Chapter 156: line with translation of chapter title

Originally quite a few people had signed up, and after that aunt spoke, nearly everyone raised their hands.

Translation: "Originally quite a few people had signed up, and after that aunt spoke, almost everyone raised their hands."

After that aunt spoke.

Thus: "Originally quite a few people had signed up, and after that aunt spoke, almost everyone raised their hands."

Originally quite a few people had signed up.

After that aunt spoke, almost all hands were raised.

Ok.

Before the time it took to burn an incense stick had elapsed, all the pinpo fruit trees had been claimed.

Translation: "In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, all the pinpo fruit trees were claimed."

pinpo fruit trees

Given the ambiguity, I'll choose to transliterate as "Pinpo fruit trees". We'll keep the term as "Pinpo fruit trees". This is similar to how many translations treat plant names.

Thus line 2: "In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, all the Pinpo fruit trees were claimed."

the time it takes to burn an incense stick

Because there were too many people, each person claimed seven to ten trees, depending on their individual labor.

Translation: "Because there were too many people, each person claimed seven to ten trees depending on their labor."

Because there were too many people, each person claimed seven to ten trees according to their individual labor.

The courtyard already had tables set up, bearing the Four Treasures of the Study, as well as the contracts that He Jinglan had written overnight.

Translation: "The courtyard already had tables set up, with the Four Treasures of the Study, as well as the contracts He Jinglan had written overnight."

Four Treasures of the Study

Thus: "The courtyard already had tables set up, with the Four Treasures of the Study, as well as the contracts He Jinglan had written overnight."

He Jinglan called the women to form a long line, then handed out the contracts one by one to each person.

Translation: "He Jinglan called the women to form a long line, then handed out the contracts one by one to each person."

Among them, some could read and some could not, which also allowed them to examine the contracts together and discuss them.

Translation: "Among them, some could read and some could not, which also let them look at the contracts together and discuss."

After looking them over, if they finally decided, they only needed to press their thumbprint with the red ink on the table.

Translation: "After reading, if they finally decided, they only needed to press a fingerprint with the red ink on the table."

So efficient, Gu Xixi watching from the side was greatly amazed.

Translation: "So efficient, Gu Xixi watching from the side was greatly amazed."

She had thought up many possible questions they might raise last night, and wanted to know the answers.

Translation: "She had thought up many possible questions they might raise last night, and wanted to know the answers."

But today, not a single one of those questions came in handy.

Translation: "Who would have thought that today not a single one of them would be used."

He Jinglan beamed with her hands behind her back, walking over to Gu Xixi's side, saying, "I told you it would be quick, right?"

Translation: "He Jinglan strolled over to Gu Xixi with her hands behind her back, smiling smugly, and said, 'I told you it would be quick, right?'"

She spread her palms, squinted her eyes, "Definitely not longer than a meal."

Translation: "She opened her palm, narrowed her eyes, and said, 'It definitely didn't take longer than a meal.'"

Gu Xixi resignedly took out a piece of broken silver and slapped it into He Jinglan's hand.

Translation: "Gu Xixi resignedly took out a piece of broken silver and slapped it into He Jinglan's hand."

This was the bet they made last night.

Translation: "This was the bet they had made the night before."

He Jinglan pinched the silver between her fingers, holding it up to the light, a blissful smile on her face.

Translation: "He Jinglan pinched the silver between her fingertips, held it up to the light, and wore an intoxicated smile."

"Earning money myself feels really good!"

Translation: "\"Earning money myself feels really good! \""

"You said, I also participated in weeding last time; should I go ask General Ho for those two and a half days' wages?"

Translation: "\"You said, I also helped with the grass‑cutting last time—should I go ask General Ho for those two and a half days' wages? \""

Gu Xixi couldn't help but rub her forehead.

Translation: "Gu Xixi couldn't help but raise her hand to her forehead."

If the noble ladies of the capital who had played with He Jinglan knew she had only won a measly one-qian silver bet, they'd show such greed, they'd probably drop their jaws in shock.

Translation: "If the noble ladies in the capital who had played with He Jinglan knew she had only won a single silver coin in a bet, they'd show such a miserly look—they'd probably drop their jaws!"

Gu Xixi kindly reminded, "Miss He Jinglan is currently an illegal overstayer."

Translation: "Gu Xixi kindly reminded, 'Miss He is currently an illegal overstayer.'"

"Are you sure you want to collect your wages and head straight back to the capital?"

Translation: "\"Are you sure you want to collect your wages and then rush back to the capital right away? \""

He Jinglan shook her head like a rattle-drum, clutching her little silver, "No way! Not even if I die!"

