Nine, the city is drenched in blood

As night gradually descends, enveloping the end, it heralds the onset of a dark evening. Gui Feng is lost in thought: "Is there a battle?" The cries of Qing Gu echo down: "How can you bear to push your son into the fire pit?" Du Ban Zhu's comforting voice is also loud: "He is only doing logistics, not on the front lines; it’s not that dangerous." This stirs the downstairs, where one or two families have been listening intently. At this moment, Teacher He can no longer resist peering out of the window, asking: "Has it really started?" Gui Feng is lost in thought: "Is there a battle?" The cries of Qing Gu echo down: "How can you bear to push your son into the fire pit?" Du Ban Zhu's comforting voice is also loud: "He is only doing logistics, not on the front lines; it’s not that dangerous." This stirs the downstairs, where one or two families have been listening intently. At this moment, Teacher He can no longer resist peering out of the window, asking: "Has it really started?"

Someone burst in from the side and tightly embraced Zhan Feng. "You two have gone mad!" It was Qing Gu, in a state of hysteria. "You stay at home and behave yourself."

The rich and crisp fragrance of the daughter red, sealed for twenty years, spreads in the courtyard, giving each person's nostrils a slight tang.

Thus, on the main road, people were fleeing and scrambling for food, creating a bustling and chaotic scene. The once-bustling clothing and silk shops had all fallen into decline, while the rice shops and grocery stores were packed with crowds. People were fervently competing to purchase, disregarding everything around them. Many shops had lowered their iron barriers to block the surging crowds, and some rice shops even enlisted the help of police officers to maintain order. But how could one stop those who had gone mad in their struggle for survival? Even if they were struck by the police's batons, they would still insist on pushing to the front of the shop. The shopkeeper, Du, hurried out early to buy rice and oil, and it was not until nearly afternoon that he returned with a small bag of rice and a small bucket of oil. He had left home dressed neatly and cleanly, but returned with several torn spots on his clothes and shallow scratches on his face, looking quite disheveled. Guiyun helped him change clothes and applied medicine to his wounds. Du then said, "The rice shops are price gouging; if we don't die in battle, we will die of hunger! The merchants are unscrupulous! I fear they won't open tomorrow; when I left, I saw the owner had already hung up the 'Sold Out' sign. They will always prioritize their own interests."

Mr. Chen, who had always kept his doors closed, pulled back the curtains, took a deep sniff, and said, "In this day and age, do you still have spare money to waste on fine Shaoxing wine?" He looked quite disdainful and laughed derisively as he closed the curtains again. "What a pretentious person!" Mrs. He, Teacher He's wife, scoffed. Gui Feng quietly asked Gui Yun, "Over a thousand people died all at once! Will we win?" Will we win? Truly, I do not know, nor do I have the confidence to predict. Who can foresee the next outcome in such times?

Teacher He nodded repeatedly: "In this way, we can also look forward to the dawn of victory!" Master Du suggested: "We should pay tribute to Captain Huang." Thus, everyone prepared a fire basin, paper candles, and incense burners, and set up a small table in the courtyard, arranging everything properly. Seeing this, Qing Gu felt uneasy and said to Gui Yun, who had come to call her downstairs: "It is not that we have matters at home; this is too inauspicious." Thinking of Zhan Feng, who was also in the midst of the turmoil, she felt even more superstitious, saying, "Zhan Feng is not at home; why doesn't he think more about his own son?" The more she spoke, the angrier she became, and she stubbornly refused to go downstairs. Gui Yun, unable to do anything, had no choice but to go down alone, shaking his head helplessly at Master Du. Master Du, also at a loss, simply said: "Let her be." The two male heads of the families worked together to set up the offering table in the courtyard and lit the incense and candles. Everyone stood in place, bowed, and respectfully performed three bows.

A general has fallen, being the first high-ranking officer to sacrifice himself on the battlefield. Guiyun looked at the newspaper detailing the events; this was a brigade commander who led the advance team to repel the enemy's attack on Sichuan Road, even causing the scattered fleeing enemies to panic and seek refuge in the International Settlement. However, the cost was the blood of over one thousand soldiers, and the brigade commander, who led the charge, was also shot and died for his country. The blood stained Sichuan Road and also weighed heavily on the hearts of the people of Shanghai. The blow dealt to the Japanese army was too brutal.

