Rebirth of Siheyuan: Starting from escaping famine in 42

Liu Baofu, who was standing behind the two men, saw this scene. He chuckled in his heart, then went back to his bed and lay down to rest.

I was thinking about how I could make more money during the grain harvest to enrich my own piggy bank.

In the next few days, Liu Baofu led the Imperial Army to collect grain from the landlords in the countryside, and then from the wealthy families in the city. Since Liu Baofu sent people to give advance notice, it can be said that Liu Baofu's task of collecting grain was completed quickly.

Takeuchi Hisaichi had a skeptical attitude towards this grain-collecting mission, and he thought that Liu Baofu would not be able to complete it. Unexpectedly, a few days later, Liu Baofu brought him a huge surprise. For this, Takeuchi Hisaichi praised Liu Baofu and rewarded him with some weapons and ammunition captured on the battlefield.

They were all Hanyang rifles, Shuilianzhu rifles, and Zhongzheng rifles, half old and half new, and the rifling of some rifles was worn smooth.

Liu Baofu did not despise the guns given to him. With these guns, he could recruit a lot of people to expand the Imperial Army. So he happily took these arms and began to recruit people to supplement his team.

 …

Li Qingfeng has been well behaved for a while since he intercepted the Japanese's food. Every day is the same as before, mostly cooking in the restaurant, practicing the recipes given by his master, or waiting for Wu Lirong to have fun with her when she is not in class.

That day, Li Qingfeng finished his breakfast at home and came to the restaurant. When he saw his master with a sad face, he walked up to him and asked softly, "Master, why do you look so sad? Did something happen?"

Hearing this, Quanfu sighed, "Ah!" Then he lit a cigarette and said to Li Qingfeng, "Qingfeng! Now there is no food, meat, or vegetables available in the market, and the restaurant can no longer operate."

He took a puff of his cigarette and continued, "Even though I'm short of this little money, it doesn't matter whether the restaurant is open or not."

“But what should ordinary people do if they can’t buy food outside?”

Upon hearing this, Li Qingfeng also lit a cigarette, took two deep puffs, and then forced a smile and said, "Master, it's okay. The devils in the city should be able to find a way. They can't just watch the people go hungry. Over time, the devils are also afraid that the people will riot."

Quanfu shook his head and said softly, "Qingfeng, it would be great if it were just as you said. I hope fewer people will starve to death."

Li Qingfeng said reluctantly: "Master, let's not worry about it. We can't help so many people."

Quanfu nodded and said, "Well, Qingfeng, if you meet poor people in the future, help them as much as you can."

Li Qingfeng said: "Master, don't worry, I will do this."

"Okay, Qingfeng, the restaurant is closed now anyway. If you have nothing to do, just go back first. I'll be alone for a while." After saying that, Quanfu got up and went back to the backyard house to rest.

Li Qingfeng shook his head, sighed, and left the restaurant. He didn't feel like strolling around the street anymore, so he went straight home.

After returning home, Li Qingfeng lay on the bed, thinking that there was no one selling grain on the market now, so could he be a grain merchant? Once he sold the excess grain in the space, he would get boxes of money in return. This matter had to be planned carefully and he couldn't be impatient. He had to wait for two days and see.

I don’t know if my father-in-law has any food left. Although my father-in-law works in the logistics department of the police station, he can’t get a lot of food. There should be some food at home, but it may not be enough.

When my younger brother came back from school at noon, I would say hello to him and then take a bag of food to visit my father-in-law's house.

Alas! The restaurant has been closed recently, and I don’t know what to do. It’s too boring to stay at home every day. I have to find something to do. Li Qingfeng lay on the bed thinking about things and fell asleep unknowingly.

When school was over at noon, Li Qingshan and a few good classmates walked home leisurely.

When Li Qingfeng arrived at the door, he was about to take out the key to open the door, but found that the lock on the door was gone. He pushed the door open with both hands, thinking that his brother had returned home. He closed the door and shouted, "Brother, are you back?"

Li Qingfeng, who was cooking in the kitchen, heard his brother's call and turned to the yard and shouted, "Qingshan, I'm in the kitchen?"

After hearing this, Li Qingshan came to the kitchen and asked his eldest brother in confusion: "Brother, why didn't you cook at the restaurant at noon? Why did you go home?"

Li Qingfeng brought the cooked dishes to the table and said, "There is no grain, vegetables or meat on the market right now. Master, I will close my restaurant for a while and then I will be back."

Li Qingshan nodded and said suddenly: "Oh! That's what happened! I was wondering why I didn't see any classmates eating in school!"

Li Qingfeng returned to the dining table with the bowl and chopsticks and said to his brother, "Okay, Qingshan, go wash up and we'll eat first and talk while we eat."

"I got it, brother." Li Qingfeng put down his schoolbag and ran to the yard to wash up.

After dinner, Li Qingfeng lit a cigarette and then said to his brother, "Qingshan, if someone asks you what you eat at home at school or near our home, what will you say?"

Li Qingshan thought about it after hearing this, and then said to his elder brother: "Brother, I'm talking about the steamed bread and pickles we eat at home?"

Li Qingfeng said, "Well, that's fine. Anyway, the worse we eat, the better. Otherwise, if others know that our food is so good, they will be jealous and may even come to borrow food. Do you understand?"

Li Qingshan nodded obediently: "Got it, brother."

Li Qingfeng finished his cigarette and said to his brother, "Qingshan, when you go back to school this afternoon, ask Lao Liu if his family has any food left. If not, we can go and deliver some food to his family when you come back this afternoon."

Li Qingshan nodded and said, "I understand, brother. I will ask clearly."

He seemed to remember something, so he asked his eldest brother: "Brother, how much food do we have? After giving it to Teacher Liu, how long will it last for us?"

Li Qingfeng smiled and said, "Don't worry, your brother won't let you starve. I went out every morning to buy some food at the black market for the past two days. I bought enough food for a week. After giving some food to Lao Liu, there will be enough for us to eat. Let me put it in the basement of my house. If you are worried, go and take a look."

Li Qingshan shook his head and said with a smile: "Brother, I don't need to watch it. I'm not worried that you will starve me."

"Okay, after you finish your meal, clean up the dishes and the kitchen, and then go to school quickly! I'll wait for you to come back in the evening. I'll go back to my room and sleep for a while." After Li Qingfeng finished speaking, he went back to his room to sleep.

Li Qingshan shouted to his elder brother: "Got it, brother."

Then Li Qingshan scooped all the dishes on the plate into his bowl and started eating them with steamed buns.