Chapter 36: Give It to Me, or Get Lost?

That matter was, for better or worse, behind them.

Yongzhou is located in the northwest of Great Yue, where spring arrives later than it does in the south. Having obtained vegetable seeds, the Su family did not want to miss the planting season and began working feverishly to clear the wasteland. Once the seeds sprouted, they planned to build a vegetable garden behind their house. In any case, this was a good start for the Su family.

Perhaps out of gratitude for that fine ginseng, Mrs. Huo had promptly and efficiently provided the Su family with farming tools and even added half a bag of coarse flour. Time passed in a flash, and mid-April arrived. The garden behind the Su house was already taking shape, with neat rows of raised beds and thriving vegetable seedlings. This small patch of green, though inconspicuous against the vast and desolate Tubei Mountain, felt like the planting of a glimmer of hope. Given time, this vitality would surely cover the desolation.

As winter faded and spring took hold, the snow that had piled up on the peaks of Tubei Mountain finally melted away, and the wild grasses and thorns began to revive. Old Man Su stepped out from the rows, set his hoe down, and sat on the handle. Looking at the rows of greens, his weathered face broke into a content smile. "In another month or so, the oilseed rape and cabbage will be ready to eat. By the time summer arrives in July, the radishes will be ready too... This time, we'll save our own seeds, and we can plant another crop after autumn."

In the four corners of the garden, they had also planted a few fruit saplings: pear, peach, plum, jujube, and persimmon. Old Mrs. Su, carrying a wooden bucket, was watering the saplings with a satisfied smile. "With this garden, putting down roots in this place feels like we've grown a new foundation. My heart feels much more at ease."

She turned her head toward the ground, where their five-month-old baby girl lay on an old garment, her round, dark eyes open and quiet. Old Mrs. Su chuckled, "By the time our Tianbao can run and jump, she’ll be able to eat the fruit her grandma grew."

Tianbao blinked, feeling a strange sense of anticipation. She had plenty of fruit in her spatial dimension, but none of it had been grown by her grandmother. She wondered what fruit grown by her grandmother would taste like, and the thought made her hungry. She turned her little head toward the saplings swaying gently in the spring breeze, thinking, *Grow faster, I’ll be walking soon.*

Perhaps it was her imagination, but the saplings seemed to sway even more vigorously.

Just then, Su Da and Su Er returned one after another, carrying water buckets to pour into the reservoir they had dug in the garden. "Father, Mother, while we were fetching water, we noticed people peeking at the garden," Su Er said, dropping his yoke and wiping sweat with the towel on his shoulder. The water source for Tubei Mountain was quite far; they had to walk two miles around the foothills to reach a clear river, and the brothers had been exhausted from hauling water lately.

Su Da also set down his load to catch his breath, glancing toward the low garden fence where he could still see shy, retreating figures. "They are people living nearby."

Old Mrs. Su sighed. "Your father and I noticed long ago. We are the only household within a ten-mile radius that has built a garden and planted seeds, so it’s bound to attract attention. It’s fine, let them look. Seeing our success might give them a bit of hope. They are all wretched souls, alas."

The garden was not large, and the family had not lowered their voices, so the figures lurking outside the fence paused for a moment before shrinking away and slipping off.

Near midday, Liu Yuelan, her sisters-in-law, and Su Xiuer returned from washing clothes. They were walking in a hurry, and all three looked grim as they entered.

"What’s wrong?" Old Mrs. Su asked, having just come out of the garden.

"Mother," Su Xiuer called out urgently, her face pale, not even bothering to hang up the laundry, "On the way back, some people living nearby stopped us at the crossroads and whispered some news—our family is being targeted!"

He Daxiang pushed forward, speaking rapidly, "They said it’s the people from Wharf Twelve! They’re coming to destroy our garden and teach us a lesson!"

Liu Yuelan, the most level-headed of the group, analyzed the situation, "Our family is the only one on all of Tubei Mountain to have started a garden. If we succeed, more and more people will surely follow suit. That is something those people won't tolerate. They are coming to suppress us to make an example of us, so everyone can see what happens if they try to farm on their own!"

Old Man Su, Su Da, and Su Er had not yet put down their tools. As they heard the news, the smiles on their faces faded. The atmosphere that had felt so comfortable to Tianbao vanished. She knit her tiny brows, harboring a grudge against those people even before they had arrived.

Su Da gripped his carrying pole tightly, his voice fierce, "If anyone dares to destroy our property, I’ll fight them to the death!"

Su Er was shaking with rage, "We poor folks are already fighting just to stay alive, and those heartless bastards want to bully us and drive us to ruin! If they want to come, fine! I’ll be waiting with a blade. If I take one of them down, I break even; if I take two, I profit! Damn them!"

Old Man Su’s expression was grim. "Everyone stay alert these next few days. Eldest and Second, help me guard the gate at night. Women, keep an eye on the children!"

Even though it was only unconfirmed news, no one in the Su family dared to be careless; their hearts were heavy. They had been in this place of exile long enough to know exactly what kind of place it was.

Here, the law of the jungle was manifested in its most brutal form. The borderland exile zone was a pit of sin, a place devoid of order where even the imperial court had turned a blind eye. Robbery went unpunished, and murder had no accountability. Showing weakness would only embolden the villains.

Old Mrs. Su gritted her teeth and turned to go into the house. "I brought the bow and arrows from home; I’m going to get them!"

Even though the three little ones—Su An, Su Wen, and Su Wu—were young, they had grown up in this family and knew the importance of unity. They rushed out from the main room, "I have my dog-beating stick! Ha! Ha! If the bad guys come, I’ll beat them!"

"I have the ox-driving whip! I’ll hit them too!"

"I—I have my swift legs, I’ll kick them!"

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Before the women and children could even retreat into the main room, a group of thugs and ruffians burst into the Su family’s small courtyard. They had arrived with great fanfare, making no attempt to hide. Upon reaching the gate, they kicked it open with such force that the thorn-bush fence attached to it swayed violently.

The Su family stood together, protecting the children, looking at the intruders with vigilance and fury. "What do you want?"

"Yo, this tiny place is actually quite well-kept—clean and tidy. There’s even firewood in the kitchen? And you’ve built a garden out back." The leader of the thugs wore a thin, fine cotton jacket—a luxury compared to the patched rags worn by the commoners. He swaggered around the courtyard with a cold sneer and an arrogant, insufferable air. "You’re all quite industrious, but you don't know the rules. You didn't bother to ask whose territory this is before setting up shop! I’ll give you two choices: one, pay a tax for farming—one tael of silver per month! Two, pack your things and get out!"

He walked up to the Su family, head held high, hands behind his back, looking smug. "Are you going to pay, or are you going to roll?"