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The people summoned by the village chief were dumbfounded; these individuals had actually gone to steal melon seedlings.
“Before the New Year, Xiao He’s dog caught those hooligans stealing strawberries. Everyone should know how formidable their dogs are. And these few people were caught by Xiao He’s dog.” The appearance of such thieves in the village was embarrassing for everyone, and the village chief’s expression now looked as dark as if it were about to drip ink.
“It’s also thanks to Xiao He that she didn’t directly report it to the authorities, or else could our village’s girls and boys hold their heads up high? How would they get married in the future?” Theft is a very serious matter, and if people from other villages find out, it could damage the marriages of the children in their village.
Initially, some people who were not involved became serious upon hearing what the village chief said.
“Spend a bit of money to buy melon seedlings. In the end, you can earn around ten taels of silver, much better than growing grains. What’s there to be dissatisfied about?” Those who had already bought the melon seedlings grumbled discontentedly.
“That’s right.” Moreover, Wang Jinhe would sell to them at a low price in the future, and he was even willing to sell more to them. Wasn’t that good?
Furthermore, teaching them cultivation and growing high-yield crops—aren’t those all ways to make money?
“She gives it to others for free; she gives as much as they want to plant. Why should we only be allowed to buy fifty seedlings?”
“Thats because we have a good relationship with Xiaohe, while you guys have been cursing Xiao He’s family without apologizing to them, is that enough?” Xie Kang stepped forward, not mincing words. “Xiao He could overlook the past, but you guys not only fail to appreciate it but also steal from her.”
Listening to everyone’s indignant words, Wang Jinhe couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing Wang Jinhe laugh at this point, Xie Kang and the others couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness. “What’s there to laugh about at this time?”
“Uncle, it’s nothing,” Wang Jinhe shook his head lightly and walked to Xie Kui’s side, looking at the people in the village. “I have over a dozen dogs at home, each capable of directly biting an adult wild boar to death. These dogs often roam around the melon and strawberry fields. If someone approaches with ill intentions, they will surely bite. I’ll say it here today: if anyone gets bitten by my dogs while stealing my strawberries or melon seedlings, my family won’t take responsibility for it.”
The people in the village frowned, feeling somewhat displeased, but they quickly understood. They wouldn’t engage in such actions, and the dogs wouldn’t bite them.
“Of course, I believe that most people in the village are good and wouldn’t do such things. But for those with dirty hands and feet, if you get bitten, it’s your own fault,” Wang Jinhe spoke as others contemplated, leaving everyone in a good mood.
“Remember what Xiao He said; their dogs are intelligent and won’t bother anyone as long as you leave them alone,” Xie Kui said, looking at everyone in the village with seriousness.
“As for you few, kneeling in the ancestral hall for three days is your punishment. In the future, don’t expect any benefits from Xiao He helping your family with anything,” even before Wang Jinhe could say it, the village chief directly dashed their hopes.
Those individuals frowned, unwillingly saying, “Why?”
“Just because your hands and feet are not clean. Unless you can get the approval of everyone in the village and prove that you’ve changed, there won’t be any chance for you,” without proper punishment, everyone might develop ideas in the future, causing chaos.
Wang Jinhe was quite satisfied with Xie Kui’s approach. This way, those with ulterior motives would have to think twice.
“Uncle, I’ll go back first,” seeing that the matter was resolved, Wang Jinhe didn’t plan to stay here any longer.
“Sure, go about your business.”
Wang Jinhe returned home with Tangyuan and the others. Since there weren’t enough chicken legs at home, she slaughtered two chickens to feed Tangyuan and the others.
“Why are you being so nice to these guys today?” Su Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at the chicken that Wang Jinhe had cooked.
“Tangyuan helped us catch the thief, so they deserve to eat something good,” Wang Jinhe said matter-of-factly.
Su Yu kept quiet. Xiao He was right; these little guys did contribute today, and it was appropriate to reward them.
“How was the handling of the situation?” If it were up to Su Yu, he would have reported them directly to the authorities and sent them to prison, just like with that Luo Shi.
“It’s fine. Uncle’s approach satisfied me,” Wang Jinhe briefly explained the final resolution to Su Yu, who reluctantly nodded after hearing it.
“It’s good that way. With the village chief stepping in, there’s some constraint on them. Selling melon seedlings to them gives them hope. Who could have guessed that you would lead them in planting something in the future?” If they wanted to make money, they needed to manage their words and conduct. Of course, if they didn’t want to make money, they could just ignore what he said.
Wang Jinhe thought the same way. Most of the people in the village were actually intelligent and knew when to do what, ensuring they could gain more favorable benefits.
“Now, it’s good like this. As long as they don’t come to bother me, I’m happy,” Wang Jinhe actually had a very simple mindset—live a good life, do your own things, and having fewer people causing trouble was enough for her.
However, sometimes the simpler the idea, the harder it is to achieve.
“Your thinking is a bit too simple.”
“What’s wrong with that? I think I’m already quite content now.” Having everything she didn’t have before, that was her happiness.
Su Yu smiled and didn’t say anything. Indeed, sometimes people needed to learn to be content.
Because of the incident with stealing seedlings, the villagers had a new understanding of the dogs in Wang Jinhe’s house. They didn’t dare to approach the melon and strawberry fields near their house easily.
With some people hired previously, it was now time to put them to work since it was planting season.
After Wang Jinhe explained the tasks to the hired help, she had everyone come together to help plant the melon seedlings.
At the same time, Wang Jinhe went to the Zhuangzi with Su Yu, instructing them to take care of the fields first, and she would take care of the rest later.
Although the overseers and laborers there didn’t know exactly what Wang Jinhe was planning, they still followed her arrangements.
It took about ten days for Wang Jinhe’s family to plant all the melon seedlings.
Once the seedlings were planted, Wang Jinhe’s family began cultivating the fields.
Before preparing the fields, Wang Jinhe asked one person from each family in the village to come and observe.
From soaking the rice seeds, cultivating the fields, to sowing and covering with straw, Wang Jinhe explained each step in great detail, emphasizing not to sow too densely.
After teaching everyone how to cultivate, Wang Jinhe’s family began their preparations. Some people were skeptical about Wang Jinhe’s planting methods and decided to observe this year before making decisions for the next.
After the cultivation season, Wang Jinhe’s family could once again harvest strawberries.