“Let’s rest here for the next few days. There is still some rice left, and tomorrow we can cook some porridge and add some pork to nourish our bodies.” Two legs of wild boar brought from the cave had already been seized by soldiers at the city gate, but fortunately, the remaining rice was left untouched.
At that moment, Xu Jin almost shouted out in anger, but Lin Ya stopped him. Lin Ya appeared very calm. Even though he was somewhat upset, he realized that the bigger issue wasn’t those two legs of pork but rather what would happen once they entered the city. He kept his thoughts to himself, thinking about how he would take revenge when the opportunity arose.
Even the fact that refugees were being exploited didn’t seem outrageous to Lin Ya. After all, those in power set the example, and asking refugees for entry fees was just like the officials looking to exploit them.
Several days later, heavy snow began to fall, the cold snowflakes hitting the roof tiles with a sharp sound.
As the outermost tile was blown off, producing a crisp sound of falling, Lin Ya pushed the door open, stepping onto the wet muddy ground and facing the cold wind as he went out to fetch water.
The water jar outside was covered with a thick layer of ice, which he had to break with a wooden hammer. After fetching the water, he heard sobbing coming from next door. Lin Ya paused briefly and stepped out to have a look.
He saw two guards dressed in official attire carrying a wooden board that held a stiff corpse. As they lifted the board, a thin sleeve slid off, hanging on the emaciated arm.
Another person had died here in this farm, unable to tell if they died from illness, starvation, or freezing due to the lack of medicine, clothing, and food.
Lin Ya’s expression remained calm and indifferent as he turned around and went back inside.
Such occurrences had happened many times over the past few days, so he was not surprised.
Inside the cramped dwelling, Ren Zhao and Ren Lin were helping Xu Yue give water to Xu Fu and Zhang Shi. By the fire pit was a jar releasing warmth, while Xu Jin was laboriously breaking discarded wooden planks into smaller pieces for firewood, preparing to cook food.
The outer window frame was opened to let out the smoke, allowing some cold air inside occasionally.
When Xu Jin saw Lin Ya enter, he greeted him, “Brother-in-law, have you fetched the water?”
“Yeah.” Lin Ya nodded and poured the water into the nearly empty jar, added some rice, and placed the chopped meat aside, ready to put it in once the porridge was nearly done.
“Brother-in-law, my parents are almost better now. When can we leave?” Xu Fu and Zhang Shi were not seriously ill but only suffered from a mild fever due to exhaustion, which had improved after taking some medicine for two days.
Lin Ya was about to sit down but hesitated slightly, not responding.
Xu Fu chimed in, “Yes, Zixiu, your mother and I are also much better. Just in time as our rice is running low. We don’t know what the conditions are like in the city. If we wait too long, we might not be able to buy food. If there are houses to rent in the city, that would be great. We could find a place to stay.”
“What father says makes sense; there were quite a few people coming from Liu City. The city probably cannot accommodate so many. If we don’t go in early, they won’t accept any refugees.”
Zhang Shi and Xu Yue nodded, but as they noticed Lin Ya’s slightly furrowed brows and silent demeanor, their voices gradually lowered.
Lin Ya sensed their gazes on him and fell silent for a moment before saying, “If we want to enter the city, I’m afraid it won’t be so easy for us to leave here.”
“Brother-in-law, what do you mean by that?” Xu Jin’s eyes widened slightly. “Didn’t you say we could leave once we got better? Could it be…”
“That’s right.” Lin Ya pursed his lips and motioned for him to be quiet. “Based on my observations, even if we get better, with those guards present, it would be very difficult to leave without paying something.”
In fact, he had overheard the guards’ conversations while sneaking out to use the restroom two nights ago. They had remarked that if there were no benefits, they wouldn’t do this hard work in this freezing cold.
And the so-called benefits naturally referred to the wealth and possessions carried by the refugees.
Whether alive or dead.
“How could this be?!”
“These greedy officials!” He lowered his voice, his eyes filled with angry tears, and punched the wooden board, creating a large hole.
“Is there no law in Liu City?! Not only do they fail to provide relief to refugees but they also find ways to seize their belongings. It’s truly infuriating!” The two legs of pork taken by the soldiers, as well as the forcibly confiscated mule, and now being extorted for silver had all made them furious.
Xu Fu coughed in anger, nearly gasping for breath.
Zhang Shi patted his back to comfort him and turned to ask, “Zixiu, is there any way for us to leave? If we don’t go to Liu City, it would be better to change routes and go to other towns.”
“Leaving here is quite simple. However, without a mule, we’ll have to carry our belongings on our backs.” Lin Ya’s gaze fell on the two children as he pondered for a moment. “Otherwise, I could sneak into the city to scout the situation, see if there are any food supplies to purchase.”
“Yes, we don’t have enough food now. If we don’t buy some, we might starve on the way,” Xu Fu nodded. “That’s good, but just be very careful in the city.”
Xu Jin hesitated for a moment, “How about I go instead? If something happens in the city…”
“No, I’ll go,” Lin Ya stood up and glanced at the swirling snow outside. “Nothing will happen.”
*****
Blending in with the crowd of refugees, Lin Ya paid the entry fee and entered the city safely.
This city was much larger than Liu County, but upon entering, everyone was directed to the outermost area on the eastern side of the city.
Tents were set up everywhere, with some people gathering in small groups, busy constructing wooden partitions to mark their territories. Others simply lay on the muddy road, wrapped in thin clothing, snuggling with their families.
The streets were filled with emaciated people, both adults and children.