Chapter 189: No Rest for a Moment

This was a year of famine. The entire northern land was shrouded in a gray haze, and the rare sunshine in the sky made people feel heavy-hearted. The Li family's courtyard was also greatly impacted by the famine. The family's once abundant granary was now empty. Facing the coming cold winter, Li Xiangqian's worries were beyond words.

He stood in the middle of the yard, staring at the desolate scene in front of him. Behind him, the old servant Uncle Liu was quietly tidying up the remaining courtyard. Uncle Liu was the only old man in the yard who could still work. Although he was old, he was still energetic and had devoted most of his life's hard work to the Li family.

"Young Master, is there any good news these days?" Uncle Liu broke the long silence, his voice full of concern and expectation.

Li Xiangqian was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "I have sent people to the city to gather information these days, but I heard that the situation in the entire capital is not good. The impact of the famine is getting worse and worse. Apart from the small amount of relief provided by the government, there is almost no other hope."

Uncle Liu frowned, obviously also worried about the situation. He took a deep breath and said, "Master, we can't just sit there and wait for death. Maybe we can try to grow some early-maturing crops, or go out and exchange some food."

Li Xiangqian nodded, knowing that what Uncle Liu said made sense. Although the situation inside and outside the capital was not optimistic, he had to make some efforts. He decided to mobilize the people in the hospital to find some useful information or take some practical actions.

As time went by, life in the courtyard began to change. Li Xiangqian got up early every day and led a few young people to the city to try to find resources to support the survival of the courtyard through trade or other means. The elderly in the courtyard also tried their best to clean up the courtyard and repair the house to maximize the protection of the lives and property of their families.

However, the situation outside was still not optimistic. Li Xiangqian found that they were not the only ones in trouble. The city was full of haggard and ragged victims who were willing to do anything desperate to have a meal. Although the wealthy families were also troubled by the famine, they could at least make ends meet and did not fall into despair like the Li family.

Back in the courtyard, Li Xiangqian felt a deep sense of powerlessness. He stood in front of the door, looking at the sky gradually darkening, and a sense of despair rose in his heart. The lights in the courtyard gradually lit up, as if silently telling the strength and tenacity of this courtyard.

As night falls, the courtyard is filled with light smoke and a quiet atmosphere. Li Xiangqian sits in the study, holding a thin account book in his hand, which records the family's financial situation. Every page is the blood and sweat left by his father and grandfather, but now it seems so powerless.

Uncle Liu stood at the door with a hint of joy on his face, holding a small bamboo basket in his hand, which contained a few fresh eggs and some tender green vegetables. He smiled and said, "Master, I found some things in the city. Although it's not much, it's better than nothing."

Li Xiangqian looked at the food in the bamboo basket and was touched. He knew that Uncle Liu had put a lot of effort into getting these, and they were just what the family needed at the time. He took the bamboo basket, bowed slightly, and said sincerely, "Thank you, Uncle Liu. You've worked hard."

Uncle Liu shook his head and said disapprovingly: "It's nothing. I haven't been in the Li family for nothing all these years. As long as I can help the young master a little, I will be satisfied."

He paused and added, "But, Master, we have to think of a way. I'm afraid we can't support ourselves for long with just these. I heard that some people in the city can barely make a living by selling some small skills. There are many young people in our yard, maybe we can learn some skills and go out to earn some money."

Li Xiangqian nodded, and had some plans in mind. He looked at Uncle Liu with gratitude, knowing that the current predicament could not be solved by one person. He decided to gather the young people in the courtyard the next day to discuss how to change the current situation.

That night, Li Xiangqian lay in bed, thinking about many things. He recalled the lively scenes in the courtyard when he was a child, and the scenes of his parents and brothers and sisters sitting around eating together. At that time, he did not understand the family business, but only felt that this courtyard was a safe haven that would never change.

However, time flies. He has lived in this courtyard since he was a child and witnessed the rise and fall of his family. His father used to be the helmsman of this courtyard. At that time, the courtyard was prosperous and the products were abundant. However, after he passed away, everything changed.

Now, he is the heir of the family and a leader in the face of adversity. He knows that he can no longer do nothing, he must cheer up, not only for himself, but also for the land and people where he has lived all his life.

Li Xiangqian's eyes gradually became heavy, and he tried to calm himself down. That night, he felt that the burden on his shoulders was heavier, but a glimmer of hope gradually sprouted.

The next morning, the young people in the courtyard gathered together. Most of them were children of the family's servants. Although they were young, they had already witnessed the rise and fall of the family. Li Xiangqian stood in front of them and said firmly: "Now our home is in trouble, we can't just sit there and wait for death. We must find a way to exchange for what we need, and at all costs, we must restore this courtyard to its former prosperity."

The young people listened to his words, and their eyes sparkled with determination. Although they were young, they knew that the predicament before them was far more severe than they had imagined. They were determined to fight for the glory of their family, even if it was just starting from the most basic life.

From that day on, life in the courtyard began to have new hope. The young people learned some skills, some went to work in the city, some learned to farm, and some helped to repair the courtyard. Uncle Liu was responsible for coordinating everything, and his experience became the most reliable support for the team.

Li Xiangqian devoted himself to managing the family's finances. He carefully calculated every income and expenditure, striving to keep the yard running despite extreme poverty. He worked from early morning to late at night without a moment's rest.

As time went by, the scenery inside and outside the courtyard changed. The vegetable fields in the courtyard gradually became greener, and several young people learned how to plant and manage crops under the guidance of Li Xiangqian. The corners of the courtyard also began to be repaired, and it no longer looked so dilapidated.

......