For dozens of days in a row, the villagers watched helplessly as Chu Xun and the Zhang siblings worked day and night to reclaim a full ten acres of wasteland.
Even knowing they had the help of a water buffalo, they were still incredibly surprised and envious.
Ten acres of land! Many families currently only had two or three acres of fertile land in their hands.
Farrs made a living from the land; the more land they had, the more harvest they would get.
If Chu Xun really reclaid thirty acres of wasteland, plus his original seventeen acres of fertile land, that would be nearly fifty acres!
When the ti ca, in the entire Pinecone Village, even the old Li family wouldn't be able to compare.
There were also people who doubted whether such a fast reclamation speed involved trickery.
For example, Li Tianjian's wife secretly ca over and dug several deep pits.
As a result, she found that the soil underneath was loose, there were no stones, and even grass roots were rarely seen.
With such quality, it could be directly sown next spring.
Within two or three years, this place would definitely beco top-grade fertile land.
Li Tianjian's wife imdiately beca depressed. She had been hoping Chu Xun wouldn't be able to do it, so that Li Shoutian would be punished.
When the ti ca, her own man might have a chance to beco the Village Chief.
Pinecone Village wasn't a large village, and even if one beca the Village Chief, there weren't many benefits to be gained, but this was a matter of face.
We both have the surna Li, so why can you be it, but our family can't?
In a poor and remote place with not much to fight for, face beca the most precious thing.
After several people successively ca to see these reclaid wastelands, the villagers completely looked at Chu Xun in a new light.
Young, smart, brainy, and bold.
Just ask, even if they really bought an ox, who in the village would dare to take on thirty acres of wasteland reclamation?
Even if they took it on, they wouldn't have thought of taking turns working day and night.
There were indeed villager couples who tried, but it was pitch-black at night, and they couldn't see anything.
In one night, they didn't know how many tis they tripped over stones and fell, getting bruised all over, and could only give up resentfully.
The person in the village who was happiest about this matter was Li Shoutian.
Chu Xun's efforts allowed him to put his heart back in his stomach.
Every few days, he would bring wine and dishes, insisting on having a few drinks with Chu Xun.
Previously, he considered himself Chu Xun's elder, but now, after drinking together twice, his words carried a hint of respect.
After all, if there were no accidents, once the thirty acres of wasteland reclamation was completed, Chu Xun would be able to obtain the "Village Honored Guest" status given by the county office.
Although the honorary significance was greater than the practical one, just being able to attend the Village Worthies Banquet held by the County Magistrate every year was enough to make Li Shoutian maintain his respect.
Spring went and autumn ca, and in the blink of an eye, it was winter.
Chu Xun, who had already reclaid thirty acres of wasteland, finally had ti to rest for a while.
There were only a few days left until the New Year, and every household was preparing New Year goods.
The harvests had been good these past two years. So villagers gritted their teeth and bought half a catty of pork, and then killed a chicken.
Those who really had no silver would pool together with a few families to at least have a taste of at.
For the children, these were the most anticipated days.
Zhang Anxiu was also kneading dough in the woodshed, while Chu Xun instructed her to add sugar granules, roll out the dough, and cut it into thin strips the length of a finger.
This was a must-have delicacy for the New Year when he was young. After cutting, it was deep-fried in a wok of oil.
It was fragrant and crisp, with a hint of sweetness.
It was just that back then, it was his parents and relatives making it, but now he had to do it himself.
The children all ran over and ford a circle in the woodshed.
Among all the households, Chu Xun prepared the most things.
Moreover, he was generous. As long as the children ca, there were candies, roasted peanuts, and their favorite roasted puffed rice.
Having food to eat and being able to listen to Brother Xun'er tell stories, what a great thing!
Chu Xun planned to upgrade the roasted puffed rice and make it into rice balls.
Mixed with peanuts, lon seeds, and sugar syrup.
After roasting, it would be cut into neat squares, sweet and delicious, to be distributed to the children when the ti ca.
Just talking about this thing made a group of children drool with greed, and they refused to leave even when their families shouted until their throats were hoarse.
Zhang Anxiu felt distressed watching this; this was all Chu Xun's silver.
But she knew in her heart that Chu Xun was mindful of the old affection of eating the collective als of a hundred families, which was why he was so good to the children in the village, so naturally, she couldn't say anything.
She could only mutter, "It's almost the New Year, and Big Brother still has to go to the Lin family to do short-term work. If his wages are deducted again, won't he be angry for a whole year!"
Chu Xun smiled and said, "Big Brother's intention as a drunkard lies not in the wine, that's all."
Although Zhang Anxiu's skin was dark, her eyes were very large.
She blinked her round eyes, her face full of incomprehension, "Big Brother doesn't drink wine."
How could Chu Xun explain it to her? So things can only be understood but not expressed in words.
It was just that the person from the Lin family indeed had a noble status, having a relative who was a high official in the imperial court.
Ordinary small families really couldn't match up, let alone Zhang Sanchun.
So Chu Xun never planned to help with anything. After all, with his current ans, at most he could only give Zhang Sanchun so silver.
But could the Eldest Miss of the Lin family lack silver?
He didn't want to help out of good intentions, only to watch Zhang Sanchun return disappointed in the end.
Since that was the case, it was better to go with the flow and not force it.
At this ti in the town, Zhang Sanchun was still following behind Lin Qiaoxi as usual.
Lin Qiaoxi, dressed in n's clothing, held a candied hawthorn stick in her hand, eating it in small bites.
She had bought a sugar triangle for Zhang Sanchun, but it was too hot. Zhang Sanchun wanted to eat it, but was burned so much he kept blowing air.
This made the Eldest Miss laugh so hard she trembled like a flower branch, her voice as pleasant as a crisp bell.
At this ti, a horse carriage ca over, followed by two donkey carts.
The curtain on the horse carriage was lifted, revealing a majestic face of nearly thirty years old.
The sowhat mature face was now beaming with joy, clasping his hands in greeting to the passersby.
Acquaintances clasped their hands and congratulated him, "Your whole family is now going to the county town to enjoy a life of ease. Don't forget our friendship in the future, co back and visit often."
"Easy to say, easy to say." The man laughed heartily.
Seeing Lin Qiaoxi, the man took the initiative to greet her, "Sister of the Lin family, your brother is going to the county town. Whenever you go to play, don't forget to co find your brother for a few cups of wine."
These words carried a hint of teasing, making Lin Qiaoxi turn her head away unhappily, ignoring him.
Seeing Zhang Sanchun also staring at the man, Lin Qiaoxi seed to think of sothing. She gently pulled him and said, "Forget it. He was blessed by misfortune this year and advanced to a fourth-rank Martial Master. Even in the county town, he has so status. You can't afford to provoke him."
Holding the sugar triangle in his hand, Zhang Sanchun slowly lowered his head, "I know."
This martial artist who was moving from the town to the county town was exactly the one who had killed Li Ermao, Zhang Shigen, and the others back then.
A few years had passed, his injuries had completely healed, and his martial arts had advanced further.
According to the rules of his sect, a fourth-rank had the qualifications to enter the county town.
When the ti ca, they would band together for warmth, and even the County Magistrate would have to be polite to them.
If he advanced further in the future, he might hold an important position in the sect, which would be even more extraordinary.
Such a figure was indeed not soone an honest farr could provoke.
Zhang Sanchun raised his hand and silently took a bite of the sugar triangle, which had gone cold at so unknown ti.
He didn't feel sweetness, nor did he feel bitterness. He only thought in his heart: "Ah Xun said that sooner or later, there will be a day when he will visit him to settle the score."
(End of Chapter)
User Comments
0 comments from readers