The group found a few wooden shovels in the village. They couldn't expect to find hoes, as people had taken them for self-defense when they fled.
Only one elderly person had an iron hoe with a chipped blade at home.
Fu Tinghan wrapped his mouth and nose with a cloth and joined the soldiers in digging the soil.
After Fu Tinghan took out several dry pancakes, five elderly men were willing to help them shovel the soil as well.
After working for most of the day, they shoveled out the soil soaked in sewage, packed it in sacks, piled it onto carts, and had soldiers escort it back.
The five elders quickly devoured the pancakes they had just received, giving Fu Tinghan no chance to go back on his word.
Fu Tinghan did not go back on his word. Seeing that they really had nothing to eat, he divided half of his rations with them.
The elders took it, and after a moment of silence, said, "Sir, are you really from the Zhao Family Army?"
