The village instantly split into two factions: one group that wanted to follow the Ji family out to escape the disaster, and another that wanted to stay in the village with the You family.
Those who had been uncertain, after witnessing the You family's earnest appeals and their principled stand to protect the village and its harvest, mostly decided to remain.
Perhaps because they still felt uneasy at heart, they even attempted to convince those determined to leave, arguing that life beyond the village would be harsh. They warned that without land or shelter, they would be reduced to beggars roaming city streets, living in shame—a fate worse than dying on their own fields.
Some, unable to resist such appeals, ultimately gritted their teeth and abandoned their plans to leave.
Ji Yangzong was busy packing. He fully followed Huo Shu's advice. He had notified everyone about leaving. Since they were unwilling, he saw no need to persuade them further.
After all, no one could guarantee what life outside would be like. Moreover, with so many families, he couldn't go door to door to talk to each family like he did when collecting grain.
Actually, the You family not leaving gave him some peace of mind. The You family was a major household in the village. Having someone to take charge after the Ji family left would be a good thing for those who stayed.
He could only hope the You family retained some conscience. If they proved to be like You Lingxiao and his mother, then there was truly nothing left to say.
Earlier, they had openly opposed him, advising villagers against stockpiling grain and urging them to farm with peace of mind, insisting war would not come. Yet when conflict erupted, this mother and son vanished early on, their gates locked tightly for the past two days.
Villagers who wanted to go to their door to question them couldn't find anyone.
At night, the village was quiet, as if the urgency and panic of the day had just been an illusion.
After the hour of ren ding (9-11 pm), the sounds of cart wheels rolling and low murmurs gradually started, slowly moving towards the village entrance.
"Father, let's go."
"We will definitely come back."
Ji Taoyu, leaning on Huo Shu for support, stepped into the carriage. He turned his head and saw his father still standing motionless before the locked main gate, standing firm in the night wind, his gaze fixed upon their home.
The Ji family house was built impressively and was among the best in the village.
It must be known that when the Ji family had divided their property in the past, Ji Yangzong had not received any house as his share. This house was something he had acquired entirely through his own efforts.
Little by little, it was expanded and renovated, only reaching its present form after much time and work.
Huang Manjing knew her husband was reluctant to leave. How could she not feel the same? She still remembered when she had first arrived here—the house had been at least half its current size.
After they married, Ji Yangzong vowed to provide her with a good life and undertook the first expansion of the house. Later, following the birth of Ji Taoyu, the house was enlarged once more.
Now that they were leaving, there was no telling what might become of the house, or what condition it would be in when—or if—they ever returned.
She held Ji Yangzong's hand and reassured him: "As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no worry about firewood."
[留得青山在不愁没柴烧 (liú dé qīngshān zài bù chóu méi chái shāo): lit. as long as the green mountains remain, one need not worry about firewood; fig. as long as one's health or core assets are preserved, there is hope for the future]
Ji Yangzong took a deep breath: "Let's go."
By the time the Ji family arrived at the village entrance, dozens of people were already assembled there. The road was packed with carts, livestock, stores of grain, and bundles of personal belongings.
All eyes turned to watch the Ji family as they approached.
Ji Yangzong instructed the male head of each family to step forward and state the number of people in their family.
A swift tally was conducted, revealing that this journey would consist of a full sixty people.
Among them, besides those from their own village, there were also families from the neighboring Hongli village whose men had left with Huo Shu's merchant caravan.
Huo Shu paid little attention to the total count, knowing another ten more people awaited them in the town. His immediate focus was on assessing the group's strength—he quickly identified twenty able-bodied men among them.
These men would serve a practical purpose.
He organized the group with the elderly and frail placed securely in the center, while the men were divided to guard both the front and rear. He distributed the strong men long knives he had forged before, intended for self-defense. This way, if they encountered danger, they could offer direct resistance.
Not daring to waste any more time, and aware that his most capable men were still waiting in the town, Huo Shu knew he would feel considerably more at ease once the entire group was reunited.
Thus, the group set out under cover of night. Their numbers were too large for everyone to travel by the main road, forcing part of the group to take small paths.
Those who didn't leave in the village couldn't sleep either. Some got up in the dark to see off the departing villagers. This parting truly felt like life and death—after all, these were familiar faces they had lived with for many years.
For a while, everyone's mood was quite heavy.
The most challenging part of this refugee journey to Yuchang would undoubtedly be passing through Tongzhou territory. However, once they left Tongzhou, a group clearly fleeing war like theirs would draw less unwanted attention and envy than a wealth-laden merchant caravan.
Ji Taoyu sat in the carriage. the pervasive darkness, the group dared not light too many torches, lest they draw attention. He glanced out the window several times, his eyes seeking out Huo Shu's form riding at the head of the procession, but each time Huang Manjing and Yuan Huiru gently pulled him back inside.
"The night wind carries a chill. Stop looking."
Huang Manjing held Ji Taoyu, making him sit down properly.
Although Ji Taoyu had already undertaken one long journey, encountering various hardships on the road, he wasn't truly afraid for himself. His primary concern was for the baby in his belly.
Yet, with his entire family making this journey together, he felt a sense of reassurance.
He squeezed Huang Manjing's hand in agreement, then turned to see the deeply worried expression on Yuan Huiru's face. "Godmother, please do not worry," he said soothingly. "A-Pan and the others will surely be waiting for us."
Huang Manjing looked puzzled. "Who is A-Pan?"
Ji Taoyu said softly: "Mother, you'll understand when we meet them after joining up with the others in the city."
In these chaotic times, Ji Taoyu felt this might be the best opportunity for A-Pan to reclaim his roots. After all, amidst everyone fleeing, who would still care about those rituals of propriety, and no one would dare gossip behind their backs.
Huang Manjing studied both their faces. Though her curiosity was piqued, she ultimately chose not to press the matter further.
Thank you for the update!
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