The people at Qingshan Xiaozhu no longer worry every day; instead, they've changed their way of expressing anxiety.

The women diligently improved their skills every day, whether it was cooking or needlework, and naturally they also did not slack off on their daily morning physical training.

Besides studying, the men now focus on managing the household well, no longer the hands-off managers they once were.

The pigsty has already been repaired. Any loose parts have been reinforced with glutinous rice mud. The roof is made of rafters and reinforced with wooden strips, with bamboo mats laid on top.

Then, I spread glutinous rice paste on top and laid down tiles. I was very satisfied with the final result.

Looking at the newly renovated pigsty, someone with a jinx couldn't help but say, "With such a sturdy pigpen, it wouldn't be afraid of even a more serious earthquake."

He had barely finished speaking when he received a sharp rap on the head. He trembled at the unfriendly stares around him.

The reconstruction of the village has basically come to an end. Although Zhao Changgeng ran away quickly, he still couldn't escape Jinfabo's door-to-door begging for alms.

"Uncle Jinfa, it's not that I'm stingy, but if someone's house collapses, it's a loss for everyone."

You mentioned you wanted to help those families, how exactly do you plan to do so?

Do you want my family to pay for everything, or just a portion? Also, will other villagers lend a helping hand?

The house collapsed, and we contributed manpower to help rebuild it. It's inappropriate to bring up the collapse of the house now.

The grain was just buried in the ruins; presumably, some of it could still be eaten if it were found.

If that's not enough, any family with some savings can buy more in town.

It must be said that Magistrate Qiu is quite good; the price of grain in the town and the county has not increased much.

If the silver is buried, you can dig in the direction where it was hidden, and you will eventually find it.

Uncle, I understand what you mean: "When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven."

However, kindness has prerequisites; one cannot be taken advantage of or become a target of criticism.

A small favor is appreciated, but a large one breeds resentment; once this becomes a habit, it becomes a problem.

There's a story I'd like to tell you, Uncle, so you can see if it makes sense.

There was a man who was usually warm-hearted and kind. When he saw a beggar who had no food, he would give the beggar five coins every day after work so that he could buy food.

Later, this man got married and had his own family to support, so he reduced the amount of money he gave the beggar by three coins. And guess what happened next?

Uncle Zhao asked. Zhao Jinfa was also very curious.

"Heh, this beggar saw the man, jumped up and slapped him across the face. What right do you have to take my money to support other women?"

After Zhao Changgeng finished speaking, he smiled and looked at Zhao Jinfeng.

Zhao Jinfa was dumbfounded. "How can there be such an unreasonable person?"

Zhao Changgeng said:

"Yes, that's true for most people. Take your family, for example, Uncle. Your eldest cousin is an accountant, and your second cousin is a constable."

Half of each month's salary is returned to the public fund.

One month, perhaps due to a colleague's family celebration, or some other unavoidable social engagements,

Less than half of the money was returned home, or even none at all.

Even if you, my dear uncle, don't say it out loud, don't you resent your cousins ​​for not knowing how to manage money and for not being thrifty, causing the family to lose money?

The principle is the same: once something becomes a habit, you will feel hurt when that habit is broken.

This is similar to helping the villagers. Why would anyone want to learn pig farming from my family or grow new grains with us?

They always require a contract to be signed, just in case arguments arise later.

In the countryside, people don't really reason with each other; if they feel they've been wronged, they'll inevitably find fault. That's just their habit.

So, Uncle, it's not that our family lacks kindness, but the method is very important.

At the very least, one shouldn't expect gratitude, nor should one be criticized.

Zhao Jinfeng was a little confused by Zhao Changgeng.

"If you don't want to help, just say so. Why make such a big deal out of it?"

Besides, you're so muddle-headed, considering yourself the eldest uncle. Although we share the same ancestor, I, your eldest uncle, know the difference in kinship.

Just tell me, are you going to provide the grain or not?

Zhao Changgeng smiled.

"Uncle, could you please calculate how much food each of those seven families needs to survive? Should we give them a month's worth of food, or a six-month or a year's worth?"

How many households are there in our village? Would these households agree?

Furthermore, how much money is left in our village's accounts? Is it so that every family facing difficulties will simply ask the village for grain, money, or assistance, instead of trying to find solutions themselves first?

Zhao Jinfeng was speechless, staring at Zhao Changgeng with wide eyes, his beard twitching, which was quite comical.

Zhao Changgeng quickly served tea.

"Uncle, what's the best way and when to distribute this grain, in a way that will be most touching?"

Zhao Jinfa's eyes lit up. "Yes, how did I become so obsessed?"

"Uncle, we do have some grain stored up, but not a lot."

To be honest, even after going to my own home, I could still bring out 2,000 jin (1,000 catties) of food.

However, I don't recommend giving the grain to those few families first.

The two children, Qingfeng and Qingling, originally planned to visit my parents in the prefectural city, but the road was blocked, so they had to turn back.

The situation outside is far more severe than in our village.

Uncle, what I'm more worried about now is that some places have suffered from disasters, causing people to be displaced, which could lead to a lot of more refugees and cause further problems.

Do you think we should reorganize our village's patrol team?

We donated our family's grain to the clan, and used that grain to provide meals for the young men on patrol.

Let's not even mention the fact that my family has grain. What do you think, sir?

Zhao Jinfa nodded. "It's feasible, it absolutely has to be feasible."

"However, I still need to inform the elders about this matter,"

Zhao Changgeng nodded.

The father and son chatted for a long time, with Zhao Jinfeng pouring out his grievances.

If you tell Zhao Changgeng about some trivial matters that have been happening in the village recently, Zhao Changgeng can only act as a silent dumping ground.

When it was lunchtime, we couldn't let my uncle go back like that.

Not only was a sumptuous meal prepared, but a bottle of fruit wine that Zhao Qingyan had brewed before was also specially brought out.

It has a low alcohol content and tastes excellent. The old man drank quite a bit and left happily.

After seeing Zhao Jinfeng off, his aunt scolded him playfully.

"You said that your uncle has already explained his purpose, so you should just agree or tell him your thoughts."

They just keep going on and on about all sorts of grand principles.

In the end, not only was the amount of grain that was supposed to be given out not less, but it was even more than what my uncle had asked for.

That's not all; you also have to add a drink to the bill.

Do you know that the two thousand catties of grain you took out couldn't even buy you a bottle of wine?

What can I say about you? You've truly lost both your wife and your army.

Zhao Changgeng chuckled.