Several people had already reached them:
"Village Chief, that chief of Tianjia Village is not human. He sent people to follow us, trying to snatch our cave."
"Village Chief, hurry and let everyone leave. The people from Tianjia Village are already chasing this way."
"That dead old man from Tianjia Village even said that with both villages combined, there are many people. If the Rebel Soldiers come, it'll be enough to keep them busy killing for a while. He wants to drag us down to stall for time so they can escape."
After an anxious explanation, the Village Chief didn't care about anything else and quickly ordered everyone to set off.
Qin Sang and the others hurried for a distance. Only after seeing the neighboring village's group moving as fast as if they were being chased by a Black Bear did they give up the pursuit.
Several people looked at each other and smiled:
"It seems they won't dare to follow us again."
"Indeed, they looked like they were scared out of their wits."
"They're probably afraid our village will cling to them."
Qin Sang also smiled. She waited there for another hour, and seeing that the people from the neighboring village hadn't turned back, the group finally turned around to return to their own party.
The Village Chief had indeed sent someone to notify everyone to pack their things and move. By the time Qin Sang returned to the resting spot, everyone was ready.
Perhaps because they had rested long enough and eaten food to replenish their strength, everyone's speed was much faster than in the morning.
Widow Xia didn't even get a turn to push her family's Wheelbarrow; the Village Chief had arranged for several big men to take turns.
People were also arranged to take turns carrying Zhou Lin's stretcher. Even Old Man Qiao was pressed onto a Wheelbarrow and not allowed to get down, despite his constant complaints that his bones were being jolted apart.
Someone even suggested that since Granny Xia was blind, they should make a stretcher to carry her too, which left Granny Xia completely bewildered.
Tian Wenmo, who had attended school, stayed by the Village Chief's side, holding a pen and paper to record the work points for everyone as the Village Chief dictated.
No one was worried that Tian Wenmo would write randomly, because Qin Sang's family was the one least lacking in food and drink in the group, and they were the only ones not looking for work everywhere.
Looking at everyone in the group helping each other, the corners of Qin Sang's mouth couldn't help but curl up.
How is this not harmonious?
The clean-up crew was busy hiding traces. The ashes from the fires were all collected and buried, and they even placed withered branches and stones to intentionally block the path.
In the two hours of the afternoon, they covered more than ten li of mountain roads. Just as the sun began to tilt westward, Qin Sang suggested that the Village Chief have everyone stop to prepare for the night.
The Village Chief was still a bit confused, so Hunter Xu said:
"It gets dark in the mountains faster than outside. We should take advantage of the good light to check the surroundings, otherwise, once it's completely dark, we won't be able to see anything."
"Good, good, then let's stop. Everyone, stop."
At the Village Chief's call, everyone obediently began to unload the burdens from their shoulders.
Qin Sang didn't fight for a position in the middle of the group, so she basically fell behind, staying with those who were slower, like Widow Xia, Old Man Qiao, Zhou Lin, and Heizi.
Qin Sang found a slightly open space and began to set up a tent.
In fact, it was just a large bag sewn from several pieces of oilcloth, which could be set up using a few wooden sticks as a frame and then pulled tight with ropes.
"Da Zhuang's Mother, this shed of yours is too good! This way, we won't have to fear even if it winds or rains."
Qin Sang said casually:
"Actually, it's something Long River told me about. When the army is out on campaign, they use tents. I thought since we're living in the mountains and can't build houses for a while, a tent would be perfect."
"However, it hasn't rained for several months now, so it doesn't really matter if there's a tent or not. Sleeping in a tent is actually a bit stuffy."
Qin Sang's words were also meant to dispel any jealousy from others. Sure enough, after she said this, the villagers who had been staring longingly at the tent felt much less envy in their eyes.
"The tent is for the children to sleep in; I still plan to sleep in a hammock,"
Qin Sang added, reminding the others that she had taught them how to make hammocks as well, so they shouldn't be envious of her family's tent.
