NOVEL NEXT Chapter 482: Hidden Motives
This registration took nearly an hour, considering it was done by four of them together, which shows how many people signed up to go.
Almost every family had a few people going, nearly two thousand people in total.
"Alright, after registering, everyone go back, prepare yourselves, and gather at the village entrance in an hour."
Seeing the young men and adults from the village, quite a few were going, and feeling gratified, Hua Laohan felt reassured as well. With so many people, rescuing would be prompt.
At this moment, the sunset was almost on the horizon. After having an early meal, everyone from the village gathered at the entrance, just waiting for the village chief to set off.
The Hua family ate quickly too, and Hua Laopopo prepared some fine grain pancakes, a pouch of boiled salted duck eggs, eggs, and a jar of pickles, but nothing more, since there were plenty of good things in the granddaughter's fortune. These were the visible preparations.
Before leaving, Hua Dage was held back because there couldn't be no men at home. Although Xiaosi wasn't small, he still couldn't be considered a grown man.
Da Liu and Gouzi also signed up, but Hua Laohan didn't agree and asked them to care for the family. Only then did the two children give up the idea of going along, firmly promising Hua Laohan that they would help take good care of Hua Laopopo and the others.
Therefore, aside from Hua Dage and Xiaosi, who stayed at home, as well as the women and children including Hua Jin—it was everyone from the Hua family who went, bringing along two livestock from home.
When they arrived at the village entrance, a mass of people was waiting there. Normally, they wouldn't stand out, but when gathered, the Hua Village folks were indeed numerous.
"Village chief, are you going too?"
Everyone was a bit surprised to see the village chief, thinking Hua Chengtian would lead them.
"Yes, I can be at ease only with old me going along with you."
"Village chief, you might want to stay back instead. We can follow Chengtian brother (uncle), and the village can't do without you! Please be assured, we will listen to Chengtian brother (uncle) and won't leave the team arbitrarily."
"Yes, let the children handle this," the elders who came to see off the children also spoke.
The village chief was already not young, past his fifties, and the situation was unknown and certainly strenuous, making everyone uneasy about him facing such hardship.
"Don't worry, I still have the strength left in these old bones, and it won't matter if the village is without me for a few days. Besides, aren't there the rest of you? With me, you all can be more assured, right?"
The village chief's words indeed made sense; having the village chief with them definitely made the elders feel more at ease, so no one advised further.
The main thing was that the village chief's health had always been good, appearing strong and no less than the village's robust men.
Moreover, as his own family had no objections, the outsiders found it more inappropriate to comment further.
"Village chief, we'll rely on you then."
"What's the trouble?" Hua Laohan didn't mind.
Seeing everyone assembled, Hua Laohan started organizing. The group was split into two teams: one led by him, the other by Hua Chengtian, searching from Hua Village outwards to a fifteen-mile radius. Anything beyond could be near Shanggu Town, where officials might move faster.
The range seemed vast, yet it covered just about ten villages, with several already desolate, either completely gone or merged into others.
Before Hu Hu left, he'd already truthfully informed them which villages were still around, saving unnecessary travel.
After this arrangement and seeing no objections, it was pointed out that it was time to depart.
Hua Laohan glanced at the villagers mixed with unease and reluctance, saying, "Go back now," and then signaled to open the big gate.
If delayed any further, the sunset would be gone, the sky quickly turning dark, making the hope of rescuing survivors even dimmer.
It took some time for over two thousand people to exit the gate, and as everyone flowed out, the door closed, with everyone hastening their steps under the village chief's leadership.
Hua Jin received the best treatment, riding on her family's horseback, followed by Hua Laohan also seated on an ox, with Hua Chengtian, Hua Yunxiang, and three big ones—Flash, White Tail, Three Yellow—Luo Song, and the Qin father and son surrounding them, especially Luo Song sticking within a yard of Hua Jin, thick-skinned enough that Hua Jin couldn't be bothered to look at him.
This journey lasted nearly the time it takes to burn incense, and upon reaching the junction, the two teams split and began their respective rescue operations.
Whether intentional or not, Luo Song was allocated to Hua Chengtian's team, and the Qin father and son followed him.
Luo Song glared unhappily at Qin Shu, secretly grumbling about his stroke of luck, with jealousy slipping through his eyes.
"Grandpa Hua, mind if I stay with you? Mainly because I can't be away from Hua Grandpa." Luo Song moved close with a flattering smile.
This expression was rare on Luo Song, causing Hua Laohan's brow to twitch, but he didn't indulge this boy; he wasn't foolish and understood Luo Song's intention, making it more impossible precisely because he did.
Though this boy was indeed good, at the moment, he was not prepared to give away his dear granddaughter, intending to keep her for one or two more years. Luo Song was like a wolf cub, openly revealing his purpose, almost sticking to his dear granddaughter. While not everyone could see this, as her grandfather, he naturally paid attention.
Being intentional originally, it wasn't something that could be swayed by a few words from this boy.
"Xiao Song, do you disagree with Grandpa Hua's decision?"
"Not at all, I just want to be in Grandpa Hua's team."
"Oh, are you begrudged being in Uncle Hua's team?" Hua Chengtian glared at Luo Song; if he had a mustache, he'd be twitching it now.
This was indeed a conundrum; both were to be appeased, and a misstep could trap him on his future pursuit of a bride. Luo Song quickly shook his head.
"How could that be? I just think with Grandpa Hua's age, having a familiar junior nearby would care better. Uncle Hua, don't misunderstand; I'd be overjoyed being in Uncle Hua's team." Luo Song declared earnestly, yet inwardly lamented.
"Don't worry, no one cares for Grandpa Hua better than my daughter." Hua Chengtian squinted at Luo Song.
Clearly, this boy had unspoken intentions, which he mightn't have noticed before. However, with Luo Song's recent frequent gestures, even a blind person could see it now.
On this matter, he shared the same goal as his father: in their minds, the child was still young, no rush, and most importantly, their daughter had no shortage of suitors in future.
Hua Laohan watched with interest, giving his son an approving look—a job well done, sparing him the effort.
"Alright, hurry with the journey," Hua Laohan adjusted his rain gear, putting a complete end to Luo Song's thoughts.
Ultimately, Luo Song was pulled into Hua Chengtian's team, flanked by Flash and White Tail, looking back longingly three times towards Hua Laohan's side, as if reluctant to part from the old man.