Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 521: Difficulties

After Qin Shu returned home, he locked himself away for half a day, and when he emerged, he was back to normal, burying his unrequited love deep within his heart.

Three days later, accompanied by the matchmaker Sun, Old Luo brought gifts to the Hua family’s doorstep to propose marriage for Luo Song.

The gifts alone required eight carriers, two large chests, and additional live livestock: two chickens, two ducks, two sheep, two pigs, two cows, two horses.

These were quite extravagant offerings even before the disaster, with few ordinary families able to afford them, demonstrating utmost sincerity and highlighting their attention to the village chief’s granddaughter.

The villagers watching couldn’t help but click their tongues, marveling at the Luo family’s enduring wealth, unmatched by farming families.

Life in Hua Village was already far better than outside, but for the engagement, they surely wouldn’t part with so many items, offering at most some chickens and ducks.

It had been a long time since the village had seen such a lively scene, with the proposal entourage trailing a long tail of people, happily joining the excitement, but observing propriety, watching from outside without intruding.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the engagement meeting went smoothly.

Old Hua, Madam Hua, and Hua Chengtian’s couple were surprised by Old Luo’s generosity, but mostly delighted, seeing his satisfaction with their daughter and the honor he bestowed upon their family.

The formal engagement process for wealthy families includes three letters and six etiquettes, which are the engagement letter, gift letter, and welcome letter; and the six rites of proposal, inquiry of names, acceptance, betrothal gifts, setting the date, and formal welcoming.

Rural people are not so concerned with these, so as long as both parties are satisfied, the engagement is just a formality.

Old Luo offered a symbolic amount for the betrothal gift, exactly nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine taels, signifying longevity.

With such sincerity from the Luo family, Old Hua and Hua Chengtian had no objections, and with mutual satisfaction, the marriage was settled, and both families exchanged engagement cards.

Next, they would choose an auspicious day to formally present the betrothal gifts.

Throughout the process, Hua Jin Xiu stayed in her room, and once calm was restored at home, she became a woman with a fiancé.

The presentation of betrothal gifts was set for half a month later, on which day Old Luo again showed great respect for the Hua family, leaving the villagers to talk about it for a long time.

In the presence of village elders, the wedding was set for the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, no more than two months away from the marriage.

Before the betrothal gifts were presented, Old Luo moved next door to the Hua family.

Exchanging houses inevitably cost a bit, as it is challenging to suddenly change homes that one has grown accustomed to.

Due to this, the marriage was set for the twelfth month; otherwise, they would have delayed at least until next year.

With the marriage settled, Hua’s wife and Qi Shi were the busiest, preparing the dowry, making the wedding dress, which Hua Jin Xiu would stitch a few threads for; relying on her might make it difficult to complete.

The most relaxed at home was Hua Jin, who continued her usual routine, exercising in the morning, helping her sisters-in-law with the children during the day, occasionally taking care of Doudou, Hua’er, and Doggie—living a carefree life, without a hint of bridal anxiety.

According to Hua Jin, "What’s there to be nervous about; even after marrying, he’s just next door, so there’s little difference from living at home."

As for pre-marital fear, Hua Jin has none; given her combat power, it should be Luo Song who’s worried.

Moreover, she isn’t a native girl indoctrinated with feudal values of lifelong loyalty after marrying; if Luo Song wrongs her or has ill intentions, he will be the one to suffer.

Meanwhile, under the guidance of the county prefect, construction in Shanggu Town was drawing to a close, with people’s lives gradually returning to normal, recovering from past wounds.

...After all, the living must keep living.

The construction in the state city mirrored this; apart from major cracks outside the walls, the interior had gradually regained its former appearance after nearly two months of tidying, although restoring its past grandeur was impossible, it resembled a city at least.

Citizens began experiencing a relatively peaceful period, unlike other places which lacked Lingyun State’s fortune.

Liaoxi, Nanman, and Dongwu also suffered significant losses in the disaster and thus sought to invade Ancient Yan Country, wishing to claim a portion, with wars continuing and civilian life remaining extremely difficult.

Meanwhile, after an earthquake in the Imperial City, the current Emperor was injured and comatose, incurring great losses across the city.

The Emperor’s coma intensified the tension in the Imperial City, with various forces eyeing the all-powerful throne.

Fortunately, while the forces were relentless, they understood that under a fallen nest, no egg would remain intact, united in their opposition to enemy nations.

Without expelling the invaders, winning the unification would mean little for stability.

Despite the severe offensive from enemy nations, with support from various factions, the military situation remained relatively stable.

News of Lingyun State’s victory finally reached the Imperial City, bringing thunder bombs into the court’s and all factions’ focus, with shock reverberating throughout.

Soon after, Prince Chu, temporarily governing affairs, issued three imperial edicts.

The first edict commanded the immediate presentation of thunder bombs and their formula to the Imperial City.

With this divine object, they would be undaunted by scheming marauders.

The second order directed Yunzhou to expedite production of the divine weapon.

The third order tasked General Li, leading Lingyun State, with dividing three thousand garrison troops into three teams carrying thunder bombs to support the burning cities of Zhao City, Lie City, and Hao City.

The day the edict arrived coincided with the presentation of betrothal gifts to Hua Jin. Fortunately, the political affair was distant, causing no impact on Shanggu Town, especially Hua Village.

As General Li, General Sun, General Ma, and others brought large quantities of thunder bombs and rockets, divine objects akin to wings on a tiger, the battle situation in Zhao City to the east, Lie City to the west, and Hao City to the south finally shifted.

Various nations became tremendously wary of the sudden emergence of thunder bombs and rockets, causing a war stalemate.

In their quest for thunder eggs, scouts and spies exhausted every means, eventually tracing the bombs’ origin and discovering that Beicang Country had been defeated by Lingyun State’s thunder bombs.

This object seemed to appear out of thin air, instantly alarming everyone, preventing any rash actions. After years of calamities, each soldier is immensely valuable due to dwindling populations.

Within military camps of various nations, discussions never ceased, repeatedly concluding that thunder bombs lay at the root; avoiding a disgraceful retreat necessitated resolving this, by finding formulas to create equally formidable weapons.

That is to say, either they must seize thunder bombs from their hands, yet that is essentially impossible.

Alternatively, they could go to Lingyun State to capture the thunder bomb formula; with this divine object, why fear Ancient Yan Country’s thunder bombs?

Nearly all leaders across the three nations thought of this, but implementing it proved far more challenging than expected.