At this, Old Man Qiao spoke up:
"You don't say, this hammock is really not bad. It sways gently and is quite comfortable."
Guihua's Mother also said in a loud voice:
"Indeed, it's much cooler in the mountains. Sleeping in a hammock is even cooler than sleeping in a bed."
Amidst the chatting and laughing, everyone arranged their sleeping places for the night. Then came the distribution of the pork. For what wasn't finished at noon, Qin Sang had provided a lot of salt to cure it, which could preserve it for two days. If there was still any left then, they would smoke it once they reached their destination. For these two days of travel, the Village Chief had strictly forbidden everyone from lighting fires again.
The Village Chief had a long-term vision. There had to be a system for exchanging work for meat. He couldn't just distribute a catty of meat to everyone just because they caught a wild boar today. If it was all given out in one day, who would work tomorrow?
So the Village Chief planned to record one work point in exchange for one tael of meat.
This way, even if the prey caught in the future was small and scarce, everyone could still get a share of meat.
No one felt that one tael of meat was too little, not to mention that the meat was heavily salted. Each one of them felt they had made a profit.
After all, when they farmed before, they worked themselves to death all year round and couldn't even eat meat for a few meals. Now, just by pushing a cart or carrying things, they could get meat to eat.
If there were several men in the family working, they would get even more meat.
You won't do it? There are plenty of people who will.
Qin Sang asked everyone to dig two pits to serve as latrines.
For this, Qin Sang even provided two pieces of cloth to create a slight screen, making it convenient for everyone and herself.
Before setting off, they would just bury the pits and cover them with leaves.
Others felt Qin Sang's request was a bit redundant. Everyone had nothing to eat or drink; they wished they could use something to catch even a bit of urine. Why was there a need to make such a big fuss about digging a pit?
Qin Sang, however, didn't think so. She had to make them pay attention to hygiene management starting now. Otherwise, once they reached their destination and everyone relieved themselves everywhere, she didn't want to step outside and see it everywhere with no place to walk.
Widow Xia led the four children over, and Qin Sang handed the bundles to them:
"Your bundles are too heavy. You'll have to carry them yourselves tomorrow."
Widow Xia lifted the four heavy bundles, a flash of surprise appearing in her eyes. Just as she was about to open the bundles to look, Qin Sang smiled and said:
"What, are you afraid I'll steal your things?"
Widow Xia stopped her movements, not daring to open the bundles again for fear of making Qin Sang angry.
When she returned to her family's small pushcart, Widow Xia felt inside the bundles, and her eyes couldn't help but turn red.
Inside were two water skins filled with water, as well as the oranges found during the day, some potatoes, and a handful of candies.
Widow Xia knew why Qin Sang had stopped her from looking at the bundles; she was afraid Widow Xia would try to decline right then and there, making it known to everyone.
Widow Xia had the four little ones stand in front of her, so that whatever she did while crouching down, others wouldn't be able to see clearly.
She carefully poured a cup of water into a bamboo cup and let the children take turns drinking it. Then it was her mother-in-law and her Younger Brother-in-law, and finally herself.
As the sweet water went down her throat, she felt her whole body refreshed and her spirits lifted.
Widow Xia peeled another orange and shared it with everyone. Finally, she gave each person a piece of candy.
Caoer received a candy, held it in her hand, and then held it up to Widow Xia's mouth:
"Mother, you eat too."
Widow Xia's eyes were misty with tears as she slightly opened her mouth and bit the candy her daughter handed her, finding it incredibly sweet.
Widow Xia gave her daughter another piece, and seeing that they all had them in their mouths, she then stroked their heads and said:
"Caoer, Daner, Ye'er, Stone, the water you drank and the candies you ate were all given secretly by Aunt Tian. No one is allowed to say anything, do you understand?"
"If you tell, someone might snatch them away, and then you won't have any water to drink or candies to eat anymore."
After the four little ones nodded, Widow Xia added:
"You must remember, our family's lives were saved by Aunt Tian."
"When you grow up, you must all listen to Aunt Tian, help her, and remember her kindness..."