Chapter 20: Plan Step by Step, Prepare for the Worst

After making a scene, Wang Shi ultimately got no desired outcome and was harshly scolded. Reluctantly, she paid the taxes.

The land tax amounted to 960 wens, and the substitute tax was one tael of silver, totaling one tael and 990 wens.

Now, the family didn’t necessarily lack the two taels of silver, but it was painful to part with it—two taels could buy quite a bit of good stuff.

With heavy hearts, the three siblings made their way home.

“With Mother gone, I’ll give you a heads-up; let’s discuss this,” Wen Yunqing spoke up first.

His sisters turned to him, attentively listening.

“With the sudden military conscription and increased taxes, I suspect that war is coming.

The borders of the Great Shun have always been stable, with only minor skirmishes at Pingyang Pass.

This time, however, it seems serious.

We live quite close to Pingyang Pass, and if war breaks out, the consequences will be unthinkable.

Although Pingyang Pass has been secure for years, we should prepare early, hoping that I’m just being overly cautious.” Wen Yunqing gazed in the direction of Pingyang Pass; his heart filled with unease.

“Brother, it won’t come to that! Even if war breaks out, General Fei Qi will surely defeat those Yu barbarians decisively. We’re far enough away; what is there to fear?” Wen Yun said with the innocent optimism typical of a young girl.

Indeed, even Wen Yunqing, this scholar, sensed the upcoming conflict; many talented individuals in town likely sensed it as well.

However, everyone was too confident in General Fei Qi. They believed that war wouldn’t drag on for long, much like usual.

Thus, the current situation remained stable, and even Jingshan County showed no signs of unrest. People still believed in General Fei Qi’s ability to crush the Yu invaders.

Who would have expected that in just over a month, news would break of General Fei Qi’s unexpected death, plunging Pingyang Pass into chaos?

At that time, the number of refugees from both counties would be overwhelming, all fearing that Pingyang Pass would fall and bring disaster upon them.

“What you said makes sense, brother. Regardless of whether a war breaks out or not, a wise person does not stand beneath a crumbling wall; we should prepare early,” Wen Yunhe agreed.

Wen Yun, feeling somewhat out of place, could only listen quietly as her brother and sister discussed their plans for the future.

Wen Yunqing was surprised that his elder sister would agree with his ideas. Observing her expression, he noticed a hint of determination.

It was unusual; his reclusive sister could so insightfully discern world affairs.

“Sister, can you share your thoughts?” he inquired curiously.

“Regardless of whether there is war or peace, we need to prepare food and supplies for winter; we must ensure we can live well. This isn’t contradictory at all.

Right now, we should take several steps.

First, let’s hurry to collect the food from the fields, peel the crops that need peeling, grind the grains that need grinding, and sort everything out for future needs.

Second, we should gather as much easy-to-store and carry food as possible, such as mushrooms, nuts, and dried ingredients.

For vegetables like pumpkins, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and radishes, since they are bulky and heavy, we can slice and dry them to reduce weight, making them easier to transport. When needed, we can simply soak them in water to rehydrate them for cooking.

Third, we need to prepare a cart and some self-defense tools.

The cart doesn’t need to be too big; it just has to hold our belongings, making it easier to push along.

As for self-defense tools, it’s always wise to be prepared for the unexpected, as human nature is unpredictable.

We should also eat well these days to nourish our bodies; in times of chaos, being strong and healthy is essential for survival.

Oh, and brother, in the coming days, you can talk to some familiar households in the village and subtly spread a bit of news.

Families willing to prepare with us can band together, as unity provides protection.

Fourth, without money, it’s hard to move. We need to find ways to earn enough silver to stockpile food and medicine while also topping off essential items at home.

“I already have some preliminary ideas on how to make money; I just need to implement them,” Wen Yunhe stated, clearly outlining her thoughts one after another.

These preparations were somewhat akin to winter preparations, just a bit more tedious—but better to be safe than sorry.

Wen Yunqing didn’t expect to hear such a well-thought-out plan so soon after expressing his concerns. His elder sister had a clear and structured approach that provided options for both offense and defense. It appeared that he had underestimated her.

You’re so wise. I cannot compare,” Wen Yunqing acknowledged, agreeing with her insight. “No wonder Father always said that if you were a man, you could accomplish great things.”

“Sister, I feel so good knowing you’re here; I’ll listen to you,” Wen Yun said, looking at her with admiration.

“I’ve just recently read a book in my mind that seems to have enlightened me, and I’ve learned quite a bit,” Wen Yunhe responded modestly. “Alright then, let’s go. Overthinking is useless; it’s time for action.”

The three siblings shook off the earlier gloom.

After arriving home, Wen Yunhe also subtly hinted to their mother about their discussions, so she wouldn’t worry excessively.

Mother Wen remarked, “Since this home is in your hands now, you can call the shots. Just figure it out on your own.”

She continued, a little surprised, “Maybe it’s because I’ve been crying less these past few days, but my eyes feel much clearer, and I can help with chores now.”

“Really, Mother, can you see better now?” the siblings exclaimed joyfully, looking towards her with excitement.

Wen Yunhe thought inwardly that it must be the effect of the spiritual spring water; she decided to increase the dosage, hoping to restore their mother’s eyesight sooner to avoid repeating the family’s past misfortunes during their escape.

In the story, her inability to see led to her capture by bandits, resulting in their family’s downfall.

“Well, it’s not completely clear, but I can see better than before. I could only see shadows previously, but these past couple of days, I can discern your vague outlines,” Mother Wen replied, her spirits lifted.

Having suffered from her eye ailment, she felt like a burden on her children, which saddened her.

“That’s wonderful news!” the siblings cheered, momentarily forgetting their other anxieties.

From that day on, the family began to work together in a division of labor.

Mother Wen took on the household chores, such as washing, cooking, and grinding grains—all tasks she could handle.

Wen Yun and Wen Yunqing focused on harvesting whatever crops they could bring in from the fields.

Wen Yunhe dedicated herself to earning money, planning to get on the right track while her siblings helped once they were settled.

The family’s meals were just enough to fill their bellies; though they couldn’t say they ate well, there was always enough to eat, and occasionally, they would have meat.

Relying on her skills, Wen Yunhe set traps and dug a few pits in the deep woods behind their home, checking them daily to occasionally catch some game.

Of course, there were dangers involved, but thankfully, she had her spatial abilities, which helped her escape precarious situations without harm.

In their household’s water barrel, they mixed a large amount of spiritual spring to both enhance their vitality and treat Mother Wen’s eye condition.

Wen Yunqing visited familiar families in the village, sharing his insights with a small portion of them who chose to believe him, thanking him for the warning.

However, others merely paid lip service, saying, “That Wen kid is just being alarmist. A big war is on the horizon. We’re far from Pingyang Pass!”

Regardless, he had done his due diligence. Whether they listened or not was up to them.