Little Ger, Slow Life in Another World

Chapter 26.2

Village Chief

Translated by Coke
Edited by Coke

The village chief mulled this over for a while and said a few more words before dismissing the pair. 

Once the visitors had left, Feng Mian, the village chief’s wife, also known as Aunty Mian, peeked by the door and came in to ask in rapture. 

“Why did Brother He and Dalang drop by? I saw from a distance that they were carrying a small box of something. Did they give something to us again? Ai ya, I say these children are wonderful. They always know to bring something on their visits.”

Once a gift was present, Aunt Mian would be the first to dart fast toward it. The village chief became more annoyed and said, “Quit focusing on those things. The nature of a person, be it good or bad, is not something that could be determined by gifts alone!”

Aunt Mian placed her hands on her hips. “Yo! If I hadn’t been focusing on those things, given your meager salary, how could the family live comfortably without working on the farm from morning to night?! Fine, I’ll cut your share if you don’t like it! Ha! It just so happens that this is the brown sugar cake sold in town. The one your several grandchildren love to eat, so I’ll share it with them instead!”

The village chief glared at the cake and sneered. “This thing? You can be merry with the things they give. But, those people have gained a mountain hill without moving an inch, so they resort to these little things as perfunctory to us. You can laugh hard, but I can’t and won’t.”

“A mountain top? Through how?” Aunt Mian stared at him in shock. 

Angrily, the village chief recounted the entire exchange of Yang Dalang coming to report the certificate of transfer of ownership in one breath. 

When she heard it all, Aunt Mian rolled her eyes. “So what? The two just got a mountain hill, meaning you should help them. Also, this cake was given gratuitously for no reason at all. How come you’re being so fussy! They’re even better than Mister Miao’s family you always spoke of because, hey, did they ever give us even a little of something? If you ask me, that sort of neglect is thoughtlessness!”

The village chief reddened in shame. “You, you’re seeing as a married woman!! If it weren’t for Mister Miao and his family, could those hoodlums who collect taxes be polite to me? Also, during the village assembly, would everyone have nodded and bowed to me, the village chief? Besides, the Eldest Nephew Gui is planning to work there, so he must rely on someone’s hand. This is a solid favor, so don’t compare it with your cakes!!”

Upon hearing of Miao Gui, the son of the village chief’s big brother, Aunt Mian became madder, and her voice much sharper like knives. “I merely used the cakes as a comparison! Unlike the cake, can you even eat and swallow those things you’ve spout of?! Old man, use your brain and think wisely. Nowadays, your three sons till the fields to support you! Not your eldest nephew, Miao Gui! If he intends to work there, what says you in it?!”

The three sons of the village chief, Miao Huosheng, were all honest and temperamental. The moment they grew up, all turned their devotion to farming and never thought about succeeding their father as the next village chief. However, the village chief, granted that he had to retire when he hit a certain age threshold, still fancied keeping his transcendent status in the village! Only his three foolish sons could not take over his work, so he had to turn his head to his eldest nephew, Miao Gui!

Miao Gui was the youngest son of his eldest brother. He lacked interest in farming. Meanwhile, he enjoyed following Miao Huosheng around and thus was regarded by Miao Huosheng as his successor for the village chief’s position. If Miao Gui were to take a job in the workshop, he would likely be elected as the new village chief. When that happened, Miao Gui would revere Miao Huosheng, who abdicated one’s thrones. And for the latter, it was the best of both worlds.

Like the fast clanging of abacus stones, Aunty Mian understood at once. All the gifts she had received as the chief’s wife were not in her guilty conscience but rather gratitude. But her husband, who cared about his face too much, needed to be reminded of a few things by the reprimands of others.

Enough of the village chief’s family. Let’s focus back on Miao He. 

As soon as they had finished their last errand, Miao He and Yang Dalang walked hand in hand toward the land.

This small hill was situated just to the southwest of Miaojia Village. The shortness of its height was the primary reason it was called small. Its total land area, however, was not.

