Chapter 696: On the Run

ipples. Apparently, they hadn't expected her to say that."Our family has only managed to save six taels of silver so far. If we give all of it to your grandfather, we won't have any money for emergenc...Zhang Shi was the first to panic, his voice trembling as he said:

"Mother, Eiko is in labor!"

"Don't worry, eldest daughter-in-law, help me go and have a look."

"Yes, Mother!"

Zhang Zhong's daughter-in-law, Xin Shi, immediately helped up Old Zhang and walked toward the dwelling of the fourth son and his wife.

Only to see Liu shi leaning on Zhang shi's arms, looking rather disheveled. Her lower body pants and the bedding on the floor were both soaked, evidently her water had broken.

Old Zhang had five children of her own, and three daughters-in-law had given birth to seven children. Now the youngest daughter-in-law was about to give birth, and she seemed calm about it. She knelt on the ground first, touched the youngest daughter-in-law's belly, and let out a sigh of relief as she said:

"This child loves you, his position has already turned, once the cervix is dilated, he'll be able to give birth."

After hearing her own mother's words, everyone felt much more reassured, especially Liu shi, whose complexion improved considerably.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, go make a bowl of noodles for the fourth daughter-in-law. Put two eggs in it, so she has the strength to give birth soon."

The second daughter-in-law, boil the water in the waterskin and pour it into the wooden basin. It will be needed in a while.

The third daughter-in-law, please bring out the mats we brought, and make up the bed sheets from the delivery. We'll use them to make a birth bed in a while.

Hui Niang, please find some clean cloth and boil it in hot water. It will be needed soon. Also, please find a clean pair of trousers for Liu Shi.

The ripples in your heart are gentle, you gathered a few young boys to create a space for your aunt-in-law to give birth.

Little Red Plum (granddaughter), you take care of your little sister Little Red Pear and Tiger Cub, and put them to sleep first.

Stone, you just stay here with your wife, and don't do anything!

Lao Zhang's orders came out one by one, clear and concise. Everyone immediately sprang into action.

Song Dachuan, under the direction of Lianyi, moved four carts to create a smaller space. Then Lianyi tied bedsheets to the cart handles, creating a separate area. After laying out mats on the ground, Song Dachuan took up his position with a chopper in his left hand and a stick in his right, responsible for keeping watch around them.

Over there, Xin Shi had already skillfully prepared a bowl of noodles. Inside were two eggs, a pinch of salt, some rehydrated dried vegetables, and a few drops of sesame oil. She brought it to Zhang Shi and asked him to feed Liu Shi.

Liu had weathered the first wave of pain. She knew that if she didn't eat enough, she wouldn't have the energy to give birth, so whenever the pain subsided, she immediately opened her mouth and quickly swallowed noodles and eggs from the bowl, even drinking every drop of the soup. After eating, she let out a satisfied burp and, under Lao Zhang's instructions, endured the pain and slowly walked back and forth on the ground leaning against Zhang Shi.

Here, Liu's labor was entering the countdown, while Old Zhang returned to the Crooked Neck Tree with his three sons.

Ripples was the first to greet Old Zhang and his three uncles, saying:

"Grandpa, uncles, and aunt-in-law, your sister-in-law has started. Grandma asked me to tell you that if any of you get blood on you, don't go see her for now, so as not to scare the child."

Lao Zhang stopped his steps immediately upon hearing this, and Zhang Zhong and the others also halted, obviously reeking of blood.

"Grandpa, I'll get some water. You guys can wash up a bit first."

Ripple immediately said in a caring tone.

"Don't waste water, Ripples, go get two shovels over here. We need to take care of that area."

Although Lao Zhang's face wasn't looking good, he remained calm and collected.

"Grandpa, please wait here."

Ripple turned and ran back to camp, carrying two pickaxes.

"Ripples, put these things away first. We'll talk about them when we get back."

Four black bags fell at Lianyi's feet. She looked down and saw that they were the three uncles and Lao Zhangtou who had carried them back.

"Okay, Grandpa! Be careful, three uncles."

The ripples instructed them a few more things, and the four nodded in agreement. Then they took their shovels and left.

Then Ripple effortlessly carried the four sacks back, while Liu Shi already felt a sinking sensation in her lower abdomen, realizing she must be pregnant.

"Mother, I think it should be time to have a baby." Let me know if you'd like me to translate anything else!

Liu immediately leaned against Zhang Shi and said.

Old Zhang had already washed his hands. He touched them, then nodded and said to his youngest son:

"Stone, help your wife over to the curtains there, and you wait outside."

"Okay, Mother!"

Zhang Shi directly scooped up his own wife, and with three or two steps he reached the delivery room enclosed by a plank bed frame and sheets. He gently laid Liu shi down on the mat.

“The eldest daughter-in-law and I will go in first. Eldest second daughter-in-law, you boil the scissors in hot water. Eldest third daughter-in-law, you take the stones and get all the baby clothes and bedding they have prepared ready. We’ll need them soon.”

Yes, Mother!

Several people agreed and began to act separately. A moment later, from behind the screen, Liu's cries rang out.

"Yingzi, you have to bear the pain. Screaming too loudly will waste your energy. The baby hasn't been born yet, and you already don't have any strength!"

Come, put this in your mouth, and when I tell you to exert force, exert it. Channel the energy down into your lower body.

Old Zhang stuffed a roll of cloth into Liu's mouth and said.

Liu nodded hard, though with difficulty, knowing her mother-in-law meant well. She tried her best to stifle her cries, but when the pain became unbearable, she let out two soft whimpers, "嗚嗚".

"Little sister, don't be afraid, we are all here for you! Your baby's position is fine, there isn't much of a problem. Just listen to your mother's advice, and you will definitely give birth to a healthy boy."

Xin was wiping the sweat off Liu's brow and comforting her, which made Liu feel much better.

“Okay, Yingzi, inhale! Push!”

Old Zhang began to guide Liu's production.

There, Lao Zhang was leading three sons who dug a large pit. They threw the seven men who had already killed each other into it and then buried them, making the previous small hills even higher, becoming a big hill.

By the time they returned, Lianyi had already brought hot water and towels. The four of them washed up a bit before heading back to Wiaoniushu.

Liu's labor went smoothly, taking only a little over half an hour. She gave birth to a son and managed to catch a glimpse before she was exhausted and fell asleep.

Old Zhang cut the umbilical cord and patted the baby's buttocks. The infant then cried out twice, "Wah wah!" After being wiped with hot water, it was placed in a swaddling cloth and lay beside Liu, falling asleep.

"Shi Tou, your wife is really capable. She gave birth to a son with her first child."

Old Zhang said with a smile, "Adding another member to the family is always a good thing."

This child is a lucky one, his given name is Zhang Fengjia, as for his nickname you can choose yourselves.

Lao Zhang's face, full of wrinkles, also had a hint of a smile.

After the midwife was settled, the family finally came together. According to Old Zhang's instructions, Lian Yi carried over the four black bags.

“These were found on those who ambushed us. They must have turned on each other, killing their own people, which worked in our favor.”

Lao Zhang opened the four bags one by one, saying as he did. Three of them were filled with food – white rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as brown rice and white flour. Who knows how many people they had to rob to accumulate such a haul

The last bag was the heaviest, filled with copper coins and silver scraps, along with some silver hairpins, gold bracelets, and jade ornaments. At a glance, they were all very valuable. Everyone gasped in surprise. seen at the windows. Yuan Chongming and his men had been keeping an eye on the missing speedboats, so they were the first to notice the group of menacing people approaching.The ripples of the knock o...