This batch of knives isn't as good as Shuiqing's, but it's good enough that it's here. Who would be picky?

The men were overjoyed and almost cheered. Then they wondered why Fan Xiaoliu and Wu Gousheng hadn't mentioned the money along the way and even made them think that all the money was gone.

Why didn't Hong Mancang reveal his broadsword, instead letting them think it had been swept away by the river?

This is definitely not to defend against them, but it's obvious who it's defending against!

They just felt that the defense was good and the defense was correct. Anyway, if they were to give the silver and the big knife to that family, it would be more disgusting than making them eat flies!

The men, having figured this out, suppressed their cheers, their faces showing only excitement.

The old village chief distributed the fourteen broadswords one by one. Now, except for those two households, almost every household in the village has two broadswords, and a few households have three!

After each person received one tael of silver, there were twelve taels of silver left. However, Fan Jinding, Li Huwenhua, and the other two did not take their respective shares. These three taels of silver were added to the remaining silver, so the village now has a total of fifteen taels of silver in savings!

The old village chief felt that the fifteen taels of silver was too much to handle.

He was somewhat uneasy, afraid that he might not do a good job. Just as he looked at Fan Jin, the latter said respectfully, "Old village chief, you are the most suitable candidate."

The old village chief was highly respected in the village, a foundation built over decades of conduct and character that no one else could match.

His three sons are honest and kind-hearted, never cunning, and very concerned about the people and things in the village. They are also well-off and would not be interested in taking a few dozen taels of silver.

The three daughters-in-law are diligent and capable, especially Guifen, who was born and raised in Shanshui Village. She knows people and things very well, and will be the most capable person to organize banquets in the future.

Most importantly, he could sense that the old village chief now highly regarded Shuiqing and wished Shuiqing would take over his work and lead the village to a better future. However, he also had his own selfish reasons, namely that he did not want Shuiqing to take on the tiring and trivial tasks.

Shuiqing is suited to accomplish great things and do things that yield visible results, such as leading villagers to earn money. However, he is not suited to arduous and tedious tasks such as organizing village banquets.

The old village chief tentatively asked, "Your wife, Hu Shuiqing?"

The men originally thought that no one was more trustworthy than the old village chief in keeping the silver safe. But when they heard the old village chief mention Shui Qing's name, they suddenly realized that they would trust her just as much!

When did they begin to see Hu Shuiqing as someone on par with the old village chief?

It even seems to be replacing and surpassing it!

Fan Jin had a gentle expression, but his words were full of trouble: "The medicine shop has many and complicated matters, and she is needed for everything. The children are still young and cannot be separated from her. I'm afraid she doesn't have enough energy. If she doesn't run it well, wouldn't it be a waste of money?"

"It would be best if you, the old village chief, took the lead. It would be convenient for Brother Li and the other two to gather people and discuss the matter. Sister-in-law Guifen is efficient and capable, so the preparations for the banquet will surely be quick and excellent."

When the old village chief mentioned Shuiqing, the men felt that Shuiqing was the most suitable candidate.

But after hearing Fan Jin's calm and unhurried words, they felt that the old village chief's family was the most suitable.

Their ideas kept changing, making them feel like a blade of grass on a wall, swaying in the wind.

The old village chief thought that the herbal medicine shop was the foundation of the village's livelihood and could not be subject to any risks. Naturally, he could not let Hu Shuiqing be distracted, so he nodded and accepted the money and subsequent matters.