Dressed as a farmer's widow, she brought her daughter to stock up on food and reached the top

Xiuying walked into the crowd and raised her voice and said, "Everyone, stop for a moment and listen to me." People stopped what they were doing and looked at her.

Xiuying said with a serious face, "Our village has had a good harvest this year, but think about it, the days ahead may not be peaceful. If a war breaks out, food is much more important than money. We have to store food just in case."

Some people in the crowd began to whisper to each other.

Xiuying continued, "If we sell the food, the money will be gone once it's spent, but if we save the food, it's our guarantee of survival."

Her eyes were firm and she looked at everyone sincerely, hoping to gain everyone's approval.

Mrs. Sun walked out of the crowd and said firmly, "Sister Xiuying, I'll listen to you!"

Mrs. Sun is usually a straightforward person, and at this moment she stood on Xiuying's side without hesitation, supporting whatever Xiuying did.

She looked around and raised her voice: "Xiuying is right. We can't just focus on the present, we have to think about the future."

Mrs. Sun walked over to Xiuying, took her arm, and continued, "In this chaotic time of war, food is the most important thing. If we sell food and run into trouble, we'll be helpless."

Mrs. Sun's words made the discussion in the crowd even louder.

Aunt Li also agreed, "Yes, I heard that the old emperor wants to cede land in exchange for peace. If he really cedes Qingshui County, what should we do? We must store the grain and not sell it!"

Aunt Li looked worried and kept rubbing the corners of her clothes with her hands.

She continued, "We've lived in Futian Village for so many years, we can't lose our security. Xiuying is right, we need to store food just in case."

Aunt Li glanced at the crowd, hoping to get more support.

Some people in the crowd began to nod and whisper about Aunt Li's words.

"That's right, it's still more reassuring to have food stored."

For a moment, everyone's minds were shaken.

After Xiuying built her house, many families dug cellars in their homes, which were perfect for storing grain.

Xiuying looked at everyone and said with satisfaction, "The cellar we dug is really useful this time. We can store the grain in the cellar safely and dryly.

If the situation is unstable, we have food on hand and won't panic. If the world is peaceful, we can sell it and make a profit."

Everyone nodded, a look of relief on their faces.

Xiuying's meaning was very clear. She wanted everyone to make preparations for both situations and temporarily store up the harvested grain.

Uncle Zhang stroked his beard and said, "Thanks to Xiuying's reminder, we dug this cellar in time. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know where to store the grain."

Brother Li also smiled and said, "That's right. I feel much more at ease now."

Uncle Zhang and Brother Li implicitly expressed their positions.

The old village chief's low voice came from the crowd: "Xiuying's idea is good. Let's listen to her and stock up on food first!" Although the old village chief's voice was low, his tone was firm and full of majesty.

When everyone heard the old village chief express his opinion, they became more determined to stockpile food.

The old village chief went on to say, "In these troubled times, food is our lifeline, and we cannot be careless in the slightest." He looked at everyone with a sharp gaze.

Someone shouted, "The village chief is right, we will listen to you!" Everyone responded.

The old village chief nodded with satisfaction, his hands behind his back.

"Don't dawdle, act now!"

Everyone returned home and started to move bags of grain into the cellar and carefully arranged them neatly.

The children also helped. Although their strength was limited, their dedication was heartwarming. The whole village was filled with a tense yet orderly atmosphere as everyone prepared to store food.

Xiuying's family was also busy. When Xiuying returned home, she took the children to store food in the dug cellar.

Xiuying rolled up her sleeves and nimbly carried a bag of grain. "Come on, kids! Let's move faster."

Several children also followed Xiuying's example and worked hard to carry the lighter bags.

Awang panted and said, "Auntie, this is really tiring."

Xiuying smiled and encouraged, "Don't be afraid of being tired. This is for the future of our family."

The daughters' foreheads were covered with sweat, but they still gritted their teeth and persevered.

The family worked together, and soon the cellar was filled with grain. Xiuying looked at the full cellar, wiped the sweat off her face, and said with a relieved smile, "That's good. I feel much more at ease. Everyone is tired today. Let's go back and rest. Taohua and Shiliu can stay and help me sort out the grain in the backyard."

The children also laughed, although they were tired, they were full of a sense of accomplishment.

After the daughters left, Taohua and Shiliu kept watch for Xiuying.

Taohua stood at the door, staring around vigilantly, and whispered, "Mom, no one is coming."

Shi Liu was in the corner of the yard, looking out from time to time, and responded softly: "Don't worry, mother, it's safe here too."

Xiuying quickly put all the remaining food into the space.

Her movements were quick and decisive, her expression tense and focused. After putting it away, Xiuying breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to her two daughters, "Okay, girls, let's clean up and don't let anyone see anything unusual."

Taohua and Shiliu nodded obediently, and the three of them quickly cleaned up the backyard.

Early in the morning of the second day after the village banquet, the villagers started to get busy.

The roosters had not yet crowed and the sky was just getting light, but the village was already bustling with activity.

The village chief and his family all got up early.

Butcher Li carried the freshly slaughtered sheep to the banquet venue, muttering, "This sheep is so fat, it will give everyone a good meal. Xiuying is so generous to sponsor such a fat sheep."

Aunt Li's wife was carrying a basket of fresh vegetables and walking hurriedly.

Mrs. Sun was busy in front of the stove, adding firewood and wiping her sweat: "The fire must be burned more vigorously, otherwise the food will be slow to cook."

Several of her children were also helping to pass things around, their little faces blackened by the fireworks.

Aunt Wu and Aunt Wang led a group of women in washing dishes, laughing constantly: "Everyone, please be quick and don't waste time."

Ma Ergun was arranging the tables and chairs, humming a little tune: "Today is a good day, everyone is happy."

The children ran around the village, spreading all kinds of news and shouting happily.

"The village banquet is about to begin, the village banquet is about to begin!"

The whole village was immersed in a busy and joyful atmosphere.

Suddenly, a clear child's voice was heard, "Look everyone, the family living in the back mountain is here!"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction of the sound. They saw Mo Yu and Bai Piaopiao walking slowly towards them with simple outfits and smiles on their faces.