Chapter 41

"Come and eat!"

Aunt Qiao's voice carried for two miles, and the people who were working hurriedly wiped their sweat and ran over. After yesterday's experience, everyone had learned to queue up, even Uncle Wu, who had just arrived, was no exception. He held a large, coarse porcelain bowl, craning his neck in anticipation and swallowing his saliva.

"What did you make? It smells so good!"

Ma Biao, who was following behind, laughed and said, "We had mutton yesterday, and it's probably the same today. I saw them catch a lot of fish!"

Wu Boyan shook his head, "Just because they caught them doesn't mean they'll give them to us. Live fish in winter are very valuable. They might sell them all in the market. I'll be happy if I get some dried fish."

Ma Biao didn't see it that way, "Brother Wu, our official is a good man and generous. I'm sure he won't let us down."

As they spoke, they reached the stove. Aunt Qiao, along with a dozen sturdy women, was serving food and calling out.

"Today we have fish soup, freshly caught from the ice holes, lively and tender! Also, the leftover lamb bones from yesterday were simmered for two hours and added to the soup. Try it quickly!"

Wu Boyan's eyes widened, and saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth.

"Wow, it's really fish soup, and with lamb bones? Fish and lamb together make it so fresh. What a treat!"

Wu Boyan exclaimed in surprise, finally reaching the front. Seeing his thin figure, Aunt Qiao specially scooped a fish head for him. But when she looked back, the rice in the pot was all gone. She said apologetically, "Wait a bit, it will be ready soon!"

"No need!" Wu Boyan saw the scorched rice crusts by the pot and quickly grabbed several pieces, running off. The aroma of the fish soup, paired with the scorched rice, was the best delicacy in the world.

Wu Boyan chewed the delicious food, tears welling up in his eyes.

"So good, if I could eat this every day, I'd do anything!"

"Ha ha ha, Brother Wu, how could a meal win you over so easily?" Yue Zixuan laughed, sitting opposite Wu Boyan and snatching a piece of scorched rice, crunching it loudly.

Wu Boyan rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Brother Yue, don't misunderstand. A meal shows a person's heart. Lord Zhang treats us well, and it's only right to serve him."

Yue Zixuan nodded, "You're right. Our lord is not only good to everyone but also very smart. I never thought he could build the wall overnight, and now we don't have to fear bandits anymore!"

At this, not just Yue Zixuan, but everyone looked at Zhang Ke with admiration.

Yesterday, Zhang Ke and Qiao Tieshan had discussed how to repair the wall. With over a thousand people, without a protective layer, bandits and even wild animals could enter freely. Building the wall was the most urgent task, but the cold weather and lack of materials left everyone at a loss.

Zhang Ke paced back and forth, suddenly noticing some children playing in the snow, building snowmen. Seeing them, Zhang Ke had an idea.

"Uncle Qiao, what if we build a wall with snow?"

Qiao Tieshan almost fell over. Was Zhang Ke crazy? A wall of snow would collapse with a single breath, how could it protect anyone?

Not just Qiao Tieshan, but everyone else was incredulous.

"Uncle Qiao, I promise to surprise you!"

Zhang Ke was determined. He made a mold with wooden boards, poured in clear water, and within an hour, it froze into a large ice block.

"Done!" Zhang Ke said excitedly, "Xiao Xue, help me lift it up!"

Xiao Xue nodded and helped lift the ice block, which was about half a meter square, like a brick. Zhang Ke examined it, tapping it with his hand, and it was solid.

Zhang Ke suddenly grabbed an iron pick, used both arms, and struck it hard. Ice crystals flew everywhere, covering his neck and face. Xiao Xue, worried, ran over, brushing off the ice chips and said reproachfully, "Brother Ke, look, your neck is all wet. Go warm up inside."

Zhang Ke, oblivious, knelt in front of the ice block, examining the marks left by the pick. It had penetrated about three inches deep, and many cracks appeared, allowing large pieces of ice to be easily broken off. Zhang Ke struck it again, and the ice block shattered, leaving fragments on the ground.

"No, no, it won't work!"

"Brother Ke, what won't work?"

Zhang Ke smiled bitterly, "Xiao Xue, I wanted to use ice blocks to fill the gaps in the wall, but they are too brittle and won't protect us from bandits."

Xiao Xue, seeing Zhang Ke so troubled, mustered the courage to ask, "Brother Ke, is it that important?"

"Of course, without the wall, bandits can attack at any time. We won't be able to live in He Wan Village, and I'll have to return to Da Qing Fort in disgrace."

Xiao Xue frowned slightly and said softly, "Brother Ke, it doesn't seem difficult!"

"Not difficult?" Zhang Ke's eyes widened, "Xiao Xue, do you have a solution?"

