Chapter 114 The Relief Grain
Liu Cuihua bore it in mind. In the evening, she went to Mrs. Wang's house and asked her about the relief grain.
"Did you get the relief grain?" she put her hands in the sleeves and extended her neck with much disbelief.
Mrs. Wang showed her a bag of grain. It weighed around ten catties.
"Look, this is what I get today. I told them we had seven people in my house, and they gave me these grains. Moreover, they will offer it next month."
Liu Cuihua's eyes brightened, "Great! God bless us!"
Mrs. Wang grinned, "Not the God. It's the King of Yan."
Civilians didn't understand too much about politics. They praised the one who offered them food.
Liu Cuihua praised, "Yes, the King of Yan is a great king. There might be many people starving to death without the relief grain."
"Exactly. I saw many bodies of the starved beside the road on the way to the town yesterday. Fortunately, it's winter now, otherwise, the plague may spread."
Liu Cuihua didn't see it with her own eyes, but she frowned at the thought of the scene.
"Were... they lying beside the road? Nobody collected them?"
"Officials asked to collect, but it takes time."
"I'll go there tomorrow. There may be no relief grain if I'm too late," Liu Cuihua said.
"Exactly. There are not many people lining up today. But if the news is spread, there might be more people to get the relief grain. You'd better go there earlier. "
Liu Cuihua told her family members about things in Niutou Town. She said she would go there the next day.
But they didn't allow her to go there. Dacheng, the oldest son, said, " Mum, let me go there. We don't know how it is in the town now. What's more, you can't carry it even though they distribute you ten catties of relief grain."
Wu Chuan added, "Sons are old enough to do it. Dacheng, go to the town with Ercheng tomorrow. You can take care of each other in case you are in trouble."
Liu Cuihua was determined, "No. I'll go there. Don't you forget Dagui was forced to serve in the army? The King of Yan took over Niutou Town. What if you are conscripted? What should we do then?"
Dacheng and Ercheng looked at each other. Tian Xiuniang approved, "It makes sense. You'd better not go there."
However, she didn't say she would like to go with Liu Chuihua for she didn't want to do a heavy job.
Chen Zhaodi was pregnant. She couldn't help Liu Cuihua even if she went there.
When everyone was silent, Su Jiuyue said, "Mum, may I go with you? I want to fill the prescription for Xiyuan. We've got the efficacy-enhancing ingredient. If he took medicine, he will feel better soon."
Liu Cuihua had the same thought as her.
Liu Cuihua was surprised that Su Jiuyue cared about Wu Xiyuan so much, so there was more tenderness in her eyes when looking at her.
"Ok, go with me tomorrow."
Su Jiuyue went to the town with Liu Cuihua the next morning. Therefore, Tian Xiuniang had to water the vegetables alone.
She threw the shovel on the ground angrily, "No wonder she went to the town. She must be slacking off. Only I'm left to work."
Although she was angry, she had to go back and cook meals for Chen Zhaodi at noon.
Chen Zhaodi thought it brought trouble to her. She said she could do it herself, but Tian Xiuniang stopped her.
"Stay in your room. Mother-in-law may scold me if she knows you cooked."
Chen Zhaodi knew her mother-in-law would not scold her but she felt shocked about Tian Xiuniang's thoughts.
She stood beside her, "Thank you."
"It's alright. Go back to your room. I don't want to see you here. Do you want me to feel jealous since you don't need to do anything?"
Chen Zhaodi forced a smile and went back to her room.
Tian Xiuniang cooked vegetable porridge and cracked an egg in it.
She must get some benefits in order to vent her anger. She could eat something nourishing as she was cooking for a pregnant woman.
Liu Cuihua and Su Jiuyue were on the way to Niutou Town. When they got near the town, they saw some corpses beside the road.
Su Jiuyue was young so it really frightened her.
Liu Cuihua held her hand and said softly, "Don't worry. Look at the path under your feet. Don't look at the roadsides."
Su Jiuyue nodded and walked close to her in case she would be taken away by ghosts if she fell behind.
They walked faster perhaps both of them were scared.
They reached Niutou Town around nine a.m.
There were lots of refugees with their families everywhere when Su Jiuyue arrived here last time. The refugees were staring at her covetously.
But it was different this time. It was spacious at the entrance. There were only some villagers with a bamboo basket on their back going to the town. There were few people so they didn't need to line up.
Su Jiuyue and Liu Cuihua found they only needed to pay one copper for the entrance fee this time when they reached the gate.
Liu Cuihua paid the fee. She was glad that they saved four coppers. It might mean a good beginning.
They did experience what was peace after a calamity after they entered the town.
The whole town was in ruins. There left many signs of being burnt everywhere.
They frowned and walked towards the pharmacy based on their memory.
Dr. Sun was there and he remembered them.
"Glad to see you! Long time no see. How are you going?"
Liu Cuihua forced a smile and shook her head, "Not good. Live from hand to mouth."
Dr. Sun sighed, "It's always civilians who suffer a lot when calamity occurs."
Liu Cuihua nodded and asked, "Dr. Sun, why is the town in ruins now?"
"The refugees. They entered the town and then robbed, smashed, and burned like brigands. Look, many herbs in my pharmacy were ruined by them."
Dr. Sun flew into a rage when mentioning it. He had cured many patients in his lifetime, and he regarded it as good deeds to ask for a blessing. But he even lost his home when he was old.
Liu Cuihua immediately comforted, "As the saying goes, 'Where there is life, there is hope.' As long as you are alive, you can rebuild your home. Don't worry anymore."