Land of Hope
The inscription was written with cinnabar ink, and the characters have remained vibrant over time.
The village houses are neat and orderly, a complete transformation compared to this time last year.
"Auntie, who are you looking for?"
A little boy with a topknot and an incredibly sweet tongue.
A pair of big, watery eyes stared intently at a basket being carried by an aunt.
"You greedy little thing."
Jiang Yue was both amused and exasperated. She squatted down, tapped the little guy's forehead, and patiently said, "I'm not in a hurry to give him a treat."
“You should call me Grandma. You’re about the same age as my grandchildren.”
"Beautiful grandma~"
The little boy changed his tune and readily agreed.
"Pfft~"
Aunt Ge couldn't help but laugh, and then took out a wrapped piece of candy from her cloth bag and handed it to the little guy.
"Here, for you, the sweetest little one."
"Thank you, beautiful grandma!"
Tsk tsk, this little guy, I wonder whose child he is. He's already so sweet-talking as a child, what will he be like when he grows up?
"Third son's wife, you've arrived!"
"You old fool, you should call her Princess."
"Can't I just call the third son's wife?"
"You old geezer, you can't stand a day without cursing someone, can you?"
"Don't all start fighting, there are many people watching."
"Hmph~"
......
Seeing that Uncle and his wife were still arguing, Jiang Yue smiled and said to the little boy:
"The person I'm looking for has arrived."
The little boy blinked. "Beautiful grandma, are you looking for the township head?"
A moment later—
Declining the villagers' hospitality, Jiang Yue went to Uncle Yongfa's house, looked at the tidy yard, and praised Aunt Qin for her diligence.
Old Madam Qin was so flattered by the praise that she wiped the table, brewed tea, and brought out refreshments.
"What a coincidence! Yin came to visit us a few days ago and brought a lot of food. We don't have good teeth, how can we eat it all?"
This explanation serves two purposes: firstly, it explains the origin of the tea snacks, and secondly, it's a way of praising his grandson's filial piety.
"Someone's here? Why don't you let the kids come over for a visit?"
Jiang Yue naturally understood her aunt's happiness and chatted with her for a while, following up on the topic.
“This child, after passing the county-level exam, couldn’t pass it again, but for our Wu family, passing the county-level exam is still worthwhile.”
Wu Yongfa sighed. He was relieved, but he still wanted to try his luck with Yin.
Not long ago, during the autumn imperial examinations, he came to Yunshui County to visit his elderly parents, and also took the opportunity to continue his examinations in Jinling.
"Once the results are released, no matter what, I welcome anyone who wants to work here."
Jiang Yue nodded, indicating her stance.
A scholar with the title of Xiucai (秀才) can get a lot of jobs.
After all, she's a child she's watched grow up, so as her aunt, she'd definitely lend a helping hand if she could.
"You guys chat, I'll go cook some local dishes, don't be picky!"
Old Qin felt warm inside upon hearing this, and immediately put on an apron and went to work in the kitchen.
"Auntie, let me help you."
Aunt Ge was used to serving, so naturally she had to take the place of the princess.
"Sigh~"
Old Qin didn't refuse. She knew Aunt Ge, knew the local situation, and considered her one of their own.
We're all on the same side, so let's not stand on ceremony.
"Come, come, have a taste. This is tea picked by your aunt. It's so fragrant."
"Yes, Uncle, you should have some too~"
......
Jiang Yue stayed in the Land of Hope for a few hours. After having a meal, she and Uncle Yongfa took a stroll around the village.
Sure enough, all the landforms were exactly as Xiuer had brought back in the topographical map.
Wu Yongfa was also seeing a topographic map for the first time. He squinted at it for a long time and shamelessly asked if he could have a copy.
Jiang Yue shook her head. For now, she would only have one copy. Once she returned, she would instruct someone to expedite the printing and categorize the copies before sending another copy over.
Yes, the complete topographic map is naturally kept secret and not leaked.
The topographical map of the area can be handed over to the respective township head for safekeeping.
In addition to the topographic map, there were also secret tunnels dug, similar to air-raid shelters.
It's always good to keep something in reserve from the imperial court.
Only her confidants knew a little about these things.
Even trusted confidants are not always fully involved.
I didn't mean to think of everyone as the worst, but people have weaknesses...
If it weren't for the deep attachment to their homeland, not only Jiang Yue, but also the elderly couple Wu Yongfa would have wanted to move Wujia Village here!
Ahem, it's not Wujia Village anymore, it's called Wujiaji now.
Wu Jiahu, that kid, has lived up to Wu Yongfa's expectations and has grown into a qualified village chief!
Once the "Land of Hope" is fully on track and a new township head has been appointed, Wu Yongfa will return to his hometown in glory with his wife...
Hundreds of miles away—
Wujiaji.
After a long day of hard work, the vendors began packing up their belongings, preparing to close their shops and go home.
The same applies to Old Zhou's tea stall.
However, her daughters-in-law are all filial, and so are her granddaughters-in-law.
Whenever this happens, they come to help tidy up, wash and scrub, and help her with the sample making.
People who know her and those who don't all envy her good fortune to have such filial descendants.
"Auntie, you're so lucky! Are all these your daughters and granddaughters?"
"No, that's my eldest daughter-in-law, that's my second son's wife, that's my eldest granddaughter-in-law, and that's my youngest granddaughter-in-law~"
"Wow, ma'am, your family is really thriving!"
Haha~
"What's the secret to managing a wife?"
"Harmony in the family brings prosperity in everything. If we, as mothers-in-law, treat our daughters-in-law like our own daughters, then our daughters-in-law will become like our own daughters. How could they not treat us well?"
"Sigh, it's easier said than done."
"Every family has its own problems, little sister, don't worry. My daughter-in-law is calling me home, I have to go now, we'll talk again tomorrow~"
Old Mrs. Zhou didn't like listening to people talk about the relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, or about how they would torment their daughters-in-law, so she would quickly slip away as soon as people started talking.
With a smile, Madam Zhou helped her mother-in-law up, and said gently:
"Mother, you must be tired. Tomorrow your daughter-in-law will bring a cart, and you can sit on it."
"Goodbye, I can still walk, don't bother yourselves."
Old Mrs. Zhou was overjoyed to hear her daughter-in-law's filial words.
Of course, he verbally refused, not wanting to burden his daughter-in-law.
“Mom, if you don’t like riding the cart, we’ll pick out a wheelchair for you tomorrow. It’s much easier to sit in one of those.”
Xiao Zhou carried a small basket filled with oranges and gave them to her mother-in-law, her sister-in-law, her sister-in-law's daughter Xiao Die, and her own daughter-in-law Xiao Yu.
"Eat it, it's sweet."
"Second son's wife, my teeth are so sensitive, I can't eat."
"Mother, you need to see a doctor. Come on, let's go before the clinic in the market closes. I'll take you there."
"But~"
"There are no buts. If my third sister-in-law finds out, she will definitely make you see a doctor."
"Okay, I'll do as you say, let's go to the clinic."
"Mmm~"
......
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