Xiao Xue's face turned red, and she nodded, "I think it will work, Brother Ke, wait a moment."

Xiao Xue ran into the house, brought out a bundle of straw, set up the mold, and scattered the straw inside. She then started pouring water. The rest of the process was similar to what Zhang Ke had done, and after an hour, the water froze solid.

Together, they lifted the ice block. Zhang Ke struck it with the iron pick, and only a few ice crystals flew out. Zhang Ke's eyes lit up, and he struck it a few more times, leaving only faint marks without any cracks. Still unsure, he picked up a hammer and struck it several times, causing his wrist to ache, but only a small corner of the ice block chipped off.

Zhang Ke was finally reassured. He threw the hammer and hugged Xiao Xue's waist.

"Xiao Xue, you're truly my female Zhuge Liang. Tell me, how did you come up with such a good idea?"

Xiao Xue's face turned red, and she giggled, "Brother Ke, it's not that special. People add hemp to mud to make it stronger, and if they don't have hemp, they add straw. I thought if adding straw to mud makes it stronger, the same should apply to ice! Brother Ke, you didn't think of it because you haven't seen mud mixed with straw."

Zhang Ke's face turned red. He had seen mud mixed with straw, but it was cement!

"Xiao Xue, you've done a great job. A kiss as a reward!" Zhang Ke gently kissed her red lips and whispered in her ear, "Thank you!"

Zhang Ke turned and hurried away, and Xiao Xue smiled dreamily, "Finally, I can help Brother Ke!"

...

Zhang Ke called Qiao Tieshan and the others over and explained his plan. Qiao Tieshan slapped his thigh.

"I'm so stupid, how could I not think of such a simple solution!"

Yue Zixuan also said, "Lord, should we start making ice bricks to fill the wall gaps?"

"No need for that!" Qiao Tieshan laughed, "Adding straw to the ice makes it stronger, and the same applies to other materials. We'll cut some trees, make a double-layered fence with a gap of about ten feet in the middle. Then we'll chisel ice from the river, place the ice blocks in the middle as the wall, and fill the gaps with paper strips, then pour water. Once it freezes, we'll have a wall!"

"Brilliant, so brilliant!" Yue Zixuan jumped excitedly. These people had suffered from persecution and longed for a safe home. Building a wall of ice, as high and thick as they wanted, would ensure their safety for the winter.

Zhang Ke underestimated the people's desire for safety. They didn't want to waste a single night. The young and strong were divided into two groups, one to cut trees and the other to fetch ice from the river.

The elderly, women, and children, as long as they could move, didn't sit idle. They wove branches into fences to seal the gaps in the wall.

The men shouted in unison, carrying heavy ice blocks to the wall's foundation. Special teams poured water regularly, and they worked through the night. Almost a thousand people didn't sleep, and each time a gap was filled, Yue Zixuan would strike it with an axe, causing ice chips to fly, but the ice wall was even stronger than expected. Any damage could be quickly repaired with a bucket of water.

While chiseling ice from the river, they had an unexpected surprise. There were many fat fish under the ice, perhaps suffocated, and they jumped out on their own. Hu Zi led a group of boys to collect fish, and they gathered at least three hundred pounds in one night, providing a delicious fish soup.

After lunch, everyone prepared to finish the wall in one go. Without a sense of security, they couldn't sleep well!

At this moment, a convoy arrived outside the village, led by Wan Bai Chuan.

Following Zhang Ke's list, he started purchasing from yesterday. He didn't know that Qiao Gui had already bought many items, and prices had risen. He spent all his 180 taels of silver and had to mortgage 50 acres of land to gather enough supplies for Zhang Ke.

Seeing He Wan Village from a distance, Wan Bai Chuan almost fainted. He was responsible for relocating the villagers and knew that just a few days ago, He Wan Village was in ruins. Now, it had a tall wall, even more impressive than Da Qing Fort. Soldiers patrolled the wall, and the village was bustling with activity, everyone working hard.

Seeing this, Wan Bai Chuan felt more pain than losing silver and land. He was jealous to the point of madness!

He wasn't a fool. Getting these villagers to follow orders in such a short time was no easy feat!

Zhang Ke was cunning, and with Wang Huazhen as his backer, he had all the advantages. If he continued to develop, he would surely come after him. Wan Bai Chuan imagined Zhang Ke holding his precious son hostage and threatening him. What would a desperate man with power do? It was obvious!

Wan Bai Chuan grew more and more afraid. Such a formidable enemy must be eliminated quickly. It was a matter of life and death. He clenched his teeth and thought, "Zhang Er, don't think having a backer will protect you. If you leave Da Qing Fort, you're asking for death!"

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