Translation: "He Jinglan shook her head like a rattle drum, clutching her little silver, and said, 'No way! Not even if I died!'"

She has never undertaken a proper major endeavor like her brother has; she's only just begun, and she certainly doesn't want to be sent back to the capital!

Translation: "She had never done a proper big thing like her brother had, and having just started, she certainly didn't want to be sent back to the capital!"

When the women looked at the contracts, someone actually raised a few questions.

Translation: "When the women looked at the contracts, someone actually raised a few questions."

Gu Xixi simply stepped back as a hands-off manager, leaving all questions to He Jinglan to answer.

Translation: "Gu Xixi simply took on the role of a hands‑off manager, leaving all the questions to He Jinglan to answer."

Once everyone had no doubts, they proceeded to press their handprints one after another; then the aunt who had previously argued that "Boss Gu was splitting the money with us" collected all the contracts, verified the count was correct, and handed them to He Jinglan.

Translation: "Once everyone had no doubts, they pressed their fingerprints one after another; then the aunt who had earlier argued that 'Boss Gu was splitting the money with us' collected them all, checked the count for accuracy, and handed them to He Jinglan."

He Jinglan carefully examined them one by one, confirming each, while Gu Xixi leaned in and whispered:

Translation: "He Jinglan examined them carefully, confirming each one, and Gu Xixi leaned close to whisper:"

"Is the aunt helping to collect the contracts surnamed Lin?"

Translation: "\"Is the aunt helping to collect the contracts surnamed Lin? \""

He Jinglan nodded while looking at the contracts, "Yeah, everyone calls her Aunt Lin."

Translation: "He Jinglan nodded while looking at the contracts, 'Yes, everyone calls her Aunt Lin.'"

Gu Xixi said interestedly, "Tell me more about Aunt Lin; what else do you know?"

Translation: "Gu Xixi said interestedly, 'Tell me more—what else do you know about Aunt Lin?'"

He Jinglan continued, "She's lived in the village the longest—six years."

Translation: "He Jinglan continued, 'She's lived in the village the longest—six years already.'"

"She's quite experienced with life here; whenever newcomers arrive, she always looks after them, so everyone trusts her, and for any difficult matter in the village, they call on her to step in."

Translation: "\"She's quite experienced with life here; whenever newcomers arrive, she always looks after them, so everyone trusts her, and for any thorny matter in the village, they call on her to step forward. \""

Gu Xixi gazed at Aunt Lin, who was not far away talking with someone, and a determined light shone in her eyes.

Translation: "Gu Xixi gazed at Aunt Lin, who was not far off talking with someone, and a determined light shone in her eyes."

"So that's it—she'd be great material for a production team women's leader."

Translation: "\"So that's it—she'd make a fine head of the women's production team. \""

He Jinglan heard the unfamiliar terms, raised her eyebrows in doubt: "Production team? Women's leader?"

Translation: "He Jinglan heard the unfamiliar words, raised her eyebrows in doubt: 'Production team? Women's director?'"

Gu Xixi said, "A flock has a lead sheep, the Northwest Army has General Ho."

Translation: "Gu Xixi said, 'A flock has a lead sheep, and the Northwest Army has General Ho.'"

"Shouldn't our dependents' village also have someone who can unite everyone, a leader?"

Translation: "\"Shouldn't our Dependents Village also have someone who can unite everyone, a leader? \""

He Jinglan was delighted, "That makes sense!"

Translation: "He Jinglan was delighted, 'That makes sense!'"

After checking each contract, He Jinglan stacked them up and handed them over with both hands to Gu Xixi.

Translation: "After checking each contract, He Jinglan stacked them up and handed them over to Gu Xixi with both hands."

Gu Xixi took them and asked, "All clear?"

Translation: "Gu Xixi took them and asked, 'All clear?'"

He Jinglan lacked some confidence, "I didn't see any problems, but… you should take another look."

Translation: "He Jinglan sounded unsure, 'I didn't see any problems, but… you should take another look.'"

Gu Xixi didn't even glance again, just saying, "As long as you say there's no problem, we'll leave it as is."

Translation: "Gu Xixi didn't even glance again, just saying, 'If you say it's fine, then that's how it'll be.'"

She turned to the crowd and announced loudly, "The land distribution will have to wait for word from the military; at the latest, it'll be two or three days."

Translation: "She turned to the crowd and announced loudly, 'The land distribution will have to wait for word from the military—at the latest, a couple of days.'"

"Does everyone want to go see our pinpo fruit trees first?"

Translation: "\"Would anyone like to go see our Pinpo fruit trees first? \""

"Want!!!" the women shouted, their voices piercing the clouds, not losing to a military formation.

