Jin Feng felt a pang in his heart, but he still shook his head and said, “Don’t let them come here anymore.”
The village head nodded in agreement, his head lowered, already thinking about whether to help the siblings out, when he heard Jin Feng speak again.
“They’re too young. It’s not safe with all these bricks around.”
Jin Feng thought for a moment and said, “Let them go to the workshop to help sort hemp threads. Half a copper coin a day. Other children under thirteen shouldn’t come here either.
For those from families with no adults earning, send them to the workshop.
The girls can go to Run Niang. Pick a few to help with cooking, and the rest, along with the boys, can help sort hemp threads.”
In truth, the workshop didn’t need so many children sorting threads, but Jin Feng couldn’t bear to see them go hungry.
If there was no way to help, or if he hadn’t seen it, that would be one thing. But knowing their plight and having the means to help, Jin Feng couldn’t just stand by.
It was just a bowl of rice, after all. He could consider it thanks to the heavens for giving him a second chance at life.
“Xiao Feng, thank you. This is a great deed.”
The village head bowed solemnly to Jin Feng, then rushed off excitedly to gather the children.
There were plenty of families like Xu Laosan’s in the village. When the children heard they’d have work and could eat their fill, they cheered with excitement.
A few sensible ones ran over and kowtowed to Jin Feng.
Jin Feng sighed as he pulled them up, feeling a deep sense of emotion.
He thought he’d had a hard life in his past world, but compared to these children, his struggles were nothing.
At least he’d never worried about food or clothing and could change his fate through hard study.
These children weren’t lazy, but just staying alive demanded all their effort.
Their greatest wish might simply be to eat a full meal.
After arranging for the children, the village head returned to the construction site.
He’d assumed Jin Feng would have left, as he usually only glanced at the site before moving on these days.
But when he returned, Jin Feng was still there. He approached and asked, “Xiao Feng, is there something else?”
“The progress is still a bit slow.”
Jin Feng said, “Village head, why don’t you go to Guan Jia Bay and see if anyone’s willing to come help?”
“So urgent?”
The village head was reluctant.
In his view, having work and wages was a great opportunity.
Such good things should naturally be kept for their own village, not given to outsiders.
He was already a bit unhappy about Jin Feng recruiting veterans.
Knowing they were from the Iron Forest Army, he couldn’t say much.
But Guan Jia Bay and Tian Jia Bay had bullied Xihe Bay plenty in the past. Not causing them trouble was already generous. How could they give them benefits?
Wasn’t it better to keep them for their own village?
“It’s quite urgent.”
Jin Feng smiled, guessing the village head’s thoughts, and said, “Village head, have you forgotten? I have a new business. Once the new workshop is built, everyone can work there. It’s much easier than building houses and more stable.”
“Right, right, I forgot about that.”
The village head finally felt reassured.
He still had a small-minded, peasant outlook, limited to Xihe Bay village, but Jin Feng’s vision had long surpassed Jinchuan County, even Da Kang itself.
Whether Xihe Bay, Guan Jia Bay, or Tian Jia Bay, they were all just the starting point of his plans.
The more people, the faster his plans would progress.
“Xiao Feng, didn’t Xiao Rou tell you? While you were away, your brother-in-law came by several times,” the village head said.
“No,” Jin Feng shook his head. “What did he want?”
If it was his mother-in-law, Jin Feng could understand.
But his brother-in-law, Guan Tiezhu, had bullied Guan Xiao Rou plenty in the past, and she didn’t like him much.
For her mother’s sake, Guan Xiao Rou had supported her mother’s family enough for them to live comfortably, and Jin Feng hadn’t objected.
By rights, Guan Tiezhu should have no face to show up at their house.
Had he squandered the support Xiao Rou gave?
“What else could it be?”
The village head said, “He’s seen how well our village is doing and wants you to set up a workshop in Guan Jia Bay too.
So I don’t need to go. Just go there and call out a couple of times, and plenty of people will want to work for you.”
As he spoke, the village head couldn’t hide a hint of pride.
Guan Jia Bay was a clan village, mostly populated by the Guan surname, far more united than Xihe Bay, which was made up of wanderers.
In the past, Guan Jia Bay’s people looked down on Xihe Bay’s.
But in the last two months, with the workshop and brick kiln, many Xihe Bay villagers had earned money. At town markets, they were often seen buying cloth for clothes or rice and white flour to steam buns.
While other villages struggled to eat, Xihe Bay was eating white flour buns?
This made Guan Jia Bay’s people green with envy. They pushed Guan Xiao Rou’s brother to ask her if their people could work at the workshop too.
But the workshop was already full, and with Jin Feng away, Guan Xiao Rou could only refuse.
Since Jin Feng returned, he’d been so busy that Guan Xiao Rou hadn’t mentioned it.
“I understand.”
Jin Feng nodded in realisation. “Alright, village head, keep an eye on things here. I’m going to Guan Jia Bay.”
Back at the courtyard, Jin Feng shouted towards the blacksmith shop, “Man Cang, go to the stable and bring me a horse.”
It was summer, and Jin Feng had walked back, drenched in sweat.
Guan Xiao Rou, who was helping settle the children, heard his voice and hurried over, pulling a handkerchief from her bosom to wipe his sweat.
“Dear, why are you asking Man Cang to fetch a horse?”
Guan Xiao Rou asked curiously.
“There aren’t enough hands in the village. We’re going to Guan Jia Bay to find some help.”
Jin Feng said.
“Really?”
Guan Xiao Rou’s face lit up with joy.
Everyone has their own biases, and Guan Xiao Rou was no exception.
Seeing Xihe Bay’s days improve while her clansmen in Guan Jia Bay still struggled to eat, she wanted to help.
But she didn’t dare bring it up with Jin Feng.
After all, she was married to him, part of the Jin family, and had to prioritise her husband’s interests.
Now that Jin Feng had brought it up himself, she was naturally delighted.
“Of course it’s true. Get ready. Once Man Cang brings the horse, we’ll go.”
Jin Feng smiled.
No sooner had he spoken than Man Cang led the horse into the courtyard.
“I don’t need to pack anything…”
Guan Xiao Rou glanced at the warhorse, blushing, and said, “Dear, I don’t know how to ride. Shall we walk?”
“Walking would take too long.”
Jin Feng said, “You don’t need to ride. I’ll take you.”
Guan Jia Bay wasn’t far, but Jin Feng was too busy to walk slowly.
“Alright then.”
Guan Xiao Rou lowered her head and followed Jin Feng to the horse.
With only one horse, she’d have to sit in Jin Feng’s arms.
Imagining him holding her as they galloped, Guan Xiao Rou felt both shy and a flicker of anticipation…
