Falling into the mortal world

The village chief summoned several respected elders from the village. The men arrived at the chief's house, all puzzled. They looked at each other, knowing that such gatherings were usually only held when something significant happened in the village.

Everyone is completely bewildered.

The village chief looked at everyone present and said: "I have gathered you all here today because I have something important to discuss with you."

The Lan family patriarch said: What is it that you summoned us so late at night?

"That's right!" the Li clan chief echoed.

The village chief said: "Everyone, listen to me first. This matter concerns the Lan family."

Master Lan said, "What do you mean?" Master Lan angrily slammed his cane on the ground and continued, "You're not planning to kick Lan Qingqing out of the village, are you? That girl is pitiful. We can't just kick her out because of a few gossips!"

No one else spoke up, but everyone shared the same thought, since the matter had already affected the village's reputation.

The village chief quickly explained: "Uncle Lan, you misunderstood me. I didn't mean to kick people out."

Everyone turned to look at the village chief with curiosity. What else could it be but this?

The village chief said excitedly: This is a good thing. Do you know about the vermicelli that the Lan family sold a while ago?

Everyone asked curiously: "Yes, we know. Is there a problem?"

The village chief continued, "That's right, the girl from the Lan family plans to teach her skills to the villagers so that everyone can make money together."

The Li clan chief said incredulously, "Is this for real? Usually, if someone has a skill, they keep it tightly under their belt. Who would share it with everyone? Take Aunt Peach Blossom at the village entrance, for example. She's an expert at pickling vegetables. Some women wanted to learn how to make them, but she kept her skills so well hidden that no one could steal them."

The village chief said: This matter was said by the wife of the big tree family herself, so there can be no mistake. As long as we have discussed it, we can send someone over to learn the craft at any time.

After hearing this, the crowd still found it hard to believe. Only after the village chief repeatedly emphasized the truth of the matter did they reluctantly accept it as fact.

After discussing it, the group decided that Erwa's mother and daughter-in-law would go to learn from Chunsheng's family, and then they would teach the villagers.

"What if we can't sell these fans?" the Li clan chief asked with some concern.

The village chief was so excited that he overlooked this important matter. If they couldn't sell them, they would all be stuck with them, since he didn't even know the cost or selling price of the fans. They also lacked any sales channels.

"I'll go to Big Tree's house tomorrow and ask him what's going on," the village chief said.

"Alright, let's see how things go tomorrow and then decide," everyone said in unison.

The next day, Lan's father decided to return to the village. Staying at the clinic was not very convenient. He asked the old doctor in the morning, and the old doctor said that he could move. So Lan's father asked Lan Qingqing to take him back.

Early in the morning, Lan Xiaotian and A'er delivered tofu and then went to the clinic to visit Lan's father. Upon hearing that Lan's father could go home, Lan Xiaotian quickly found a quilt and spread it on the donkey cart.

With the help of several people, Lan's father was moved onto the donkey cart. Lan Qingqing then bid farewell to her master and began her journey home.

When they got home, the village chief was there too. After Lan's father was moved to the bed, the village chief stepped forward and asked, "Big Tree is back!"

Lan Dashu said: "Yeah, you're back. It's more comfortable at home. I'm always worried about home when I'm at the clinic."

The village chief said: "Get back and rest well. Your kids are all great, you don't need to worry about them."

Lan Dashu said with relief, "Yes! If it weren't for my leg, the child wouldn't have to suffer so much."

After speaking for a while, the village chief got down to business, after all, he hadn't forgotten why he was there.

The village chief said: Big Tree! Did you know that your Lin family said they would teach the vermicelli recipe to the villagers?

Yes, I know. My daughter mentioned this to me, and I agreed, even though what she researched wasn't easy. But after all, everyone in the village is doing better now, so we're happy for them too.

The village chief looked at Lan Qingqing with satisfaction and said, "Good child, it's just a pity that the world is unfair, and this girl has suffered."

Lan Qingqing said: It's all in the past, and things will only get better from now on.

"Yes, yes, it's all in the past," the village chief said.

"Village chief, have you chosen someone to learn how to make vermicelli?" Lan Qingqing asked.

"I've made my choice. I just want to ask about the production cost of these fans, and the issue of selling them," the village chief said directly.

One pound of sweet potatoes can yield two or three ounces of vermicelli, meaning that the cost of one pound of vermicelli is only five copper coins.

If the village chief is worried about the sales, I can buy it for thirty coins per catty. Village chief, I won't hide it from you, I sell it to merchants in the county town for one qian of silver per catty.

"If the villagers can find a market for these noodles, that would be wonderful. Ideally, the price should be standardized; the price of these noodles shouldn't be set too high," Lan Qingqing said calmly.

"Then let's set the price at one qian of silver per jin," the village chief decided.

Lan Qingqing thought for a moment and then said: Village Chief, how do you plan to produce? Will you produce in a unified manner or in a decentralized manner?

The village chief looked at Lan Qingqing and asked, "Girl, what are your thoughts?"

If villagers produce separately, the recipe is likely to be leaked. The best way is for the village to pool their money to build a factory, which is essentially a workshop.

Anyone who contributes capital can receive dividends based on their shareholding, meaning the amount of capital invested determines the dividend distribution.

We'll select some suitable people to work in the core processing area. This workshop belongs to the village. This way, everyone's enthusiasm will be higher.

The village chief's eyes lit up when he heard this. "This is a good idea. This way, we don't have to worry about the recipe being leaked."

Upon returning, the village chief summoned the respected elders and elders of the village.

After listening to the village chief's words, everyone felt they were feasible. Upon learning that it was the Lan family girl's idea, they all praised her, saying that this Lan family's eldest daughter was extraordinary from birth. If it weren't for that unfortunate incident, this girl would definitely be no ordinary person.

Everyone echoed this sentiment, recalling the extraordinary celestial phenomenon that occurred when Lan Daya was born. Dozens of colorful birds hovered on the roof of the Lan family's house until the girl was born, at which point the birds left.

Master Lan said: "Lan Lishan is muddle-headed! He let that Yu family do whatever they want, and ruined this good girl."

"That's right!" Everyone joined in the condemnation.

After everyone had discussed it, the village chief sent people to notify each household. Everyone was to gather at the threshing ground, and anyone whose family was present was required to be there.

Soon a large crowd gathered at the threshing ground, and everyone asked each other questions out of curiosity.

"What happened?" the old woman asked the young man beside her.

The young man looked at the old woman with a bewildered expression. "Aunt Li, I don't know what's going on either! It's not tax time yet!"

Another man beside him said: Judging from this situation, something big must have happened.

The big man asked the other man: Do you know what happened?

The man looked completely bewildered and said, "I don't know either!"

There was a lot of discussion on the threshing floor, with everyone talking about what had happened.

Seeing that the commotion below was too loud and no one could hear him, the village chief picked up the gong in his hand and banged it hard.

Upon hearing the piercing sound of the gong, everyone stopped whispering.