Chapter 622

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Shen Yao began to inquire about the official planning around Sweetwater Village.

First was population; Sweetwater Village was just a small village, occupying little land, with little arable land per person, and no matter how arranged, it could not accommodate more people.

Second was daily grain crops; relying solely on buying was definitely not feasible, they had to rely on self-sufficiency to survive in the turbulent situation.

Finally was the conflict between locals and newcomers; if not handled well, the problems triggered would crush this resettlement area that had been established with great difficulty.

Captain Sun's explanation was too vague; perhaps he really didn't know, or perhaps he dared not speak the truth.

Shen Yao's heart sank slightly, and she could only prepare for the worst in advance.

"No, surely not."

Fu Chunfang spoke somewhat stammeringly, staring with wide eyes, completely disbelieving that the omnipotent officials would ever have a day they couldn't control the situation.

"Better safe than sorry; besides, more and more people are coming here, and the officials' available strength is limited. Many ants can still bite an elephant to death; unless heavy measures are used in chaotic times to ruthlessly suppress the chaos."

However, judging from Shen Yao's observation of the officials, they could act against outsiders, but internally... why else would people always say foreign countries teach people how to behave online?

"Right, Mom, Second Sister is right; we can't be without a guard against others."

Shen Yao cited her own experience in Songlin Village; if not for her maternal grandfather and several uncles being villagers, and the Fu family having some say in Songlin Village, she wouldn't get a single one of the chickens, ducks, and fruit trees raised this time.

"Simply unreasonable!"

Seeing her making money and wanting to come pick fruit, Shen Yao was furious, and felt indignant several times over this.

Even so, considering Shen Yao was from Sweetwater Village, the Shen family wasn't weak, and someone worked for the officials; if it were other people with no relatives or connections, they would have been robbed long ago.

Fu Chunfang raised her hand and patted Shen Yao's arm, "Rest a few more days this time you're back."

"The land in Songlin Village is with your maternal grandfather and them; they won't let you lose out."

Shen Yao:...

That was what was said, but the losses she suffered now were all at her own home.

But after all they were relatives, and besides, she had received plenty of help from the Fu family when young; Shen Yao originally had the mindset of getting whatever she could from the rented land, so what was there to worry about? As long as there was food to eat and she wouldn't starve to death.

The mother and daughter whispered for a long while; when the time was about right, Shen Yao returned to the farm.

Of course, Shen Yao didn't forget the Yu family next door; using the same lines with the Yu couple, these two understood Shen Yao's concerns well, and at the same time, they showed her their recent results in winning people over, to show the Yu family's sincerity.

Shen Yao:...

No wonder the Yu family was good at business; family tradition wasn't just talk.

Looking at their ideas and planning, and comparing with their own family's situation, it wasn't that Shen Yao looked down on them, but that the Shen family was wrong in their thinking from the start.

Yu Ze Yun hadn't returned, and had contacted the Yu family few times.

Occasionally, the Yu couple would worry about their child's situation outside, but most of the time, they focused on cultivating their own forces, striving to have a place before the pattern of Sweetwater Village was formally formed.

Rumble—

Shen Yao stood outside her residence, with land just harvested under her feet.

After an autumn rain had fallen earlier, the air around her nostrils was full of the smell of earth, wearing a thick coat on her body, Shen Yao hugged her arms and quietly waited for this earthquake to end.

This was already the third earthquake this month. The tremors were getting more severe each time, and after each earthquake, not only did the farm's land increase a bit, but more people coming to settle in Sweetwater Village also increased.

The land previously taken by the village and officials together had been completed; in a short time, multi-story buildings rose from the ground.

However, what the officials built ultimately wasn't fast enough; many had to set up tents temporarily, and some even appeared to be sleeping in the open.

Fortunately, no lives were lost; the officials' control over Sweetwater Village was dominant, and the few villagers with improper thoughts were suppressed by those who couldn't stand it.

It was just that if this situation continued for too long, the backlash would be more severe.

Shen Yao instructed Shen Yao not to go to Songlin Village; while the problem wasn't too serious yet, transfer all the land in Songlin Village to the Fu family to handle.

Although doing this was a loss for Shen Yao, a bird in the hand was better than nothing at all.

Shen Yao accompanied Shen Yao on a trip to Songlin Village; the two sisters busied themselves back and forth, and finally the truck brought back what should have belonged to Shen Yao.

