"Ninth Sister Yang, Lizheng and I would like to go back and discuss with the Clan Leader and the Elders, and give you an answer tomorrow. How does that sound?" The gravity of the situation meant the village chief and Lizheng dared not make the decision alone.

Yang Mengchen smiled and nodded. With the precedent set by Fu Shangkuan and considering it was a good thing that benefited the village, she was certain the Clan Leader and others would agree.

After bidding their farewells, the village chief and Lizheng hurried off to consult with the Clan Leader and the Elders, and the rest of the villagers also departed.

The next morning, just after Yang Mengchen and others had finished breakfast, the Clan Leader arrived in person with many people, confirming Yang Mengchen's prediction. They agreed to construct the water canal and repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Yang Mengchen for always considering the villagers' interests.

Yang Mengchen and Yang Chengning, leaving Sister Jin and others behind, led Hai Tang, Qing Qing, Jing Feng, Xiao Hongtao and his servants, the village chief, Lizheng, and a group of young and strong men to check the situation on the ground, which proved to be exactly as Yang Mengchen had described.

"When we return, I'll draw up a blueprint for you. First, build the village's water canal according to the blueprint. Only at the end dig the area between the two mountains.

You must build the canal as I instruct and use only cement and strip stones to prevent any future floods from Wujin River from affecting the village," Yang Mengchen instructed the village chief and Lizheng on the way down the mountain. "I will arrange to have cement delivered. You can pay later when you have the money. Don't worry; I will settle with you at cost price."

"Thank you, Ninth Sister Yang!" said the village chief and Lizheng, both happy and grateful.

They knew cement was a precious commodity, and not only was Ninth Sister Yang offering it at cost price, she was also willing to let them pay later when they had the money, which naturally filled them with endless gratitude.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Hongtao asked Yang Mengchen, "Chenchen, since the Wujin River's water level is clearly lower than the land between the two mountains, how can we lead the river water into the canal?"

"I'll go home and ask Old Hai. He is highly knowledgeable and has seen much of the world; he should have a way to solve it," Yang Mengchen replied with a smile.

Noticing Yang Mengchen glance at the village chief and Lizheng, Xiao Hongtao immediately realized his faux pas. Ever since he had seen the site, he had been racking his brains over the issue of water diversion. Hearing Chenchen's response unintentionally prompted him to voice his own concerns, forgetting that the village chief and Lizheng were still present.

Fortunately, Chenchen was clever; otherwise, they would have given themselves away.

"Chenchen is absolutely right. Old Hai is indeed well-read and will surely think of a good solution."

The village chief and Lizheng, not picking up on the interaction between the two, had no doubts about the words of Yang Mengchen and Xiao Hongtao, given that they had heard about Old Hai's good education.

Yang Mengchen continued with a smile, "Later, arrange for some people to come over. I'll teach them to recognize and categorize herbs. The herbs picked in the future can be sent to the pharmaceutical factory. I will settle with you three wen money more per jin than the market price, which should help supplement your household income somewhat.

However, when going up the mountain to pick herbs, you must always go in groups, never alone, to prevent accidents."

The village chief and Lizheng nodded repeatedly.

"I see that there are quite a few 'iron sticks' in the village that are about to mature. In a while, I'll have someone notify you. Then you can bring those 'iron sticks' to my place. Of course, I'll pay you in silver coins, but be sure to keep the seedlings and ideally plant them in the wasteland too. I will purchase them in large amounts every year."

"What do you want those 'iron sticks' for?" Seeing Yang Mengchen look toward him, the village chief quickly explained, "Ninth Sister Yang, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to pry into anything. It's just that those 'iron sticks' are usually not very useful. We generally use the leaves to feed the livestock, and the sticks for firewood. I don't want you to waste your money."

"I have a use for them, so grow them with confidence," Yang Mengchen said with a smile.

