The next day, Wei Qingshan again rushed to town early in the morning with the mule cart. The situation in town was even more serious than what he had told Lin Yu. The market streets were crowded with many refugees from outside, in ragged clothes, with both old and young among them.

Wei Qingshan only wanted to quickly deal with the three pigs at home so that he could bring Lin Yu into the mountains as soon as possible.

In the morning, Uncle Ma came again. It was clear that he was truly anxious. Seeing that Wei Qingshan was not at home, he said he would come again at night.

Wei Qingshan sold until the afternoon and then packed up early. On the way, many refugees reached out begging for food. A small stall selling steamed buns was deliberately knocked over by a beggar, and the refugees swarmed up and took the buns, ignoring the stall owner’s shouting and cursing, which was of no use.

The elderly couple at the stall next to his had already stopped doing business a few days ago, afraid that there would be looting if more refugees came. Wei Qingshan felt a sense of urgency. The government office at the town’s entrance was already distributing porridge, but there were too many people, making it seem ineffective. Even when he was leaving town, some young refugees tried to snatch things. Wei Qingshan waved his whip and drove them off.

Wei Qingshan hurried back with the mule cart. Things were getting chaotic in town, and if it didn’t rain soon, it would likely get worse.

Not long after he returned, Uncle Ma came over again. Wei Qingshan discussed things with him. He wanted to buy three mu of paddy fields and two mu of dry fields. Uncle Ma gritted his teeth and agreed.

Wei Qingshan went into the house and brought out ten taels of silver as a deposit. Altogether, the land cost forty taels of silver. Wei Qingshan kindly reminded him, “There were a lot of refugees in town today, and even some looting. Uncle Ma, if you’re going to buy grain, better do it quickly.”

The land Uncle Ma sold to Wei Qingshan was truly cheap. Wei Qingshan also gave him a piece of meat. The two agreed to go to town the next day together to transfer the land deed.

Uncle Ma expressed his thanks and took the ten taels of silver deposit from Wei Qingshan and went back first.

“All set?”

“Mm, we’ll go to town tomorrow to transfer the land deed.”

Lin Yu had always wanted to buy land, but didn’t expect that they would suddenly have land in the family. He was still a little stunned. “Qingshan, my family has land now.”

“Mm, we have land now. Once the drought is over, we can eat grain grown by ourselves.”

Wei Qingshan told Lin Yu about the situation in town today. Lin Yu hadn’t expected the town to be this chaotic already, with looting even happening. “Then what should we do? There are still two pigs and some chickens at home that haven’t been dealt with yet.”

“Those two sows have already grown up. They can be bred this year. I’ll ask around in the village to see who wants them. As for the chickens, they’ll be easier to sell in the village.”

Lin Yu gave a soft “Mm.” “Don’t sell the remaining pork. I’m afraid we’ll run into bad people on the road. I’ll turn it into smoked cured meat and we’ll keep it for ourselves.”

“Alright.”

“Right, when you go to town tomorrow, tell Xiaoliu to stop coming out from now on.”

“Got it.”

The next morning, Uncle Ma came early with the land deed from home. Wei Qingshan hitched up the mule cart and came out. Uncle Ma was a little surprised, “Qingshan, not going to town to sell pork today?”

“No, things aren’t peaceful in town right now.”

Uncle Ma asked, “I haven’t gone to town for a few days. What’s it like now?”

“More and more refugees fleeing the famine are coming. I fear there will be even more in the coming days.”

Uncle Ma felt a bit panicked. “Qingshan, how about this — since you’re not bringing meat to town today, help me carry the remaining thirty taels of silver. Give it to me after we transfer the land deed. I’ll take the chance to use your mule cart to bring the grain back.”

“Alright.”

Wei Qingshan took out the silver, but he didn’t give it to Uncle Ma right away. Some of the refugees fleeing the famine were young and strong — who knew what might happen on the road?

Lin Yu saw Wei Qingshan off at the courtyard gate. “Come back early.”

“Mm, you stay home and keep the doors locked.”

Wei Qingshan took Uncle Ma to town. It was only the beginning of June, but the weather was already hot enough to make one sweat all over. Fortunately, they had a mule cart to ride in. Otherwise, just walking would soak their clothes in sweat.

It was all alright when they had just left the village, but the closer they got to town, the more refugees there were. Seeing a mule cart coming, many reached out begging, “Have mercy on us, give us something to eat.”

Some of the younger refugees looked at the mule with ill intent, but seeing that Wei Qingshan had a tall and strong build, none of them dared approach. Uncle Ma felt uneasy. “How did it get like this in just a few days?”

Had he known there were so many people, he should’ve called more people from home to come along. If the grain got robbed on the road, what would they do?

The mule cart entered the town. Wei Qingshan first went to the market street. Shi Xiaoliu was already waiting there. When he saw Wei Qingshan coming, he quickly came forward, “Uncle Wei, you’re here.”

Shi Xiaoliu peeked at the empty cart, seeing only an older man sitting on it. “Uncle Wei, you’re not selling pork today?”

Wei Qingshan jumped down from the mule cart and called Shi Xiaoliu over to the side, telling him that the town was too chaotic, and once they took a break this time, it was uncertain when they would open again.

Wei Qingshan gave Shi Xiaoliu a silver tael behind everyone’s backs. This was something Lin Yu had specifically instructed today. Shi Xiaoliu’s family was poor and had many children. If a drought broke out and caused trouble, a famine would definitely follow, and his family probably wouldn’t have an easy time.

“Your Lin Ama especially told me to give this to you. Quickly take the silver and go home, the streets aren’t safe.”

Shi Xiaoliu bowed to Wei Qingshan. “Uncle Wei, then you and Lin Ama must take care as well.”

Shi Xiaoliu wiped away his tears and hurried into the alley to run home. Uncle Wei and Lin Ama had really been too good to him. If there really was a famine later, this silver would be life-saving.

Fortunately, his family had already stocked up on some grain. Lasting a few months wouldn’t be a problem. What they feared most was that it wouldn’t rain for a long time. The weather was so hot that everyone felt anxious inside.

Uncle Ma, sitting on the mule cart, wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Qingshan, who’s that kid?”

“A young helper Yu-ger recruited, he specifically helps Yu-ger sell goods.”

“Oh, your husband’s business is doing that well, huh?”

The two exchanged a few casual words and then headed toward the yamen to exchange the land deed. As they walked along the market street, most of the shops were closed, and even the street vendors selling food were gone. On both sides of the street, refugees from other places sat or lay down in disarray.

It was said that on their side, even drinking water had run out. On their side, people weren’t short of water, and they could still harvest some crops — that was already quite good.

Uncle Ma looked on in shock. “How has the town turned into this mess in just a few days?”

In his heart, he prayed to the heavens for rain, so they could still plant a second batch of rice. Even if it was late and the yield would be low, it was still better than a total loss.

The two quickly completed the land deed exchange at the yamen. Wei Qingshan gave the silver to Uncle Ma and kept the deed close to his chest. Now he and Little Yu had land; he just didn’t know how long this drought would last, or whether they could still grow rice this year.

Uncle Ma didn’t dare to delay. He had Wei Qingshan help him buy grain from the rice shop. Upon asking, he learned that the price of rice had risen to four taels of silver per dan. One had to know that previously, one tael of silver could buy two dans! Uncle Ma realized that if the drought continued like this, grain would probably become even more expensive. He used all forty taels of silver he had on him to buy rice. Looking at the dozen or so sacks of grain on the mule cart, Uncle Ma finally felt at ease. If they rationed it carefully, it could last until next spring.

Nowadays, even households that had grain didn’t dare to eat freely — they feared the drought wouldn’t end.

“All right, Qingshan, let’s head back quickly.”

Wei Qingshan reminded him, “Uncle Ma, if we don’t cover it up, it’ll be hard to make it down the road.”

Uncle Ma slapped his forehead. “Aiyo, look at me.”

He quickly spent a few copper coins and had a rice shop worker buy an old piece of cloth to cover it. On top, he piled some straw for concealment. Only then did Wei Qingshan drive the mule cart away.

Just as Wei Qingshan had expected, as the mule cart moved through the town, many people were eyeing it. Once they left the town, some strong and able-bodied refugees even tried to see what was on the cart. Wei Qingshan lashed his whip at them, and Uncle Ma picked up a stick. Anyone who dared approach was beaten.

All the way, he was nervous and broke out in a sweat, terrified that someone might come and snatch the grain. Fortunately, with Wei Qingshan there, many people, seeing how hard he looked to mess with, didn’t dare come forward.

After Wei Qingshan and Uncle Ma went to town, Lin Yu and Zhao Yueniang took the unsold meat, cleaned it up, salted and spiced it, and then hung it under the shaded straw shed to air dry.

The two carried bamboo baskets and took Dahei and Baixue out. Lin Yu planned to gather some cypress branches to turn the meat into smoked cured meat. This method was rarely used in the countryside. People barely had any meat to eat — who still had smoked cured meat? Only shops in town sold that.

The two of them went together to the back mountain. There were still quite a few villagers there foraging for wild vegetables. Looking around, no edible wild vegetables could be seen — only pig grass remained, which was fed to livestock.

These inedible cypress branches were everywhere. Lin Yu found a shorter cypress tree and cut off some branches, while Zhao Yueniang picked them up and packed them into the basket.

Someone saw and asked, “Yu-ger, what are you doing with those cypress branches you can’t even eat?”

“To build some shade for our pigsty at home.”

Only then did the person stop asking. Everyone was tightening their belts these days. If he said it was for smoking cured meat, it would sound a little inappropriate.

The two of them made two trips and brought back a pile of cypress branches. At noon, they picked a handful of young greens from the vegetable garden and ate hand-pulled noodles.

Even though there was a drought now, Lin Yu’s small vegetable garden remained lush. He took careful care of it and occasionally watered it, so it hadn’t dried up.

Wei Qingshan didn’t return until after noon. He first helped Uncle Ma deliver the grain to his house. As soon as they got home, Uncle Ma’s legs gave out, and he plopped down onto the ground.

“We’re finally home — this trip nearly scared me to death.”

Uncle Ma’s family quickly helped him up. “What happened?”

“You guys didn’t go to town, so you don’t know. Bringing this cart of grain back wasn’t easy. Thank goodness Qingshan helped protect it. Those refugees practically wanted to jump on and snatch it. We can’t go to town anymore.”

“Ah? How could it have gotten this serious?”

The Ma family thanked Wei Qingshan and unloaded the grain. Wei Qingshan drove the mule cart back.

When Lin Yu saw that Wei Qingshan had returned, he let out a breath of relief. “Was everything alright on the road?”

“Yeah. Uncle Ma directly exchanged all forty taels of silver for grain. Today, the price of rice in town has gone up to four taels per dan.”

“Why is it so expensive!”

“The town probably isn’t peaceful anymore.” Wei Qingshan handed the land deed to Lin Yu. “Keep it safe. From now on, this land belongs to our family.”

Although Lin Yu couldn’t read, he still opened it to take a look. Seeing the bright red official seal on it, he was very happy. “Our family has land now. If it rains in the coming days, we can even plant a crop.”

Lin Yu also prayed for rain. The rain hadn’t fallen for a long time, and everyone was anxious and uneasy.

Wei Qingshan was still observing the situation and wasn’t in a hurry to move into the mountains. If it rained, then there would be no need to move. If the refugees didn’t cause trouble, then it would be fine, and there would be no need to move into the mountains either.

The cured meat that Lin Yu had hung up to dry had been air-dried for more than a day. At night, he hung the meat in the courtyard and started smoking it with cypress branches. He had to get up from time to time to check on it, afraid that the fire would be too strong and burn the meat, and also afraid that he would oversleep and forget to add more cypress branches.

Later in the night, Wei Qingshan told Lin Yu not to get up anymore. “Just sleep peacefully, I’ll keep watch tonight.”

“Alright, keep an eye on it and don’t let an open flame start, or else the meat will all be burned.”

“Mm.”

Only then did Lin Yu go to sleep with peace of mind. Wei Qingshan got up several times during the night to keep watch.

Lin Yu also got up when the sky was still dim. The cured meat that had been smoked overnight was coated in a layer of sauce-like color. Before dawn, he and Wei Qingshan brought the smoked meat to the east room and hung it up.

News that Wei Qingshan had bought a few mu of land from Uncle Ma quickly spread through the village. Some people started having thoughts about selling their land and came to ask Wei Qingshan if he was still buying. The price they offered was even lower than what Uncle Ma had sold for.

