Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Night falls.

The road through the mountains is not easy to traverse.

But Mom walks with steady steps.

Mom leads the way, clearing the path ahead.

There are no stumbling blocks along the way.

The advantage of having a baby becomes apparent. Otherwise, when she learns to walk, she might have to flee on her own~~

She is so optimistic.

Jiang Mianmian truly feels optimistic, though she has never truly experienced hardships.

Those who have endured hardships for even a day would not be so optimistic.

It's also because although their family is poor, it hasn't affected her directly.

She has always felt secure.

Even when fleeing for their lives, she believes that with Dad, Mom, Elder Brother, and Elder Sister around, she will be fine.

The four of them are all taller than her.

During their escape, Elder Sister still manages to dig up some mushrooms from the dark ground, exclaiming in surprise, "There were no mushrooms here during the day. Could they be easier to find at night?"

Elder Brother, walking at the back, occasionally urges Jiang Yu, "If you keep picking mushrooms, I'll leave you behind."

Perhaps the one facing the most difficulty is Dad, who falls twice, but doesn't utter a word.

When Jiang Mianmian sees Dad fall, she can't help but shout in her soft voice, "Dad, Dad, come on."

Jiang Changtian doesn't understand what "come on" means.

Qin Luoxia says, "Maybe she thinks adding oil, like when she saw me apply oil to your burned hand earlier, would help, so she's telling you to 'add oil.'"

Jiang Changtian, not feeling any pain from the falls, gets up and can't help but kiss Jiang Mianmian's head.

"Dad's fine, come on, everything's fine."

It's surprising that "come on" can be interpreted this way; forgot that people don't "add oil" at this time.

Jiang Mianmian, whose head has been kissed by Dad, feels very happy.

Despite fleeing for their lives, she feels like they're just a family on a trip together.

Fortunately, they haven't gone far when Mom finds a cave for everyone.

Qin Luoxia lights a match, feeling somewhat awkward as she says, "I found this place when I was picking wild vegetables last time. It's quite nice."

The cave winds inward, with a faint smell, but it seems to have been cleaned.

Inside the cave hang many dried wild boars? Bears? Wolves?

Like oversized wind chimes.

Qin Luoxia coughs uncomfortably a few times.

"I encountered them while picking wild vegetables. Bringing them back to the village would attract too much attention, so I decided to roast them here and let them air dry."

Jiang Yu excitedly says, "Mom, I also picked fresh mushrooms. Stewing them will definitely be delicious."

Jiang Feng: ... I need to work harder. My sword isn't sharp enough; I might not even be able to beat Mom.

Jiang Changtian... Luoxia has sacrificed too much for me. I must make her happy.

Jiang Mianmian... Mom seems like Popeye, hanging up Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo in the cave?

This cave is in an excellent location, not far from the village but well-hidden because the entrance bends, making it hard to spot from outside.

The villagers have experience in fleeing and hide in various homes, increasing their chances of survival.

Qin Luoxia is also selfish; she found this place and didn't think of bringing anyone else. As long as she takes care of her own family, that's enough.

Jiang Mianmian was leaning in Father's arms, looking at this moment, inexplicably feeling a sense of solemnity, wondering if Confucius taught like this?

Traveling the world with a group of students, passing by a cave to shelter from the cold overnight, feeling inspired, starting to teach by the fire pit.

Due to the long journey and incomplete provisions along the way, diligent students had no choice but to record on the walls, thus creating murals?

Jiang Mianmian yawned again.

Her father's voice rang above her head.

"If you hate someone, how do you eradicate them?"

Jiang Yu widened his eyes.

Jiang Feng also looked somewhat stunned.

Jiang Mianmian was starting to wake up. This was valuable information, wasn't it? Her father had some insights, but wait, what was he teaching?

Dealing with people, wasn't it about helping them live, not causing their demise?!

Jiang Yu spoke up, "Poison them, so that no one suspects a thing."

Jiang Feng added, "If you want to accuse someone, there's no shortage of excuses. First, give them a false accusation, then eliminate them."

Jiang Mianmian also wanted to speak... but after pondering for a while, she realized she truly didn't understand this topic. In a society governed by law, this wasn't permissible.

The young man with long hair had a calm face and a gentle expression.

With one hand he made his wife's head more comfortable, and with the other, he held their child closer.

He spoke slowly, "Feng'er is right. First, establish guilt, tell the world that this person has a violent temper, is a proficient liar, is inconsistent, and harbors malicious intentions. No matter what others think, he will gradually be influenced by this description and become such a person."

Jiang Mianmian wasn't sleepy anymore. Wasn't this just labeling someone?

"Next, frame them. Dig pits and set traps for them continuously, one after another, lure them into the scheme, and leave them no way out."

"Lastly, study their weaknesses, wait for the right moment, attack them at their weakest point, leaving them with no place to bury themselves, no one to believe or listen to them, and let them bring about their own demise."

Inside the cave, her father's voice echoed gently.

Warm and calm.

Yet Jiang Mianmian felt inexplicably sad listening to it.

His words seemed to carry a hint of sorrow.

She looked up and saw her elder sister sleeping across the fire.

How could her sister fall asleep? This lesson was crucial. Jiang Mianmian wished she could wake her sister up to continue listening; this was a professional course, useful for future household struggles.

But she worried that shouting would disturb her father's teaching and wake her mother, so she could only stifle a yawn and continue listening.

Jiang Yu leaned against his older brother's leg, snoring softly like their mother.

Jiang Feng remained seated, continuing to ask, "What then, Father? What if it's not enough? What if the opponent is strong? What if they don't die?"

"If they are strong, you can elevate them, praise them everywhere, let them become arrogant, offend people."

"If they are strong, and you have to obey them, you can pretend to comply openly while secretly disobeying, seeming loyal and gaining their trust, and then betray them later."

Jiang Feng nodded earnestly.

With one hand holding a sword and the other stroking Jiang Yu's head.

"Father, you sleep for a while, I'll watch. I can handle it."

Jiang Changtian looked at the young man, with his long hair and sword, and suddenly realized that his son had grown up, more grounded and taller than before.

"Alright. I'll sleep for a while, then it's your turn."

Jiang Changtian nestled against his wife, holding their baby, and closed his eyes.

Jiang Mianmian, no longer feeling sleepy, also fell asleep in her father's embrace.

With his head resting against Father's, and his feet kicking Mother's head gently, Jiang Xiaoshu glanced around. By the fire pit, White Horse swished its tail, not far from the entrance of the cave. On the other side of the fire pit were his elder brother and sister. With the whole family present, she drifted off to sleep, soon succumbing to soft, gentle snores.