Chapter 451: Overnight stay in the village
It was normal to see Yin Shi here at this time, but seeing Yin Shi's slightly uncomfortable expression, Han Yu heard a little bit of what they said just now when he came in. He roughly understood it in his heart, and he was not worried that Yin Shi would really do it. Yin Shi was a smart man after all, and he knew whose interests would be harmed by doing this, so when Han Yu suspected the thief, he never counted Yin Shi in.
"Xiu Qi, you are here just in time. The war is imminent. Ci Bo came here to ask him if he can be of any service. I am not as good as you in arranging troops and formations, so I will leave it to you to arrange." Liu Xiu said when he saw Han Yu coming in, and also stated his position. He has always been at ease with Han Yu, and he does not have to worry that Han Yu will do something like Yin Shi for his own interests or likes and dislikes. This is a real gentleman.
If Han Yu knew Liu Xiu's thoughts, he would probably blush a little. He is really not a real gentleman. He just rarely plots. Even if he does, his means are very superb and not noticed. It's really embarrassing to let Liu Xiu have such a misunderstanding.
Both sides were preparing for the war, each with their own reliance and worries, and the war started as scheduled.
However, Su Wenyue brought her three children and her family to a relatively desolate area. Because it suddenly rained, it was not conducive to traveling, especially with children around, it was inconvenient to travel, so the group settled down in a small village not far ahead, planning to set off after the rain stopped.
"Excuse me, distinguished guests?" Master Su was about to send the housekeeper to the village to investigate, when a white-haired old man wearing a straw raincoat came out of the village and asked.
"Old man, we are a passing caravan. It's raining and it's not easy to travel. Besides, it's getting late. We want to rest in the village. I wonder if you can help us?" Master Su said to the old man with a fist.
"So it's a caravan passing by. It's really hard to travel in such weather, and it's likely to rain for a while. There are a few empty rooms in my house. Let's vacate them for you to stay." The old man was enthusiastic and did not refuse Mr. Su's request. He led the way and led the group into the village.
It was rare for so many people to come to this place. Although it was raining, everyone still came out and looked at Su Wenyue and his group curiously, saying something from time to time.
Su Wenyue also looked around when she entered the village. There were only ten families in this small village, most of whom were old, weak, women and children. The men in the family were either recruited by the court to serve in the army or went out to make a living. Therefore, the village looked very desolate and lonely. In addition, the world was getting more and more chaotic, and the price of grain was rising. The people's lives were getting harder and harder. Everyone was pale and thin, and Su Wenyue and his group looked particularly conspicuous.
From the conversation, they learned that the old man who led them was surnamed Liu, and he was the village chief. His son had gone to the army, leaving only his wife and two grandsons at home.
"Master Su and Madam Su, you guys sit down in the main house for a while. The empty house has been unoccupied for a long time and it is a bit dirty. I'll let my daughter-in-law clean it up first." As the old man Liu said, a middle-aged woman had already walked into the side room. It was the old man's daughter-in-law.
"How dare I bother you? I'm very grateful that the elder brother is willing to lend us the house. I'll let my servant sister-in-law do it." Master Su said hurriedly. He didn't look down on the old man because of his status. He thought it was natural.
"Don't bother, don't bother. We are used to doing this little thing."
"Then I'm sorry to bother you. Thank you, old man." Master Su said this, and finally asked the maid to go with him to help.
Old Man Liu was a hospitable man. He arranged for Su Wenyue and her group to sit in the main room, poured water, and invited Mr. Su and his wife and Su Wenyue to drink water. It was not that the old man did not want to invite other people, but there were not so many cups at home.
"I am sorry to make you laugh. My family is poor and cannot afford tea. I can only treat you to a cup of boiled water. Please do not despise me." Old Man Liu said a little stiffly, and brought out a plate of peanuts. This was the only thing left from the family's planting, and he used it to entertain the guests. The little grandson hugged Old Man Liu's thigh, looking at the plate of peanuts without blinking, drooling, but he was shy after all, so he did not dare to run over to ask for peanuts.
The three little guys sat obediently beside their mother. It was rare to see a little guy who was about the same age as them, staring at Old Man Liu's grandson. Seeing that Old Man Liu's grandson was staring at the plate of peanuts on the table, Xiao Siyu, who had always been confronted by her brother and mother, spoke first.
"Mother, does this little brother want to eat peanuts? Siyu saw that the little brother was staring at the peanuts on the table and his mouth was drooling. Mother, can you give some peanuts to the little brother?" Sister Yu was kind, but the child didn't know how to cover up when speaking, and spoke quickly. Old Man Liu felt a little embarrassed after hearing Siyu's words, but he didn't scold his grandson.
There was not much food at home, and it was good enough to survive, not to mention being full. Peanuts, which could occasionally be eaten as snacks in previous years, have now become a luxury item. It is normal for the little grandson to react like this.
Su Wenyue had a child herself, and her heart softened. Seeing that Old Man Liu's grandson was already six or seven years old, he looked thin and small, and didn't look much older than her three children. She felt pity for him and smiled as she handed the peanuts to Siyu, asking Siyu to pass them to Old Man Liu's grandson.
The three little ones in Su Wenyue's family are not shy. After getting Su Wenyue's permission, little Siyu happily handed the peanuts to her little brother. Xingger and Chenger also followed to protect their sister.
"Little brother, I'll give you some peanuts." Siyu said sweetly to Liu Lao's grandson.
Liu Lao's grandson was looking at the peanuts on the table eagerly. Now he saw a girl who was prettier than the one in the New Year picture talking to him. He stood there staring at Siyu in a daze, but he didn't mean to reach out his hand. Instead, he looked at his grandfather Liu Lao.
"Huzi, what are you still standing there for? Don't you want to eat peanuts? The girl has brought them to you. Why don't you grab a handful?" Liu Lao saw that his grandson was a little silly and said, it turned out that this little guy was called Huzi.
"Thank you, sister." Huzi said in a small voice, and then quickly grabbed a handful of peanuts from the plate. He didn't want to eat more, so he took the peanuts in his hand, peeled them and ate them.
About a quarter of an hour later, Old Man Liu's daughter-in-law cleaned all the rooms and made four empty rooms, large and small. Mr. Su and his wife lived in one, Su Wenyue and her three children lived in one, and the other two were given to the servants to distribute. Those who didn't have enough space just set up a tent under the eaves to make do.