[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

The current situation has collapsed, and black people are panicked in the face of the changes around them.They don't understand the goodwill promised by the Yankees, and they yearn for the good life that those people talk about.But in the face of the old master - those who have not yet escaped, either they are overly cautious, or they still have a bit of expectation.Hopefully the nightmare will pass soon and everything will be back to how it was before the war.

Scarlett looked around at these familiar or unfamiliar faces, looking at the doubts, hopes, and fears on them.Big Sam's clumsy face was full of worry and bewilderment. He looked at the master and the lady, hoping that they would come forward and come up with an idea.Scarlett swallowed hard.

Of course it is easy to say a few words of reassurance and casually promise that normalcy will return soon.But the lie will always be exposed one day.What should she say?Now is not the time when she returned to Tara in her previous life—the Yankees had already left at that time, and there were thousands of miles around, and the Yankees could not be found to take her with her. Leaving Tara alone was a dead end.Besides, the ones that remained at that time were all loyal black slaves.Although she criticized many of her actions, she faithfully fulfilled her beliefs.But now, the black people in front of her are mixed, some are loyal, some are timid, and some are wavering. How should she keep these people?Can she gain the trust of these people?

"You guys are the only ones left?" Gerald spoke first, obviously a little shocked.

Big Sam answered, "Yes, sir. It's just us." He said, a little ashamed, "Plenty of sleazy niggers have gone with the Yankees, and some cowards who've run away—pooh! Sir, Big Sam sure won't Go. Big Sam is your foreman."

Gerald has a kind heart under his rough appearance. Like Ellen, he believes that black people need their care and are part of the family.It had never occurred to him to abandon them, and he had no confidence in handing them over to the Yankees—at Tara, blacks did their jobs.Once they leave the manor, it will be difficult for them to support themselves!sky!Gerald O'Hara would never do such a thing.He patted Sam on the shoulder heavily, and praised loudly: "Big Sam, you are a good guy! You are the best foreman in Tara!"

Big Sam rubbed his hands together happily.Gerald was about to say something to the other Negroes, to encourage them to persevere, when a hesitant voice said:

"But Mr. Gerald . . . we're hungry."

Scarlett turned her head quickly, but the black people were crowded together, and it was impossible to tell whose voice it was.A stone stirred up a thousand waves, and the discussion that had been temporarily suppressed because of the arrival of the master became more heated.The black people clamored one after another, as if they were eager to express their grievances to the adults and children:

"We're really hungry! The Yankees say we'll only get food if we go to them!"

"The Yankees have taken over the cotton fields, we dare not go there!"

"My doll is sick, when can Miss Ellen take care of the doll?"

"..."

These voices came in such a swarm that Gerald was dizzy.Although the rough man repeatedly told them to take it easy and speak clearly, the black people had already seen through the master's soft heart with their own unique cunning, coupled with the fear and grievance of these days, they said something It goes on and on, until Scarlett, who has been silent all the time, interrupts it all.

Her first sentence successfully calmed everyone down: "Okay! If you continue to quarrel and attract the Yankees, God knows what they can do!"

Seeing that the black people were no longer agitated, Scarlett pursed her lips, glanced over the black people who complained just now, and quickly began to answer questions in order:

"George, don't go to the Yankees. They're going to fight, do you want to see it? Go dig up the sweet potatoes on the slopes, and be careful. The Yankees won't know it if they haven't seen it."

"Ryan, you can't afford a bite. The Yankees haven't found a few acres of cotton fields by the creek. I will arrange for Sam to lead a few people to take care of the cotton. By then, the surrounding land can be reclaimed for a few more acres, and the woods will catch a few more acres." Birds catch rabbits and gather firewood, where is the idle time!"

"Maria, Miss Ellen is currently ill. Although she has recovered, she can't get up for the time being. Hold your baby and show me. If necessary, I will take it back to Tara to take care of it."

"..."

Her short but confident answer was crisp and powerful, as if she pointed out the direction immediately and gave them clear guidance.The black people looked at the lady in awe, and they stopped arguing.What they want is a way to survive. Now someone can help them think and tell them how to do it.

After saying this, Scarlett paused briefly.She blinked her eyes nonchalantly, then continued:

"As I said--Miss Ellen is convalescing."

"I think you should remember what Miss Ellen taught you," said Scarlett. "In any case, Tara's sky is not falling. We all know that Miss Ellen will get well and put everything in order here. And now, I will temporarily take over her duties and tell you what to do. This is Tara, and we are all Tara's people. No matter what, I will never leave."

"The Yankees are stationed over there--less than a mile from here. I know many of you will be afraid, or even think they have a point--" Scarlett said faster and faster, and now she had no scruples about herself. Whether the words are correct, at least in her opinion, those words come from the heart, "They will call you sir, but they will not treat you as their own. They will push you to vote, but they will not take care of you at your hospital bed. You are here, no matter what I have in the future, I promise that I will not miss a bite of your food—as long as I am still in this house, I will not let you starve to death. The Yankees will not give you food and clothing, and you will run away rashly. Know what you can do?"

"So you should stay." She said in a firm tone, not even leaving herself a way out, "This is the best choice. Obviously, there will be a difficult time in the future. But I can at least guarantee that we will live together .Of course, if someone really wants to go, I can't stop it. But there's nothing left of Tara that can be exchanged for bounty from the Yankees! The simple truth is, if you want to go, don't drag others!"

The black people scratched their heads and looked at each other, weighing the young lady's words in their hearts.Human nature always wants to be at ease, and there may be restless elements, but they will never be the majority.Especially at the moment when Scarlett just broke the promise.

"We're following you, Miss O'Hara," Maria said.

"We're following you, Miss O'Hara," said the blacks in a cacophony.

The backbone of Tara - Ellen is still alive, and the black people are not hopeless.And Scarlett didn't know how effective her words would be. Perhaps some people still wanted to leave, and the ones left might not be truly loyal and brave black slaves.But she has done her best.Of course she knew that the more people had to feed the last year of the war, the more difficult it would be.But after the war—man!Only real labor can realize her dream of rebuilding Tara!where to find so many people

Four days later, the Yankees set off.The first thing Scarlett did was call all the slaves and count them.

Mammy, Polk, Dilsy, ​​Prissy, Maria, George, Big Sam...

A total of seventeen people.