Meng Shaode stepped forward, stroked the horse's belly, and patted it a few times. A dull thudding sound came from inside.
This was clearly bloat, a disease most feared by livestock.
"What can we do? We need rhubarb, but we can only buy it at the pharmacy in Nanming City."
Meng Shaode's face was full of worry.
"But it's at least three days' journey to Nanming City. Can this horse hold on?"
A Jiu felt that this horse had carried her entire family to safety. If it died, she wouldn't be able to live with herself.
Meng Shaode shook his head, "Difficult."
Humans would have serious problems if they didn't defecate for three days, let alone a horse with a large appetite.
A Jiu lowered her head, feeling a pang of sadness.
"By the way, Father, Uncle Wu and the others have gone ahead. They were afraid of the Deng family brothers from Xinghua Village and asked me to thank you."
"Ah?" Meng Shaode was surprised, then sighed:
"Daughter, joy and sorrow, parting and reunion are all normal. In fact, people live their whole lives without even their parents accompanying them to the end. So, everything is just a passing moment."
"Father, what are you saying? I'm not leaving you."
A Jiu's heart ached, and she hugged her father. Especially when others had spoken ill of her father earlier, she had really wanted to cry.
Her father was the best father in the world.
Meng Shaode was startled by this action, but soon, warmth surged in his heart.
His daughter was finally willing to embrace him: "Silly child, Dad knows you won't leave me. Even if I had to give up my life, I would protect you."
"Mmm-hmm." A Jiu bit her lip, holding back tears. She would never allow anyone to speak ill of her father again.
"Daughter, don't worry, it will be alright."
His daughter was kind-hearted. She even felt for the horse. Where could he find such a good daughter?
A Jiu pursed her lips and nodded.
Unexpectedly, the horse suddenly bent its knees and knelt down. Its large belly pressed against the ground, and after heavy panting, it lay down on its side.
"Father." A Jiu's heart sank.
Meng Shaode quickly squatted down and vigorously massaged the horse's belly, hoping for some relief.
Cai Lihua and the others ran over quickly, "Oh my, what's wrong?"
"This horse is going to die," Song Fengshou exclaimed, his eyes wide.
A crowd of men, women, and children gathered around.
"What a shame." Several old and young men shook their heads and sighed.
"It's not a shame. Let's kill the horse before it dies. It'll be enough for us to eat for several meals."
Granny Sun craned her neck to look.
As soon as she said that, some people began discussing how to eat it. Some suggested roasting it over an open fire, while others said if there was salt, they could preserve the meat if there was too much to eat.
Being able to eat meat on this journey was incredibly rare. It was enviable that Meng Shaode, the spendthrift, could even afford a horse.
A Jiu looked at Granny Sun. She truly disliked the old woman at this moment.
Meng Shaode was covered in sweat, but the horse showed no signs of improvement.
"Perhaps it ate too much dry grass," Meng Shaode said, sitting on the ground, panting.
There wasn't much green grass to feed the horse on this journey, and there was also a lack of water.
Lack of water? A Jiu had been in a daze. How could she have forgotten the spiritual spring water?
She quickly took out a waterskin from her embrace, "Father, try pouring some water for the horse."
This caused the crowd to explode, "Ninth girl, where did you get the water?"
"Exactly, we haven't found much water along the way."
Ma Dabiao stared, his eyes wide. The horse's mouth wouldn't open, and the water was being spilled all over the ground as if it cost nothing. It was heartbreaking to watch.
"Fengshou, hurry and help me pry open the horse's mouth." Meng Shaode had no time to listen to their discussions.
If this horse died, his daughter would be heartbroken.
Song Fengshou quickly brought his hoe and used the back end of the rake to forcefully pry into the horse's mouth.
Meng Shaode handed the waterskin to A Jiu and freed his hands to pry with all his might, "Fengshou, put more effort into it."
A Jiu watched, holding her breath. The spiritual spring water would surely have miraculous effects. As long as the horse's mouth was pried open, they would know.
Suddenly, her hand felt empty. A Jiu turned her head sharply to look:
"Uncle Deng, what are you doing?"