Layue, the Third Year of the Qianyou Era After Governor Guo Liushou entered the city, Kaifeng fell into chaos.…
Layue, the Third Year of the Qianyou Era
After Governor Guo Liushou entered the city, Kaifeng fell into chaos. Shen Yiren led all of us into the mountains to escape the raids. He Er complained the most, furious that all our wealth could disappear overnight. He wanted to fight our way back into the city. But I knew this was a disaster we couldn't outrun. All I wished for was that our people would make it through alive.
Zhengyue, the Fourth Year of the Qianyou Era
The unrest soon turned into famine. Starving refugees and unburied dead lay everywhere in the city. How could we survive out here in the dead of winter? Some no longer had the strength to even hold a blade. And He Er... he wasn't shouting anymore. The way he looked at the women and children chilled me to the bone.
If we didn't find food soon, we'd die—enemies don't need to kill us; hunger would finish the job.
February, the Fourth Year of the Qianyou Era
The Zheng family actually still had grain!
Some had already charged in, but how could we justify taking innocent lives for ourselves? I refused to go—until I saw a baby girl starving to death. So I tightened my grip on my spear.
March, the Fourth Year of the Qianyou Era
There was another survivor: a baby girl barely a month old. One of our people hid her away. I saw a woman cradling the baby girl, feeding her rice soup, and I understood everything.
I covered it up, so He Er wouldn't find out.
This child has to live. Whatever it takes—she must survive.
Zhengyue, the First Year of the Xiande Era
The frost fungus has already spread over the northern mountain.
The villagers keep talking about Zheng's suicide. Shen Yilun is furious—he blames himself for Zheng's suffering and can't accept such a fate. I held back his grief for his safety.
He Er wants him dead. As the younger brother of the late chief, Shen will soon get trapped in danger.
February, the First Year of the Xiande Era
Shen Yilun has gone missing!
Everyone in the village is on edge. Just a few days ago, He Er planned to drive out all the old, the weak, and the rebellious to deal with the worsening poison and famine!
He even intended to send away the wives and girls of our men. He asked me for the other half of the house's key, planning to arm himself and go back to his old ways!
I shouldn't have put up with him for so long. I really shouldn't have!
June, the First Year of the Xiande Era
The dust has finally settled.
Those who stayed made a pact—no more banditry, no more abandoning the weak. We'd work the land and live in peace.
The other half of the key is now hidden beneath a secret well. Maybe, years from now, I'll confess everything and ask for forgiveness. Maybe... someday, we'll see that promise fulfilled, and at that time, no one goes hungry.