Xu Di did not stay at Zhangjiazhuang for a meal. After saying goodbye several times, he returned to the village, explained things to the head of the village, left some grain and vegetables for the uncles and elders who were helping to guard the village, and then returned to the city.

There's not much to do on the farm in winter. They've planted some winter wheat, which doesn't require much management. The head of the Zhao village built a greenhouse in a sheltered spot on the mountain and brought in spring water. Although the spring water isn't plentiful in winter, it's enough to irrigate the vegetables inside. Xu Di's trip was specifically for this greenhouse. He planned to sell the vegetables in Ganzhou Prefecture. The Northwest region is short of green vegetables, and in winter, these leafy greens can fetch a good price. Plus, there are several new varieties of vegetables among them.

Xu Di had discussed it with Wei Lang. Wei Lang was responsible for finding the manpower for growing and selling vegetables. In this small town near the border, there were many people who were wounded on the battlefield and could no longer go to the battlefield. Those people could only receive meager pensions, either return to their hometowns or find a place to settle down on their own. Wei Lang also wanted to settle these people down properly, but he had never had the means. When Xu Di discussed it with him, Wei Lang felt as if a door had opened in front of him, and he suddenly understood many things.

It was already the end of the tenth lunar month, and the weather was getting colder and colder. As long as the sun was not out, the damp cold was unbearable. Xu Di wished he could stay in the heated room all day, where it was warm and cozy, and everything was convenient.

As soon as Xu Di entered, Xu Zhi pulled him into the room where the kang (a heated brick bed) had already been heated. After helping him change his clothes, Xu Zhi said, "Brother, Father and Mother won't be eating at home today. How about we make dumplings for lunch?"

Xu Di said, "Okay, why not? Let's make it with cabbage, pork and scallion filling. I'll chop the meat for you later."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi smiled, revealing two small dimples that made her look much prettier.

Xu Di asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Xu Zhi said, "Brother, I've already chopped the dumpling filling. It's the cabbage and pork filling you like. The pork was bought by Granny Zhao early this morning. Granny Zhao said that the meat stalls on the street only started selling pork today. The butcher Zhang who sells pork went up to the city wall the other day and said that he was grazed on the arm by an arrow. It took him several days to recover. He started slaughtering pigs this morning."

Upon hearing this, Xu Di said with admiration, "Many of the elderly men on the street are truly admirable. They step forward without being asked when something happens. It's thanks to people like them that we feel comfortable living here."

Xu Zhi nodded and said, "That's right. If we all work together, how can we not have a good life? Brother, I think the weather looks bad. It might snow. Do you think there's anything we can do for our area?"

Xu Di thought for a moment and said, "Father and the people from the county government have done a very good job with everything else. What can we do?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi said, "I've been thinking about it. I didn't go out that day, and I felt uneasy. I wanted to do something for the people here that I could, as a small token of my appreciation."

Xu Di listened and said, "Don't rush me. Let me think about it carefully. We'll talk about it when I've thought it through, okay?"

At noon, the brother and sister made a lot of dumplings, enough not only for the people in their own courtyard, but also sent a lot to Xu Rao at the county government office so that he could share them with everyone.

The Xu family's dumplings have thin wrappers and generous fillings. The thin wrappers are very resilient. With a gentle bite, you can taste the minced pork, chopped scallions and ginger, mixed with chopped cabbage filling. This creates a small meatball that is fresh, fragrant, and delicious, with a slight elasticity that makes you feel very comfortable.

Zhang Zhaoci was taken to the general's mansion by Wei Lang. When they went to pursue the enemy, some soldiers were injured. After they were brought back, due to the bad weather, several of their wounds became infected and they developed fevers. Wei Lang was worried, so he sent someone early in the morning to bring Zhang Zhaoci to the general's mansion and ask Zhang Zhaoci to give the injured soldiers a proper medical check-up.

Zhang Zhaoci was busy at the general's mansion until evening. When he was sent home, it was already dark. Zhang Zhaoci thanked the driver and guards who brought him home. After entering the house, his children helped him change his clothes and shoes, wash his hands and face, and then served him a few side dishes, several large plates of plump, steaming dumplings, and a bowl of hot dumpling soup.

Zhang Zhaoci picked up the bowl of dumpling soup, warmed his hands, took a couple of sips to warm his stomach, then picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks, took a bite, and asked in surprise, "Wow, this dumpling is so delicious! Who made it?"

Xu Di said happily, "Little Jiu, I kneaded the dough and chopped the dumpling filling myself. But I helped with the wrapping with Granny, Sister He, Sister Qingmiao, and Sister Qingsui. Mother, our family will finally have something to eat!"

Zhang Zhaoci said happily, "My little darling, how can you be so talented? Come here, let me give you a kiss first."

Xu Zhi blushed and said shyly, "Mother, I'm a grown-up now. You can't keep kissing me like this. People will laugh at me for not growing up."

Zhang Zhaoci laughed and said, "Alright, Mother is wrong. Our Xiao Jiu is a grown-up now."

Xu Rao worked overtime at the county government office again that night. When he came back, he ate some hot dumplings. Xu Zhi also prepared a bowl of nourishing ginseng and black chicken soup for him. Everyone in the family drank a bowl. It tasted really good.

Xu Rao scalded her feet, lay down on the warm kang (heated brick bed), groaned comfortably, and said, "I really want to lie on this warm kang every day."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!