Chapter 446: Chapter 447: Discussion

The moment Gu Datian saw Village Chief Huang arrive, he knew the fish had taken the bait.

"Village Chief Huang, you must know our journey here was not cheap. Right now, we have to cover all our food and lodging here in Bainiao, and the amount of silver we spend each day is considerable. The only reason we’re risking the bitter cold to go into the mountains is to ensure our family doesn’t go hungry this winter.

"After all, the resources in those mountains are finite. We aren’t generous enough to give away the food that’s practically in our mouths."

Village Chief Huang lowered his head, feeling guilty. He knew his fellow villagers had sent him over hoping to get a piece of the pie.

"The things in the mountains don’t belong to anyone, after all. And in the dead of winter, the beasts are much more ferocious. If our villagers go with you, it’ll be safer for everyone."

Gu Daping immediately flew into a rage. "So what if they don’t belong to anyone? The mountains are right there. Why are you bothering us?

"Safer with you? Our ancestors have traveled these parts for generations. You think we know the way less than you do?"

’If you want a free ride, just say so. No need to dress it up in such noble terms.’

Village Chief Huang said, "Now, now, young man, don’t get so heated. I just came over to discuss this with all of you.

"How about this? You take the lion’s share, and we’ll just take a small portion."

Gu Datian replied, "Village Chief Huang, I find it hard to believe that none of you have entered that forest in all these years. If we hadn’t mentioned going into the mountains today, you probably still wouldn’t even know there was anything up there.

"Let me be honest. Even if you went and found survivors from the other nearby villages, they wouldn’t necessarily be able to find that spot.

"Yet here you are, demanding a share just for the asking. We really don’t need your company. Let’s just go our separate ways!"

Just as Village Chief Huang was about to try again, Gu Yi, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. "Village Chief Huang, even though we’ve moved away, doesn’t everyone have a few relatives still in the area? It would be much better to use this information to help our own kin. At least it would give them another source of income."

Village Chief Huang’s face stiffened. "But this area is adjacent to Kao Mountain Village. It wouldn’t be right to let outsiders come here."

Gu Yi retorted, "We’re not friends, nor are we family. And while we may not be enemies, there is some resentment between us. Do you really think we’d just hand over this opportunity to you for free?"

Enduring the mocking gazes of the Gu family, Village Chief Huang could only bite the bullet and say, "In that case, we won’t take any of your harvest this time. We just ask that you let our villagers accompany you into the mountains to learn the route."

Gu Dashishi chimed in, "If you were in our shoes, Village Chief Huang, what do you think you would do?"

Village Chief Huang felt a lump in his throat, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal.

He had considered making things difficult for them during the grave relocation, but the town head had been following their progress closely, making his own supportive stance clear. If the chief dared to cause trouble, his village would likely face a difficult future in Bainiao.

"Then what will it take for you to tell our village the location?"

Gu Yi said, "Why would we do something that doesn’t benefit us? What do you think, Village Chief Huang?"

Village Chief Huang was speechless. ’I’m not well-read, so don’t get all literary on me.’ (Pah! It’s not that I’m not well-read; I’ve never read a book in my life.)

"Just say it plainly! What will it take for you to guide our villagers into the mountains?" Village Chief Huang asked, growing anxious.

Gu Yi said, "It’s better if you don’t go into the mountains at all. Otherwise, if an accident happens someday, you might end up blaming us.

"If you manage to find the place on your own someday, that will be your own good fortune and have nothing to do with us."

With that, Gu Yi turned to the others. "We still need to prepare dry rations. Let’s not waste time standing around."

Village Chief Huang shouted through gritted teeth, "We won’t ask you to guide us for free! We’ll take none of the harvest this time, and we’ll even help you carry everything back!"

Gu Datian patted the shoulder of a sturdy young man beside him. "These lads are all strong and tough. If need be, we can just make a few extra trips. We won’t trouble you."

This offer was already the most Village Chief Huang could concede. Seeing the Gu family disperse, he could only hang his head and start walking back.

But it wasn’t long before he returned, this time with other people.

"We went back and discussed it, and we agree you have a point.

"We aren’t the type to just take advantage of others. This time, as long as you guide us into the mountains, we won’t take anything and we’ll even help with the labor.

"And aren’t you preparing to move your ancestral graves? When the time comes, every household in our village will send one able-bodied man to help you with the excavation."

Gu Yi was silent for a moment, then glanced at his family members. "We’ll need to discuss this."

Afraid there might be another change of heart, or that some of the Gu family might selfishly decide to give this mountain bounty to their own relatives instead, Village Chief Huang quickly said, "We’ll just wait here, then. It’ll save you all the trouble of running back and forth."

While Gu Datian and the others deliberated, they deliberately made sounds of arguing, making Village Chief Huang and his men feel even more anxious.

The moment Gu Yi stepped out, they immediately crowded around him.

"I’ve managed to persuade everyone to agree to your proposal for now," Gu Yi said. "But a verbal promise isn’t enough. Let’s go to the town head’s office and draw up a formal agreement."

"Of course," Village Chief Huang said. Now that they had agreed, he didn’t dare try to bargain.

After they left, the members of the Gu Family were all beaming with joy.

Kao Mountain Village had about forty households, large and small, which meant they had just gained forty able-bodied laborers for free.

They likely wouldn’t be able to harvest the chestnut and hickory groves in the back mountains again anyway. Telling the villagers about them in exchange for so much manpower was well worth the price.

As for their threat to tell their relatives, that was just a bluff. Very few of their friends and family had survived the past few years, and even if they had told them, they wouldn’t have dared to compete with an entire village.

With the matter settled, they could return home earlier than planned, saving a significant amount of money on expenses.

Luo Gang also made a special trip to see the Li Family. Learning they had no intention of relocating, he could only leave them the address for Gaoling Village so they could write to the old Madam in the future.

As for the Li Family’s future, he would have to wait until he returned to ask the old Madam for instructions before making any arrangements.

Meanwhile, the frantic preparations for excavating the graves and performing the rites began. As a "dutiful son and grandson," Gu Dashishi could no longer hide. He spent his days bustling about the village with the rest of his family. By the time he left Bainiao, it never even occurred to him to visit the Li Family one last time.

This behavior gave everyone a much clearer sense of his cold-heartedness, and on the journey home, people consciously and unconsciously kept their distance from him.

&

After the second snowfall of the winter, Ancient Wen Heng began to publicly arrange meetings with the various merchants who remained in the city.

He didn’t immediately start making demands. Instead, he took them up to the ramparts of the border city and spoke of the soldiers’ hardships.

At first, they all assumed the Lord Prefect was scheming to get into their purses. But to their surprise, this went on day after day for more than half a month, and Ancient Wen Heng never made a single request.

His actions left everyone completely perplexed. Then, just when they thought they understood, he turned around, put them aside, and started mingling with the common folk.

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