allonlinenovel Chapter 137 Relief
Chapter 137 Relief
After Ruan Qingqing and others returned home, Ruan Wantie personally thanked Grandma Yu and Yu Zongyuan.
"Hey, no, no!"
Knowing that Ruan Wantie was a fifth-rank official, Grandma Yu was so frightened by his gift that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet. She didn't even dare to think about asking Ruan Qingqing to be her granddaughter-in-law.
Yu Zongyuan shook his head repeatedly, "Uncle Senior Official, if anyone else encountered this kind of thing, they would lend a hand."
Ruan Wantie smiled, "You are kind-hearted! Zongyuan, don't call me Uncle Daguan. I am the fourth child in the family, so why not call me Fourth Uncle! You and your grandmother can live in our house in Anxin in the future.
If you are not used to it, we can build you a house nearby in the spring. Don't worry, as long as we have something to eat, we will never treat you badly!"
"Thank you, Fourth Uncle! If possible, please help us relocate the villagers in the valley. Since a mountain flood broke out ten years ago, blocking the way out of the village, we can no longer communicate with the outside world.
The valley bottom is very damp, which is bad for the bones of the elderly in the village. It would be great if everyone could settle down outside. As for me, I have strength and can hunt, so I can support myself and my grandmother. "
Yu Zongyuan bowed solemnly to Ruan Wantie.
"Good boy! You can live here without any worries. As for the villagers, it is really not a good thing to be trapped in the valley for a long time. Don't worry, I will find a way."
Ruan Wantie immediately agreed to relocate the villagers in the valley.
"I'm here to thank Fourth Uncle on behalf of all the villagers!" Yu Zongyuan said as he knelt down and kowtowed to him three times. Ruan Wantie couldn't stop him.
"Why are you so polite, kid? Since you call me Fourth Uncle, you should treat me as your own elder and don't be so polite!"
"I won't be polite to Fourth Uncle for anything else, but this is no less than a life-saving grace for us villagers, so I should kowtow to him!" Yu Zongyuan smiled.
"You kid..."
Ruan Qingqing, who was watching the whole process, had her eyes sparkling. Although the man came from a mountain valley that had been closed off for ten years, he was well-mannered and knew when to advance and retreat. With a little training, he would be a good helper.
As for the strange forest in Liujiawan, she observed it carefully and thought that it was probably breeding miasma. After three years of drought and in winter, it was not obvious. And the people who came back from the strange forest had not heard anything wrong.
However, this also reminded her that if she wanted to move everyone out of the valley, it would be best to do it this winter or early spring. After late spring, with more rain and higher temperatures, it is hard to guarantee that miasma will not breed again. At that time, the difficulty of moving out would undoubtedly increase a lot.
Ruan Wantie frowned when he heard Ruan Qingqing's analysis. "Whether it's this winter or the beginning of spring, the timing is a bit wrong. First of all, there's no way to solve the housing problem. No matter how few people there are, there are still more than ten families. If they don't find a proper place to settle down, something bad will happen in this cold weather."
"Dad, I originally wanted to find some people to burn bamboo charcoal. Why not move them out and temporarily live near the charcoal kiln? On the one hand, they can take care of the charcoal kiln, and on the other hand, they can earn some income for themselves. This person will only feel at ease if he has some money in his hands."
Ruan Wantie fell into deep thought. "It is possible, but it is already winter now. Even if we want to do it, we have to do it as soon as possible, otherwise it will be difficult to build a house when the ground is frozen. And if the temperature outside is too low, the wood left outside will easily crack."
"Dad, if we hire more people, we should be able to build the charcoal kiln and the simple house before the freezing weather, right?" Ruan Qingqing asked.
"Okay, but time will be tight. My original plan was to hold a few days of buffet to thank everyone for helping to find someone. Since you want to build a charcoal kiln, this matter will have to be postponed. Otherwise, I'm afraid that the charcoal kiln and the house will not be built before Xiaohan."
"Dad, this year's harvest is good, but I'm worried that there will be more pests in the fields next year. So I thought about collecting some bamboo vinegar while burning bamboo charcoal, so that we can use it as an insecticide, which can ensure a good harvest next year.
As for thanking the folks in the surrounding area, it would be enough for us to send some rice, noodles, meat and other tangible things before the New Year, and some bamboo vinegar in the spring."
When Ruan Wantie heard that it was about next year's harvest, he agreed immediately.
The next morning he went back to the village to ask for help to build the charcoal kiln and the house. When Zhou Zheng heard about it, he also went back to Zaoziling to see the wonders. Fu Yuanhao and others had to accompany him. Because there was no farm work to do in winter, their punishment was postponed.
Zhou Zheng, the head of the three prefectures, had great appeal. He just stood at Zaoziling and a large number of young and middle-aged people came to help spontaneously.
"Mr. Zhou, please come down more often when you have time. We missed you a lot since we last met three years ago, don't you all?" A villager stepped forward and joked.
"Yes! Yes! Thanks to the leadership of Mr. Zhou in the past few years, we have been able to overcome so many difficulties together! Otherwise, how could we live a peaceful life today?"
"Yes, yes! In my entire life, I have always thought that Lord Zhou is the most benevolent and righteous person. He is the most worthy official we have."
"Yes! The most benevolent official!"
"It is a blessing for us to have such a good official!"
"Yes, yes! I am waiting for the blessing!"
Everyone spoke in unison and praised from the bottom of their hearts.
Zhou Zheng raised his hand and said, "Thank you for your kindness, fellow villagers! I have made only a small contribution to your peaceful life today. It is mainly because of Miss Ruan Qingqing and Doctor Ruan Sinong who have been busy providing everyone with ways to increase grain production. It is also the result of everyone's hard work and self-improvement!"
"Master Zhou, please don't be too modest. Without Master Zhou's prompt decision to lead us to build water conservancy projects and dredge the mud from the river, we wouldn't have survived the first two years of drought. Without Master Zhou's vigorous efforts to suppress bandits and robbers since he took office, our Qingshui County wouldn't have been peaceful for so many days!"
Ruan Wantie said emotionally.
Because we have come this far together, we understand the hardships and difficulties involved.
Zhou Zheng's eyes were slightly moist. "Great! Everyone has contributed! As long as we all work together, our days will become more prosperous! The Yunqing Kingdom will become more powerful and prosperous!"
"Yes! With the concerted efforts of officials and the people, life is getting better and better, and the Yunqing Kingdom is becoming more and more powerful and prosperous!" someone concluded.
"Officials and citizens work together, and life is getting better and better! Yunqing Country is becoming more and more powerful and prosperous!"
I don't know who shouted, but everyone became excited.
Everyone raised their arms and shouted: "Work together, our lives will become more and more prosperous! The Yunqing Kingdom will become more and more powerful and prosperous!"
The loud voice soared into the sky and lingered above Zaoziling.
At this moment, Zhou Zheng's heart was more open and broad-minded than ever before.
Recalling the scene when Ruan Qingqing asked him if he was willing to be the judge for the people of Qingshui County, Zhou Zheng felt deeply moved and at the same time very grateful for his decision.
Because he found his own way of living!
Perhaps everyone has his or her own eventful life, and Zhou Zheng is no exception.
Now he lives in the simple gratitude of his fellow villagers, in the sincere smiles of the common people, and in the sincere memories of everyone...
All the injustices, humiliations and difficulties that had ever occurred seemed to be sublimated at this moment!
Facing the past, Zhou Zheng smiled with relief.
God has been kind to me, Zhou Zheng, after all!