Chapter 226: Chapter 226: Who Does Manbao Like the Most?

After Qi Quanjin returned to the main room, he thought up a way to relay the lines his wife had just taught him to the county magistrate.

Hu Kaicheng, after serving as a magistrate for so many years, naturally wasn’t simple-minded.

If he really were simple-minded, he couldn’t have stayed in one place for so many years; he would have been reassigned to some poorer place long ago.

So, he understood the implication in Qi Quanjin’s words.

Fortunately, he wasn’t really trying to take advantage of the Qi Family, so he readily accepted the explanation.

“I left in a hurry this time and didn’t bring much silver. Here are two taels of silver for you first; you figure out a way to arrange for me. If it’s not enough, we’ll top it up when the vegetables are delivered.”

Hu Kaicheng pulled two pieces of broken silver from his sleeve and placed them on the table.

Qi Quanjin was startled.

How many greens would this amount to?

At 120 wen per jin, two taels of silver could buy sixteen or seventeen jin of vegetables. Even a restaurant might not use that much in a day!

But he held back his words of refusal, accepted them with both hands, and promised he would handle the matter well.

After finishing his meal and tea, Hu Kaicheng left.

The remaining twenty people had already been settled into five wooden houses. Upon hearing that the village head had arrived, these twenty people quickly came out, nervously looking at the young village chief who seemed under twenty.

Qi Quanjin looked at their faces, all filled with fear and unease, and felt a bit complicated inside. He loudly said, “You all don’t need to be afraid. Since you’ve settled your residence in our Yongping Village, we are all villagers from now on.”

“Our Yongping Village values straightforwardness; as long as you live righteously, if anyone has any difficulties, just speak out. We will all think of ways together; we can always get by.”

Pausing for a moment, Qi Quanjin continued, “Is there anyone among you who feels unwell? If anyone is uncomfortable, speak out quickly. Our village now has a doctor. Diagnoses are free, but if medicine is required, there will be an extra charge.”

This was a suggestion from the two doctors.

After all, living in the same village and receiving free food and board, the villagers respected them greatly and knew to send gifts during festivals.

Thus, Yin Cheng had a rare genial conversation with Qin Minglang and finally confirmed this rule.

Diagnosis is free.

Regarding medication, charges would apply.

Upon hearing this, the twenty-plus people were all dumbfounded.

Yongping Village didn’t seem large, nor did it have many people, yet it actually had a doctor, something even many large villages didn’t have!

Among them, an elder raised his hand, coughed twice, and weakly said, “Village Chief, I… I’ve had a cough for years. Could I seek a doctor’s diagnosis?”

Even if I can’t afford medication, knowing my current condition would be good!

Qi Quanjin nodded: “Alright. Anyone else in need of a diagnosis, report your names.”

Seeing it’s really possible, a woman immediately raised her hand, saying she wanted her child to have a check-up.

One after another, except for the younger men and women, most of the elderly and children wanted to get a diagnosis.

Qi Quanjin told Qi Dafu, “Brother, have someone prepare more hot water, and choose a couple of warm rooms to let them have a good bath.”

“Everything is ready.”

Qi Dafu quickly said, “We’ve already informed them. But since they’ve endured a draft the entire trip, I thought maybe wait until later to arrange a bath.”

“Fine, arrange it as you see fit!”

Qi Quanjin nodded.

After speaking a few more words with them, Qi Quanjin dispersed everyone and continued with others to build more houses.

The county magistrate had mentioned that more people would be sent over, so the houses needed to be built quickly, otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough space to accommodate everyone.

Just as Qi Quanjin began to work, he heard someone cautiously greet him: “Village, Village Chief, can we help build the houses?”

Looking back, he saw seven or eight men standing not far away, all nervously looking at him.

They were the men from the new villagers who had presumably come out to work.

Qi Quanjin did want their help, but seeing their thin clothes, he shook his head: “You’ve just arrived, take a good rest today! I’ll have someone bring you several sets of jackets later, though old, they are clean.”

“Tomorrow, wear something warm, and then come to work.”

Pausing, Qi Quanjin added, “Work will be paid, ten copper coins a day per person, with lunch and dinner included. No need for your families to bring those meals for you.”

Upon hearing that working for the village would earn money, these men were both surprised and delighted.

However, no matter what, they were unwilling to rest immediately and insisted on staying to work.

Qi Quanjin had no choice but to have them help with the stove in the half-built wall house, using hot water to mix thin mud to fill the gaps in the wooden walls.

In Yi Meng’s room,

After Qi Quanjin left, Mrs. Qi watched the two children playing and couldn’t help but sigh: “Meng Niang, with so many outsiders coming to the village, will anything troublesome happen?”

“Mother, if someone causes trouble, then we’ll handle them.”

Yi Meng understood the old lady’s concern: “But for now, we need to keep things tight at home and inform the other families. The vegetables must be kept secret for the time being.”

“That’s sensible. You watch these two, and I’ll talk to your sister-in-law and the others.”

The old lady couldn’t sit still, set aside the needlework, and walked outside.

When Qi Manman saw this, she stopped playing with the ropes and clung to her mother’s arm, asking: “Mom, where’s Grandma going?”

“She’s busy with important matters. What’s wrong? Don’t you want to stay with mom?”

Yi Meng playfully teased her daughter.

Qi Manman immediately shook her head, saying very earnestly, “Manbao likes mom the most!”

Upon hearing this, Qi Shilang immediately objected and said, “Little sister, you just said you like me the most!”

“I like Brother Shi the most too!”

Caught red-handed, Qi Manman wasn’t nervous at all and immediately gave Brother Shi a sweet smile: “Brother Shi is the best! He’s always playing with Manbao, and Manbao really likes Brother Shi!”

The sweet-talking words flowed easily from the little girl’s mouth, making Qi Shilang’s face blush red as he also professed his fondness for his sister.

Yi Meng looked at her clever little daughter, amused and unsure how to assess her.

This little girl, her talent for sweet-talking was truly remarkable.

Even with such repetitive chatter, she could make everyone happy, wishing to pluck the stars and moon from the sky for her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep