sjar Chapter 885 Begging
Chapter 885 Begging
When he learned that they were going to haul coal from their house, Old Man Zhuang just sighed but didn't say anything more.
He also had a general understanding of the situation in the village.
His family probably had the most coal in the entire village.
This is a difficult time for the village, so we should contribute something.
In the future, it will inevitably attract envy.
Moreover, sending some coal out at this time would earn them a good reputation among the villagers.
Old Zhuang understood all these principles.
But when you finally manage to hoard something, it's never a pleasant experience to give it away.
Lu Qingqing noticed that he was in a bad mood, and after thinking for a moment, she told him about Bai Song's contribution of two cartloads of coal.
Almost visibly, Old Man Zhuang's mood improved.
It's rare that the guy who's always been exploiting their Qingya and Xiaolang is willing to give something in return.
The more I think about him, the happier I get!
Seeing others packing up his coal, he felt a little heartache, but not so much pain.
He walked up to Lu Qingqing and inquired about the construction of the ice wall at the village entrance.
When he learned that the wall wouldn't be finished until tomorrow night at the earliest, he couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Humans are not animals; they can't work non-stop forever.
At this rate, it's unlikely we'll be able to finish by tomorrow night.
But building a wall can't be rushed; it has to be done step by step.
When Old Man Zhuang found out, he became anxious and prepared to change his shoes and go with them, but Lu Qingqing stopped him.
Although the old man was still in good health, he was not as healthy as a young man.
A few days ago, I went to the stable to add charcoal at night and caught a cold.
Now that he's finally recovered, we dare not let him go out again.
Besides, three out of the four people in their courtyard have gone out, which is already enough.
While the two were talking, the coal had already been packed.
Lu Qingqing pushed Old Man Zhuang back into the house and led the people to deliver the coal to the west end of the village.
At this time, the progress in the west of the village was faster than that in the east.
Uncle Wu was staying at the west end of the village. When he learned that the coal was given by Lu Qingqing, he bowed again to pay his respects.
This time, Lu Qingqing was well-prepared.
Before Uncle Wu could even bend down, they rushed forward and firmly grabbed his arm.
Seeing that he couldn't move, Uncle Wu stopped bowing.
He turned around and told everyone about it.
When the villagers found out, most of them were grateful.
Those who had other ideas dared not express them at this time.
After delivering coal to the west side of the village, Lu Qingqing loaded another cart with coal and delivered it to the small road in the north side of the village.
In the past, it was discovered that the wall on the north side of the village was already taller than a person.
Sun Laohai was very happy to see them bringing coal.
He immediately said that once the north side of the village was completed, he would bring people to help in the east side.
He was a seasoned bricklayer, and even when building ice walls, he was more experienced than the average person.
Lu Qingqing said a few words to them briefly, and left after the coal was unloaded.
With ample coal supplies at the three locations in the village, everyone was busy working enthusiastically.
Around 9 PM, the wall on the secluded path on the north side of the village was completely completed.
Sun Laohai sent someone over to call Lu Qingqing and Uncle Laowu to take a look.
Lu Qingqing was very satisfied at first glance.
This wall must be at least four or five meters high.
At this height, even a regular ladder can't get you up there.
Moreover, the walls were built very thick, and snowmelt was poured over them after they were completed.
As water was poured down in circles, it quickly blended with the ice blocks.
Lu Qingqing drew the long sword from her waist and tried it, but could only cut off some ice shards.
Uncle Wu walked around the base of the wall and was quite satisfied.
Seeing this, Sun Laohai and the villagers breathed a sigh of relief.
The group packed their things, split into two teams, and went to the east and west of the village respectively.
Everyone worked until midnight, and Uncle Lao Wu sent someone to call some of them home to rest.
Those who went back home slept for about two hours before returning to replace the rest.
After half the villagers left, the construction of the village entrance wall slowed down considerably.
Lu Qingqing used her wrist to adjust her tilted hat and straightened up to catch her breath.
The wind wasn't too strong tonight, but it was icy cold.
Those wearing thick cotton-padded clothes are in a better position.
Those families who didn't have much cotton at home were forced to mix reed catkins and willow catkins into their old cotton wadding.
The clothes I was wearing were not cold at all; they would freeze through me as soon as the wind blew.
Those people had no choice but to try their best to move around.
Some people who were freezing went to the fire to warm themselves.
We'll go back to work when it gets warmer.
Everyone knows that the best job in the village is boiling water by the fire.
Sun Chengkun simply arranged for everyone to take turns boiling water.
In this way, everyone will have some time to catch their breath.
Despite the biting cold wind, the group never stopped.
During this time, Sun Yue heard someone coughing because they were cold.
I took out the ginger I had in my bag, sliced it, and put it in a pot to make ginger soup.
Lu Qingqing also took the opportunity to step forward and put some spatial water inside.
When the ginger soup was ready, the pungent smell was quite overpowering.
The family living closest to the house went home and brought over several large bowls.
Sun Yue filled several large bowls and placed them aside.
The crowd gathered around, holding their bowls, blowing on them slightly, and then began to drink.
Once one batch is finished, the next batch is ready.
After drinking the ginger soup, you feel warm all over.
Lu Qingqing couldn't stand the pungent ginger flavor, so she picked up her water pouch and drank some warm water.
Two hours later, the group of people who had gone back to sleep returned.
After finishing their work, Lu Qingqing and Sun Yue rubbed the dirt off their hands with snow.
With legs that felt like lead, I returned to the small courtyard.
Old Zhuang hadn't slept much, and upon hearing them open the door, he quickly led them back into the house.
We served them hot water to wash their hands and took out the rice that was still warm in the pot.
After a night of physical labor, all three of them were exhausted.
After eating four large steamed buns and drinking two large bowls of porridge, he went back to his room and went to sleep.
When I got up again, it was already broad daylight.
The three of them got up, ate something, and then returned to the village entrance.
It was only then that Lu Qingqing heard about it.
After they left last night, some refugees sneaked over under cover of darkness.
Everyone initially thought they were there to launch a sneak attack, but it turned out they were there to steal the corpses that had been thrown into the ditch.
The ditch next to it was very deep, and the refugees who came to steal the corpses tried for quite a while.
The soldiers on duty didn't notice until someone accidentally fell in.
Except for the refugee who fell down, the rest of them all ran away.
The refugee who fell into the ditch was terrified that the crowd would kill him.
Ignoring his limp leg, he limped and ran towards the north of the village.
According to Sun Chengkun, the ditch is quite long.
If you want to get out, you'll have a long way to go.
The soldiers were to guard the village entrance and did not pursue them further, nor did they know whether the refugees had actually escaped.
Two days later.
Lu Qingqing and Qin Lang squatted in the observation deck, resting with their eyes closed.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps and got up to look outside.
A group of refugees were found circling outside the ice wall.
Judging from their clothes and appearance, this group doesn't seem to be the same group of refugees from before.
Seeing that they were about to poke the ice wall with their sticks, Qin Lang quickly spoke up to stop them.
"What are you doing! Get out of here!"
The people below the wall were startled by the sudden sound.
After taking a few steps back, he looked at the two people standing above him and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Brothers, we are villagers from Cuijia Town, Hai'an County."
The village was attacked by refugees some time ago, and only a few of us escaped.
Having come this far, we have absolutely nothing to eat or drink. Could we possibly beg for something to eat from you?