A fierce wife enters the house: She helps up a house full of spineless people.

"Have you thought about this? Once we leave, we don't know when we'll be able to come back. We'll have to leave behind our land, our house, our relatives and friends. Besides, nobody knows how far the road to the prefectural city is, or what we'll encounter on the way. It might be more dangerous than staying in the village." Wang Jinzhu told them about the dangers in advance.

"We've thought it through!" Zhao Xiulan said quickly. "No matter how dangerous it is, it's better than staying in the village waiting to die! Boss, you're a very capable person. We feel safe following you! If we really stay in the village, what if the rebels come one day? We'd be nothing but meat on their chopping block! We wouldn't even be able to keep our houses and land, and we'd lose our lives!"

Zhao Xiulan's words struck Wang Jinzhu's heart like a heavy hammer.

Yes, she only thought about escaping herself, but forgot what those who stayed in the village would face. Zhao Xiulan understood this better than her parents, and even better than Chen Tianfang.

This clarity and decisiveness impressed Wang Jinzhu.

After pondering for a long time, Wang Jinzhu finally relented: "This isn't something I can decide alone. You'll have to ask the village chief. If he agrees, I'll take you with me."

The ball was passed to Chen Defu. After all, they were someone else's son and daughter-in-law; he couldn't just let them run away with a single word.

When Zhao Xiulan and Chen Wangda heard that there was a chance, they were overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. They went home to discuss it with their village chief father.

After hearing their words, Chen Xinghua became even more determined to follow Wang Jinzhu, even though she and her daughter might become a burden.

"Sister Jinzhu, please take us with you. Don't worry about me on the way. If anything happens to me, I just hope you can watch over Xiaocao'er. She's very sensible and can help you with the work!"

Seeing Chen Xinghua trying to hold back her tears, and Cao'er tightly holding her little hand, Wang Jinzhu had no choice but to agree.

But she felt increasingly agitated. Was she being too selfish? If she just took a few people and left, what would happen to the rest of the village? Chenjia Village, Wangjia Village, and so many familiar faces.

But she dared not gamble. If rebel soldiers or a large number of refugees rushed over, the village's small population simply couldn't hold out. In that case, everyone would be doomed.

Rather than staying behind to die together, it's better to save yourself and those around you first.

Having made up her mind, she stopped thinking about it and turned to walk towards the village chief Chen Defu's house.

This matter must be explained to the village chief as soon as possible.

When they arrived at Chen Defu's house, they ran into Zhao Xiulan and Chen Wangda coming out of the house. Both looked excited and nervous. Seeing Wang Jinzhu, Zhao Xiulan's eyes lit up, and she quickly went to greet her: "Master, my father wants you to come in and talk."

Wang Jinzhu nodded and stepped into the courtyard.

Chen Defu was sitting in a chair in the main room when Wang Jinzhu cut to the chase: "Village Chief, I want to talk to you about something. I'm planning to take my whole family to the prefectural city to do some business, and we probably won't be coming back."

"Why would you go to the prefectural city to do business? Isn't this workshop doing just fine?" Chen Defu asked, looking up.

"This workshop looks profitable, but it actually requires a lot of capital. My husband doesn't understand these things, so I'm thinking of going to a big city like Fucheng, where there will be more opportunities." Wang Jinzhu made up an excuse. She couldn't reveal Liu Mingyuan's warning in detail. She didn't want to cause panic, and besides, many people in the village might not be willing to leave their hometown.

Chen Defu fell silent. He'd lived a long life, more experienced than Wang Jinzhu had ever been. He didn't believe Wang Jinzhu's story. Why would she abandon her newly built house and her lucrative workshop to run off to a completely unfamiliar city? She was kidding him.

He thought of Chen Shuyan, who had just been sentenced a few days ago, and of the starving refugees whose eyes were green with hunger. Then, thinking of Wang Jinzhu's sudden actions, his heart sank and a terrible thought popped into his head.

"Jinzhu," he tapped his pipe on the table, lowering his voice even further, "tell me the truth, is... something going to happen?"

Wang Jinzhu looked at his bloodshot eyes and sighed inwardly. Talking to smart people is both effortless and exhausting.

Instead of answering directly, she took out a cloth bag that she had prepared beforehand, placed it on the table, and pushed it over.