It just so happens that a clean creek stream coming down from Xilong Mountain splits in two on the hill’s northwest side. Both currents were oriented toward the east, though one started its journey to the south before turning east. Since the stream was situated where it did, it cut into the mountain’s northern, southern, and southwestern sides, forming a ravine. South-West of Miaojia Village was the only way into the mountain. As long as the mountain’s topography was thoroughly comprehended, it could be put to optimal use.

However, it was also because of its proximity to the Miaojia Village that the land was plain. There were also too few vegetables and trees but which were sparely dug. Further up, a few fruits were planted, but few. The usual large packs of animals could now hardly be seen. Back then, when Yang Dalang wanted to hunt, he would tread to the mountains in the northwest just to reap good. 

But this land had now become his. Thus, it bore a different meaning. Initially, Yang Dalang wanted to clear the area within the next few days. In some areas where the stream is shallow and gentle, animals from other hills might come over. So some traps must be placed just ahead. This matter, however, simply resembled hunting, and Miao He refused to concur with this idea. 

A while later, the two argued about starting with the most straightforward task – building a wooden wall around the southwest entrance’s boundary. Miao He wanted to plant fruit trees there in the future. So with the wall, nobody would dare think they could simply harvest the fruit on their mountain. In the event of sovereignty, a declaration needed to be made. 

Since the wood they needed already grew in the area, erecting a wooden barrier was relatively simple. Aunt Yang was thrilled to hear the news. What the Yang family lacked the most was land. Even if it were only a hilltop, it could provide a solid base for the next generation of the Yang family. That’s why Aunt Yang hurried her two sons, Datong and Dachuan, to come help. Soon after, one side of the property was quickly fenced in.

The villagers could not help but take notice of this lively activity. The village chief never meant to keep it under wraps. Therefore, after a few words were offered, everyone knew the ins and outs of the story. As only natural, nobody would be utterly immune to jealousy and antagonism, so all kinds of hatred followed. 

The original body’s mother’s family had also caught off the wind. 

Zhang Mian, the woman of the family’s second son and an avid fan of stepping on the original host, complained to Miao He’s parents about why their son never bothered to return with rice and chicken. Even as calling him “truly insensible.” The mother of the original host almost laughed aloud, but she kept her mockery to herself. ‘Should I still ask him to send something back when everything ends up in their grandson’s mouth? Ha! They wish, but I’m not stupid!’ She kept the remaining taels close to her body no matter where she went. Ergo, her heart was also warmed. Once these silver taels were gone, she doubted she could ask Brother He for any more.

And Aunt Guang, who’d previously gotten into a dispute with Miao He on the carriage and had refused to eat the jujube cakes, said some particularly bitter and nasty things.

“Huh, those lucky folks actually get a mountain peak. Are they aiming to become a prominent landowner in our small town? Honestly, I do not know. Wow, this person got lucky because he helped a stranger, really? Previously, Brother He had yet to speak of delivering something to the Liang Mansion. And lately, he’s been making deliveries every few days, and I have suspicions about what he’s delivering. Hehe. Ah, this Dalang. I don’t understand how people could see him so well.”

“Aunt Guang, are you courageous enough? Let’s frankly say it near Dalang’s ears and see if he could find you.”

The last few sentences implied that villagers seriously lambasted those who wore green hats. Because of these rumors, the husband allegedly began beating people senselessly. Even though this did not happen in their town, everyone agrees that the one who talked drivel deserved it.

As she remembered, Aunt Guang’s eyes promptly popped out, and she quickly withdrew her words. “Uh, what was it I said? I meant I did not know how delightful Brother He’s vegetables must be if they could satisfy so many people that the Liang Mansion would give them a mountain as a gift! This must be so that he can plant more.

She made those comments while Miao Min’s mother was listening in.

Here was yet another person harboring a grudge toward Miao He. While the speaker had no actual intent, the listener had the guts.