Ch 172: The Farmer Ger in the Apocalypse

Miao Shi didn’t have time to think about anything else. She quickly stepped forward and bolted the door, then dragged the wooden table from the main hall and braced it against the entrance before turning back to assess everyone present in the courtyard.

Because Qing Ge’er was giving birth, apart from the elderly doctor invited from the county, who was a man, the remaining five midwives consisted of only one fulang while the others were all women. Miao Hexiang and Lian Ou were at her side, along with the young maid Magpie and the little ger Haitang—both still children who hadn’t come of age yet.

However, when Shen Qing had lived in the county before, he had taught them some basic self-defense. Later, Miao Yu had helped find a martial artist to train the young boys in the household, and the gers and maids occasionally joined in as well. Now, Haitang had grown nearly a head taller than when Shen Qing first bought him, with a thin layer of muscle—strong and capable.

Without needing Miao Shi’s instruction, Haitang had already found a rope and tightly bound Matchmaker Wei, throwing her onto the ground before looking up at Miao Shi. “Madam, what are your orders?”

In this courtyard, Haitang was the only one truly useful—aside from the two guard dogs. Miao Shi’s mind was in a chaotic panic. Behind her, the door was already being forcefully pushed—when it didn’t budge, the person outside switched to kicking it instead. But this courtyard was built at the foot of the mountain. Back when Hunter Liu’s family lived here, they had feared wild beasts coming down from the hills, so the front gate was made from exceptionally sturdy wood. Now, with the table braced against it, the door trembled violently with each kick but remained shut.

The person outside cursed under their breath and then began pounding the door. “Open up!”

The voice was familiar—Miao Shi recognized it immediately. It was Shen Zhigao.

…Damn that Shen Zhigao!

Even if they had cut ties, Shen Qing still carried half his blood! Even tigers didn’t eat their own cubs! Even the person Miao Shi hated most, Shen Zhiwei, had only killed his nephew to protect his own son.

But Shen Zhigao—could he even be considered human?

Overwhelmed by fury and grief, Miao Shi instead became terrifyingly calm. Haitang and Miao Hexiang were both looking at her. Inside the house, Qing Ge’er let out a low groan—he was at death’s door, fighting his way back. She was the only one who could make decisions now. If she panicked and collapsed, Qing Ge’er would have no hope left!

Miao Shi clenched her teeth, her mind racing. She quickly issued orders: “Haitang, Xique, move all the heaviest objects in the house and pile them behind the door! Hexiang, go boil water and make Qing Ge’er a bowl of red sugar eggs—he needs strength to give birth! As for you—” She turned to the four trembling midwives and the elderly doctor, who kept glancing nervously at the door. “Get inside and watch over Qing Ge’er! I will handle what’s outside! If anything happens to Qing Ge’er, none of us will leave this courtyard alive!”

At those words, everyone shivered violently.

They didn’t even understand what was happening—why had their peaceful courtyard suddenly come under siege? Why had Matchmaker Wei turned traitor?

Who knew what kind of ruthless people were trying to break down the door? And what would they do once they got in?

Master Shen was a smart man—if he could hurry and give birth, they might have a chance to maneuver. But if anything happened to him, who knew what those people would do to them? Would they silence them all to eliminate witnesses?

The courtyard bustled into action as everyone rushed to carry out Miao Shi’s orders. The two dogs sensed the tension and stood stiffly in the courtyard, staring intently at the front gate. They didn’t bark—not yet. It was as if they were waiting for the moment the intruders forced their way in, ready to pounce and tear them apart!

Miao Shi took a deep breath, forcing herself to suppress her pounding heart. Then she pulled Lian Ou aside and whispered, “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t let an unmarried ger into the birthing room… but right now, we have no choice. Keep an eye on the midwives—make sure none of them turn traitor. If Qing Ge’er needs to say anything, pass his words to me.”

Lian Ou quickly nodded and ran into the birthing room.

Outside, Shen Zhigao continued pounding on the door. When no one responded, and he failed to break it down, he erupted into furious curses. “Miao Chunlei, you wretched woman! How dare you not open the door when I tell you to! Just wait—I’ll beat you to death later!”

