novelraw Chapter 140
Chapter 140
After the meal, Song Nianchu went to Wu Zhenggui's house.
The two talked in the room for a long time. The rest of the Wu family didn't know what they discussed, only noticing Wu Zhenggui's grave expression after Song Nianchu left, but no one dared to ask.
Over the next few days, Song Nianchu didn't go to the county town again, focusing instead on developing new products at home.
One day, while Song Nianchu was busy in the kitchen, a familiar voice suddenly sounded from outside.
"Ah-Chu." It was Wu Zhenggui.
Song Nianchu quickly put down her work and hurried out.
Wu Zhenggui must have run all the way; his forehead was covered in sweat and his breathing was uneven.
"What's wrong, Uncle Zhenggui?" Song Nianchu asked.
"Let's talk inside." Wu Zhenggui glanced at the others still working in the yard, trying hard to calm himself.
"Alright." Song Nianchu nodded, leading Wu Zhenggui into the house and pouring him a cup of cool water.
Wu Zhenggui took it and drank it all in one go, finally feeling some relief in his throat.
"Ah-Chu, you were right. The brigade just called us for a meeting. They said the higher-ups are assigning some refugees to the various brigades below, and our brigade got a quota of two hundred people." Wu Zhenggui fixed his gaze intently on Song Nianchu.
"How many were assigned to our village?" Song Nianchu pressed.
"Just talking about this makes me furious. The brigade leader assigned a hundred to our village!" Wu Zhenggui was so angry his chest heaved.
"A hundred?" Song Nianchu's brow furrowed slightly.
"Yes. He said our village's conditions have improved, so we should take on more, claiming the other villages simply don't have the capacity. He even joined forces with the other village heads to pressure me. He even knew the specifics of our village's projects and income. Since the last profit distribution, we haven't announced it publicly. How did they find out so clearly?" Wu Zhenggui was still gritting his teeth.
Hearing this, Song Nianchu's expression shifted slightly.
"Probably someone tipped them off," Song Nianchu said.
"You mean there's a traitor in our village?" Wu Zhenggui frowned.
"Only you, me, and Accountant Mu know the detailed village accounts. Accountant Mu hasn't even left our village in all this time, so it probably didn't come from within our village," Song Nianchu stated.
"Then who else?" Wu Zhenggui frowned.
"Mu Jingmei." Before Song Nianchu could answer, a low voice sounded from behind.
Song Nianchu turned to see Mu Shi'an approaching with heavy steps.
"Mu Jingmei? Your sister?" Wu Zhenggui looked at Mu Shi'an and understood.
"Yes." Mu Shi'an nodded.
"Right. She married Yang Dafu, and she used to live in our village. Accountant Mu is her father, no wonder the brigade leader knew our situation inside out today." Wu Zhenggui realized.
"I'm sorry. My sister's actions have caused the village to suffer this unfair treatment." Mu Shi'an apologized to Wu Zhenggui.
"That's not on you. Your sister is married off now; naturally, her heart leans towards her husband's family." Although Wu Zhenggui was angry, he wouldn't take it out on Mu Shi'an.
But his gaze towards Song Nianchu held more worry.
"Before, we thought we might get assigned a few more people, but we never expected this many. Our village's situation has just started to improve. If we take in these hundred people, we might be thrown right back to square one."
After all, they need a place to live, food, and drink—all things that cost money.
Plus, they're refugees, likely in very weak physical condition, unable to work for some time. So many people could drag the whole village down.
"It's fine. Let them come." Song Nianchu, however, just smiled at Wu Zhenggui.
"Really let them come? There's no place to settle so many people." Wu Zhenggui frowned.
"But can you refuse?" Song Nianchu countered.
Wu Zhenggui was instantly speechless.
At the meeting today, as soon as he arrived at the brigade, the heads of the other villages surrounded him.
They said they could barely survive themselves, and taking in more people would be forcing them to die.
What's more, the brigade leader was backing them. How could he, alone, stand against so many?
Ah...
Wu Zhenggui let out a long sigh.
"I thought our village's situation would keep getting better. If I'd known this was coming, maybe we shouldn't have started all these projects. Then they wouldn't have had a reason to force these people on us."
"It's alright, Village Head. I just developed a new product these past few days, and we're short on labor. Their arrival could help fill our workforce gap." Song Nianchu offered him a reassuring smile.
"But they're refugees. They'll probably struggle to walk, let alone work." Wu Zhenggui didn't share Song Nianchu's optimism.
"When the old man lost his horse, he might have thought it was a misfortune, but who knew it would bring him good fortune? This might turn out to be an opportunity for our village." Song Nianchu's eyes shone brightly.
"What kind of opportunity?" Wu Zhenggui was somewhat bewildered.
"Let's get these refugees settled first. I'll tell you when the time is right." Song Nianchu didn't give a direct answer.
"Alright." Seeing Song Nianchu so confident, Wu Zhenggui's anxious heart settled a little.
"By the way, when are the refugees coming?" Song Nianchu asked again.
"Tomorrow morning."
"Okay. Then let's make some arrangements today so we aren't scrambling tomorrow." Song Nianchu nodded.
"Alright."
"..."
Song Nianchu and Wu Zhenggui discussed the follow-up plan further. Only after confirming all the details did Wu Zhenggui leave.
But his brow, which had finally relaxed, was now furrowed again, and his shoulders seemed to slump.
Song Nianchu watched Wu Zhenggui's retreating back, feeling a pang of sympathy.
They had all suffered and starved before, terrified of returning to those days.
So even a slight disturbance made them restless. But Song Nianchu couldn't explain too much to them; she could only try to reassure them through her actions.
"Ah-Chu, I want to go see my sister." Mu Shi'an's voice pulled Song Nianchu back from her wandering thoughts.
"What?" Song Nianchu turned to look at him.
"I need to warn her, to stop her from causing us more trouble." Mu Shi'an's expression was stern.
"Are you sure she'll listen to you now?" Song Nianchu didn't refuse, only asked in return.
Mu Shi'an paused.
"I just think going won't help. She probably won't listen, and you'll only end up upsetting yourself. It's not worth it." Song Nianchu said.
But Mu Shi'an's expression remained tense.
"Don't feel burdened either. I actually think this matter isn't a bad thing." Song Nianchu took his hand.
"What are you planning?" Mu Shi'an asked, looking down at her.
Song Nianchu leaned in and quietly explained her plan.
After listening, Mu Shi'an stared intently at Song Nianchu.
"So, later on, we might even have to thank your sister." Song Nianchu gave him a meaningful smile.