CHAPTER 462: CHAPTER 462: GOING TO HUA VILLAGE

"No, no," Old Man Hua hastily said, waving his hand.

"There’s no need for alarm, Village Chief Hua. I merely wish to meet you due to my admiration for your wisdom," said the county official, noticing Village Chief Hua’s nervousness. He took a step back and spoke in a more affable tone, as though speaking to a next-door grandfather.

Upon hearing this, Old Man Hua dared to raise his head for a glance but was momentarily stunned. He thought to himself: As my son said, the county official is indeed young and remarkably handsome—almost too handsome, even prettier than a woman. Though his frame is somewhat slight, his presence is quite commanding, befitting his status as a county official. Nevertheless, he quickly lowered his head again.

Cautiously, Old Man Hua said, "I’m just an ordinary old man doing what I ought to do. I am not worthy of your praise; it’s truly humbling."

"The village chief is too modest," said the county official with a gentle smile, nodding toward the circle chair in the study, "Please, have a seat, Village Chief Hua."

"Thank you, but I’d rather stand," Old Man Hua dared not actually sit down.

The county official did not insist, "Is the household registration matter resolved?"

"Thanks to your favor, it has been taken care of swiftly by the officials."

"That’s good. So, Village Chief Hua is returning to the village next?"

Old Man Hua sneaked a glance up, unsure of what the county official meant, but he still replied truthfully, "Yes, I am preparing to return to the village."

Hua Chengtian glanced thoughtfully at the official above.

"May I accompany you?" the county official asked with a subtle smile, leaving Old Man Hua taken aback, even forgetting to avert his gaze.

This request truly surprised Old Man Hua; he never imagined the county official would be so eager. Good deeds are indeed not so easy to accomplish, but he felt there was no regret.

The county official continued, "To be frank, meeting you is partly due to my long-held respect, and also because I’m curious about Hua Village. Would it be possible to visit together?"

"Of course, if you don’t mind, it would be an honor for Hua Village to have you," Old Man Hua replied hastily.

"Very well, let’s set off, then," the county official said eagerly, smiling wider.

"Yes," Old Man Hua nodded, exchanging a brief glance with his son before quickly averting his eyes, a hint of worry in them. He hoped the official’s intentions were genuinely just a friendly visit.

"Hu Hu, prepare the carriage," the county official ordered, glancing to the side at Hu Hu.

No time was wasted as the official mounted a carriage pulled by a slightly gaunt black horse, accompanied by Hu Hu and another officer, following Old Man Hua’s ox cart.

Also on the ox cart were a few men from the village, seemingly concerned enough to come along, each carrying long bundles wrapped in cloth. The county official glanced in their direction before turning his gaze away.

The county official had only heard of Hua Village and had never been there. He knew it was remote, close to the Qinggu Mountain range, but he hadn’t expected it to be so far.

They traveled for nearly an hour before reaching the village by noon. As they stopped at the entrance to Hua Village, the county official got off the cart and looked at the imposing walls, finally understanding Hu Hu’s awe upon his return that day.

Initially expecting walls just slightly taller than average, he hadn’t anticipated such a grand scale. His gaze toward the village chief deepened even further.

Hua Village was much more robust than he had imagined, a reality underscored by the mere presence of these walls.

He wondered how these walls were constructed, especially since they didn’t exist a little over a year ago.

But after entering the walls, it didn’t take long for the official to piece together the answer in his mind.

Seeing the neatly arranged courtyards distributed uniformly throughout Hua Village, stretching from one end of the village to the other, took more than a short walk to pass through. Villagers were chatting at crossroads, greeting the village chief warmly and naturally on their way, showing neither fatigue nor the guarded demeanor one often sees in others when encountering strangers.

Of course, it wasn’t as if they were entirely unguarded around him. Had he not been with the village chief, he could have seen how it might have been different.

The villagers’ clothes, albeit patched, were clean, and everyone bore a vigorous spirit, indicating an unyielding vitality. Clearly, the disasters of recent years hadn’t strongly afflicted Hua Village.

This well-being was largely due to their capable village chief. The county official’s gaze involuntarily turned to the village chief, who was exchanging greetings with the villagers, a robust and seemingly younger-than-his-years man nearly into his fifties.

"Village Chief, you’re back," someone greeted.

"Yes, back. Eating, are you?"

"Indeed, Village Chief, care to join us?"

"No, no, I’ll be off home shortly."

"...Was the trip smooth this time?"

"Smooth, smooth... Everyone can come by to pick up new registrations this evening..."

"Great, great... Now everyone can rest easy..."

"Thank you, Village Chief..."

"Village Chief, come sit at our place..."

"No, thank you..."

"Village Chief..."

Amidst the conversation, although curious about the carriage following them, none of the villagers pried. They only cast curious glances.

The county official observed all this, discerning that the villagers of Hua Village were both perceptive and disciplined, a testament to the village chief’s good governance.

So, amidst greetings, they arrived at a large courtyard at the back of the village.

Unlike other courtyard walls, this one’s was higher and entirely made of stone, with a more imposing gate. It seemed newly installed as it looked quite fresh.

Hmm... It could be said that everything he had seen in Hua Village had a very new appearance.

"Sir, this humble home is mine," came Old Man Hua’s voice from outside the cart, pulling the county official from his musings.

"Thank you for the trouble, Village Chief," replied the official, Liu Yongping, as he dismounted, clad in his half-worn civilian attire.

Hua Chengtian knocked on his own door, calling for those inside to open it.

The hurried whines of dogs caught the county official’s attention.

Now... there were dogs, and it sounded like more than one. He recalled belatedly that some villagers they had passed also had dogs with them.

With spare provisions to keep dogs, Hua Village surely wasn’t lacking in food, which explained how they could sell so many eggs from chickens, ducks, and geese.

"Dad’s back..."

A young boy’s voice echoed from the courtyard, followed by the gate opening, and several massive figures bolted out, heading straight for those at the entrance. Two even rushed in his direction.

Even the composed county official was startled, as Hu Hu and the other officer quickly positioned themselves protectively in front of him. Had they not known these dogs belonged to the village chief, Hu Hu would have drawn his sword.

The dogs, taller than half a grown man and stoutly built, charging forward were daunting indeed.