Upon hearing that it was Liu Huan who made it personally, everyone's opinion of Liu Huan rose to a new level.

"She is a remarkable woman, capable both in formal settings and in the kitchen."

Liu Huan responded generously, remaining calm and composed. Her gentle and graceful demeanor drew nods of approval from everyone, who remarked that a husband could ask for more from a wife like her.

Judge Yan was in no hurry to leave. He visited various towns and streets, and led the imperial physicians to provide free medical consultations to those people.

It wasn't until winter quietly arrived that they packed their bags and prepared to return to the capital to report back.

Before leaving, Qi Mu went to the prefect's residence to talk to Su's parents about Su Cheng and his sister.

"Xiao Feng is very mischievous yet well-behaved, and he often misses his grandparents. I'm sure you'll love him when you meet him."

With tears in her eyes, Su's mother nodded and handed the things she had bought to Qi Mu, saying, "These are things my husband and I bought for the child. Please take them to him, my dear nephew."

It's a big bag of small toys from Nanchang County.

Qi Mu respectfully accepted the gift, bowed to the two elders, and said, "This nephew thanks you on his behalf."

On the day they left, all the people in the city came to see them off. The city's famous opera troupe even set up a stage outside to bid them farewell, and they only stopped after seeing them off for several miles.

"Lord Su, please don't see me off. Let's get together again when you return to the capital."

Su Yi: Until we meet again.

The epidemic has been resolved, but what follows are its aftereffects and a series of chain reactions.

For example, the vegetables and meat we eat.

All the poultry and livestock were gone, and without income, even celebrating the New Year became a problem for ordinary people.

One day when Liu Huan went out, she saw many people begging on the street.

Having lost all interest in strolling around, she took Qiu Rong and headed back home.

I pulled out the relief grain register for disaster relief, and the amount of grain recorded on it was already running low.

"Master, the epidemic has been brought under control, so what is still troubling you?"

Liu Huan explained, "So many people outside have no food, and winter is just around the corner. If they continue to go hungry, I don't know how many people will starve or freeze to death."

Qiu Rong had no idea what Liu Huan was thinking, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.

"Go and rest, I'll think about it some more."

After Qiu Rong left, the light in Liu Huan's room stayed on all night and was not turned off until 9 PM.

Su Yi has gone to other places for inspections these past two days and is not at home.

When he returned and heard that Liu Huan was still asleep, he anxiously asked if she was feeling unwell. After receiving her answer, he was still worried, so he changed his clothes and went into the room to check on her.

Seeing the blanket slightly raised and looking closer, he felt especially at ease seeing a peaceful sleeping face.

Just as I was about to sneak out, the person in bed woke up and mumbled, "Stone's back?"

Hearing the soft voice, Su Yi went over, took her hand, and kissed it. "I'm sorry, I woke you up."

Liu Huan placed her head against his palm and said, "It's okay."

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Liu Huan reached out to Su Yi to pick her up. Su Yi smiled indulgently at her and asked, "How old are you?"

Liu Huan answered with her eyes closed, "Four years old!"

Su Yi did not object. He picked her up, helped her to a comfortable position, and opened the door. "Bring a basin of water. Madam has woken up."

No one was surprised by the name, and they happily went to fetch water.

Liu Huan didn't care. She had vowed when Su Yi was critically ill that as long as he woke up, the two of them would be together.

Time waits for no one, and they are no longer young. They don't have many years left to waste. Since they still have feelings for each other, she is willing to give them another chance.

Besides, you can scold her for being spineless; she just can't bring herself to be ruthless towards Su Yi. She's too attached to the Su Yi of the past.

After quickly washing up, Su Yi had dinner with Liu Huan. During the meal, he asked her, "I heard from Qiu Rong that you didn't sleep all night last night. What were you doing?"

Liu Huan swallowed the food in her mouth before saying, "Have you seen a lot more beggars outside?"

Su Yi thought back carefully and realized that he seemed to have seen it outside these past few days.

How could that be?

“The flash flood wiped out all the food, poultry and livestock of the villagers outside. With the New Year approaching and the weather getting colder, they are afraid they will not survive the winter if they do not beg.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yi's heart sank; he hadn't expected this at all.

After thinking for a long time, he said weakly, "Even now, I have no ability to prevent the people from going hungry and cold."

As the local official in charge of the people's livelihood, the county magistrate not only had to resolve family disputes among the people and seek justice for them, but also had the responsibility of helping them live a good life.

This is also the point at which each county magistrate is evaluated after three years of service. If they fail to meet the requirements, they are not eligible for promotion. Su Yi will return to the capital to take up his post after three years, but his current job is to help the people live a good life.

