Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 209. Prepare

"Good, good, good, they are all good kids," Old Hua said happily. The elder of the clan was also very pleased, and everyone else echoed approvingly.

As the village chief, he had truly given his all for the village. However, if all efforts are made without any reciprocation, even the warmest heart would grow cold. Fortunately, the men and young people in the village were good, not disheartening him.

Eventually, everyone hurried back to their own homes, and after a brief moment of disorientation, they began their preparations.

The village chief was right; the officials had already notified them, indicating that this disaster might be quite unusual. It was always wise to prepare more just in case. Thanks to the village chief, there was no shortage of grains, silver coin, or food in their homes, but essentials like salt, sugar, needles, thread, spices, and medicine must be stocked up on.

Realizing this, many families could no longer sit still and started taking action. Those with carts at home loaded them up and went directly to the town with a few close neighbors. Those without carts carried baskets covered with oilcloth to the village chief’s house, preparing to ride in the village chief’s cart to town.

In an instant, the entire Hua Village sprang into action. Hua Yunao and his brother each drove a cart loaded with people out of the village. Those who were too slow to get a seat had to wait for the next trip.

Meanwhile, Hua Chengtian, armed and carrying a basket, supported by a wooden stick, donned a straw cape and conical hat, and led Hua Meng, Hua Qiang, and several other men into the mountains in the rain.

Everyone knew that going up the mountain was dangerous, especially in heavy rain, and no one wanted their family members to go, but thinking that it was to scout the way for the entire village, they endured it despite their reluctance.

The ones remaining at home, including Granny Hua and Mrs. Qi, and Hua Jin and Xiaosi, continued to tidy up.

Life had improved in recent years, and unknowingly, possessions accumulated in their home, especially quilts and clothes. Several large chests were not even full. Fortunately, they only needed to leave the bare essentials out, while the rest could be stored in the children’s space.

Even so, it took the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law a whole day to pack.

After Hua Yunao and his brother dropped people off at the town, they agreed on a return time and went back to the academy to request leave from their teacher, bringing back books from the academy.

At this moment, apart from the headmaster and a few faculty members, there were only a handful of students at the academy, all rushing to retrieve books, evidently having received the news.

Even the headmaster and the faculty were not teaching; instead, they hurriedly packed up the academy’s books. Seeing they had some time, Hua Yunao and his brother busied themselves helping out.

Led purposely by Hua Chengtian, Hua Meng and his team successfully found a mountain to shelter in. They couldn’t find just one or two caves but found multiple, and upon seeing a large cave capable of housing the entire village, the men could not contain their excitement.

Having this large mountain was truly the village’s escape route.

They hadn’t expected the mountain venture to be so smooth; they were all prepared to continue exploring the next day. Fortunately, they heeded Hua Chengtian’s advice, which made Hua Qiang even more convinced of his good brother. Say what you will, but luck like his was unparalleled.

Thus, when they returned home, it was still early afternoon.

At the same time, Hua Fen and Hua Fang were also busily tidying their home.

Just like Old Hua, the presence of officials saved the two sisters from much explanation. The women stayed home packing up, while the men went into the town in the rain to buy supplies, especially waterproof oilcloth, which was especially needed in this ceaseless downpour.

Even though their home had plenty of supplies, they still listened to their parents and stored more, especially salt and medicine, which were life-saving. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Even with the pouring rain, the businesses in the town thrived; the grain stores, general stores, and pharmacies were so busy that their thresholds were nearly flattened. Eventually, many stores even began to hike prices, doubling or even tripling them, without deterring anyone’s drive to buy grains.

Nobody knew for sure whether the flood would hit, but everyone understood that in the face of disaster, grains were the key to survival. Especially given these years of unusual weather, last year’s heatwave and this year’s flood threat, it was hard not to worry about what might follow. So, when anyone had a bit of silver coin, their first thought was to store more grains.

One bought, then two, and soon everyone was buying, even those who felt they had enough grain at home couldn’t help but hoard more.

Above all, the entire town, even the entire New Moon City, was shrouded in a tense atmosphere beneath the unrelenting rain.

The rain continued without pause, only slightly easing in the late afternoon, but by nightfall, it grew heavier again, the constant pitter-patter leaving a gnawing anxiety.

Many people fell asleep with difficulty amidst these sounds, holding onto hope that the rain might calm and stop the next day.

However, on the third day, the rain continued incessantly, as if a hole punctured the sky, unable to be patched.

By late afternoon on the third day, some villages had already started to see water accumulate. If it continued like this, within two days, many of the lower-lying villages would be completely submerged.

This realization left the villagers who had held onto some semblance of hope even more panicked; the village chiefs had no choice but to organize people to scout the nearby mountains.

By the fourth day, the rain was still heavy, and water started accumulating on the roads. In some of the lower-lying areas, the water had even reached thigh level, leaving Old Hua thinking they could no longer wait when hearing what returning scouts reported.

Gathering the heads of families and clan elders, they agreed to head up the mountain early the next morning to avoid disaster.

Such torrential rain had continued for four days; if it kept up, even high-ground Hua Village would not escape flooding. This was not even the scariest part; the real fear was the rising water levels would overwhelm the riverbanks. They could hold for a moment but not for long. If they couldn’t hold the pressure any longer, the banks would collapse, and by then it would be too late to prepare.

Under the village chief’s command, everyone busied themselves again. Although most things were already packed, truly moving grains, quilts, clothes, etc., required skillful wrapping with oilcloth. There was still plenty to prepare.

"Chengtian, no need for you to worry about the house affairs. You and Yunao hurry to pick up Yunao’s aunts," Old Hua reminded his son amidst the flurry of activity.

Hua Chengtian, already considering this, quickly nodded, called his eldest son, and drove off.

On the other side, Hua Fen and Hua Fang’s homes were nearly packed. They had no choice; their village was not situated high, and after consecutive days of heavy rain, the water was accumulating. If it kept raining like this, they wouldn’t be able to live there by tomorrow.

Moreover, several days of strong wind and rain had weakened the roofs, and they began to leak. Even blocking the leaks was futile; just as one side was blocked, it would be lifted by the wind elsewhere.

All the water-sensitive grains, quilts, and clothes were wrapped layer upon layer of oilcloth. Other items went into baskets, bags, or jars accordingly. If possible, they even wanted to take the large water tanks.

Not just them, the entire village was preparing to head to the nearby mountains to shelter for a few days.

"Old Third...Old Third..." Just as Zeng Yong was tying up a bundle, he heard the gate being knocked loudly, the voice at the entrance making him squint his eyes.

Zeng Yi, closest to the gate, grabbed an umbrella, ran into the rain, and quickly opened the gate, shouting "Uncle" while Zeng Yong also arrived, "Big Brother, what’s up?"

"Father and Mother sent me to ask if you’ve got everything packed. We’ll be heading up the mountain soon, so get a move on, and since you have many sons, Father and Mother’s idea is for Yi and Li to help out at the old house. There are too many things; they need help carrying them up the mountain."

The wave of emotion that had just surged in him vanished completely upon hearing the second half of his brother’s message.

Who would have guessed it was for this reason after all? So, this was what he had been waiting for.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