Zhenfubao waved his hand and the warehouse was full of grain, and the whole family regretted it

Before he finished speaking, the people came forward one after another.

A woman was holding a cloth bag containing freshly baked wheat cakes that were still steaming.

A man was carrying half a bag of new rice, with plump grains printed on the bag.

There were also children holding fruits and vegetables grown by their own families, standing on tiptoe to hand them to Bai Wanwan.

"Master Bai, these are pickled vegetables from my family. They are delicious with porridge!"

"Sir, this is a handkerchief embroidered by my wife. Please keep it with you!"

"If you hadn't built the water conservancy project and opened up fertile fields, how could we have the good life we ​​have today? You must accept it!"

The words were filled with genuine gratitude, and many people's voices began to tear up as they spoke.

Bai Wanwan looked at the things piled up like a mountain in front of her, and then looked at the expectant eyes of the people, and her eyes became a little hot.

She walked forward and gently took the egg from the old man's hand:

“I appreciate the kindness of my fellow villagers, but please keep these things for yourselves.

The Southern Territory is what it is today thanks to everyone's hard work. I just did what I had to do."

But the people refused to obey and continued to push the things into the guards' hands.

In the end, Bai Wanwan couldn't refuse anymore and had to let the guard accept it. After thanking him repeatedly, she slowly walked towards the dock as everyone watched.

Even after the official ship sailed away, the people on the shore were still standing there waving, with shouts and cries intertwined and not dissipating for a long time.

Huo Zhixing looked at the crowd on the shore, which was getting smaller and smaller. His eyes were red. He sniffed and said, "These villagers are too polite. They actually brought the best things from their homes."

Zhiwei smiled and said:

“That’s because you don’t know how much the young lady has devoted to the Southern Territory over the years.

She took the lead in building water conservancy projects to prevent floods from wreaking havoc, and she also built academies so that children from ordinary families could also learn to read and write.

Cultivate fertile land, support workshops, and ensure that everyone has enough food to eat.

Look at the brick houses along the riverbank, the smooth roads, and the stone bridge across the river. Which one of them wasn't built by the young lady and everyone else?"

She looked out the window, her tone full of pride:

"In the past, the southern border was so barren that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say birds didn't poop and chickens didn't lay eggs. The fields were barren and the people had fled. How could it be as lively as it is today?

Look at the lake, ships carrying grain and passengers are coming and going, and the market is bustling with people. This is all created by the young lady and the people together."

Bai Wanwan waved her hand and said:

"This is not entirely my achievement; it is ultimately due to the hard work of the people themselves.

If they don't want to move forward, no amount of help from others will be of any use.

Well, stop being sad, let's relax and prepare to return to the capital."

After sailing for several days, the ship stopped at a small island.

Huo Zhixing looked at the lushly forested island in front of him and opened his eyes wide in surprise: "Sister, you have an island here?"

Bai Wanwan smiled and nodded, her fingertips brushing against the wood grain of the boat's side:

“When I first arrived in the southern border, I happened to encounter a group of pirates entrenched there.

In recent years, when I have nothing to do, I will come to the island to stay for a few days. It can also be regarded as a place to rest.

Come on, I'll take you up there to have a look. It's no longer what it used to be."

After taking a few steps, Huo Zhixing smelled a sweet floral scent.

Looking up, you can see clusters of peach trees spreading along both sides of the path, with pink and white petals dotting the branches, falling down in the wind.

Not far away, a mansion is hidden in a sea of ​​flowers. The green tiles and white walls are set against the peach blossoms in the yard. It is quiet and unique. It is the residence built specifically for Bai Wanwan.

"Wow, this place is so beautiful!" Huo Zhixing couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. He followed Bai Wanwan's instructions and walked forward, only to find that this island was much more lively than he had imagined.

On the east side of the island are rows of fishing docks with dozens of fishing boats neatly arranged. Fishermen are busy sorting out their freshly caught seafood, with fish and shrimp jumping in bamboo baskets.

Rows of dried fish and kelp are drying in the drying yard on the shore, and the air is filled with a salty and fresh aroma.

On the west side, a large area of ​​medicinal fields has been opened up, where medicinal herbs such as angelica, angelica, and honeysuckle grow lushly.

Several herbal farmers were bending over to weed, and under the shed next to them, herbal boys were carefully drying the freshly picked herbs.

Bai Wanwan pointed to the stone house next to the medicinal field and said:

“The island originally lacked fresh water, but later I had people find underground water sources and built reservoirs and water diversion channels.

Only when there are sufficient fresh water resources can we grow these medicinal herbs."

Walking along the main street, Huo Zhixing was even more surprised. There were shops lining both sides of the street, including stalls selling dried seafood and medical clinics with the aroma of medicine.

There are also teahouses for people to rest, and even a few exquisite courtyards with wooden signs hanging in front of the gates welcoming guests.

Bai Wanwan explained:

"In recent years, merchants have come to the island to rest and see that the soil and water here are good and clean. Many people who want to retire here have asked others to rent land and build houses here.

The island was big enough, so I had people plan a residential area, build stone roads, and dig drainage ditches.

There are clinics and grocery stores, and it's just like any other village or town."

As he was speaking, an old man with white hair and beard came out of the clinic. Seeing Bai Wanwan, he hurriedly bowed and said with a smile, "Master Bai is here! The honeysuckle is growing well this year. I'll ask the herbalist to pack some for you to take home for tea."

Bai Wanwan agreed with a smile, then turned to Huo Zhixing and said, "The island's clinic not only treats the islanders, but also ships prepared medicinal herbs to various parts of the southern border, which helps subsidize the islanders' livelihoods."

Huo Zhixing stood on a high place and looked out, with the entire island in his sight: the mansion shaded by peach blossoms, the busy fishing port, the lush green medicinal fields, and the bustling streets.

It has both the simplicity of a fishing village and the orderliness of a town, and has become a peaceful and prosperous paradise on the sea.

He turned to look at Bai Wanwan, his eyes full of admiration: "Sister, you have taken care of this place so well! I admire you so much."

Bai Wanwan smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the islanders who are willing to work hard. I just built a framework."

Bai Wanwan turned to Huo Zhixing and Zhi Xiaoxiao and said:

"Let's stay here tonight and try the seafood on the island.

The island is surrounded by the sea and there are many merchant ships coming and going, and there are not only fresh seafood caught by fishermen.

There are also special breeding ponds with shrimp, crabs, abalone and shellfish, all of which are guaranteed to be so fresh that they will make your eyebrows drop."

She paused, her tone filled with relief, "The island has been doing well these past few years. The aquaculture, fishery, and medicinal materials businesses are all on the right track, and we've accumulated quite a bit of profit."

Pushing open the vermilion lacquered gate, the bluestone pavement in the courtyard is spotless. There are a few red carps in the water tank in the corner of the wall, and a lark is singing happily in the birdcage hanging under the corridor.

The servants had already cleaned the house spotlessly, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

As soon as Bai Wanwan sat down, Zhiwei came forward and poured her a cup of hot tea.

A middle-aged steward in a green robe walked in quickly and bowed respectfully:

"Miss, you are finally here. The kitchen has prepared fresh seafood. I would like to ask what the rules are for tonight's banquet?

Should we prepare some homely side dishes, or some special seafood dishes?

Also, the pond manager said they just caught some delicious mud crabs today and wanted to know if you'd like to steam them for a taste."