The tenants of Shikumen were also taken aback, with some pushing open the windows to listen intently. Teacher He simply moved a bamboo armchair to the courtyard, sitting next to Master Du, gazing at the northern sky. The starlight in that sky flickered, seemingly calm, yet actually unstable. Beneath the sky, smoke was beginning to spread. As the music concluded, the lingering notes hung in the air, silence enveloping the starry night. Master Du set down his erhu and suddenly slapped his thigh: "Good! My Zhanfeng is a fine example!" The silence was shattered. Beneath the sky, smoke was beginning to spread. As the music concluded, the lingering notes hung in the air, silence enveloping the starry night. Master Du set down his erhu and suddenly slapped his thigh: "Good! My Zhanfeng is a fine example!" The silence was shattered. Guiyun looked at the elder whose hair had turned gray under the night sky. This Master Du, who had raised him like a father, had also aged. Yet his brows, eyes, and beard were all filled with vigor, exuding a commanding presence. He said: "In times of chaos, a passionate man serves his country; even if wrapped in horsehide, it is not in vain!" A sense of heroism arose. Deep in Guiyun's heart, there was a surge of warmth, igniting his spirit. On this hot summer night, it finally ignited the blood coursing through his veins. He said: "In times of chaos, a passionate man serves his country; even if wrapped in horsehide, it is not in vain!" A sense of heroism arose. Deep in Guiyun's heart, there was a surge of warmth, igniting his spirit. On this hot summer night, it finally ignited the blood coursing through his veins.

Guiyun pulled Guifeng to the door and asked outside, "What happened?" Guifeng, with a worried expression, replied, "Xiaodie has gone missing." Guiyun was taken aback and urgently inquired about the reason. It turned out that the Lu family and Xiaodie's family had prepared an escape route together. However, the North Station had been designated as a military construction area, forcing them to follow other refugees to the South Station to buy tickets. In the surge of the crowd, in just a moment, Xiaodie had vanished from sight. Xiaodie's parents were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, and they had no choice but to stay behind to search for their daughter. But Lu Ming insisted that they must find Xiaodie before leaving, so he bid farewell to his family and helped Xiaodie's family search together. Days passed, their provisions ran out, and they still had not found her. In desperation, they thought of the Du family, who had moved into the concession earlier, and went to seek refuge. "The boss, Xiaodie's father, and Lu Ming went to search again," Guiyun said, filled with fear, urgency, and sorrow, unable to express herself. "Lu Ming is truly a loyal and caring person!" Guifeng sighed, feeling sad, and tears streamed down her face.

Guiyun nodded slightly. Teacher He lightly tapped the windowsill and said, "So it has come to this day. It is both good and bad! Alas..." Guiyun and Guifeng were only worried about the situation upstairs. Master Du and Aunt Qing were arguing incessantly; Aunt Qing, unable to be persuaded, climbed up to the small attic where Zhanfeng was sleeping and cried sorrowfully. Master Du, feeling helpless, went downstairs and sat alone in the courtyard, smoking in the night. No one had the heart to eat dinner, so Guiyun had no choice but to reheat the dishes over and over again. Master Du did not know how long he had been smoking in the courtyard when he finally instructed Guiyun, "Bring me my erhu." Guiyun took the old erhu from the cabinet, dusted it off, as it was about to be used for reminiscing. Master Du started a tune and said, "I haven't played this string in a long time; it's out of tune." After adjusting the strings, he asked Guiyun, "What piece do you think we should play?" Guiyun stood ready and suggested, "Mu Guiying Takes Command?" Master Du smiled and said, "That is exactly what I had in mind." The sound of the strings began, and for the first time, Guiyun had the opportunity to sing along with the accompaniment of this piece. Her voice was broad and clear, resonating in the night.

Sitting under the kerosene lamp, Gui Feng, who was knitting, was startled and put down her needle and thread. The wick flickered, and her heart raced. Qing Gu, who was tossing and turning on the Zhanfeng bed, was also startled, still feeling frightened. The tears that had just stopped flowing once again soaked her pillow.

