After stripping down to just his inner garment, he crouched low to the ground, attempting to squeeze through the small door of the Dou Cang.
Under normal circumstances, with his build, he would never have been able to fit through. But he hadn’t eaten a full meal in months and had grown so thin that he could just barely slip through the narrow opening.
Chu Old Madam and Nanny Wei seemed to sense something, watching him nervously, only to see him crawl directly through the small door into the Dou Cang.
As he lifted his gaze to the inner walls of the Dou Cang, Chu Ye’s deep eyes were instantly clouded with disappointment.
It seemed he couldn’t reach the divine dwelling like Ruirui and Shushu had.
A flicker of understanding passed through Chu Old Madam’s eyes, and she too crouched down to try squeezing through the small door.
Sure enough, she also failed.
Finally, even Nanny Wei attempted the same method, but it was still impossible.
“Mother, wait here for a moment. Do not leave under any circumstances!!”
Suddenly, Chu Ye flipped over and leaped out from the high Dou Cang. Without even taking the time to put on his padded jacket, he rushed outside like a Mercedes-Benz.
Bursting through the study door, Chu Ye quickly ground ink and picked up a brush. Overwhelmed with emotion, his hand trembled uncontrollably. The struggle and anticipation in his heart felt like two beasts tearing fiercely at each other.
Bloodied, yet neither could claim victory.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he supported his right hand with his left and began writing swiftly on the paper with devout determination.
“Ruirui…”
After finishing the letter, Chu Ye hurried back to the storage room and crouched down in front of Ruirui and Shushu. “Little Uncle needs you and Shushu to do a big favor for me…”
As he spoke, he carefully tucked the letter inside the little one’s clothing, over their chest, and instructed them with utmost seriousness and sincerity, word by word, “Go find the divine sister again. You must deliver this letter into her hands.”
Though he had never met her, from the children’s descriptions, this divine sister not only prepared food for them but also sent back so many precious provisions, allowing their family to stave off hunger. From these small details, he could sense the compassion of this divine being.
She might be the last hope for Bei Liao!!
Ruirui’s little face showed hesitation. “Little Uncle… Sister said we shouldn’t go find her again…”
Shushu also nodded. “Mm-hmm, if we… don’t listen, Sister… will get angry…”
Chu Ye’s throat tightened, and he spoke with difficulty but determination. “Ruirui, Shushu, Little Uncle can’t go through, so only the two of you can help me with this…”
“Just this once. If the divine sister gets angry, come back immediately. Then Little Uncle will seal this small door of the Dou Cang and never disturb the divine sister again, alright?”
By now, an uncontrollable dampness had welled up in his eyes.
A man does not shed tears lightly.
On one side was the safety of his own blood relatives, his little nephew and niece; on the other was the life and death of the Bei Liao army and civilians. Whichever he chose felt like carving out a piece of his own heart.
If they went, there was still a sliver of hope.
If they didn’t, Ruirui and Shushu, and even the entire General’s Mansion, the Bei Liao army, and its people would only suffer and wait for death in hunger.
As the leader of Bei Liao, he had to make the right choice, not the one his heart desired.
Sensing the gravity in his little uncle’s eyes, Ruirui nodded firmly. “Alright, Ruirui will listen to Little Uncle. Ruirui will go…”
Having finally finished taking inventory of the Farm’s supplies, Fang Jinzhu rubbed her neck and turned to close the livestock shed’s large door.
“Sister!!”
Just as the door was halfway closed, a clear, familiar voice called out from inside.
Fang Jinzhu’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly stopped what she was doing and hurried inside, only to see Ruirui and Shushu running over from the chicken coop’s gate.
Perhaps in their haste, Shushu stumbled and fell to the ground.
Fang Jinzhu rushed forward, reaching out to lift the little one up. “Did it hurt, Shushu? Don’t cry, don’t cry…”
Shushu wiped her tears with the back of her small hand, pouting as she shook her head repeatedly. “Shushu doesn’t hurt, doesn’t hurt…”
“Shushu came looking for Sister, didn’t listen…”
As she spoke, she turned her little body and stuck out her bottom toward Fang Jinzhu. “Sister, spank me!!”