The imperial court had already provided aid to Nanchang County many times over the years, and he was too ashamed to submit another petition requesting grain aid.

After the two finished their meal quietly and sat down to drink tea, Liu Huan took out the plan she had written the night before.

After carefully reading it, Su Yi asked, "What is soap?"

"It's something used for washing clothes. It's just as good as scented soap but cheaper, so ordinary people can afford it."

Su Yi never asked her how she knew, just as he never bothered to find out about the relationship between the mysterious white wolf and Liu Huan.

"You mean you'll set up the workshop yourself and invite them to work there?"

"That's right. My brother-in-law sent someone to deliver the dividends, and Han You's side has also arrived. His down jacket business has grown bigger and bigger over the years, and his dividends have also increased. He can definitely run a workshop."

Moved, Su Yi hugged her tightly, saying, "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"

Liu Huan leaned against him and said, "I'm also bored at home every day, so I thought I'd do something."

Actually, she always had a plan for running a soap business, but she just didn't like to move around, especially after having a child, she became even more lazy and didn't want to do anything.

Why not help others to the end, and even make money yourself?

Making soap is very simple; it just requires oil, alkali, and a little salt. After air-drying for a few months, it's ready to use.

Although the initial investment is quite large, the later profits are still considerable, which is the only way she can think of to help those in need.

"Let Changbai and his men conduct undercover investigations to see which families are truly impoverished. Hire one person from each family to build a workshop, and later hire them to make soap. Pay them the same wages as workers in Nanchang County. Let them get through this winter for now."

Su Yi straightened up and solemnly clasped his hands in thanks to Liu Huan, saying, "On behalf of the people of Nanchang County, I thank you for your great kindness."

Liu Huan readily agreed, "You go ahead and make the arrangements. Just choose a location outside the city. I'll draw up a design first, and we can build it according to my drawing."

Su Yi didn't delay any longer and went out to find Changbai and Changyun to split up. One of them went to find a venue and the other went to conduct a secret investigation and registration.

As the weather grew colder day by day, the howling wind blew painfully, and the city was filled with people carrying loads of firewood.

Even if a bundle only costs four coins, it can make them happy for a long time.

Just as Liu Huan went out, someone called out to her, "Madam, I chopped two bundles of firewood on the mountain today, and I was just about to deliver them to you."

Liu Huan saw it; there were two bundles on the ground nearby, guarded by a thin, dark-skinned woman.

She couldn't bear to accept it, saying, "No need, my family has already bought it. You can buy some good food yourself."

The man smiled憨厚ly, "The price of firewood has dropped sharply these past few days, so it won't fetch much money."

After saying that, he realized he had said something wrong. He was afraid that Liu Huan would think he gave it to her because he couldn't sell it. His sallow face turned bright red.

"I'm not..."

“I understand what you mean. Here’s what you’ll do: take it to the prefect’s office and say that I bought it. Just ask the people there to give you the money.”

"How could we? This is just a small token of our affection, a gift for your wife. How could we accept money?" With that, the man relaxed, picked up the firewood, and headed towards the prefect's residence.

Liu Huan said to the maid beside her, "Go back and keep an eye on things, make sure no one gets taken advantage of."

The maidservant curtsied and left, while Liu Huan strolled around casually before heading to the academy to pick up her child.

A few days later, Changbai and his companion brought back news that they had found a suitable place a few miles away from Nanchang County.

With mountains behind and water in front, this place is convenient for accessing water and for gathering firewood.

After sending the two children to school, Liu Huan went to take a look around. The place was really nice and the price wasn't expensive, so she bought it in her own name.

There are hundreds of families in Changbai who can't even afford to eat. In ancient times, the poorer people were, the more children they had. There were seven or eight family members crying for food.

"Changbai, go find a feng shui master to choose an auspicious date, and gather the dozens of people in front to repair their houses."

Changbai took the blueprints and said, "Yes, madam."

The dozens of people at the front were overjoyed when they heard that there was still work to be done and that they could earn twenty copper coins a day.

I thought my family wouldn't make it through the winter, but then a savior appeared.

"Excuse me, sir, whose house are you going to work for?"

Changbai kept everyone in suspense: "It's my wife. You don't need to know her name. Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged. Whether you go or not is your own decision."

Without even thinking, the man said, "Yes, I will definitely go. Thank you so much, my benefactor."

Even after Changbai left, the man was still immersed in excitement, thinking, "Damn, I've got work to do."

The woman wiped away her tears and said happily, "Yes, we're saved for the New Year this year."

The man had already started planning to buy rice. "Right now, dark flour is only two coins a pound, and brown rice is one coin. I'll go and get an advance on a day's wages to buy it."

