"So sewing with a needle actually works? If it weren't for Young Master Gu's courage, Wu Yu would have died long ago!"
"Indeed. In all my life, I've never seen a wound stitched with thread. It actually works!"
The surrounding villagers marveled, their gazes towards Gu Qingcheng filled with even greater respect.
Who wouldn't admire someone who could snatch a wounded man back from the brink of death?
Gu Qingcheng, however, was already arranging for the aftermath. After a moment of thought, she said,
"Everyone, Wu Yu was injured while hunting for the commune, so the commune will allocate 10 taels of silver for his recovery, and another 10 taels as a reward for his bravery during the hunt.
Furthermore, as he lives alone, his meals will be handled by Meixiang from the commune. His three meals must not be skipped, nor should they be subpar.
At the pharmacy, assign a skilled apprentice to care for Wu Yu, assisting him with washing and changing his dressings.
Once his injuries have healed, he will be given the choice to either continue in the hunting team or join other teams, such as farming or logistics, as he pleases."
Gu Qingcheng's arrangements were thorough and considerate, exceeding the villagers' expectations.
In the minds of many, an injured or sick person who could no longer work became a burden, someone to be shunned.
Though unspoken, this was the prevailing sentiment.
For instance, elderly villagers who became bedridden rarely lived for more than half a year. With no filial piety to tend to them, and no medical care provided by their descendants, wouldn't they perish quickly?
Much less those injured in wars or robberies, losing limbs and the ability to earn a living, becoming a drag on their families.
These were the villagers' definitions of useless individuals.
Wu Yu's injuries were so severe, with blood gushing out earlier and such a large wound on his shoulder from the bite, that many thought his entire arm might be incapacitated, fitting perfectly into the mold of the "useless."
Therefore, the villagers were completely unprepared for the generous treatment Gu Qingcheng offered Wu Yu.
Not only was he given a subsidy of 20 taels of silver, but he could also choose his future work.
Who wouldn't choose an easy and lucrative job? Like working at the supply and marketing cooperative.
Wu Yu, that young man, had truly stumbled into a fortune.
Who would have thought that being bitten by a wolf would turn out to be a blessing in disguise? Even if his arm was permanently damaged, he had good options within the commune.
The villagers' pity quickly turned into envy. Some even secretly thought, "What if I were also bitten by a wolf..." With such generous subsidies, someone to serve them tea, and delicious meals prepared by the commune, it almost seemed appealing.
Of course, these were just thoughts, as it wasn't them who were bitten by the wolf.
Wu Yu was carefully carried home by Yan Xin.
However, Gu Qingcheng's instruction for a pharmacy apprentice to attend to Wu Yu caused a stir within the pharmacy.
Zhu Liang, being one of the earlier "veterans" of the pharmacy, was currently in charge. He assigned Xiao Long to care for Wu Yu.
But upon hearing this, Xiao Long erupted in a torrent of abuse.
He had already been resentful of Zhu Liang, believing that Zhu Liang's position as the head was merely due to arriving a few days earlier in Phoenix Village. In terms of seniority and medical skill, he considered himself superior to Zhu Liang and refused to take orders from him.
Moreover, he was expected to attend to Wu Yu?
Who did Wu Yu think he was?
He was supposed to be the second shopkeeper!
Thus, Xiao Long repeatedly refused.
Seeing that the man was obstinate, Zhu Liang was at a loss.
He wouldn't report such internal disputes to Gu Qingcheng, as he felt the young master was already busy and such minor conflicts didn't warrant his attention.
Besides, if he couldn't handle such a small matter, he would be too ashamed to report it to Gu Qingcheng.
Furthermore, Phoenix Village was in its nascent stages and in dire need of manpower, especially skilled individuals like Xiao Long. Zhu Liang didn't want to trouble Gu Qingcheng.
Just as he was about to volunteer himself to care for Wu Yu, an apprentice named Wu Fan spoke up:
"Brother Zhu, I'll go and take care of Wu Yu."
"Can you handle it?" Zhu Liang was naturally pleased by Wu Fan's initiative.
"I can. Besides, Wu Yu shares the same name as my brother, which gives me a sense of familiarity. I'll treat it as caring for my own brother," Wu Fan said with a smile.
He was a recent arrival in Phoenix Village, known for his honest and introverted nature. Having previous experience in a pharmacy, he was assigned to work there, a man of quiet diligence.
Zhu Liang was very satisfied with his response and said,
"Alright, then you go. Take good care of him, and be diligent. Young Master Gu has stated that whoever takes care of Wu Yu will receive an additional 20 wen per day, on top of their regular monthly salary."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Long's expression changed, showing a hint of regret.
Xiao Long had assumed that caring for Wu Yu would be thankless work. He hadn't expected the additional 20 wen subsidy.
If he had known about the extra payment, he would have certainly agreed!
Now, after making such a fuss and refusing, Wu Fan had accepted. It was too late for him to change his mind.
The thought of 20 wen per day slipping through his fingers made Xiao Long grind his teeth in anger.
He looked at Zhu Liang's triumphant smile and suddenly wondered if Zhu Liang had done this intentionally. Why hadn't he mentioned the subsidy earlier?
If he had known, he wouldn't have refused.
He couldn't help but resent Zhu Liang, feeling that he had been played.
And why would Zhu Liang play him?
He must be afraid that his strong capabilities would usurp Zhu Liang's position as the leader!
Yes, it had to be that!
Wu Fan accepted the assignment to care for Wu Yu.
However, he was utterly stunned when he arrived at Wu Yu's home and saw him.
It turned out that Wu Yu was his elder brother!
The two brothers had been separated for half a year during their flight from famine.
Wu Fan had been inquiring about his brother's whereabouts along the way, but there was no news. To his surprise, he found his brother here in Phoenix Village.
At that moment, the brothers were overcome with emotion and wept with joy.
If Wu Yu's wound hadn't prevented him from moving, he would have jumped up to embrace his brother.
Both brothers had believed the other had perished during their escape, never expecting to meet again.
Now, Wu Fan cared for Wu Yu with all his heart!
The next day, Gu Qingcheng visited Wu Yu with Mi Guo.
Gu Qingcheng had also prepared thoughtful gifts, mainly nourishing foods such as donkey-hide gelatin, red dates, sea cucumber stewed with braised pork, poached chicken, a basket of eggs, and a jar of milk – all edible items.
Having lost so much blood, he needed to eat plenty of meat, eggs, and milk to heal.
With so many items, Mi Guo found two bamboo baskets, and carrying them on a shoulder pole, followed her sister towards Wu Yu's home.
Because Wu Yu was a member of the hunting team and received preferential treatment, he was allocated a two-room wooden house.
These wooden houses were somewhat similar to modern townhouses. A row could accommodate eight people, with each unit having its own independent courtyard.
These two-room dwellings were assigned to villagers with smaller families, typically elders with a younger generation, a couple, or single individuals who had made contributions, like Wu Yu.
"I heard that the new pharmacy apprentice, Wu Fan, is Wu Yu's brother, and he's moved in to take care of him now," Mi Guo gossiped.