CHAPTER 299: 299. ENCOUNTERING AN ACQUAINTANCE AGAIN

"I was about to talk to you," the village chief Wang said upon hearing this.

"The officials have provided two options. One option, as you mentioned, is to use Silver Coin to buy, but you know this disaster came so unexpectedly, many people were completely unprepared. Buying with Silver is indeed somewhat difficult, so the county magistrate has offered another method: labor exchange."

"Labor exchange?" Hua Laohan was surprised again.

"Yes, labor exchange, meaning even if you don’t have Silver Coin, you can still receive seeds. You just need each household to send one person to replace the cost of seeds with their labor. For a period of ten days, each household can receive five liters."

Upon hearing this, Hua Laohan, who was slightly agape, genuinely admired the county magistrate from the bottom of his heart.

If he had any other thoughts before, now he genuinely believed that this was an official who truly cared for the people.

Shanggu Town isn’t exactly large, nor is it small. With countless villages combined, there are tens of them, totaling several thousand people.

Even if this disaster caused many not to survive, Hua Laohan still believed there were quite a few survivors.

One household after another really required a lot of grain seeds, it was evident that this official truly put a lot of effort into it, and being able to get them was indeed a skill.

Five liters of seeds are not much but not too little either; enough to plant three acres without a problem. At harvest time, it’s quite significant; if a family eats sparingly, mixed with wild vegetables and such, they can manage for a year or two even half-full.

"This method is good," Hua Laohan couldn’t help but exclaim.

It can be said to be a win-win situation, not only giving the people hope but also getting free labor.

"Who wouldn’t agree? The county magistrate’s action really solves the urgent difficulties of us common folks, otherwise the days ahead are truly uncertain on how to live," the village chief Wang echoed, genuinely grateful for the county magistrate.

"I understand, knowing that you old fellow are still alive puts me at ease. Go back quickly, as long as the seeds are planted, there’s hope."

"Who wouldn’t agree? To say you’re still here, how would I dare to leave!" village chief Wang happily teased, seeing his old mate he was truly delighted.

Hua Laohan’s response was to give his old mate’s shoulder another firm pat.

"As you said, it’s really time to leave. When you have a chance, you can visit Wang Family Village to check around. There’s not much good to eat, but there’ll definitely be a bowl of wild vegetable porridge."

Nowadays, being able to drink porridge with wild vegetables already counted as a fairly decent life, so the village chief Wang didn’t feel shabby at all.

However, wealth shouldn’t be exposed; when he said this, he almost whispered into Hua Laohan’s ear, for at times like this, anyone with any grain would surely keep it tightly hidden.

Hua Laohan smiled: "Alright, if there’s a chance, I’ll definitely go. You should take care too; nowadays can’t compare to back then, can’t be too reckless."

"Alright, let’s all take care," Village chief Wang looked somewhat reluctantly at his old friend, also patted Hua Laohan’s shoulder, shouting to the village folks to prepare to leave.

"Old Brother Wang..." Watching the person turn away, thinking of the disaster that emerged a few months later, Hua Laohan couldn’t endure any longer.

Village chief Wang turned his head.

"As brothers for years, it’s still necessary to remind you about the current situation; we can’t be careless. Besides planting grain and vegetables, it’s better to prepare more, especially now with rich wild vegetables, dig more and dry them for emergencies, and store more water, remember my words, store more water."

"Thanks, brother, I will definitely remember," Village chief Wang nodded solemnly.

In fact, even without Hua Laohan’s reminder, he was already prepared for this.

Even though it looked somewhat normal now, having endured a year and a half of darkness, faced hunger, and encountered death, anyone would instinctively stockpile grain.

But this kind gesture was worthy of gratitude; however, why did this old buddy specifically remind him to store more water? Hua Laohan pondered over it and decided to keep in mind about water.

"Alright, I won’t say too much, hurry back," Hua Laohan waved towards those eyeing them from the roadside.

They traveled in groups, but clearly, the Wang family’s villagers were the most numerous, they should be safe enough not to worry.

"Grandpa, let’s go too," Watching everyone leave, Hua Jin dragged Xiao Si over.

"Let’s go," seeing his old brothers, Hua Laohan was in good spirits, nodding and taking the lead in walking, others quickly followed.

This group, carrying things on their backs and looking robust, seemed like a noticeable target.

Indeed... they really did catch someone’s attention.

As soon as their group left, a few people who had been resting under a tree across the road stood up, staring tightly at their departing figures, a look of greed flashing in their eyes.

While walking, Hua Jin couldn’t help but frown, glancing back over her shoulder.

Their stare was unpleasant, giving her a bad feeling, emanating a repugnant vibe, and their eyes resembled wolves eyeing prey.

Hua Jin squinted her eyes, clearly these people weren’t good, it’s crucial not to fall into their hands, otherwise... Hua Jin’s eyes turned cold, a gleam of sharp light flashed.

Completely unaware they had been identified, the few people watched until the shadow became increasingly faint then turned away excitedly.

Seemed like fat sheep, their strong bodies indicating they were not short of food, or like them... with special reserve food.

...If they could take them all, there wouldn’t be any rush for the coming period.

On Hua Laohan’s side, except Hua Jin, no one knew they were being targeted, especially as reserve food.

The journey ahead went smoothly, after an hour they could faintly see the remains of Shanggu Town in the distance.

Entering the town, though better than the villages seen on the road, many houses had already undergone repairs, yet too much remained derelict with merely four walls standing, revealing it to be a bleak ruinous town.

As they approached, the number of people increased, most arriving and leaving hurriedly, others busy cleaning or repairing houses.

Hua Laohan understood, they must have received seeds and were repaying with labor.

But it was effective, the town wasn’t in shambles anymore, the mud and debris on the roads were cleared, revealing the original cobblestone paths.

Many people, like them, rushed towards the town, evidently to receive seeds upon hearing the news.

At this moment, everyone’s mood was unified, even their vigilance lowered significantly, at least not maintaining exaggerated distances between people as on the road.

Hua Laohan, wary, held onto a child with each hand, leading his group towards the mansion at the deepest part of the town.

As they walked, everyone surveyed the once bustling Shanggu Town, now turned into a lifeless landscape, honestly, the sight was quite disheartening.

And as the village chief Wang mentioned, except for the repairing folks, not a single shop was open, unable to buy anything even if they wanted to.

"Hua Jin..."

Suddenly, a surprised, slightly hoarse yet exceptionally pleasant male voice rang out, catching Hua Laohan’s group’s attention.

Especially Hua Jin, who felt the voice was very familiar; searchingly looking over, she saw a dark young man jump down from a house being repaired, joyfully gazing at her direction.