If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Scholar, how many days have Niu Er and the others been gone?"

As soon as he finished his work, Uncle Niu began to ask questions again, seemingly without getting tired of it.

"Uncle Niu, aren't you tired of asking this eight hundred times a day? They've only been gone for three days."

"Scholar, with so much money, I'm definitely worried."

Old Niu had never seen so much wealth in his life. According to the scholar, all this money would be used to build Niujia Village. In that case, Niujia Village would be built like a palace.

"Don't worry, Master Niu. This time, I specifically instructed them to take the waterway. There are few bandits on the water, and with our big guys, which foolish pirate would dare to come up with us?"

"It's better to be careful."

Even though Zhou Wu had made all the arrangements, Master Niu was still a little uneasy.

After returning from the Moon Kingdom, Zhou Wu quickly threw himself into the construction of the village. As of now, Niujia Village has a total of more than 1,200 villagers and is showing signs of becoming the largest village in Qingyang County.

Because Niujia Village had taken in a large number of disaster victims, Magistrate Chen specially approved expanding the village's boundaries by five li. Don't underestimate five li. To give a simple example, although people from Niujia Village could go to the beach to go beachcombing before, people from other villages could too, because at that time the beach belonged to Qingyang County and not to any particular village. But now it's different. After Niujia Village expanded its boundaries by five li, the beach directly belonged to Niujia Village, so people from other villages could no longer go to the coast to go beachcombing or fishing.

Every day, Zhou Wu was busy organizing people to build houses using local materials such as thatch and mud. Although the houses were simple, they were the most effective way to quickly resettle the disaster victims. Fortunately, the disaster victims were ordinary people who had nothing to complain about; they just needed a place to shelter from the wind and rain.

“Scholar, recently there have been more and more disaster victims coming to Niujia Village. I sent someone to investigate, and it seems that someone is deliberately spreading rumors that our Niujia Village is accepting villagers.”

"Uncle Niu, what are you worried about?"

Niu Er and Deng Yuanliang have already taken their enormous wealth to find buyers. When the goods are sold, the money they get will be enough to support not only Niu Family Village, but also the entire Qingyang County. Zhou Wu doesn't quite understand what Niu Ye is worried about.

"Scholar, you are still too young. Some things are not just about your own opinion; you also have to consider the Emperor's position."

"Your Majesty? Master Niu, what do you mean...?"

“How can our small Niujia Village support so many people and take in so many disaster victims? If we are not careful, we may arouse suspicion from above, and then disaster will befall us.”

Niu Ye's words were undoubtedly a blow to Zhou Wu. The two of them had only wanted to help these disaster victims, but they did not expect that the number of disaster victims would far exceed their initial expectations.

"Does Master Niu have a solution?"

"What can I do? It's already quite good that I could think of this much."

Zhou Wu chuckled self-deprecatingly, realizing he had asked a completely unnecessary question. It seemed he would have to find a way to break the deadlock himself.

. . . . .

Ever since Master Niu voiced his concerns, Zhou Wu had been somewhat absent-minded. He then remembered that he was in ancient times, in a feudal society. Although there were laws here, they were practically meaningless. Whether something was good or bad depended entirely on the word of those in power, especially his current matter of taking in disaster victims.

For ordinary people, this is definitely a good deed, but it could very well arouse the suspicion of the officials. If they accuse him of inciting a rebellion, then Zhou Wu would be finished before he even left the beginner village.

"Forget it, let's go directly to the county magistrate and explain things clearly, otherwise we can't get this job done."

In the end, Zhou Wu couldn't come up with a good solution, so he could only go to Magistrate Chen, whom he had met once before, hoping that the other party could give him some good advice.

Qingyang County, County Government Office.

Magistrate Chen, the local official in charge of the county, has been having a major headache lately. The entire Qingyang County has practically fallen, and everyone below is asking for help. Who could understand that Magistrate Chen now also wants help from above? But when the memorial was submitted, the reply from above was just six words: "Authorize to resolve the issue on the spot."

The word "authorization" is easy to understand. It means that the higher-ups fully authorize the lower-ups to have any power except that of the military, including personnel appointments below the level of the authorized person.

Normally, if the higher-ups granted authorization, Magistrate Chen would be overjoyed. But what good is authorization now? People are starving, and anyone who has the means has run away.

Just when Magistrate Chen was at his wit's end, a messenger came to report that Clerk Zhou was requesting an audience.

"Zhou Dianshi? Which Zhou Dianshi?"

There was only one clerk in the entire Qingyang County, and that person's surname was not Zhou.

"Sir, it's Zhou Wu from Niujia Village."

The yamen runner was speechless. The title of that clerk was personally approved by you, and now, after only a few days, you've already forgotten who he is.

"Oh, it's him, please come in."

Upon hearing the name Niujia Village, Magistrate Chen immediately remembered it: the only village in the county that had not sought support from the county government, yet had single-handedly taken in over a thousand disaster victims.

"Greetings, Lord Chen."

This was Zhou Wu's second meeting with Magistrate Chen. Compared to the first time in Niujia Village, Magistrate Chen seemed to have aged considerably.

"Zhou Wu, haha, come sit down."

"Thank you, sir."

As soon as I sat down, a maidservant brought me hot tea. It seems that there are still good things about feudal society.

"Zhou Wu, your Niujia Village is quite something. You took in over a thousand disaster victims without asking the county for a single penny. You've greatly relieved my worries. After the disaster is over, I will definitely recommend you for credit."

It would have been better if he hadn't said anything. Now that he had, Zhou Wu was even more worried. Was this the truth, or was he being pointed at? For a moment, Zhou Wu was unsure.

"By the way, Zhou Wu, what brings you here today?"

"Your Excellency, I have come here specifically regarding the disaster victims. I have some concerns, which is why I have come to seek your guidance."

"Oh."

Magistrate Chen couldn't understand what Zhou Wu couldn't understand. In public, this was relieving the court's worries, and he would surely be rewarded for his merits afterward. In private, it was relieving suffering and accumulating good deeds, which would surely bring blessings to future generations.

"Sir, do you think it's a good thing that Niujia Village is taking in more than a thousand disaster victims?"

Zhou Wu's expression revealed his true feelings.

"Taking in disaster victims and saving lives is certainly a good thing. I heard that your Niujia Village not only provides food for the victims, but also arranges jobs for them? This is teaching people how to fish, which solves the court's worries."

"Then, sir, do you think anyone will say that our Niujia Village is taking in disaster victims with ulterior motives?"

"this,,,,,,"

Magistrate Chen suddenly broke out in a cold sweat; indeed, not everyone is kind.