Rebirth of an Old Farmer: Escape from Famine with Children and Grandchildren

Because we don't know how many other refugees are on the road, and we don't know if they have any food to share with us, we may not have time to cook. We should make our rations as small as possible and only eat a few bites when we are hungry, and try to keep a low profile.

Pack up your things at home and cross the bridge as soon as the rain stops.

And what about the mules, cattle, and horses?"

Zhang Deshui responded, "Don't worry, my dear relatives. Leave this to me. I've been caring for these animals for years and know their habits very well. I'll take good care of them."

As if Sun Wan's anxious mood had taken effect, the rain gradually subsided around noon.

Su Shunde asked the villagers to take their belongings, carry their children on their backs and support the elderly as they walked towards the wooden bridge.

According to the plan made in advance by Zhang Laohu, he first sent a few strong young men to explore the way.

On the one hand, it is to check whether the route is safe and whether there is any risk of collapse or landslide; on the other hand, it is to see whether the wooden bridge built over there is strong. If it is found to be unstable, temporary reinforcement is needed.

Seeing that Su Shunde was among the first group preparing to cross the bridge, Sun Wan reminded him, "Brother Shunde, you should stay here first and help look after the villagers and maintain order. This way we can ensure everyone's safe passage."

Su Shunde thought about it and felt that it made sense, so he decided to stay for a while to protect the villagers.

The four people who crossed the bridge first this time were led by Zhang Lao Hu, and included Su Yousheng, Zhang Songshu and Li Guangyang.

Everyone held two axes given by Sun Wan, and they smoothed out the uneven surfaces as they walked, trying to make the road as smooth and safe as possible.

Sun Wan looked for Su Yanyan in the crowd. Seeing her excited expression, she felt uneasy. She whispered to Su Shunde, "Keep an eye on your sister. If she loses control and rushes over on the bridge, it will be very dangerous. Make sure you keep an eye on her to avoid any accidents."

Su Shunde nodded seriously, then shook his head. He walked towards his mother and whispered to her, "Mom, please keep an eye on my sister. If there's any conflict again, I, your son, won't be able to protect her. Please control her impulses."

After hearing this, Aunt Huaihua nodded firmly in agreement and held her daughter's hand tightly, as if this could suppress the impulse in her heart.

Gu Yushi was also very worried that his mother would do something impulsive again, so he held her hand tightly, trying to comfort and protect his sister.

The four people who were in the vanguard had already reached the middle of the wooden bridge. Under their feet was a surging water that seemed likely to break through the embankment at any time. A fine drizzle was still dripping above their heads, which made people feel frightened involuntarily.

However, they all seemed quite courageous and were not intimidated by the current predicament.

Along the way, he used an axe to flatten the branches and stones that blocked his way and kept moving forward.

Fortunately, the wooden bridge was quite sturdy, and after some effort, they finally crossed the bridge smoothly.

When the people on the other side had made full preparations, the waiting crowd here began to cheer, especially some of the children, who laughed and jumped for joy because they saw hope, completely forgetting all the tension and anxiety they had felt before.

The four of them checked the safety of the landing point, used the axes in their hands to cut a small hole around it, and then padded it with stones. After confirming that this was a safe and stable temporary bridge, they boldly waved to this side to signal others to follow and cross the river together.

Zhang Lao Hu walked around the place he had just arrived and found that the mountain here was still very high. Looking down from the top of the mountain, there were dense and intertwined trees and bushes everywhere. It would probably take another day to walk down the mountain safely.

But no matter what, being able to successfully arrive here is already a huge improvement.

As soon as she saw the person on the other side signaling that everyone could pass, Su Yanyan immediately rushed forward impatiently. She moved so quickly as if she was afraid of missing out on some precious opportunity.

She shouted loudly, "I'll go first! I'll go with my parents!"

The voice was filled with desire and urgency.

When Su Shunde heard this, his face darkened and he sternly shouted, "Stop making noise and stand still. You'll be the last one to pass."

There was no room for negotiation in his tone, and he seemed very resolute.

"Why? I just want to be the first one to pass! Any problem?"

She spoke unconvincedly, with dissatisfaction and resistance flashing in her eyes, as if waiting for a reasonable explanation or a solution that would satisfy her.

Sun Wan also lost her patience at this time. She picked up a stick and pointed it at Su Yanyan: "If you shout again, I will hit you with a stick!"

Her tone was very firm, leaving Su Yanyan no room for maneuver.

Faced with such a threat, Su Yanlin did not back down. She straightened her neck and responded in a provocative tone: "You dare to try!"

Her words were full of challenge, and it was obvious that she was prepared for the possible conflict.

Seeing her daughter's attitude, Sun Wan was completely enraged. She slowly approached Su Yanyan, and then, without hesitation, swung the stick in her hand, aiming at her head and hitting her. The whole action was fast and accurate, which made everyone present thrilled.

Seeing her mother's stick coming towards her, Su Yanyan's face changed instantly, turning pale as paper. She quickly took several steps back, staggering and almost falling. Her whole body became extremely stiff due to fear.

The wooden stick did not fall on Su Yanyan, but hit the ground heavily, making a loud noise.

Suddenly, a layer of mud and water splashed all around, and everyone present was terrified.

At this moment, Su Yanyan was so scared that she got goose bumps all over her body.

"Okay, Sun Wan, you really did it!"

Although she was afraid, she still spoke calmly.

Seeing this, Sun Wan didn't continue to attack. Instead, she calmed down and said to her, "You'd better stay here and don't move. I'm going to say this one last time. If you disobey me again, I'll really show no mercy!"

There was both a warning and an instruction in her tone.

After this lesson, the scene finally quieted down. Then, Sun Wan turned around and began to organize the villagers to cross the bridge in an orderly manner.

Su Yousheng and Zhang Kun, as the leaders of the team, quickly returned from the opposite side. They decided to first bring the team's most valuable donkeys and mules safely to the other side.

At the same time, Zhang Deshui was busy dealing with livestock matters.

He first found some cloth and carefully covered the animals' eyes to help reduce their anxiety; then, he circled around several times to further calm the livestock and ensure that nothing would happen. Only after he thought it was safe enough did he solemnly hand the reins to Su Yousheng and Zhang Kun who were ready to set off.