"Second Sister, will it get harder and harder?" Kind villagers became petty, the easygoing maternal grandfather looked embarrassed; Shen Yao had seen too much reality while starting a business at home these years, which also made her understand the current situation.

"It will get better and better; it's just that many difficulties will be encountered on this road."

In the early stage of Spiritual Qi Revival, progress was made through groping; whether officials or individuals, each had their own difficulties.

Once everything got on track, I believe they will get better and better, provided they can persist until then.

Before the truck got close to Sweetwater Village, signs of human habitation appeared along both sides of the road.

These were ordinary people who came too late to get houses and had no ability to buy or exchange; they were currently settled around Sweetwater Village, and the officials were constantly increasing construction efforts.

Shen Yao felt somewhat unable to bear it; she could still see young children among them.

Shen Yao drove forward; no one dared to rush out to stop the truck at the risk of death; they could only watch the car leave helplessly.

Shen Guozhu and his wife were waiting at home; seeing the truck stop at the doorway, they hurriedly called people out to help.

These were necessary supplies for their future survival; there were also many live chickens and ducks inside; Shen Yao planned to raise them in the empty space in the back courtyard, and kill one to eat every once in a while.

"Little Aunt, the newly arrived Bei Bei family wants to buy chickens and ducks; should we sell some?"

Shen Wenqi looked at the somewhat listless chickens and ducks before her with bright eyes, already writing several recipes in her heart.

"Sell what? You brat, do you know how expensive prices are recently?"

Shen Yao, as the Legal Holder, hadn't spoken yet; Shen Liang on the side couldn't help but use his status to lecture; he and Zhou Wei had too little presence since returning to the Shen family; who let them two have no capital at all.

Shen Wenqi and Shen Wenyu were both ability users and his own daughter and son; as a parent, what was wrong with verbal lecturing?

"Right, Wen Qi, there's nothing at home that can't be said nonsense."

Zhou Wei also disagreed with buying and selling; do you know how chaotic it is outside? Things that could be bought casually with money before are now not only price-limited and quantity-limited but also unavailable.

Don't look at how these things were all brought back by Shen Le, but Shen Le is also a Shen family member; Shen Liang and his wife automatically lump her into their own camp, and what Shen Wenqi just said was challenging Shen Liang and his wife's authority.

The Shen family wedding guests:...

Shen Le glared at her own elder brother and sister-in-law, not understanding why her things had to listen to them—just some chickens and ducks brought back, what difference would selling a few make?

She patted the tearful Shen Wenqi on the shoulder. "Elder Brother and Sister-in-law, this matter was clearly discussed between me and Wen Qi; you two don't need to worry about it."

Shen Le's words were a bit grating, after all she hadn't been idling in Songlin Village—what kind of villagers hadn't she met? If she were even slightly soft, she'd be cheated.

Shen Liang glared at Shen Le. "When your sister-in-law and I say this, who is it for?"

"Anyway, since these chickens and ducks were brought back by me, I'll handle them," regardless of who it was for, she wouldn't be grateful anyway. Shen Yao pouted, gently soothing the now-stabilized Shen Wenqi. "Find a chance to tell Bei Bei; our family can't sell too many, but one or two can still be spared."

Shen Wenqi nodded with an "en." "I'll tell Bei Bei right away."

Shen Le waved her hand, saw Shen Wenqi had already run out of sight, then hehed and sidled up to Fu Chunfang to act coquettish—clearly she'd realized how satisfying it was to make her own decisions, forgetting that the one person in the house whose word was final was still around.

Fu Chunfang:...

What could Fu Chunfang say? Shen Le had already said it all.

Turning to glare at the displeased Shen Liang and his wife, Fu Chunfang told Shen Le to show off less next time. "Lately there have been many people coming from outside; Wen Qi and the children don't know restraint. You're all adults—try not to spill too much outside."

How old was Fu Chunfang? She'd endured more malice than the salt they'd eaten.

Nowadays in Sweetwater Village, no household was well-off. Shen Le selling chickens and ducks was fine, but if the quantity was too large, it would invite new trouble.

Shen Le, who could talk back so well in front of Shen Liang and his wife, became a well-behaved child in Fu Chunfang's presence.

Whatever Fu Chunfang said was law—just nod and agree first; as for the actual execution, she'd certainly be obedient.

Shen Le guiltily rubbed her nose tip. She couldn't very well say she'd impulsively chosen to sell chickens and ducks just to compete with Shen Liang and his wife and not let her niece feel hurt.

The topic came to a temporary close.

Waiting for Shen Wenqi to return with a happy face, Shen Guozhu and his wife had to emphasize some things again.

