Tao Lengshuang knew that continuing like this was not an option, and that this matter was far from over.
The colder it got, the less food there was. Not only the villagers, but people from ten miles around would be searching for food everywhere.
At that time, families like hers, who had surplus grain, would become targets.
"For now, the best solution is for us to stay together."
She frowned, "But if we do that, your house will be left empty, and it might be ruined by the villagers."
Shen Ershen was not foolish. Upon hearing this, she slapped her thigh, "Then we'll come to your place."
"This house can be rebuilt if it's gone, but if people are gone, they're truly gone.
It's just, will it be too much trouble for you?"
Tao Lengshuang said it wouldn't be, as she also wanted an extra helper.
Relying solely on her and the暗卫 (àn wèi - secret guards) was not enough to keep watch at all times.
Moreover, someone needed to watch Xiao Feng.
Shen Ershen pondered for a moment and discussed with Tao Lengshuang, suggesting they invite Wang Sanshen's family to move in as well, and squeeze together.
With more people, it would be safer.
Tao Lengshuang thought about it and felt it was acceptable, "It's just that I don't know if Wang Sanshen's family is willing."
Shen Ershen exclaimed, "How could they not be willing? They'd be overjoyed to move in."
Tao Lengshuang thought carefully, "Please ask Wang Sanshen's family for me, Shen Ershen. If they're not willing, then forget it."
"Shen Ershen, your family had best move over today. Something might happen again tonight."
Shen Ershen repeatedly agreed and then hurried out.
As she walked to the door, she exclaimed, "Isn't that so-and-so's child?"
Tao Lengshuang peeked out and saw three boys of varying sizes at the main entrance.
The oldest was about five or six years old, the youngest only one or two, all bundled up tightly.
The three children looked at Tao Lengshuang with expectant eyes, as if hoping she would give them food.
This made Tao Lengshuang frown.
"People of the Mo family cannot be too kind-hearted."
Shen Ershen reminded her worriedly, "It's obvious that these few families deliberately left their children at your doorstep, wanting you to help feed them."
"If you set this precedent, all the villagers will send their children to you."
She truly looked down on these few families. The Mo family's situation was not good either, yet these families were abandoning their children here, hoping the Mo family would help feed them.
Tao Lengshuang stated that she would not be a soft-hearted fool. Her own family's situation was not good, so why would she raise children for others for free, only to stir up trouble for herself.
Shen Ershen repeatedly cautioned her before hurrying back home.
Tao Lengshuang closed the door expressionlessly, summoned the 暗卫 (àn wèi), and instructed them to send the children back.
The people in the village were truly amusing, trying to get something for nothing.
Thinking that Shen Ershen's family would be moving in, and Wang Sanshen's family might also move in, she and Xiao Feng cleaned out the remaining rooms.
Just as they finished cleaning, Village Chief Luo arrived.
"Did something happen at your place?"
Village Chief Luo, puffing on his pipe, looked troubled, "My place too. Some rice and flour were stolen, but it's not a big deal."
"But if this continues, I'm afraid something major will happen in the village."
Tao Lengshuang knew he wasn't here to talk about that. She smiled distantly, "Village Chief, feel free to speak your mind."
Village Chief Luo coughed twice upon hearing this, "Mo family, could you perhaps speak to your husband and ask him to handle some village affairs?"
Tao Lengshuang replied that she couldn't handle it, "Village Chief, you know better than I do that once people are starving, they'll do anything."
It was precisely because Village Chief Luo knew this that he came to ask for the Mo family's help, "But if this isn't handled, and things escalate, no family will benefit."
"Village Chief, I suggest you ask your relatives for help to catch those villagers who are stealing, and then patrol the village."
"This is not a long-term solution. As you said, if they are starving, why would they fear the constables?"
Tao Lengshuang thought to herself that it was the current government's inaction and self-indulgence that led to such a situation.
"Village Chief, you should think about how to provide food for the villagers."
Village Chief Luo sighed, "What can I do?"
He had thought of all possible solutions. Now the mountains were sealed by heavy snow, and even the town had no rice or flour to buy.
Even if they could buy it, it would be expensive rice and flour, and the villagers couldn't afford much.
"Mo family, please tell your husband."
With that, he left with his hands behind his back.
Tao Lengshuang saw Shen Ershen's family and Wang Sanshen's family arrive and quickly welcomed them into the main hall.
The men were not suitable to stay in the main hall, so they took the children to Xiao Feng's room.
"Mo family, how do you suggest we arrange things?" Shen Ershen acted as if Tao Lengshuang was the main decision-maker.
Everyone else looked at Tao Lengshuang.
Tao Lengshuang had already thought it through. The 暗卫 (àn wèi) should be used as little as possible.
If they used the 暗卫 (àn wèi) for everything, what would they do in the face of real danger?
"My suggestion is that we take turns..."
Tao Lengshuang explained in detail that two people would stand guard at night, and the others should not sleep too soundly.
If someone broke in at night, they should wake everyone else up.
If there were few intruders, they would deal with them together.
If there were many intruders, they would use powder.
They should try not to injure anyone.
It wasn't that Tao Lengshuang was kind-hearted, but if they injured someone, the other party would inevitably use it to entangle them, causing unnecessary trouble.
Shen Ershen and the others felt this was acceptable. If everyone stood guard, people would be exhausted.
Seeing this, Tao Lengshuang made arrangements for the children, "Leave one adult to watch the children, and do not let the children out of sight."
Shen Ershen thought for a moment, "I think it would be better if the children stayed with us during the day, and the men went around the village."
"Inquire which families are short on grain, which families are having a hard time, and what is happening in the village, so we can prepare early."
Tao Lengshuang nodded. Someone needed to gather information about the village and pay attention to movements from all sides.
"Every few days, someone needs to go to town to check the situation. If we can buy supplies, we should buy some."
Shen Ershen and the others all agreed. If they could buy supplies in town, they definitely had to.
No one knew when this hardship would end, so they had to store as many supplies as possible.
Just as Tao Lengshuang and the others finished discussing, they heard the sound of gongs and looked at each other.
"Let my husband go check the situation. We'll stay home," Shen Ershen said.
Wang Sanshen said, "Let my husband go with him. Two grown men will have someone to look after each other."
Thus, Shen Ershu and Wang Sanshu followed the sound of the gongs to the center of the village.
When they arrived, they found that most of the villagers had already gathered.
At a glance, many families looked sallow and thin.
Especially the young women, they looked like they had no strength to even walk.
The two exchanged a look and subtly observed the villagers carefully.
They noticed that several village families kept sizing them up.
Their gazes were like wolves looking at a delicious piece of meat, making the two of them feel a chill.
They were being targeted.
"Quiet, everyone!"
Village Chief Luo raised his voice and sighed, "The constables just told us something. I hope everyone can remain calm after hearing it."