Chapter 4: Ye Hua's Curse of the Crow

The boiling water in the pot exudes a fragrant aroma of rice, causing many to involuntarily salivate. An increasing number of beggars gather, surrounding the dilapidated temple to the point of congestion. Meanwhile, little Guo is peacefully asleep in the belly of the Earth God

In contrast to Chen Shi's anger, Ye Hua appeared much calmer. The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was indeed the most brutal, tyrannical, and dark era, where no one could escape unscathed, from high-ranking civil and military officials, regional lords, and even emperors, to ordinary citizens and merchants.

In just a few days, Guo Wei's army will arrive, and the young emperor, along with his minions, will receive their just deserts! This is not the tale of the Zhao orphans; there is no need to wait many years, no need to endure hardships and suffer in silence, nor to devise elaborate schemes.

"Madam, I spoke with Master Liu and mentioned that we found a little beggar who has no milk to drink. He agreed to help us get a yellow dog, and soon Young Master Guo will be able to have some milk."

No way!" Ye immediately rejected.

Ye smiled so broadly that her wrinkles deepened, "Good, you are thoughtful!" Ye Hua blinked a couple of times, feeling both amused and helpless, taking in an old yellow dog as a wet nurse. Little Guo, your life is a bit tough!

Chen Shi resolutely stated: "The child was exchanged for Sister Xiuyun's life, and must never fall into the hands of the court"

Chen Shi was taken aback, "Then, what should we do?"

If the deities in the sky were of any use, the Guo family would not have met with disaster

Another little beggar ran back, reporting that there was only one street left between them and their dilapidated temple, and it was getting closer, making the situation increasingly urgent

Chen Shihe, with a grim expression, clenched his fists and said, "It is not only the Guo family, but also the Chai family, the Wang family, over one hundred people, all were killed! Abandoned in the streets!"

The Guo family has been harmed

He has been gone for a long time, and little Guo has woken up and cried because there is nothing to eat

In this day and age, there is no shortage of beggars and vagrants. It is said that someone is offering porridge, and they all rushed over at once. In an instant, the small temple was surrounded by dozens of beggars, all of them standing on tiptoe, stretching their necks in anticipation.

Ye Hua remained silent for a long time, then patted Chen Shi on the shoulder, "Trust me, it won't be long now, everything will get better."

In this incident alone, the casualties included Guo Wei's original wife, Lady Chai, his concubine, Lady Zhang, and his two sons, Qing Ge and Yi Ge, as well as his nephews Guo Shoujun, Guo Fengchao, and Guo Dingge. Additionally, Guo Wei's adopted son Chai Rong's son, Yi Ge, among three others, and Chai Rong's wife, Lady Liu, along with the family of the general Wang Jun.

Proceed!

Are you serious

Every year, around the time of the Frost's Descent, Madam Chai generously distributes a large amount of food and clothing. The little beggars rely on her charity to survive the cold winter. In fact, if it were not for Xiuyun's care, they would not even have a dilapidated temple to stay in. The number of beggars and vagrants is as numerous as the stars in the sky, and they have long been driven away.

Ye Hua looked at the dense crowd and smiled, wondering how you all would search now

Ye called his grandson to the side

The youngest has not yet been weaned, while the oldest is already completely gray-haired

Ye took a deep breath and sighed, saying, "In this world, when will it come to an end?"

Chen Shi resembled an increasingly inflated balloon, his belly filled with rage, ready to burst at any moment

It has been almost one hour, could it be?

About half an hour later, Chen Shi finally returned, pulling out a small bag from his bosom, which contained high-quality japonica rice, causing everyone to be taken aback.

Ye shook his head, "Stone, with so many yamen runners capturing people, can you escape? Moreover, this child is so young, his body is delicate and cannot withstand the turmoil; it could cost him his life"

Chen Shi was perplexed, "Madam, do you not believe me?"

Ye is very experienced; she crushed the jujubes and boiled a bowl of red date water for the little one to drink. It must be said that Xiao Guo is not picky about food; as long as there is something to eat, he becomes quiet.

Chen Shi couldn't help but roll his eyes at him, you really are a jinx, how accurate can you be!

He immediately turned around and hurriedly ran to the back, arriving in front of the Ye family. He directly reached out to embrace the little one, saying, "Old lady, I am quick on my feet and can run! Hand the child over to me, and they will surely not catch up."

