Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space

The other brothers nodded in agreement, their eyes urging their brother to hurry up and not dawdle.

Rolling his eyes at a few of the older brothers, the fourth son of the Wang family spoke up, "Dad, have you forgotten about Hua Village?"

Wang Yidong reminded his father.

"Fourth son, you mean..." The eldest son was the first to react, and his eyes lit up.

The old Wang's sucking stopped, and he looked up at his youngest son.

"Big brother, what does the fourth son mean?" Wang Yixia looked blankly at his big brother and then at the fourth brother, not understanding why they were talking about Hua Village now. What does discussing the Wang family village's matters have to do with them?

At this moment, the third son also caught on and understood the fourth son's intention. He shook his head at the second brother.

"Dad, I've heard that Hua Village has recently built a wall no less than a city wall. It can provide some protection. Even if things get really bad, Hua Village is close to Qinggu Mountain. We could easily hide in the mountains. Besides, Hua Village has always been strong; now it's even better. Maybe following them is a way out."

"But we could still escape," the second son suggested, and the third nodded in agreement.

The second brother might sometimes speak without thinking, but he wasn't wrong. Escaping is indeed another route.

"Second brother, where would you run to?" the fourth brother didn't argue back; instead, he threw out a direct question.

"To..." Wang Yixia was stumped. He thought of escaping outside, but hadn't considered where to go. After a while, his eyes rolled, "To... escape to the Imperial City," he finally uttered.

"The Imperial City is indeed a route, but second brother, have you forgotten it's thousands of miles away? We'll have to pass through several provinces, and with the chaos nowadays, can we make it there? Even if we're lucky enough to get through all of that, will the Imperial City accept so many refugees? Plus..."

"Alright, alright, fourth son, stop talking. I was just saying, you really have a scary way of putting things..." Wang Yixia quickly interrupted his brother, afraid that if he didn't, he wouldn't dare leave the house anymore.

"Second brother, I'm not trying to scare anyone, just listing what could happen. If we truly decide to flee, these are considerations we must take into account."

The eldest nodded; the fourth brother had indeed thought things through. Although fleeing is a route, it's only feasible when the country is stable. With wars breaking out everywhere now, the situation is the same no matter where we go. If lucky, one might make it to the Imperial City's doorstep. If not, you might be robbed, killed, starved, or forced into labor in black workshops or mines, or even conscripted. All of these paths lead to death.

Instead of that, it's better to stay in this remote town. At least here, they are familiar with the place, and it's easier to hide if they face danger.

"Dad, the fourth brother's idea isn't bad. You're on good terms with the village chief of Hua Village, right? Why don't we go check it out? Perhaps Hua Village would accept us. Moreover, the people of Wang Family village aren't cowards. We won't hide behind others if there's danger," the third brother also suggested to their father.

"Third brother, the fourth brother is right. Dad, why don't we give it a try? It's better than being here and worrying our heads off," the eldest brother also advised.

The second brother didn't dare to voice his opinion now. Whatever the brothers suggested, he nodded along. He also quickly agreed.

"Dad, I agree too."

Old Wang didn't say anything. He took the cigarette holder from his mouth and habitually tapped it on the table a few times. As he frowned, he looked seriously at his sons, feeling very comforted inside.

These sons had finally grown up over the years, now each capable of making decisions.

This was definitely an idea he had been contemplating, though he was unsure. Since his sons made the decision for him, he might as well follow through and visit Hua Village.

His concern was about the thousand people in Wang Family village. Could Hua Village accommodate so many of them?

No matter, the sooner, the better for this matter. Since a decision has been made, they'll go soon.

"Dad..."

"As you say, eldest. Go harness our oxen now."

"Alright, Dad, I'm on it," Wang Yichun replied joyfully and quickly ran out of the house toward the backyard.

"Big brother, I'll help you," Wang Yixia hurriedly chased after him.

"Dad, we'll go with you," Wang Yidong quickly suggested.

"Alright, the second and third will stay here, and you and your big brother come with me."

"Dad..." Wang Yiqiu quickly spoke up upon hearing that his father wanted him to stay behind.

"Third son, the house can't be left without a man."

With just one sentence, Wang Yiqiu repressed his desire to go. Indeed, the house couldn't be left unattended, and he wasn't comfortable leaving the women and children alone.

Alright, it's fine. Big brother and the fourth brother are smarter than the rest of them, having them accompany Dad should be safe.

Wang Yichun was quick to harness the cart, and soon had it ready in the front yard. He called into the main house, "It's ready, Dad."

Then he quickly brought an old quilt from his room and spread it over the straw on the ox cart to make the ride more comfortable.

"Second, third, take care of the house."

"Don't worry, Dad!" the third son nodded.

"Dad, why aren't you taking me? I'm stronger and can protect you better than the fourth brother!"

"What good is being strong? We're going to Hua Village, not looking for a fight. Second brother, wouldn't you want to stay and protect mother and the second sister-in-law?"

A few words from Wang Yidong left the second brother speechless, not knowing how to argue back, especially upon seeing the looks in his mother's and wife's eyes.

Fine! He'd better say nothing. He might not be one for thinking, but he knew the more you say, the more likely you'll be wrong. Otherwise, his wife might not let him in her bed.

The fourth brother was truly cunning. Wang Yixia couldn't help but glare at the fourth brother.

"Okay then, let's go!" Old Wang commanded.

"Dear, get the job done and come home early!" The old lady of the Wang family looked at her husband with worry. She knew he was working hard for their future, so she didn't stop him.

Wang Yichun: "Mom, we'll take good care of Dad. Don't worry. Besides, Hua Village isn't too far; we'll definitely be back by evening."

"Alright, go early and come back early," the old lady nodded.

The cart quickly left Wang Family village, although it was impossible to hide their trip to Hua Village. They encountered several villagers along the way.

The village chief didn't specify why they were heading to Hua Village, but some clever villagers could guess what's going on, and their eyes lit up.

If it's Hua Village, indeed, it's a good prospect.

Even if they hadn't been to Hua Village themselves, news about it had spread recently.

Even they knew that Hua Village was like a small world, fortified with a wall. It was much safer than their villages.

Most importantly, in case of anything, Hua Village near the Qinggu Mountain range could quickly relocate. In past disasters, only the people of Hua Village survived with their strength intact.

Two years ago, they saw the people of Hua Village once. Even then, they were stronger and tougher than the rest of them, not to be trifled with. If they could indeed move to such a village, they'd be more than willing.

Hopefully, the village chief would work hard on this, many of those who guessed thought in their hearts.