Miao Shi—Miao Chunlei—couldn’t help but tremble slightly. Shen Zhigao used to beat her often, back when Shen Qing was still a child. Just hearing those words now made her body instinctively remember the pain, as if her arms and back were still sore from old wounds.

She bit down hard, tasting blood in her mouth. She refused to be afraid! She shouldn’t be afraid!

They had divorced—what right did Shen Zhigao have to beat her?

She was now the official head of a registered female household. She was the rightful owner of this property! If Shen Zhigao dared to break into her home, then she would make him pay for it!

She squatted beside Matchmaker Wei and slapped her hard across the face. It was the first time she had ever hit someone, and her hands were shaking. But she used all her strength—Matchmaker Wei’s teeth loosened, and blood dribbled from the corner of her mouth.

“Talk!” Miao Chunlei’s voice was ice-cold. “What are Shen Zhigao and Zhao Youwei planning? What were you supposed to do? What did you already do?!”

At this moment, Miao Chunlei’s expression was terrifying. A person who had always been meek and kind suddenly turning ruthless was even more frightening. They said that even a rabbit would bite when cornered—right now, Miao Chunlei looked like she could kill someone.

Matchmaker Wei was too scared to hide the truth anymore—she wasn’t the type who could handle this kind of pressure.

“I-I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” Matchmaker Wei sobbed, her face swelling rapidly like a pig’s head, her speech becoming slurred.

She hadn’t originally planned to harm Shen Qing! Even though, ever since the Lian family’s separation, her sons had started eyeing their own share, causing tension at home. Even though, after the trouble with the Wang family in Xiaoji village, she had felt a little awkward around Qing Ge’er… she was timid by nature. Even if she resented these things, she wouldn’t dare to actually harm someone!

But Zhao Youwei had found her and forced her to act during the delivery. At first, she refused, but Zhao Youwei sneered at her, “Do you really think my weak-willed brother, who lets his wife run wild, and that smug sister-in-law of mine can stand against me?”

Matchmaker Wei hesitated.

Zhao Youwei then rattled off several names—young, able-bodied men who had recently separated from their families and were struggling, like Wang Liuzi. He also mentioned some older village men who had long resented Wu Guixiang’s control over village affairs. And lastly, he said Shen Zhigao’s name.

“So many people support me becoming village chief,” Zhao Youwei continued smoothly. “Whether you help or not, Shen Qing has shamed our village with his bastard pregnancy. He must die. His own father will clean house, and it’ll all be justified! If you cooperate, you’ll earn merit—and the whole thing will be over quickly, with fewer injuries. But if you don’t… when I’m village chief, let’s see how long your family lasts!”

He hadn’t specified what she needed to do, yet Matchmaker Wei still felt a deep sense of unease. Growing up in the same village, she knew Zhao Youwei’s temperament well—he was nothing like his elder brother, Zhao Youdang! He was capable and cunning, but also ruthless and petty! If she refused, Zhao Youwei was the kind of person who would absolutely retaliate!

In the end, Matchmaker Wei was forced to agree. It wasn’t so much that she held any particular resentment toward Shen Qing, but rather that she was convinced that in this “coup” within Lantang Village, Zhao Youdang was bound to lose, and Zhao Youwei was certain to win. She was afraid that if Zhao Youwei became village chief, he would make life difficult for her family, so she could only swallow her conscience and obey.

As midwives, they all possessed some level of skill with their hands. The five midwives in this room all had small, soft hands, but they also needed strength! If a fetus was slightly malpositioned, an experienced midwife could correct it by massaging the belly or adjusting it manually inside the birth canal.

And just as they could correct a malpositioned fetus, they could also displace a properly positioned one.

Since she was a local, Matchmaker Wei originally held the most authority among the midwives, along with the husband midwife. She was a fellow villager of the employer, making her more trusted. Additionally, as a ger, the husband midwife had a better understanding of delivering gers. Because of this, Matchmaker Wei always had the best position to stay close to Shen Qing. While the others were chatting, she took advantage of their distraction and gave Shen Qing’s belly a subtle push.

Shen Qing didn’t understand much about childbirth, so he didn’t pay attention at first. He simply assumed this was a normal part of the process. Even though Matchmaker Wei’s push hurt him a little, childbirth was painful, wasn’t it? He just endured it.

