Village headman Song, after struggling to calm his excited mood, smiled at Qi Zhenzhen, "My apologies, my apologies. It's just that what you've said, Zhenzhen, is so thrilling."
Qi Zhenzhen refilled his tea, "I'm merely repaying Grandpa Village Headman and the village for your kindness in taking me in. Besides, if the village prospers, my support will only become stronger."
Village headman Song nodded, "That's true. I'll discuss this with the village elders later and see how we decide. Such a significant matter must be recorded in the ancestral hall. The male descendants of your Qi family will henceforth be elders of Xinghua Village."
Qi Zhenzhen's heart pounded. She hadn't expected Village headman Song to be so supportive and make such a promise.
Becoming an elder of a village meant having a voice in village affairs, and simultaneously, one's family status within the village would soar.
Although Brother Yi was still young, he was very sensible. If there were any needs, she could convey them to him, and he could then present them to the village.
"Then I'll trouble you, Grandpa Village Headman," Qi Zhenzhen said with sincere gratitude.
To Village headman Song, these were minor matters. The major issue was the four hundred taels of silver.
Leaving the Qi residence, Village headman Song's steps were still light. He was almost home before he fully recovered. He was about to become an unprecedented and unparalleled figure in the history of Xinghua Village. Looking around, which village headman could be as capable as him, securing such great benefits for the village? Not a one-time gain, but something that would continue for a very long time. Village headman Song was almost certain that as long as Xinghua Village maintained a good relationship with the Qi family, these benefits would continue, blessing future generations. Da Feng Novel Network.
Upon returning home, Village headman Song first sat on the heated brick bed and smoked a pipe of dried tobacco. Then, he washed up, trimmed his beard, changed into a new set of clothes he was reluctant to wear normally, and set out with a proud stride.
Grandma Song called out, "Old man, you've just returned home and you're going out again? And you've dressed up specially. What are you up to?"
Village headman Song smiled proudly, "Going to do something big, something that will benefit everyone in the village."
Grandma Song never interfered in village affairs. She gave Village headman Song a chiding glance, "Show off your capabilities."
There were six clan elders in the village. Village headman Song went directly to Song Yan's house and then sent Song Yan to call the other five.
Song Yan was a bit puzzled. Was this about exposing their trip to the Qi family and reprimanding them? If that were the case, his uncle would be too inconsiderate, needlessly upsetting people. But he was the village headman and an elder, so how could Song Yan dare to disobey?
After the others were called, Village headman Song, in his capacity as village headman, did indeed reprimand these men, not giving Song Yan any face at all, and directly questioning if he had initiated this matter.
The elders had already received promises of benefits from Qi Zhenzhen, so they naturally wouldn't protect Song Yan. They only said that Song Yan was also acting for the good of the village, indirectly indicating that Song Yan had started this matter.
"You have a sharp mind, kid, but you've used it in the wrong place." Village headman Song snorted coldly and glared at Song Yan before explaining Qi Zhenzhen's proposal of a ten percent profit share to the elders.
Village headman Song watched with satisfaction as all the elders, including Song Yan, were wide-eyed with astonishment. His heart felt somewhat balanced; he wasn't the only one shocked.
"Qingcheng, are you joking with us old folks?" Song Yan's grandfather asked tremblingly.
"Uncle, how could your nephew joke about such a matter?" Village headman Song replied, "The Qi family girl stated it very clearly. I've gathered you elders so we can discuss what to do with this money. Also, I promised to grant the male members of the Qi family a position as elders, giving them a say in important village matters in the future."
If it were true, let alone the male members of the Qi family, even if the female members of the Qi family wanted to be elders, they would have no objections.
"Is this kimchi business so profitable?" one of the elders asked, his greed openly displayed for all to see. "The Qi family is just outsiders, and they are women and children. How can they deserve such good fortune?"
"Second Uncle, I advise you not to harbor any unwarranted thoughts. To put it nicely, the Qi family still relies on our village. Right now, there are plenty of people who want to be relied upon by the Qi family. Take the North-South General Store, for example. Believe me, as soon as the Qi family shows any inclination to go to town, they'll be eagerly invited. What will Xinghua Village amount to then?" Village headman Song said with a cold face, sarcastically. "Greed is like a snake swallowing an elephant; you won't get anything then!"
That elder shrunk his neck, "I didn't say anything."
After much deliberation, for country folk, the most reliable thing was to buy land, specifically ancestral land. Four hundred taels of silver could buy forty mu of excellent fertile land. The annual output would be fifty taels, which could be used for village affairs and to subsidize those families struggling to make ends meet.
"Uncle, I agree with buying ancestral land," Song Yan interjected. "I believe the produce should be used for the clan school!"
Clan school?
Generally, only large clan villages had clan schools to educate the clan's descendants, cultivate talent, and make the clan village more prosperous.
"Ayan, tell us, how would this clan school work?" Village headman Song was excited, and his attitude towards Song Yan improved considerably.
"The produce from the ancestral land would support the operation of the clan school, long-term sponsoring respected teachers to educate the village's eligible children. Those with good talent would go to external academies in the future. For those from poor families, the village would be responsible. For those whose families can afford it, the village would provide some subsidies. For those with average talent, the focus would be on literacy and understanding basic principles," Song Yan explained. "This way, our Xinghua Village will prosper eternally."
These benefits were long-lasting and would benefit future generations. While the immediate benefits were not visible, in many years to come, they would be immeasurable.
"Good, good, good! As expected, you've seen the world; your vision is indeed different," Village headman Song exclaimed, patting Song Yan's shoulder excitedly.
Song Yan lowered his eyes, thinking his proposal might be rejected, but now it seemed his uncle strongly approved.
"Elders, what do you think?" Village headman Song looked eagerly at the old men.
"It's a good thing, I think it's feasible. Perhaps in the future, one of our grandchildren could become an official, and then our Xinghua Village would become famous."
"I agree as well, but we need to discuss who will manage the ancestral land."
"This Qi family girl has truly done a great deed."
Only the man Village headman Song had called Second Uncle was reluctant. However, since everyone else agreed, he couldn't object. Four hundred taels of silver! If they, the elders' families, could each get a share, wouldn't they live lavishly from then on? These fools, with their noble ideas, were truly infuriating. He needed to think carefully about how to keep this fortune within his own family.