Natural disasters in books: I stockpiled goods to escape famine in ancient times

After Zhang Wu left, Song Shiwei didn't care about his image at all. He sat down on the ground and admired the surrounding environment with interest.

Apart from anything else, the air in ancient times was really good, and there were green mountains and clear waters everywhere, but such beautiful scenery will soon disappear.

It's a pity.

All things in the world are like ants in the face of the power of nature.

In just a cup of tea, Zhang Wu came back with a bundle of branches. When he saw Song Shiwei sitting, he was stunned for a moment, then returned to normal and started to make a fire and cook.

Seeing his skillful movements, Song Shiwei was slightly surprised: "You can also cook?"

"Children from poor families have to take care of themselves early. I have been helpless since I was young, so I often do these jobs." Zhang Wu seemed to feel that these words might be heavy. He smiled and said, "When I first went to the Marquis' Mansion, the housekeeper arranged for me to help in the kitchen. Over time, I learned how to do it. Although the taste may not be as good as that of the restaurant, the master should not despise his subordinates."

"As long as it's edible, I'm not picky about it."

Lunch was a simple porridge and side dishes, with some sesame cakes roasted on the fire for a while, and it tasted pretty good.

Fearing that Song Shiwei might feel bored, Zhang Wu glanced at the woods nearby and said with a smile, "When we rest, I will go to the woods and hunt some wild animals for you to roast."

Song Shiwei waved his hand indifferently: "Let's hurry on our way first, and we'll talk about hunting in two days."

Zhang Wu agreed with a smile, and took the pots and bowls to the nearby river to wash them.

-

They traveled for two consecutive days, and had simple meals during these two days. Song Shiwei estimated that they had traveled about fifty miles a day, and were now one hundred and fifty miles away from the capital, so they stopped the journey.

There are still ten days before the natural disaster, so there is no need to rush the journey.

The next day, Zhang Wu was delighted to learn that he didn't have to rush on his journey. He said that he would find time in the afternoon to go to the forest to hunt for wild animals for Song Shiwei to improve his food.

Song Shi smiled and agreed.

Since they were not in a hurry to travel, and taking into account the bumpy ride in the carriage, Zhang Wu slowed down completely, and occasionally talked to Song Shiwei about some interesting things in the past.

It really seems like they are out for fun.

Not to mention that Zhang Wu had been traveling for three days and hadn't eaten much, even Song Shiwei, who loved meat, couldn't stand it, especially sitting in a carriage. Although it was not as tiring as walking, his butt really hurt!

Mingli had to pretend to be calm and collected, and kept rubbing her butt in private.

Both of them had thick cushions under their buttocks, but they couldn't bear it anymore. Fortunately, Song Shiwei was not prone to motion sickness and he would open the car window from time to time to divert his attention.

They passed by a village in the afternoon and estimated the time, which was around four o'clock. Song Shiwei glanced at the map in his mind and immediately stopped the carriage.

"We won't travel today. Let's go to the village and find a family to rest."

Zhang Wu hurriedly drove the carriage towards the village.

As soon as the carriage entered the village, many people who heard the noise opened their doors and came out to watch, whispering something to their neighbors from time to time.

Zhang Wu parked the carriage under a big tree in the village, then got off and walked up to an old man, clasping his fists towards him and saying, "Uncle, my son and I are passing by here and would like to rest in the village. I wonder if there are any uninhabited houses in the village?"

The old man held a stick in his hand, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he first glanced at the carriage, and then set his eyes on Zhang Wu: "Young man, there are empty houses in the village, but you should ask the village chief about this matter."

Zhang Wu hurriedly asked about the location of the village chief's house, took out five copper coins from his bag and handed them to the old man, then returned to the carriage, said something to Song Shiwei, and led the carriage towards the village chief's house.

It was still Zhang Wu who was the only one negotiating with the village chief. Song Shiwei did not get off the carriage from beginning to end, until the two of them, led by the village chief, came to a somewhat dilapidated courtyard.

The courtyard is located in a remote area, with a river not far in front and a large mountain behind it.

The village chief took out the key and opened the gate. The yard was full of fallen leaves and weeds. He smiled a little embarrassedly and said, "This family moved away a few years ago. No one has taken care of it, so it looks a bit run-down. But the house is in good condition. Every year, we organize people to check the beams. What do you think..."

Zhang Wu saw Song Shi nodded slightly, turned to the village chief and said: "It is better to be sheltered from the wind and rain than to sleep in the open air. Thank you for taking me in. My son and I will leave tomorrow."

As he said this, he took out twenty copper coins from his pocket and handed them to the village chief.

The village chief was stunned for a moment, then waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, that won't do. It's just a one-night stay. It's not worth spending money. These are all uninhabited houses. I hope you two don't mind the shabby appearance of this place."

"There's no need to refuse, village chief. After all, it's us who are disturbing your village," Song Shiwei said as he walked towards the yard, looking around at the environment as he walked.

The person in charge had spoken, so the village chief did not refuse. However, his smile when he looked at the two of them became much more sincere. He left after saying that he would not disturb them.

Zhang Wu also walked quickly behind Song Shiwei and said, "Sir, please wait outside for a while. I will go in and tidy up. I see a big mountain behind us. We will go and hunt some wild animals in a while."

Song Shi smiled and agreed.

When Zhang Wu was ready to go out, Song Shiwei stopped him and went to the carriage to get a long sword and a bow and arrow: "Take them with you, be careful. If you can't kill any wild animals, it doesn't matter. Go early and come back early."

Zhang Wu felt very warm in his heart. He took the long sword and bow and arrow with excitement, said a few more words, and left with his head held high.

Song Shiwei was not idle either. The room had been cleaned by Zhang Wu and covered with bed sheets and quilt covers. He did not go in for a while. Instead, he turned and walked into the kitchen. The pots and pans had all been moved in and put in order by Zhang Wu.

Seeing that there was still some firewood in the woodroom, Song Shiwei took out a fire starter and started to make a fire. He then poured the stream water in the space into the pot, and finally went back to the room and took out the steaming bathtub.

We have been sleeping outdoors during these days of traveling. Every time, I would go into the space to wash up hurriedly when Zhang Wu fell asleep. I didn’t dare to take a bath. I even missed him a little for a while.

At this time in Qingshan Village, smoke was rising from cooking fires. The adults came back from work carrying hoes on their shoulders, surrounded by their children. A group of people were walking home in a mighty procession, talking and laughing.

The adults gathered in groups of two or three, gossiping in low voices about the people who came to stay in the village today; the children were very interested in the carriage and planned to go and see it after dinner, until they were forced to do so by their elders.

Are you kidding? The village chief reminded us again and again that the people who stayed with us paid for their accommodation and they are all polite people, so we must not disturb them or we might be impolite.

Song Shiwei sat in the room twisting her hair, smelling the aroma of food wafting from the village. Zhang Wu had not returned yet. After thinking about it, she took out two dishes and a soup from the space and set them up.

Just as I was about to eat, I heard some noise outside. After a while, Zhang Wu came into the room with a bloody face and a scorching gaze.

"Master, I killed a wild boar and brought back two pheasants," he said before noticing the food on the table. He was extremely surprised, but he didn't ask any more questions.

Song Shiwei nodded slightly: "Are you injured?"

"No, it's all wild boar's blood."

"Then let's eat first, and then clean up after dinner."

Zhang Wu smiled and nodded: "I'll go wash first, the bloody smell is too strong, the master eats first."