But when the husband midwife turned back around, Matchmaker Wei suddenly jerked her hand away as if burned. That was when Shen Qing began to grow suspicious.

Seeing him staring at her, Matchmaker Wei became so frightened that she wanted to run. Her guilty reaction was so obvious that Shen Qing immediately grabbed her hand. Before he even had the chance to question her, she had already burst into tears.

Miao Chunlei’s face grew darker and darker. As Matchmaker Wei confessed, the sounds of Shen Qing’s agonized groans in the room grew louder, as if confirming every word she said.

A malpositioned fetus… Ha.

Miao Chunlei herself had once suffered a malpositioned fetus after falling. Even the midwife’s skills couldn’t save her child, who died in her womb. She had nearly died as well, and the injuries left her unable to conceive ever again!

“You’re a woman! You’ve given birth yourself! How could you do something like this?!”

Miao Chunlei lost control, lunging at Matchmaker Wei and striking her mercilessly. Matchmaker Wei’s heart was bitter, but she didn’t dare utter a single protest. She merely curled up and covered her head, enduring the blows.

But as she was being beaten, she suddenly recalled the conversation that had ultimately convinced her that Shen Qing and Zhao Youdang could never win. That day, Zhao Youwei had sat in her house and spoken coldly:

“A ger is still a ger. Even if he looks no different from a man, he still has those few ounces of flesh between his legs. So tell me, why are men noble while gers are even lower than women?”

The word lowly made Matchmaker Wei uncomfortable, but Zhao Youwei didn’t care at all about her feelings. In his mind, both women and gers were lesser beings.

“If Shen Qing truly wanted to accomplish something and lived his life without ever marrying or having children, I might respect him. I’d have no way to touch him. But he insists on giving birth and stirring up trouble in the village… Ha! Has he ever stopped to think about why, despite looking just like men, gers and women have never been village chiefs, officials, or emperors?”

Zhao Youwei touched his crippled leg. It was only after he became lame and lost his chance at becoming village chief that he reached this revelation.

From a small family to a village, from a county to a province, from a nation to an empire—those in power had to be strong and long-lived. Only then could the stability of their family and government be maintained.

Even the imperial court selected officials based on physical endurance. Many scholars complained that the imperial examination halls were in terrible condition—after spending days inside, many fell sick, some died before completing the exam, and some even perished before the results were announced. Why did the government subject them to such cruelty?

Because physical endurance was part of the test! What was the point of appointing someone as an official if they died before even taking office, or collapsed from illness as soon as they arrived? That would be a waste of imperial resources!

It was the same reason women and gers couldn’t be in power. What if they implemented new policies, laid out family plans, only to die suddenly in childbirth a few years later?

“Ha—just like Shen Qing now.”

Zhao Youwei had laughed so hard that tears rolled down his face. Stroking his crippled leg, his eyes gleamed as he asked, “So tell me, who should inherit this estate? A newborn baby? Who knows if the brat will even survive without a mother? Should we pass it to his sister? What if she, like him, gains power for a few years only to end up pregnant, give birth, and die—hahahahaha!”

“If there’s always a risk of a new leader dying, the power structure will never last. Gers and women should know their place—their only purpose is to give birth to strong, intelligent, and long-lived sons. And yet they dare dream of ruling?”

“The heavens do not stand on the side of women and gers!”

At the time, Matchmaker Wei had been stunned by his words. But hadn’t he made some sense?

Back then, Zhao Youwei had been smarter and more capable than Zhao Youdang. But because of a single crippled leg, he had lost his chance at becoming village chief…

And Shen Qing? He was a ger. Even if she didn’t intervene, he would still have to give birth. He would still be weakened in his postpartum period. By then, Zhao Youwei’s people would storm in and kill him, and he wouldn’t even have the strength to fight back.

If that was the case, wasn’t it better for her to act first? At least then, she could gain Zhao Youwei’s favor…

Now, as Miao Chunlei’s fists rained down on her, Matchmaker Wei’s heart was filled with bitterness. At the same time, she felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority as a woman.

Why did they have to give birth?

