Chapter 685: Chapter 495 Meiling’s Edge
News reached Huaxi Village that day while Feng Yun was by the lotus pond, watching Xu Sis teaching the villagers how to plant lotus roots.
The weather was warm, and the pondside was crowded with onlookers, men and women, young and old. They seemed unaffected by the war, their faces filled with joy, doing what they should do without ever neglecting the farming work...
Because under the Great Pagoda Tree in the village, there were constantly notices reminding of military, neighborhood, and village affairs.
As long as they followed instructions, they could do no wrong.
Unconsciously, Huaxi people became more reliant on Changmen...
And they became even more willing and obedient towards Feng Yun.
So, when the news of Zheng Shoushan’s surrender came, the villagers’ first thought was of Feng Yun.
"It’s all thanks to the mistress’s foresight with that coal delivery of two hundred thousand carts. If I were Zheng Shoushan, I would rather be delivering coal than stealing it..."
"Indeed, it’s also due to the mistress’s divine strategizing, seeing through Zheng Shoushan and Li Zongxun’s tricky business early on."
The villagers shared in the glory, their voices echoing back and forth...
All were elated and encouraged by the sudden turnaround of the war situation.
Feng Yun had received the news earlier than they had, so the thrill and excitement had already passed for her.
She cleared her throat lightly, "Stop praising me and get on with the important tasks at hand."
Instantly, silence fell upon the group.
The people looked at her intently, waiting for her to give directions.
Feng Yun couldn’t help but smile.
"What are you all looking at me for? Continue," she said.
Yang, one of the heads, said, "Isn’t the mistress going to give us a talk?"
Feng Yun looked at his eager eyes and couldn’t help but smile.
She just didn’t want to listen to so many people praising her in person; she found it very unnecessary...
"I know nothing about waging war, what talk can I give? I would rather watch you plant the lotus roots."
The crowd burst into laughter.
The mistress was approachable and modest, without a hint of pretentiousness.
She had accomplished such a great feat without seeking any credit.
Feng Yun glanced over and saw the villagers’ longing looks, knowing they were in high spirits, and she laughed softly.
"Indeed, there is one thing I do want to discuss with everyone."
The people immediately perked up their ears.
She said, "It’s been a while since I’ve called everyone together for a meeting. Considering the good news we’ve just received, let’s do it tomorrow. Each family should send at least one person to meet under the Great Pagoda Tree. We need to select a new Village Chief for Huaxi so they can attend to everyone’s needs."
As the Township Chief, it was her responsibility to recommend the Village Chief.
Whoever she named was the chosen one.
But Feng Yun didn’t do that, instead using a more likable approach—letting the whole village feel involved.
The candidates were her suggestion.
To be chosen from among the various heads.
Unsurprisingly, the outcome was as Feng Yun had anticipated.
The villagers unanimously agreed that Yang, one of the heads, should take over as the Village Chief.
When she wasn’t in Huaxi, most village affairs were handled by Yang Tiezhu, who also had the closest dealings with Changmen and was trusted by the villagers.
After Yang Tiezhu took office, he immediately proposed that Xu wife of Xing Bing, replace him as one of the heads and also serve as the village Officer, effectively the deputy to the Village Chief.
His suggestion was unanimously approved by Feng Yun and the villagers alike.
But Xu Sis was overwhelmed by the favor and kept shaking her hands, not daring to accept.
"I am just a woman of the household; how can I handle such big affairs? I can’t do it, I really can’t..."
Yang Tiezhu said, "Xu Sis, there’s no need for such modesty. If the mistress can be the Township Chief, why can’t you be the Officer?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Sis thought, indeed.
The mistress was also a woman.
She just needed to follow the example.
"Then I..." Xu Sis looked around at everyone, "shall I do it?"
Feng Yun smiled slightly, "You can do it."
Xu Sis giggled, feeling incredibly light-hearted, her steps almost floaty as she walked.
Before Changmen existed, even though Xing Bing was a Military Officer in Prefecture Governor Feng Jingteng’s Office, hardworking, enduring in labor, and kind to her, their life was quite comfortable...
But it was nothing compared to the happiness she felt now.
Before, she was just Xing Bing’s wife, the main housekeeper; no matter how well she did, nobody would look up to her.
Now in Huaxi Village, it was different.
As long as you had the ability, no matter if you were male or female, old or young, you could be entrusted with responsibilities.
More people respected her here.
She never dreamed of such good things happening, one after another, at Changmen.
Xu Sis, filled with joy, returned to the estate and brought a generous gift to thank Feng Yun.
"Without the mistress’s help, we three in the family wouldn’t have today. My husband’s father was right; the mistress is our family’s great benefactor."
With that, she knelt down on both knees, wanting to offer a grand kowtow to Feng Yun.
"Xu Sis," Feng Yun called out to her, lifting her up, "You’ve also helped me a great deal. Should I also kneel down?"
