Chapter 30. Developing The Mountain.

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“Xiao Li, you said male fifty copper coins, and female thirty-five copper coins, is this true?” Some villagers saw Du Xiao Li and asked.

They came because they heard there was money. If there’s no money, then they’ll just have to go back.

Du Xiao Li smiled and said, “Of course it’s true. Everyday, when finished, I’ll give you all the money. However, if there’s anyone that purposefully doesn’t work hard and slack off, then I won’t give that much money.”

“Xiao Li, rest a.s.sured, everyone’s all fellow villagers, we won’t cheat you.” Shi Da said.

“Alright, then I’ll explain my request. Have the weeds on this mountaintop eliminated, and also have the earth tilled. Afterwards, dig a fifty to sixty centimeter deep and fifty to sixty centimeter wide hole every two meters. The dug out dirt can just be piled to the side.”

“Just this simple? Work one day, and there’ll be fifty copper coins?” Qiao Mai’s younger brother Qiao Mi asked.

(T/N: Wheat’s(Mai) little brother is rice(Mi)….)

“Yes. From the second period of Chen to the start of Wu. In the afternoon, Wei to first period of You. At noon, you all can return home to rest. Everyday, I’ll record the names of the people who come. And when done, I’ll pay out the wages according to the recorded names. That’s why, after you all come, don’t forget to come to me to register your name. Right now, let’s start.” Du Xiao Li asked someone to move out the table, and then afterwards, brought out the brush and ink. She recorded the names one by one, and when she finished, even called out the names, making sure no one was overlooked, before finally letting them began working.

(T/N: Time in ancient times were divided into two-hour subdivisions; Chen is 7-9AM, so the second period is 8AM; Wu is 11AM-1PM; Wei is 1-3PM; You 5-7PM)

The news of Du Xiao Li hiring people for work very soon spread throughout the village. Everyone was very curious as to what she wanted to do. However, no one knew.

Because Du Xiao Li did according to her words and would pay the villagers every day, the next day, the people that came increased. Very soon, the mountaintop her house was located on was rid of more than half its gra.s.s.

“Girl, what are you doing here? Digging this many holes, a perfectly fine mountain got turned into this by you.” Han Ming Yi came over with Leng Yi and the others. Leng Er saw the mountain filled with holes, and curiously asked.

“You won’t understand even if I tell you. There’ll be a time when you’ll know.” Du Xiao Li gave herself a straw hat to wear, and stood inside a hole. A full-fledged countryside girl!

“If you don’t say, how would you know I won’t understand?” Leng Er retorted.

“First, let’s not talk about this. Do you know how to look for water?” Du Xiao Li asked.

“Fengshui?” Leng Er shook his head and said, “Why would we know that kind of thing.”

“Not fengshui, but looking for water source.” Du Xiao Li said.

Leng Er still shook his head.

Shi Er, who was working nearby, heard Du Xiao Li’s words and said, “Xiao Li, you want to find a water source?”

“That’s right, I want to dig a pond atop the mountain.” Du Xiao Li said.

“Go find Qiao Er, Qiao Er knows how to find a water source.” Shi Er said.

(T/N: Fairly certain Qiao Er and Qiao Mi are same person, since the address Qiao Er is like calling him ‘Qiao number two’, cause he’s the younger brother. That said the same logic is applied to all the characters with ‘Er’ in their name so far.)

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