Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space
Chapter 288. Grain varieties

Chapter 288: 288. Grain varieties

If all the young people’s explanations are understood, everyone would be willing to work in exchange for grain seeds.

While some still have some silver, even the poorest households have little to spare, and the silver is their final assurance, who would easily give it up?

"Yes," said the official.

"Indeed, that’s what I mean. What’s your name?" Liu Yongping looked at the speaker, studying him for a moment.

"Returning to the official, student Sun Shangcheng," the young man bowed.

"Have you studied?"

"Yes, I’ve studied for a few years, but the student lacks talent for studies, limited to a schoolchild."

"That’s already good, then you shall record."

"Student?" Sun Shangcheng’s eyes widened, evidently surprised.

"Yes... you, anyone who can’t afford grain seeds may work for compensation, on the condition that after planting, they cooperate with official arrangements, for a period of ten days. Those who violate will forfeit all planted grains to the public and continue working for ten days. Those who agree may follow Sun..."

"Student Sun Shangcheng," the young man quickly said.

"Follow Mr. Sun in recording, Hu Hu, you follow up, note names, villages, family members—all have to be registered," Liu Yongping instructed.

With these people, he, the county official with only over twenty subordinates, would not worry about having no one to use.

After the disaster, towns and villages need to be cleared quickly, currently, everywhere is desolate—visible are all kinds of poultry, livestock, and human remains. After a year and a half, they’re nearly decomposed, but some disturbing factors still exist and need prompt handling, plus post-disaster reconstruction and pressing water issues.

In sum, there’s much to do!

He truly found himself struggling inside, but this at least resolved one issue, with the people together, they should clean up the town in the shortest time.

Thus, they could also tally the exact number of survivors in the town after the disaster.

"Yes," said constable Hu Hu, bowing in acknowledgment.

"Official, will the court provide relief grains?"

Hungry every day, unsettling, though grain seeds are resolved, no food source is settled yet. Someone couldn’t help but ask, even risking punishment.

This worried Liu Yongping too, indeed grain seeds are limited, big households and grain merchants in town, albeit grudgingly, are willing to contribute some, but the food is truly scarce, barely over 200 stone under his coercion.

For a town, it’s a drop in the bucket; he’s not thinking of using it yet—everything waits until the population count is complete.

As for the court, people were sent down the mountain with the message, but the news was to wait, yet many days have passed with no word. Liu Yongping instinctively felt something amiss, else he wouldn’t be in such a rush for grain seeds, delaying more means no point in planting.

No food means pushing people to the brink, when restored order may completely collapse.

If not losing humanity entirely, then wanting to live may leave only one option—to escape famine.

But escaping starvation requires strength, now survivors have mere skin, bone-thin, barely able to travel far, leaving is akin to death.

Looking at the waiting townsfolk, Liu Yongping sighed deeply.

"Regarding relief grains, I can’t guarantee anything for everyone; since floods subsided, there’s been no news from the court. However, I’ve received some news that this disaster might be nationwide. Meaning the court might be overwhelmed too, so we mustn’t pin hopes on them. We can only rely on ourselves for now. Luckily, with the resurgence of nature, as long as we’re diligent, we can find food, holding out until next season gives some hope."

"Official, is this true?" At this, many grew excited, urgently asking.

"Unlikely to surprise, it should be," seeing their devastated tears and cries, Liu Yongping was unsettled inside.

He pondered whether to tell the townsfolk, fearing it might cause instability or unforeseen trouble.

Yet keeping it secret felt wrong, couldn’t allow their oblivion, knowing might prompt storing more food, even dried wild vegetables—rather than hoping on the court.

"So you’re saying the whole Gu Yan is flooded,... heavens, nature truly doesn’t wish us to live!"

"How could this happen!"

Those weak in spirit sat on the ground crying aloud.

They had hoped for relief grains, even a few liters to nourish the children.

Liu Yongping looked complexly at them, spoke no more, motioned to Hu Hu to pacify, turned back to the dilapidated government office.

Though shabby, it surpassed most houses in town—at least only the courtyard wall collapsed, the main structure was largely undamaged. Cleaning up ensured protection from wind and rain.

Liu Yongping pinched his brow, quickly entered the office. These days, running for grain seeds left his legs thin, had little sleep for nights. Fortunately, the result wasn’t bad.

After some calming, seeing Liu head inside, the townsfolk exchanged glances briefly then surrounded Sun Shangcheng and the constable.

Hopes dashed for relief grains, now only grain seeds matter.

Can work for compensation, regardless of silver, everyone hurriedly wanted to register.

Qin Dagen and the dozen families from Qin Village rushed forward also, feeling some comfort.

Anyhow, it wasn’t a wasted trip. For farmer households, strength isn’t scarce, they’ll work once seeds are sown.

All crowded toward the constable and Sun Shangcheng, compelling Hu Hu to shout loud once more.

"Everyone calm down, don’t rush, chaos won’t help registration, let’s form a line first, without a line it won’t start."

Hu Hu shouted loudly, having not eaten enough and overexerted, felt momentary dizziness, ordered nearby staff to prepare a table, paper, and pen from the office.

People thought it over: pressing forward was futile if the officials didn’t begin.

Soon, the first speaking elder led villagers to queue at the office entrance, others hurried to join.

"Don’t push, I’m already standing here, go back..."

"Ouch, can’t you see? Stepping on my foot didn’t occur to you?"

"Line up, the official said to line up."

"..."

"Aren’t you coming first, I came first..."

"Why so unreasonable?"

For a moment, it grew noisy, the constable felt a headache, reluctantly led two assistants to maintain order; shortly, two long lines formed.

"Everyone line up peacefully, causing trouble don’t blame me for impartiality." This declaration subdued the noise in the line, many fell silent.

This truly pressed everyone’s nerve, now everyone hoped for grain seeds.