Why was fate so unfair to them, forcing them to walk through the gates of hell just to bring a child into the world…?

It wasn’t her fault. If anyone was to blame, it was Shen Qing for being a ger! If he had been born a man, he wouldn’t have suffered like this—he could have overthrown both Zhao Youwei and Zhao Youdang and become village chief himself!

She had no choice. She only wanted to survive a little more comfortably—why was that so difficult?!

But what she failed to realize was that if people like Zhao Youwei didn’t exist, then women and gers wouldn’t be in danger simply because they were giving birth. The true evil was in those who committed harm, yet they twisted the miracle of childbirth into a sign of inferiority!

Miao Chunlei struck her for a while longer before kicking her into the corner. She had to conserve her strength—she still had to protect Qing Ge’er.

Outside, Shen Zhigao and Zhao Youwei had found something heavy and were repeatedly slamming it against the door. Despite Haitang and Magpie piling up obstacles, the doorframe was beginning to come loose.

They were about to break in.

Miao Chunlei steeled herself and rushed into the birthing room.

Shen Qing was still conscious, but he was drenched in sweat, his hair sticking to his face. Two midwives were gently pushing on his belly, one was working below, and another was instructing him on how to breathe. When they saw Miao Chunlei enter, they looked guilty—blaming themselves for not noticing Matchmaker Wei’s treachery sooner.

“The fetus is a little off-position now… Fixing it takes skill. But she deliberately pushed it into complete disarray… The doctor has already used acupuncture, but it’s not working. He’s gone to prepare medicine.”

Miao Chunlei’s tears fell uncontrollably. Seeing Shen Qing suffer was like having her heart ripped apart. But she gritted her teeth, wiped her face, and ordered, “All of you, step outside for a moment. I’ll call you back in soon… It won’t take long.”

They hesitated but obeyed.

Once the room was empty, Shen Qing took out a bowl of spiritual spring water from his space and gulped it down.

After drinking the spiritual spring water, Shen Qing immediately felt a bit of strength return. He even managed to joke with Miao Chunlei, “Mother, you came at the right time. With them all here, I couldn’t find a chance to replenish myself.”

Miao Chunlei forced out a smile that looked worse than crying. Right now, all she could do was put her faith in the effects of the spiritual spring water. “Then hurry and drink more.”

Shen Qing nodded, took out another bowl, soaked some ginseng slices in it, and placed one under his tongue. Fortunately, he had prepared everything. As long as he could hold on, he would eventually be able to give birth…

Seeing that he was improving, Miao Chunlei quickly relayed everything she had forced out of Matchmaker Wei about Zhao Youwei’s plan. Then she asked, “What did you use to kill those wild boars and wolves before? Give me some.”

Although Miao Chunlei had never held a gun before, there was no room for hesitation now. Shen Qing rummaged through his space and pulled out two easy-to-use handguns with low recoil. He quickly taught Miao Chunlei how to use them and then took out several long knives and swords. “If possible, avoid using the guns. Equip Haitang and the others with the blades. Ou Ge’er told me earlier that Lian Shi has already gone to Shiqu Village to get help. We just need to hold on and buy time…”

Hearing that Lian Shi had gone for reinforcements, Miao Chunlei felt a little relief. She tucked the two guns into her clothes and called the midwives back inside before leaving the birthing room with an armful of swords and knives.

Shen Qing was once again surrounded by the midwives. He touched his belly. Underneath his skin, the child seemed to be moving, struggling with all its might to be born. This was his child with Song Kaiji—the child of him and the man he loved…

His focus was entirely on his belly and failed to notice the space pendant on his chest heating up slightly. The spiritual spring inside his space was shrinking, but invisible white light seeped into his body.

The long swords and knives, each about 1.2 to 1.3 meters long, were forged from high-quality steel yet weren’t too heavy.

When Shen Zhigao and his group finally broke through the main gate, what they saw was Miao Chunlei standing in the courtyard with Miao Hexiang, Haitang, and Magpie—all of them armed.

Before anyone could speak, two dogs suddenly lunged out of nowhere, charging straight at the ones leading the attack!

Zhao Youwei dodged behind Wang Liuzi in an instant, and the two dogs clamped their jaws onto Wang Liuzi and Shen Zhigao’s legs.

