Escape from famine: Daddy stands up, Dali girl lies down

A straw hat popped out of the backpack, and a small hand pushed the hat off the face, revealing a pair of big, round eyes.

As soon as the city gate opened, the carriage in front of the line entered the city first.

A buzzing sound was heard, but it was inaudible because it was too far away.

Lin Shu judged from the people's body language that they had to pay to enter the city.

The exact amount is not clear.

But this is by no means good news.

"Dad Lin, you need to pay money to enter the city." She whispered in Lin Erzhuang's ear.

"Dad saves it!"

Lin Erzhuang also noticed the difference, but he didn't expect the money to come so quickly when he went into the city to collect the money.

...

"Five cents per person."

The soldier glanced at the two backpacks and said impatiently.

Lin Erzhuang pretended to be reluctant and took out fifteen copper coins soaked with sweat.

The soldier looked at him with disdain, waved his hand and shouted.

"Poor fellow - roll on, roll on, the city gates will be closed at noon.

Anyone who does not leave the city gate will be arrested and forced to do hard labor."

Everyone who heard this looked pale, not understanding what was happening in the city.

The father and his two sons followed the crowd into the city and found that half of the shops on the street had closed signs.

The grain store and grocery store were crowded, and Lin Erzhuang tried several times but failed to squeeze in.

Seeing this, Lin Shu took out the backpack and used her height advantage to pass through the heavy rain forest.

"Uncle shopkeeper, buy five pounds of coarse salt and ten fire starters." Lin Shu said in a crisp voice, holding up the silver coins.

The shopkeeper was busy but happy, but he only heard voices but didn't see anyone, and he was puzzled.

"Uncle shopkeeper, please bow your head." Lin Shu leaned on the edge of the counter and said loudly.

"Hey, it's you!"

The shopkeeper's face twitched slightly and he didn't have time to ask more questions. He took the money, weighed the items, handed them over, and muttered something.

"It's going to close tomorrow."

Lin Shu took the ten cents in change, hugged the paper bag tightly and crossed the rain forest.

"Huh, you almost suffocated me."

Seeing that the open shops were full of people, the father and his two sons lost interest in shopping.

I took a quick stroll around the county town and found the same situation on several streets.

All the food shops were closed, and the grain shop closed within half an hour after opening.

Some people even hurried out of the city with their families.

...

County government.

People were coming in and out in a hurry, and there was not even a bailiff to pass the message.

A tense atmosphere invisibly shrouded the county town.

A small whirlwind blew up from the ground, blowing dust into the air, but suddenly it lost its force and blinded people.

One or two pairs of black soap boots blended into the crowd, and no one took them seriously.

"Let's go, there's nothing to buy." Lin Erzhuang said anxiously.

Lin Shu's eyes flickered slightly, and she glanced at the signs of the closed shops from time to time.

...

At noon, the number of people queuing to leave the city was sparse.

"Eight cents."

The soldier knocked on the table with the back of his knife and looked at the visitor expressionlessly.

Behind him, there were two large baskets filled with copper coins.

Lin Erzhuang paid twenty-four copper coins and left without any useful information.

The city gate fee alone cost thirty-nine cents. It's really true that when officials open their mouths, the common people have to sacrifice half their lives.

...

"Oh, it's a mess."

After listening to Lin Erzhuang's words, Wu Yidao said heavily.

"Shu'er, come here, grandpa has something to tell you."

Lin Shu jumped over happily and proudly showed off the process of buying the coarse salt.

"Grandpa, Shu'er is amazing!"

"Our Shu'er is the best, grandpa and your father combined can't catch up with you.

However, this dangerous thing should be left to boys.

They are tough and can handle tough times, Shu'er can just command them." Wu Yidao said earnestly.

He will protect this granddaughter with his life, this is a treasure given to them by God.

"Shu'er, our next journey will be faster."

"Don't worry, Grandpa. Shu'er is here." Lin Shu nodded solemnly.