True chaos erupted on the following day. As dawn broke, under the red sun, the terrified people of Shanghai discovered that Japanese warships, flying the Rising Sun flag, had gathered on the Huangpu River. Their cannons were firmly aimed at Wusongkou, watching like fierce beasts, resembling monsters. The flames of war spread from Baoshan Road all the way to Sichuan Road, claiming the lives of Chinese soldiers and civilians. The sounds of gunfire from the north were deafening, each shot more urgent than the last, forcing the people here to flee with their families, rushing madly towards the Waibaidu Bridge over the Suzhou River. The other end of the bridge led to the British and American concessions, where the British and American troops, armed with heavy machine guns, stood guard over hastily constructed defensive works.

When hunger was mentioned, it resonated with someone. In the group, a six or seven-year-old girl, disheveled, licked her lips and said to her mother beside her, "Mom, I'm hungry too!" Guiyun heard this and felt a tug at her heartstrings. She immediately tore a chicken leg from her cloth bag and handed it to the little girl: "This is a delicious chicken leg; it will taste good when cooked at home." The little girl took the chicken leg, smelled it under her nose, and smiled at Guiyun, saying, "Thank you, sister." She then looked up at her mother and said, "Mom, it smells so good. Let's take it home for Grandma; will Grandma get better?" The mother couldn't help but weep, nodding at her child. She quickly tore another chicken leg from the bag and handed it to the little girl: "This is a delicious chicken leg; it will taste good when cooked at home." The little girl took the chicken leg, smelled it under her nose, and smiled at Guiyun, saying, "Thank you, sister." She then looked up at her mother and said, "Mom, it smells so good. Let's take it home for Grandma; will Grandma get better?" The mother couldn't help but weep, nodding at her child, and repeatedly thanked Guiyun. Everyone felt compassion and empathy. The girl scout scooped another spoonful of rice and poured it into the bag held by the mother.

He wanted to offer some advice, just as Qing Gu was leaning out of the second-floor window, waving at him and shaking her head, signaling him not to meddle. Seeing Teacher He with his head down, he understood that he would eventually have to compromise, so he could only go upstairs first. Qing Gu was leading Gui Yun and Gui Feng in knitting yarn. Recently, the opera troupe had ceased operations, and there was no income. Gui Yun had taken some private work from the tailor shop at the alley entrance to knit yarn shirts for a wealthy household. Qing Gu fully supported this and taught Gui Feng to join in. They were not without a contingency plan. Qing Gu said to her husband, "Little Chen downstairs is quite resourceful." Du Ban Zhu snorted, "He takes advantage of others' misfortunes!" However, Qing Gu replied, "In these chaotic times, who doesn't think a little more for themselves?" She asked, "It's getting more and more chaotic, should we go out and avoid it?" Du Ban Zhu sighed, "Where can we escape to? It's chaotic everywhere; where can we go? Under heaven, there is no safe place to take refuge."

Returning clouds and phoenixes were momentarily stunned, halting their tasks. Raising their heads, they could discern the long-held unease reflected in each other's eyes

Duban nodded slightly, looking at his son. He felt both gratified and reluctant, but he said: "Alright, work hard, and teach those little devils a good lesson." This moment had been long awaited; finally, there was no need to wait any longer. After years of anxiety and fear, the hearts of the people surged at this moment. They no longer wished to hide.

Guiyun naturally understood the meaning of this, and the bitterness in his chest surged up, compelling him to quietly go upstairs to fetch a cloth

On this night, what boiled together with the flames of war was Shanghai, shrouded in smoke, and the helpless people in this sleepless city

The words in the newspaper are filled with both sorrow and indignation, stirring a mix of warmth and coldness in the hearts of the readers. Next to the report in the "Morning News," there are photos of the memorial ceremony for Commander Huang, organized spontaneously by various sectors. The solemn memorial hall, the pale banners, the flag draped over the hero's body, and the bandage wrapped around his head. The bloodstains have not faded; what endures is the noble spirit of the Chinese soldiers who fought to the death. The photographer's signature is "Zhuo Yang." The newspaper also features several photos of the supporting troops heading to the battlefield and the frontline soldiers setting up defenses, all taken by Zhuo Yang. One wonders how many places he braved the artillery fire to reach in a single day, from the rear to the front lines. The Du family and other tenants of Shikumen take turns reading the newspaper, all feeling heavy-hearted, yet strangely finding a sense of security in such an unsettling time. Although bloodshed shrouds Shanghai, the Chinese soldiers stand in front of the common people, taking up arms to protect their compatriots. As they reflect, a sense of calm begins to settle in their hearts, and they gradually grow braver. Master Du holds the newspaper and says, "It should be this way! We Chinese must never allow the Japanese devils to bully us."

