Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C276. Handling of the Sixth Prince.

Chapter 276: Handling of the Sixth Prince

This was already their final resting place after moving several times, Elder Tao was not willing to miss this opportunity that could help the children survive. But if the price was losing even this last place of refuge...

Elder Tao felt a bitterness in his heart. He didn't need to discuss it with everyone, he knew that everyone would be willing to bear the consequences.

Just as he was about to tell Liu Da that he agreed, he heard the young but experienced half-grown child say, "I quite like this stone mountain, but my Lu family will never do something that cuts off people's paths. So, I have some connections in Li County. If Elder Tao agrees, I can arrange for you to move to Li County to live. Of course, if you don't want to go to Li County, but prefer to go elsewhere, you can also suggest it. As long as it is within our acceptable range, I will try to accommodate your preferences."

The Sixth Prince was wary of Elder Tao making excessive demands, but Elder Tao had not even considered that direction at all. His mind was blank at the moment.

Move to Li County?

Live there?

Was it to temporarily live there until all the stones were dug up, and then return?

Even though he knew that it would be unbearable to return to Ling Village after living in that kind of place, Elder Tao could not refuse this proposal. They were too eager to live that kind of life, they wanted it too much.

He tightly grasped Liu Da's hand and said a few words in dialect. Liu Da, suppressing the pain in his arm, said to the Sixth Prince, "Tao Laoda wants to know how long they can stay in Li County, and also, if they can let the children stay behind when the time comes. As long as you let the children stay, the entire Ling Village is willing to work as laborers to dig stones for you."

Pause, Liu Da added a sentence that Elder Tao did not say, "They have lived on this land for many years, dealing with these stones all year round. Letting them do it will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort, and it will also save a lot of money for Mr. Lu. I wonder..."

Liu Da couldn't say the rest of the words. He didn't understand big principles, but he understood that there's no such thing as a free lunch. This way of doing things was the most compassionate he had ever seen. If it were someone else, they probably wouldn't have given Elder Tao and the others a choice.

They were just a group of poor villagers, so what could they do even if they were driven away?

But Mr. Lu and the others didn't do that. He was also afraid that saying too much would provoke their resentment and retract all the benefits promised.

Seeing Elder Tao, who was eagerly waiting, the Sixth Prince felt extremely uncomfortable. He swallowed hard to ease the sourness in his throat and nodded, "This deal is very important to me. If the people of Ling Village are willing to help, it's even better. As for letting the children stay behind..."

A hint of softness unknowingly manifested in the Sixth Prince's smile, "I will find a way to have you settle in Li County, and you will live there in the future. It's also better for the children to be with their families, don't you think?"

Elder Tao's throat visibly rolled up and down, not daring to believe his widened eyes. He almost thought he was dreaming, slapped himself hard, it hurt, it was real, the people in front of him were not his imagination, this was real, it was real!

Hua Zhi looked away, her heart trembling slightly. Even in her hardest times, she had never truly experienced hardship, but these people had been enduring it for generations. When a real opportunity came, their first reaction was disbelief. In the end, it was the Daqing Dynasty that had let them down.

Elder Tao stood up and knelt straight towards the Sixth Prince, choking up as he said a few words in dialect.

Liu Da smiled and translated for him, "Tao Laoda said they are willing. He represents all 413 people in Ling Village and bows to you."

The Sixth Prince stepped forward and helped the man up. "This is only what I should do," he said.

As a prince of the Great Daqing Dynasty, this was his duty. The Sixth Prince turned to look at Sister Hua.

Was this what she wanted him to see?

He thought he understood her intentions.

Meeting Sister Hua's encouraging gaze, the Sixth Prince pursed his lips and turned back to face the village Elder Tao. "I'll have someone handle the affairs in Li County. At the very latest, we'll have results in three days. You should prepare yourselves. We'll move out of this place soon."

"Thank you for your kindness," the elder replied.

Gu Yanxi suddenly spoke up, "We'd like to take a look around Lingzhou. Could Elder Tao please show us the way?"

Elder Tao had no objections. After a few words with Liu Da, he quickly went out. Soon, they heard the deep sound of a bell, followed by Tao's voice.

Liu Da translated, "Elder Tao said he'll tell the people of Ling Village this good news and then come to guide you. He's talking to the villagers now, telling them to pack their belongings."

Hua Zhi felt quite favorably towards this man. "Do you know which part of Li County is suitable for settling them?"

Liu Da was taken aback. That wasn't his place to decide.

Seeing his hesitation, Hua Zhi smiled, "Just tell us as it is. We're not familiar with Li County. If the officials arrange for them to go to another remote and impoverished place, what's the difference between that and staying here in Lingzhou?"

"Even the most remote and impoverished places in Li County are better than this Ling Village," Liu Da instinctively defended his hometown. Thinking that they were outsiders, it would be easy for the officials to deceive them. "The villages under our Xi Xiu Town are all quite good. If they settle in a place surrounded by mountains and water, they'll be able to make a living. Moreover, it's not far from Lingzhou. It'll be convenient for them to come here for work in the future."

Hua Zhi nodded slightly, "Xiao Liu, remember this place. Go and take a look yourself later. We need to see this through to the end. Don't think that you can just leave this matter to your subordinates."

"Yes, I'll personally handle it," he replied.

Liu Da couldn't help but take a few more glances at the beautiful young woman. He was surprised that she was someone who could make decisions in this line of work.

Elder Tao returned shortly after, his dark face radiant. His eyes were more lively, and he seemed even more respectful towards the group. However, they still couldn't understand his words, so Liu Da continued to translate. As he followed, he felt quite pleased with himself. After all, he had played a part in this matter.

Along the way, Liu Da listened to Elder Tao's words and introduced the surroundings to them, "There are many stone mountains like this one, but the best one is the one they used to build their houses. If you want high-quality stones, you'll have to dig here. The ground beneath this stone mountain is also full of these stones. That flat land ahead is a swamp. You can't walk on it. If you get stuck, you won't be able to get out. There are several places like this. Tao Laoda said he will have people put up some warnings to prevent you from getting into trouble..."

The group did not interrupt, simply listening to the two men, one speaking and the other translating. They gradually gained a better understanding of this place and realized the harshness of the living environment. Yet, the people of Lingzhou had survived and thrived here for over a hundred years.