Originally, in a prosperous and peaceful age, being high-profile was fine—there was always someone more high-profile than you; but in this chaotic world under heaven, keep a low profile if you can, because those who jump around are easier to target.

These life wisdoms were precious experiences accumulated by the elderly relying on their age advantage.

The Shen family might have all sorts of flaws, but they were obedient.

At Shen Guozhu and his wife's word, everyone's days became low-key and boring. Wen Qi's three children hardly went anywhere except their daily part-time errands, thus avoiding much trouble.

Shen Yao's farm was once again carved out a piece by the authorities and the village chief at year's end to settle ordinary people.

Although frequent earthquakes in the second half of the year had earned her quite a bit of new land, compared to what was carved out, Shen Yao's farm area shrank considerably.

This caused the original farm yield to be uncertain, so Shen Yao could only choose to plant grain crops on a large scale, reducing non-filling crops like melons, fruits, and vegetables, to try to meet everyone's needs as much as possible.

"Captain Sun, there are still some seeds left; why not try those wastelands?"

Shen Yao pointed to the half-bag of seeds by her feet and raised a hand to wipe the sweat drop from her temple.

Not just half a bag of seeds, but also those unused ones stored in Ku Fang.

Leaving aside other things, with so many people in Sweetwater Village, if they don't plant grain, what do they eat?

Local villagers might say they have stockpiles—three to five years is an exaggeration, but within one or two years they certainly wouldn't starve. But what about the outsiders? It's impossible to truly not care; even the Yu Family has to buy grain from outside, and both the Shen Family and Shen Yao have supported a batch.

"Miss Shen, if you trust me, report this matter upward."

His position was still too low, with few who could make decisions. Better safe than sorry—he still had to notify in time.

"Fine, but we must seize the time. Miss this chance, and the cycle won't be enough."

It wasn't like automated planting in games where seasons and weather don't matter. Seed growth takes time, even if Shen Yao provided high-quality seeds.

Captain Sun turned and called his superiors. In less than half a day, he finally found a piece of farmland that could be cultivated.

It was just a bit remote—several kilometers from the outer periphery of Sweetwater Village—and official personnel also had to spare some to handle the farmland's security.

That way, Sweetwater Village's guards would be weakened, while Sweetwater Village's population kept increasing. Shen Yao frowned tightly, unable not to worry about security.

It was at this time that Yu Ze Yun returned from outside, dusty and travel-worn.

Returning with him were Yu Xingye and Shen Shuo. Though these two were intact, their arms and legs had wounds that had just healed not long ago—showing how dangerous their mission period had been.

"Sigh, the mutated creatures outside are very strong; their abilities far surpass ours."

Originally Shen Shuo was quite satisfied with his extraordinary ability—after all, he could anticipate the enemy—but he hadn't expected the mutated hummingbird's speed to be explosively fast. It was just captured by him, and the next second it was already right in front.

The scar on his arm was the result of the hummingbird pecking with its beak.

Not only that, Shen Shuo had several narrow escapes. If not for cooperating with Yu Xingye, the two of them would be nothing but a jar of ashes.

The real situation was worse than imagined. After hearing this, the Shen family wedding guests remained silent for a long time.

"Can't we retreat?"

Fu Chunfang truly didn't want her own child struggling to survive on the line of life and death.

Shen Shuo shook his head. "The authorities are under great pressure. Once we withdraw, the authorities won't be able to hold on, and Sweetwater Village will face an even greater catastrophe."

Shen Shuo admitted he wasn't a noble person; he'd naturally consider deserting, but now the key was that they couldn't run away.

Not only could they not run away, they still had to undertake missions, completing them with the fullest spirit to keep the situation within a controllable range.

The Yu Family—Yu Xingye said the same. Yu'er Shu and his wife ached for their unlucky son and thought of taking a shortcut to get him out, but Yu Xingye quickly shook his head and refused.

"No, absolutely not. Otherwise we'd lose both the wife and the troops."

Not to mention heavy losses, the little face the Yu Family had before the authorities would be completely exhausted. It's not easy—his cousin is still hard at work on missions to this day.

"Don't talk about me. How is the situation at home? Try to rope in as many relatives as possible. Outside is a mess; if we leave Sweetwater Village, it won't be easy to find another equally good place."

Yu Xingye's skin had become much rougher, and it still felt somewhat coarse to the touch.

The time away made him understand one thing: he must seize every opportunity to strengthen himself!