Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 481: Saving Lives
"Rescue people?"
"Yes, the destruction caused by the earthquake is too severe, and the government simply canβt spare the manpower to rescue the people outside the town, so theyβre counting on our village." π³ππ²ππ¨ππ―πππ§ππΉ.π°πΌπ
"Uncle village chief, is it really that serious?"
Although the tremors felt strong during the earthquake, the fear was greater, and after it ended, even though their homes suffered various damages and losses, the houses still stood, giving them the illusion that the earthquake wasnβt as severe as imagined. They thought the outside was just as startled as their village, with losses within a bearable range.
"Yes, because it happened at night, many people didnβt have time to react and were buried under their houses. The government canβt spare the manpower, and the longer it takes, the less chance those buried have of surviving. Inspector Hu came because of this reason. After all, saving one life is worth more than building a seven-story pagoda. The old man thinks we canβt just stand by, so what do you all think? Itβs not mandatory, based on personal willingness. Those willing can report to my home later. Of course, I wonβt let everyone work for nothing; everyone who goes will get a Silver Coin per day."
The villagers werenβt short of food, and their family wasnβt short of Silver, just right to use as compensation for everyone. When the natural disaster passes, the Silver will come in handy.
A Silver Coin isnβt considered little, instantly tempting many. Every household has a few strong workers, and sending one or two isnβt a problem.
Soon, many young people expressed willingness, "Village chief, weβre willing to go," yet everyone cares about face. They quickly added, "No need for payment, weβll go."
"Yes, these lads are right; rescuing is a benefit to descendants; how could we let the village chief pay? Iβll also go." Hua Sanshan looked appreciatively at the young villagers, realizing they were tempted but not entirely blinded by money and immediately said.
"Yes, yes, yes," everyone nodded.
"Itβs settled then; the compensation is what you deserve. Rest assured, itβs from the government," the old Hua man lied benevolently and was very gratified.
Initially a bit distressed over the Silver, it wasnβt an issue now, also serving as encouragement, after all, bringing everyone together for a little cost was a profitable calculation.
"Village chief, is it true?" Someone expressed doubt, as the governmentβs usual approach is mostly exploiting citizens; would they really be this generous?
To be fair, their magistrate at Shanggu Town indeed wasnβt bad.
"Of course, your village chief swears on his word, never lies," the old Hua manβs words were firm and convincing, showing no lie traces.
"Then weβre relieved, village chief, Iβm signing up," the crowd erupted again knowing it wasnβt on the village chiefβs family made them not feel embarrassed now.
"Iβm signing up too..."
"Village chief, can we exchange the Silver Coin for food?" A voice emerged from the crowd, and upon closer inspection, it was a person from Wangjia Village, which was expected.
The old Hua man nodded, "Of course you can, Silver or food, you can choose either."
"Village chief, weβre going too," hearing it could be exchanged for food, Wangjia Village people became more eager; after all, a Silver Coin could still be exchanged for some food, they must go.
Even without these rewards, they planned to go, having just integrated into Hua Village not long ago; this was the perfect chance to show themselvesβa great opportunity to integrate fully.
"Alright, alright, youβre all great; later those who are going, record it at home, bring water and rations, and gather at the village entrance."
"Okay, okay," everyone nodded.
Feeling gratified, old Hua didnβt say much more. The crowd quickly dispersed, everyone went back to prepare.
When the few arrived home, old Huaβs wife and Mrs. Qi were in the kitchen. They heard Inspector Huβs previous words and quickly prepared easy-to-bring foods.
Seeing the old man return, old Huaβs wife couldnβt stay in the kitchen and came out urgently, asking with concern, "How did the villagers react?"
After all, it wasnβt their own familyβs matter. From a common viewpoint, no one would want their family to go; what if thereβs danger?
"Weβre leaving soon. Oh, this time Iβm also going with them. You better prepare more food."
"Youβre also going?" old Huaβs wifeβs voice unintentionally raised.
"Old man, can your body manage? The bump on your head hasnβt subsided yet."
The old Hua man gently touched his forehead, smiling, "Itβs nothing, just a minor scratch, and Iβm still energetic. If I donβt personally lead, I wonβt feel at ease."
"Isnβt Cheng Tian going?"
The son, after all, was younger and in better shape. Old man going doesnβt reassure old Huaβs wife.
"Alright, you have the son, donβt worry. Weβll return quickly after the rescue."
"Grandpa, Iβm going too," Hua Jin, who had been quietly listening, interjected.
"Jinβer shouldnβt go; weβre going for a tough rescue." While he could go, old Hua man couldnβt bear to let his dear granddaughter go.
"Grandpa, precisely for this I should go. Havenβt you forgotten my strength is great, and Iβm very perceptive? I can notice things you canβt. Grandpa, if you donβt let me come, Iβll go alone." Hua Jin employed her final trick.
Old Hua man: "..."
His gaze turned to his wife, signaling her to persuade quickly.
Putting aside the old manβs matters, old Huaβs wife embraced her dear granddaughter, "Sweetie, grandma knows you want to save people, but everyone accompanying is male, itβs inconvenient for a young lady like you, and with the rain continuing, when busy, you might catch a cold. Grandmaβs precious mustnβt go."
"Grandma, I do want to go. If I go along, I can take care of grandpa. And, grandma, you forgot..." Hua Jin winked at old Huaβs wife, "Grandpa can also eat better, right?"
"Isnβt your father going too?"
"Father hasnβt got much left to eat; mine isnβt touched yet, and with me, itβs safer, isnβt it, grandma..." Hua Jin said coquettishly, shaking old Huaβs wifeβs hand, clearly showing she wouldnβt stop until the request was granted.
One couldnβt resist the dear granddaughterβs act, plus the childβs reasoning was indeed sound; old Huaβs wife could no longer hold firm.
"You, alright, can go, but take care of yourself, and donβt let grandpa handle strenuous work."
"As you command," Hua Jin playfully saluted.
One side, old Hua man hoped his wife would persuade dear granddaughter, but in the end... He couldnβt help but shake his head.
Alas! I knew it.
Old Huaβs wife patted her granddaughterβs arm, "Go help your mother cook; grandma will help grandpa pack."
"Okay, okay," Hua Jin quickly ran into the kitchen.
As old Huaβs wife packed, young men from the village arrived, including Hua Yunao and his brothers and Luo Song, Qin Shu, who came after receiving the message; all four got busy.
