A few more days passed.
Things were indeed unfolding as the young couple had predicted. The weather grew increasingly hot, yet not a single drop of rain fell, and the water level in the moat began to recede.
Panic rippled through the populace.
Wang Daming, observing the heavens, deduced the onset of a drought.
This filled everyone with burning anxiety.
They pressed for answers.
"Is this true? It's not unheard of for there to be less rain at the beginning of summer in past years, but later on, there's always been a torrential downpour!"
"Oh dear, what are we to do? Without water, there's truly no way to survive!"
"Indeed! We can burn more fires for warmth in cold weather, and take shelter from heavy rain. If the crops are flooded, at least there are some mushrooms and fungi in the mountains to sustain us for a while, and it would be fine once the sun returns. But this drought, without water, how can people live?"
At this utterance,
It provoked a strong reaction from everyone, their brows knitting with worry, capable of crushing mosquitoes.
Wang Daming also expressed his helplessness. He had no solution; he could only observe the sky, not summon rain. Therefore, he could only reply to their inquiries, "That depends on the young master's decision. We must begin storing water, or perhaps leave for another place."
As soon as his words fell,
The crowd again voiced their reluctance, filled with restlessness and anxiety.
"We've only just settled down in Quezhou, and business is good. Now we have to leave?"
"Oh, isn't this just agonizing? We've finally found some stability!"
"Yes, how could we bear to leave?"
"Is there no way to turn this around? What are your thoughts, Young Master Cheng?"
Everyone had recently experienced fleeing. On their journey, they had no time to consider such things, only to press on. They had endured heavy rains, cold snaps, and wolf packs, dangers that had seemed manageable then but now, in retrospect, were truly perilous.
How fortunate it was to have reached Quezhou City?
The prospect of embarking on another journey without a destination filled everyone with reluctance.
Thus, their gazes turned to the young couple.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao remained composed. They had anticipated that if Quezhou City became unstable, they might have to embark on a migratory journey again, but they hadn't expected that drought would be an additional challenge awaiting them.
It had merely been a possibility before.
But now that it was upon them, they had no choice but to face it.
Cheng Hao surveyed the courtyard, seeing not only his own group but also the villagers from Shanaocun, each household having sent a representative for the meeting.
He and Su Miaomiao generally kept no secrets from everyone when it came to significant matters.
Rather than letting them speculate and sow discord, it was better to bring it into the open and face it together. This was not solely the concern of their leaders, but also theirs. Although the young couple made the decisions, they also needed to gauge the reactions of the others. Now was the time for collective communication.
"Everyone, please remain calm. Brother Daming's words are currently a prediction. Whether it will truly be so in the future remains unknown. Droughts may come, or they may not. Who knows when the weather might suddenly change again?"
Cheng Hao used the severe cold snap at the end of last year as a comparison, which indeed brought some relief and made everyone more receptive to his words.
"However, we must still make some preparations. Brother Daming's predictions are always accurate. Please trouble him to stay vigilant in the coming days and inform us promptly of any changes. The rest of you, continue with your work. I will also find ways to store water. If, in the end, life here becomes unbearable, we will have to leave."
Cheng Hao presented a well-organized plan that everyone agreed with, as there seemed to be no better course of action at the moment.
Su Miaomiao added, "A tree may die if moved, but a person thrives. With hands and feet, what is there to fear? We have overcome such challenges before. If life here becomes truly unlivable, then we must leave for a place without drought."