In a chaotic world of infrastructure development, a woman's path to survival after being reborn

After descending the mountain, everyone's mood became tense, completely unlike the relaxed atmosphere on the mountain, because everyone in the group knew the dangers down below.

In recent years, drought has caused crops to fall more and more poorly each year. The northern region has not seen rain for three years, making life extremely difficult for the people there.

Drought and no rain meant a lack of water, so before setting off, Zhao Zexuan specifically instructed that each household should fill up with drinking water, because it might take a long time to find a water source on the road.

Everyone in the village knows the importance of water, so when they leave, they try to fill all the containers they can with water, just in case.

It has been three and a half hours since they came down the mountain, and they have traveled quite a distance. Now it is lunchtime, so Zhao Zexuan ordered the team to stop and rest on the spot.

The troops stopped to rest. There happened to be a small river nearby, and the soldiers wanted to go forward to wash up and cool off, but before they could do so, Zhao Zexuan stopped them.

“That river isn’t clean now, don’t go there,” Zhao Zexuan said.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers curiously gazed at the river not far away, and then they saw the corpse floating in the river...

Upon seeing that scene in the river, the soldiers immediately turned pale and lost all interest in approaching the river.

At this time, finding a water source not only depends on luck, but also on its cleanliness. Drinking unclean water will not save your life, but rather take your life.

Having successfully persuaded the man to stop, Zhao Zexuan got up to find Su Li, who was resting by the oxcart.

Seeing Zhao Zexuan come over, Su Li skillfully pointed to the box next to her, indicating that Zhao Zexuan should eat.

After two days of getting to know each other, the atmosphere between the two was no longer as awkward as before, and they were now able to sit together and eat peacefully like friends.

While eating the still-warm pancake, Zhao Zexuan looked at Su Li sitting next to him and asked, "Have you eaten?"

Hearing this, Su Li nodded and said, "I've eaten. All the food here is yours."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan paused for a moment, then said, seemingly jokingly, "I'm sorry to trouble you with that."

Sensing Zhao Zexuan's underlying meaning, Su Li said, "These are things I should do, after all, I wouldn't have received those grains without you."

In fact, Zhao Zexuan always felt that he did not understand Su Li. After all, there was only one maid who could appear in the Zhang family's granary in the middle of the night. He always felt that Su Li was different. For example, today, seeing so many disaster victims on the road, Su Li was able to remain calm and even rest and eat.

For some reason, Zhao Zexuan wanted to know Su Li's attitude, so after thinking for a moment, he asked, "What do you think of the disaster victims we met on the way down the mountain today?"

Upon hearing this, Su Li, who had been lost in thought, immediately snapped back to reality. She glanced at Zhao Zexuan, who was eating, and said, "What can you say? They're just some pitiful people."

"Poor people?" Zhao Zexuan murmured for a moment, then looked at Su Li with a puzzled expression and asked, "You think they're pitiful?"

“Yes, not only are they pitiful, but we are pitiful too. If we could stay safely at home at this time, who would want to leave their hometown?” Su Li said.

"Do you think we're indifferent?" Zhao Zexuan asked curiously.

Hearing this, Su Li couldn't help but roll her eyes at Zhao Zexuan, her eyes seemingly showing disdain for his question, before saying, "There are so many pitiful people in this world, who can help them all the time? Human life is worthless in this world, and people can die at any moment. I am selfish; I want to live, so I choose to turn a blind eye. I believe that even if the situation were reversed, those people would make the same choice."

"When you are unable to help others, blind kindness will only bring trouble to yourself, or even endanger your life."

Zhao Zexuan hadn't expected Su Li to think that way. After pondering for a moment, he said, "You're quite insightful."

Hearing this, Su Li wasn't sure if Zhao Zexuan was praising her, but she took it as a compliment and replied, "I can't help but think that after that incident, I can just go and die!"

The conversation ended there. After finishing his meal, Zhao Zexuan left to continue his work, while Su Li continued to rest by the oxcart and contemplate the future.

……

“General,” Mo Bei stepped forward to report.

Zhao Zexuan was discussing the next route with several military advisors around him when Mo Bei stepped forward to report. He asked, "What is it?"

Upon hearing this, the other generals sitting around also looked over.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Mo Bei's expression remained unchanged as he spoke in a measured tone: "Some people are following behind the group."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan and the others immediately frowned, and Zhao Zexuan asked, "What's going on?"

Mo Bei sensed the seriousness in Zhao Zexuan's words and immediately explained, "General, they are refugees fleeing from disaster. Seeing that our group was large and well-organized, they assumed we were the regular army of the imperial court and followed us. I have inquired and found that they are indeed ordinary people, and there is nothing suspicious about them."

Hearing this, the recruits relaxed, and Zhao Zexuan said, "And now?"

"After we found out what was going on with them, we told them the truth and told them not to follow us anymore. But instead of changing their minds, they were determined to follow us."

Zhao Zexuan clearly hadn't expected this, and frowned as he asked, "Did those people say anything?"

When asked the right question, Mo Bei stopped hiding it and said directly, "After I learned of their decision, I wanted to ask them to leave, but they begged and pleaded, saying that they would not interfere with us, so I had no idea what to do."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan finally understood what Mo Bei was struggling with. The people following behind were indeed a problem, but it wouldn't be right to stop them from following. He wouldn't take the initiative to help them, but he also wouldn't extinguish their hope.

Thinking of the group behind him, Zhao Zexuan looked at the map in his hand and said after a long while, "Next, send more people to guard the rear. If those people are sure they are okay and want to follow, let them follow. As for how far they can follow, that depends on their fate."

Upon hearing this, Mo Bei immediately understood the deeper meaning. This time, the team was heading to Lingnan, which was thousands of miles away. It would be difficult for this group to keep up with them.

Having thought all this through, Mo Bei nodded in agreement and then went to make the arrangements.

***

After Mo Bei left, Zhao Zexuan continued to examine the map with several military advisors, pointing to a location and saying, "This place has been occupied by refugees."