Chapter 224: Chapter 224: I’ve Got Your Back

The people of Yongping Village are very diligent, especially after experiencing such a tough escape from famine. They cherish the newfound stability even more.

After the autumn harvest, each family heads up the mountain to gather firewood and chop lumber.

Scrap wood can be used for warmth, while the logs are stacked in the backyard.

When there’s a shortage of firewood, it can be chopped and used right away.

If there’s enough firewood, it’s stored for when they need to build houses later, which is very convenient.

Now, they need to build some wooden houses, and this lumber comes in handy.

There’s no need for great carpentry skills, and since everyone has house-building experience, in just two days, five wooden houses have sprung up on the open land at the village entrance.

The layout inside is simple, with spacious kang beds, all of which are heated at the moment.

There’s no separate kitchen, but two large stoves are sufficient for cooking.

As for other furniture, there isn’t any.

Whatever is needed has to be figured out by those moving in.

On the third day, just before noon, a carriage followed by twenty or thirty people appeared on the road to Yongping Village.

Qi Quanjin was leading people to build the sixth wooden house when he heard someone calling and quickly looked to the road, spotting those people.

“They should be the ones sent by the County Magistrate.”

Qi Quanjin dusted off the wood shavings from his body and said to Qi Dafu, “Big brother, you stay and keep working with the others. I’ll go and welcome them.”

“Alright, go ahead!”

Qi Dafu didn’t even look up, continuing to saw wood.

Qi Quanjin found Qi Ercai, and the two brothers went to greet the group.

At the front of the carriage, there were several government officials on horseback, including Liu Qinghe.

Liu Qinghe recognized Qi Quanjin from afar and quickly informed the County Magistrate before riding up to them.

“Brother Quanjin, you all are…”

Liu Qinghe dismounted in front of the two, looking at the few wooden houses not far away.

Qi Quanjin smiled and said, “The villagers temporarily built a few houses. They’re a bit simple, not sure if Lord County Magistrate will find them displeasing.”

“You all work quite fast.”

Liu Qinghe didn’t dare comment on whether the County Magistrate would find them displeasing and quickly said, “This time, we’ve brought twenty-three people. In the coming days, there might be dozens more arriving, probably all within two or three days.”

“By the way, today Lord County Magistrate is here in person, you two quickly come with me to greet him.”

Liu Qinghe tugged on the reins and signaled the Qi Brothers to follow along.

Qi Quanjin and Qi Ercai exchanged a glance, surprise evident in their eyes.

They truly didn’t expect the County Magistrate to personally escort the people over. They thought, at most, a few government officials would be sent as guides!

Despite their surprise, the two didn’t dare delay.

Qi Quanjin said to Qi Ercai, “Second brother, you head home first and prepare some hot tea and food. I’ll go to greet the County Magistrate.”

“Alright!”

Qi Ercai turned and ran towards the village.

Just a few steps out, he heard Qi Quanjin remind, “Don’t let my wife cook!”

His wife was pregnant, which made Qi Quanjin particularly happy, yet also more anxious.

Even though both doctors said Yi Meng was in good health, Qi Quanjin still couldn’t be completely at ease.

If it weren’t for needing to rush the house building these days, Qi Quanjin would have loved nothing more than to stay by his wife’s side every day.

Qi Ercai nearly slipped, almost falling, waving his hand to indicate he understood.

Hu Kaicheng truly didn’t expect Qi Quanjin to be so diligent, having already built a few wooden houses.

Though somewhat rough, they were still fit for habitation.

After personally inspecting these houses, Hu Kaicheng gave a brief speech to the first batch of more than twenty people he brought over.

All of these people appeared to be in poor condition, obviously having endured much hardship and poverty.

Their clothes, though not completely tattered, were patched upon patched.

Each carried either a bundle or backbasket, without even a single wooden cart.

Most were men, with fewer women, and a few elderly among them.

There were about three or four children altogether.

They seemed to move in groups of three or four, likely arriving as families.

All these people were shivering, unsure if it was from nerves or the cold.

Qi Quanjin couldn’t bear seeing these people freezing outside, so he invited Hu Kaicheng to his home to sit, and had Qi Dafu and others arrange for these people to settle inside first.

The kang beds were built after confirming the house perimeter walls. Having burned almost continuously for two days, they were now fit for sleeping.

The straw mats placed atop were woven by the village women temporarily. Laying something on top would make them comfortable without pricking.

Each room had two large stoves, each with two large iron pots.

These iron pots were purchased by Qi Quanjin upon the County Magistrate’s words, accompanied by a steward and Liu Qinghe, from the city’s blacksmith shop.

Without the County Magistrate’s authority and official accompaniment, obtaining these large iron pots would have been impossible.

The craftsmanship of the iron pots wasn’t excellent due to time constraints, only serviceable at best.

Children from various families came to help.

They brewed ginger tea, adding some salt and sugar to it.

This was specifically instructed by Qi Quanjin.

In the cold weather, a sip not only warms you up but also replenishes some strength.

The new arrivals, regardless of age or gender, were all moved to tears.

They feared this village would be like the previous ones, discriminating against outsiders such as them.

Before arriving, they were even prepared to camp out in the wilderness.

Yet here they had houses and ginger tea to warm themselves.

The local villagers showed no signs of exclusion but rather warmly invited them onto the kang beds to rest.

This kindness moved them to tears.

Since fleeing their hometown, nearly two years had passed, and this was the first time they received such a warm reception.

At the Qi Family, after drinking hot tea and eating the snacks prepared by the Qi Family, Hu Kaicheng began discussing the next steps with Qi Quanjin.

“Quanjin, you’ve done very well this time. Rest assured, these people have good character. If anyone causes trouble or makes things difficult, feel free to deal with them. As long as they’re not dead and still breathing, I will ensure justice for you!”

The words were straightforward, almost like saying, “Feel free to punish them; I’ve got your back.”

Qi Quanjin wasn’t foolish, naturally understanding the County Magistrate’s implication. He quickly expressed his gratitude, promising to develop the village well and so on.

Hu Kaicheng naturally stayed for a meal.

Accompanied by Qi Zheng and Qi Quanjin as before.

Yet this time, Hu Kaicheng wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt today’s food wasn’t as delicious as last time.

He considered asking about it, but recalling the purpose of his visit, he decided to hold back.

Though not as tasty as last time, it was still fine, especially having fresh vegetables, quite a rarity in the winter.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep