On the first day of construction, two irrigation canals were dug.
The floodwaters receded in Dongwang Village the next day.
Some villagers, seeing the floodwaters recede, no longer wanted to dig. Instead, they wanted to go back and repair their flooded houses and turn over the fields in preparation for spring planting of rice.
"If anyone doesn't want to dig, I'll report to the city lord right away and have him relocate from Dongwang Village!"
"Village chief, it's not that we don't want to dig! Look, the rain has stopped, but we haven't even cleaned up our houses yet!"
Everyone has their own selfish desires; who wouldn't want to get the house repaired as soon as possible, since the land allocated to them hasn't been tilled yet either?
"If we're going to fix it, let's fix it properly this time, since this is where we'll be living for a long time."
The village chief was in a dilemma; the houses and the irrigation ditch were equally important.
So he passed the problem on to Su Kaifa.
After listening, Su Kaifa pondered for a moment and said to him, "This is not a difficult task. We can just divide the people into two groups. One group will continue to dig the irrigation canal, and the other group will go back to help the villagers repair their houses."
"Oh dear! How come I didn't think of that! It's only because you scholars have such sharp minds." The village chief's eyes lit up as he slapped his thigh and said.
Su Kaifa looked up at the rising sun and said, "Village chief, in order not to delay spring plowing, we need to speed up our project."
"Yes, I know."
The village chief went back and held a brief meeting with the villagers. Su Kaifa's proposal was unanimously approved by the villagers.
"Those who can help should not be idle. Women and children, go and cut thatch. Let's work together to repair the house and the irrigation ditch as soon as possible."
"The city lord is still here; we can't lose face in front of her!"
"We'll listen to the village chief."
Lin Yinan was secretly pleased. The village chief had finally learned to leverage her influence and was no longer just following orders.
Back at the military camp, she asked Qianxia to find the steward in charge of the warehouse.
The person in charge was also from the Yun family's secret guard camp, and he didn't look very old.
He stood tall and bowed respectfully to Lin Yinan. "Madam, did you summon your subordinate?"
"How should I address the manager?" Lin Yinan asked with a gentle smile.
"Your subordinate, Yunyi."
"Yunyi, is there any quicklime stored in the camp?"
"Yes, Madam, do you intend to give them to the villagers of Dongwang Village?"
As soon as Lin Yinan asked, Yunyi immediately guessed her purpose.
"Yes, houses that have been flooded need to be sprinkled with quicklime."
"Alright, I'll make the arrangements right away."
Lin Yinan said, "Thank you for your trouble."
"Madam, you are too kind! Our master has told us that your affairs are our affairs as well."
When Yunyi spoke of his master, a bright smile spread across his face.
As the rain gradually stopped, and with half of the matter in Dongwang Village resolved, Lin Yinan prepared to return to Longtan.
Because some people were pulled away to repair the houses, the construction was delayed by three days before it was completed.
Just as Lin Yinan was preparing to set off, Yun Shiyi sent someone to report.
"Madam, the village chief of Dongwang Village says he has important business to discuss with you."
Lin Yinan asked, puzzled, "Did he say what it was about?"
"It's about spring plowing."
Where is he?
"Eleventh Brother told him to wait at the foot of the mountain."
As Lin Yinan descended the mountain, she saw the village chief pacing back and forth on the training ground with a furrowed brow.
Upon seeing her arrive, the village chief hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Lord City Lord!"
Lin Yinan nodded slightly.
After exchanging greetings, the village chief continued, "Lord of the City, I would like to borrow some rice seeds from Longtan. Is that possible?"
"If you borrow rice seeds, you will need to return rice of equal quality and weight to the county government when the harvest is complete. Are you willing to do that?" Lin Yinan explained the details of borrowing and returning rice seeds one by one.
The village chief patted his chest and assured, "We will definitely return it as requested."
"You can tally up the number of rice seeds and people you need, and we'll sign an agreement with everyone's signatures."
A written agreement can serve as a constraint on both parties.
The night before, the village chief and the villagers had already discussed it and registered the quantities needed by each household.
Qianwu brought paper and pen, and Lin Yinan drafted the agreement. She then had the village chief read it aloud to the villagers, and once they confirmed that it was correct, they signed and affixed their fingerprints.
With the matter in Dongwang Village resolved, Lin Yinan returned to Longtan County with two jars of pickled bamboo shoots from the kitchen.
Although there is no snail rice noodle here, the tangy and delicious bamboo shoots are just as good as rice.
"After being away for so long, it's finally time to go back."
Qianwu was overjoyed and wished she could grow wings and fly back immediately.
"I wonder if the young lady knows how to call her Madam yet." Qianxia was still most concerned about Yun Shijiu.
This was the first time Lin Yinan had been away from the little one for so long, and she missed her.
Yun Er rode his horse leisurely ahead, listening to the conversation of the three people behind him, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
Yes, he'll be able to see the person he misses soon.
For the first time in so many years, he experienced the taste of longing.
After descending the mountain, Yun Er saw a group of people slowly approaching from the front.
He squinted and looked for a while, then turned to Lin Yinan behind him and said, "Madam, it seems to be the Second Young Master Lin in front."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yinan looked closely and saw that the person leading the group was indeed Lin Yizhang.
What brings him here?
Just as I was wondering, Lin Yizhang rode up to me on his donkey.
"Sis! I'm so glad to see you."
Meeting his sincere eyes, Lin Yinan asked gently, "Why are you here?"
Lin Yizhang said, "My elder brother asked me to come and see the spring plowing in Dongwang Village. He also asked me to bring a lot of soaked rice seeds so that we can save some time. There are also three oxen and a curved plow."
Lin Yiheng was practically a mind reader for her; he even knew exactly what she needed in advance.
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