Chapter 43: Arrangements for the Valley

Zuo Zhengfeng had seen Tian Mi in action when dealing with Bai Dongyuan’s men. Her clean, decisive manner—resorting to action without hesitation—had left him astounded back then. Now, witnessing her outright refusal of Prince Ding with the same decisiveness, he found himself at a loss.

He regretted coming along. He really shouldn’t have. If Prince Ding had only wanted to buy some supplies from Tian Mi, it wouldn’t have mattered if the eagle couldn’t be borrowed. Even if the prince’s dignity took a hit, as long as no one saw it, it wasn’t an issue. But now that someone had witnessed it, the situation became problematic.

Bai Mucheng was momentarily speechless. She had outright rejected his request to borrow her eagle, and it was just for a few days! Couldn’t he simply requisition it by force?

Did she not understand his status and authority? Asking to borrow it was already showing her respect.

Tian Mi, meanwhile, hadn’t fully adapted to the hierarchical nature of this era. Ever since arriving here, she’d either been fighting bandits or acting like one, and had grown used to feeling like she ruled the world. However, she did sense that something was off. Zuo Zhengfeng had lowered his head, pretending not to hear the conversation.

Looking at Bai Mucheng, who was glaring coldly at her, Tian Mi glared right back. What’s with that look? Are you planning to take it by force?

Sensing the growing tension, Zuo Zhengfeng quickly stepped in, smiling brightly. “Doctor Tian, the valley is safe now. Bai Dongyuan’s men only dare to operate near Qinghe County.”

He then turned to Bai Mucheng with the same cheerful smile. “Your Highness, Doctor Tian is from a common background and isn’t too familiar with proper etiquette.”

Bai Mucheng reined in his aura and said flatly, “Doctor Tian, do you understand? Under the heavens, all land belongs to the king.”

Tian Mi was startled. Right, this was an era where imperial power reigned supreme. If she wanted to live peacefully, make money, and enjoy life, she couldn’t afford to offend people like him.

She immediately flashed Bai Mucheng a bright, dazzling smile.

Her ability to switch expressions faster than flipping a page caught Bai Mucheng completely off guard.

With a giggle, Tian Mi said, “Yanzu is a good bird, but I haven’t trained it for very long. I’m afraid it might not be very useful and could end up disappointing Your Highness.”

She laughed awkwardly, trying to ease the tension.

Bai Mucheng, finding her ingratiating smile a bit overwhelming, turned away and said, “You can go now. I’ll send someone to the valley in a couple of days to collect the medicine and cleansing soaps. The eagle stays.”

Tian Mi left Bai Mucheng’s courtyard with Zuo Zhengfeng escorting her out. Handing Yanzu over to him, she said to the eagle, “Yanzu, stay here for a while and listen to them.”

Zuo Zhengfeng reassured her, “Prince Ding may be a bit cold, but he’s reasonable. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Yanzu. Once we’ve dealt with Prince Yu, we’ll return him to you in perfect condition.”

Tian Mi sighed internally. How long are they planning to keep it?

Under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. She nodded obediently and left.

Hmph! Do you really think I’m scared of you?

If it weren’t for waiting for them to take Qinghe County so she could live the life of a rich woman, Tian Mi would have loved to teach Bai Mucheng a lesson.

Forget it! They’re creditors, after all.

As she rode back to the valley, Yanzu flew toward her as soon as she reached the entrance.

Tian Mi burst out laughing. Look at you! You can act all tough with me, but you couldn’t even handle a bird!

Meanwhile, Bai Mucheng, who was reading a military report, blinked when he noticed something. After a moment, he left the barracks and looked at the eagle, now locked in a cage by Zuo Zhengfeng. Staring at it, he seemed lost in thought. Then, as if compelled by some unseen force, he opened the cage.

Yanzu flew off immediately.

Bai Mucheng quickly returned to his barracks, acting as if nothing had happened.

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Back at home, Minghui, Xu Feiyan, and Chen Miaomiao were playing with the two little ones in the courtyard. When they saw Tian Mi return, they turned to the children and said, “Look! Who’s that? Isn’t it your mother coming back?”

The two children, who had been happily playing moments before, immediately burst into tears upon hearing the word “mother,” their little faces crumpling with exaggerated grievances.

Their reaction was so comical that it made everyone laugh. Their ability to switch moods was even faster than Tian Mi’s.

Tian Mi hurried over, laughing as she picked up both children to comfort them. “Oh~ my sweet babies, Mommy’s here! Mommy’s here! Don’t cry, darlings!”

