Chapter 50 The World Has Gone Mad

In the scorching midday sun, Yan Lao’er rode off on his ox again, taking along large and small bundles.

The villagers were already used to him running outside every day.

Perhaps it was because everyone had eaten meat that morning, but they weren’t very hungry. They casually ate a bit of steamed bun and didn’t even bother lighting a fire.

Li Xuemei pulled Daya in to help with the work.

They had woven plenty of straw sandals, enough to last for a while. Now they decided to make straw mats.

During the day, the mats were tied to the carts for shade, and at night, they were laid on the ground to sleep. They’d already worn holes in them.

“Hu Family girl, I’m really sorry. I don’t know how, but your straw hat that you lent to Er Ya got taken by Yan Lao’er too.” Li Xuemei looked apologetic. “When he comes back, I’ll find it and return it to you.”

“Sister-in-law, what are you saying? It’s just a straw hat, no big deal. I gave it to Er Ya anyway.” The little girl from the Hu Family quickly waved it off. “It’s embarrassing that you and Yan Lao’er keep insisting it was borrowed.”

A sister-in-law nearby teased, “Hahaha! Yan Lao’er took it with him? Hu Family girl, just wait, maybe he’ll bring you back an egg in return.”

Everyone laughed and joked. No one seriously believed that Yan Lao’er would actually manage to bring anything back.

But surprisingly, he did!

“All those straw sandals sold?”

“Sold!” Yan Lao’er’s face was glowing with pride. “Ran into a traveling peddler by chance. He saw I was selling them cheap and bought them all. I figured selling a little is better than nothing, didn’t fuss over a few extra coins.

And those old clothes too, the peddler took them. I asked what for, but he wouldn’t say…

Later I went to a nearby village and exchanged for some grain.

That iron pot the villagers left behind. Said it’d save them a trip to town.

Today’s really been a lucky day. Just as I left, I spotted something green in the distance. Rode over and, sure enough, there was an old elm tree full of clusters of elm seeds. I stripped it bare, not a single leaf left.

Even the medicinal sachet Elder Brother Cui made came in handy. It’s hot these days, maybe someone ate something bad. An old man in the village had an upset stomach. Heh, as soon as I explained what the sachet treated and listed all the herbs inside, someone who knew a bit kept it…”

Yan Lao’er rattled on, spitting with excitement.

He poured out all his energy to persuade an entire village.

He took out half a bag of coarse flour for everyone to share. No one cared if it was fair or not. They were just happy to have exchanged something for food.

The little girl from the Hu Family got a bit extra. Apparently, the peddler was impressed with the craftsmanship of the straw hat and bought it too.

She was completely dazed. Even a straw hat could sell?!

Yan Lao’er wiped the sweat from his forehead in secret.

Getting food for the villagers was just too hard.

Not only did he have to sneak around, he had to come up with all sorts of reasons, racking his brain over whether people would believe him.

Thankfully, this wasn’t something he had to do every day.

Physician Cui felt that with his daily breaks, he could walk even farther to gather more herbs and stock up. Who knows when Yan Lao’er might sell them off again. As his wife put it, “Yan Lao’er is really something!”

The village women, having tasted the sweetness of success, decided that once the mats were done, they’d go back to weaving straw sandals. Maybe even make some straw hats too.

“Say, what do you think that peddler wants old clothes for?” Someone suddenly wondered.

Another woman replied matter-of-factly, “Old clothes have lots of uses. They can be used to patch shoe soles, make patchwork clothes…”

“If we make shoes, do you think Yan Lao’er could sell them for us?”

“What are you thinking? We’re so short on water, how can we make paste for that?”

“Well, making a few insoles shouldn’t hurt.”

“Right, we can prepare some. If they don’t sell, we’ll wear them ourselves.”

“Sister Li, what do you think?”

Li Xuemei was asked directly. She smiled and said, “I think all your ideas make sense. Let’s prepare a bit of everything. Who knows what people might want.”

“What are you making there?” Someone noticed her work and asked.

“Well, with the kids’ father always hauling big bags, it’s inconvenient. I’m making a bigger shoulder pouch that can hang on the ox’s back, so he doesn’t have to carry things by hand.”

“Got a design too? Wow! What’s that? Looks like… like the baby carriers we use.”

Li Xuemei smiled, “Exactly! Watching you all carry babies gave me the idea. I’m making a few backpack-style bags, so both hands are free for other work.”

“Not bad! If it turns out well, we’ll all make one.

Did Er Ya draw this? I hear your Er Ya has been learning characters from the Scholar lately?”

“Her eldest uncle teaches a few characters whenever he’s free. Er Ya is just tagging along. Mainly it’s my eldest nephew. Her uncle keeps a close eye on him, won’t let him slack off even a bit.”

…

Yan Yu was on the top bunk, keeping accounts in the notebook her mother had sewn for her.

The prices of goods on the shelves, how much had been sold, what was traded at the Free Market, what she collected from the villagers—it all had to be recorded.

“Look what I brought you!” Li Xuemei climbed up and showed her what she had.

“These are charcoal sticks. Wrap them in cloth like this, and you can write and draw on paper. They use these for tracing embroidery patterns. I think it’s easier to use than a brush. Try it.”

Yan Yu got so excited she almost splashed ink on her face.

“Mom, you’ve saved my life! Let Dad shape them for me and they’ll be like charcoal pencils. Wuwuwu, Mom, why didn’t you bring this earlier?”

Her little wrists were about to break!

“But you still have to practice brush calligraphy. Otherwise, you’ll never pass your uncle’s inspection.”

Li Xuemei agreed with her brother-in-law’s strictness. More skills never hurt.

“Your Luo Da sister-in-law mentioned it when she saw the backpack design you drew. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about this thing.”

Yan Lao’er sneaked over and beckoned to the two of them.

Yan Yu quickly packed up her ink and notebook, tucking it into her clothes.

The three of them wordlessly headed toward the back of the house.

“I really found a nearby town,” Yan Lao’er whispered. “It’s not small, much bigger than our own town.”

Yan Yu said, “Aren’t we supposed to avoid government officers? There must be guards at the town gate, right? Entering would mean inspections and money.”

“The town’s pretty chaotic. I barely saw any officers. People were coming and going freely. The officers didn’t care at all.”

Li Xuemei’s face grew serious. “Why don’t they care? Think carefully. What kind of people were going in and out?”

“Well… well…” Yan Lao’er thought hard and suddenly realized something was wrong. The people coming and going were all sorts: old and young, entire families, carrying lots of stuff. He hadn’t seen clearly from afar, but they all seemed in a hurry.

As soon as he finished, Yan Yu blurted out, “Could they be refugees like us, fleeing from famine?”

Her parents stared at her without saying a word, making her nervous. “I was just guessing!”

Li Xuemei said seriously, “Think about the timing. They should have just finished paying the grain tax. Each family sent in what they’d collected. Not much would be left.

If it were us, what would we do?”

Did she even need to ask? Wasn’t it obvious from their own situation?

They’d be fleeing famine too!

(End of Chapter)