Chapter 188

Originally, the plan was to discuss the post-flood arrangements in the village chief’s courtyard. However, with so many villagers interested and the numerous issues to be addressed, the small courtyard, cluttered with chicken coops, duck pens, and vegetable plots, was far too cramped. Not only was it difficult to sit, but even standing was a challenge. In the past, many villagers had to crane their necks and stand on tiptoes outside the courtyard to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.

Ultimately, the villagers moved to Fan Jin’s spacious courtyard. Covering an entire mu, the courtyard was paved with clean green stone slabs. It featured a weather-resistant corridor that provided shade. Farmers, accustomed to sitting wherever they found space, whether under trees or on the fields, now sat in groups on the green stone under the corridor, enjoying both the shade and the cleanliness.

Everyone was extremely satisfied.

Shuiqing brewed a large pot of tea and brought over dozens of bamboo cups, placing them nearby so anyone could help themselves. She also prepared a pot of brown sugar water for the gathered women—those she particularly disliked were not present, so she felt generous. Although brown sugar was inexpensive for her, she still didn’t want to share it with those she disliked.

The women, who were influential in their households and close to Shuiqing, were surprised by the full pot of brown sugar water.

Aunt Zhang whispered reproachfully, “Shuiqing, it’s not a holiday. Why are you making brown sugar water? You should save it for yourself.”

Wang Guifen also felt concerned. With so many people, making brown sugar water this dark must have required half a pound of sugar.

Granny Li quietly reminded, “Your courtyard is big and ideal for gatherings, so we’ll likely be here often. Next time, just serve tea or plain water.”

Tea was acceptable since they could harvest wild tea from the mountains, but sugar water was costly!

Even before the discussions started, the women began to feel concerned about Shuiqing’s generosity.

“It’s alright. I’m selective about who gets the brown sugar water. Today’s gathering is special,” Shuiqing said, using a large iron ladle to fill each cup about eighty percent full.

For someone well-nourished like Shuiqing, brown sugar water had no significant effects, but for the village women, who were often exhausted and lacking in nutrients, it worked wonders for dizziness and fatigue. Essentially, it addressed their nutritional deficiencies.

Unintentionally, Shuiqing’s words made all the women present feel valued and close to her. The brown sugar water tasted even sweeter in their mouths.

In the front, the village chief and others, having finished their tea, began the meeting.

Fan Jin, dressed in scholarly robes, stood tall and elegant, speaking gently, “I’ve discussed with Shuiqing, and aside from the potatoes already reserved for the Bai family, we have some left for trading. Anyone interested can come and trade.”

These “leftover” potatoes were, of course, purchased from the store. Shuiqing had mentioned that cornbread made from cornmeal was delicious and worth the trade.

The villagers had initially obtained enough seed potatoes from Fan Jin’s family to plant a few mu, along with contributions from six other families, potentially allowing each household to plant about twenty mu. Hearing that Fan Jin had more potatoes available, they felt even more reassured.

Since potatoes have a high yield, the priority was to plant as many as possible to ensure they had enough to eat.

Ding Heli interjected, “If you have any unused land, consider planting black beans. Shuiqing’s family will need them in the fall and will buy them, providing an opportunity to earn some money.”

Fo-ti root, harvested in the fall, required a large quantity of black beans for processing.

Hearing that Shuiqing’s family needed black beans, the women, who had been sipping their sugar water, quickly swallowed and asked eagerly, “Do you really need black beans?”

“How much do you need?”

“I’ve got some! How about I bring it over for you to check later?” one of the women eagerly suggested.

It was currently the season to harvest black beans, but the recent storm had left them in a terrible state. However, the beans had already grown before the storm, and they had managed to salvage some. After all, no one would waste precious food.

Qin Yilin quickly responded, “Sure, bring them all over. Shuiqing mentioned earlier that we’ll take as many as you have.”

Shuiqing nodded in agreement from the side. The other women assumed that Ding Auntie and Shuiqing were close and that she had been informed ahead of time. They made a mental note to quickly bring their own black beans over later.

Ding Heli looked around at the bustling crowd and remarked, “I saw a lot of kudzu vines while collecting herbs recently. They were growing very well.”

His comment reminded the villagers of something.

“That’s right! I scattered quite a few kudzu seeds last fall, the ones that Fan Jin gave me.”

“I planted an entire hillside! No wonder I saw so many vines when I was gathering firewood this spring. I was wondering what kind of wild plants they were, growing so suddenly.”

“Ding Uncle, you recognize kudzu too?” someone asked curiously.

Ding Heli smiled, “Kudzu is also an herbal medicine. It’s very vigorous, grows quickly, and has thick roots. Although it’s not worth much at the herb shops because there’s plenty of it, it is good for relieving thirst and diarrhea. As food, it can help stave off hunger.”

Hearing that kudzu was not only edible but also beneficial for health, the villagers’ eyes lit up, wishing they had planted more last year.

Ding Heli continued, “Kudzu can also be propagated by cuttings. In the first year, it establishes its roots, and by the second and third years, it grows most vigorously. If you go back and propagate it on the hills, you’ll have plenty to eat every year.”

The villagers were eager to get to work on their hillsides! With both potatoes and kudzu to rely on, everyone felt a renewed sense of hope. Despite the flood, it seemed like they could still manage to get by, perhaps even better than before.

Old Xu took a large gulp of tea and looked at the clean slate stones in the courtyard, sighing, “Our village’s fields are badly damaged, and it’s likely the same outside. We have potatoes, but they don’t. I fear that in the coming days, things will get increasingly chaotic.”

Fan Seventh Uncle pondered, “It’s fine for those who have stored food, but what about those who don’t? The rice was almost ready for harvest, and now it’s all gone. How will large families manage without food? When they can’t make it, they’ll turn to robbery.”

The men sitting under the veranda lowered their heads, unsure of what to do.

After a long silence, Li Wu raised his head and said, “If anyone dares to come to our village to steal food, I’ll fight them to the death!”

His family had a decent stockpile of food, but it was the result of years of hard work, carefully saving and scrimping. With Li Wu taking the lead, the other men seemed to wake up, all shouting in unison, “Yes! If they come to steal, we’ll fight them to the death!”

“We’ve got plenty of men in our village, we can beat them off if we have to!”