to climb trees but froze in fear when the wolves attacked. A split-second delay meant she was bitten on the leg. If not for Chen Dashan’s quick action, she would have been knocked down, and the wolves might have gone for her throat.

Hearing she was okay, everyone sighed in relief but remained wary.

Shen Lie instructed everyone to return to the cave while he, Chen Dashan, and Lu Erlang dealt with the wolf carcasses.

They had killed three wolves; one escaped.

Chen Dashan, looking grim, said, “Wolves hold grudges. We must be careful. If it follows us, it could attack suddenly. I fear last night’s pack might have more members. If so, we’re in for a tough time.”

Only the four of them were relatively fine, but how many elderly, weak, women, and children were there in the cave now?

~

After resting for over two hours, they left a few lightly injured individuals along with Old Chen, Old Lu, and Shi Dalang to guard the grain. They also stayed to process the wolf pelts and meat and to rest and recover to prevent any worsening of their injuries. The young and strong men reassembled the team and set off again.

This time, they brought more people and essentials like bedding. For safety, they didn’t carry much grain. Shen Lie, Chen Dashan, and Lu Erlang went into the forest with the main goal of safely settling the elderly, weak, women, and children, prioritizing steadiness over speed.

As they set off again, Shen Lie was much more cautious at the outer perimeter. People were far more vulnerable to animal attacks, and leading people was much more challenging than transporting grain. Shen Lie led in the front, Chen Dashan took the rear, and Lu Erlang and Shi Erlang led the other young men on the sides. Though carrying loads, everyone had their weapons either in hand, on their back, or within easy reach.

Along the way, except for the sound of footsteps, there was no talking. Everyone was alert, listening for any movement in the forest and shrubs.

Even the children, with some of the luggage left at the grain storage point, were lighter and carried bows.

For safety, they no longer stayed in caves at night. They stopped one or two hours early and built simple treehouses on tall trees. Women and children climbed into the treehouses before nightfall.

Although this slowed their progress, it ensured their safety. On the first night, they encountered a pack of wild dogs. Thanks to the women and children being in the treehouses, Shen Lie’s group could fight without worry. The women and children in the treehouses even helped with slingshots and bows, leading to a minor victory with only Wei Qinghe lightly injured.

Yes, that light injury was from being knocked down by a wild dog.

The twenty-one-year-old young man was no match for the fifteen-year-old Shuanzhu, relying on the help from those in the treehouses and Shen Lie’s quick rescue.

The elderly Mrs. Xu, now somewhat familiar with everyone, awkwardly explained, “Qinghe is a scholar; his agility and strength are somewhat lacking.”

“A scholar!!!”

That settled it. Every family admired scholars the most. Look at our Aluo, how amazing she is!

~

On February 6th, when the recruitment officer entered Shili Village, Village Chief Zhou found that another family, no, half a family, had fled. They originally intended to send the second son to serve, but on the night of the fifth, the second son and his wife fled together. The third household cried and wailed, but despite their cries, the third son was taken by the soldiers.

Meanwhile, Shen San, feeling heartbroken, handed over the ten taels of silver he got from pawning a gold bracelet hidden for nearly ten years, along with the five taels his family had saved, to the village chief and recruitment officer to avoid conscription.

Mrs. Li rushed out to snatch the silver back, but how could Shen San let her? The couple fought fiercely in the yard, pulling hair, yanking ears, biting, and scratching, fighting like mad.

Village Chief Zhou and the recruitment officer, uninterested in the commotion, accepted the silver, crossed Shen San’s name off the list, and moved on to the next household.

Shen Tian wailed loudly, Shen Tie shed tears, and Shen Jin and Shen Yin were busy comforting their younger siblings.

The recruitment officer went around the village, which was filled with wailing and cursing. Shen’s family’s outcry didn’t stand out much.

~

On February 10th, the tax collectors entered the village again. Some villagers protested against paying next year’s rent in advance, but Village Chief Zhou, with threats and the support of the yamen officers, forced them to comply. In the end, they either handed over grain at the threshing ground or had their houses raided for grain.

Yes, raided?

More like robbed!

Wherever the tax collectors went, households wailed.

At the Shen family’s third household, Mrs. Li clung to a sack of grain, refusing to let go. The tax collector forcibly dragged her away. Furious, Mrs. Li rammed her head into the tax collector’s stomach, causing chaos. She received over ten lashes from the tax collector’s whip. This time, not just Shen Tian and Shen Tie, but even Shen Jin and Shen Yin cried and rushed over. Seeing the children shielding the madwoman, the tax collector, with Village Chief Zhou’s persuasion and considering he still had to collect more grain, finally stopped after about ten lashes.

Meanwhile, Shen Lie and his group, taking seven days for a four-day journey, finally reached the entrance of their refuge. Looking at the towering peak, whose summit was invisible, Shen Lie led the group through a long, winding path to a narrow passage, so hidden that it was hard to find and in some places required people to turn sideways to pass. Seeing such a concealed entrance, the adults, understanding its significance, were thrilled to the core!