The two men immediately let out blood-curdling screams.

These two dogs were the offspring of the most formidable hunting hound from Li Yanzi’s maternal village. Their bite force was terrifying, and the sickening crack of breaking bones echoed through the courtyard.

After delivering their bites, the dogs didn’t linger. They released their grip and trotted back to stand in front of Miao Chunlei, growling low in their throats like a warning.

Their attack had crippled two men before the fight even started, and the once-aggressive mob instantly halted, stepping back in unison, fearing they might be the next to be targeted by the dogs.

Shen Zhigao writhed on the ground, clutching his mangled leg, howling in pain. He cursed at Miao Chunlei, “You wretched woman! And that bastard Shen Qing—I’m his father, and he’s committing blatant disobedience by setting dogs on me!”

“What does Qing Ge’er have to do with this?” Miao Chunlei sneered. Seeing Shen Zhigao’s misery filled her with unparalleled satisfaction.

He had beaten her so many times in the past—now, at last, she was the one holding the knife while he was at her mercy.

“This is my home. We are divorced. The child is mine. We have nothing to do with each other—except for the fact that we’re enemies. I was the one who set the dogs on you.”

Miao Chunlei’s eyes darkened, and she suddenly charged forward, swinging her sword. “And now, I’m the one cutting you down!”

The blade slashed down mercilessly, stabbing straight into Shen Zhigao’s uninjured leg.

Blood splattered, staining Miao Chunlei’s face.

Even Miao Hexiang, standing nearby, was momentarily stunned. Was this really the childhood friend she had grown up with?

But she quickly snapped out of it and followed suit. Copying Miao Chunlei’s example, she swung her blade and slashed Wang Liuzi’s good leg.

Screams filled the air as the two men howled in agony.

Seeing their comrades brutally maimed in an instant, the morale of Zhao Youwei’s followers plummeted.

Zhao Youwei’s face darkened with venomous rage. He never expected to suffer losses so quickly at the hands of two women he had always looked down on. And the fact that they had specifically targeted legs made the humiliation even worse.

He raised his voice, roaring, “That ger Shen Qing—who knows what kind of depraved things he’s been up to outside?! Getting pregnant without a proper marriage—utterly shameless! He’s disgraced Lantang Village! According to village rules, he must be drowned! And all of you who protect him—you’ll be punished the same! You’ll all die with him!”

He thought this would shake Miao Hexiang and Lian Ou, make them hesitate, or even retreat.

But they didn’t react at all.

They acted as if they hadn’t even heard him.

Zhao Youwei’s expression twisted in frustration. He turned to his men. “Seize these stubborn women and gers and drown them all! Whoever gets inside first—whatever valuables you grab from the house are yours!”

The people behind him had long been resentful of Shen Qing, and now, with the lure of loot, their eyes lit up.

Shen Qing’s family was wealthy.

Several of them shifted excitedly, eager to move—but their excitement was quickly dampened by the sight of Wang Liuzi and Shen Zhigao wailing on the ground, as well as the two murderous-looking dogs standing guard.

They exchanged glances but no one dared to step forward first.

Just then, a female voice rang out, “You have no right to enforce village rules! Who the hell do you think you are?!”

It was Wu Guixiang, arriving with a large group of people—Zhao Youdang trailing behind her.

Most of them were women and gers, primarily those working in the workshop, along with families who had recently separated.

They had relied on Shen Qing’s workshop for their independence. If Shen Qing died and the workshop fell into the hands of Shen Zhigao or Zhao Youwei, there was no way they would be kept on.

At first, it had been Wang Liuzi’s aunt who had taken a stand, then the Chen family from the east side of the village, and then Yanzi’s aunt…

They weren’t just here for Shen Qing—they were here for their own survival.

But compared to Zhao Youwei’s group, who consisted of able-bodied men and older village patriarchs, Wu Guixiang’s group was mostly women and gers, with only a few male relatives.

As soon as their gazes met, some of the women instinctively lowered their heads, as if feeling like traitors for standing against the men.

