The Gu family's mule was brought to the riverbank to drink. Gu Dalang, Er Lang, and Sanlang hastily grabbed various containers from the cart to fetch water.
Those who were impatient and dying of thirst added a little alum to the water, gave it a quick stir, and drank it down.
Mrs. Chen was busy by the riverbank, building a makeshift stove and lighting a fire to boil water.
It wasn't much trouble. With plenty of firewood, the fire grew large, and a big pot of water was boiling in less than fifteen minutes.
Shanzimama followed suit and started boiling water. After all, she figured she couldn't go wrong just by doing whatever Gu Fei's family did.
Gu Fei stood by the roadside, watching refugees pass them by from time to time.
They all had numb expressions, their faces sallow and gaunt.
Some who passed by sized up their convoy. Uncle Ma, with a large saber hanging at his waist, would glare fiercely back at anyone who looked their way.
