Chapter 94: Selling Oneself
At dawn, they ate breakfast and set out again.
Before they departed, Uncle Ma gathered everyone, his expression grave. "Everyone is clear on the current situation now," he said. "From here on out, things will only get harder."
"Our convoy can’t keep traveling like this. We’ll arrange the carts two abreast to shorten the procession and make it easier to defend. In crowded areas, the men of each family must get down and lead the mules on foot. Grab your kitchen knives and choppers as well, to protect the carts and the women."
"And one more thing," he reminded them. "On the road, no matter how pitiful anyone looks, do not give away a single grain of food. It’s not that we’re stingy; it’s for everyone’s safety. Do you all understand?"
A ragged chorus of "We understand" rose from the crowd.
"Alright then, let’s get moving. We’ll likely be camping in the wilderness again tonight. Does everyone have enough water? We should reach Tong City in West Mountain County tomorrow. If you’re running low on food or need anything else, you can buy it once we get there."
Everyone rallied their spirits and got the mule carts back on the road.
The number of refugees on the road grew. This convoy of mule carts was incredibly conspicuous, and people constantly blocked their path to beg for food, slowing the carts to a crawl.
Gu Fei kept Lan Zhi on the inside of the group, walking on the exposed outer edge herself.
Whenever anyone grabbed at her or blocked her path, she would glare back fiercely. She knew all too well that at a time like this, there was no room for kindness.
When they stopped for a break at noon, Uncle Ma shouted, "Everyone, eat your rations by your carts! Don’t put down your weapons. Stay vigilant! Eat fast so we can get moving. Let’s not linger."
If they stayed too long, the local refugees would realize they had food and would likely swarm them.
There was no telling what might happen then.
Uncle Ma climbed onto the roof of one of the carts to survey the surroundings.
He saw scattered refugees everywhere—on the main road and on both sides of it.
After a moment’s thought, Uncle Ma jumped down from the cart. "Break’s over! Keep moving! Eat while you walk! We can’t stop here!"
Everyone desperately shoved their rations into their mouths. Hu Zi was walking ahead of Gu Fei when a man suddenly rushed over, snatched the half-eaten cornbread from the boy’s hands, and fled.
Hu Zi stared at his empty hands, his face crumpling as he was about to cry. Gu Fei quickly pulled him toward the inner part of the group and popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth. "Stay on the inside. And chew with your mouth shut."
Savoring the flavor, Hu Zi looked up at Gu Fei, his eyes sparkling.
Gu Fei held a dagger in one hand and gnawed on a steamed bun with the other, her eyes scanning their surroundings with vigilance.
The convoy struggled onward.
A while ago, they had been covering seventy to eighty li a day; today, they had only managed to travel just over forty.
By the time the sky was pitch-black, no one even considered looking for an inn. They simply set up camp in the wilderness, built a makeshift stove, and prepared food.
Mrs. Chen simmered a pot of millet porridge, and Li Chunhua brought out a bowl of pickled vegetables to share.
Bao’er ran over for a look. Seeing the meal had no rich, oily dishes, she pursed her lips in distaste and ran off.
After Bao’er had gone, Mrs. Chen handed out a flatbread to each person.
As they were eating, a girl in tattered clothes approached and suddenly knelt before them. "Good sirs, good madams, please buy me. I don’t want money, just a bite to eat. I can work."
Nearby, Ms. Qian heard this and let out a shriek. "What did you say? You don’t want money? Not even grain?"
The girl quickly turned and kowtowed to Ms. Qian. "No money, no grain, nothing at all! As long as you give me enough food to stay alive, it’s enough. I can work. I can chop firewood, work the fields, and I know how to cook. I can do any kind of work. Please, madam, buy me."