Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

Seeing that Zhang Xixi had misunderstood, Ma Youqing quickly explained, "Sister, everyone here is capable and hardworking. There's no one who tries to slack off. It's just that people are different. Some are naturally strong and powerful, while others are thin and weak. Naturally, the amount of work they do each day is different, so that's why I..."

Zhang Xixi's expression softened. So that's how it was. She thought this person was planning to trick them!

"I plan to hire more than 20 people to go back and reclaim the wasteland. The wages are 30 coins a day, and food and lodging are provided. They can bring their own luggage. I need the best manpower. It's feasible!"

Ma Youqing thought for a moment. Thirty coins wasn't low, but clearing land was very hard work. He hesitated and said, "My most capable worker can do the work of two people. Isn't this price a bit low? It should be at least forty coins."

Zhang Xixi glanced at Ma Youqing and said slowly, "This job is long-term. I have more than ten cows at home that I can use. It will cost at most thirty-five coins."

Ma Youqing pondered for a moment and said, "Young lady, how long can you do this job at most?"

"Those who work hard can work for half a year."

Actually, there aren't many wealthy families in their small town, and some families hire long-term workers, so even fewer families hire short-term workers. When Ma Youqing heard that the working hours were so long, he smiled and agreed.

"Then it's settled!"

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Zhang Xixi and Zhang Dacheng stood up and prepared to go back.

"We live in a deserted village. Will the people be able to get here by tomorrow morning?"

Ma Youqing also stood up and said seriously, "Sister, don't worry, I will definitely bring the person to you tomorrow morning."

After seeing Zhang Xixi and the others off, Ma Youqing happily went to contact people to do work. He was sure he would earn a lot this time, and he really hoped that more big customers like him would come to the town!

After Zhang Xixi and Zhang Dacheng returned home, the people who had gone to the county town had already returned.

"Brother, how are those people doing?"

"Because they failed to steal any valuables, the county magistrate sentenced them to two years in prison. Although Liu Ergou was not involved, he provided information and was sentenced to six months."

Zhang Xixi raised an eyebrow. When the bandits left in the morning, they were not in a hurry. She thought that these people had a background and would escape punishment. She didn't expect this!

It's puzzling whether these people's connections aren't strong enough, or whether the county magistrate simply doesn't respect them!

"Didn't they catch Liu Sandan?"

"He also went to jail. His older brother personally took him there, and he was sentenced to two years."

"This person is really willing to sacrifice his own family for the greater good!"

Zhang Wenbo recalled how Liu Dagou kowtowed to them at the county government office today, saying he was atoning for his brother's sins, and said, "That man is a decent person. It seems he's genuinely repentant this time and wants to start anew."

Zhang Xixi thought to herself, whether this is truly sincere or not will depend on future actions; words spoken are not to be trusted.

"Brother, do you think Magistrate Sun is a good official?"

Zhang Wenbo asked in confusion, "Why would you ask that!"

"Since we'll all be under his jurisdiction from now on, we need to understand the character and conduct of our local official before deciding how we should act!"

Zhang Wenbo pondered and said, "From the current perspective, Magistrate Sun can be considered a good official. He is fair and just in his work, and he is also very good to the people. Everyone here speaks highly of him. It is said that he comes from a branch of the Sun family, a family of scholars in Fuzhou. He is already married and has only one wife. The couple is very loving. The magistrate's wife's family is a well-known wealthy merchant family in Fuzhou."

Zhang Xixi nodded, "Then it seems that Magistrate Sun is not bad."

A wealthy family is unlikely to be greedy, and a scholarly family would certainly cherish their reputation. Even if such a county magistrate is not good, he shouldn't be too bad. I can be bolder in my actions in the future!

Zhang Xixi glanced at the sky and went out to find Zhou Yujie. She had forgotten to give him the money that morning, and now she needed to check on his achievements for the day and pay him while she was at it.

When Zhang Xixi arrived at the Zhang family's land, she found that all the weeds had been cleared and piled up in the corner of the field ridge. It's good to be strong; you can finish farm work with ease.

As they continued down to the depression, Zhou Yujie was checking if a child's basket was full of leaves, while a lot of withered grass and leaves had already been piled up next to him.

These kids are awesome! I reckon in a few days they'll have cleared all the dead leaves and weeds from the nearby mountains.

Zhou Yujie told the child to put the leaves on the ground, and greeted Zhang Xixi happily when he saw her.

"Sister-in-law, you're back!"

Zhang Xixi nodded. "Yujie, if anyone else is coming, then we'll call it a day."

"Nothing."

Zhang Xixi handed Zhou Yujie two strings of copper coins, "Pay them the money, and then we'll go home for dinner."

Because the adults have been busy clearing land recently, the firewood in the house is the responsibility of Zhang Zehui and his brother's children, while the two boys are responsible for herding the livestock and digging up some wild vegetables.

After Zhang Xixi and Zhou Yujie went back, they all returned.

Da Bao and Er Bao found a few more wild eggs. Everyone in the family marveled at their good luck, saying that they never came back empty-handed from their trips.

The next day, just as dawn broke and Zhang Xixi and the others were having breakfast, Wang Youqing arrived with a group of burly men carrying luggage.

After finishing the last mouthful of millet porridge, Zhang Xixi quickly went out to greet them.

"Good morning, everyone! Have you had breakfast yet?"

Ma Youqing replied with a smile, "Little sister, we've all eaten. What do you think of these people?"

Zhang Xixi sized up the group of burly men dressed in coarse linen clothes. They were indeed quite strong, but whether they would actually work hard or not would only be known once they got to the fields.

"They're alright, but if they can't work in the fields, I'll fire them."

A handsome young man, who looked to be in his thirties, stepped forward and said, "Boss, if any of my brothers slack off or cheat on their work, you can fire them anytime."

Zhang Xixi glanced at the burly man, then looked at Ma Youqing, "Who is this?"

Ma Youqing quickly introduced, "His name is Wang Daniu, he's from Wangjia Village. Most of the people here are from their village, and they're all excellent farmers."

Zhang Xixi nodded, then looked at Wang Daniu, "Wang Daniu, you'll be in charge of these people from now on. I'll give you an extra thirty coins every month, and if you do a good job, I can give you more later."

Wang Daniu clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you very much, boss. I will take good care of my brothers."

"Master, where is your land? I'll take my men there right away."

Zhang Xixi pointed to her own land, "It's the area on the right side of the field ridge that leads all the way to the foot of the mountain. Put your things in those two tents and then go over there."

Zhang Xixi led Wang Daniu and the others to their lodgings, then arranged the farm tools and tasks for the day for Wang Daniu before paying Ma Youqing the commission of twenty-one coins.

Ma Youqing exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhang Xixi before taking his leave!