The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 11 The Old Man's Intention

For dozens of days in a row, the villagers watched as Chu Xun and Zhang Sanchun, brother and sister, worked day and night to clear a full ten acres of wasteland.

Even knowing they had water buffaloes to help them, they were still incredibly surprised and envious.

Ten acres of land! Many families only have two or three acres of fertile land these days.

Farmers rely on land for their livelihood; the more land they own, the greater their harvest.

If Chu Xun were to cultivate thirty mu of wasteland, plus the original seventeen mu of fertile land, that would amount to nearly fifty mu!

At that time, the entire Songguo Village will be surpassed, even by Old Li's family.

Some people have questioned whether the rapid pace of land reclamation was fraudulent.

For example, Li Tianjian's wife secretly came over and dug several deep pits.

The results showed that the soil underneath was loose, with no stones and very few grass roots.

With such high quality, it can be planted directly next spring.

Within two or three years, this place will surely become excellent farmland.

Li Tianjian's wife was immediately annoyed. She was hoping that Chu Xun would fail to do it so that Li Shoutian would be punished.

Who knows, my husband might have a chance to become the village chief someday.

Songguo Village is not a big village, so even if you become the village chief, you won't get any benefits, but it's a matter of face.

We're all surnamed Li, so why can you be the one, but not my family?

In impoverished rural areas where there's not much to fight for, face becomes the most precious thing.

After several people visited the reclaimed wasteland, the villagers were completely impressed with Chu Xun.

Young, intelligent, shrewd, and decisive.

Even if they did buy a cow, who in the village would dare to take on thirty acres of land to cultivate?

Even if I accepted the job, I never thought I would have to work day and night in shifts.

Some villagers did try it, but it was pitch black at night and they couldn't see anything.

I don't know how many times I tripped over stones and fell throughout the night, ending up with bruises all over my body, so I had to give up in frustration.

The happiest person in the village about this was Li Shoutian.

Chu Xun's ordeal put his mind at ease.

Every few days, he would bring wine and food, insisting on having a couple of drinks with Chu Xun.

He used to treat Chu Xun as an elder, but after two drinks together, his words now carry a hint of respect.

After all, barring any unforeseen circumstances, once the thirty acres of land were cleared, Chu Xun would receive the title of "Village Drinker" from the county government.

Although the honor was more significant than the practical benefit, the mere fact that he could attend the banquet for local worthies hosted by the county magistrate every year was enough to keep Li Shoutian in a position of respect.

Spring goes and autumn comes, and winter arrives in the blink of an eye.

Chu Xun, who had already cleared thirty acres of land, was finally able to take a break.

With only a few days left until the Lunar New Year, every family is preparing for the holiday.

With good harvests in the past two years, some villagers gritted their teeth and bought half a pound of pork and slaughtered a chicken.

Those who really had no money would pool their resources and manage to get some meat.

For the children, this is the most anticipated day.

Zhang Anxiu was also kneading dough in the woodshed, while Chu Xun instructed her to add sugar granules, roll out the dough, and cut it into thin strips about the length of a finger.

This was an essential delicacy for Chinese New Year when I was young. After cutting it up, I would fry it in oil.

It's fragrant, crispy, and a little sweet.

Back then, it was all done by parents and relatives, but now I have to do it myself.

The children all ran over and gathered around the woodshed.

Of all the households, Chu Xun prepared the most.

Moreover, he was very generous. Whenever the children came, there would be candy, roasted peanuts, and their favorite fried rice.

There's food to eat, and we can listen to Xun Ge'er tell stories. What a wonderful thing!

Chu Xun plans to upgrade the fried rice and turn it into rice balls.

Mixed with peanuts, melon seeds, and sugar syrup.

After stir-frying, cut it into neat squares. It's sweet and delicious, and I'll share some with the kids later.

Just talking about this stuff makes a bunch of kids drool with envy, and they don't want to leave even if you shout until your throat is hoarse.

Zhang Anxiu felt a pang of heartache; this was all Chu Xun's money.

But she knew that Chu Xun was being so kind to the village children because he remembered the old days when they had shared meals with everyone, so she naturally couldn't say anything.

He could only mutter, "It's almost the New Year, and my brother still has to go to the Lin family to do odd jobs. If his wages are deducted again, won't he be angry for a whole year!"

Chu Xun smiled and said, "Brother, your real intention is not what it seems."

Although Zhang Anxiu has dark skin, she has very big eyes.

He blinked his round eyes, looking puzzled. "Big brother doesn't drink?"

How could Chu Xun explain to her that some things are better left unsaid?

However, the Lin family member was indeed of noble birth, with a relative who held a high-ranking official position in the imperial court.

Ordinary families wouldn't be worthy of such a person, let alone Zhang Sanchun.

Therefore, Chu Xun never intended to help in any way. After all, with his current abilities, he could at most give Zhang Sanchun some silver.

But could the eldest daughter of the Lin family be short of money?

He didn't want to help out of kindness, and in the end watched Zhang Sanchun leave disappointed.

Since that's the case, it's better to go with the flow and not force things.

At this moment in town, Zhang Sanchun was still following behind Lin Qiaoxi as always.

Lin Qiaoxi, disguised as a man, was holding a candied hawthorn in her hand and eating it in small bites.

She bought Zhang Sanchun some sugar triangles, but they were too hot. Zhang Sanchun wanted to eat them, but they were burned and kept breathing out hot air.

This made the young lady so happy that she trembled with joy, her voice as melodious as a tinkling bell.

At this moment, a horse-drawn carriage, followed by two donkey carts, came along.

The curtain on the carriage was lifted, revealing a majestic face that appeared to be nearly thirty years old.

His face, which showed signs of maturity, was now beaming with joy as he clasped his hands in a fist and bow to passersby.

When acquaintances approached, they offered their congratulations, saying, "Your family is now enjoying a comfortable life in the county town. Don't forget our friendship and come back to visit often."

"Of course, of course," the man laughed heartily.

Upon seeing Lin Qiaoxi, the man took the initiative to greet her: "Little sister Lin, your brother has gone to the county town. When are you coming to visit? Don't forget to come and have a few drinks with your brother."

These words were somewhat teasing, which made Lin Qiaoxi turn her head away unhappily and ignore them.

Seeing that Zhang Sanchun was also staring at the man, Lin Qiaoxi seemed to have thought of something, gently tugged at him, and said, "Forget it, he turned misfortune into fortune this year and was promoted to the fourth-rank martial artist. Even in the county town, he has some status. You can't afford to offend him."

Zhang Sanchun, holding a sugar triangle in his hand, slowly lowered his head: "I know."

The martial artist who was moving from the town to the county seat was the very one who killed Li Ermao, Zhang Shigen, and others back then.

Several years have passed, his injuries have healed, and his skills have even improved.

According to the rules of his sect, a fourth-rank official was qualified to enter the county town.

When the time comes, they'll band together for mutual support, and even the county magistrate will have to treat them with respect.

If one makes further progress in the future, one may be able to assume an important position in the sect, which would be even more extraordinary.

Such a person is certainly not someone an honest, simple farmer could afford to mess with.

Zhang Sanchun raised his hand and silently took a bite of the sugar triangle that had gone cold.

He felt neither sweetness nor bitterness, only thinking to himself, "Ah Xun said that sooner or later he would come to settle accounts with him."