Translation: "\"Want!!! \" the women shouted, their voices piercing the clouds, no less than a military formation."

Upon reaching the hill where the pinpo fruit trees are planted, looking afar one could see the tents of the Bei Li army.

Translation: "Upon reaching the hill where the Pinpo fruit trees are planted, looking afar one could see the tents of the Northern Departure Army."

Everyone suddenly understood why the contract had two additional clauses at the end.

Translation: "Everyone suddenly understood why the contracts had two extra clauses at the end."

First, if war breaks out that year and they cannot tend the pinpo fruit trees, the contract's effective period will be postponed by one year.

Translation: "First, if war breaks out this year and they cannot tend the Pinpo fruit trees for the time being, the contract's effective period will be postponed by one year."

Second, if the pinpo fruit trees are destroyed by force majeure, the second party need not pay any compensation; all losses shall be borne by the first party.

Translation: "Second, if the Pinpo fruit trees are destroyed by force majeure, the second party need not bear any cost—all losses fall to the first party."

Gu Xixi saw Aunt Lin looking worried and went over to her, "War is about to break out; everyone must be worried, right?"

Translation: "Gu Xixi saw Aunt Lin looking worried and went over to her specially, saying, 'War is about to break out—you all must be worried, right?'"

Aunt Lin's lips curled into a smile, "Of course—all the husbands of the village women are in the army,"

Translation: "Aunt Lin curled the corner of her mouth into a smile, 'Of course—every woman's husband in the village is in the military,'"

"Whenever there's a fight, we wait at home, constantly anxious."

Translation: "\"Whenever there's a fight, we wait at home, constantly anxious. \""

Gu Xixi and Aunt Lin gazed into the distance together, "It'll be alright; no matter how tough things get, they'll pass."

Translation: "Gu Xixi and Aunt Lin gazed into the distance together, 'It'll be alright—no matter how hard things get, they'll pass.'"

After a moment, Aunt Lin asked, "If… someday our fruit trees can't be protected, and Boss Gu bears the risk alone, the loss would surely be significant, wouldn't it?"

Translation: "A moment later, Aunt Lin asked, 'If… someday our fruit trees can't be protected either, and Boss Gu bears the risk alone, the loss would surely be great, wouldn't it?'"

Military families always observe auspicious speech; they avoid saying things like "the war is going badly," "defeat," or "died in battle."

Translation: "The military dependents all observe verbal auspiciousness; they cannot say things like 'the war is going badly,' 'defeat,' or 'death in battle.'"

So Aunt Lin only used the word "future" as a substitute.

Translation: "So Aunt Lin only used the word 'future' as a substitute."

Gu Xixi gave a noncommittal smile, "Even if you don't participate, my fruit trees are already planted here; if it truly ends up like trying to fetch water with a bamboo basket, that would only mean I chose the wrong place and the venture failed."

Translation: "Gu Xixi smiled noncommittally, 'Even if you don't take part, my fruit trees are already planted here; if it really turns out to be a futile effort, that just means I picked the wrong spot and the venture failed.'"

Aunt Lin turned to look at Gu Xixi, eyes smiling, "We weren't close before, but now I find myself liking you more and more."

Translation: "Aunt Lin turned to size up Gu Xixi, eyes smiling, 'We weren't close before, but I've come to like you more and more.'"

Gu Xixi then shamelessly seized the opportunity, "Since you like me, Aunt, could you do me a favor?"

Translation: "Gu Xixi then shamelessly seized the opportunity, 'Since you like me, Aunt Lin, could you do me a favor?'"

Madam Lin composed her expression and said, "Speak."

Gu Xixi said, "I have an agreement with the Grand General; the oat fields and alfalfa fields reclaimed in the army, from now on I will occasionally come over to look after them. I will guide them on what needs to be done at each growth stage, and if pests or diseases occur, how to handle them emergently."

"So after our village receives the allocated land, I can also help out."

Old Lady Lin was overjoyed to hear this, saying, "What a coincidence! I've long heard that Boss Gu is skilled at growing grain, and I wanted to ask for your help, but I've really been too embarrassed to bring it up."

"As it turned out, I was just dozing off here, and you handed me a pillow!"

Fu Xixi laughed and said, "Since we've both thought of the same thing, I won't beat around the bush."

"I've heard that some military dependents who came from the city don't know how to farm; we can set up a women's production team in the village to help each other, with you as the team captain."

"Then, later on, I will pass on the oat-planting techniques to you and a few representatives, so that everyone can consult you anytime, anywhere."

"Usually I'm not here, but you can also collect everyone's questions and forward them to me; that way the efficiency will be much higher than my one-on-one approach."