"Village chief, here is fifty taels of silver."

Chen Defu froze, looking down at the cloth bag without moving.

"Take this money and quietly stockpile as much grain as possible. The more, the better." Wang Jinzhu's voice was soft, but every word struck Chen Defu's heart like a stone. "The advance payment I made to everyone for planting flowers in the spring, you can give that to them directly as well. Our few acres of land and this house, if we don't come back within a few years, they'll all belong to the village. You can decide what to do with them."

Entrusting his affairs after his death.

This is practically a deathbed entrustment!

Chen Defu's hands began to tremble. He suddenly raised his head, his lips quivering, "Jinzhu... what... what do you mean by that? Is it really that serious?"

"Village Chief, that's all I can say. Believe it or not, it's up to you." Wang Jinzhu stood up. "As for Wanda and Xiulan, they want to come with me. I've agreed, as long as you give your approval. I can't guarantee what might happen on the road, or whether they'll get into trouble. Of course, this is the worst-case scenario."

Chen Defu sat there, feeling utterly drained of all his strength. He looked at the fifty taels of silver on the table, then at his son and daughter-in-law outside the door, who were anxiously watching him. His heart felt like it was being torn apart by two hands, and he was in excruciating pain.

On one side is the village where he was born and raised; as the village chief, he has a responsibility to protect the safety of all the villagers. On the other side are his own son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.

He knew Wang Jinzhu wasn't one to speak carelessly. She must have her reasons for doing this. This world might truly be about to change.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, his eyes filled with determination.

"Let them come with you." He said this as if he had used all his strength. "Tiger is still young. If he comes with you, his future will be better than if he stays in the village digging in the dirt."

Upon hearing this outside the door, Zhao Xiulan burst into tears. She covered her mouth, afraid to cry out loud.

Chen Defu stood up, walked to Wang Jinzhu, and bowed deeply to her.

"Jinzhu, I'm entrusting my son, daughter-in-law, and my little grandson to you!"

Wang Jinzhu was startled and quickly stepped aside, saying, "Village Chief, what are you doing? I can't accept this! We're just leaving together; I can't promise you anything more."

As Wang Jinzhu left the village chief's house, her mood grew increasingly heavy.

Back home, Chen Yuxiang and Chen Shi were still quietly packing their things in the yard.

"Mother, Father," Wang Jinzhu walked over, "Wanda and Xiulan's family are coming with us. Chen Xinghua and her daughter are also with us."

Chen Yuxiang paused for a moment, then nodded: "It's good to have more people, so we can look out for each other on the way." She didn't ask why, but the worry on her face deepened.

A short while later, Wang Xiaobao came running back from outside, covered in sweat.

"Little sister! I've told Mom and Dad, and they'll listen to you! My dad said they'll slaughter the pigs overnight and pickle the meat. They'll also harvest the vegetables from the fields quickly, taking everything they can. But the land and house—in such a short time, I'm afraid they won't fetch a good price." Wang Xiaobao said anxiously.

"We have to sell it even if we can't get a good price!" Wang Jinzhu said resolutely. "Brother, go to Wangjia Village again and tell Dad to ask around in the village if anyone wants to buy land. We're willing to pay a lower price, but the key is to be quick and get the cash today! Also, quietly go and talk to the two aunties who work in our workshop."

"What did you say?" Wang Xiaobao didn't react.

"Just tell them... I'm leaving. These times aren't peaceful, so tell them to be careful." Wang Jinzhu paused, then decided to add a reminder, "Make it clear. Tell them I'm going to the prefectural city, and ask if they want to come with me. Explain all the potential dangers on the road, and let them choose. Those who want to go should quickly sell their land and houses, and wait for us at the village entrance first thing tomorrow morning."

She didn't want to bring any more people, but when she thought of the kind-hearted villagers of Wangjia Village, she couldn't bear to. Bringing a couple more trustworthy families would be a help when they arrived in the prefectural city.

"Okay! I'll go right now!" Wang Xiaobao understood and turned to run again.

"Wait!" Wang Jinzhu called out to him. "Remember, this must be done quietly. Don't let too many people know about it, or it will cause panic, and then you won't be able to leave."

"I understand!" Wang Xiaobao nodded emphatically and ran off into the distance.