Chapter 331

December 12th, winter.

As dawn was just breaking, activity had already begun in front of the schoolhouse.

Men were grunting as they carried bamboo from the mountain, sawing it into sections. These would later be thrown into the fire to explode with a bang, like firecrackers, adding to the festive atmosphere!

Wealthy families in the city could afford real firecrackers, but as poor farmers, they didn’t have the money and couldn’t justify the expense. However, just like the saying goes, “the fish has its path, and the shrimp has its own way” – using bamboo was just as good.

The women dug pits and built stone stoves, placing large iron pots on top, and started fires beneath with crackling wood.

Large basins of prepared food were brought over, water was fetched from the well, and bowls and chopsticks were cleaned.

Aunt Li, who had just fetched water from her own well, shook her arm and remarked, “It would be nice if there were a well in front of the schoolhouse. It would save us from having to fetch water from far away when we cook. Imagine how much effort that would save!”

“We don’t have many wells in our village,” agreed Zhang Hui, who was washing dishes. “If there was a well in front of the schoolhouse, the families living nearby wouldn’t have to go all the way to the back to fetch water. With fewer people at the back well, we wouldn’t have to wait in line. Madam Li’s suggestion is great!”

Sun Jinhua, who was also helping out, thought quickly. Every household in the village had to send someone to help, and she was in charge of washing dishes, a task that didn’t involve much oil. Hearing about the possibility of a well being dug in front of the schoolhouse, she immediately saw the benefits.

Her home was near the entrance of the village, closest to the schoolhouse. If a well were dug in front of it, wouldn’t her family benefit the most?

She quickly voiced her support, “Yes, yes, I support digging a well!”

“But wells are expensive,” sighed Aunt Zhang. “Maybe when we have more money in the future, each family could afford to dig their own well. Even now, I’m afraid there’s no money for a public well.”

Life in the village had improved, but digging a well would cost two or three taels of silver. Who could afford that?

There was plenty of water in the front of the village. People could do their laundry in the lake, river, or ponds. It was just a bit more walking. Drinking water came from the wells, and no one was willing to spend extra money on another well.

The schoolhouse might get a well in the future, but not now. And besides, who would they find to dig it?

Sun Jinhua was displeased and muttered, “Who says there’s no money? I’ve heard our village has some public funds. Why not use it to dig a well?

That money is meant to be spent on the village, to make it better. What’s the point of hoarding it?” Madam Li gave her a look but didn’t argue. Instead, she agreed, “Yes, yes, of course we should spend it. If getting water is inconvenient, we dig a well. But cooking is inconvenient too. I think we need a proper stove! We have quite a few people in the village. At least three large pots are needed, at the minimum.

But just building stoves isn’t enough. We need a kitchen to shelter us from the wind and rain. Shouldn’t we build a kitchen as well?

A kitchen should have brick walls, solid and clean. I reckon the money we have saved with the old village head should be enough. Even if it’s not, it doesn’t matter. We’re all from the same village. What’s wrong with chipping in a little bit for the village’s sake?”

Sun Jinhua’s face turned darker than the bottom of a pot at the thought of not only losing the money for feasts but also having to contribute extra.

Filling the stomach was the most important thing. If there wasn’t enough to eat, what was the point of building stoves and kitchens?

Others stifled their laughter, saying nothing.

The money in question had been earned by the men of the village, who had risked their lives for it. They had the right to decide how to use it. If Sun Jinhua wanted a well for her convenience, she could spend her own money to dig one, instead of scheming to use the communal funds stored with the old village chief.

In the future, a well might be dug, but each family in the village could contribute some money for it, without using communal funds.

Sun Jinhua scoffed coldly, convinced that these women were being deliberate. They lived at the back of the village and wouldn’t benefit from the well, so they were obstructing the idea. However, she was determined not to spend her own money on a well.

As she took a break, she spotted Li Dani and her group approaching from a distance. Narrowing her eyes, she suddenly jumped up and shouted, “This is a village feast! What are you servants doing here? Trying to freeload? How shameless! Sister Guifen, do something! Don’t let these outsiders take advantage of our village!”

Zhang Chunhua, who had also been slacking off, stood up at Sun Jinhua’s words. Seeing that it really was Li Dani’s group, she pointed at them and asked angrily, “What are you doing here? This is a village feast, do you understand what that means? Have you no shame, coming here just for free food?”

Li Dani and Zhou Yu froze, their faces flushing with embarrassment.

The others, realizing what was happening, put down their work and defended the newcomers. “Jinhua, Chunhua, what nonsense are you talking about! Dani and her group were invited by the old village chief!” “They’re not here to freeload. In fact, some of the money for this feast…”

Wang Chunhua interrupted, “Invited by the old village chief? Who gave him the right to invite people? Did he ask the villagers? Twenty-odd people, all big eaters! What will we eat after they’re done? I don’t agree with this!”

Usually mild-tempered, Wang Guifen stepped forward and retorted sharply, “Who cares whether you agree or not! My father did ask the villagers, and they all agreed. If you don’t agree, then don’t eat anything today.”

“Why should I not eat!” Wang Chunhua’s eyes filled with tears, but she stubbornly raised her chin to keep them from falling, standing her ground against Wang Guifen.

Today’s food was excellent, and she wasn’t about to leave in a huff.

The commotion attracted the men preparing the bamboo for firecrackers, who started coming over.

Zhang Xiaogou, having overheard his sister’s words, hurried over and tugged on Zhang Chunhua’s sleeve, “Sis, we didn’t contribute any money either. We’re freeloading too, so stop arguing.”

Zhang Chunhua shook off his hand and continued, “We’re villagers, they’re not. It’s different! Why should I have to give in to them?”

Wang Guifen took a deep breath, her face darkening. “You don’t have to give in to them. But part of the money for this feast came from them. If you don’t want to eat with them, then you can’t eat at all.”

Zhang Chunhua opened her mouth but couldn’t find a response.

Sun Jinhua, disbelieving, chimed in, “I don’t believe it. They’ve sold themselves as servants, where would they get money? Sister Guifen, you can’t lie for them.”

This time, Wang Guifen didn’t have to respond. Nor did the women need to chime in. One of the onlooking men stepped forward, speaking coldly, “Their men worked hard for that money. Doesn’t that count?”

“Their employers also contributed. Doesn’t that count as their share?”

“In fact, whether from our village or so-called ‘outsiders,’ everyone contributed to the communal funds, except for your two families. And now, the ones who didn’t contribute are the loudest complainers!”