Chapter 158

Baijiazhuang Village in Nanning Prefecture

There was no sign of the torrential rain stopping.

The sky seemed torn open, rain pouring down with a pitter-patter on people and horsebacks.

Bai Manshan wiped his face, brushing away rain from his eyes, and rode on towards the village.

In the distance, fierce winds whipped dark clouds, the entire sky ominously black and dim. Mountains loomed vaguely through the rain curtain, barely discernible.

The dirt road beneath the horse’s hooves was submerged up to their calves, the seedlings in the fields drowned by water, and the corn stalks flattened by the gale. Bai Manshan couldn’t spare a thought for these losses; his eyes were fixed on the village ahead.

Here lay his 800 mu of fertile land, countless acres, and over two hundred servants—the Bai family’s most hidden assets.

In the current moment, Baijiazhuang was bustling with voices.

“Sun Zhuangtou, the master mentioned recently that in case of heavy rain, everyone in the village should evacuate immediately to Yubei Mountain on the opposite side!” Xu Qing stared straight at Sun Zhuangtou, speaking sternly.

Sun Zhuangtou stood under the eaves, watching the crowded yard, his eyes dark.

Of course, he remembered the master’s words.

But with over two hundred people, more than ten households—people could leave, taking some food, but what about the tools, houses, and belongings?

Sure, they could say to leave everything, and as the village head, he wouldn’t be blamed by the master later. But it might leave a bad impression.

“Wait a little longer. The master is worried the dam at Madaya Lake won’t hold. But what if it does?” Speaking for those in the yard was also speaking for himself.

Several who usually supported Sun Zhuangtou immediately shouted, “Yes, the master is far away. We should listen to the village head!”

“If we all leave, what about these belongings? Can we take some to Yubei Mountain?”

“You want to live in grass huts and tree houses on Yubei Mountain, not your own homes?”

“You can, but have you thought about the old and young at home? In this stormy weather, can they walk up the mountain?”

The noisy crowd fell silent for a moment.

A dog’s kennel, even if it’s of gold and silver, is no match for one’s own home. Who would willingly move?

Seeing everyone’s resolve wavering, Xu Qing shouted loudly, “The master said to return as soon as the rain stops. By then, the dam will be fine, and our homes won’t be lost. But if the dam fails, it’s our lives at stake! Can’t you see what’s more important?”

When it came to matters of life and death, the people in the yard felt they couldn’t risk it.

Sun Zhuangtou squinted at Xu Qing, deeply dissatisfied. “Stop mentioning the master all the time. Here in Nanning, I’m in charge! I say we don’t move now; we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Xu Qing remained unmoved, staring at Sun Zhuangtou. “No, I only listen to the master’s words! We just returned from Madaya Lake, where the flood is almost at the dam. This rain shows no signs of stopping. We must move tonight, now!”

The chorus of agreement rose from the crowd.

“I say we don’t move tonight. We’ll talk about it tomorrow!” Sun Zhuangtou’s face darkened, his words slow and deliberate. “Anyone who opposes me, when the flood subsides, will face consequences!”

The clamor faded into silence, except for the rain.

Sun Zhuangtou felt pleased with his authority, sweeping his eyes around triumphantly.

But suddenly, someone new appeared in the courtyard!

Someone who had come a few days ago, earnestly warned and whom he had assured!

“From today, Baijiazhuang Village officially belongs to Xu Qing. You will obey his orders to move to Yubei Mountain. Anyone who disobeys, after the flood passes, will be sold right here!” A steady and resolute voice cut through the rainy night, echoing in Sun Zhuangtou’s ears like thunder.

The Bai family treated their servants generously.

No beatings, no deductions, no insults to wives and daughters. After the flood, everywhere would be a disaster. Who would buy them? Few families could match the Bai family.

Sun Zhuangtou fell to his knees with a thud, repeatedly bowing his head. “Master, I was wrong! Please spare me and my family. I promise to listen to you from now on!”

As long as he stays behind, he can slowly plot against Xu Qing. Once Xu Qing is removed, the position of village head will be his again!

Bai Manshan glanced at Sun Zhuangtou.

He didn’t need overly clever servants; he needed loyal followers who would obey his commands.

Clearly, Sun Zhuangtou was not fitting into that role now.

If he had always been a servant and had not ascended to the position of village head, keeping him around wouldn’t be a problem.

But now, with only room for one leader, keeping Sun Zhuangtou would only cause trouble for Xu Qing and complicate matters for Baijiazhuang. He could no longer stay.

Bai Manshan glanced at the sky, dark and heavy. Sitting in the old mansion in Nandu, alone without any communication, his years in business made him cautious, smiling as he spoke, “You’ve been competent in the past, making mistakes is normal. Improve yourself in the future, get up now.”

Sun Zhuangtou immediately stood up, the fierceness on his face vanishing.

The master still acknowledged him!

His only enemy was Xu Qing.

After Bai Manshan finished speaking, he didn’t linger. He directed each household to quickly return, pack their belongings, and move up the mountain.

The torrential rain had been falling for two days and nights, and the ground was so muddy that it came up to their calves.

With elderly and children, clothes and bedding, food, livestock, and more than two hundred people, the journey was exceptionally difficult.

If they had followed the master’s instructions earlier and moved to Yubei Mountain at the first sign of bad weather, they wouldn’t be suffering tonight!

Bai Manshan cursed inwardly but kept a serene expression, calmly watching everyone evacuate.

He waited until Xu Qing ran over to report to him. All the more than two hundred people had reached halfway up the mountain, which was considered safe. Xu Qing asked if he should stay.

Bai Manshan shook his head.

Anxious, Xu Qing persuaded, “Master, it’s dark and the road is treacherous. Moreover, I’ve seen Madaya Lake. That dam might not hold until tomorrow morning. You should stay.”

“I need to check something. Otherwise, I won’t be at ease. I’ll leave soon. It’ll take me half an hour to leave Baijiazhuang, and most of an hour to leave the range of Madaya Lake Reservoir. By the way, be cautious of Sun Zhuangtou during this time. After the flood subsides, the Bai family will deal with him.” Bai Manshan instructed calmly.

Xu Qing nodded, still worried, “Master, let me escort you.”

“No need, I have a horse. You go back first. They need you more up the mountain.” With that, Bai Manshan mounted his horse and rode away.

The crops at Baijiazhuang couldn’t be saved, but as long as these people were safe, the land would still be cultivated, and there would be future harvests.

People were the most important.

With people, there was hope.

As he rode away from Baijiazhuang, Bai Manshan passed by another village.

Unlike Baijiazhuang, the people in this village believed the torrential rain would soon end and had already gone to sleep.

The night was calm.

In this peaceful night, Bai Manshan heard the roaring sound of rushing water from upstream, like a tsunami.