CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 156: BE PREPARED

There are quite a few refugees in Zhenzhou Prefecture now, and after the new year, they will be registered in various villages.

Especially Beishan Village with only thirteen households, and Xiahe Village with fourteen households. Xiahe Village lost many people during the flood, and Beishan Village was plundered by mountain bandits during the chaos. Naturally, these villages will become key places for the government office to settle the refugees.

When Xie Liangchen was making woolen fabrics, the women of Beishan Village heard that Chen Family Village was short on manpower and asked if they could help to earn some silver coins. Xie Liangchen had Chen Yongyi’s sister-in-law, Zheng, teach the women of Beishan Village.

Beishan Village also found a loom, and thus began to make woolen fabrics, earning some silver coins. Since then, the whole village has been very grateful to Chen Family Village.

Next year, they plan to plant herbs on the mountain, and Beishan Village has already consulted with Chen Yongsheng, who expressed a willingness to help, and the government office is also willing to lend them farming tools.

Fan Lizheng of Beishan Village understands that spring plowing next year is a significant task. Whenever he has time, he goes to the government office to inquire about details. When faced with things he doesn’t understand, he doesn’t dare to bother Xie Liangchen directly in Chen Family Village and first consults with Sun Family Village and Xiahe Village. Only if they can’t decide, he comes to Chen Family Village for advice.

This time, when the refugees entered the town, Sun Family Village, Beishan Village, and Xiahe Village all sent people to help. They arranged for the refugees to be settled early and helped the government office transport the bodies of deceased refugees. With the help of the villagers, even with many refugees entering Zhenzhou, everything still appears orderly.

Doing these tasks not only helps the refugees but also benefits Zhenzhou. A large influx of refugees, if not arranged properly, may lead to outbreaks.

This is a matter of human lives.

Song Xian thought the same, preparing early to save the refugees and ensure the safety of Zhenzhou Prefecture residents.

Facing Grandpa Sun and several village chiefs expressing their gratitude repeatedly.

Xie Liangchen said, "Grandpa and the village chiefs are too polite. We are all in Zhenzhou Prefecture, so we should naturally help each other.

Now that it’s the new year, some things can’t be relaxed. The village still needs people for patrols, and any issues should be reported to the government office."

The village chiefs of Beishan Village, Xiahe Village, and Da Liu Village all agreed.

Grandpa Sun said, "Rest assured, now that we have refugees, we know where to send them."

This time, people from several villages came to deliver some things to Chen Family Village. Not wanting to take up Xie Liangchen’s and Chen Yongsheng’s time here, Grandpa Sun stood up and bid farewell, saying, "We’ll be heading back now."

Seeing wave after wave of people arriving, Chen Yongsheng let out a deep sigh of relief. Fortunately, he prepared in advance, having visited the surrounding villages with Chen Yongyi before their arrival to avoid any lack of courtesy. Otherwise, seeing these things, he would feel he hadn’t fulfilled his role as a village chief.

Indeed, it is different.

Liangchen sold herbs and planted herbs without avoiding others. Everyone was aware, so privately they became close.

When issues truly arise, these villages can stand together.

This is the result of relationships accumulated over time and also because of Miss Chen’s sincere treatment of others.

After sending off Grandpa Sun and the village chiefs, Xie Liangchen went to Xu Tingzhen’s courtyard, where Xu Tingzhen was sitting on the kang doing needlework, holding Mr. Dongli’s newly tried robe.

Xie Liangchen sat down and said, "Shall I help with the robe?"

"No need," Xu Tingzhen replied. If the robe were really handed to Liangchen, the old fellow wouldn’t be wearing new clothes this year because Liangchen, despite being good at everything, gets distracted when doing needlework.

"Once I finish altering the robe, we will check on the refugees," Xu Tingzhen said, "Tomorrow, we won’t be leaving the village."

Besides visiting the refugees, Xie Liangchen also had to go to the Song Family to ask Old Mrs. Song if she wanted to come to Chen Family Village, so she could prepare accordingly.

