My humble days in ancient times

The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and the scorching sun was baking the earth, as if it was going to set everything on fire. The chicken coop had been built firmly, and the house on the other side of the chicken coop also stood there neatly.

Xu Qinghe paid their wages. The workers left happily with heavy silver in their hands and joyful smiles on their faces.

Xu Ruyi looked at the scene before her and said slowly, "Next spring, we can just buy some chickens and ducks and raise them."

Xu Qinghe looked at the vibrant scene and said with emotion, "I can't believe that our lives have changed so much in just over a year. It's like a dream."

Xu Ruyi nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, but this is a good thing. Now there is only one thing left."

Xu Qinghe asked curiously, "What's the matter?"

Xu Ruyi said with a determined look: "Buy some paddy fields. If that doesn't work, go to another village. Otherwise..."

"What else?" Xu Qinghe couldn't wait to continue asking.

"Otherwise, continue to open up new land."

Xu Qinghe frowned, nodded and said, "Isn't it too much trouble? This is not an easy job."

Xu Ruyi shook his head without hesitation and said, "Don't worry, just keep asking the villagers for help! Look, that large piece of wasteland to the south of the chicken coop. It's lying there anyway, so we can reclaim some of it. There's a river to the west, so we don't have to worry about running out of water for irrigation."

Xu Qinghe thought about it seriously, nodded, and then said, "I'll do as you say. As long as we work together, there's nothing we can't accomplish."

The brother and sister didn't dare to delay and hurried to find the village head. When the village head heard about this, he was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He quickly found a few people and took his tools to measure the fields himself.

The east side extended all the way to Ruyi Chili Shop, including everything except the road that had to be passed and the large pond in front of Xu Ruyi's house. The west side extended all the way to the gurgling river, and the south side also extended all the way to the wide road at the village entrance.

After a long day of hard work under the scorching sun, exhausted with back pain and sweat, they finally determined the area of ​​the land. It was 268 mu, a truly large area.

The village head wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked with a gasp, "Do you want all of them?"

Xu Ruyi nodded without hesitation and said, "Of course I want both."

Xu Ruyi readily paid the silver, and the village head also quickly gave him the land deed.

Soon, the villagers of Xujia Village began to get busy again. The people were still the same familiar faces, which made everyone very happy. They greeted each other and worked more vigorously.

Someone from another village heard about it and came over expectantly, "Do we from another village still want it?"

The village head shook his head firmly and said, "We've already recruited all the people, there's no need for them anymore."

The few people who came were disappointed and left dejectedly.

Wang Youcai smiled and said, "There are plenty of people in the village. If we need them, we can recruit a few from our village. Why bother recruiting people from other villages?"

The village head smiled and said, "Thirty or so people would be fine. We can work longer and everyone can earn more money."

In this way, Xujia Village became bustling again. The wasteland was being dug and leveled, a scene of bustling activity.

Xu Ruyi and Xu Qinghe also often come to check on the progress, and each time they come they bring some tea and snacks for everyone.

On this day, Xu Ruyi and Xu Qinghe had just arrived at the edge of the field when they heard someone shouting, "Miss Xu, Master Xu, you're here!"

Xu Ruyi responded with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work!"

Wang Youcai came over and said, "Miss Xu, at this rate, we can finish it before winter."

Xu Qinghe said, "That's good. Let's work harder. We will definitely be able to grow crops next year."

As they were talking, someone suddenly shouted, "Oh no! Someone's injured!"

Xu Ruyi and Xu Qinghe ran over quickly and saw a villager's leg injured by a stone, with blood flowing.

Xu Ruyi hurriedly had him carried to a cool place and sent someone to call a doctor.

After this accident, Xu Ruyi paid more attention to construction safety issues and reminded everyone to be careful.

Old Li took the trouble to come and check on the wasteland three times on the first day. He looked so concerned as if this wasteland was his own treasure.

Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li continued to cook, and the smoke rising from the kitchen added a touch of homely flavor to the busy scene.

Mrs. Hu continued to boil water without stopping, and the fire in the stove made her face red.

Wang Erdan, Xiong Da, Xiong Er, Han Jun, Daniu and Da Hu all arrived in a hurry. The wages were the same as before: Han Jun and Daniu and Da Hu received fifteen cents a day.

Aunt Zhang said as she was chopping vegetables, "This past year, I've only been cooking for Miss Xu's family."

Aunt Li, stirring the batter in her hands, agreed, "That's right! We just took a break for a few days and it started again. But that's good too. This year everyone can earn more money from this job, and we can all have a good New Year."

Old Li came to check on it three times a day.

Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li continued to cook.

Mrs. Hu continued to boil water.

Wang Erdan, Xiong Da and Xiong Er, Han Jun, Da Hu and Daniu are all here.

Aunt Zhang said, "This year, I've only been cooking for Miss Xu's family."

Aunt Li said, "That's right! It started up again after just a few days of rest. This year everyone can have a good New Year."

Uncle Zhang's tofu has become much more popular now. Ever since chili sauce came out, adding some to tofu while cooking makes it incredibly delicious. Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li often make spicy tofu when they cook, and everyone smiles and exclaims how delicious it is.

Uncle Zhang also often comes to deliver tofu. As soon as his cart full of tofu appears, everyone greets him warmly.

Sometimes he would take advantage of the time when delivering tofu to chat with Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li.

Uncle Zhang stood there, squinting his eyes as he looked towards the wasteland and said, "Look, over there in the wasteland, isn't that Wang Erdan? He seems to be sitting on the ground taking a rest!"

Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li looked over quickly and said, "Really? That's not right. Everyone else is working hard, why is he taking a break?"

Aunt Li frowned and said doubtfully, "Is he being lazy?"

At this time, Wang Youcai walked over with big strides. He and Wang Erdan were gesturing and talking about something, which could not be heard clearly from a distance. Then Wang Erdan quickly got up and started working.

Uncle Zhang just smiled and said nothing as he watched this scene.

Then, before Uncle Zhang left every time, he would quickly ask Aunt Zhang to write down the bill carefully and keep it for settlement later, for fear of any mistakes.

Old Li would come over occasionally for a meal.

When everyone was getting their food, Old Li would always come over and cautiously ask, "Is there a lot of food? It would be too much trouble for me to cook it all by myself back home. How about just having a bite here?"

Aunt Zhang skillfully served the rice while smiling and saying, "It's not a big deal if you want to eat it! As long as you don't mind the spice, it's fine!"

So a smile immediately broke out on Old Li's face. He would happily get his meal and sit together with the villagers, eating with big mouthfuls and chatting with great interest.

While chewing his food, Daniu asked vaguely, "Is the village entrance busy now?"

Old Li swallowed the food in his mouth and said, "It's just a bunch of women gathered there chatting about family matters. It's not lively anymore."