Ruirui quickly imitated his sister, also sticking out his bottom. “Ruirui is the older brother, it’s Ruirui’s fault. Sister, spank Ruirui, don’t spank Shushu, okay…”
Fang Jinzhu was taken aback, her eyes and heart melting into a puddle of warmth. She couldn’t help but marvel once again at how well-behaved and sensible these two little ones were.
She gently patted their bottoms and said softly, “Did you come to find Sister because you ran into some trouble?”
Both children nodded eagerly.
Ruirui carefully took out the letter he was holding and handed it over. “Sister, this is a letter from Uncle, for Ruirui to bring to you.”
“A letter?”
Puzzled, Fang Jinzhu reached out, took the letter, and unfolded it.
The paper was coarse, but the bold and powerful handwriting instantly captivated her eyes.
‘Immortal, though I have not yet had the honor of meeting you, I send this letter with utmost humility and apology!’
I am Chu Ye, General of the Northern Garrison of the Tangwu Dynasty. Ruirui and Shushu are my own nephews. They have kept your instructions in mind and have also explained to me that they must not disturb your sacred abode again. Their visit to deliver this letter was forced upon them by my insistence. I beg you, Immortal, to forgive them for this transgression.
It is with great shame and impropriety that I dare to send this letter to you, but I have reached the end of my rope and have no other choice. I humbly ask you, Immortal, to grant me the opportunity to explain.
The land under my jurisdiction is the Beiliao Wasteland—a place of extreme poverty and hardship, where water is scarce and crops struggle to grow.
Now, we have been struck by a great war. The imperial court has abandoned us like worn-out shoes, cutting off our food and supplies. They have issued a strict order that the fifty thousand soldiers and civilians must hold the frontier at all costs, not leaving Beiliao City even a single step, or else the city will be slaughtered.
They are treating the soldiers and civilians of Beiliao City as nothing more than human shields against the enemy!
At present, the fifty thousand soldiers and civilians in the city are gnawing on tree bark, eating weeds, and swallowing yellow mud. There have even been incidents of exchanging children for food—acts that defy all human decency…
Though my heart aches with grief, I can only lead the soldiers and civilians in a desperate struggle for survival, clinging to the belief that as long as we live another day, there is hope for a way out.
For now, I have sold off all valuables from the mansions and even those visible in the city to neighboring towns, using the proceeds to buy food so that the people can barely survive.
Yet even with only one meal a day, the remaining food in the city will not last more than three days. If things continue this way, Beiliao City will surely perish!!!
My nephews, by a stroke of fate, had the fortune to meet you, Immortal. My excitement is beyond words, and I dare to risk great offense by disturbing you.
I do not dare to make any presumptuous requests. I only hope that you, Immortal, can point a way out for the fifty thousand soldiers and civilians of Beiliao. Even if it means condemning me to hell in exchange, I will not hesitate for a moment.
As this letter is sent, I am kneeling in my residence, not for any other reason but to show you, Immortal, the sincerity of my heart.
Your humble follower, Chu Ye, with utmost sincerity and loyalty!
…
After reading the letter, Fang Jinzhu’s gaze lingered on the paper for a long time, unable to look away.
Though written on coarse paper with humble strokes, it could not conceal the noble image of a loyal general who protected his country and people.
Every drop of ink was soaked with the blood and tears of this General’s heart.
Even without witnessing the tragic state of Beiliao City he described, she could still empathize deeply.
No wonder.
No wonder the two little ones were so hungry they fought with chickens for food. What they reflected was the desperate, dying state of an entire city.
Fang Jinzhu wiped away the tears welling at the corners of her eyes, suddenly feeling somewhat at a loss.
She was just a debt-ridden graduate, not some immortal.
The life-and-death struggle of an entire city was far too heavy a burden for her to bear.
"The light that ignites life, meeting you is the answer, the clock of life keeps turning…"
Suddenly, her phone rang, startling Jinzhu back to reality. Dazedly, she pulled out her phone.
It was a call from the acquirer.