kvmb Chapter 49 Adding New Members to the Team
Chapter 49 Adding New Members to the Team
The next day, before dawn, the yamen runners urged everyone to get up and eat breakfast. Before they had even finished their half-eaten pancakes, they hurriedly packed their bags and set off.
The constable shouted all the way, "Everyone must hurry today, get to Wugouzi Mountain as soon as possible, and get some rest. Nobody hold me back, understand? Hurry up, if you think of any more crooked ideas, my whip won't be merciful!"
Among today's prisoners, a few stood out.
The purse thief limped along, using a cane to move his legs. Urged on by the constables, he was extremely reluctant to move forward. He would occasionally turn around and exchange insults with the few playboys behind him.
Those three spoiled brats weren't much better off; one was lame, one was missing a tooth, and one had a disfigured face, probably because he fell face-first onto the rocks and scraped himself too hard.
These men emerged from the woods very late last night, arguing incessantly along the way. From their words, it was clear that it was another fight over prey, something no one seemed surprised by.
But it was broad daylight, and the group was arguing incessantly, on the verge of escalating from verbal attacks to physical violence. If this delayed their journey, the constables wouldn't tolerate it.
The constables had no choice but to give up their spectator mentality and started whipping them indiscriminately, all the while loudly trying to brainwash them.
“You lot really don’t learn your lesson. I told you to hurry up and not delay the journey, but you’re still jumping around here. If you want to eat wild game, there are plenty in Wugouzi Mountain. If you hurry up and get there sooner, I’ll make sure you catch enough to eat.”
Good heavens, could what the yamen runner said be true? Wugouzi Mountain is indeed rich in resources!
The yamen runner's words instantly excited the nearby prisoners. This baseless rumor spread like wildfire, scattering from the middle of the line to the front and back.
The Wen family was at the back of the group. When the news reached the end of the group, it was completely transformed into: there are flocks of chickens and ducks in Wugouzi Mountain, and there is so much wild game that you can catch it with just a reach of your hand. Everyone gets a share.
Whether the news is true or false, the wild game we had these two nights gave everyone plenty of hope and strength.
The prisoners marched forward with great enthusiasm. Even though their midday rest was extremely short, the thought of Wugouzi Mountain ahead instantly filled them with energy.
Upon hearing the news, everyone in the Wen family encouraged and supported each other.
The "rake-hunting" duo exchanged glances, each relying on their own skills to accept any offer of wild game, hoping to seize the opportunity to amass a large amount of wild game.
Wen Chengjian also assured Wenwen, "Little sister, I promise to give you a different flavor."
Wenwen's mouth suddenly stretched into a wide grin, her teeth practically disappearing from her eyes. She was really looking forward to the new flavor.
Although we should protect wild animals in modern times, when in Rome, do as the Romans do; survival is the most important thing here.
A large group of more than two hundred people, under the blazing sun, walked on pebbly paths, crossed shallow rivers, and passed through overgrown forests. Before the sun had even set, they finally saw a range of high mountains ahead.
The mountain is covered with trees, so dense that you can't see inside from the outside; you can only feel that the forest is deep and lush.
This mountain range consists of six connected peaks, each separated by a river, hence the name Wugouzi Mountain. The mountain on the left is the shortest, and each mountain is slightly taller than the one before it, continuing to the right until the tallest mountain on the right.
Hope is at hand.
The constable struck his usual broken gong once more and shouted, "Wugouzi Mountain is just ahead. Everyone hurry up and you can rest at the foot of the leftmost mountain. Also, we don't have much food left. There will be no pancakes tonight. You'll have to find your own food on the mountain. Tomorrow, after we cross this mountain, we'll reach Yanta Town."
The yamen runner's words had just caused some families to rejoice while others were filled with sorrow.
The prisoner's family, with its large number of members and able-bodied members, discussed the matter with great enthusiasm.
Even those without able-bodied members dare not lag behind.
Everyone held their breath and hurried to the foot of the mountain. Following the instructions of the constables and after receiving permission, they wasted no time and headed up the mountain.
In the blink of an eye, all that remained at the foot of the mountain were the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled.
When the Wen family was near the foot of the mountain, they had already discussed whether to add another person, and who that person should be.
Everyone could express their opinions and even volunteer themselves. Regardless of age or gender, everyone could speak freely. As expected, all the men were eager to try. Even Wen Qiyuan, who was blind, raised his hand to vote. His grandfather also raised his hand with a smile, clearly indicating that he would absolutely obey the arrangements of the "rake team".
Even 8-year-old Wen Chengmo (the fifth brother) raised his little hand high.
As for the women, surprisingly, the younger sister and Mai Mai also said they wanted to go. The others watched them make their decision, suppressing their laughter.
Seeing her family's high spirits and constant smiles, Wenwen thought to herself that her family had finally awakened to the reality of the intense competition in the industry, as everyone was afraid of falling behind.
This is a good sign for the Wen family, and she will do her best to create favorable conditions for them.
However, the conditions are not yet ripe, so we need to take it slowly. Making a quick decision is the most important thing right now.
Seeing her older brother's somewhat troubled expression, and noticing that he kept winking at her, Wenwen decided to help him out.
She cleared her throat and cut to the chase, "Ahem, we'll take Fourth Brother first this time. The others will have their chance later, Grandfather, please don't worry."
Wen Yuanqian cooperated readily, squinting his eyes and saying cheerfully, "Don't worry, Grandfather is a latecomer who surpasses his predecessors. I have that confidence. You all need to work harder."
As soon as Wenwen finished speaking, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Wen Chengmo's face turned red instantly. She quickly comforted him, "Fifth brother, when your eldest brother has practiced enough and can carry you and run very fast, we will definitely take you with us. It's the same for you kids. Don't worry, when your eldest brother, second brother, and third uncle have practiced enough, they will all take you with them. You all stay here with the teacher and don't run around."
After Wenwen finished speaking, the group of children immediately stared at Wen Chengkang, Wen Chengjian, and Wen Chengbin.
Although they didn't speak, the group understood from the children's expectant eyes that the children hoped they would become successful one day.
This is indeed quite stressful.
Wen Chengjian and Wen Chengbin were full of confidence and assured their younger siblings: "Big brother (second brother) will definitely study hard and try to take you there as soon as possible."
Wen Qikang had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer, "Third Uncle, catch up as soon as possible." He turned to Wen Chengjing and Wen Qing and added, "Father will work hard and take you there again later. Be good."
Wenwen looked at the group with amusement and made a solemn promise. Before she could react, Mai Mai chimed in, "Wen-mei, you should hurry up too. Next time, take me with you. You don't need to carry me; just pull me along."
The older sisters nodded to her, "Yes, that's right. We can run on our own. You should hurry up and learn from our eldest brother. We're waiting for you."
Wenwen has three lines on her forehead. She's been gossiping about others, and her whole family is finding all sorts of ways to urge them to improve.
Family members who are rolled up are terrifying.
Grandmother Wen turned to look at the surrounding group of prisoners. Everyone else was preparing to leave, so naturally her family couldn't fall behind. She quickly stopped everyone from talking, "Alright, you guys pack up and leave early so you can come back early. Silang, you stay close and don't fall behind, you hear me?"
Ever since Wen Chengfeng learned that he was going out with Wenwen, and that it was Wenwen who made the decision to take him, he became an even bigger fan of Wenwen. He tried his best to play the role of assistant, with the corners of his mouth always turned up in a smile: "Grandmother, don't worry, everyone, don't worry, hehehe..."
After speaking with their family members, the Wen family members, who were out foraging for food, followed the other prisoners up the mountain.