Zhao Youwei was displeased. He had planned to catch Shen Qing off guard, storm his home, and seize him. As a backup, he had even ensured Matchmaker Wei would act. Even if Shen Qing was capable of fighting wild boars and wolves, there was no way he could resist this. Once he had Shen Qing in his grasp, Wu Guixiang would have no choice but to yield.

With Shen Qing drowned and Shen Zhigao inheriting the workshop, Wu Guixiang’s support system would crumble, and he would secure his position as village chief.

But clearly, someone had leaked the information!

The time wasted breaking down the door had allowed Wu Guixiang to gather people. And now, on top of that, Miao Chunlei had set dogs on them and inflicted injuries before the fight had even begun.

Now, facing Wu Guixiang’s group, Zhao Youwei sneered.

His brother—his cowardly, weak-willed brother—was still hiding behind women even now.

Even at this moment, he couldn’t step forward and take a stand.

Back then, their father had been blind to pass the village chief position to this pathetic excuse for a man.

“You say it’s not up to me? And is it up to you, a mere woman?” Zhao Youwei scoffed. “The village chief position was passed down by my father. My brother is unfit, and the villagers support me—I’m the rightful leader. This is a family matter—you have no right to interfere!”

He limped forward a few steps, his crippled leg making his movements awkward. “I still haven’t settled my score with you. If it weren’t for your brothers, I wouldn’t have been injured, and the village chief seat wouldn’t have gone to him!”

Luckily, as she passed through Miaoqian Village, Lian Rong ran into a familiar face.

A bald monk, dressed in gray robes, was leading a mule cart. Seeing her running alone, panting like a dying dog, he curiously asked, “Where are you off to in such a rush?” He glanced behind her and added, “Why are you alone? Where’s your second brother?”

Lian Rong looked up—it was the monk who had saved Lian Ou.

She and Lian Ou often set up stalls in Miaoqian Village’s market and had to pay this monk for a spot. Over time, they became familiar with him, and since he had once saved Lian Ou, there was an unusual sense of gratitude between them.

Without hesitation, she grabbed onto the mule cart. “Take me to the county! To the county office! Please, my ge is about to be harmed—I need to find help!”

Hearing this, the monk didn’t ask any more questions. He simply unhitched the cart from the mule, then lifted Lian Rong onto its back and rode toward the county. His cart was nothing more than a flat wooden plank used for carrying goods—there wasn’t even a carriage box. But this was his territory in Miaoqian Village, so he easily called some people over to watch his belongings before leaving.

As they rode, the monk asked, “Your… which ge is in danger? Don’t tell me it’s…”

Lian Rong hesitated, then realized he probably thought Lian Ou was in trouble again. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and shook her head. “Not my real brother. It’s my cousin.”

The monk gave a quiet “Mm” in response.

Riding a mule was far faster than running on foot.

Soon, they arrived at the Anping County Office. Lian Rong had no idea where Lin Ning lived, so she steeled herself and ran straight for the front gates of the yamen.

“Hey! You brat—do you think you can just run into the yamen like this?” The guard at the entrance grumbled, using his wooden staff to push Lian Rong back.

Lian Rong clung to the staff, pleading, “Let me in! I need to see Ning Ge’er, the magistrate’s son! Or at least Miao Yu or Tieshan! I know the magistrate’s family lives inside!”

Had she only asked for the magistrate or his son, the guard wouldn’t have taken her seriously. But the fact that she specifically mentioned Miao Yu and Tieshan made the two guards hesitate. After a moment of thought, one of them said, “Miao Yu and Tieshan went out on an inspection with the magistrate. If you want to see the magistrate’s son, you can’t enter through the front. Go out, take two right turns, and head to the back of the yamen.”

He gave her a once-over and added, “But whether the magistrate’s son will see you is another matter.”

“He definitely will!” Lian Rong threw out those words and ran off.

Her luck wasn’t bad. After just one right turn, she spotted Lin Ning, Lin Zao, the Xie siblings, and a few of Shen Qing’s maids and young attendants, all walking together and chatting cheerfully.

Lian Rong had held back her tears all the way here, but now, upon seeing Lin Ning, she suddenly burst into loud sobs and threw herself forward.

“Ning Ge’er! Please save Qing Ge! The people in our village want to drown him in the pond!”

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