Silence filled the valley for a long while. Finally, Madam Cui stepped forward and said with a smile, "A thousand taels of silver sounds like a lot, but when divided among various parties, it's not much. Thank you for your trouble, Lord Zhou. Once the village chief and the others return, we'll discuss it and try to raise the money. We'll need your help with the blueprints, though!"
The other villagers, upon hearing this, came to their senses and quickly expressed their gratitude.
"Thank you, Lord Zhou. For us farmers, spending a hundred or so taels to build a house is already a big deal. To suddenly hear that it costs a thousand taels is quite a shock."
"Yes, this valley is so big, it's nothing like our farmhouses."
"Thank you very much, sir. You've gone to so much trouble."
Lord Zhou was a man devoted to technology, and he wasn't one for many scheming thoughts.
He had already heard from Mr. Wen on the way that everyone had fled famine and had little money. It was normal for them to be surprised to hear that it would cost a thousand taels of silver, so he naturally wouldn't be angry about it.
"Don't worry, everyone. I will definitely think it over carefully, try to spend as little money as possible, and make it as perfect as possible. After all, this place is close to Kyoto, and it will be full of wealthy people who come to play. The hot spring garden can't be too simple."
Everyone nodded quickly, just then Jiaxi and Jia'an ran over and shouted, "Dinner's ready! We can eat now!"
Uncle Zhao and his men quickly invited Lord Zhou and his men, "Lord Zhou, please have something to eat before you get busy. There's nothing good here in the mountains, please don't mind."
"No, it's me who's causing you trouble."
Both sides were very polite, which made the atmosphere even more harmonious.
The villagers lived in shacks and ate from earthen stoves; they really didn't have much to offer their guests.
Tao Hongying racked her brains to make two dishes, a pancake, and a soup. The dishes were stir-fried cabbage and wood ear mushrooms with cured pork and cold wild vegetables. The pancake was made by chopping up the pork belly that Li Lao Er bought the day before, adding dried vegetables, and making pancakes. The soup was wild vegetable and egg soup.
The black and white combination of cabbage and wood ear mushrooms is pleasing to the eye, and the cold wild vegetable salad is also full of emerald green and has a refreshing sweet and sour taste.
The most outstanding dish is the dried vegetable and pork patty. The pork belly is soaked up by the dried vegetables, and when you take a bite, it's soft, fresh, and slightly salty. Paired with a bowl of egg drop soup, it's absolutely perfect.
Lord Zhou and his companions originally thought that when the villagers said they ate simple food, they really meant it.
Unexpectedly, in such a desolate valley, a group of refugees living in shacks would prepare such a delicious meal to entertain them.
Seeing the sorghum porridge and stewed cabbage in the villagers' bowls from afar, they felt even more heartened.
Even without Mr. Wen's request, they would still do their best to help build the hot spring resort. Not for any other reason than for these kind and simple villagers.
Jiayin was sitting in Madam Cui's lap, sharing a pie with her. She ate with gusto, her mouth dripping with oil, and she couldn't help but feel proud of her mother's excellent cooking skills.
Although Young Master Ye sent grain and Madam Cui brought some over, none of the hundred or so people in the village were willing to eat their fill.
The pancakes made today were only enough to entertain guests, including Mrs. Cui (who was only half a guest), Old Lady Li, Uncle Zhao, and a few others who were injured. Each person got one pancake.
The elderly certainly like to eat it, but they feel even more sorry for the children, so they make a simple presentation and then distribute it to the little ones.
While Madam Cui chatted with Old Lady Li and others, Jiayin ate while her mind wandered.
There are quite a few cabbages and radishes stored in the space. In a few days, when Grandma's injury heals and she can move around freely, we can find an opportunity to take them out and exchange them in a nearby village under the pretext of exchanging them.
The problem now is still the fruit tree seedlings in the space nursery.
How exactly should we present it in a reasonable and justifiable way?
At this moment, she missed Young Master Ye terribly; if he were here, he would definitely help her.
After all, the transaction went smoothly, with them exchanging silver for pills.
Young Master Ye didn't ask any questions or show any surprise or doubt. His calm and composed demeanor made Jia Yin subconsciously feel that he was even more trustworthy than her grandmother.
Grandma was just an old farmer's wife; her main concern was her safety and self-preservation.
But Young Master Ye, in terms of both status and experience, is more than capable of shielding her from all dangers and solving all problems; he is currently the best shield.
Unfortunately, when they first met, Young Master Ye was still the Earl of Xinting, but now he's been promoted to Marquis and is a military commander, so busy he's nowhere to be seen. She couldn't catch him even if she wanted to...
After lunch, Lord Zhou took a number of detailed measurements and then took his men to leave.
The villagers thanked them profusely and escorted them all the way to the edge of the valley.
Because they were worried about Mr. Wen and the village chief, everyone stood there for quite a while, but unfortunately they still didn't see them.
Uncle Zhao then urged everyone to continue going up the mountain to clear the land. No matter how well the hot springs in the valley were organized, the hills on both sides had to be cleared out.
With everyone busy cutting down trees and clearing weeds, they had no time to worry about the thousand taels of silver.
At dusk, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from afar, getting closer and closer. Just then, the villagers came down from the mountain and immediately blocked the entrance to the valley, fearing that someone else would come to steal the hot spring.
As it turned out, when the cavalry arrived, it was Young Master Ye who jumped down.
Everyone cheered and rushed forward, shouting, "Young Master Ye is back! The Marquis is back!"
Jiayin was squatting by the stove, keeping her grandmother company as she warmed herself by the fire. Hearing the cheers, she was overjoyed and ran towards them with her little legs.
Grandma Li was afraid her granddaughter would fall, so she tried to chase after her, but strained her shoulder and hurt her wound, so she could only call for Jia Huan.
"Quickly pick up Fu Niu, don't let her fall!"
Jia Huan strode forward, scooped up his younger sister, and lifted her onto his shoulder.
Jiayin grabbed her brother's hair and shouted, "Uncle Ye! Uncle Ye!"
Young Master Ye was talking with the villagers when he heard the child's tender voice. He turned around and smiled.
He strode through the crowd, picked up the little girl, and carefully kissed her fair face.
"Little girl, you miss your uncle!"
"Mmm, mmm!" Jiayin nodded vigorously, her little face full of seriousness and joy. "I miss Uncle, I really miss him!"
Young Master Ye laughed heartily, "It's only been a few days, and our Fu Niu is speaking so clearly now."
The villagers surrounded him and sat him down by the fire. Madam Cui helped Old Lady Li forward to pay their respects.
Young Master Ye personally helped the old lady to sit down. The old lady, missing her son, told him about the incident where someone had tried to steal the hot spring.
Young Master Ye had already spotted the hot spring in the distance and said, "I just finished disciplining those two petty officials at the dock, and I was worried about where you would stay. I never expected to find a hot spring in this wasteland; this is a blessing for the village. Don't worry, no one can take it away!"
Hearing this, everyone seemed reassured and felt much calmer.
Young Master Ye continued, "As for Mr. Wen and the Fourth Prince, there's no need to worry. The imperial court has already had many conflicts since it moved the capital here, and what happened in our village is just the trigger. The imperial court has probably been looking forward to this day for a long time. So, the outcome will definitely be good, and the Fourth Prince and the others will be back tomorrow."
He held Jiayin on his lap, his expression gentle, his tone firm, making it impossible not to be extremely convinced.
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