Liu Hai knew that the Meng family's fruit wine was a hot commodity, a delicacy in the northern frontier that money couldn't always buy.
Otherwise, Governor Yan wouldn't have sent a carrier pigeon to inform him first and ask him to notify the Meng family, for fear that it would all be bought out.
And those dried seafood, when rehydrated and used in cooking, were also extremely delicious, something the children at home loved to eat with their meals.
He thought that if he brought these things home today, his wife and children would surely be happy.
The grandfather and grandson saw Liu Hai off and sat in the room talking and laughing. The elder was radiant, and no trace of worry or distress could be seen on his face anymore.
"Heh heh, Grandpa thought we would be footing the bill again this year, and our savings would be for naught. I didn't expect Governor Yan to speak up for the refugees of Qingzhou before the Emperor. The Emperor is benevolent and has distributed disaster relief funds, grain, and bedding to these Qingzhou refugees, making it much easier for your Grandpa Song and the others to survive this winter."
Fu Xin Ci really wanted to spit at that useless emperor, but her grandfather was praising him now, so she held back.
While listening to her grandfather's rambling, her mind was actually on the rather incompetent emperor, wondering when he would finally meet his end.
But upon reflection, they were all taught the same way, so what difference could there be?
At least Yan Yi could still get a word in with this father. If it were his son, it might not be so easy.
As the saying goes, a new emperor, new officials. If they had no one to speak for them then, their lives might be even harder.
Alas, they would just have to make do.
"However, Yan Yi's performance this time was not bad."
"Yes, if it weren't for Governor Yan's righteous words, the Emperor wouldn't have issued this order. Your Grandpa Song and the others truly benefited."
Yan Yi had no idea that in Meng Er Shu's eyes, he had risen to the new heights of a righteous and upright loyal minister.
Alas, if he heard it himself, he would probably be so ashamed his face would turn red. His initial intention was good, but it had nothing to do with righteous words.
With the court's assistance and disaster relief, Grandpa Meng did not conceal the good news and personally went to the schoolhouse to tell Song Bantou and the others about this great event.
Fu Xin Ci also followed.
Upon hearing the news, Song Bantou and the others were greatly encouraged. Seeing that Mayor Meng was troubled by the lack of workers to build houses for them, they volunteered.
"Mayor Meng, we will build the houses ourselves," Song Bantou said, taking the lead, under everyone's gaze.
"Old Song, you can't be too insistent. Can your bodies handle it?" Grandpa Meng thought of their physical condition after the flood, the escape, and the long migration.
Alas, it was just a migration, and too much to say would only bring tears. Everyone's bodies were worn out, worse than when they were exiled to Liaodong.
Song Bantou's resolute face, however, held a glimmer of hope that had never been there before. "Mayor Meng, we have also rested for several days, and our bodies have recovered quite a bit."
"Yes, I feel like I have a bit of strength back all over." Seeing the hope of survival, Zhang Dadan's voice was noticeably firmer than before.
"Mayor Meng, please rest assured! Our bodies are our own, and we know what we are doing. Besides, seeing you, how could we bear to die? We still want to live a good life with you."
Old Lin, being literate, spoke more pleasingly than the rough laborers.
"Yes, Mayor Meng, please agree." The refugees of Qingzhou all wanted to stay and live with Mayor Meng. They no longer wanted to wander like rootless duckweed.
They had no more capacity to endure the indifference and scorn they had encountered in the past few months.
They now only wanted to live a good life with Mayor Meng. In their simple and honest hearts, where Mayor Meng was, there was a stable home.
Seeing that everyone was determined to build the houses themselves, Grandpa Meng knew that stopping them was futile and would dampen their enthusiasm. It was not easy to rally them together again.
So, he went along with their wishes and agreed.
Seeing that everyone was in good spirits, Fu Xin Ci took the opportunity to approach Song Bantou and asked about Fangjia Village.
"Grandpa Song, do you know the situation in Fangjia Village?"
"I know a little." Song Bantou knew that the Meng family and the Fang family were related by marriage. It was already the limit for Xin Ci to ask him about the Fang family's affairs now.
"Fangjia Village is located on higher ground. When we went there, we saw that the rooftops of some houses were still exposed. Unlike the county town, which was submerged in water, nothing was visible."
"Then did Grandpa Song see my maternal relatives?"
"No. But I heard some people from Fangjia Village talking at the time, saying that your maternal relatives had gone to visit relatives."
"Visiting relatives?"
"Yes. It seems that it was the wedding of your maternal aunt's youngest brother, and your maternal family all went to attend the banquet. Your maternal aunt's family lived on a mountain, so Fangjia escaped this disaster."
"Really?"
"Really. However, we didn't see any of the Fang family when we left the Qingzhou area."
"That's good, that's good. Thank you, Grandpa Song, for telling me." After thanking Grandpa Song, Fu Xin Ci turned and ran home.
Her mother had been distracted these past few days, secretly crying several times, but she just didn't dare to ask about her maternal family.
Fang Shi was afraid that after asking, she would be told that her family was gone, and she wouldn't be able to bear it.
If she didn't ask, she could still comfort herself that her parents and brother might still be alive and well somewhere.
Fang Shi was listlessly lost in thought when she heard her daughter's hurried voice coming from outside, "Mom, Mom, my maternal grandparents are fine, they are all well."
"Ci'er, what did you say?" As Fang Shi asked this question, tears began to flow uncontrollably.
"Mom, I secretly asked Grandpa Song just now. Grandpa Song said that on the day of the flood, it was your maternal aunt's youngest brother's wedding, and the whole maternal family went to the mountain for the banquet, so they narrowly escaped."
"Really? Did your Grandpa Song really say that?"
"Grandpa Song said so."
"Wuwuwu." Fang Shi could finally cry out loud. She finally had news of her maternal family.
Fu Yu returned and was also happy to hear his daughter mention news of his wife's family.
Only when night fell and no one was around did Grandpa Meng speak to himself silently in the darkness.
"Bao Zhen, it's all my fault. Your son and daughter-in-law have always wanted to bring you here to be reunited with us. It was I who insisted, wanting to wait until I was old and gray, and then have my son send me back to Qingzhou for us to be reunited."
"After all, your parents are still in Qingzhou, and I feared they would be reluctant to leave their homeland. Who knew that this flood would dash my hopes and also cause you... Alas, it's all my fault for being so stubborn and headstrong, which has led you to this... Alas!"
The old man sighed softly, the sound piercing through the vast night and scattering into the night breeze.