Si Cheng also shared his decision: "Tomorrow, we'll only keep a few wild boar pups and get rid of the rest, otherwise they'll grow back quickly. It's better to clear out more at once."

Yun Qi said, "This is going to be tough. This is enough to keep everyone busy for a whole day."

Dr. Xia nodded in agreement, "It wouldn't take a day to clean all of this, but will all this pork be smoked into cured meat?"

Yunqi said, "We need to discuss this together. If it really doesn't work, we can each share the cost. We can decide how to handle it, as we please."

Dr. Xia shook his head immediately, "No way, I really can't handle this stuff. The smoked bacon doesn't taste good at all. But you have to save one of those wild boar stomachs for me. I've been researching some recipes lately, and they're said to have miraculous effects on stomach ailments. I want to see if it's true?"

Dr. Xia had tried making it herself once before, and perhaps because of her profession as a doctor, she had adjusted each ingredient in what she thought was a precise way, resulting in the waste of several large pieces of meat.

"I'll save them all for you. If all else fails, I'll make a big pot for the whole village so everyone can take care of their stomachs." When Si Cheng heard Dr. Xia mention stomach problems, he remembered how everyone often worked outdoors, eating and sleeping in the open, and frequently missed mealtimes. This was a good opportunity to help everyone recover.

Dr. Xia said, "Then I'll have to consult with Dr. Yun to see what medicinal herbs I should add."

Yunqi added, "If you need any medicinal herbs that you don't have where you are, you can come to my place to look for them. My family grows a variety of herbs, so we might be able to find what we need."

The last time they exchanged medicinal herbs for Amon, the villagers knew that his family had some stock. So when they took out some more this time, no one was surprised. After all, his family was among the first to grow medicinal herbs, and no one knew the types or quantities they grew.

As for why they didn't exchange the money for other villages? It's because, in the eyes of all the villagers, they've already exchanged so much for Xinjiu Village, and even if they have a lot left over, there's no limit to how much they can give.

The villagers quickly learned about the arrangements for the next day. Although some were reluctant to eat pork, their enthusiasm for the meal remained undiminished.

To make tomorrow's dinner more delicious, everyone started getting busy.

They went up the mountain to hunt, down to the lake to fish, and even the children were picking wild vegetables in the fields.

"It's only lively and energetic when there are so many people in the village." Several elderly people were also busy, sitting together and peeling peanuts and beans.

"But these kids can't sit still. I heard them talking about going out again yesterday." Grandpa Qi reminded everyone, remembering what his grandson had said when he came home yesterday.

Grandpa said confidently, "This is not settled yet, and they won't set off so soon."

Seeing the questioning looks from everyone, he proudly stated his judgment: "They've already exchanged so many crossbows before, what will they take now? Besides, they won't feel at ease until they thoroughly inspect the village and its surroundings."

Sun Shiguang nodded in agreement, "The new generation in our village is becoming more and more responsible. They've only just returned to the village and they're already busy with chores. Meanwhile, we're starting to enjoy our retirement."

Sun Shiguang felt that although his son was not very promising, his grandson had grown up and was very filial to him, so he was always happy in the village.

Fourth Aunt was also very proud, "Although we rarely go out, people outside are still more or less envious and jealous of us. Every time my relatives come to our village, they always say sarcastic things and always try to play the victim, thinking that I am old and easy to fool."

"You're so easy to fool. As long as someone praises Yun Qiao a few times, you're overjoyed. Didn't your sister-in-law just take a few big fat ducks back from your house the other day?" Old Man Lü immediately exposed her shortcomings.

Fourth Aunt smiled indifferently, "No matter what, they are still my maternal family. They are having a hard time, so I should help them as much as I can. Besides, what they said is true. Our Yunqiao is becoming more and more promising. No matter how much they say they envy her, they can't learn that."

"Look, it's floating up again right now," Old Man Lu said with a laugh, pointing at her.

"Yun Qiao has grown up very quickly. He has transformed from a mischievous boy into a pillar of the family. The change is remarkable. However, you should hurry up with this marriage, otherwise there will be fewer and fewer good girls available later on," Grandpa Qi reminded her.

Fourth Aunt sighed, "That's not the case. Now, it's not just people in the village making arrangements for him, but also several surrounding villages, but none of them have gotten him to agree."

Auntie Si felt she had gone to great lengths for this. Her family was now like a big piece of fat meat, with relatives and friends coming to her door to mediate, making her both distressed and proud.

As if on cue, the young man who had gone to check the traps in the back mountain returned carrying his haul.

"There are more and more every day. I wonder where all these animals come from?" Sun Shiguang glanced at them and then stopped paying attention. It was just like this every day, and everyone had long since lost their curiosity.

Hou Kelin said, "Haven't you noticed? We're becoming more and more like we're living in a primeval forest. Sometimes, looking at the deep mountains gives us a creepy feeling."

"You, who live by the sea, just don't know how to describe things. This isn't gloomy at all; it's a natural oxygen bar with such fresh air." Lu Yunfeng took two deep breaths and squinted his eyes in satisfaction.

Grandpa Qi chuckled and said, "The air is getting better and better. We can live a few more years and see if society can recover."

The other elderly people nodded in agreement, "That's right. I heard that the base has already been built. As it is gradually improved, even if we don't live to see it, our descendants might be able to."

Fourth Aunt had only one worry: "But won't their taxes be very heavy? Right now, only we farmers are reaping the harvest. What if they take advantage of us?"

Seventh Grandfather: "That's quite possible. Otherwise, how would they solve the problem of food rations when building their base?"

Fourth Aunt: "Ah! Are you really going to put all the work on us farmers? What will we get in return? Isn't all our hard work for nothing?"

Second Grandpa looked at everyone earnestly and said, "Everything will be alright. As things gradually improve, not only will we farmers emerge, but other industries will also appear. When that time comes, our lives will be back to normal."

"Sigh, I hope so. We can't afford any more trouble; we just want to help the next generation live a good life."

In fact, everyone present understood that it was extremely difficult to return to their previous lives.

This topic is too heavy for them right now, so they can only change the subject and talk about their own family matters, and gossip about some of the little farces that have happened in the surrounding villages recently.