"Oh my, Aunt Lin's relatives are really capable. They have the strength to farm and also go hunting in the mountains."
"That's right! Aunt Tie Tou's family really got a great deal. They adopted the most capable Black Wolf as their son, and Liu Hong'er also took a liking to him. The two of them got together right away!"
A woman with a gossipy look said, "If you ask me, how can a young wife stay widowed forever? What if she runs off with some random man? This is perfect. Aunt Tietou has always treated Liu Hong'er like a daughter, so this is like getting a live-in son-in-law for free. The young couple will take care of them in their old age, and their grandchildren will all take their surname. Tietou's family is not just getting a bargain, they've hit the jackpot!"
"That's right, those brothers of Black Wolf all seem pretty good to me. Families in the village who are getting married off their daughters are all eyeing those brothers."
"......"
Nowadays, apart from Black Wolf, the brothers live in a thatched hut on the edge of the village. They have jointly acquired land and occasionally go hunting in the mountains. In their spare time, they make adobe bricks, hoping to build a big house so they can get married. Their daily lives are full of hope.
This was actually the county government's intention. After all, these men had been bandits before, and releasing them like this might cause them to turn back into outlaws if they ever encountered a dead end.
However, by settling in Linjia Village, Song Anxin's family had guards to watch over them, and the villagers of Linjia were simple and honest, which would make it easier for them to integrate.
As for Black Wolf becoming Aunt Iron Head's son, it was something she orchestrated, having Black Wolf unintentionally save Aunt Iron Head. Her relationship with Liu Hong'er was also a natural progression; after all, it's not easy for a young widow to remain single, so it was better to just let things be.
A month later, the weather had reached its hottest point, and the chili peppers in the fields had been harvested one after another. Apart from eating them herself, Song Anxin had Lin Fengnian dry all the harvested chili peppers into dried chili peppers, grind them into chili powder, and make chili sauce, etc. Of course, the villagers would also come to her house to ask for some seeds to plant.
The first batch of black fungus grown by the collective industry in Linjia Village has successfully sprouted. The village head immediately brought some to her house for her to try. Eating some cold black fungus salad in the summer is incredibly refreshing.
Meanwhile, the village collective has begun cultivating the first batch of wood ear mushrooms, and the second batch will be ready in half a month. Even so, restaurants and eateries in the county have already placed orders for the second batch of wood ear mushrooms in advance.
The weather cooled down a bit in the evening, and Song Anxin went to her own field wearing a straw hat.
As she walked along the road, many villagers who were weeding and fertilizing in the fields greeted her. Now, the rice stalks have grown tall and are a vibrant green, a scene of prosperity and growth.
When they arrived at the chili field, Lin Fengnian was leading Anfu and the others to fertilize it. The smell almost killed Song Anxin.
"Mother, you're here," Lin Fengnian said, putting down his work to greet his mother. Seeing her expression, Lin Fengnian scratched his head sheepishly and said:
"It doesn't smell very good here, Mother, why don't you go back first?"
Song Anxin shook her head and took a deep breath, suppressing her nausea.
Yeah, you get used to it and then you don't notice it anymore.
She said, "I've come to the field to check on how the potatoes are growing."
Lin Fengnian immediately said, "Then Mother, I'll go with you."
Song Anxin nodded and walked side by side with Lin Fengnian toward the potato field ahead, when they heard a burst of laughter.
"Wow, Uncle Qingshan, you're so tall! You're even taller than my grandpa! I can see so far out from you!"
Big Grass rode on Green Mountain's neck, looking very excited.
"Sister, come down quickly, come down quickly, Uncle Qingshan, even the grass wants to ride high."
Little Grass eagerly tugged at Green Mountain's clothes, speaking softly and gently.
Without saying a word, Qingshan switched to Xiaocao and rode on it again.
Lin Daxi, who was standing to the side, said while carrying a small basket, "Alright, Xiaocao, stop bothering your Uncle Qingshan. We should go home now. Qingshan, thank you for helping me pick the chilies."
Aoyama looked a little awkward and said, "Miss Daxi, you don't need to be so polite."
The little grass rode on the green hill's neck and refused to get off, repeatedly whining, "The little grass wants to ride high home, ride high home."
Da Cao chimed in, "Yes, Uncle Qingshan, please take us home."
"Little grass, you shouldn't trouble Uncle Qingshan like this..."
Lin Fengnian saw his mother looking in that direction and explained, "Sister Daxi came to the chili field to pick some chilies, and Qingshan is helping her pick them." He looked at Daxiaocao, who was riding on Qingshan's neck, and scratched his head, somewhat puzzled. "Mom, I'm Daxiaocao's uncle, so why do they only like to stick to Qingshan? I'm not bad to them as their uncle."
Song Anxin chuckled and pretended to think, "Hmm, maybe it's because your uncle doesn't know how to fly with the grass."
Lin Fengnian was momentarily speechless; he couldn't learn this either.
Seeing her simple-minded son's innocent expression, Song Anxin smiled and waved her hand, saying:
"Alright, Mom won't tease you anymore. Let's go. You'll understand later."
Song Anxin really had to give Da Cao and Xiao Cao a good internal compliment; they had excellent taste in choosing fathers. As for Qingshan, it was obvious there was potential. She wouldn't interfere in the young people's affairs; she'd just wait for things to fall into place naturally.
The potatoes in the potato field had sprouted and grown very well. After inspecting the field, Song Anxin and Lin Fengnian went to see their new 100 mu of fertile land, which was a reward from the county government to her family because she and Fenghe had both contributed to the bandit suppression.
This land was quite far from her home, and it took her and Fengnian a while to walk there.
The land had just been granted and they hadn't planted much yet, but it was so big that her family had already planted everything they needed to. In the end, she and Lin Fengnian discussed planting some vegetables first, and then cultivating some chili seedlings to grow more chili peppers.
When Song Anxin returned home from her own land, Granny Wei handed her an invitation, which was sent by Lord Liang, who was in charge of several nearby counties.
Lord Liang and Magistrate Yan worked together to suppress the bandits and were rewarded with a promotion of half a rank. He is now a sixth-rank official. This invitation is Lord Liang's invitation to his promotion celebration banquet.
Song Anxin had only met Lord Liang once a month ago when she set up an ambush in Linjia Village to suppress bandits. He was a traditional military officer with a burly, dark-skinned face and seemed quite straightforward.
Song Anxin naturally had to attend the promotion banquet to give Lord Liang face.
Two days later, Song Anxin, along with Granny Wei and Qingshan, set off for the Liang residence in the evening. Upon arrival, the servants guarding the gate led her to the banquet area.
The sun had already set and only a sliver of daylight remained, but the Liang residence was already brightly lit. Because it was too hot, a banquet was being held in the evening. When they arrived at the courtyard where the banquet was being held, Lord Liang was surrounded by a group of officials offering their congratulations.
"Madam Hui has arrived!"
The servants reported this.
Lord Liang and the group of officials immediately looked over here.
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