The brother who was missed by Yongchang was helping people carry goods on the dock.
Along with them, there were several other men from Yejia Village.
This group of people were dark and thin, wearing tattered cotton-padded jackets, but carrying one or two hundred kilograms of large sacks on their shoulders.
After unloading everything on the boat, several people collapsed there from exhaustion.
A man who looked like a manager came over, followed by a few thugs. Two of them were carrying a basket containing black steamed buns.
"Come here and get some food!"
Looking at the group of skinny men slumped there, the steward sighed in his heart, "Today is the Chinese New Year, let each person get two more Wowotou."
As soon as they heard that they could get two extra steamed buns today, everyone sitting on the ground panting immediately got up, raised their hands to the steward, and said gratefully: "Thank you so much, steward Ding."
Steward Ding nodded slightly, watched them all receive the cornbread, and warned: "Go back early! There will be no ships docking tomorrow, so take a good rest at home for a day, and come here early the day after tomorrow."
Everyone was very disappointed when they heard that there would be no ship coming tomorrow.
They feed themselves and their families on these few cornbreads every day.
One day without work meant that they and their families would go hungry.
Shitou and Mu quickly put the few Wowotou they had just received into their arms, said hello to Manager Ding, and went back with the villagers.
They didn't dare to walk through the city gate. They took a mountain road. Although it was a bit further around, at least there weren't that many victims.
Yejia Village was also lucky. After their batches of victims were resettled, no one took care of the people who came after them.
Now countless people starve to death every day at the gate of the city, and even the bark of the trees on the nearby mountains is almost peeled off.
Although the nobles in the city would occasionally give out porridge, it was only a drop in the bucket.
Now there are no people even giving porridge. The city gate is closed tightly. It is difficult for ordinary people to get in if they want to go in.
The smarter people saw that there was no way to survive here, so many of them went to Shu and Jiangnan together, leaving a small number of people still at the city gate waiting for the emperor to show mercy.
Shitou was so hungry that he didn't want to eat steamed buns. Daming walked beside him and said seriously:
"Stone, there has been a light snowfall this winter, and the ground has not even been wet. The ground is dry and cracked. I'm afraid the days to come will be even more difficult."
Shitou sighed, "The two acres of wasteland we opened may not be able to be cultivated. If we just rely on the few bucks we earn carrying sacks at the dock, the whole family will not be able to survive."
Mumu said happily: "If we hadn't done a little favor for Manager Ding some time ago, the work at the dock would have been taken away by someone long ago. Where would it be our turn to do it?"
They carried a day's work for four wotou, and the victims at the gate of the city worked for two wotou.
If the drought continues like this, they won't be able to save their four nests.
Everyone walked forward in silence, and suddenly a group of disaster victims rushed out. There were more than 20 men. It looked like they were waiting for them here.
There were seventeen people carrying bags on the pier in Yejia Village. They all had weapons in their hands because they were afraid of being robbed on the road.
They had encountered this kind of thing more than once or twice. They all had a tacit understanding. With a wink, they rushed over with the guy in hand, preparing to strike first and catch the opponent off guard.
The two parties started a fierce struggle. The other party had more people and initially gained the upper hand.
Maybe it's because I haven't eaten for a long time, and I feel a little exhausted after playing for a while.
There are also several people injured in Yejiacun, but they are not interested in fighting.
Seeing the two dozen men lying on the ground, gasping and wailing, they helped each other and ran away, fearing that these people would slow down and fight them to the death.
After experiencing this thrilling fight, everyone's hearts became heavier and heavier, and no one spoke during the whole journey.
When they reached the entrance of the village, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and went home each with their steamed buns in their pockets.
Only then did Mu Mu notice that something was wrong with Shitou's left arm, and he quickly asked him, "Is your arm injured?"
"It was beaten just now. It must have been broken."
Mumu said anxiously: "Why didn't you tell me just now? We can also go to the dock to find a doctor to help you."
"Brother, it's not a big problem? Just rest for a few days and you'll be fine."
Shitou was very upset. Once his arm was injured, he couldn't go to the pier to carry the bag.
It may take a long time to not be able to bring food home and have to eat for free at home. The more I think about it, the more uncomfortable I feel.
Although they secretly bought 200 kilograms of grain some time ago, how long can this amount of grain last for their family of more than ten people?
Looking at the weather this year, I'm afraid there is no hope again. Thinking of this, he became anxious and angry.
Mu Mu sighed heavily, "Let's go, I'll take you to Sixth Madam and let her take a look at it for you."
Aunt Liu is the midwife of Dong Village and she also knows a little about herbal medicine. If people in the village have minor problems, they will go to her to help them and pick up two pairs of decoctions.
"Brother, go home first and go to Sixth Madam's place later." He motioned to the cornstarch in his arms.
The Sixth Madam was a little greedy. If he saw these cornucopias, she would definitely not let them go easily.
I'll get a steamed bun later and ask the women at home to follow.
It's not easy for men to bargain with Liu Da Niang, but it's easier for women to negotiate with women.
Mu Mu nodded. Stone had more eyes than him and could plan everything. He was right.
When the brothers arrived home, Shitou's wife immediately noticed something was wrong with the man, and her eyes turned red, "What's going on?"
Knowing that she had been injured, the family members all put down their work and gathered around, asking about the injury.
Mu Mu talked about what happened on the road in a few words.
"Mom, you and your siblings take the stone to Six Auntie's place to have a look. If it's serious, I'll take him to the dock to see a doctor tomorrow."
"Okay, okay, let's go now." Dapo was about to go out anxiously.
The uncle stopped her and said, "Old lady, bring some money and some corn."
Tietou's wife had already wrapped the bun with a handkerchief, and the eldest woman went into the house to get the money.
Shitou and the others were just about to go to Aunt Liu's place when they met Old Man Ye, Ye Dazhuang and Ye Daqing at the door.
The family paused for a moment, and the grandfather smiled and asked, "Where are you three going in such a cold weather?"
Old man Ye looked a little embarrassed. He glanced at his younger son and asked him to speak. Daqing is a scholar, he can talk better than him, and his words have weight.
Their family has been unable to untie the pot. Although the second son is also carrying bags in the city, he can only bring home one piece of corn every day.
Such a small steamed bun is not enough for my grandson. They all go to the mountains to peel the bark, grind it into powder and eat it.
Today the second child brought back three steamed buns, but it’s not enough for such a big family.
Today is the Chinese New Year again, and my grandson was screaming at home because he was hungry, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
I heard from my youngest son that Shitou bought a lot of food some time ago, and he wanted to borrow some emergency supplies to get through the new year.
Ye Daqing glanced at his embarrassed father, while his second brother pretended to be dead again. He could only step forward, cupped his hands and said:
"Uncle, our family really has no food. Mingwei is crying from hunger at home. Do you think you can lend us some food? When we get through this difficulty, we will definitely return it double in the future."
