Dai Fa was increasingly convinced that Gu Qingcheng was backed by a large, mysterious aristocratic family. Only members of such families would be so meticulous and detail-oriented.
He could tell that Gu Qingcheng’s instruction for everyone to bathe was half for their well-being and half because she couldn't stand speaking closely with people infested with lice and smelling of body odor.
Dai Fa also had Luo Juan and Wang Daya take Zheng Wuniang to the women’s bathhouse, and he personally experienced the joy of bathing.
After applying anti-lice medication, he took a hot bath. It was incredibly comfortable, especially with the complimentary shower gel provided in the bathhouse, something he hadn't enjoyed even during his extravagant life at home.
Such exquisite amenities further deepened Dai Fa's suspicion about Gu Qingcheng's origins.
However, he knew that the more he understood, the faster he might die. He just needed to follow Gu Qingcheng's instructions and not have any other stray thoughts.
Dai Fa would never have imagined that he had once had the opportunity to become the lord of this place. Of course, he still had the chance now, but currently, he was merely Gu Qingcheng's spokesperson.
Naturally, Dai Fa had no complaints about this role; in fact, he felt proud of it.
The village now carried the pleasant scent of body wash, as everyone had bathed.
This particular body wash was famous for being effective and reasonably priced. Gu Qingcheng had used it herself when she was on the sports team, so she had subconsciously purchased it for the villagers to use.
Seeing that everyone had finished bathing and changed into clean clothes, Gu Qingcheng had the small squad leader gather the entire village for a meeting.
During the meeting, Gu Qingcheng first explained the meanings of the future bell sounds, then read out the village rules and regulations.
“From now on, the villagers must abide by the village rules and regulations. Fines are the least of it; severe violations will result in expulsion from the village.”
Gu Qingcheng said sternly.
The villagers raised no objections and unanimously approved.
From their perspective, Young Master Gu possessed considerable strength, providing for so many people and also caring for their hygiene. He genuinely intended to develop the village.
In that case, who would be foolish enough to abandon this haven and suffer starvation and hardship outside?
They came from all walks of life, a complex mix of people from different places. Without rules, there would be no order. With village rules and regulations, everyone would have a standard for their actions and conduct.
During their time fleeing famine, they had been unrestrained, which was liberating but also made them vulnerable to others.
Everyone was tired and scared, longing for an environment where they could live in peace.
The village rules and regulations established by Gu Qingcheng perfectly met their inner needs, so no one opposed them.
This could be considered the first village-wide assembly of Phoenix Village. The proceedings went smoothly. After Gu Qingcheng finished speaking, she announced the adjournment.
“Sister, you haven't eaten yet. I’ve cooked some porridge for you. Come, let's eat!”
Mi Guo, the kindhearted young man, served a bowl of porridge and placed it on the dining table.
Gu Qingcheng had said she wanted something light for dinner, so Mi Guo had made plain porridge, fried two eggs, stir-fried a dish of pickled mustard greens, and a simple dish of blanched lettuce.
Gu Qingcheng ate two bowls of porridge, and she and Mi Guo finished all the dishes.
In the past, Gu Qingcheng would never have imagined herself to be someone who cleaned her plate.
There was no guilt in finishing everything.
Having experienced hunger here, she felt that every grain of rice was precious.
The villagers of Phoenix Village felt a bit unaccustomed that night. Having not bathed for a long time, and now clean and in new clothes, without the biting lice and fleas on their heads, they felt a sense of loss.
They had lost their dirt and grime, and also their little pets that had been living off their blood…
The villagers of Phoenix Village suddenly had an epiphany: why had they tolerated fleas and lice crawling and biting them before?
They themselves seemed quite… peculiar!
After finishing his meal, Dai Fa came to discuss matters with Gu Qingcheng.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking,
“Young Master Gu, there is something I wish to say, though I am unsure if I should.”
“Please do.”
Gu Qingcheng, through their interactions during this period, could sense Dai Fa's genuine desire to assist her, so she treated him with courtesy.
“I know your family is wealthy, but excessive generosity might foster a sense of entitlement among the villagers, making them expect handouts without working. Moreover, will you continue to support them like this indefinitely?”
Dai Fa's words were truly valuable advice, even if unpleasant to hear.
Gu Qingcheng was not offended and chuckled,
“Uncle Dai, I will certainly not be providing free food and clothing indefinitely. They have nothing right now, so this is merely emergency relief.
Once everything is in place, they will have to earn what they need through their own labor.”
“Very well. Since you are clear-headed, I have nothing more to add.”
After a brief chat, Dai Fa returned to be with Zheng Wuniang.
He had been busy with village affairs all day. In the quiet of the night, he should spend more time with his wife.
Gu Qingcheng had never imagined that one day she would be responsible for the food, clothing, and daily needs of so many people.
Her original plan had only included her parents and herself. The current situation clearly exceeded her expectations.
“Sister, you should sleep early. There’s a lot of work to do tomorrow.”
Mi Guo, seeing his sister lost in thought under the lamplight, gently reminded her.
“Alright.”
Before sleeping, Gu Qingcheng went to the Mountain Cat Supermarket and spent 100,000爽点 (shuang dian), equivalent to approximately 280,000 yuan, to heavily stock up on rice, flour, and oil. She bought seventy thousand jin of rice alone, costing about 210,000 yuan. The remaining 70,000-plus yuan was spent on oil, flour, and salt.
Even without considering her previous stock, this batch of food alone would be enough for a thousand people to eat their fill for a long time.
With more people to feed now, and having a huge amount of shuang dian, it was better to stock up on food to feel secure.
The next morning, Gu Qingcheng and Mi Guo had a simple breakfast of large pancakes with bacon and eggs, followed by fish soup.
The fish soup was meticulously prepared by Mi Guo, using fine ingredients. Flavored with sea bass and arctic surf clam, it was incredibly savory.
Gu Qingcheng ate two bowls of fish soup and two pancakes, feeling almost stuffed.
“Mi Guo, if I didn't have such a high energy expenditure right now, and you fed me like this every day, I’d turn into a pig.”
Gu Qingcheng felt that she must be growing, which was why she was eating so much without gaining weight.
Last night, before sleeping, her knees had felt sore and achy, likely due to growing pains. She hoped to regain her original height of 170 centimeters. At her current height of nearly 160 centimeters, she felt a bit too short.
Gou Sheng came running excitedly to find Gu Qingcheng.
“Young Master Gu, I found some chestnuts and brought them for you.”
Gou Sheng held a small bamboo basket containing half a basket of chestnuts.
“Oh, where did you find them? That’s quite a lot!”
Gu Qingcheng liked this sensible child.
“I found them under the chestnut tree by the bathhouse. They must have fallen when they ripened and were frozen by the snow, so they didn’t spoil. I ate a few raw, and they were all fine.”
Gou Sheng said enthusiastically.
“Are there many chestnuts there?” Gu Qingcheng asked.
“Quite a few. I went early this morning to pick them, and now I’m going home for breakfast.”
Gu Qingcheng smiled and said, “Then, when you have time, bring the children to pick more. I’ll make sugar-roasted chestnuts for you all!”