CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 196: WORKING TOGETHER

Before this, Chen Yongsheng had never heard Xie Liangchen speak so much in detail, but since the uncle and nephew often discussed matters together, although he was very surprised, he snapped back to reality first.

Grandpa Sun mulled over Xie Liangchen’s words repeatedly before calming his emotions, feeling both grateful and fortunate that the Chen Family Village had accepted back this Miss Xie.

Grandpa Sun said, "Did Miss Xie think of all this before last December? Is that why you asked us to buy mountain land together, and for the villages that couldn’t afford it, to seek the government office for documentation?"

What Grandpa Sun said wasn’t comprehensive. Besides, didn’t the Chen Family Village also make wind boxes and forge a lot of farming tools at the blacksmith shop? By making these farming tools, the Chen Family Village reminded everyone, and now all the blacksmith shops in Zhenzhou City have stopped making iron pots and switched to making plowshares and other items.

Xie Liangchen laughed and said, "I couldn’t see that far ahead either. At the time, I just felt that we must buy mountain land. How much can we earn just by digging in the mountains? Without planting, there will eventually be nothing left to dig."

The several village chiefs were aware in their hearts that Miss Xie did not want to take too much credit, but in fact, wasn’t it Miss Xie who led them through every step?

Xie Liangchen said, "So everyone doesn’t need to think too much. Just focus on preparing for spring planting. Besides growing medicinal herbs, we also have plenty of mulberry and hemp in the North, as well as millet, wheat, sorghum, and beans. Plan carefully what to plant first and what to plant later."

The village chiefs and grandpas knew how to grow grains, and she would focus her energy on the medicinal herbs.

After finishing their conversation, Mrs. Gao came in with a smile and said, "The food is ready. I’ll have it brought in now."

The village chiefs wanted to leave, but Old Mrs. Chen, with her hands on her hips, said, "Who comes in and doesn’t eat? Are you strangers? Just now you were saying we’re all family. Our village’s young lads have eaten at your place. You’re not afraid they’ll eat you out of house and home, so why would you think the Chen Family Village can’t provide this much food? Who are you looking down on?"

Upon hearing Old Mrs. Chen’s words, Grandpa Sun and the others couldn’t help but laugh.

It was indeed like this. Lately, the villagers would patrol together, and when it was time to eat, they would eat wherever they happened to be, regardless of whose village it was.

Grandpa Sun said, "Alright, let’s eat, and after we’re full, we’ll discuss putting the fields of a few villages together."

The room was bustling with activity.

The village chiefs chatted while eating, and it wasn’t until it was almost dark that they left together.

After walking a long way, as the village chiefs were about to part ways, they turned to look towards the Chen Family Village.

Fan Lizheng was still a bit incredulous, "What did Miss Xie say again? Not only can we sell the herbs, but we can also help the Medicine Bureau process them."

Sun Lizheng nodded, and Feng Lizheng from Da Liu Village said, "We might even work as government officials at the government office."

Grandpa Sun added, "Once the medicine from the Official Medicine Bureau sells well, we can also enjoy using finished medicines."

"It’s truly..." Fan Lizheng said, "Can us farmers really achieve such things?"

"What kind of granddaughter has Old Mrs. Chen brought back?"

The village chiefs stood in the wind for a while before returning to their villages. There was still much to do, and if a village didn’t do well, it would hold everyone back.

This kind of situation must not happen.

After sending off the village chiefs, Xie Liangchen returned to her room to wash up. She was indeed exhausted after being busy for so long. At this moment, she just wanted to lean quietly against the kang and go through the account books, which was the best relaxation for her.

Old Mrs. Chen went to Mr. Xu’s courtyard to chat, while Chen Zigeng brought out the brocade quilt sent by the government office.

"Sister," Chen Zigeng presented the quilt to Xie Liangchen like a treasure, "Take a look at this quilt and feel how soft it is. It must be very comfortable."

Xie Liangchen reached out to touch it, feeling it soft and smooth to the touch.

Chen Zigeng said, "Grandmother even said it’s such a pity. How nice it would be if it were made into clothes."

Xie Liangchen watched as Chen Zigeng carefully touched the brocade quilt, "Brother, aren’t there two quilts? Let’s take them both out while Grandmother is not here. We’ll each have one to cover ourselves."

Chen Zigeng hesitated a bit.

Xie Liangchen said, "Who knows, one day, Grandmother might tear it up to make clothes. Then you won’t be able to cover yourself with it."

Hearing this, Chen Zigeng was tempted: "Then I’ll go wash up." Afraid that he would dirty the quilt.

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but smile as she watched her brother’s back.

After a long while, Chen Zigeng finally climbed onto the kang, carefully covering himself with the brocade quilt, a look of complete satisfaction on his face.

The brocade quilt was so good, so comfortable, that Chen Zigeng curled up inside it and didn’t come out for a long time.

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but call, "Brother, come out, don’t suffocate yourself."

Only then did Chen Zigeng slowly reveal his head, "Sister, this brocade quilt is really nice. When I grow up and earn some silver coins, I’ll buy even better ones for Grandmother and you."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Sister will remember that."

Chen Zigeng continued, "When we sell the herbs after planting them, can we also renovate the houses in the village? This time, when we repair the houses, Brother Chu Er and they can do the woodwork for Fourth Uncle. Fourth Uncle’s hands are not convenient, every time he works, his right thumb gets injured.

The left hand is the same; the fingertips are full of small wounds."

In such a situation, Chen Yongyi could still make such good wind boxes. This inspired Chen Chuchu and others to learn the craft from him.

Xie Liangchen said, "Make more money, and in winter, buy more wool socks to treat the chilblains on your feet."

Chen Zigeng laughed. As his sister said this, he really felt his instep itch.

After a moment, Chen Zigeng murmured, "Sister, we still have so much to do. It’s really nice."

The siblings spoke under the brocade quilt, and Xie Liangchen’s mind completely relaxed. Her brother’s voice became fainter, until she could hear it no more.

One after the other, the siblings fell asleep.

In Xu Tingzhen’s room.

Old Mrs. Chen had been watching Mr. Xu for a long time, and tiny beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Mr. Xu’s silent staring was somewhat intimidating.

Old Mrs. Chen coughed, about to speak.

Xu Tingzhen spoke first, "I heard from Liangchen, you’ve recognized me for quite a while?"

Old Mrs. Chen cleared her throat again, "At first, I truly did not recognize you." Mr. Xu’s words seemed exaggerated, as if she had been hiding it for a long time.

Xu Tingzhen, with a stern face, "You really can hide anything in your belly, enduring for such a long time without revealing a single word."

Old Mrs. Chen laughed, revealing her missing teeth, "Wasn’t I just afraid of bringing danger to Mr. Xu, so I had to swallow my bitterness."

Old Mrs. Chen spoke so lightly, but Xu Tingzhen realized that the usually frugal and meticulous Old Mrs. Chen was actually quite a cunning old fox.

Xu Tingzhen said, "Liangchen said you have something to tell me, what is it?"