Gui Yun gazed in astonishment at Gui Feng. Gui Feng asked Yan Fei, why is there always such a lukewarm attitude? Yet, there was no time to ponder further; the family worked together to store the grain. This summer may only pass in such a desolate manner. Gui Yun's heart felt empty, sinking helplessly to the bottom. In the bustling alley, people continued to move in. There were no firecrackers, no bamboo poles, only the faint sound of gunfire in the distance. Gui Yun's heart felt empty, sinking helplessly to the bottom. In the bustling alley, people continued to move in. There were no firecrackers, no bamboo poles, only the faint sound of gunfire in the distance

This unease hangs over everyone's heart, suspended in a state of uncertainty. Each person is waiting, helplessly, for the worst outcome that everyone can foresee. The worst outcome was brought back by Zhan Feng in the afternoon; he bid farewell to his father at home. "Gunfire has erupted at Baxian Bridge!" His bravado surged, eager and ready for action. "Xu Wufu and I will report at eight o'clock, preparing to deliver supplies to the front lines. Boss Wang has notified us to closely cooperate with the city's volunteer army and the garrison troops—". "Gunfire has erupted at Baxian Bridge!" His bravado surged, eager and ready for action. "Xu Wufu and I will report at eight o'clock, preparing to deliver supplies to the front lines. Boss Wang has notified us to closely cooperate with the city's volunteer army and the garrison troops—"

Living in chaotic times, one cannot truly become a person! The lady sighed, "We can only help a little, and we can only do these things!"

So many suffering people, she could not save, and those who save are also acutely aware of their own precarious situation. The corpses on Nanjing Road, not far away, have only just been cleared, yet those on this side of the boundary between life and death must continue to survive. Guiyun left behind some food, and the girl scout asked her to leave her name, which she repeatedly declined. It was merely a bit of cotton fabric, and fortunately, there are still many who can provide cotton fabric. When she left, others brought food to the relief station. It was merely a bit of cotton fabric, and fortunately, there are still many who can provide cotton fabric. When she left, others brought food to the relief station.

In that moment, she thought, can we take revenge and settle the score? Clenching her fists, she truly wished to avenge the grievances! But how easy is it to seek revenge? One fears that old grudges remain unsettled while new ones arise! Upon returning home, Guiyun saw several people sitting in the room of Master Du and his wife, so she walked in. It turned out to be Xiaodie, Xiao Qiuyue, Qing Gu, and Gui Feng sitting together. Guiyun was somewhat surprised, as she had heard before the fighting that the Lu family and the Xiaodie family were preparing to escape to the countryside in Jiangsu for refuge, and the Xiaodie sisters had even stopped preparing to perform. At that moment, Xiao Qiuyue was complaining to Xiaodie: "I told you to let me rely on the old theater patrons, but you all refused. Now such things have happened." Guiyun was somewhat surprised, as she had heard before the fighting that the Lu family and the Xiaodie family were preparing to escape to the countryside in Jiangsu for refuge, and the Xiaodie sisters had even stopped preparing to perform. At that moment, Xiao Qiuyue was complaining to Xiaodie: "I told you to let me rely on the old theater patrons, but you all refused. Now such things have happened."

At that moment, Teacher He suddenly pushed the door open and walked into the kitchen, holding a newspaper in his hand, which he handed over. Gui Yun had not slept all night, feeling drowsy, with one hand still gripping a pair of chopsticks, breaking apart the leftover rice that had stuck together in the pot, and in a daze, he accepted the newspaper. The headline this time read: "Japanese troops bomb our city's South Station, resulting in heavy casualties among the hundreds of waiting passengers." His mind was jolted, and gripping the newspaper tightly, he read it again: "Japanese troops bomb our city's South Station!" This time, the headline was: "Japanese troops bomb our city's South Station, resulting in heavy casualties among the hundreds of waiting passengers." His mind was jolted, and gripping the newspaper tightly, he read it again: "Japanese troops bomb our city's South Station!"

On the way home, the setting sun appeared like blood, enveloping her. The tragic scenes were everywhere, evoking the deep pain of childhood, with grievances and self-harm laid bare.

