Chapter 217

Tea eggs can be eaten in the evening without a problem, and the corn cakes are completely dry and can be stored like the fried noodles. Nobody touched these.

The cucumbers were picked this morning and can last another two days without issue. With three days left on the journey, they can be saved for the next couple of days.

Hu Wenhua carefully packed away the remaining food, ensured it was stored properly, and then instructed everyone to douse the campfires and check for any leftover embers.

Bai Manshan discreetly observed everything.

Before long, Hu Wenhua approached, “Dad, give me your gourd. I’ll fill it with water for you. Brother Bai, where’s your water pouch? I’ll fill it up so you have water to drink this afternoon.”

Wealthier families used leather water pouches, which poorer families couldn’t afford. However, they could grow gourds, and once dried and sawed open with a wooden stopper, they made excellent lightweight water containers.

Hu Butcher immediately took off the gourd hanging from his belt and handed it to his son. He said to Bai Manshan, “It’s too hot, and we need enough water. Let Wenhua fill it up for you.”

Bai Manshan understood the importance of water.

However, after the flood, the river and lake water, despite looking clear, might contain decaying matter and wouldn’t be safe to drink directly.

He considered, “We should probably boil the water first.”

Hu Wenhua laughed, “I know! My sister reminded me multiple times to make sure the water is boiled properly. We have to boil it thoroughly.

I remember, and I’ve already told the others. We’re using boiled water to mix with our noodles, and we have a large pot constantly boiling water. Once it’s done, we pour it into a wooden barrel to cool.

Brother Bai, you see the water in that wooden barrel is for this afternoon. The large pot is for drinking during this rest. This way, we won’t be delayed.”

Bai Manshan looked up in surprise. He remembered this young man was just sixteen, despite his mature appearance.

Yet, despite his rough exterior, he was meticulous.

He listened and followed Shuiqing’s instructions strictly.

He considered the bigger picture—not only did he ensure his group’s food was prepared, but he also checked in with other groups.

He thought of everything, from the water and food for lunch and the afternoon to managing the firewood. This kid was a natural leader!

Bai Manshan then turned his attention to the other two groups.

One group, including Li Wu and Li Gang, had a comparable number of people. Their food preparation, though not as varied or good as Shuiqing’s, was sufficient, ensuring everyone was well-fed.

After Hu Wenhua’s reminder, they also started boiling and cooling water, only slightly behind Wenhua’s group.

The other group, including Fan Dazhu and Fan Erzhu, was quite lively.

No, not lively, but arguing!

“Why do others get two bowls of noodles while we brothers get only one? Are you looking down on us?”

“Yeah, do you know who selected you? And you’re bullying his nephew like this!”

“Why? Others brought over a bowl of noodles for two people, but you two only brought half a bowl. Of course, they get two bowls and you get one! How is that disrespectful?”

“We know who selected us, and we appreciate it! But don’t expect us to take orders from just anyone.”

Bai Manshan leaped up and rushed toward the source of the argument.

Curiosity is human nature, and the men were no exception, crowding around to watch and gossip.

So Bai Manshan struggled to push through initially.

“And this water, we brothers collect firewood. Isn’t that tiring? Why should we have to boil water? Why all these rules on a trip? It’s just adding trouble!”

“Yeah, at home we drink well water! Why can’t we drink lake water when traveling? Has it become precious?”

“I don’t care, if you want boiled water, you collect your own firewood! Don’t boss us around!”

“Such clear water can’t be drunk? What nonsense,” said Fan Dazhu, clearly dissatisfied with the situation and refusing to continue collecting firewood.

“We agreed on who would dig the pit, who would build the stove, who would fetch water, and who would cook. You two are responsible for collecting firewood this time. How can you just refuse?”

“I don’t care. I’m not doing it. What can you do about it?”

“Watch out, or I’ll tell my uncle when we get back!”

“You, you…”

The crowd around them became agitated, realizing this was turning into blatant troublemaking.

Only then did they remember there was a Master Bai, who was quickly fetched. When they turned around, they saw him stuck at the back.

“Master Bai, why are you just arriving? There’s a commotion inside; you need to step in and bring justice.”

Bai Manshan: … Did they think he just got here? He had been trying to get through the crowd but couldn’t!

The tightly packed crowd immediately parted to let him through.

As Bai Manshan walked in, he saw Fan Dazhu and Fan Erzhu looking defiant, as if they were the ones being wronged but were heroically enduring it.

Bai Manshan was about to intervene when he noticed Hu Wenhua standing nearby. Changing his mind, he called him over.

Hu Wenhua stepped forward, somewhat surprised, and Bai Manshan asked, “Wenhua, what do you think we should do?”

Hu Wenhua looked at both sides and said decisively, “It’s simple. Since Dazhu and Erzhu went back on their agreement, let’s split them up. For this meal, we’ll let it go, but from the next meal onward, everyone cooks for themselves.”

Fan Dazhu looked pleased. He had feared Bai Manshan would indiscriminately punish both sides, which would have been very unfair to him. He hadn’t expected Bai Manshan to ask Hu Wenhua for his opinion, but since it was in their favor, he agreed.

He turned to the group they had been arguing with and sneered, “Fine. Then you, Xu Laosan, and your group will eat separately for dinner.”

Xu Laosan protested, “Why should we eat separately?”

Seeing another argument brewing, Hu Wenhua interrupted, “No need to argue. I’ll ask the others.

“Everyone else, do you want to join Xu Laosan’s group or stick with Dazhu and Erzhu?”

“With Xu Laosan!”

“We’ve been with Xu Laosan all along. Dazhu and Erzhu forced their way in.”

“The tasks were assigned before we set off. Nobody complained about fetching water or making the fire, but now the ones collecting firewood are causing trouble.”

“If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was heavy labor. I’d be embarrassed to complain about it!”

“And our flour was properly roasted; just a bit of boiling water makes it fragrant. Only Dazhu and Erzhu didn’t roast theirs. Mixing it in makes everything taste raw, and they brought less, too. How can they blame Xu Laosan’s group?”

The final decision was that Fan Dazhu and Fan Erzhu were kicked out of the group!

Witnessing the whole scene, the other two teams didn’t want to take them in either. Fan Dazhu and Fan Erzhu were left dumbfounded and much quieter for the rest of the afternoon.

Bai Manshan didn’t mind. He thought it was best if they could adapt, but if they couldn’t, he wouldn’t go out of his way to make it easy for them. There wouldn’t be a next time.

He looked at Hu Wenhua with admiration.

This was a good seedling. With proper training and tempering, he could be very useful in the future.