Free Web NovelChapter 285: Chapter 285: Gu Li
Gu Li led the clan members in ceaseless busy work, and today, they finally managed to build each family’s house. Although they were simply constructed using physical strength, at least everyone had a place to stay.
Seeing the rain drifting outside, Gu Li felt a chill sweep over him, no different from the icy weather they had experienced on the way here.
"We can’t light a fire indoors, so even with the houses built, there’s still a long way to go in these tough days," Gu Baixi envied Kai Yuan now, thinking that no matter how people might scorn him for living off others, at least he wasn’t suffering hardships.
Even though he was exiled here, the Bai Family arranged his life clearly and thoughtfully.
"I think their heated kangs are pretty good, why don’t we go ask them about it?" Bai He tentatively suggested.
It’s not that they didn’t want to do this work, but they lacked the skill.
"Dad, if you find it hard to ask, we’ll go," Gu Baixi believed that given their relationship with Kai Yuan, they shouldn’t refuse.
"All of you, sit down," Gu Li tapped his cane, "There’s no need to spend meager influences on this matter.
The matter of heated kangs isn’t urgent right now. The silver given by Gu Baijiang is almost spent. We need a lot of farm tools to open up wasteland, and the silver we have can’t buy much. We still need to look for Gu Baijiang."
As soon as they heard the silver was running low, everyone couldn’t sit still, "Gu Baijiang promised compensation before, and you see them buying so many things, if they say there’s no silver, it wouldn’t make any sense."
"If it comes to it, isn’t there also Kai Yuan? Although things have changed, they are after all father and son. Debt should somehow be paid by the descendants, it’s not unreasonable to look for him." A jealous clan member said because, despite being part of the Gu Family, they felt it was unfair that the troublemakers were living well.
"We also find it reasonable, if Gu Baijiang can’t provide silver, then we’ll directly find Kai Yuan. This small amount of money, to him, is just a drop in the ocean.
His conscience should also acknowledge, he’s living well there while ignoring our life and death."
"Exactly..."
Gu Li knocked the ground with his stick, "Everyone quiet down, now Kai Yuan is already separate from the Gu Family, looking for him further is preposterous.
And don’t forget, Kai Yuan has helped us a lot before.
The food during your journey, the carts for hauling goods, even the blankets you’re using now, didn’t Kai Yuan think of ways to get them for you?
This isn’t something he owes you, it’s given freely, and you take advantage of it, wanting to bite the hand that fed you. When did you all start learning to be cold-hearted like Gu Baijiang?"
The crowd finally fell silent, yet the dissatisfaction in their eyes was still caught by Gu Li.
He could only sigh helplessly again, speaking earnestly, "Do you know where Kai Yuan’s current days are coming from? Don’t you understand?
Their lands and mountains are managed by his mother-in-law. With Kai Yuan’s relationship, if the Bai Family gives a little, it can solve our urgent problems. If you offend them now, who will dare help us in the future?
Moreover, what’s our status now? We are criminals. That maidservant and the young attendants beside Bai Suihe have civilian household registrations. If you dare to cause trouble, they can report to the officials, and I can’t save you."
These words indeed subdued everyone, even those who were impulsively hesitant at the moment stood down.
"Then let’s find Gu Baijiang," since they can’t offend Kai Yuan’s side, it’s better to look for the culprit.
Gu Li didn’t refuse, "Bai He, take a few brothers to visit, tell him I have something to discuss, and request him to come over as soon as possible."
"Dad, what if he doesn’t come?"
"Then bring him over." Gu Li looked at everyone, "As long as he is still part of the Gu Family, he must follow our rules.
If he doesn’t come, don’t blame me for dealing with him by clan rules."
The elderly sitting aside nodded one after another, agreeing, "Now settled down, we must reestablish the clan rules. We should reconstruct a room to house the ancestral tablets, we cannot let our ancestors lose incense because of us, the unfilial descendants."
They rushed to prison without being able to care for the ancestors’ tablets, which was a pain for them.
Even though Kai Yuan said there’s a turnaround for the Gu Family, and a chance to return to their homeland, it’s still an uncertainty, they’re relying on the old ancestors they left behind in the native land to protect them.
"That’s the reason," Gu Li thought of those ancestors, his tone also heavy, "It’s said Kai Yuan specifically built another small courtyard to place the tablets, my nephew is lucky, it’s considered having a legacy."
The scene was quiet, some even shed tears, unable to visit the ancestral graves during New Year, feeling they let the ancestors down.
"Don’t delay, first bring someone back, after handling this matter, everyone can focus on farming, no matter what, feeding ourselves comes first."
If no farming is done, there’s no harvest. Now even if some seeds are sown, relying on this area’s weather, there might be a little harvest by New Year.
"You women shouldn’t gather around here either," Gu Li glanced at the crowd encircling him, feeling somewhat troubled, "From what I heard from the village head, the upcoming weather might continue to be bad, even possibly snowing. You quickly go and search near the mountain foot to see if you can find some wild vegetables."
"Where are there wild vegetables at this time?" Someone muttered softly.
"Do you think this is like our nook, haven’t you seen the mountains still green, relying on the mountain should yield something to eat. If you’re unfamiliar, you can ask the locals."
"Will they tell us?" So many people competing for food with them, who’d be willing?
"That depends on your capability," Gu Li felt somewhat impatient, "Do you expect them to hold a bowl feeding you?
We’ve just arrived, act properly, even if they’re unwilling to tell you, you can’t have conflict.
Our ancestors were farmers, knowing what from the land is edible, isn’t this common sense for you?"
These fellows, upon arrival, turned restless.
Every household is rushing their wives, from today they must cook for themselves. If they don’t find more food now, they’ll starve themselves.
Once those women and children left, there were already fewer people remaining.
Only then did Gu Li continue, "I know all of you have personal thoughts, it’s understandable to prioritize your families now, but don’t forget, this place originally belongs to others, we can’t rely on numbers to stir trouble.
What Kai Yuan said about getting pardoned, is just his guess. We must prepare for the worst, and presently we need to integrate here quickly.
Return and restrain your families, however things were in the village, they should remain here."
