Qin Sang wasn't being alarmist; this was the truth.
"Moreover, our Tianjia Village has suffered almost no losses, and everyone still has some surplus grain. Those Government Soldiers need food and drink, so there's no guarantee they won't target us as wealthy households to be fleeced."
Heizi raised his hand in agreement with these words:
"Aunt is right. Not a single one of those officials is a good person. Back when I was one of the Local Ruffians, I still couldn't get enough to eat because the government office would take an eighty percent cut."
"They want to demand money from merchants and commoners but can't show their faces, so they have us do it."
"If we don't give it to them, they can lock us in the great prison."
"It's better to trust ourselves than those slippery officials."
With the inside story exposed by Heizi, everyone couldn't help but believe Qin Sang's analysis a bit more.
Furthermore, everyone now admired and trusted Qin Sang from the bottom of their hearts. They asked her for her opinion because they wanted her to give them peace of mind.
If she agreed to leave the mountains, everyone would naturally be overjoyed; if she felt it wasn't right, no one would object.
Qin Sang also knew that everyone couldn't stay in these mountains forever. Only with fields and land would You Di and You Gen truly have their roots. After thinking for a moment, she said:
"In another half a month, a few of us will go out of the mountains to check those two villages. We'll decide whether to leave the mountains then. Is that acceptable?"
Tian Yougen and the others all nodded:
"Alright, we'll do as Da Zhuangs Mother says."
Qin Sang breathed a sigh of relief. She was truly worried that the villagers would impatiently clamor to go down the mountain.
Her impression of the Daxing Dynasty's Government officials was truly at its lowest point.
It was broad daylight, but outside it was still raining heavily, with visibility less than ten meters.
Qin Sang stood in the Main Hall, looking outside with some concern, when a figure suddenly darted in, nearly colliding with her.
"Aunt."
Heizi stopped abruptly and called out with a grin. Qin Sang looked at him, drenched by the rain, and asked worriedly:
"Why haven't you gone to rest yet? Aren't you tired?"
Heizi gave a foolish smile and scratched his head:
"I'm not sleepy. Um, Aunt, are Brother Da Zhuang and the others back yet?"
Qin Sang shook her head:
"They should have returned when the rain stopped, but it hasn't let up. I was just thinking of riding a horse to pick them up."
Da Zhuang had been sent by Qin Sang to arrange for those women and children, along with Er Fu and several girls studying medicine. The forest wasn't safe. Qin Sang hadn't slept all night, waiting, but the rain hadn't stopped and was only getting heavier.
The smile on Heizi's face faded slightly:
"Aunt, I'll go. I'll go pick up Brother Da Zhuang and the others. I know the way well."
Qin Sang glanced at him, her gaze somewhat profound. She didn't answer but asked another question:
"You... seem to be a bit older than Da Zhuang, right?"
Heizi was stunned, a suspicious blush creeping onto his face. His hand scratching his head was frantic as he stammered:
"Is... is that so? I thought I..."
Qin Sang stopped teasing him and nodded:
"Alright, then take a few more people with you. When you get back, Aunt will give each of you ten copper coins."
Heizi tried to refuse:
"Aunt, there's no need..."
Qin Sang deliberately pulled a long face and said:
"If you don't want it, then I'll just go myself. I don't like owing favors."
Only then did Heizi compromise:
"Alright, Aunt, I'll go call the others now."
After saying that, he turned and rushed back into the rain.
Si Jin walked out of the room with a teasing smile on her face:
"Mother, Brother Heizi actually wants to pick up Second Sister, doesn't he?"
Qin Sang looked at her:
"How do you know that?"
Tian Sijin nodded and said confidently:
"Oh, these past few days when Brother Heizi came over to apply medicine and have his stitches removed, the way he looked at Second Sister was like... a fly."
"It's exactly the same way Eldest Brother looks at Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Brother looks at Third Sister-in-law."
"No, it's even more intense than Eldest Brother and Third Brother."
"I'm certain he likes Second Sister."
Qin Sang hadn't expected Si Jin, at only eleven years old, to notice Heizi's admiration for Er Fu. She had to admit, people in ancient times were truly precocious.
Since she had nothing to do while it rained, Qin Sang also felt like gossiping a bit:
"Then tell me, does your Second Sister have any feelings for him?"
After asking, Tian Sijin shook her head with a wry smile:
"No."
Qin Sang sighed:
"It seems we mother and daughter think alike. Your Second Sister currently only has medicine in her eyes and heart; she treats Heizi like any other patient."
"That's why I insisted on paying wages just now."
Tian Sijin grabbed Qin Sang's hand, her eyes sparkling:
"So, Mother, you think Brother Heizi is alright? Brother Heizi's family is very poor. Aren't you worried Second Sister will suffer if she marries him?"
Qin Sang smiled and said:
"Heizi's Grandma is kind and gentle, and his own character is fine. As for his family background—if he were heartless and unrighteous, how poor do you think he would be as the leader of the Local Ruffians?"
"I've already looked into it. Every one of Heizi's poor brothers received more money and food than he did."
"That's responsibility. A man who is motivated and responsible—no matter how poor he is, it's only temporary."
"Besides, Heizi has no parents, so your Second Sister would be the head of the household after moving there, without in-laws to constrain her."
"Finally, as long as your Second Sister is willing, do you think I won't have a way to make sure she lives a good life?"
Tian Sijin's eyes lit up:
"So, Mother values character more than family background? Even if there are no elders, it's fine?"
Qin Sang listened to this and felt it sounded strange no matter how she heard it, yet she couldn't pinpoint what was off:
"When was I ever that kind of person?"
After saying that, Qin Sang thought of the Original Body and coughed awkwardly:
"People change. I value character more. As long as Heizi is good to your Second Sister, I'm willing to play matchmaker for them."
There were no idol dramas in ancient times, and she was already of the grandmother's generation, so she could only watch her children fall in love.
An hour later, Heizi returned, leading Mules and Horses carrying several girls.
Qin Sang had already asked Eldest Brothers Wife to heat up water and let them all go into the tents to wash up.
Si Jin brought ginger soup and food; Heizi and the others all had some, and the large room was very lively.
"Mother, I gave them all the dry rations I had, and with the food you had Heizi bring, they should be able to hold out for a while."
Da Zhuang reported the situation of settling the women and children to Qin Sang. Er Fu also walked over and said:
"The problem is there's no firewood; everything is wet. They have injuries, and I'm worried they'll get sick."
Heizi handed the ginger soup he hadn't drunk yet to Er Fu and spoke to Qin Sang:
"Aunt, Er Fu didn't want to come back at first. She said she wanted to stay there to treat those women and children."
Da Zhuang laughed:
"I certainly wouldn't allow it, but Er Fu wouldn't listen to me. It was Heizi who said there's no wood or medicine there, so how could she treat them?"
"He also said if Er Fu didn't come back, Mother would definitely worry and might go check in person. If Mother caught a cold, it would be bad. Only then did Er Fu agree to return."
Qin Sang nodded and said to Er Fu:
"A doctor's heart is benevolent; it's a good thing you want to treat them. But there are also principles in practicing medicine—it must be done under the premise of your own safety."
"Your own health is also important when treating others."
"Go eat something first, then get some good sleep. Only with a healthy body can you treat more people."
Tian Erfu nodded and obediently drank the ginger soup.
Qin Sang, meanwhile, was thinking about those women and children...