Xie Liangchen took the wool blankets the women made for Old Mrs. Song and carefully chose longevity fruits and hazelnuts, dividing these mountain foods into two portions, and, along with Chen Zigeng, Hei Dan, and others, accompanied Xu Tingzhen into the town.

...

Song Xian only returned to the Zhenzhou Government Office at night.

County Magistrate Qu was still in the second hall reviewing documents. Upon hearing the official’s report, he immediately went out to greet him.

County Magistrate Qu said, "General, was the journey smooth?"

Song Xian nodded, "The camp is short on provisions. After the new year, we need the court to allocate military resources — we need to stockpile at least three months’ worth for emergencies."

County Magistrate Qu responded, and once Zhenzhou’s fields are cultivated this year, they won’t have to be so constrained.

County Magistrate Qu said, "I’ve been discussing the refugee registration issue with the clerk. It can be handled after the new year, and it won’t delay spring plowing."

Song Xian looked at County Magistrate Qu’s face, which had grown thinner, and in a rare moment, his tone softened: "It’s late; go back. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve."

County Magistrate Qu felt flattered by Song Xian’s concern: "General, you’ve worked hard on the journey. Rest early as well."

Song Xian responded, about to leave, when suddenly he caught sight of a not-too-distant basket.

That basket seemed very familiar to him.

Song Xian’s gaze flickered.

County Magistrate Qu noticed General Song’s steps halted there and slowly followed his gaze.

"Oh," County Magistrate Qu said, "Miss Xie from Chen Family Village brought these items." It was a gesture of goodwill from Chen Family Village, and he hadn’t declined it.

Song Xian asked, "Did Chen Family Village say anything?"

County Magistrate Qu hesitated, as Chen Family Village seemed to have no particular issues.

Seeing County Magistrate Qu’s expression, Song Xian thought his question might be odd. If there were issues, Chang Yue would naturally report them. He was probably just curious about the contents of the basket.

It’s still the same person who delivered it.

Is Qu Chengmei that important? He has elderly parents and a wife, so what’s there to worry about?

With this thought, Song Xian felt more fatigued from the long journey.

Seeing General Song’s face darken, Qu Chengmei felt a chill: What is wrong this time? Did he say something wrong?

Song Xian strode out of the government office, and Chang An hurriedly said, "Master, shall we return to the mansion? The old lady will be thrilled to see you first thing tomorrow morning."

Chang An thought it was so late that it certainly wouldn’t be possible to visit Chen Family Village now, and it would be better to return and discuss with the old lady about visiting Chen Family Village tomorrow.

Song Xian nodded, and the group returned, dusty travelers, to Song Family Mansion.

After entering the room and just taking off his robe, Chang An, who brought in water, said, "I went to the kitchen to get hot water earlier and saw the chef was still up.

The chef said Miss Xie visited today, inviting the old lady to Chen Family Village. The old lady had a lot prepared to take tomorrow."

Grandmother is going to Chen Family Village. Has she considered including him?

Song Xian naturally couldn’t ask Old Mrs. Song about it now. He had previously agreed to guard the New Year’s Eve at Chen Family Village, thinking he could return two days early to prepare, but he hadn’t expected to be delayed longer in the army...

Fortunately, Xie Liangchen hadn’t forgotten.

The anxieties in Song Xian’s heart were instantly smoothed out. After pondering for a moment, he instructed Chang An, "Tell the chef to prepare more lamb and say you will also dine at Chen Family Village, so the kitchen should go early to prepare there, to avoid burdening the villagers too much."

Chang An genuinely admired the master’s skills. How could the master leave when his household general was stationed at Chen Family Village?

Chang An responded, lifting his head to look at the master and noting that the frost on his face had melted away, with a faint smile seemingly dwelling in his eyes.

Song Xian sat in the chair, habitually reaching for documents. Seeing his sleeve, he raised his eyes again and asked the pageboy at the door.

"Has the family prepared a new robe for me?"