OBS Chapter 155 When people can't even get enough to eat, who cares about their homeland or land?
Chapter 155 When people can't even get enough to eat, who cares about their homeland or land?
Seeing Lao Liang's anxious and agitated expression, it was as if he considered her matter his own.
A warm feeling washed over Lin Chang'er. "Uncle Liang, don't worry, let me explain slowly."
Old Liang said "Oh," and then said, "Go on."
Lin Chang'er said, "What Uncle Liang said—buying property and moving into the city—is naturally the most direct and effective way to protect oneself. However…"
He took a deep breath. "Uncle Liang, it is said that the poor should focus on their own well-being, while the rich should help others. If pirates invade, and everyone just runs away..."
"It's hard to say whether we'll take a step back and the pirates will take a step forward. Who knows how long it will take before they're at our gates?"
Bai Shaoan chimed in, "Sister Chang'er is right. If coastal villages give up resistance and flee on their own, wouldn't that provide territory for those sea barbarians, making it easier for them to gradually encroach on the inland areas?"
"Although suppressing bandits is the government's job, are we really just going to stand by and watch those people trample on our homes and humiliate our brothers and sisters?"
As Lao Liang listened to them, images of pirates entering the city, the city covered in white, and the people suffering terribly flashed through his mind.
A wave of shock washed over him. He picked up his teacup and drank about half of it before calming down. "That makes sense, but..."
Just then, the shop assistant arrived with Old Zhu, Old Chen, Old Li, and Old Zheng.
The four men all looked alarmed. When they saw Lin Chang'er, they couldn't help but ask her about her well-being and inquire about the battle last night.
Lin Chang'er then told them everything, big and small.
Old Liang and the others immediately put their hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer.
Old Zhu then asked Lin Chang'er about her plans, and Old Liang chimed in, "We were just talking about this when Chang'er said she can't move. Since she's here, let's listen to her reasons and see what we can do!"
Old Zhu and the other three nodded and looked at Lin Chang'er.
Lin Chang'er smiled slightly at them and said, "As you all just heard, the coastal defense team was something I suggested Uncle Lizheng build."
"Although it is everyone's responsibility to protect our homeland, my uncles also know that our Ninghai Prefecture has a long and poor coastline."
"Men are willing to risk their lives, but they also need to eat their fill to have the strength to defend their homes, right?"
"We're all just a bunch of people who came up with ideas at the last minute, but whose life isn't precious? We can't just pull people together and send them to their deaths, can we?"
“Right now, the men in the coastal defense team, besides training every day, also take some time to help me with my work. My uncles know my family’s situation; we’ve only just started to get rich, and we don’t have much. We just pay them the wages of dockworkers carrying heavy loads to make ends meet for their families.”
After saying so much, Lin Chang'er paused for a moment, and Lao Liang quickly handed her her teacup, saying, "Have some water and speak slowly."
"Thank you, Uncle Liang," Lin Chang'er said, taking a small sip of her tea before continuing slowly, "It would be easy for me to leave, but what will happen to their food and clothing if I leave?"
"When people can't even get enough to eat, who cares about their homes and land? People's hearts will just fall apart."
"Therefore, not only can I not leave, but I must continue to do business and make it bigger. We can't just wait for the imperial court to come and suppress the bandits. If our Linshui Village can defend itself first, it will not only be a blow to the pirates, but also an encouragement to the villages along the entire coastline."
"It will also let those pirates who want to come ashore know that the people of our Tianqi Dynasty are not so easy to bully."
After she finished speaking, the tea room fell silent for a moment, then suddenly a "Good!" could be heard.
Old Zhu clapped his hands and said, "We old folks were too shallow. It's rare to see such a magnanimous niece. Tell me, is there anything we can do to help?"
"With our old arms and legs, we won't rush to the front and cause you trouble, but we can still do things behind the scenes."
"Don't you guys agree?"
The four men, including Lao Liang, all nodded. "If you have any financial difficulties, just let us know. We're a bunch of old folks who've worked hard for most of our lives, so we still have some savings."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'er immediately stood up and bowed to them, saying, "I would like to thank you uncles on behalf of the villagers of Linshui Village for your righteousness. However, from Xiaonan Village to Linshui Village, the pirates are likely to plunder indiscriminately. For now, I can still hold on in Linshui Village."
"If you uncles are so kind, you can secretly stockpile some food and medicine. If any refugees from the coast flee to the city in the future, you can provide them with porridge and give them a way to survive."
"But remember to keep it quiet and don't make a big fuss, otherwise, if grain merchants drive up grain prices, the people will be the first to lose their livelihood. Also, if other villages spontaneously resist, uncles can donate some rice, grain and medicine as appropriate. Only if we defend the coastal gateway can we have a peaceful life in the inland."
“Chang’er is very thoughtful. I have connections regarding the grain. I’ll go to Su Ming’s residence to buy it. You guys and Chang’er will give me a number later,” Old Chen said.
Lin Chang'er nodded and said, "I came to see you uncles today because I have another favor to ask of you."
"Tell me," said Old Liang.
Lin Chang'er asked the servant to help bring in a bucket of oysters from the carriage. "These are sea oysters. We found them yesterday. I brought this bucket for the uncles to try."
"No, this won't do. This stuff is much more precious than clams or fish," Old Liang waved his hand.
Old Zhu and the other three shook their heads, refusing to accept the money.
Lin Chang'er laughed and said, "I'm not treating you uncles to a free meal. You all know Mr. Chen Ming, who went to the Sihai Restaurant to bid for the golden eel last time, right?"
The five nodded in unison, and Lin Chang'er continued, "He wanted me to deliver seafood to his residence, but my family has two other stalls and we also want to open a snack shop. It would take too long to get from my place to the city, so I really couldn't spare the time."
"Right now, the village is in such a state, and I don't dare to stay outside for too long, so I wanted to ask the uncles if they have any business that involves traveling between the county town and the prefectural city."
“I’ll hitch a ride and pay the fare. Of course, for the first trip, I’ll still need my uncles to go to the Chen residence for me and tell Young Master Chen about my current situation, so that he won’t feel that I’m neglecting him.”
Old Chen said, "It's a small matter. It's been a long time since we brothers went to the prefectural city to have drinks with Old Zhao and the others. We'll just have Old Zhao and the others invite Young Master Chen along."
Old Li looked outside and said, "The weather is nice. Let's choose a day that suits us better."
Old Zheng stood up. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's take this bucket of oysters with us and eat them together."
Old Liang and Old Zhu also got up. Old Liang apologized and said, "Chang girl, in that case, we won't be able to entertain you at noon. If you have any difficulties later, just tell your uncles."
Lin Chang'er stood up and bowed to express her gratitude, "Uncles, thank you for making this trip. I still have half a sea oyster in my car. Please help me deliver it to Young Master Chen."
Old Liang and the others readily agreed, and immediately ordered the servants to prepare the horse-drawn carriage.
While waiting for the coachman to arrive, the two chatted for a while longer before parting ways...