Wei Qingshan declined those who came asking, saying the household had no silver saved. Right now, even if they bought farmland, they didn’t know whether it could be planted. They also didn’t know if it could be planted next year. Wei Qingshan didn’t dare to buy too much. If things dragged on for two or three years, the belongings he and Lin Yu had would be their life-saving silver.

This matter had already been discussed between him and Lin Yu. Even though some people were now selling land cheaply, they didn’t dare to buy much. If they ended up with farmland they couldn’t farm, and they ran out of grain, how were they supposed to live?

Wei Qingshan hadn’t been to town for only three or four days when someone from the village came running back from town. It was someone called Liuzi who worked as a waiter in town.

He had run back home from town in a panic. Many people went to ask about the situation. Wei Qingshan and Lin Yu also went. The two of them had been observing the situation—if the refugees could be settled and didn’t cause chaos, then they wouldn’t need to go into the mountains.

Liuzi was surrounded by everyone. “Liuzi, what’s going on in town? Why did you come back? Weren’t you doing well at the restaurant?”

Liuzi gulped down a bowl of water and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Don’t even mention it. The town is no longer safe. A family in town got robbed by the refugees, and the whole family was killed. It scared the restaurant into closing its doors. I hurried back too.”

“Ah! How could that happen!”

“Now every household in town has its doors shut. Who still dares to do business? Those refugees got angry about not having enough to eat and started causing trouble.”

Wei Qingshan’s expression also darkened. It seemed he needed to quickly take Lin Yu into the mountains to hide. Even if there were wild animals in the mountains, they were better than desperate, starving refugees.

On the way back, neither of them spoke. The expressions on their faces carried a trace of heaviness.

Zhao Yueniang was also at home waiting for news. When she saw the two of them return, she hurried over to meet them. “Brother, how is it?”

“I’m afraid it’s not good.”

Zhao Yueniang also felt uneasy. “Then what do we do?”

Wei Qingshan looked at Lin Yu. “Xiao Yu, I’m going to ask around the village to see who’s willing to buy our family’s two sows. You pack up our things. We’ll prepare to go into the mountains these next few days.”

“Alright.”

Wei Qingshan first went to ask the He family if they wanted the sows. These two sows had already grown up, and if they were bred this year, they could give birth. He didn’t plan to ask for much. Now, a pig had risen to six or seven taels of silver, but he was still selling at the previous price, planning to sell at three taels per pig.

When He Dazhu heard, he was very willing. “It’s just that my family can only take one. Go see if Shi Tou’s family wants one.”

Three taels of silver for a pig really wasn’t expensive at a time like this. Plus, if you bought one, it could give birth and you could eat from it—it was a good deal.

“Qingshan, why don’t you raise them anymore? These sows are really good.”

“The town isn’t safe right now. I’m afraid the refugees will spread to the countryside. I want to take Yu-ger into the mountains to hide for a while.”

“Who knows, our village is still considered peaceful. We’re not really short on food and drink. This year’s harvest wasn’t good, so every family dared not eat their fill. Besides, I’ve got a big family—we’ll just hang in there. Who knows what’ll happen.”

Wei Qingshan nodded. He Dazhu continued, “If you’re moving stuff into the mountains, call me and Erzhu. The two of us will help you carry things into the mountains.”

“Alright.”

Wei Qingshan had originally planned to use the mule to drag the grain and make trip after trip into the mountains. With He Dazhu and He Erzhu helping, he could use the mule cart to pull it up to halfway up the mountain, then walk to where the cart couldn’t go, switch to the mule, and haul it load by load. That way, it would be much faster than doing it all by himself.

Wei Qingshan also asked Shi Tou, and Shi Tou wanted one, after all, a fully grown sow that had just given birth was definitely worth it.

That same day, the He family and Shi Tou drove the two sows from the backyard back to their homes. There were too many chickens in the backyard, so a few were sold, too. They were all hens currently laying eggs. Shi Tou wanted five to keep for laying eggs to help nourish He Dongdong’s health.

When He Dongdong heard that Lin Yu was going into the mountains, he asked Shi Niang to help watch over the eldest child. He carried the second child over himself.

“Yu-ger, why so sudden? Didn’t you just buy land?”

