Volume One, Chapter 8: Distributing Weapons, the Two Brothers Stir Up Trouble

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Su Yunhai took a sip of tea, his expression grave. “There’s a wealthy villager named Zhang Shiwen in the village. He’s been doing business in the northern borderlands, and this time he brought back some important news.”

“Just as you said, Hanshan Pass has already been breached by the northern barbarians. As soon as he heard the news, he fled back with his family, wanting to warn the village so everyone could escape quickly.”

“I also took the opportunity to share the news you brought back with the village, hoping they’d make a decision early.”

On the road fleeing famine, they definitely wouldn’t be the first group.

There’s strength in numbers, and only then can there be deterrence.

Su Yunhai understood this deeply; he never thought a single family could survive on their own during such a flight.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuli’s eyes brightened.

These were details never written into the story.

She hadn’t expected anyone from the border to have returned to the village, nor did she know how many villagers would resolutely decide to leave once they learned the truth.

Her only fear was that the villagers would remain stubborn, just as the story’s ending had shown, refusing to leave.

“What was their reaction?”

Su Yunhai shook his head. “The village chief and elders haven’t made a decision yet; they’re reluctant to abandon their homes and fields. But Zhang Shiwen’s relatives have already decided to leave with us.”

“I also shared my thoughts — I’m going with them. They plan to set out early in three days, so our time is limited.”

Shen Yuehua, suddenly thinking of something, grabbed Su Yunhai’s arm and said, “I want to ask my parents’ opinion. If possible, I want to persuade them to leave with us.”

Over the years, the Shen family had taken good care of the young couple; Yuehua wasn’t willing to leave them behind.

“I was just thinking the same. Tomorrow, you and A-Li should return to visit. I’ll take the second son to buy supplies. Make a list of everything you need; I’ll try to get it all.”

Shen Shuli, still worried about household registration, reminded him, “Dad, don’t forget my registration issue hasn’t been settled yet.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle that tomorrow too.”

In the corner, three brothers stood facing the wall, bewildered as they overheard the conversation.

The eldest, Su Chang’an, couldn’t hold back and turned to ask, “Dad, Mom, what is this about northern barbarians breaching the city and fleeing south? What exactly are you planning?”

Only then did the couple realize they hadn’t yet told their sons and daughters-in-law about the impending famine and flight.

Su Yunhai gave the eldest a cold glance and explained the chaos of war, drought, and refugees.

“Our area will soon fall. We’ve decided to leave in three days.”

Su Chang’an’s eyes reddened with anger.

“Dad, her reputation was ruined back in Qingzhou! How can you listen to her? And Wanwan, our little sister, is supposed to bring us to Qingzhou. If this were true, wouldn’t she have told us?”

“Yeah, Dad!” Su Ding’an egged him on from the side, looking defiantly at Shen Shuli as he laid out his arguments.

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“Dad, I think she’s just worried that if we all go to Qingzhou to live well, she won’t be included. She has nowhere else to go, so she made up this ridiculous excuse to keep little sister from contacting us! She’s truly heartless!”

Su Ping’an nodded repeatedly. “Dad, I agree with my brothers!”

Su Yunhai glanced at his three sons and found that his daughter’s words were not without merit.

These rascals, on the whole, were obedient.

Normally, they wouldn’t dare go against his wishes.

But when it came to his daughter, they always had to play the opposite side.

Su Yunhai stretched his shoulders, said nothing further, and proceeded to unfasten his belt.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Before he could pull it out, the three brothers dashed away like shadows, dragging their wives and children along with them…

Shen Shuli watched the paper-thin figures flee in panic and chuckled for quite a while.

“Dad, this is some spirit spring water I saved for you. Drink it quickly.”

Su Yunhai’s eyes lit up. He had been longing for this taste for eight years and hadn’t expected to have it again.

“Hahaha, then I won’t be polite.”

He had already noticed the changes in his daughter and daughter-in-law.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have accepted so readily.

“Dad, I got these from the modern world. Pick some handy self-defense tools.” Shen Shuli pulled various models of guns and cold weapons out of her space.

“Ah, daughter, you could even get these?” The couple looked shocked at the items Shen Shuli laid out on the table.

She didn’t plan to tell them about joining the military after her parents disappeared and constantly dealing with ruthless criminals, to spare them the pain.

“Hehe, I got these from special channels for self-defense. Choose quickly. Mom, you pick too.”

The couple understood their daughter’s intention.

They were about to flee famine soon, and she wanted them to get used to these weapons for their own protection.

No objections.

They each chose a pistol suitable for themselves for long-range defense and to conceal on their person.

Su Yunhai also selected a reinforced Tang Dao sword.

Shen Shuli then took out matching ammunition from her space as backup.

It was late; the three rested individually.

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The next day.

Shen Yuehua took Shen Shuli back to her parents’ home in Baishan Village.

It was thirty li from Taohua Village.

After leaving the village and seeing no one around, Shen Shuli summoned a horse from her space and rode with her mother straight to Baishan Village.

Su Chang’an and Su Ding’an simply didn’t believe Su Yunhai and refused to leave with him.

Su Yunhai could only take the second son and set off in a mule cart to purchase supplies.

Qingyun City had almost run out of grain. Father and son planned to visit a county town farther away, which would take two or three days.

Just after leaving, they found many people gathered outside the Su family home.

Su Yunhai could roughly guess their purpose.

“What are you all gathered here for?”

The villagers quickly explained.

“Da Hai, you said last night you’d go to another county town to buy grain. Can you take us with you?”

“Yes, whether or not we flee, our home grain is almost gone. We can’t get any in Qingyun City…”

“Brother Hai, I’ve decided to go with you. I also want to stockpile more grain.”

“Alright, I’ll wait at the village entrance. Hurry back and bring carts, and better bring some weapons for self-defense.” Su Yunhai smiled and agreed, reminding them.

*

Su Chang’an and Su Ding’an pressed against the door crack, watching a family of three long gone, furious.

Su Ding’an’s cheeks puffed in anger. “Little sister was right. This fake heiress is a disaster! Before she came, Dad doted on us the most. Now she’s been here one day, and Dad only has eyes for that newcomer, treating us like dirt… Big brother, don’t you have any ideas?”

“Of course I do… First, we must report the family situation to little sister. It’s best to have her come back in person to expose Shen Shuli’s true colors!”

“Second, she’s trying to persuade Dad to take the whole family away. We must stop that!”

Su Chang’an pondered. “Perfect timing—while she’s away with Dad, we’ll go door to door telling the village about all the trouble she’s caused, so they can persuade Dad!”

Su Ding’an nodded. “Alright, big brother, let’s get moving!”