Chapter 102

When this child first arrived, he was rather skinny. However, after eating well over the past few days, he has become much stronger and even grown taller. By the time he turns sixteen after the New Year, he will be in the prime of his life!

Most importantly, Ling Ran is knowledgeable, grateful, and quick-witted. Having him around gives them peace of mind.

As for food, they currently have an abundance of it.

Separated from Ling Ran and back in their room, Shuiqing thought things over. Food was indeed something they wouldn’t lack!

Whether they needed to flee or stay put, they would have enough to eat.

“If we have to flee, I think it’s unlikely,” Fan Jin analyzed, sitting by the window. “Jinling City is north of Guangning Prefecture, and King Yan’s capital in the north is even further north of Jinling City;

Even if King Yan rebels, the main battlefield will be between the northern capital and Jinling City. We’ll be affected here, but only to a limited extent.”

Shuiqing nodded.

The northern capital is equivalent to Beijing in Huaguo, very far north in this dynasty. King Yan was stationed there mainly to defend against nomadic tribes.

Guangning Prefecture is far from both the northern capital and Jinling City, making it unlikely they would need to flee. Staying home and enduring seemed more likely.

She added softly, “However, if a flood does occur next year, we can’t count on the court for help.”

They hadn’t been relying on the court for disaster relief, but at least the court’s presence could deter rampant lawlessness among the disaster-stricken populace.

If the princes rebel and war breaks out, won’t things become even more chaotic?

Fan Jin’s expression grew serious. After a while, he voiced his concern, “Shuiqing, I’m afraid that if war breaks out, it won’t end in a year or two. If it drags on for many years or even decades, how will we ensure your and the children’s safety?”

Previously, he was worried about flooding.

Floods, unlike droughts, might result in no harvest, but wouldn’t render the land entirely barren. The mountains would still have abundant vegetation, so they wouldn’t lack wild vegetables, grasses, or bark.

With food available, only a few would take desperate measures.

With her father-in-law’s family and Jin Niu, security was less of a concern.

But if war breaks out, combining natural disasters with human conflicts would create a hellish scenario.

Shuiqing knew the war would last four years. Reading about it in history books, four years seemed short, but now, living through it felt interminable!

It was as if there was no end in sight.

Imagine, for four years, the outside world in chaos, stepping out always risking death, even at home facing potential intrusions.

They couldn’t go to the provincial capital, had to be cautious even in Niutou Town, and be extremely careful in their village.

A large family, spending most of their time confined at home.

Living in constant fear for four years!

The only consolation was that they had built a large house, with enough rooms and a big courtyard for everyone…

“Don’t worry, we have the shopping mall! I’ve calculated it, and our savings there, if we don’t buy large items, are more than enough. We’ll be able to stay fed and warm.

Regarding safety, we must prepare early. Our courtyard walls are embedded with iron spikes, and we’re on high ground. Even if bandits come, they’ll hit the village first before reaching us.

But if the villagers of Shanshui Village can’t hold them off, relying only on our few families won’t be enough. We need to organize everyone for defense!”

Refugees and bandits don’t come in ones or twos, but in large, armed groups!

At such times, looting, killing, and even worse are common occurrences.

Dozens or hundreds of people against just the ten or so of them? They wouldn’t stand a chance.

No need to mention anything else; just the day and night patrol and defense are already overwhelming.

Fan Jin gradually calmed down and responded, “Alright, the old village chief has experienced war, and he likely values it as much as we do.

The two of us should start buying long knives and other weapons batch by batch and stockpile them. If the day comes, we can distribute them.”

Shuiqing had no objections. In the village, people already struggled to buy iron pots and kitchen knives, let alone weapons.

When the time comes, they might only be able to resist with hoes and shovels. Hoes and shovels can be considered weapons, but they are far less effective than long knives and spears.

By providing weapons, it would also be easier to organize manpower when the time comes.

“There are thirty-four households in the village, excluding us, with a total of over four hundred people. Among them, there are about a hundred strong men. Isn’t that a bit too few?”

Shuiqing disagreed, “Some women are not inferior to men and are even stronger. They can also be utilized.

There are also some young boys, who are energetic, have good eyesight, and are quick and agile. Having them patrol is very effective and can help rotate people so as not to interfere with farming during busy seasons.”

Others might not know, but she knew that this war would last four years!

In these four years, they would need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. The fields could not be left untended.

“Also, if you order over a hundred long knives from the blacksmith, won’t the blacksmith report it to the authorities?”

In these times, are weapons regulated?

Fan Jin fell silent.

Of course, they would report it.

Shuiqing opened the shopping mall app again. The almighty shopping mall, there’s nothing it doesn’t sell!

She immediately searched for “knife,” but all that came up were kitchen knives and fruit knives.

These were too short and not sufficient for defense.

Shuiqing then searched for “long knife.”

This time, a variety of options appeared.

Shuiqing selected a few styles and bought them, placing them on the long table in the room.

Fan Jin was stunned by the good-looking long knives.

“These are all unsharpened; you’ll have to sharpen them yourself. How about it? Will they do?”

Fan Jin nodded vigorously.

If these don’t work, what would?

He quickly asked, “Shuiqing, how much does each one cost? They must be expensive.”

Completely black and able to cut through hair with ease, these would be considered treasure swords in the city.

“Oh, those over there are one hundred and twenty each, and these are over eighty.” Shuiqing casually replied.

Fan Jin was once again shocked by the mall prices…

“I’ll pick a few good ones and equip each of our family members. Oh, Aunt Zhang’s family should each have one too!”

“Yes, Jin Niu and the others are all grown, Aunt Zhang and Xiao Cao are very strong. They live close to us and are good to us. If each of them has a weapon, we will be safer.”

“The other families in the village can’t all be equipped, so we’ll prepare a total of one hundred and fifty. If things really get chaotic, let the old village chief distribute them.”

Fan Jin had no objections. As long as their own family was secured, it was fine for the old village chief to distribute the rest, as he was trustworthy.

“Brewing cannot stop; we need money, and the more, the better!”

Once the war starts, rice wine will definitely not sell, and even the brush business won’t continue.