“I’m afraid things will get chaotic in the future, and the countryside won’t stay peaceful. You’re careful at home, too. We don’t know when we’ll be back from this trip into the mountains. Take care of yourself.”

He Dongdong couldn’t bear to part with Lin Yu and, holding his baby, he wiped his tears. “Maybe it won’t come to that. Look at our village—it’s still doing just fine right now.”

“There’s nothing much at my place. Just take it like I’m going hunting in the mountains with Qingshan. I’ll be back in a few days.”

Lin Yu figured the drought would probably ease after summer, so they’d only be staying in the mountains for a month or two. Besides, the weather this year was unusually hot, so escaping into the mountains to cool off wouldn’t be bad either.

Lin Yu held little Yun-ger for a while, and just so happened to hand over the little bellybands he had made for the two children to He Dongdong. “Once it gets a bit hotter, they can start wearing them.”

He Dongdong kept wiping away tears. In the end, it was Shi Tou who persuaded him to go back. He kept looking back repeatedly. “Yu-ger, make sure you come back early.”

“I will.”

That night, Lin Yu discussed it with Wei Qingshan. This trip into the mountains—no one could say when they would come back. Maybe a couple of months, maybe a year or two—it was all uncertain.

The two of them discussed moving half the grain at home into the mountains first. That way, they wouldn’t have to drag it all back down again if they ended up not staying long. The rest they would bury in a cellar in the backyard, along with other valuable things from home.

Wei Qingshan nodded and started digging in the original mule shed. One corner of the shed was piled with dry straw, so even if someone broke in, they wouldn’t discover the grain was hidden there.

While Wei Qingshan dug the earth, Lin Yu and Zhao Yueniang used baskets to carry it outside, dumping it all into the vegetable garden, which helped hide it from plain view.

Wei Qingshan finished digging in two days. Afraid the grain would get damp in the cellar, he even laid a layer of moisture-blocking straw on the bottom, covered the top with wooden boards, and finally spread out the fodder reserved for the mule on top. Wei Qingshan stored half the grain inside. If they stayed too long in the mountains and didn’t have enough food, he’d come back down to fetch it.

Wei Qingshan patted the dirt off his hands and looked around. Lin Yu was watching nearby. Wei Qingshan turned his head and asked him, “You can’t tell it’s there, right?”

“Mm, someone who doesn’t know wouldn’t find it.”

The three of them tidied up the house. Early the next morning, Wei Qingshan called He Dazhu and He Erzhu over to help.

He first transported seven or eight sacks of grain along with some miscellaneous items. He drove the mule cart halfway up the mountain. The He brothers helped watch the goods while he led the mule further up to haul the grain. The mule carried four sacks at a time, and he carried one on his back. After two trips back and forth, the first load was delivered up the mountain.

Just that one trip took them past noon. Originally, they could have finished it all in one day, but if Lin Yu and the others went up in the afternoon, they wouldn’t have had time to unpack before dark.

The rest of the goods—more miscellaneous items, quilts, and the chicken cage—were transported the next day. Lin Yu looked at his home with deep reluctance.

Everything had been arranged, except that after he left, his little vegetable garden would have no one to tend to it and would surely wither. So he handed it over directly to Sang Niang, asking her to water it. She could pick the vegetables inside to eat freely. He had worked hard on this garden for several months—it was better than letting everything die.

Knowing Lin Yu was leaving today, Dong-ger and Chun-ger both came to see him off. Dong-ger brought Lin Yu a cloth sack of red dates. Chun-ger brought a slab of tofu. “I really hope it rains soon so you can come back earlier.”

Sang Niang came leading Qing-ger to see Lin Yu off, too. She gave Lin Yu a bolt of cloth she had woven herself. “Yu-ger, take good care of yourself.”

Qing-ger also tilted up his little head and said, “Ama, come back soon.”

Lin Yu rubbed his head. “If things get chaotic, you all take care of yourselves, too. It’s not so peaceful anymore.”

Everyone understood that logic and could only sigh, not knowing what to do. They had fields and families to take care of and couldn’t leave. Even if they could follow Wei Qingshan into the mountains, without hunting skills, they’d just starve.

Lin Yu said a few words to them, locked the door, and went into the mountains with Wei Qingshan and the others.