Xu Feiyan chuckled and said, “It’s amazing how they can go from happy to bawling in an instant!”

It took quite some time to calm the two little ones. Once they were pacified, Xu Feiyan and Chen Miaomiao each carried one of them to play.

Minghui asked, “Mier, you’ve been gathering so many flowers again. I’ve dried them and stored them in the room. What do you plan to do with them?”

Tian Mi replied with a smile, “No rush; they’ll come in handy soon enough.”

Currently, they could still justify producing refined food in the mountains as a result of obtaining supplies through some method. However, if they suddenly started producing cooking oil, something the people here had never seen before, it would raise too many suspicions. It was better to wait a little longer.

Minghui continued, “The other day, I told everyone that the valley is now safe and that they can start thinking about their long-term plans. The old village head of Fengqiu Village mentioned that the land here belongs to you. Clearing the land, getting cattle, tools, and seeds are all your responsibility. They’re already grateful just to have a safe haven in these chaotic times. They don’t want to take advantage of you.

“They suggested working for you in exchange for some food before eventually opening up their own land. Your father thought this wasn’t quite fair. He said the people of Fengqiu Village are honest and hardworking folk. He asked to wait until you returned so we could discuss it.”

The people of this era truly varied.

There were those like Bai Mucheng, who were domineering and took what they wanted.

And then there were the simple and honest folks of Fengqiu Village.

Tian Mi did not want to mistreat honest people.

She asked, “Where’s Father?”

Minghui replied with a chuckle, “He’s off digging herbs, finding flowers, weeding the fields, and herding the horses.”

Tian Mi laughed to herself. Life in the valley was certainly bustling!

For now, everyone still ate together, primarily because they didn’t have enough cooking pots. Eating communally had become a lively habit.

After dinner, Tian Mi discussed future arrangements with everyone.

Uncle Xu said, “We aren’t skilled farmers. When the time comes, we’ll definitely head to Qinghe County to do some business.”

Her two uncles chimed in as well. “Same here. Clearing land here will only be enough to get by. The seeds and tools are all yours, and of course, the land belongs to you. Just give us some food to eat, and that’ll suffice.”

Only Aunt Feng and her family expressed interest in keeping some land. She had a tradition of raising pigs and thought of raising some here in the valley. The rest left everything for Tian Mi to decide, including arrangements with the people of Fengqiu Village.

With a consensus reached, arranging things with Fengqiu Village became much easier.

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The next day, Tian Mi and Tian Dabiao visited Village Chief Zhou’s home.

The Zhou family warmly welcomed them, bringing out chairs for them to sit and chat.

Tian Mi said, “Uncle Zhou, you’re all honest folks, and we’re not unreasonable. This valley is meant to be worked by proper farmers. We trust you to manage it better than anyone else.”

Old Village Chief Zhou felt deeply moved by her words. After the spring harvest, everyone had run out of grain. Tian Mi had consistently brought supplies to support them. They didn’t even know how to properly thank her.

Tian Mi continued, “I’ll entrust the land in the valley to you. You can divide it up by household. For every ten mu of land, I’ll pay 800 wen in monthly wages. I’ll also provide seeds, tools, two oxen, two donkeys, and two horses.”

This arrangement was more than fair for the times—it was practically a guaranteed livelihood.

The Zhou family was so moved that they nearly broke down in tears.

The old village chief said, “Young lady, we’ve already received so much kindness from your family. We can’t possibly take advantage of you anymore!”

Tian Mi replied, “Uncle Zhou, you’re not taking advantage of me. The crops I want to grow are rare. You must ensure that nothing from the valley is shared with outsiders.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou immediately knelt down and swore to the heavens, “By the heavens above, I, Zhou Ming of Fengqiu Village, vow today that if anyone from Fengqiu Village takes anything from this valley and gives it to outsiders, neglects to diligently tend the crops, or betrays the kindness of Tian Dabiao, Tian Mi, and their family, may we be struck by lightning and meet a terrible end!”

In this superstitious era, swearing an oath was not taken lightly. To swear one meant absolute sincerity.

Tian Dabiao quickly helped him up. “Brother Zhou, you’re being too formal! A simple agreement will do.”

Tian Mi still drafted a formal document that both parties signed. Village Chief Zhou even had every household head sign it as well.

Tian Mi concluded, “Since Qinghe County is still not open, I’ll continue supplying you with grain. Once it opens, I’ll pay you all wages monthly. You can coordinate with the village chief to manage the land. I’ll handle the accounts and settle payments with you through him.”

The villagers were overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down their faces.

They couldn’t believe they had secured paid work.