Chapter 72

Don't underestimate this concept. In ancient times, almost every dynasty's peasant uprising had a slogan. Shouting the slogan once might not be very effective, but after ten or a hundred times, it would deeply resonate with people, and they would firmly believe in it.

The best at shouting slogans should be Li Zicheng, the Chuanwang of the late Ming Dynasty. After Gao Yingxiang's death, Li Zicheng succeeded as Chuanwang. In the following years, Li Zicheng suffered consecutive defeats under the Ming army's encirclement and suppression, and the situation was extremely dire. However, once he shouted the slogan "Equal Land, No Taxes," he quickly became the most powerful leader of the uprising. The phrase "Welcome Chuanwang, no taxes when Chuanwang comes" was known even to a three-year-old child. Due to the people's support, Li Zicheng eventually overthrew the Ming Dynasty.

Following the adults means there will be meat to eat. This is still a vague concept for the people of Xishan Village. As long as Lin Bei continues to do this, this concept will also become deeply ingrained. When that happens, the people of Xishan Village will surely support Lin Bei with all their might. They might even build a temple for Lin Bei and worship him as a living god.

However, that's for the future. People definitely won't think that far ahead. For now, once this group returned to Xishan Village, they naturally told the villagers about their experiences today. Hearing that the adults had invited them to a feast, and that it included meat, the construction of the school immediately became a desirable task. The villagers flocked to An Zhongzhi, expressing their desire to participate in the construction, to contribute to the school. In short, they wanted a good meal. Because there were so many people, An Zhongzhi couldn't even go home.

Bian Fuzi and Cui Lan's ox cart entered Xishan Village as the sky was darkening. Several people accompanied them, led by a fat man with a round face and a broad body, who had a very friendly smile. Behind him, Zhen Ba carefully followed. This person was Zhen Ding, the true mastermind behind the Zhen family's branch in Nanyue. The others were the branch's guards.

The Zhen family was the top grain merchant in Central Plains. In the small region of Nanyue, Zhen Ding rarely appeared in public, mostly dealing with local gentry and officials to expand the Zhen family's network. This time, he came to Xishan Village because Zhen Ba had informed him of the real dragon in Xishan Village.

Zhen Ding then invited Bian Fuzi with a name card. From Bian Fuzi, Zhen Ding finally confirmed that the story of the dragon was not baseless. Although it was still hard to believe, it made Zhen Ding determined to come to Xishan Village personally to meet the dragon that Bian Fuzi spoke of.

Zhen Ding thought Xishan Village would be desolate, but when he entered, he was surprised to see that it was still so lively so late at night. Torches burned brightly, illuminating the entire village. People gathered in groups, and in the center, a large crowd had formed. In Hepu County, a curfew was enforced at night, and this scene was the first Zhen Ding had ever seen.

"Master, your Xishan Village is quite populous. What are they gathered for so late at night?"

Bian Ji didn't know either, so he couldn't answer. However, many of the villagers were sharp-eyed and had already spotted Cui Lan, immediately surrounding her.

"Cui Lan, you're finally back."

"Cui Lan, this trip must have been tiring. Come to my house and rest. My daughter Xiuer misses you so much and always wants to talk to you."

"Cui Lan, my house is closer. Come to my house and have some water."

The villagers' enthusiasm made Zhen Ding widen his eyes, looking at Cui Lan with suspicion. He wondered why he hadn't noticed that this Cui family girl was more popular than the scholar Bian Ji. Zhen Ba quickly leaned in and whispered a few words to Zhen Ding, who then changed his expression, glaring at Zhen Ba angrily for not telling him about this important matter. Zhen Ba had been very enthusiastic towards Bian Fuzi but had almost ignored Cui Lan, which was a mistake on Zhen Ding's part.

Just as he was about to say something to make amends, a voice called out, "Cui Lan, you're finally back."

An Zhongzhi ran over, and Cui Lan bowed. An Zhongzhi, ignoring the formalities, stood next to Cui Lan and pointed at her, saying, "Villagers, tell Cui Lan what you need."

Cui Lan thought it might be about catching locusts. Then she heard a familiar villager step forward, almost reaching Cui Lan's side, "Cui Lan, can my family participate in the construction of the school tomorrow?"

"Ah?" Not about catching locusts? Building the school?

The people around her shouted, "Cui Lan, my family can send one person to build the school."

"Cui Lan, my family's Daniu is always strong. He should participate in this."

"Cui Lan, my family's Guihua is a woman, but you know she can carry and lift. At the very least, she can cook for everyone. Can Guihua participate in the school construction?"

Cui Lan was taken aback, and so was Bian Fuzi. At this moment, shouldn't everyone be more concerned about catching locusts? Why do they all want to build the school?

An Zhongzhi, on the other hand, felt relieved. He had almost gone crazy answering these people's questions. Now that the villagers' attention was on Cui Lan, he felt a bit disappointed but also somewhat proud. However, An Zhongzhi still had a conscience and quietly told Bian Ji and Cui Lan about what happened today. Only then did they understand that these people wanted to build the school because of the feast the adults had provided.

"Too unambitious." Cui Lan thought, but remembering the delicious roasted meat, her stomach growled. "It's just that the adults are too generous." Cui Lan rarely complained about Lin Bei.

Cui Lan was not stupid and didn't dare to promise lightly. She smiled and said, "Villagers, I just returned from the county and haven't even had a drink of water. Let me rest at home first, and we can discuss this later, okay?"

"Come to my house and rest."

"Come to my house and have some water."

"Cui Lan, my house is right up ahead. Come to my house."

Cui Lan's smile remained unchanged, "Villagers, don't worry. I will definitely come up with a plan. Let me go home first, okay?"

With Cui Lan saying this, the villagers didn't block her, but they followed her, determined to resolve this matter tonight, or they wouldn't be able to sleep.

Logically, catching five liters of locusts could exchange for a wild rabbit or a mountain chicken, so the construction of the school shouldn't be a big concern for the villagers. However, catching locusts is something even a three-year-old can do, while building a school requires strong labor. Most families have both young and old. If the strong labor builds the school and the young catch locusts, wouldn't that be better?

Moreover, strong labor usually eats more. In times of prolonged drought, it's better to save where possible. Eating at someone else's expense is worry-free.

PS: Thank you to the generous donations from Mu Mu Hezi, Battle Hero, Fengzhiyi Hua, and Xinshui Wuchen. I appreciate your support. Please recommend and follow the story. Thank you again.

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