This price represents relief grain that the government has restricted, and each household is also limited in its purchases. Other shops that are operating normally are only one or two coins more expensive.

The woman was both happy and worried. She instructed, "If you can't get an advance, that's fine. There are still wild vegetables outside that can barely fill your stomach. Just don't offend the employer and lose your job."

The man's smile faded slightly. "I understand. From now on, I'll go to work and leave this house to you."

There are many other people like the couple, all talking about the same thing.

Two days later, they set off early for the work site. Some people cut down trees, some dug foundations, some broke stones, and some transported bricks.

Full of energy and hope, lunch consisted of brown rice buns and tofu and bean sprout soup.

The men all instinctively stuffed their steamed buns into their inner pockets, intending to take them home for their children.

After lunch, Changbai gathered everyone together. "The master said that today's wages will be paid to everyone first, but from now on, we will only be able to pay once a month. Now, everyone come and collect your wages."

The man suppressed his excitement, obediently lined up to collect his wages, and felt as if the small string of copper coins in his hand weighed a ton.

His family no longer has to go hungry.

On the way to buy rice, I overheard someone say, "Did you know that the magistrate's wife is going to build a workshop outside the city? Apparently, she saw that many people are starving, so she's setting up a workshop so that everyone can work and have a good New Year."

“I had heard that my cousin’s sister-in-law’s cousin married a very poor man, and his family had a quota.”

"Yes, I heard that they secretly investigated whether a family was poor or not, and even families that were slightly wealthy couldn't get in by trying to bribe them."

"The magistrate's family are all good people."

"Yes, it would be great if we could stay in Nanchang County."

"He is a high-ranking official in the capital, highly valued by the Emperor, and will be returning home in two years."

The man took out a copper coin and bought several kilograms of coarse rice and dark flour. He then wrapped the remaining money tightly and carried it home.

As soon as he got home, he put his things down and went to chop firewood. When it got dark, he returned with two bundles of firewood on his back and instructed his wife, "Tomorrow, deliver this firewood to the prefect's residence."

The woman did not ask why, and distributed the food to her family.

The porridge made with brown rice also contained wild vegetable leaves, and the whole family enjoyed it immensely.

Everyone worked very hard and the rooms were built quickly. No one was worried about slacking off because the work was finished.

Just when everyone was envious of these people who had work to do, a new job came up: collecting seashells.

They're available at the docks and along the riverbanks; a pound can be exchanged for four coins.

This time, it doesn't discriminate between people; anyone who picks it up can exchange it for coins.

In no time, the whole family, adults and children, turned out, some even going so far as to wade into the water to retrieve the items. They only calmed down after seeing several people catch a cold.

Outside the city, in a courtyard, someone was collecting customers at the gate, and a long queue had formed outside.

Those behind saw those in front exchanging their money and everyone beamed with happiness.

One day, Qiu Rong returned covered in mud and limped back, which frightened everyone, especially Chang Bai, who immediately stepped forward to help her.

What happened?

Qiu Rong said dejectedly, "I don't know what happened to the bamboo grove in the backyard, several sections have bulged out, and I tripped over them without noticing."

Su's mother was a little worried: "Why did the bamboo grove suddenly bulge out for no reason? Quickly call someone to dig it up, it would be bad if the child fell and hurt himself."

Changbai didn't waste a moment, carrying his hoe to the back, and when he came back, his hands were covered in knots.

"It's bamboo shoots. I didn't expect bamboo shoots to be growing in winter."

These words were a wake-up call: winter bamboo shoots only come out in winter.

Many people dislike winter bamboo shoots because they find them bitter, but actually, they taste quite good once cooked, especially pickled bamboo shoots with chili peppers. A plate of them is particularly appetizing when you have no appetite.

No sooner said than done, Liu Huan immediately ordered Changbai to buy a courtyard to use as a workshop, and also spread the word to buy winter bamboo shoots.

The people who had bamboo groves were overjoyed, never expecting that winter bamboo shoots grew in the ground and needed to be dug out.

Some people think it must be very delicious for people to buy it, but when they try to eat it themselves, it is bitter and astringent.

Fearing that the buyer might change their mind, they gathered their entire families to dig, all wanting to sell as soon as possible.

Liu Huan accepted as many as he wanted; the courtyard was almost overflowing.

Liu Huan even had bamboo tubes specially made to hold the bamboo shoots.

They then selected about ten women from that list to process winter bamboo shoots and boil them.

The final recipe was made by her own. After the bamboo shoots were processed, she had someone bring the prepared seasonings over to marinate them.

Despite spending a lot of money on a series of operations without recouping any of it, Liu Huan remained unperturbed, believing that good things come to those who wait.

She was filled with fighting spirit and determined to boost the economy of the entire Nanchang County.