Ye Hua also changed his mind, wanting to spend a few days in peace waiting for Boss Guo to come to the city, but it seems that it is not that simple

In a short while, the porridge was ready, and no beggar could resist the temptation of food; everyone ate until their bellies were full. Chen Shi kicked the behinds of two beggars, sending them out to keep watch and be on guard, and then he sat down next to Ye Hua.

Ye Hua immediately became alert, it is to find Xiao Guo

The old lady took out a few pieces of silver and copper coins, gave them to Chen Shi, and urged him to quickly get some more food to avoid running out. She then joined Ye Hua in washing the pots and bowls

Perhaps this is the only merit of the Five Dynasties

Before long, they set up a large pot, poured in half a pot of clear water, and without rinsing the rice, directly added it in, igniting a vigorous fire.

Chen Shi glanced at it and silently returned most of the coins to Ye Hua, simply saying, "Taking too much is too conspicuous." He then turned and ran out to buy rice

Chen Shi and the little beggar were bewildered; at a time of life and death, they still had the mood to part with their porridge

Ye Hua's heart tightened, what is meant to come will still come

Ye was both surprised and delighted, quickly washing rice and cooking porridge. While jujube water could not satisfy little Guo, the thick rice soup was the best. Chen Shi informed Ye that there was no such good japonica rice in the granary, and that going to the granary to buy rice would also attract attention. Some beggars and rogues were preparing to rob pedestrians carrying grain in secluded places.

"Well, take a look," Ye Hua pointed outside and said with a smile, "The time for the demons and monsters is coming to an end, and this overcast sky should clear up soon"

The beggars nodded and hurried to call for help

Murder and abandonment in the city, corpses exposed on the streets, not even granting dignity in death

First and foremost is the issue of food. The little beggars took out the only bit of rough rice they had and cooked a pot of porridge, as they would go hungry today. Ye Hua did not hesitate; he took a string of coins from his grandmother and handed it to the leader of the beggars, who was named Chen Shi

Chen Shi ground his teeth with a creaking sound, his eyes blazing with fury

Revenge should not be delayed, swiftly eliminate the enemy

In addition to the servants, relatives, subordinates, and even officials with whom they had dealings from these three families, a total of several hundred people were all killed

Chen Shi said irritably: "What are you shouting about, has my father died?"

She chuckled and said, "Four years ago, when Hua'er’s father was in charge of the granary, the Khitan soldiers came to seize the grain. In a moment of desperation, Hua'er’s father called over the beggars and turned the granary into a porridge factory. He then mixed the grain with sand and weeds and placed it outside. When the Khitan soldiers arrived and saw so many beggars, along with the clutter and nearly inedible grain, they cursed and left. A total of 5,000 shi of grain was preserved. If it weren't for Hua'er’s father, who knows how many people would have starved to death!" Mentioning her deceased son, the old lady wiped her tears and then hurriedly said, "Don't be foolish, do as Hua'er says!"

"Not good, not good!"

Chen Shi stared intently at the ground ahead, his gaze seemingly penetrating the worn bricks, his entire being filled with a violent aura. After a considerable time, he slowly said: "I went to the execution ground"

"Murder! Murder! What else can the court do besides killing?" Chen Shi roared, "Is there still the law of the king, is there still heavenly justice?"

Could it be that relying on doing good deeds and seeking the blessings of the heavens will ensure the safety of the young master?

The little beggars looked at each other in confusion, while Ye cast an approving glance at her grandson

The beggar gasped, "Someone is leading the officials, and they are currently searching house by house, not far from us. I crouched by the wall and heard them inquiring about the whereabouts of a child!"

He ran to the residence of the Su Minister and exchanged with Master Liu from the kitchen; he is considered an honest man

The young man is quite clever

It is simply outrageous

Ye Hua understood his grandmother's concerns, and he shook his head slightly, "Grandma, those officials and soldiers are not good people. If a beggar were to inform on them, who would be willing to give him the credit? They would likely secretly kill him. Even if they were to reward him, would he have the life to spend it?"

A murderer will always be killed by others

Ye Hua opened his mouth but did not dare to reveal the secrets of heaven

Everyone looked at each other in confusion, but Ye Hua quickly spotted a sack of rice in the corner. This was the rice that Chen Shi had exchanged from Master Liu. Suddenly, Ye Hua had an idea and immediately brought the sack of rice over, placing it in front of everyone. He said to the beggar, "Hurry! Go tell all the beggars around to come over; someone is offering porridge, and they can eat freely."

Chen Shi's expression softened a bit, and he wanted to chat a little more, when suddenly a beggar ran in