Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

The village chief Sun Gui, Chai Xin, Chai Dong, Chai Ping'an, Jia He, Jia Xing, Jia Yu, Li Guang, Li Dong, and Sun Quan were all representatives. Chai Zhen spoke first, and Ma Hua also stayed. "Gui, I've called everyone here to discuss a new start of the year. We can't do the hemp rope business anymore, and we'll have to wait until autumn. Let's talk about what we should do. Let me talk about my own ideas first. First, we need to repair the roads in our village. Even the land roads need to be leveled to make it easier to walk. We can also build brick roads on the side to make it easier to walk when it rains. Second, our village should hold a meeting to open up more wasteland and see if the land near the water is good for growing vegetables. We can bring back some seeds from Jiale. Third, we have to burn bricks so that everyone can build houses. Fourth, we have to hire teachers for the school, both civil and military, and develop medicine and other aspects. Fourth, we have to consider security. If our village develops well, many people will come to watch. Fifth, it's spring, and it hasn't rained yet. We have to find a way. That's all I have for now. We'll talk about it later if there are any problems." Sun Quan said, "Let me talk about my plan first," and then he looked at Lao Gui, "Dad, I want to join the army. Before I leave, I want to ask a martial arts master to teach me martial arts." The fourth brother also stood up and said, " Grandpa, Dad, I want to join the army too. We have asked the general to accept us. Besides, Sun Quan and I have competed with them, and the general said it’s okay. Uncle Chai Hua, I want to learn martial arts from you during this period, do you think it’s okay?" Chai Hua said, "What’s wrong with that, okay." Sun Gui asked his son, "Quan, have you thought about it?" "Yeah." "Then have you discussed it with your wife?" "Not yet?" "Dad supports you, and I will take care of the fields, but remember to talk to your wife at home." The doctor came in and said, "Uncle village chief, my name is Chen Jun. I know some medical skills and I want to settle down in Taohua Village. Do you think it’s okay?" Sun Gui said happily, "Okay, that’s great. I will go to the county tomorrow to register your household. Do you want to build a house? You choose the address, and I will fill out the paperwork for you. " "Thank you very much, uncle village chief. . I can go to the school to teach medicine and take classes for three and a half days every seven days. "Chai Hua said, "I teach martial arts. I also want to build a house here." The village chief said happily, "Okay, sure. Find another person to teach cultural courses?" Chai Hua said, "I'll find one. I'll leave now." After that, he went to the cowshed to get the horse, and soon he left. "Li Dong, you should still be a carpenter. There are people in our village who want to learn carpentry." Li Dong said, "Come to me and I'll take them." Sun Gui agreed. Li Guang is a weaver and a good farmer. He also said he would ask me to weave baskets. There are old people in our village who can build houses. Okay, Chai Zhen said, "Let's stop here today. Lao Gui, you can hold a village meeting to see what the villagers think. Let's talk about it and then we'll decide." Sun Gui: Okay, I'll do the publicity.

That afternoon, Sun Gui convened a village meeting and asked everyone to discuss their plans for spring—what they wanted to do. First, I'll say a few things, and everyone will be quiet: First, repair our village road. It's difficult to walk on during the rain. We'll level the road and pave brick sidewalks on both sides. Second, we'll reclaim more wasteland and plant crops and vegetables, even along the river. Old Chai's third son brought home a lot of seeds for everyone to plant and improve their lives. Third, we'll make bricks. They can be used for building houses and repairs. Fourth, we'll hire teachers for schools: literature, martial arts, medicine, and carpentry. Girls will also attend. The tuition for children is 120 wen per year. Fifth, spring is here, and rain is a big problem. That's all I have to say. Everyone, please share. Qin Han stood up and said, "Village Chief, my family is building a house, and we can reclaim some more wasteland. We'd also like to plant vegetables." "And then there's the road construction and brick making. My son and I will be involved." Sun Gui quickly said, "Okay, I'll take note." He went to the school, brought a table, a chair, brushes, inkstone, and paper, and wrote down the Qin Han family's needs for bricks. He said, "Two men are needed." Sun Gui added, "There's also work for women. It's twenty wen a day, and we'll all be paid. We won't let anyone work for free. It's better to stay in our village than to work outside. Of course, if you have good work outside, you can go out too. We have that freedom." Kong Ziwu then said, "We need bricks for building a house. His three sons can all do it. My family can provide four workers." The Huo family, who were better off, also contributed two workers, and Sun Gui noted them down. Even the poorest of the poor contributed one worker. Of the fifty or so households in the village, many contributed labor. Sun Gui was very satisfied.

Sun Gui then explained the military service. "Anyone who wants to join, please sign up. Our martial arts master will start teaching you martial arts tomorrow. You can learn even if you don't want to join the army. My son Sun Quan is going, and Old Chai's son, the fourth, is going, too." Sun Gui glanced at the list of people he had written down, feeling pleased. "School starts tomorrow. All men and women under 20, please come. Let's adjourn."

After dinner, Sun Gui returned to the Chai residence. Then, along came Qin Han, Kong Ziwu, Zhang Bingquan, Huo Hua, and several others. Chai Zhen welcomed them to the main hall, where the fourth brother brought tea. They all sat down around the large dining table. Several more villagers arrived and sat down. Old Lady Li brought melon seeds and peanuts for everyone to enjoy. Sun Gui took out his notebook for the afternoon and handed it to Chai Zhen. Everyone passed it around. Chen Jun and Chai Hua were there, as was Li Guang. The room was packed. Everyone was laughing and chatting. The final topic was water: how to solve the water shortage. "We have many cows in the village, and plowing large fields with cows saves time." "The village provides the seeds," Sun Gui said. "Those over fifteen don't have to attend school all day. They can go for an hour after dinner." "That's fine." "Take your time," Chai Zhen said. "All laborers and students will report to school tomorrow. It's late today, so take a break." Okay, okay. Everyone saw hope and went home happily.