nucmednet Chapter 139 Letters
Chapter 139 Letters
Zisu then told the old clan chief about the road repair and bus arrangements. The old clan chief was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Zisu, you are a great hero! If the road is repaired, our mountain produce won't rot in the forests! It will be much more convenient to go to the county town and the capital in the future!"
In the past, because the roads were difficult to travel and few families owned oxcarts, so much mountain produce couldn't be delivered to the county town in time and would spoil. Now things are better; poor families have hope for the future.
When it came to the issue of recruiting laborers, the old clan chief said, "I'll go and talk to the village chiefs and clan chiefs of the nearby villages, and explain to them the benefits of road construction so that they can mobilize the able-bodied men in their villages to participate in this labor service!"
Upon hearing this, Zisu couldn't help but beam with joy: "Thank you, Sixth Grandfather! Let Brother Shen drive the carriage to take you there. Riding in a carriage will shield you from the sun. The weather is so hot these days; walking or riding in an oxcart will easily lead to heatstroke!"
These words forced the old patriarch to swallow back the refusal that was on the tip of his tongue: "Alright, then that's settled. I won't stand on ceremony!"
Zisu then called Shen Laihui in: "Brother Shen, Sixth Grandfather is going to another village to mobilize everyone to participate in this labor service. Please take Sixth Grandfather there. Be careful on the way, and don't let anything happen to him!"
Shen Laihui: "Yes, miss, don't worry!"
Zisu then said to the old clan chief, "Sixth Grandfather, please wait a moment. I've prepared six gifts for you to take to the clan chiefs and village heads of the other villages. Let's go to the three closest villages today, and we can go to the others tomorrow!"
The old clan chief said, "I'll prepare the gifts. You've just returned, what do you have at home to give away? Keep whatever you need for yourself!"
Zisu: "Sixth Grandfather, I brought back a lot of things this time. I originally wanted to give some to the elderly in the village. Since that's the case, we can give the gifts to them next time. Let's take them and give them to the clan chiefs and village chiefs of other villages first!"
The old clan chief said, "How about this, don't give me the things you originally wanted to give me. Give them away instead!"
Zisu: "Alright, then I'll bring more gifts for Sixth Grandpa next time!"
The old clan chief said, "Zisu, your kindness is appreciated. Whether you bring it or not doesn't matter. Your sixth grandfather will be just as happy!"
Zisu had Xiangli move all the gifts to the reception room. While chatting with the old clan chief, she selected and wrapped the gifts. Each gift was the same and not many: a jar of wine, a bag of pastries, and a bag of candy for each person.
After repackaging, Zisu asked the old clan chief, "Sixth Grandfather, is this alright?"
The old clan chief said, "Very good, very good! This is a very generous gift! Actually, if you ask me, a jar of wine would be enough!"
Zisu: "That's good, thank you, Sixth Grandfather! Pears and cherries, load the gifts onto the carriage!"
"Yes, young lady!" The two men respectfully replied and walked over, carrying all the gifts onto the carriage. At this moment, Shen Laihui had already harnessed the carriage and parked it at the gate, waiting for the old clan chief.
That evening, the old clan chief came to Xiaoshitan again and told Zisu, "The labor service is going very smoothly. The clan chiefs and village chiefs of the three villages have all agreed to help. They promised that as soon as the yamen's notice is posted in the village, they will immediately mobilize everyone to sign up!"
Zisu: "The proclamation from the government office will probably be posted in every village tomorrow."
The old clan chief said, "Yes, I'll make another trip tomorrow and visit all ten villages in this surrounding area. Even if only twenty people sign up in each village, that'll still add up to about two hundred people, not to mention there are three large villages. Also, there are over a hundred able-bodied young men in Wuliping alone. Excluding a few lazybones, I conservatively estimate that about ninety people will sign up!"
Working for only ten days or half a month would earn a subsidy of two taels of silver, and it was near home, so I could go home every night. Such a good deal—only a fool wouldn't want it!
Zisu: "Sixth Grandfather, don't worry. This labor service is open to the entire county. There are five towns and hundreds of villages in the county. Gathering five hundred people is not a problem! When Sixth Grandfather goes to other villages to persuade them, he doesn't need to be humble. If the village chief or clan head of any village doesn't get along with Sixth Grandfather, Sixth Grandfather doesn't have to go!"
The old clan chief waved his hand: "No, that's not true. My relationship with those clan chiefs and village chiefs is, if not perfect, at least there are no conflicts. You can rest assured. Recruiting more people from nearby villages will greatly help to finish the road as soon as possible. After all, everyone will benefit from the road to the county town!"
There's only one road leading to the county town, and people from other villages also have to take this road.
Zisu smiled with relief: "Sixth Grandfather, you've worked hard. Take this bag of tea and tobacco back with you so you can relax."
The old clan chief said, "No need. Didn't we say we were keeping it to give away?"
Zisu: "I've already sent Li Mao to the county town to expedite the purchases. He should be back by evening. Hmm, he might even be on his way here right now!"
Li Mao rode a horse, which would take only half an hour to reach the county town, much faster than a carriage. The gifts were originally intended for the old clan chief; they were all of the finest quality, and there wasn't much left. Giving them to anyone else would be awkward, so he decided to give them to the old clan chief instead.
The old clan chief said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'm going home now. Don't worry, Zisu!"
Zisu: "Sixth Grandfather, before you leave tomorrow, please come to Xiaoshitan again. I'll have Brother Shen take you there, and you can pick up your gift while you're at it!"
"Okay, I understand!" the old patriarch replied as he walked.
Ah, this child is just so good! Such an adorable child, he must tell his daughter-in-law to spend more time with her while she lives in Xiaoshitan.
