Tong Hong obviously shared the same idea as her and said, "So now, what does the village chief want to do?"

Wu Qing took a sip and said, "I want to organize the young and strong men in the village to go into the mountains and hunt wild boars under your leadership."

He continued, "You've led troops in battle, so I believe you're quite experienced in hunting wild boars. Not to mention hunting, you're even more experienced in leading people. That's why I wanted to find you to go into the mountains. To be honest, the young men in the village have already gone into the mountains once, but due to lack of experience, two people died and ten were slightly injured. That's why I wanted to find you."

Tong Wen Yao listened carefully. She had experience fighting wild boars before. The wild boar's skin was too thick, so it could only be killed from the eyes or abdomen. Otherwise, the skin on the back was too thick, and if the knife was not very sharp, it would probably hurt the wild boar. She did not expect that the wild boar infestation would be so serious.

Tong Wen Yao had no idea that this was because she left Xiaoxue here. Xiaoxue drove the wild boar's natural enemy, the tiger, out of the forest. Over time, not only did the original wild boars give birth to piglets, but even wild boars from other mountains came to this forest. The territory was not enough, so what to do? The only option was to expand. Wild boars also often found that the food was more abundant after going down the mountain, so they would go down the mountain from time to time to get more supplies.

Tong Hong nodded after hearing this. "Okay, then I'll take people up the mountain tomorrow." After hearing this, Cui's mother said with some concern, "My husband, your legs and feet haven't fully recovered yet, how can you go up the mountain? We can hire hunters to take the village men up the mountain to hunt. That would be our contribution to the village, okay?"

When Wu Qing heard that Tong Hong's leg had not yet fully healed, he quickly said, "Brother, since your leg has not yet fully healed, don't go up the mountain. You can also find a hunter to hunt."

Tong Hong's legs and feet were still a little painful when he walked, so he didn't force it. "Okay, then we'll find a few hunters to go up the mountain and cooperate with the strong men in the village."

Wu Qing glanced outside and said, "It's snowing again now. After the snow stops in a couple of days, we can go into the mountains to hunt wild boars. Otherwise, I'm afraid the wild boars will come out after the snow clears."

Tong Hong nodded and said, "Indeed, wild boars usually come out when the weather is not cold. Judging from the weather, the snow will probably not stop for another three days. So, let's prepare the weapons within these two or three days. The village chief can also find nearby hunters and pay them to help hunt them. We will pay for it."

Wu Qing heard what they said, so he simply took the job. The Tong family was paying, so naturally they would do the hard work. He knew a few hunters, and he would harness his ox cart to ask around tomorrow. If it was possible, he would have them meet in the village in three days.

Tong Wenyao thought of Wen Ziyu, who was also a hunter, and who had shot a wild boar in the eye with an arrow last time, and couldn't help but say, "I know a hunter who's pretty good. We can ask him to come and hunt wild boars together."

Tong Hong glanced at her and said, "Since Yao'er knows him, I'll pay him 20 taels of silver! As for the other hunters, I'll pay 15 taels of silver each. Village chief, you're looking for three people, what do you think?"

Wu Qing hurriedly said, "Isn't fifteen taels of silver too much? Hunters don't go into the mountains to hunt these days, so five taels is good enough for hunting normally."

Tong Bo explained on the side, "Grandpa Qing, it's not much. It's cold right now, and the silver is enough for them to value it. They also need to protect the villagers when necessary. You can say that this money is not only for hiring wild boar hunters, but also for personal protection."

After hearing this, Wu Qing said bluntly, "You are really thoughtful."

Tong Wenyao sat on the chair and said, "Grandpa Qing, Second Uncle, the county magistrate will be visiting our house the day after tomorrow!"

Wu Qing couldn't believe it. The county magistrate was coming to their village? Had the county magistrate also taken a fancy to such a poor village?

I felt a little disappointed. I didn't expect that the Tong family would get close to the county magistrate so quickly. Does this mean they will soon leave this village?

After dinner, Tong Bo sent Wu Qing back home. It was getting dark quickly at night, so he held a torch and helped Uncle Qing back, and then he came back holding a torch himself.

Xing'er went to the backyard to arrange for Dongzi to sleep in that room, so he was not in the living room. At this time, almost all the family members were there, except Tong Wenyao who had to go on business and did not come back.

Tong Hong glanced at everyone before speaking, "The New Year is less than ten days away. While you're all here, I'd like to say a few words."

Tong Wenyao felt something was wrong, but she didn't speak to stop him. Tong Hong continued, "After the New Year, I plan to go to the border to fight the barbarians." When Cui's mother heard this, she was the first to disagree, "I don't agree!"

A hint of hesitation flashed across Tong Bo's face, but he didn't say anything. He just listened to his father quietly.

"There are now frictions of all sizes on the border. The general (Big Brother) and soldiers who were familiar with the barbarians' strategies have all died in Ancang Mountain. As the New Year approaches, the barbarians have harassed the border at least ten times. After the New Year, they will launch another large-scale war, so I must go."

For a moment, the scene was somewhat silent. After hearing this, Cui's mother couldn't help but say, "Brother died in Ancang Mountain. You know the situation well, so why bother going there again? Since you won't let us command a large army, it's not impossible to rely on Brother Bo to pass the imperial examination."

Tong Hong glanced at Cui's mother and said, "Father once taught us that men should die in the wilderness and be buried wrapped in horsehide. From now on, you will lead the way for the children, but my father has already pointed out my path."

After hearing this, Cui's mother's tears blurred her eyes. At the same time, she also knew that she could not stop Tong Hong's determination to go. After hearing this, Tong Bo hurriedly said, "Mother, you have taught us to be loyal and people-oriented since we were young. Now that there will be conflicts on the border after the New Year, I am willing to go with you."

When Cui's mother heard that her son was also going, she immediately became unhappy and said directly, "I taught you to put the family honor first, have you forgotten?"

Tong Bo looked at the table and said, "Mother, I haven't forgotten that fighting on the battlefield can also bring honor to our family."

"Bang!" Cui's mother slammed the table and said, "In that case, after the New Year, you should leave immediately and don't delay my business!"

Seeing her mother like this, Xin'er felt very sad. She snuggled into her mother's arms and said, "Mom, I can also pass the imperial examination and win an imperial decree for you, okay?"

Seeing her daughter being so sensible, Cui's mother couldn't help crying. Tong Hong took her into his arms and said, "It's my fault, Cui's mother, I'm sorry.

Mother Qian tried to soothe the situation, saying, "Mother Cui, don't cry anymore. Wen Yao will be transferred to the frontier after the New Year. He will be there to protect Second Uncle and Brother Bo."

After hearing this, Cui's mother felt better, "You are right, Yao Ge'er can also protect them a little."