Originally, the widest road in Shanghai has now narrowed, with refugees occupying the sides of the road, and the further east one goes, the fewer people there are. On the 14th, Japanese bombers strafed Nanjing Road to the east of Aiduoya Road, and in an instant, prosperity was obliterated, corpses lay everywhere, and paradise on earth turned into hell.

This cloth, she prayed in her heart, must not be used at the South Station! She closely followed Teacher He out the door, almost running, facing the blood-red sun that had just risen. The crimson light shone on their faces, yet they had no choice but to bravely move forward. The morning in Shanghai still reflected a hue of blood!

Just as the moment arrived, Gui Yun stepped forward with a swift stride, straightened his back, and shouted, "The elderly, the weak, women, and children ahead have not yet received their share; how can you shamelessly fight for it?" The noisy crowd fell silent, all eyes fixed on the man. The man was taken aback by Gui Yun's fierce glare, and as he heard the crowd begin to criticize him, he realized the wrath of the people was not to be trifled with. He stammered a few words: "I was forced to flee in a panic by the Japanese, and I haven't eaten for two days; can you blame me?" As he spoke, he sulkily retreated to the back of the line.

However, apart from feeling discouraged, a deepening sense of fear increasingly enveloped the Du family. Master Du, Lu Ming, and Xiao Die's father had gone to the South Station and had not returned all night. The women in the Shikumen houses were even more anxious, staying up late, propping themselves up, sitting under the kerosene lamp waiting. The room was dimly lit, casting faint shadows on the walls. Gui Yun could no longer wait; she put on a coat and ran out into the alley, circling around, trying to gather information but found no way to do so. She was spotted by Teacher He on the first floor, who stopped her to ask about the situation. Upon hearing the circumstances, he too became anxious, but he kept reassuring Gui Yun verbally, saying he would also help inquire during the day. Gui Yun, feeling lost, returned home and kept vigil until dawn, before going to the kitchen to prepare rice porridge.

Before the childish voice had faded, someone unable to wait rushed up from behind, snatching the ladle filled with rice from the lady's hand, wrapping it in their clothing, and running off, pushing the lady hard as they left. Guiyun, with keen eyes, timely extended her hands to support the lady. The crowd erupted into chaos, and the girl scout who was calling out panicked, fearing that someone would openly steal food, and could only use her body to block the rice barrel, shouting sharply: "No stealing, no stealing, one at a time." The other two desperately pushed against the people trying to squeeze forward. The lady turned around, her delicate and kind face framed by two thick eyebrows, which had not been shaped with tweezers, her makeup faded; at this time, no one would be applying intricate makeup. She smiled gratefully at Guiyun: "Little girl, thank you!" Guiyun helped her steady herself: "Are you alright?" The lady, facing the chaotic crowd, looked helpless, her brows furrowed with worry. Another young man squeezed through, shouting: "How can there still be? There’s so little for so many people to share!" He was also trying to rush forward.

The relief point is located in a small alley near Aiduoya Road, close to the racetrack. Two or three girl scouts, with short hair styled to the ears and dressed in neat uniform shirts, are assisting a lady in distributing rice. A long queue has formed in front of the rice barrel, which contains only one large wooden container of rice. With many people and little rice, restlessness has begun to stir at the back of the line

The sound continued, from day to night, and then back to day. The rising sun resembled a bloodstain. The awakened Shanghai was shrouded in a hue of crimson. Newspapers sent to thousands of households carried the first ominous news from the battlefield to the anxious concession. The front page of every newspaper displayed a mourning headline, with a striking and glaring title—"Glorious is the Rise of Huangmei!"

Survival can be so humble! The sisters are all in despair, and upon seeing Guiyun, it is as if they have encountered a savior, pouring out their grievances: "Seeing the disaster victims in the neighboring alley scrambling for relief supplies nearly scared me to death! Our rice jar is empty, and I am all alone; how can I compete with those people?" Guiyun, feeling sympathetic, secretly left behind a bag of cured meat and wind-dried chicken, then inquired about the direction of that alley and set off to find it.

Zhan Feng hurriedly said, "I leave my parents to you all." Gui Yun grabbed Zhan Feng, asking, "What on earth is going on?" "War has broken out!" Gui Yun relaxed his grip, saying, "Don't worry, I understand now." Zhan Feng ran off, in such a hurry, his heart ablaze. Gui Feng followed a few steps and called out loudly, "Zhan Feng!" All she could do was watch his figure disappear around the corner of the alley.

Zhan Feng was caught off guard; at this moment, his mother's strength was frighteningly great. He could not break free and was sweating profusely with anxiety: "Mother, let me go! I must go!" The head of the Du family was also quite agile; he restrained his wife and called to his son: "You hurry and leave." Zhan Feng broke free and bowed three times to his parents: "Father and Mother, do not worry. We are just a frontline supply team for the Business Rescue Association; nothing will happen." Qingsu could not be at ease and shouted frantically: "No, no, you come back!" However, her husband's strength was indeed great. In her frustration, she bit down on her husband's hand. Zhan Feng bowed three times to his parents again: "Father and Mother, do not worry. We are just a frontline supply team for the Business Rescue Association; nothing will happen." Qingsu was still not at ease and shouted frantically: "No, no, you come back!" But her husband's strength was truly overwhelming. In her frustration, she bit down on her husband's hand. The head of the Du family did not loosen his grip and, seeing Zhan Feng stunned, urged: "Foolish boy, hurry and leave!" Zhan Feng did not look back; he gathered all his strength and ran down the stairs. Guiyun and Guifeng were originally in the shared kitchen downstairs preparing dinner. Hearing the commotion upstairs, they were about to go up to mediate when they collided head-on with Zhan Feng.

Du Ban Zhu opened the jar of Daughter's Red for the second time, pouring three full cups, one by one spilling them on the ground in tribute to the departed spirits.

Opening her own wardrobe, she took out two pieces of fabric, one blue and one white. The blue cloth was the one Zhuo Yang had brought that night as compensation for her, while the white one was prepared by Qing Gu for making the lining of a cotton coat. However, Gui Yun disregarded everything and took the two pieces of fabric downstairs.

Xiao Die Niang kept crying, while Qing Gu urged her repeatedly: "Xiao Die, you are blessed by heaven and will not encounter any misfortune!"

Her heart sank to the depths, an endless abyss. She looked up. Teacher He anxiously said, "It seems we need to go to the South Station to take a look." With a loud crash, the tranquility of the morning was shattered. The bowl of rice that Gui Feng had just served fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. Her hands trembled, and her voice quivered: "Are you saying—" She dared not continue, crouching down to pick up the broken porcelain shards. Gui Yun put down the newspaper in her hands and joined Gui Feng in gathering the pieces. "Gui Feng, if you have time today, go to Yan Fei's place to inquire about Zhan Feng's whereabouts. Ask her to send a message to Zhan Feng, saying there are matters at home and he should return early. Don't let Mother and Xiao Die's mother know yet, to avoid unnecessary worry." After they cleaned up, they stood up: "I will go to the South Station to take a look." Teacher He said, "I will go with you." Gui Yun thought about how the house was filled with women at that moment, and there was no one to make decisions. Teacher He was so enthusiastic that she couldn't help but feel grateful and nodded. Gui Feng's eyes were already filled with tears. Listening to Gui Yun's instructions all the way, she responded but was already choked with emotion, needing to hold back to prevent those upstairs from worrying. She accompanied them to the iron gate. Teacher He, being older and more experienced, said to Gui Yun, "Miss Du, go find two clean pieces of cloth."

Their eyes reflect the panic of Chinese refugees arriving in haste. On this cable-stayed bridge, where Chinese must pay a toll while foreigners cross for free, the crowd surges like the rising tide of the Huangpu River, rushing and shouting in search of an escape. Some carry all their belongings on their backs, while others push handcarts loaded with their possessions and elderly family members, desperately flooding from the north side of the bridge to the south, seeking refuge in the concessions. The cries and wails of the elderly, weak, and children are drowned out by the throng; infants are dropped from their parents' hands, and those calling for help are trampled underfoot, accompanied by the heart-wrenching calls of parents searching for their children. The sounds travel from the Suzhou River to the Huangpu River, deafening and unbearable. Finding a place to shelter in the concessions is invaluable. Yet, every household within the concessions is also gripped by fear. They tightly shut their doors, huddling together as a family, unwilling to separate, uncertain of when the spreading flames of war might reach them. However, they must still make a living; to stockpile food, they have no choice but to venture out and buy up all the available supplies.

A young girl scout said: "Everyone, please don't rush, one at a time, there will be more tomorrow"