Jiang Qinyu no longer planned to hide, but she still didn't want Shufan, Pan'er, and Chen Shi to be in danger, so she continued to live in her home in the county town.
Although Aping still often followed Jiang Qinyu around these past two days, he would occasionally leave Jiang Qinyu alone.
I thought that young master Jiang would be unable to resist taking action, but to my surprise, three days passed and nothing happened.
Jiang Qinyu even began to doubt whether she had guessed wrong.
On this day, the expansion of Dingshui Village was officially finalized. Wei Chengzong personally arrived at the scene and was the first to put down his hoe, signifying the start of the expansion project.
Village Chief Li and the people of Dingshui Village clapped their hands until they were red, but they didn't want to stop.
From then on, Dingshui Village was no longer the poorest and smallest village in Yongshan County!
Many elderly people couldn't stop wiping away tears, and Grandpa Jiang choked up as he said, "Our village can finally live a good life for a long time!"
"Grandpa," Jiang Qinyu said with a smile, "the good days are yet to come! You must take good care of yourself so that our village can live a better and better life!"
Grandpa Jiang immediately wiped away his tears and chuckled, "Alright, alright, I'm definitely going to live a good life. I haven't even seen your and A-Zheng's baby born yet, have I?"
He was still thinking about making some small toys for Lu Yanzheng's dolls in the future, so he couldn't close his eyes too early.
Jiang Qinyu didn't expect her words of comfort to elicit such a blush. She was both amused and exasperated, her face flushed red. She quickly went to the other side to confirm some things with Wei Chengzhong.
Grandpa Jiang turned to Chen and said, "Ah Zheng's mother, you should also tell Ah Zheng to hurry up. There aren't many good daughters-in-law like Ah Zheng's wife these days."
The implication is that if Jiang Qinyu didn't have a child, she might run away at any time, but if she did, her position as a daughter-in-law would be secure.
Ms. Chen nodded in deep agreement, "I'll have a good talk with A-Zheng when he comes back next time."
Lu Yanzheng is already twenty-five this year. If she doesn't hurry up, when will she be able to hold her grandson?
Jiang Qinyu had no idea that she was already on the village's list of women who were being urged to have children. All the old women and aunties on Chen's side were discussing when she would give birth.
Even A-Ping, after hearing what the villagers said, felt that his general should have a child, and secretly decided that he would mention it to his master the next time he saw him.
Leaving aside the excitement here, let's talk about how the news of Dingshui Village's expansion caused quite a stir among people from several surrounding villages.
First is Xiahe Village.
Previously, the people from Xiahe Village always tried to take advantage of Dingshui Village, but after several visits, they not only failed to gain anything but also made their lives even worse. After that, they dared not try to take advantage of Dingshui Village anymore.
"Village chief, we're the closest to Dingshui Village. If they expand, won't they include us first?"
"Yes, village chief, why don't you go and find out what the rules are in Dingshui Village? That way we can make preparations."
"Sigh, I advise you not to even think about it. Our village is full of the elderly, women, and children now, and we have a grudge against them. Why would they want people like us?"
"How dare you talk like that? We're all from the same village, what grudge can't we settle? Why can't we just merge with them?"
"..."
There was a lot of discussion at the entrance of Xiahe Village.
At first glance, the group was indeed mostly elderly, weak, women and children. The few children were thin and pale, with lifeless eyes, clearly indicating that they were living in poverty.
"Village chief, please think of a solution! We old folks don't care if we die, but look at the children in our village, how are they going to live?"
An elderly man wiped away his tears and said sadly.
Immediately, someone echoed her words, "Yes, village chief, we did make mistakes in the past. We are willing to sincerely apologize to the people of Dingshui Village. As long as they are willing to accept us, we will do whatever they ask us to do in the future without uttering a single word of refusal."
"Me too, me too..."
Village Chief Wu of Xiahe Village had long been regretting his actions, and now that he was being forced into this situation by the villagers, he regretted it even more.
"Sigh!" Village Chief Wu sighed. "We made a mistake back then. Even if we admit our mistake now, we shouldn't come with conditions. If they forgive us, it's because they are magnanimous. If they don't forgive us, we shouldn't hold a grudge."
"If you agree, I'll swallow my pride and apologize. But if you're expecting forgiveness just because you apologize, then I won't go."
He finally understood that Dingshui Village was no longer the poor village that was inferior to them. With a capable person like Lu Yanzheng in their village, even if someone wanted to do something bad, they couldn't. The best course of action now was to either befriend them or avoid them.
After listening to Village Chief Wu's words, the villagers looked at each other. It seemed that the hard times had really worn away their crooked thoughts, and they all quickly agreed with Village Chief Wu's words.
"Village chief, we'll listen to you!"
"Yes! Village Chief, go apologize. We're not even thinking about merging with Dingshui Village anymore. Just make our stance clear: our village will never oppose Dingshui Village again!"
"..."
Seeing that they showed no sign of reluctance, Village Chief Wu finally agreed.
Similar scenes played out in other villages, but people's hearts are unpredictable, and many people only thought about their own interests.
The next morning, Dingshui Village was bustling with activity.
"Village Chief, several village chiefs or village heads have come to the village entrance. They all want to see you. Are you going now, or should you ask them to wait?" Li Dachui, who was on duty today, ran to Village Chief Li's house to deliver the message.
Village Chief Li had just finished breakfast and was about to leave when he heard this and said, "Let them wait outside our ancestral hall first, I'll go and call the village committee."
He was originally going to other villages to select people these past few days, but since they've come, he'll meet them first so he can have a better idea of who they are.
Before long, Village Chief Li led the village committee members to the ancestral hall.
"Village Chief Li, I heard that your village is going to expand and select people from the surrounding villages to join your village?" An impatient village chief rushed forward to ask as soon as he saw Li Jinyuan.
Village Chief Li nodded with a smile, "Village chiefs and village heads, let's go inside and talk."
He led the people into the meeting room of the ancestral hall, asked someone to pour some water for everyone, and then said to the village chiefs and village leaders who came: "The news you have heard is true, but don't worry, let's talk about it today."
After saying that, he introduced the people who came to him: "The people sitting next to me are the main members of our village committee. We are the ones who handle the village expansion and merger. They can answer any questions you may have."
The other village chiefs and village heads looked at them suspiciously. Village committee? What's that?
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