g attendants were busy as bees.A watermelon is divided into five portions, and each portion costs one hundred wen. A green jade melon is divided into thirty pieces, also costing one hundred wen per pi...Everyone's mind was occupied, but their chopsticks didn't stop.

The dishes were simply delicious, perfect with wine and rice, earning praise from everyone.

For a moment, the courtyard became even more lively.

The village head smiled and took a sip of wine, sighing inwardly.

Qing Shui Village has been deserted for too long, and now with the arrival of the Li family, perhaps it's a good turn of events.

In the future, the village will surely become increasingly prosperous and lively.

"Auntie, the Liu family is spreading rumors about your family all over the village. As relatives, you shouldn't be this estranged from each other."

An old woman was chatting beside Lao Tai Li, perhaps finding her amiable, so she whispered a reminder.

Li Laotai held Jiayin in her arms, wiping the saliva from under her neck with a fine cotton cloth, and sighed.

"It's a sad story, let's not talk about it."

"Oh, you must tell us then, otherwise everyone will think your family is doing so well and look down on us poor relatives."

Mrs. Sun, the old woman's surname, loved to hear all kinds of gossip about families and villages. Most of the news in the village came from her.

Li Laotai's eyes turned red, and she spoke in a low voice.

“My younger brother, Li Gen'er, wrote me many letters while he was alive. His son got married, someone in his family fell ill, and he borrowed quite a bit of money from me. Our family wasn't doing well at the time either. I sold my dowry and sent him some silver.”

She wiped away a tear, and said.

"I didn't want to fight. Things were chaotic out in the border regions, and we came here thousands of miles just to escape. But the Guo family and their nephews wouldn't even let us in! They must be afraid I'll bring up the silver I lent them from the Liu family!"

"I was heartbroken as well. At the time, I told the Liu family to break off the engagement, and they agreed. From then on, we would just be ordinary villagers."

Upon hearing her words, not only did the grandmother-in-law but also the other women came to dislike the Liu family deeply.

Phrases like "no conscience" and "white-eyed wolf" were all directed at the Liu family.

To be honest, Old Lady Li's move is truly brilliant. Sometimes feigning weakness is more effective than arguing your point to get people on your side.

Jia Yin let out a huge bubble of saliva, once again grateful to have been born into such a good family.

Brothers united, sisters-in-law harmonious, even the head of the household, grandmother, knows how to be flexible.

Even though life may be tough right now, as long as a family sticks together, they can always overcome any obstacle and come out stronger.

The Liu family lived at the edge of the village, a little distance from the Li family. But the village was peaceful, and you could faintly hear a few giggles and smell the fragrance in the wind.

"Damn this whole family!"

"They invited so many people but not us! Isn't this obviously trying to give us a hard time!" Liu Tiezhu was so angry his face was red and neck was thick.

Guo's eyelids drooped, and her face was not looking good.

Your aunt is the best at buttering people up. She won't help out her relatives even though she has money, and she actually treats outsiders to meals! Their family won't last long!

On one side, Liu Laifu rolled his eyes and also said.

"Mother, don't be angry. I will get even with them sooner or later and get all the silver back!"

It sounds like the silver from Li's family should rightfully belong to them.

Mrs. Guo, coaxed by her son, finally looked a bit better.

Liu Laifu took the opportunity to say, “Mother, give me some money, I’ll go to the county town to look for Wu Er.”

Wu Er also looked down on the Li family. His sister was the second daughter-in-law of the Li family and knew them best. With his help, it would be easier to find trouble with the Li family and deal with them!

The Guo family doted most on her second son, truly giving him a copper coin.

Without a word of instruction, Liu Laifu dashed out the door.

Whatever revenge against the Li family, that's all trivial stuff, it's more important to go to the casino and win money first!

The villagers were warmly received by the Li family and their relationship with the Li family members grew closer.

At least Li Jia is generous and good at handling things, and everyone knows that she cooks delicious meals.

The next day, the villagers, young and old, began the autumn harvest, working tirelessly.

The Li family had no harvest, so they were very leisurely.

After breakfast, Tao Hongying took Zhao Yuru up the mountain to pick mushrooms and dig wild vegetables.

Before leaving, Tao Hongying left two bowls of rice oil in the pot for her daughter, not afraid that she would go hungry.

The two sisters-in-law went up the mountain, chatting and laughing. They didn't even ask Wu Cuifang; anyway, even if she followed them, she would just be lazy, so they simply didn't invite her.

Yesterday, Old Li saw that many elderly people in the village had difficulty walking, so he decided to take his sons to help them with the autumn harvest.

He only said two sentences, and Lao Li readily agreed.

Take a few more biscuits, don't eat other people's, it's not easy to collect food either.

Li Laotai instructed her son, holding Jia Yin in her arms, she gently shook her and lowered her head to kiss her chubby little face.

She dared to say that their family wasn't short of food. This confidence was given by her beloved granddaughter.

Li Lao'er, Li Lao san and Li Lao si, together with Jia ren and a few other young boys, dashed straight to Zhao Da Shu's house next door.

Uncle Zhao was just in his early fifties, but he lost a leg and an eye on the battlefield.

Now that he has no children, he is alone. He is also the most difficult of all in this Qingshui Village during the autumn harvest.

"Uncle Zhao, we're here to help you harvest the crops!"

"My family is happy and safe, but my little one is a bit mischievous. Yesterday, he was clinging to Uncle Zhao, asking him to tell stories about his battles. Now that he's comfortable with him, he walks in and calls out..."

"Big Brother Zhao, your legs are not convenient, we brothers will come to help you with some farm work."

Li Lao'er greeted Zhao Dashi with a smile and, without waiting for his reply, led his younger brother and nephews through Zhao's backyard to the field to harvest sorghum.

The sorghum stalks should be piled together to dry in the sun. The sorghum heads should be cut down and put into bags, then carried back to Zhao's courtyard to dry. Finally, they should be beaten, and only then is the work done.

Li Lao'er wielded his sickle with a few swings, while Li Laosi and Jiayì were responsible for carrying the bags. They moved swiftly, practically flying.

Uncle Zhao limped with his leg, carrying water to the field. Jiaxi and Ji'an ran excitedly forward and took it over happily.

Uncle Zhao patted their heads, his eyes slightly red.

"How can I possibly thank you all enough!"

"My grandma said, neighbors should help each other. Uncle, you sit here, we'll go help with the work!"

Home happy home safe, had a drink of water full, and ran away again.

The Zhao family didn't have much land, only two mu, which were taken by the Li family in a day.

Uncle Zhao invited the people from the Li family to have a meal, but no one from the Li family was willing. Even Li Lao San reminded them not to go.

"Uncle, I see that your roof is quite old, I'm afraid it might leak. After the harvest season, I'll come and help you fix it."

Uncle Zhao didn't have time to say anything else before the Li family all went back.

Thus, for the next few days, the eight young masters of the Li family took turns helping villagers with their harvest.

Most of these households were composed of demobilized veterans, and their fields were allotted by the county.

One person and two mu of land, taxes and grain are half of that of an ordinary farming household, considered care from the imperial court.

They were also unable to buy more, and paying the annual tax was enough to keep them going.

The Li family of eight worked diligently and efficiently, completing tasks quickly each day. They were also kind-hearted and had good tempers.

To whose house, whose house is lively, Qingshui Village up and down is truly no one who does not exaggerate.

"No wonder the Li family has many children and grandchildren, and they live such a prosperous life. They are all kind-hearted people, destined for good fortune!"

The old woman in the village sat chatting, and when she mentioned the Li family, she gave a big thumbs up.ases, but calling Old Madam Feng a first-rank誥命夫人 and Old Li the second a count, that everyone understood."Yours sincerely!"As the last two characters landed, everyone strained their necks and shouted...