Seeing Xu Yin eating with hot water, other households pursed their lips and gathered around to light a fire. Their firewood was picked up nearby.
The weather was dry, so it was easy to pick up dry grass and branches from nearby fields, but they were not as resistant to burning as Xu Yin's old wooden piles.
Fortunately, there were many of them, at least five or six people. One or two were left to look after the luggage and find stones to build the earthen stove. The others went out to collect firewood and made several trips back and forth. They had enough for tonight.
Xu Yin was observing them with her peripheral vision, and they were also peeking at Xu Yin.
The head of one of the households came over and talked to Xu Yin: "Little brother, where are you going? Don't get me wrong, I just want to ask if we are going the same way. My family is going to Dongxuan Mansion to join relatives. If we are going to Dongxuan Mansion, Road, we can still take care of each other along the way."
Xu Yin's heart moved slightly: Dongxuan Mansion? That should be to the east.
"I originally wanted to go south." She thought for a moment and said.
"Nanling Mansion? That's in the same direction as them. Sigh, I thought I could have more company." The middle-aged man sighed with a smile.
The two families were not far away, so they naturally heard it and asked Xu Yin in a loud voice: "Little brother, are you going to Nanling Mansion too? We just happen to be together."
Of these two families, one went to Nanling Mansion to live with his in-laws and nephews; the other family was married to Nanling Mansion by his aunt.
"No." Xu Yin smiled and shook her head, "I just wanted to say that I originally planned to go to Nanling Mansion, but I suddenly remembered that my family has a distant relative in Dongxuan Mansion, but I don't know where he lives, so I am hesitating. "
She saw that there were many families in those two families. In addition to brothers and sisters, there were also cousins and in-laws. The two families together had more than 20 people.
If something bad comes up along the way, she has no problem protecting herself, but she still has two kids, and she will regret it if something goes wrong.
If you really want to get together, choose one with a small number of people and a simple family structure.
"Hey! What's up!" said the middle-aged man who started the conversation, "When I get to Dongxuan Fucheng, I'll ask my relative to find out for you."
Xu Yin took advantage of the situation and said: "Thank you so much, big brother!"
"What's your surname, little brother?" The other party saw an extra companion, so he introduced the five members of his family, "My name is Wang Daniu, and the people lighting the fire are my wife, Mrs. Jing Feng, and my eldest daughter-in-law. They are my father and my two sons. "
Xu Yin cupped her hands: "Hello, Brother Wang, my name is Xu Yingxiong, and these are my second brother and third sister."
"..."
Erlang twitched the corner of his mouth when he heard her casual name.
Xu Yin continued: "We also have an eldest brother who is fighting at the border. I received a letter from him a few days ago and he has made a meritorious service! Unfortunately, he will not be able to return to his hometown until after the new year. At present, the family is so poor that he can't even drink water, so he has to take it with him My younger brothers and sisters should go elsewhere to find a way out."
When they heard that he had made meritorious service in the war, everyone was envious.
These days, in addition to being a scholar and becoming an official, there is another shortcut to promotion and title, which is to kill the enemy and perform meritorious service.
But swords and guns have no eyes, so it would be good to come back alive. Those who kill the enemy and perform meritorious service and are still alive are really rare.
"Life will be better when your eldest brother comes back!" Wang Daniu consoled him, "If you can kill the enemy leader and get an official position, you brothers and sisters will be able to get ahead!"
Xu Yin wanted to give them this hint: I have a brother in my family who is about to become an official. If you have any evil thoughts, please think about it first.
Unexpectedly, Erlang and Third Sister took her seriously. When they were sleeping next to her that night, they quietly asked: "Sister-in-law, has your eldest brother really killed the enemy and made meritorious service and become a general?"
"Shh-" Xu Yin blinked at the two of them, "Have you forgotten what I said?"
"……elder brother."
"That's right! Don't call me wrong in the future! As for your brother, you will know when he comes back."
Erlang suddenly realized: My sister-in-law is lying to others, just like calling her "Xu Yingxiong".
The third sister was still a little confused and asked in a waxy voice: "When will eldest brother come back?"
"next year."
"When next year?"
"...After the New Year, right? It depends on whether he is on his way quickly or not."
"Brother walks very fast."
"……OK."
"..."
It can be considered that the two little ones have become familiar with each other.
Xu Yin breathed a sigh of relief.
Once I relaxed, I felt an indescribable pain in the soles of my feet. After taking off my shoes and socks, I found several blisters.
It is true that she possesses supernatural powers, but after all she is not wearing a golden bell and an iron shirt!
Xu Yin bared her teeth and used the flickering light of the fire to pop the blisters one by one. She disinfected them with iodine swabs and then slowly exhaled.
I slightly loosened the strap on my chest. It was so tight and hot that I felt uncomfortable. It was not an easy job for a woman to dress up as a man!
Xu Yin woke up before dawn the next day.
She barely slept a wink last night.
At first the heat was unbearable, but in the middle of the night the bonfire went out and the coolness cooled down, and people felt sleepy. However, they couldn't help but worry about whether something would happen, so they watched the brother and sister half-awake all night.
Fortunately, the night was uneventful.
She yawned, turned her back, rinsed her mouth, drank water, and quietly filled the gourd six to seven minutes full.
When the charcoal fire was about to go out last night, she threw a few sweet potatoes into it.
It was still warm when I touched it, so I peeled off the burnt skin and ate one. Keep the rest for Erlang and Sanmei.
"Little brother, do you think we should leave early? The sun will come out and it will be hot again soon. I would rather find a place to rest at noon."
Wang Daniu's proposal was exactly what Xu Yin wanted.
"Okay, Brother Wang, I'll pack it up now."
She carried the two children onto the cart. Seeing that they were sleepy, she said, "If you are sleepy, lie down on the rice bag and sleep for a while."
She stuffed sweet potatoes and gourds at Erlang's feet, pushed the cart and set off.
The two families heading to Nanling Mansion left for the southern mountain road at noon. To take a shortcut to Nanling Mansion, they had to climb a big mountain.
Xu Yin and Wang Daniu's family continued to walk eastward through the vast wilderness. They didn't chat much along the way to save energy and saliva.
The water I drank is almost gone.
Wang Daniu has been paying attention to water sources along the way. His family of six only has two skin bags and a bamboo tube of water.
It’s hot again, and after two days, I’ve hit the bottom no matter how much I drink.
Xu Yin is also paying attention.
At this time, she saw a village in front of her. There were several houses in the village with smoke floating from their roofs.
"Brother Wang, which village is ahead?"
"Dadu Village." Wang Daniu thought for a moment, "Many years ago, a rich man with a heart like a Buddha came out of their village. He dug two wells for the village, one at the beginning and one at the end. Maybe their village has not yet run out of water."
"Let's go! Let's take a look!"
Hearing that there was water, the group cheered up.
Even if the well water in Dadu Village has dried up, they are still supported by the hope of plum blossoms to quench their thirst.
It is true that the water supply in Dadu Village has not yet been cut off, but it is almost the same.
The water coming out of the two wells at the beginning and end of the village is getting less and less. Even though the buckets have long hanging ropes, they can't draw much water this morning.
So the villagers decided to cook a final meal and take the dry food to other places to avoid the disaster.
After Xu Yin and his party arrived, they looked at the ancient well that was about to bottom out, and their longing was replaced by disappointment.
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