Chapter 24: Self-Destruction

"We must reach the mountain before daybreak!" Village Chief Yang said with a stern face. "Do not forget, those enemy troops have warhorses. They are faster than ordinary horses; the distance we took all day to cover from the village to Qishan Mountain, they could likely close in on us in a single morning!"

Hearing this, the villagers were stunned. Warhorses were elite mounts trained through years of battlefield combat, capable of traveling hundreds of miles a day. How could ordinary folk on foot compete with that?

"Everyone, form a line and follow me up the mountain in order!" Seeing he had convinced them, the Village Chief quickly issued his command.

The villagers looked grim. The mountain was so high—how were they supposed to climb it carrying so much weight?

Su Jinyu looked up at the baskets and sacks carried by Li Tianhe and his two sons. Beyond their grain, water jugs, essential warm clothing, and quilts, there were pots, bowls, and ladles for the whole family. Anything else that could be discarded should be.

"Uncle, Elder Brother, Second Brother, set your luggage on the ground. I need to sort through it."

Though Li Tianhe and his sons did not know what Su Jinyu intended, they obeyed, placing their three baskets and four large sacks on the open ground. She kept one earthenware pot for soup, one iron pot for cooking, ten small bowls for the family of ten, five plates for serving, two large bowls for soup, and the necessary cooking utensils. The rest of the redundant kitchenware was discarded.

The six water jugs were essential and could not be abandoned. Of the quilts, she kept only the five new ones, discarding the two old ones, and kept the necessary clothing and fabric, as well as all the grain and seasonings.

Su Jinyu piled the discarded items on the ground until they formed a small hill. The remaining belongings fit into two baskets, with the rest being grain—two sacks each of rice and flour. The load now carried by Li Tianhe and his sons was significantly lightened.

"Jinyu, do we really need to throw all these away?" Wang Qiaohui asked, having realized her granddaughter's intent.

"Yes, Grandmother. Objects are inanimate, but we are living people. What matters most now is getting up the mountain; having the essentials is enough," Su Jinyu replied, nodding.

Wang Qiaohui and Li Yongzhi agreed with their granddaughter and instructed Li Tianhe to carry only what she had selected.

"Grandmother, Grandfather, wait for me here. I have something to discuss with the Village Chief and will be right back."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Jinyu darted through the crowd to the front of the line. "Grandpa Yang! Don't let everyone head up just yet!"

Village Chief Yang had already instructed his eldest son and two other strong young men to prepare to clear a path up the mountain. Hearing Su Jinyu’s voice, everyone turned to look.

"Jinyu, my child, what do you need?" A smile immediately appeared on the Village Chief's face, his furrowed brow relaxing at the sight of her.

"Grandpa Yang, the villagers are carrying too much. Things like redundant pots, pans, and old clutter should be discarded. Everyone should only keep what is absolutely necessary. By traveling light, they will be able to climb faster. Besides, the terrain of Qishan Mountain is extremely steep; carrying heavy, cumbersome luggage will make the climb dangerous."

Village Chief Yang pondered this for a moment, not replying immediately. However, other villagers grew dissatisfied and began to protest.

"Little Jinyu, just because you’re a bit clever doesn't mean you can show off! We’re all carrying our vital belongings; these things represent a lifetime of hard work! Asking us to throw them away is just ridiculous!"

"Exactly! A little girl should mind her own business and stop spouting nonsense that makes people laugh! Village Chief, if you actually listen to her, you've grown senile!"

"Whoever wants to throw their things away can go ahead, but I won't! These old pots and pans were passed down from my great-grandfather. If I threw them away, my ancestors would haunt me!"

It was clear the villagers were unwilling to part with their belongings. To many, these old items were treasures they had kept for years. Seeing that they were stubborn and choosing their own path, Su Jinyu fell silent, not wishing to waste her breath. She had only come to the Village Chief to ensure the group could move quickly.

Now that her own family was part of the Qingyuan Village group, their fates were intertwined. If there was no unity, the group would eventually fall apart. Her compassion had limits; those who could be persuaded were on her side, and those who could not would have to face their own destiny.

"Grandpa Yang, my family will take the lead to clear the path. We will not stop to wait for others along the way. See you at the summit!"

Su Jinyu turned and walked back to her family without looking back. The other villagers were taken aback by her swift departure; many who had intended to lecture her were left speechless.

"Hmph! I’m certainly not throwing my things away. Only a fool would!" Liu Fugui, known in the village for his stubbornness, declared.

Village Chief Yang had reached his conclusion. If the villagers carried such heavy loads, they might not reach the summit even after a full day and night of climbing. Not to mention, it was dangerous. Recalling the wisdom and strategy Su Jinyu had already displayed, the Village Chief and the two clan elders were willing to believe her decision would not harm the village.

"I think the girl is right. Everyone, sort through your belongings. See what you can discard and leave it here. I am giving you a quarter of an hour!"

Many villagers grumbled and challenged the Chief. "Uncle Chief, you really are senile! These items were bought with silver; it's a huge loss to toss them! If the luggage is heavy, we'll just walk slower! Why are you and the elders listening to the prattle of a little girl?"

Liu Fugui shouted angrily, "I’m taking all my things up the mountain! Chief, no matter how much you meddle, you can't control my family's property!"

Village Chief Yang’s face turned livid. "If you refuse to listen, then carry it yourselves. You will be the ones to regret it later! Everyone, listen to my orders: those willing to lighten their loads, come to the front! Those who refuse, follow at the back and pray for yourselves!"

Su Jinyu’s family stood at the front. One by one, villagers began to discard items and join the front of the line. The people of Qingyuan Village were generally peaceful and united; though most were unhappy, they dared not defy the Chief. Only a few families, including the old Su family, remained stubborn and stayed at the back with Liu Fugui. Sun, the matriarch of the Su family, was famously stingy—asking her to discard her belongings was like asking for her life.

Village Chief Yang and his second son led the way. The eldest son and two other strong men brought up the rear to ensure safety, paying no mind to the few who refused to listen.