The flatbreads made by the Eldest Brother's Wife early in the morning were ready, and the herbal tea had also cooled down.
"Everyone, come into the yard first to eat your morning meal and drink your herbal tea. We'll set off once we're full."
Tian Yougen had already recovered. This time, upon hearing they were hiring escorts, he insisted on going to Town to buy things, volunteering to go along without pay.
"Da Zhuang's Mother, if we eat this early, won't we be hungry halfway there?"
Qin Sang explained:
"Last time, our group was eating in the dark when the scent attracted refugees. Although with so many of us now we might not be afraid, it's better to avoid trouble. Eating at home means we don't have to worry about being seen by those refugees."
Tian Youdi, who went last time, nodded in agreement:
"Big Brother, you don't know. Those people's eyes were glowing green, it was terrifying."
The others also nodded one after another, only then entering the yard to eat their morning meal.
"Oh, there's meat in this flatbread."
"Not just meat, there's egg too. These chives smell so fragrant."
"In times like these, I never thought we'd get to eat such good things. We wouldn't even dare eat like this during New Year celebrations before."
Everyone praised the flatbreads as they ate. Qin Sang, along with the Eldest Brother's Wife, Si Jin, and Er Fu, poured herbal tea for everyone and said with a smile:
"We can't be stingy with the food for those we've asked to work. Otherwise, if something really happens, where would everyone get the strength to step up, right?"
They had hired ten villagers this time. Tian Youdi, Da Hua's Father, and Hunter Xu and his son, who went last time, were all hired. The other six were also strong men. Adding the insistent Tian Yougen, plus the Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Little Five, and Qin Sang, the group totaled fifteen people.
There were a full fifty flatbreads, two or three per person, plus a boiled egg. Even the Steward's Residence couldn't provide such good fare.
Not to mention this whole bamboo tube of herbal tea. Even if these men's throats were parched from chewing, they couldn't bear to take more than a sip.
While everyone was eating, Qin Sang pulled the girls of the household aside and instructed:
"Don't do any work this morning. Close the courtyard gate securely and keep a good watch on the house."
Tian Er Fu's face paled:
"Mother, are you worried he might come?"
Everyone knew 'he' referred to Butcher Hu.
Qin Sang did not deny it:
"Although I'm not sure if he'll come, it's always right to be cautious.
Also, I've already spoken with Guihua's Mother. If he really comes and we're not back yet, you are not to go out or engage with him. Guihua's Mother will go inform the Village Head and the others."
Hearing that Qin Sang had made arrangements, the girls felt at ease.
After speaking, everyone had finished eating and got up to depart.
Along the way, the sound of weeping could be heard from time to time. After the locust plague's devastation, the air was left with only the dry, turbid smell of earth.
As the sky grew slightly brighter, more and more refugees could be seen on the road. Fortunately, Qin Sang had hired enough hands. Even if someone harbored ill intent, they would have to think twice.
Qin Sang kept feeling eyes on her, but scanning her surroundings, she found nothing unusual.
Tian Wenmo, the youngest in the group, was placed by Qin Sang atop the pile of medicinal herbs. At eight years old, receiving the envious and greedy stares from the refugees by the roadside, he called out fearfully:
"Mother..."
Qin Sang took a dagger from her sleeve and handed it to him:
"Take it. Hold it steady."
With the dagger in hand, Tian Wenmo calmed down considerably.
Entering the Town, many shops were closed. The few shops that were open for business had guards posted. Apart from refugees, there were hardly any other pedestrians on the streets.
Qin Sang also noticed several patches of dried, blackened blood on the ground. On the doorframes of a few shops, there were marks left by knife cuts and axe chops.
Everyone was affected by the desolate and tense atmosphere. The villagers, who had been chatting a bit, fell completely silent upon entering the Town.
They went to the Private School first. Qin Sang helped Little Five down from the cart, then took a bundle from the cart containing paper, brushes, a change of clothes, and several boiled eggs.
The Private School's gate was tightly shut. Qin Sang and Tian Wenmo knocked for a long time before an old man came to open it, only a crack.
"Old Man Yu, it's me, Tian Wenmo. Could I trouble you to open the gate?" Tian Wenmo said very politely.
Squinting his eyes and lowering his gaze for a good look, Old Man Yu finally recognized him:
"Oh, it's you. You never came, the Master has been asking about you. Wait a moment."
Qin Sang and Tian Wenmo waited for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Instead of the gate opening, they received a bundle handed out by Old Man Yu:
"Child's Mother, the Private School is closed. The Master has gone to the county Town to take refuge. These are the child's things, you take them."
Tian Wenmo's mouth fell open. The Private School was closed?
Qin Sang hurriedly took the bundle and pressed:
"Old Uncle, has something happened in the Town? Why has a perfectly good Private School suddenly closed?"
Old Man Yu replied:
"There's no water to drink, and then came the locust plague. Those refugees rioted. Many people died on the streets last night, alas..."
Old Man Yu slowly closed the Private School's gate, leaving Qin Sang and Tian Wenmo staring wide-eyed at each other in front of the entrance.
"Mother, does this mean I can't study anymore?"
Qin Sang comforted him:
"Perhaps it's temporary. Once the Government officials start disaster relief and the heavens send down a heavy rain, it'll be fine. Since the Master isn't here, we'll come again when the Private School reopens."
Qin Sang checked the bundle. Inside were the books, bedding, and mat that Tian Wenmo had left at the Private School.
"Let's go, to Steward Huang's Residence."
Helping Little Five back onto the cart, the group continued on their way.
"Halt! Who goes there up ahead?"
A shout came from behind. Qin Sang turned and saw a patrol of ten Yamen Runners.
Seeing the Yamen Runners each with a hand on their Broadsword, Qin Sang hurriedly stepped forward:
"Honored Officials, we are from Tianjia Village, on our way to deliver goods to Steward Huang's Residence."
Perhaps seeing Qin Sang was just a woman and posed little threat, the Yamen Runners slightly relaxed their hands on their Broadsword.
Leader shoved Qin Sang aside and walked toward the carts, his eyes gleaming as he rubbed his thumb against the corner of his mouth and asked:
"What's loaded on these carts?"
Qin Sang lifted a corner of the oilcloth and explained:
"This cart carries medicinal herbs requested by Steward Huang. This cart carries Mosquito-Repellent Incense requested by Steward Huang."
Leader took a tube of mosquito coils, smelled it, found the scent unpleasant, and casually threw it. The coils inside the bamboo tube fell out, half of them broken, making Qin Sang's eyelids twitch.
Tian Dazhuang, somewhat angry, had just started to move when Tian Yougen grabbed him. Seeing his Mother gently shake her head at him, Tian Dazhuang suppressed his displeasure.
Leader then pulled out a handful of medicinal herbs—it was mugwort. Looking somewhat disdainful, he threw it on the road, stepped on it with his soap-soled boot, wiped his sole, and said with a look of disgust:
"What does Steward Huang's household want with this stuff?"
Qin Sang took a deep breath. Of course, she couldn't tell the truth:
"How would we common folk know what Steward Huang wants? Honored Official, may we go now?"
Leader glanced at Qin Sang, displeasure in his eyes. Ignoring her question, he circled Qin Sang's group once and said with ill intent:
"Every one of you is holding either an axe or a kitchen knife. To my eyes, you're not going to deliver goods to Steward Huang. You're clearly planning to rob Steward Huang's household."