Realizing this, the Meng clan members became even more wary of offending Meng Qingping's family.
Inwardly, they even hoped that his family would rise to prominence, climbing higher and higher, preferably to positions of immense power, the pinnacle of their lives, looking down on them like ants. This way, as fellow clan members, they could also gain some prestige.
Meng Qingping was unaware that before they had even settled in Liaodong, a group of people behind them was already coveting them.
However, coveting aside, no one dared to step forward and cause trouble.
After all, Meng Qingping had left them with an impression of being difficult to deal with. They truly couldn't comprehend why such a person, who was hard to get along with, treated a few young children with such special regard.
Especially Meng Yutang, they couldn't fathom why Meng Qingping would help that little brat.
Unable to figure it out, they didn't dare to ask and could only lower their heads and continue walking. For the bowl of meat soup mentioned by the caravan leader, they had to push forward with all their might.
The sun rose higher and higher. The trees lining the mountain path blocked half the sky. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting patches of shadow, but they didn't feel hot at all.
"This feeling is wonderful, much cooler than walking on flat ground. If only we could always walk on such mountain paths," Meng Yuluo, who was usually quiet, suddenly spoke, expressing her thoughts.
"Dream on. If we encounter hungry wolves again, we might not be as lucky as last night. I heard Steward Wang say that the further north you go, the more wild animals there are, especially in the mountains where wolves travel in packs," Meng Qishan recounted what he had heard the previous night to everyone.
"There are so many of us, why should we be afraid of a few wolves? We'll all go together, and I don't believe our strength is inferior to Sister Fu's." Qi He was still bothered by the fact that Sister Fu had personally killed a wolf last night. "However, we need to find a suitable tool."
After speaking, Qi He began to look around. The only things he could find on the mountain path were some thick branches.
However, these branches were inconvenient to use. Qi He picked up several, none of which satisfied him, and he became a little discouraged.
"When we reach the next town, I will definitely buy a sharp weapon for self-defense." Qi He now deeply regretted not asking Uncle Zhang for a suitable weapon.
"Sharp weapons like swords and sabers cannot be bought casually, and their prices are frighteningly high." Meng Qingping knew this better than anyone, so he first spoke to dissuade Qi He from his idea.
"Grandpa Meng, then what can I use?" Qi He was eager to get something for self-defense.
"Sticks are still good. These are not strictly regulated and are less troublesome. In such a large forest, it should be easy to find a stick of suitable length that you can handle well."
"Second Uncle, I want one too." Qitian knew that their identities prevented them from carrying weapons, but he didn't want to sit idly by if they encountered a wolf pack.
"Second Uncle, I want one too..." Qiben had not intended to say it, but since his younger brother had spoken, he also wanted to try.
"Second Granduncle, I want one too..." Meng Yutang also mumbled, wanting to try. He didn't want to be bullied by those clan members and wanted to protect himself.
Meng Qingping looked at the children, analyzed the pros and cons, and then told them, "This matter is not up to me. When we rest later, I will ask the caravan leader for you."
Hearing Grandpa Meng say he would ask the caravan leader, Qi He immediately had an idea. "Grandpa Meng, I'll go ask now." After speaking, Qi He turned and ran towards the back.
"Young Qi, slow down." Meng Qingping expected this; the boy couldn't wait a moment longer.
The caravan leader leaned against the cart shaft, chewing on a blade of grass and lost in thought.
Seeing how harmoniously Meng Qingping's family interacted yesterday, he was envious, especially of that little girl, whom he adored.
If he were to find a young widow and marry her now, perhaps he could have a robust daughter next year.
With his physique, it would certainly not be difficult.
Just as the caravan leader was dreaming, he heard Qi He's call: "Grandpa Jiang, Grandpa Jiang."
"What is it? You never stop for a moment all day, are you summoning spirits?" The caravan leader was displeased at being disturbed from his thoughts of having a daughter with a young widow.
Qi He didn't care, darted over in a few steps, and explained their request for sticks for self-defense against wolves.
"You want a stick? Are you as tall as a stick, kid?"
"Of course I am! Grandpa Jiang, you come down and we'll compare heights. I'm not short."
"Compare what? Go play somewhere else." Who would want to get off the cart and walk leisurely if they could sit there? He wasn't stupid.
"Grandpa Jiang, Grandpa Meng said it's easy to find a few sticks in such a large forest. If we encounter wolves again, we can help too."
The word "help" reminded the caravan leader that if they encountered a wolf pack, it could be tricky, as they had limited personnel to guard the prisoners and deal with the wolves.
Having helpers would naturally be the best. However, those few boys, apart from Qi He, were also prisoners.
At this moment, the caravan leader was troubled.
"Grandpa Jiang?"
"You go back first. Let me think about it."
"Okay, I'll go back first. Grandpa Jiang, take your time thinking." Qi He also knew that this matter couldn't be rushed, otherwise, if Grandpa Jiang got angry, they would have no chance.
It was rare for the boy to not pester him today, so the caravan leader immediately summoned the dark-faced strong man. "Zhu Zi, do you think this is feasible?" The caravan leader then recounted Qi He's request for a stick.
"Boss, getting a stick for young Qi is no problem. It's just those few brats that are a bit troublesome. Their identities are fixed, and no one can change that."
"Yes, that's what I was thinking too."
"But thinking aside, we really need help." The dark-faced strong man was also troubled.
"Exactly. Last night, only four wolves had us scrambling. If there were four more, we would have had casualties yesterday."
"Not four, just two more, and we'd be in trouble."
They both knew the habits of wolves and didn't need to ponder. The scales in their hearts had already tipped decisively.
"Zhu Zi, later we'll find a spacious place to rest. You take Nian Zi and carve a few sticks."
"Alright, I'll call Nian Zi over now."
"Yes, I'll go talk to Second Brother Meng and have him keep an eye on those brats for us."
"In front of Master Meng Er, those brats are as docile as dogs."
"Still, we need to be careful. It's better to be safe than sorry." The caravan leader wasn't afraid of them running away; he could always chase them. What he feared most was that these brats would plot against them. However, with his judgment of people, these brats didn't have the guts for that.
Still, caution is the parent of safety, and he didn't want to capsize in a ditch.