Understanding that Ninth Sister Yang had the intention of supporting their village, the village chief and Lizheng felt profoundly grateful and naturally refrained from asking any more questions.

"The day after tomorrow, I will send the children to the Academy for classes, and as for the Shuxiu fees, I will have someone return them to you in full."

"No..."

"Your village has just experienced a catastrophe; that money could at least help sustain your livelihood." Yang Mengchen swiftly interrupted the Clan Leader and Lizheng who were about to refuse, and clearly stated, "It's just for these few months that the Shuxiu fees will be waived, next term I will collect them as usual."

The Clan Leader and Lizheng had tears swirling in their eyes, "Thank you, Ninth Sister Yang, thank you!" Even a thousand words couldn't fully express the gratitude they felt in their hearts towards Ninth Sister Yang.

Xiao Hongtao was brimming with pride, Mengchen was indeed intelligent, capable, kindhearted, and benevolent, and moreover she was his lucky star.

Back at the ancestral hall, Yang Mengchen buried herself in drafting blueprints, Xiao Hongtao returned to his room to deal with official documents, and the Clan Leader and Lizheng went to convey Yang Mengchen's intentions. After eating lunch, they arranged for more than twenty young men and women to come over, and the doctor from Jinquan Village, Doctor Ye, also arrived.

Yang Mengchen first explained the matters of constructing the water channels to the Clan Leader and others, and after they left, she took out the herbs she picked in the morning, divided them into several portions, then divided the twenty-something people into four groups.

Yang Mengchen, Yang Chengning, Hai Tang, and Bai He each led a group, beginning to teach the four groups how to recognize and sort the herbs, with all groups attentively learning.

Doctor Ye occasionally asked Yang Mengchen some questions. Yang Mengchen did not keep any secrets and patiently answered them, from which Doctor Ye benefited greatly.

He also came to hold great respect for Yang Mengchen, for as the saying goes, 'A master who teaches their apprentice starves themself,' and there are few in the world like Ninth Sister Yang who so selflessly impart their skills to others; at least he would not do so.

With matters in Jinquan Village well arranged, Yang Mengchen had no reason to stay any longer and prepared to leave after breakfast the next morning.

Upon hearing the news, all the Jinquan villagers rushed over, each with tears in their eyes, kneeling to see her off.

"Everyone, please stand up." Yang Mengchen helped the Clan Leader to his feet and with a gentle scan of the crowd, she spoke softly, "As long as you all support and care for each other in a united and harmonious neighborhood, and life keeps getting better, that will be the greatest and the best reward for me. If there is anything, you can come to me, and I'll do my utmost to help."

All were touched to tears and unanimously agreed to follow Yang Mengchen's words.

"If you've made up your mind, come find me in Yangliu Village." Yang Mengchen looked at Hu Yueru.

The previous afternoon, Hu Yueru's elder brother and sister-in-law came to her, stating that Hu Yueru had agreed to divorce Dai Qiangsheng. She relayed this to Uncle Xiao, who immediately sent Wei Lin back to the County Office to retrieve the divorce agreement signed by Dai Qiangsheng.

After dinner, she visited Hu Yueru, whose mood had significantly improved.

Regarding her suggestion for Hu Yueru to work in the factory, Hu Yueru expressed that she needed to think about it. She also handed over more than twenty taels of silver, asking her to pass it on to the Clan Leader, stating it was Dai Qiangsheng's compensation to the villagers, along with a house.

She asked the Clan Leader to make arrangements for people in need to live there, as she would be returning to her maternal family with her brother and sister-in-law.

Hu Yueru nodded, holding back tears.

The Jinquan villagers followed behind the carriage, seeing her off for a good while; if it wasn't for Yang Mengchen's repeated dissuasion, they would probably have escorted them all the way home.

Passing through Sweet Water Village, Yang Mengchen noticed villagers watering a plant she'd never seen before, and she instructed Qing Qing to stop the carriage. She asked one of the villagers warmly, "What is this?"

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