I Became a Sugar Mama to an Ancient General during a Famine! - Chapter 7 Part 2

At the mention of water, all heads lifted. The last time the General’s mansion had provided water, it only lasted half a day, each family barely getting a few sips. And now there was more? If there was water, more people could survive—it could be used to boil grass roots and tree bark for food.

Chen Kui handed Zhan Chengyin a paper from Ye Mumu, whispering, “The gods have sent three more bags of rice and one bag of flour—300 catties of rice and 50 catties of flour.”

Zhan Chengyin ordered, “Take it all to the army camp to cook porridge. Ensure the soldiers eat first.”

Chen Kui nodded, “In one hour, the citizens can line up for water.”

“Yes, General!”

Chen Kui shouted to the crowd, “Everyone, please move to the back door of the General’s mansion. In one hour, water will be distributed without limit—first come, first served!”

The kneeling crowd, upon hearing of water, rushed toward the back door in a frenzy.

In a hidden corner, several gaunt men kept a close watch on the General’s mansion. Yesterday, Zhao Youcai had followed the General when he left. He had personally witnessed the General give food to the woman. After the General’s departure, Zhao had stolen the rice ball. He was the one who had beaten the woman and manipulated Liu Si into leading the revolt.

He had also informed Wei Guang, a notorious street bully, about the food in the General’s mansion. Wei Guang had a man named mute Sun who could read lips. He said, “The General’s mansion still has 300 catties of rice and 50 catties of flour, meant for the military camp!”

When they heard this, their eyes widened in shock. The General’s mansion really did have rice? And 300 catties of it! That was enough to feed their group for three months if rationed carefully.

People die for wealth, birds die for food. In these times of famine, who knew when death would come? They were all itching to steal the rice, willing to risk their lives for it.

Zhao Youcai suggested, “Brother Wei, let’s gather some more brothers and ambush them for the rice!”

Wei Guang stared at the General’s mansion, his gaze cold. “Wait.”

“Wait? Xiao Six will starve to death! Yesterday, we thought we could get a good meal by exchanging children, but that plan was ruined.”

“Now, we’re just evening the score by taking his rice.”

Wei Guang shot a sharp look at Zhao Youcai. “Didn’t you see how Liu Si died? You want to try your luck next? Zhan Chengyin is a war hero, a general who’s killed countless enemies. Robbing him is a death sentence.”

“Then what do we do? Just watch Xiao Six starve to death?” Zhao Youcai retorted angrily.

Wei Guang gritted his teeth. “I’ll go to the military camp and try to get some porridge. You guys go fetch water and keep watching the General’s mansion.”

The others nodded in agreement. Once the group dispersed, mute Sun caught up to Wei Guang, signaling something to him.

Wei Guang froze in disbelief. “Really? There are gods in this world?”

The little mute nodded.

“Soon, everyone will have grain to eat.”

Wei Guang pulled out a gourd of water from his jacket. “Take this and fetch some water. Don’t tell anyone. Keep a close eye on the General’s mansion!”

Mute Sun took the gourd and hurried off to get water.

*

Meanwhile, Ye Mumu packed a set of wine vessels into a bag. She drove her heavy pickup truck out from her garage, planning to haul supplies. When she parked on the busiest street in town, she saw her cousin approaching with a middle-aged man in his fifties. They blocked her path.

“Mumu, why didn’t you answer my calls? Look who I brought to see you!”

Ye Mumu frowned as she glanced at her cousin, Ye Xin. He was the only son of her eldest uncle, spoiled since childhood. His lower eyelids were heavy and dark, and he had a drained, lethargic appearance, as though consumed by a life of indulgence! It was a sight that disgusted Ye Mumu.

After her father had become wealthy, he hadn’t forgotten to help his brothers, arranging marriages, buying school district houses, and securing the best schools for their children. He had worked tirelessly, yet his brothers showed no gratitude.

Because her father only had one daughter, they even schemed to have their sons adopted into his family. After her mother’s stern refusal, her father’s brothers had set their sights on the company, all wanting jobs there.

Her father had indeed arranged for several relatives to work in the company. They either took hefty kickbacks or treated the company as their personal property. Even Ye Xin had once boasted, “Once my second uncle passes, this company will be mine. Why shouldn’t you all listen to me?”