An old man accepted his daughter and her family without any hesitation when she had nowhere else to go.

This alone is enough to prove that he is a kind and responsible old man.

In order to provide more protection for her family during the difficult times, Lin Shu is willing to extend an olive branch.

To put it bluntly, they are taking advantage of each other.

But in the face of crisis, this mutual exploitation is a matter of life and death.

Lin Shu was not afraid of anyone informing on her, as the world was in chaos.

Once you join the fleeing team, where can you find your target in the vast sea of ​​people?

It is undoubtedly like looking for a needle in a haystack.

...

Starry.

After a day's rest, the team set out in high spirits.

In order to reduce noise, the hooves of mules and cows were wrapped with cloth strips, and the team moved slowly along the base of the city wall.

An old man, a child and a dog were leaning against a soft sack.

Lazy and leisurely.

‘Pa~’

The big hands and the small hands gently clapped each other, and their eyes were full of smiles that outsiders could not understand.

"Grandpa, many shops in the city are closed." Lin Shu covered her mouth and whispered.

"Haha, Shu'er has an idea!

Grandpa knows a few good places, and I'll go with you."

Wu Yidao suddenly felt a surge of heroism. At his old age, what was wrong with going crazy with his granddaughter?

"Hehe, grandpa is still open-minded."

Lin Shu didn't expect there would be an unexpected surprise. The old man often walked around the county town and was definitely more familiar with the terrain than she was.

"Little clever one."

The old man scolded with a smile, but in his heart he loved his little granddaughter even more.

There was no movement on the silent city wall. For safety reasons, everyone tried their best not to make any sound.

...

Wu Yidao patted the cow's butt lightly, then jumped off the ox cart steadily holding Lin Shu.

Lin Erzhuang, carrying a backpack, stood at the foot of the wall waiting for the two men.

Wu Yidao naturally put Lin Shu into the backpack and waited until the team had passed by before going back a distance.

Wu Yidao fumbled around on the city wall and a loose stone was moved away.

Lin Shu's eyes lit up. She didn't expect her grandfather had this skill.

Soon, a hole in the wall that could accommodate people appeared.

Lin Shu took out the backpack on her own initiative, put it away, and followed Wu Yidao into the cave.

Baozi, who loves to travel, followed closely and climbed over the hole in the wall.

Wu Yidao's eyes flashed slightly. He really didn't pay much attention to this inconspicuous dog.

A foul smell hit her in the face. Lin Shu held her breath and looked around and listened carefully.

It turned out that this was the toilet in the cattle and horse market.

...

Four shadows hid under the eaves and walked through the streets.

The grocery store, the shelves, counters, jars that cannot be taken away, and the discarded needles and thread.

All the pots, pans, old bedding, old clothes, furniture, etc. in the backyard were taken away.

When leaving, Wu Yidao, who was in charge of surveillance, looked back inadvertently.

The grocery stores were empty.

The old man's face twitched, thinking that his granddaughter was really taking advantage of others.

Lin Shu took a look at the debris piled in the open space and was very dissatisfied.

These things have no practical meaning to her.

Because nothing is valuable.

Because the grocery store closed early, there was nothing useful left.

It seems that today's harvest is destined not to be great.

But Lin Shu will not give up.

When a large group of people fleeing famine appeared, wherever they passed, they were like a swarm of locusts.

Not a blade of grass is left.

Understanding this, Lin Shu went to the shops she had noticed without complaint.

The fabric store turned out five large bags of cloth strips and three rolls of moldy white cotton.

Two large tables for cutting clothes, dozens of wooden hangers, and five rows of cloth counters were all taken away.

This is an unexpected gain.

In the blacksmith's shop, there are more than a dozen knives and hoes that have not been repaired yet.

Before leaving, Lin Shu took away all the other people's eating utensils.

Lin Erzhuang wiped his old face again and again.

He found that he had to have no shame when he was with his daughter.