OFTLHFRO C160

Chapter 160: Meetings and Mooncakes

In early August, the first batch of clothes was completed.

Luo Mingchen felt deeply moved upon receiving the new clothes. “Indeed, home-made clothes are better—no cutting corners or skimping.”

Huo Yan touched a sleeve and nodded approvingly; the fabric was indeed soft and comfortable.

“The cotton is quite good.”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen agreed. After all, the clothes were made from different cotton, so forcibly comparing made no sense.

Besides clothes, Luo Mingchen had specially asked Hua Niang to make some cotton yarn and fabric.

Though peace reigned now, who knew when war might break out? One couldn’t only think of cotton bandages when an injury came.

Hua Niang said thoughtfully, “Actually, I think adding some ramie to summer clothes might make them more comfortable.”

Luo Mingchen nodded; cotton-ramie blend is more breathable and suitable for summer wear. Also, ramie softens with washing and adds durability.

“In a few days, let’s find people to plant some ramie.”

Ramie is hardy and can be planted in advance.

Before leaving, Hua Niang hesitated, “Mingchen, is there any of the yogurt you made before?”

Luo Mingchen said, “Yes. I’ll have Brother Xiao bring some to you later.”

Hua Niang smiled, “Thank you.”

“You’re family. No need to be polite.”

Luo Mingchen asked, “Want some jam?”

“Yes.”

After Hua Niang left, Luo Mingchen said to Huo Yan, “Honestly, we could open many shops here.”

Huo Yan said, “Not yet the time.”

“Why?”

Luo Mingchen couldn’t understand. If Hancheng opened trade, many caravans would come and go.

Huo Yan said, “Recently, Northern Yue and Xiaguang have been trading closely; there might be a big war before year-end.”

Northern Yue suffered a big loss here in the first half of the year and surely wanted compensation.

Luo Mingchen asked, “Year-end? Is that reliable?”

Huo Yan said, “It’s quite reliable. If they intend to attack, year-end is a good opportunity. The strategist said, from astrology, there might be earthquakes in coming months.”

“Huh?”

Luo Mingchen was clueless. “Astrology… relates to earthquakes?”

Huo Yan laughed at his expression, “Sometimes.”

“…Looks like strategist isn’t a position anyone can hold.”

Luo Mingchen had thought knowledge of astronomy and geography was just self-promotion.

Now, it seemed they were just stating facts.

When Xiao Lin returned, Luo Mingchen gave him prepared yogurt and a big bottle of grape jam.

The jam was also good for pastries.

After Huo Yan told him about the possible quake, Luo Mingchen stayed up writing emergency response plans, mainly educating citizens, holding drills multiple times, then holding meetings by afternoon.

On the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, Mid-Autumn Festival.

Luo Mingchen led people to make many small mooncakes, issuing two red bean mooncakes to each person.

If they had more salted egg yolks, he would have made salted egg mooncakes to give out.

Hu Zhongyi waited outside early, only bringing home his wife and kids in the afternoon.

Upon entering the city, Sun Li was puzzled by the empty streets. “Husband, where did the people go?”

Hu Zhongyi looked around and smiled, “They should be at the vegetable market.”

“Why?”

“That’s because of General Huo’s husband. Hearing of a possible earthquake, he organized drills and speeches here… If you want, madam, we can go see. I heard breakfast attendees got mooncakes.”

Interested, Sun Li took the three kids with Hu Zhongyi to the market.

Many people gathered there, yet the scene was orderly.

A fair-skinned young man with round eyes and dimples stood on stage, loudly asking, “When an earthquake comes, what should we do?”

After repeating many times, the crowd responded in unison, “Abandon all belongings and quickly run to the designated street.”

Luo Mingchen nodded approvingly, “And the posture?”

“Cover your head and squat—”

“What to watch out for?”

The crowd shouted, “Avoid pushing and trampling! Protect old and young—”

“What about the children?”

A child’s voice sang out, “Stay close to your adults. If alone, hug an uncle or auntie—”

Luo Mingchen smiled warmly, “Right, it seems everyone remembers well. Now line up for mooncakes in order, wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!”

The crowd lined up happily without chaos or cutting ahead.

The new arrivals were amazed.

A boy around seventeen or eighteen exclaimed, “Dad, this man’s great, making ordinary folks so obedient.”

Hu Zhongyi coughed dryly, “Before you came, many such meetings happened with the same words dozens of times. Even fools memorized them. At night drills, disobedient ones were taken away and read the regulations a thousand times, released when finished. They are fed and persuaded sincerely. The people know his kindness; he often gives rice, flour, and fruit, so hearts obey willingly.”

The group was stunned.

A thousand times… that’s harsh.

Regardless of earthquake outcome, the training was effective.

“Let’s also get mooncakes.”

Hu Zhongyi happily led his family to find Luo Mingchen.

Seeing them, Luo Mingchen smiled, “This must be sister-in-law. Long trip.”

Sun Li smiled, “Thanks to the long roads in Hancheng, it was easier.”

Luo Mingchen saw a little girl secretly eyeing the mooncakes, swallowing, so he packed several and gave them over. “Sister-in-law, you came just in time. It’s festival day. How about trying some mooncakes?”

Before she could respond, Hu Zhongyi took the mooncakes. “Then we won’t be polite.”

Luo Mingchen only smiled.

Sun Li was a bit overwhelmed how familiar Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan treated them. They weren’t from the same camp, yet they were so at ease.

On the way back, Sun Li told Hu Zhongyi this.

Hu Zhongyi shrugs. “Madam, they aren’t two-faced. Spend more time with them and you’ll see. I’m blunt but not stupid.”

Sun Li was silent.

Well, that was that…

Luo Mingchen never expected to celebrate the first Mid-Autumn Festival in Peach Blossom Town, and the second in Hancheng.

At night, the big family enjoyed moon-gazing on the loft. Luo Mingchen even invited Xiao Lin and Hua Niang.

The table was laden with various mooncakes in many flavors.

The three siblings each held a rabbit lantern made by Zhu Qing.

Though usually quiet, Zhu Qing was skilled with his hands.

More impressively, he excelled in making mechanisms.