Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space
Chapter 295. Thinking quite well

Chapter 295: 295. Thinking quite well

The officials in Shanggu Town are still good. Some people have relatives who escaped from the neighboring town, saying that over there, no one even asks about you. The environment is extremely poor, it’s like a living hell. Only those who are ruthless and unite have a chance of survival; otherwise, they may become living food for others.

Because of this, many people with timid dispositions, wanting to survive, fled the town, and a significant number of them came to Shanggu Town. Hence, there are so many people here.

But although people from outside the town can get rations, the amount is half of what the townspeople receive.

This is unavoidable, as grain seeds are too scarce, so naturally, we must prioritize the townspeople; otherwise, there would be no need to painstakingly record everything.

Even so, the county magistrate still went around to the major households to collect a wool tax, though it wasn’t for free.

At the same time, he actively persuaded a few large shop owners in town to open for business.

With the help of the townspeople, the cleanup in Shanggu Town obviously went much faster, and in just two days, all the mud and garbage in the town disappeared, gradually revealing the roads as they once were.

Some shops only require a little tidying and can indeed open for business.

Lord Liu’s intentions were good, but: "..."

Unfortunately, the effect wasn’t great. After experiencing such a dark period, who’s daring enough to expose that they have grain and goods? That’s just inviting robbery!

Those who are able to build a family business aren’t fools; they live transparently and cautiously. Even though the county magistrate in Shanggu Town is relatively trustworthy, no one dares to take the risk. After all, two fists can’t fight four hands, and there are too few patrolling officers in town.

Another factor is that although it seems the disaster is over, it’s just for now. Last year’s catastrophe was unprecedentedly terrifying, making people anxious and cautious.

Opening a shop is fine, but what if the goods are sold out? Will there be sufficient supply in the future?

No one is a Saint; the premise of helping others is having enough strength yourself, or it would be overestimating one’s capabilities.

Promises couldn’t be made, but neither were words made too absolute, only saying to consider it and delay things.

After all, as long as one stays in Shanggu Town, they must be under the control of the county magistrate, and couldn’t just be decisively rejected, unless they leave here.

Lord Liu understood this, which is why he didn’t use forceful measures like with the grain seeds.

If things get too tense, people might leave with their large estates overnight, and that would be a lose-lose situation.

In fact, Lord Liu was overthinking this point. Without understanding the current situation everywhere and under the premise of complete self-protection, leaving with the whole family isn’t that easy.

Even here it’s so brutal; if one is not careful and gets wiped out on the road, that would really be a situation to cry over incurably.

The wealthy and powerful are mostly watching, waiting for their dispatched people to return.

Back to the subject, knowing that sending them down won’t yield results, and with the clerks dispersing the crowd, the townspeople finally dispersed.

Some left, and some sent back news to find a place to camp for the night, planning to queue early the next morning.

The remaining dozens of people already registered were processed quickly, receiving their grain seeds soon, with some banding together and others quickly disappearing into the night.

In short, besides those from the same village who banded together, almost everyone showed expressions of tension and vigilance on their faces after receiving the grain seeds, leaving quickly.

As for what might happen in the dark night... it’s up to their own fate.

With the distribution of the last person’s grain seeds complete, the area outside the official residence was quickly tidied up, and the workers and townspeople who had been busy all day entered the official residence for supper and to receive the day’s payment.

A moment later, a group of people left through the back door, stepping into the twilight.

Old Sun, leading a dozen or so villagers, was also waiting by the back door, all family members of the laborers who came to pick them up because they were worried.

Not only them, but many others with the same idea were also waiting at the back door, guarding against anyone with ill intentions.

Even so, safety was not guaranteed to return home.

Being robbed was a minor issue; the most feared was losing one’s life.

Darkness is a breeding ground for all evil, fully exposing the dark side of humanity. The only thing to do is to protect as much as possible.

...

Hua Village.

The adaptability of people is truly frightening. Once, Jin’er had a minor issue with not being able to sleep in a new bed, but since coming to this world, it has cured without medicine. Now she can completely adapt to situations as they come.

When she opened her eyes, she stared blankly at the blue sky above her head for a moment, followed by a feeling of frustration.

Even though this is her own home, it’s just four walls, yet she managed to sleep in until daylight. Where’s her alertness?

The planned... the plan can only be postponed.

Looking at the little Si’er sleeping deeply with his belly exposed, she resisted the urge to poke him and sat up.

After greeting her grandfather, who had been up early removing bricks from the firewood room, she found a secluded corner and appeared in her space.

The first task after entering was to take a bath. Last night, after finishing work, she only wiped herself down. Having slept in the open air, she was now sweaty and uncomfortable.

And her long hair—in such conditions, Jin’er really missed her former short hairstyle, as washing it used to take just a minute, unlike now, where washing hair takes longer than bathing. What a waste of time.

After washing and grooming, and changing into even more tattered clothes, she painted her complexion sallow and dull before leaving the space.

"Jin’er..." Old Hua was startled as she emerged.

Moments ago, his well-behaved granddaughter was fair and tender; in just a short while, she transformed into a sallow, thin-looking boy, like a magic trick.

After realizing what happened, Old Hua circled around his granddaughter with great interest.

Not bad, not bad. Earlier, he was worried that both children were raised too well, all fair and chubby, but now there’s no need to worry.

He knew his well-behaved granddaughter was sensible. Before he even reminded her, she had already disguised herself well.

Looking at the old clothes in the child’s hands, the old man raised an eyebrow, "This is for the little Si’er."

"Yes," Jin’er placed the clothes in your hands, "Grandpa, I’ll leave my brother to you, I’m going to prepare breakfast."

Old Hua nodded, "Your face is painted well, make sure to do the same for your brother."

As for him, he was already dark and thin, donning the oldest, most tattered clothes when going out, so no extra dressing was needed.

The dozens of men who came out together also didn’t need to worry. They were all tanned, not as thin as Mr. Zhao and the others when they first arrived, but none were fat. They just had a much better physiognomy.

Jin’er naturally nodded. That was indeed her plan; otherwise, the two of them, fair and chubby targets, stepping out would be announcing, "Target me!"

By the time Old Hua brought little Si’er out, Jin’er had already brought out three bowls of porridge, three large meat buns, three vegetable buns, three boiled eggs, and a bowl of pickled vegetables from her space.

The thick-skinned little Si’er still only cared about eating, with no interest in anything else.

After the meal, little Si’er was grabbed by his sister and subjected to a transformation. Watching his sister take out a pile of unrecognizable things from her treasure satchel, then apply them all over his face.