Once Lin Yu got there, he helped Wei Qingshan move things up the mountain. The He brothers and Zhao Yueniang stayed halfway to watch the goods. The two of them just needed to make one more trip.

Everything was unloaded. The two bamboo baskets carried by the mule were full of goods, and the back baskets carried by Wei Qingshan and the other two were also packed.

“Alright, Dazhu, Erzhu, you two head back now. Please help me push the cart frame down.”

“Then, Qingshan, be careful in the mountains.”

“Mm, you guys take care too.”

The three of them were leading the mule, followed by two hunting dogs. The group walked toward the forest. The furthest Lin Yu had gone with Wei Qingshan before was an hour’s journey into the mountains. This time, they went deeper and deeper. He had never entered such a deep part of the woods.

The deeper they went, the denser and quieter the forest became. Only the sound of startled birds from the treetops and the chirping of cicadas could be heard—no other sounds at all.

The two hunting dogs guarded them, one in front and one in the rear. The mule walked in front, Lin Yu and Zhao Yueniang were in the middle, and Wei Qingshan followed behind them.

The further in they went, the harder the road became. The already narrow path was covered with vines. Lin Yu had followed Wei Qingshan once before, so on this second trip, he felt it wasn’t as scary.

Zhao Yueniang was walking this path for the first time. Carrying a basket on her back, she looked around curiously. The forest was so dense that she felt a bit afraid. “Brother, I’ve never gone this deep into the forest before.”

“I haven’t either. Yueniang, are you a little scared? Don’t worry, your Qingshan-ge is here.”

“A little. It’s just that the forest is so dense and so quiet.”

“When I walked it the first time with your Qingshan-ge, I was a little scared too. But once you walk it again, you won’t be scared anymore.”

As the two of them talked, the three of them walked and rested intermittently, so the journey didn’t feel very long. By mid-afternoon, they had arrived.

This place had been left behind by an old hunter. There was a small wooden house, and beside it was a grass shed with one open side. Inside were some stacked firewood and cooking utensils.

The three of them finally arrived and sat on their baskets to catch their breath. It was already past noon, and everyone was hungry. Lin Yu used a small iron pot they had brought to heat up a few buns to eat.

Wei Qingshan carried a bucket and went to a nearby creek to fetch water, then boiled it in a small clay pot.

The three of them first ate the buns and drank some water. At last, they could catch their breath.

While eating, Lin Yu spoke to Wei Qingshan. “This place isn’t bad. It’s quite open and close to a water source.”

“It was arranged by the old hunter before. He deliberately cleared out a plot of open land so he could see farther and guard against wild animals. In the next few days, we’ll fence in the yard. That way, when I go out hunting, you two will be safer at home.”

“Alright.”

Having just moved here, there was a lot of work to do. The first thing was to tidy up the house. And currently, there was only one small wooden house. Zhao Yueniang didn’t have a place to stay. Wei Qingshan planned to clean up the shed and cut some bamboo to turn it into a small room. Since the weather was hot, it didn’t need to be too refined. It would do fine for summer and autumn.

The three of them began building the house. The shed already had three sides, so they only needed to enclose one more side, which they could finish in an afternoon.

Lin Yu and Zhao Yueniang moved the firewood and clutter out from inside, while Wei Qingshan went nearby to cut some bamboo and dragged it over. Using a machete, he split the bamboo into strips, stuck them into the ground, and wove them into a bamboo wall. Not long after, the shed had been transformed into a small house. Lin Yu and Zhao Yueniang also cleaned up the inside.

Lin Yu came out of the house. “Qingshan, there’s no bed in here. What should we do?”

“There’s still bamboo. Making one out of bamboo will be quick.”

Wei Qingshan then used the bamboo to make a bed. By the time he was nearly done, the sun was already slanting to the west. Lin Yu quickly went into the small wooden house and made up the bed for the two of them, then started a fire to cook.

Luckily, there was a large rock beside them that could be used as a chopping board. Lin Yu used it to slice vegetables. Then he took out the fire bucket and stir-fried the dishes. For dinner, they steamed rice, stir-fried two dishes, and made a soup. The three of them finally had a hot meal to eat.

After a whole day on the road, everyone was tired. Lin Yu was worried that Zhao Yueniang would be scared staying alone, so he let Baixue stay in the room with her, while Dahei lay on the open ground.