After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

Tang Wenshu led a group of dashing and energetic yamen runners, toiling tirelessly for a long time, finally handling Liu County's tax collection affairs properly and collecting all taxes without omission. However, they were well aware of the heavy responsibility and dared not relax for a moment. After hurriedly packing their bags, they embarked on the arduous journey to the Yangzhou government office to pay taxes without hesitation.

On this day, the sky was gloomy. The thick clouds were like an insurmountable wall, blocking the sunlight's path and preventing the warm rays from penetrating the clouds and reaching the earth. Thus, the entire world was shrouded in a gray and misty veil, giving people a feeling of oppression and dullness.

Tang Qi and Tang Wenshu stood side by side, personally commanding and leading a massive and imposing convoy of tax grain. The procession resembled a winding dragon, stretching a hundred meters in length, with no end in sight. Carts laden with grain were closely linked, arranged in orderly rows. To the left and right of each grain cart stood a line of heavily armed soldiers. Their expressions were solemn, as if they were facing a formidable enemy, observing their surroundings for any sign of trouble. The carts were loaded with the bountiful fruits of the Liuxian people's year-long toil, spring, summer, autumn, and winter! Therefore, no matter what, this precious grain could not be lost.

In the short time since arriving in Liu County, Tang Wenshu had become increasingly cautious and careful in his handling of affairs. However, even with such strict security measures, unexpected situations could not be avoided. Normally, Tang Qi and Tang Wenshu would only take half an hour to travel to Yangzhou and back, but now, due to escorting this important batch of tax grain, the team's progress was significantly slowed.

The winter sky always seemed gloomy and oppressive, as if the warm, bright sun never shone. The weather on this day was no different from any other, and Tang Qi initially noticed nothing unusual. However, just as the team was halfway through their journey, something unexpected happened—the previously calm sky suddenly seemed to rip open, and countless hailstones the size of a baby's fist rained down!

Instantly, a crackling sound resounded through the sky, and the ground was quickly covered in white ice balls. Those struggling to move forward panicked and dodged the hailstones. Some soldiers, unfortunate enough to be hit, collapsed to the ground in agony, clutching their heads and groaning. Other grain carts had holes in their tarpaulins, and the grain inside began to pour out through the cracks. Faced with this sudden natural disaster, everyone was thrown into chaos. Not to mention protecting the transported grain, even surviving such extreme weather would be extremely difficult. A single hit on the head from the massive hailstones could mean the end of a lifespan!

At this moment, Tang Qi faced a difficult decision: whether to sacrifice lives to protect the precious food or prioritize the safety of everyone else. Even if he chose to abandon the food, finding a suitable place to stay quickly with so many people would be a challenge. After all, the group stretched far and wide, and they were in an area with no villages in front and no shops behind, leaving them in a dilemma.

After careful consideration, Tang Qi finally resolved to prioritize the lives of his soldiers. He raised his arms and shouted, "Brothers and sisters, do not panic! Seek safety! Take off your coats quickly and cover your heads tightly for emergencies. Also, quickly dispatch a small team to explore the surrounding area for caves, tall, dense trees, or low-lying areas that offer shelter." Without hesitation, Tang Qi untied his cloak and carefully wrapped it around Tang Wenshu's head. He then deftly removed his coat and wrapped it around his own head.

However, when he looked around again, he noticed that some soldiers, completely disregarding their own safety, had slumped over the carts laden with grain, seemingly intent on defending it with their own flesh and blood. Seeing this, Tang Qi was terrified and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Don't worry about the grain! Even if we suffer some losses, it won't be completely destroyed. Only by ensuring everyone's safety first will we have a chance to save more food later! Follow my command! Everyone, take off your shirts and protect your heads, just like me!"

"My Lord, I know of a dilapidated temple nearby. Perhaps we could transport our grain there for temporary shelter!" A bailiff hurried over to report, his dark, resolute face revealing a hint of eagerness and confidence. These bailiffs knew Liu County's topography like the back of their hands; no corner escaped their scrutiny.

"Excellent idea! Soldiers, listen up! Protect your heads and bodies! Pull the grain carts and follow! Move quickly!" Tang Qi shouted, his voice resounding and powerful, echoing across the wind-ravaged land. The soldiers, well-trained, sprang into action at the command, swift as an arrow from a bow. Despite the hailstorm, they showed no fear, their hearts focused on protecting this grain, which was crucial to the people's livelihood.

Under Tang Qi's methodical and calm command, something astonishing happened—in less than three minutes! Like well-trained soldiers, carts laden with precious grain moved in unison, rapidly advancing, and finally, safely and securely, arrived at the seemingly desolate ancient temple.

As soon as the vehicles came to a complete stop, barely a moment to catch their breath, the crowd erupted in a surge of energy and enthusiasm, like a flaming fire. They didn't even bother to rest for a moment, not even considering the possibility of injury. Everyone worked together, united in purpose, their single-minded focus on getting these crucial grain carts safely into the temple.

Shouts and calls resounded through the air, everyone united in purpose and effort, finally managing to push all the grain carts safely into the temple. Once everything was perfectly arranged, the tense soldiers finally breathed a sigh of relief. By this point, they were already exhausted and panting, but they still persevered and stood in the corridor.

They lifted their heads, their gazes solemnly fixed upon the gloomy sky. Thick, dark clouds rolled and surged, like a ferocious beast baring its fangs and claws. Bean-sized raindrops clattered down, occasionally interspersed with hailstones the size of eggs, crackling against the ground. Faced with such dire weather, the soldiers silently prayed: May this sudden natural disaster cease soon!

At that moment, Tang Qi gently took his sister Tang Wenshu's slightly trembling hand and cautiously walked into the temple together. The brother and sister snuggled tightly together, curling up as much as possible, just to save more space so that more soldiers could squeeze into the small temple to avoid the wind and rain.

Yet, those soldiers, usually so brave and fearless, charging into battle without a frown, displayed a touching spirit of humility. They willingly made way, signaling the equally weary yamen runners to go in first. They themselves stood steadfast outside the temple, letting the howling wind and the icy rain lash their bodies mercilessly, yet never flinching.