CHAPTER 330: 330. SMART PERSON

Talking to smart people is never tiring, and then Hua Chengtian laid out the conditions for entering the village one by one.

Hua Chengtian actually had some worries, after all, judging by Zhao Ji’s appearance, life should be quite difficult for him, and whether he could meet the valley’s entry requirements was uncertain. If not, Hua Chengtian was already prepared to lend him support, considering Zhao Ji had been a teacher to Hua’s son and children for over half a year.

"Just follow the village rules."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji didn’t hesitate at all and nodded decisively.

Hua Chengtian took a careful look and then smiled.

Indeed, even a broken ship has three thousand nails. Zhao Ji has been a darts master for so many years, his family’s life wasn’t bad initially. His son even runs a small shop, and a couple of years ago, his son paid a high price to invite Zhao Ji to be a teacher. Not to mention grains, they surely didn’t lack Silver Coin.

"Alright, we’ll be off first thing tomorrow morning, as long as Zhao Ji doesn’t miss the time." With this, Hua Chengtian felt relieved and smiled.

"Thank you, village chief uncle. We will go back and prepare now." Zhao Ji stood up happily, pulled his son over, bowed to Hua Chengtian again, then patted the somewhat excited Xiaosi, and hurriedly left with his son.

How could they wait until the next morning? After packing, they planned to bring the family to Hua Village to wait, so they wouldn’t miss the time.

The other men in the village welcomed Zhao Ji’s joining, after all, even Hua Chengtian’s skills were taught by this master. Being close to the water, perhaps Zhao Ji might be willing to share some pointers with everyone.

More than half an hour later, Zhao Ji arrived again at Hua Village with his family, nodded to the brothers on night watch, and carefully picked a spot to rest where no one was around.

At this moment, everyone had already entered their dreams.

The next day, while Huahua and Xiaosi were still dreaming, Hua Village was already bustling with the atmosphere of preparation for departure.

After everyone finished their breakfast, the sky began to show a faint white, it was the perfect time to hit the road.

After quickly eating a combat meal, Huahua pulled Xiaosi and joined the main group entering the road back.

It’s been almost ten days since they spoke, and not saying it’s good to return; the moment they set foot on the mountain range, their hearts were eager to return quickly. Huahua missed her mom and grandma, and her dad, unbeknownst to whether they returned to the valley or discovered anything during this long outing?

At the same time, a large number of grain seeds donated by an anonymous kind-hearted person were distributed from the local government office of Shanggu Town again, excitingly, this time it was free. The people of Shanggu Town flocked to the town in excitement, making the once sparsely populated town lively, people queued eagerly, everyone’s spirits lifted again, it truly felt like life had a future, no longer a dead and lifeless visage.

Contrasting with Shanggu Town’s vitality, the hundreds of towns across several counties in Lingyun State’s residents hoped all would return to normal after the flood subsided, only to find themselves still in dire straits, selling children, wives to survive, while looting and robbery never ceased.

Of course, these affected common civilians; for those with power, influence, and money, impacts were minimal.

They were well-prepared, whether for grains or seeds, they were quite sufficient. After the flood receded, they immediately hired people at extremely low prices to plant the seeds, even if a day’s wage couldn’t afford a full meal; still, many rushed to work driven by survival.

Wages were low, but at least there was food, mixed with wild vegetables and whatnot, enough for a family to get by.

At the same time, local government offices had dwindled to nonexistence as disasters struck too suddenly. Whether it was Official Silver or grain, everything was unrescuable; even those who survived had no subordinates to use, the dispatched petitions never received responses as if sunk into the sea.

Without supplies, grains, or money, they faced starving citizens with paper-thin faces, helplessly, while desperate and angry civilians, with nowhere else to vent, attacked the government offices first. Almost all were looted clean, some places didn’t even leave behind a single piece of firewood.

This scene almost happened in every county, city, and the crazed civilians, seeing the downfall of the government, frightened some of the powerful, rich, and influential people into withdrawing, the once high-profile ones became quiet, even for safety, they had no choice but to hire more civilians for protection.

In despair, people lose rationality, but with even the slightest hope, no one wants to tread the path of no return.

Most importantly, even if driven by craze they snatched some food, there was no guarantee of safeguarding it; in madness, humanity vanishes.

Between long-term food stability and short-term food possession, anyone with sense chooses the former, as it ensures at least daily sustenance.

For their families, more people opted for compromise.

Who doesn’t have a few relatives and neighbor friends? Due to various factors, it inadvertently led to a temporary eerie peace in different places.

Although looting and violence were omnipresent, human life was treated less than weeds, it yet gave some people a thread of hope.

But due to many government offices only barely existing, some had dissolved into the flooding, leading to unmanaged civic affairs locally, no large-scale pest control for towns, and bodies exposed on the surface, unattended, some rotting into bones, fostering flies, maggots, mosquitoes, and rats, being frequent visitors.

Additionally, the well water was only casually rinsed without disinfection or sedimentation. While Shanggu Town still seemed peaceful, other places faced the onset of epidemics.

As for Hua Chengtian’s dad, who Huahua was longing for, he was on his way back to the valley.

Sometimes, when luck comes, it’s unstoppable.

Originally, Hua Chengtian considered searching for another couple of days, preparing to return to the valley without discoveries, having been out for quite a while; despite having ample food and drink, people do fatigue and need rest.

Unexpectedly, on the day he decided, he discovered another valley, surrounded by mountains, except this time by barren hills, even fewer plants than the mountain range they inhabited during the flood, mostly various kinds of rocks, true rocky mountains, even traces of beasts were significantly fewer.

Surprisingly, a salt lake was discovered within the valley.

Yes, a genuine salt lake. Initially, Hua Chengtian didn’t pay much heed, but when they encountered barren, mineral-rich mountains, only followed his daughter’s advice to mark certain unique-colored rocks for collection.

While staying briefly, it was unexpectedly noticed that a few animals on these hills, despite plentiful lake water within the valley, chose instead to drink from crevices on opposite rocks, arousing Hua Chengtian’s curiosity.

Curious, he approached the lakeside within the valley, discovering patches of white, frost-like substances, unlike frost melting in warmth, the white deposits resembled a mixture of lime or alkali, crushed into powder with a light stomp, showing signs of some areas being licked by animals.