On the third day, road repair teams appeared along the entire road from Wuliping to the county town. This section of road near Wuliping, about ten li long, was entirely made up of able-bodied young men from Wuliping. Ten men formed a group, and each group was responsible for one li of road.
About eighty teenagers and about twenty farmers over forty years old participated in the road repair in Wuliping. It can be said that almost all the able-bodied young men remaining in the village signed up for this labor service. If it hadn't been specified that only men were wanted, many strong and healthy women would likely have also signed up.
The subsidy of two taels of silver was still quite attractive.
In the entire Zhangshu County, more than 1,100 people participated in this labor service. In just ten days, the mountain road, which was sixty or seventy miles long, was repaired. The previously rugged and narrow mountain road was transformed into a main road, with most sections wide enough for two horse-drawn carriages to pass at the same time.
Several very dangerous sections have been transformed into smooth roads, reducing the danger by more than 70%. What was originally extremely dangerous has now become only slightly dangerous.
Zisu sat in the carriage, inspecting the road conditions along the way, nodding in approval. She felt extremely gratified and happy.
Fang Qiong, Yun Duo, and Ru Feng also sat in the carriage. Seeing how happy she was, their slight displeasure vanished instantly.
Yunduo: "Aunt Zisu, now that the roads are open, Yunduo can visit you in Wuliping more often!"
Sigh, leaving Wuliping so soon, she felt extremely reluctant to go. However, things changed; the Princess Consort didn't bring the young princess and Hua'er to Wuliping, and Aunt Zisu was in a hurry to return to the capital. With no other choice, no matter how reluctant she was, she had to leave.
Zisu: "Yes, it will be much more convenient in the future! To be honest, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking you to Wuliping if the road hadn't been repaired. The Princess also thought the same thing and plans to come to Wuliping for a short stay after the road is repaired. This time, I'm going back to the capital and will probably be back in three to five days. At that time, the Princess, Yue'er, and Hua'er will also come together!"
Ru Feng: "Aunt Zisu, next time you come to Wuliping, please bring Yi-ge'er along too!"
Zisu thought for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, I agree!"
Fang Qiong: "Sister Zisu, you must come back! I'm still waiting to get to know Hua'er!"
Zisu: "I will definitely come back. When I pass through the county town, I will stop by your garden and take you all to Wuliping!"
Fang Qiong: "That's great! Then I can rest assured and wait for your arrival with peace of mind!"
Zisu dropped the three off at the entrance of the county government office and then left, heading straight for the capital. On the way, passing through Huai Shu County, she saw the Good Days Restaurant under construction. Her heart warmed; the Princess trusted her so much, and indeed, she was building a restaurant here!
She had only mentioned it briefly in her letter, yet the Princess acted so quickly, a testament to her trust. Being trusted so much, Zisu felt incredibly comforted.
Back at the General's Mansion, Shangguan Yi rushed over to her as soon as he saw her: "Sister, why are you only just getting back? You have to take me with you next time you go to Wuliping!"
Zisu: "Okay, I'll take you there in a few days!"
Shangguan Yi: "Okay, thank you, sister. You're the best!"
Now he's almost five years old, a big boy now! His older sister should be able to let him go hunting in the mountains by now, right? His martial arts skills have improved a lot; hunting pheasants and rabbits shouldn't be a problem, right?
The next morning, Shangguan Yi pestered Shen Laihui: "Brother Shen, there are a few parts of the sword technique you taught me last time that I don't quite understand. Could you give me some pointers?"
Shen Laihui: "Okay, let's go to the training ground! In a few days, we'll go to Wuliping, and I'll take you to practice in the mountains!" Practicing martial arts is actually better in the mountains; it's more efficient. Because you have to be constantly aware of your surroundings to avoid attacks from poisonous snakes and wild animals.
Shangguan Yi immediately cheered with joy: "Wow, great! Great! That's wonderful!" He really hoped that this day would come soon.
Looking at her tanned daughter, Mrs. Yu couldn't help but say with heartache, "Oh dear, you've gotten so tanned again. Why are you so stubborn? We have plenty to eat and drink at home, why are you always worrying? Money can never be earned enough. From now on, stay at home and learn some needlework."
Zisu: "Mother, my needlework skills are pretty good now. I can make my own clothes and shoes, and I can also embroider simple patterns. I think that's enough!"
Madam Yu: "That's right, you can make clothes and shoes, but the stitches are too coarse! It's okay for the stitches to be a little coarse on the inner garments and trousers, but how can you be presentable with outer garments and coats if the stitches are too coarse? No, your needlework skills are still lacking, you must work on them properly!"
Zisu: "Mother, aren't there people in the family who do needlework? I just need to know how to do it, I don't have to be an expert. Besides, I'm very busy right now and don't have time to do needlework! Please, Mother, stop nagging me, I'm starving. I can't wait for dinner, I'll go to the kitchen and make something to eat to tide me over!"
Madam Yu: "Please sit down. I've already told the kitchen staff to prepare the food!"
Just then, Shangguan Mufeng returned.
Madam Yu said to her husband, "You should have a good talk with our daughter and tell her to stop running around all the time and stay at home to learn needlework! Her needlework skills are still lacking and she needs to work hard to improve!"
Zisu quickly interjected, "Father, we have people in the family who know how to sew. Why do you have to be an expert? Just knowing how to do it is enough. I'm very busy these days and don't have the time or inclination to do needlework."
Shangguan Mufeng: "Her mother, Zisu is different from ordinary young ladies. She is intelligent and wise. Her place is not in the small inner quarters. Don't restrict her with the requirements of ordinary women. Give her a wide sky!"