The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

After the grain was delivered, the whole village was quiet for a while. Everyone began to live frugally and live behind closed doors, hoping that the snowstorm would pass soon.

When Zheng Xiaoqi went to deliver the grain, he told the village chief Liu that if the snowstorm continued, even if the people in our own village did not cause trouble, steal or rob, the people in other villages would also cause trouble. It was not the lack of grain that was a problem, but the inequality of distribution.

Village Chief Liu is an educated man and agrees with what Zheng Xiaoqi said. However, asking people to patrol the village in such a cold weather is simply asking for trouble, right?

Zheng Xiaoqi suggested building a simple sentry post at the entrance of the village, which could provide some shelter from the wind, and the food and heating supplies for the guards at the sentry post could be provided by the grain collected in the village.

Village chief Liu was a man who had experienced many ups and downs, and he could tell that what Zheng Xiaoqi said was indeed for the good of Liusha Village, so he called everyone to a meeting.

There were some people who were willing, but there were more people who were unwilling, so the matter came to a halt.

Who would have known that just in these two days, Liu Ergou's house at the entrance of the village was robbed, and Liu Ergou's youngest son was stabbed by the thief, and his life or death is in danger.

When the Zheng family heard the news, they were all shocked. "The road into the village was blocked, so how could someone come in?"

Liu Cheng, the grandson of the village chief Liu, who came to deliver the news, said, "The road from the town to the village has been blocked. The roads from other villages to our village are still accessible, but a little more difficult. Brother Zheng, my grandfather asked me to call you because he wanted you to make that suggestion again."

Zheng Xiaoqi nodded, told his family what to do, and left with Zheng Xiaocheng.

Old Madam Zheng said worriedly, "What should we do? If people from other villages come to steal or rob, we who have been exiled here will definitely be the first to suffer."

Xia Mianwan handed Mrs. Zheng a cup of ginger tea and said, "Don't worry, grandma. Not to mention that Xiaoqi and Xiaocheng know kung fu, as long as Village Chief Liu wants to rule this village, he won't let anyone bully us. We just need to be more vigilant."

After Zhou taught Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er two more words, she looked up and said, "Mian Wan is right. Mother doesn't have to worry. Xiao Qi is just going to discuss patrol matters."

"Will it be dangerous to stand guard?" Zhu was a little worried.

"If I make you worry like this, it will never end. Xiaoqi and Xiaocheng are adults now and they should know their limits." Xia Mianwan said.

……

When Zheng Xiaoqi came back, he told the village chief about his plan. There were nearly 200 people in the village, including nearly 80 able-bodied men, excluding the elderly, women and children. Two people were assigned to stand guard at the village entrance, changing shifts every four hours, three times a day.

"Xiaocheng and I won't be on guard at the same time. I'll go first tomorrow, and Xiaocheng will go the day after tomorrow."

Old Madam Zheng nodded and said, "At least this way the safety of the villagers can be guaranteed. However, this outpost is a temporary shed. Can it survive?"

"As long as the wind is blocked, it's actually okay to burn charcoal." Zheng Xiaoqi said.

"Okay, since you already know what's going on, I won't say much." Old Mrs. Zheng had been feeling a little unwell for the past two days. After talking for a while, she felt tired and went into the house to sleep.

Xia Mianwan thought about it and said, "Bring the small pot we used on the road. I'll prepare ginger and brown sugar. You can cook it for yourself when you get to the outpost. I'll also prepare a water bag for each of you with some Shaodaozi in it. People in the north drink this to keep warm. But don't drink too much, or you'll get drunk."

Xia Mianwan is always very thoughtful, and Zheng Xiaoqi and Zheng Xiaocheng thanked her sincerely.

……

When Zheng Xiaoqi went out, Zhu prepared a small package for him, which contained ginger, brown sugar and a bag of white wine.

Zheng Lingwan cooked a bowl of wontons for Zheng Xiaoqi and asked him to eat it before leaving.

After Zheng Xiaoqi went to the sentry post, Zheng Lingwan closed the door and returned to the main room with her neck shrunk.

"Sister-in-law, you said there would be something good today, what is it?" Zheng Lingwan asked expectantly.

Xia Mianwan smiled and said, "Baked sweet potatoes. Your third sister-in-law has already washed and cut the sweet potatoes. Let's bake them together. I have some honey here. I will brush a layer of it on the surface of the sweet potatoes. I guarantee it will be very fragrant."

After Xia Mianwan said this, Zheng Lingwan became even more excited.

"Sister-in-law, what do you think we should do after winter is over?" Zheng Lingwan asked.

"I want to open a shop." Xia Mianwan said softly.

"Shop? What kind of shop?" Zheng Lingwan asked curiously.

"Well, a grocery store sells everything. In our town, supplies are scarce. Although there are not many rich families, there are always rich families in the surrounding area. If you want to buy something, you have to go to the county or the provincial capital, which is really not very convenient." In fact, it is because Xia Mianwan Supermarket has everything, and opening a grocery store is the most convenient.

"Sister-in-law, take me with you and I will be your assistant!" Zheng Lingwan said with a smile.

"Of course I have to take you with me, and also my brother and sister-in-law!" Xia Mianwan said with a smile, she wanted to save up a dowry for you.

"How can I have a good family if I'm like this?" Zheng Lingwan lowered her head helplessly.

Xia Mianwan touched Zheng Lingwan's head and said, "People's fate is very strange. If you look forward, you will always find the most suitable path for yourself."

Zheng Lingwan looked at Xia Mianwan's profile and nodded unconsciously.

"Although the climate in the north is harsh and the soil is average, if we adapt to local conditions, we can have some good weather." Xia Mianwan said with a smile.

Zheng Lingwan looked at Xia Mianwan in confusion, not understanding why her sister-in-law said this.

"Ling Wan, what this means is that no matter how difficult life is, as long as you don't give up and make the right choices, you will always be able to live a good life. When good luck comes, it will be a completely different story, don't you agree?"

Zheng Lingwan didn't respond immediately. She thought about it for a moment and nodded solemnly, "Sister-in-law, I understand."