The blueprint depicted five spacious main rooms, along with side rooms to the left and right. Qi Yuanshan hadn't expected Uncle Meng to plan so many rooms.
He asked with some surprise, "Uncle, aren't we building too many rooms?"
"Not at all. Two rooms will be for their office work, and the rest for them to rest or use as dormitories. Even then, it might not be enough. So, after thinking it over, I added a few more side rooms that can be used as kitchens and dining halls, and also for storing miscellaneous items."
"Uncle, you've thought of everything. I hadn't considered so many details."
"There are nearly thirty people. If we don't build enough rooms, what will happen to these children when the wind blows and the rain falls?"
Grandpa Meng didn't mention the ten old soldiers who had been transferred. Many of them had physical inconveniences, and the daily trips from the Thousand-Household Office to the sentry post were quite taxing for them.
It would be better to build a couple more rooms for them to use as dormitories, so they could rest nearby.
"Uncle Meng, thank you."
"We're uncle and nephew, no need for such thanks. We'll go choose the site later, and you don't have to worry about the rest."
"Uncle Meng, that won't do. How can I let you do everything?" Qi Yuanshan quickly refused.
On the way back from the General's mansion, Qi Yuanshan had already planned to build dormitories for these men in the woods.
After all, their physical limitations were obvious to anyone with eyes. Making them run back and forth between the Thousand-Household Office and the sentry post was manageable on normal days, but it would be truly difficult for them during wind and rain.
It was fine at this time of year, but it would be even more troublesome in winter. He couldn't even imagine how difficult their journey would be in the freezing snow.
Now that Uncle Meng was taking care of it, Qi Yuanshan thanked him on behalf of the soldiers and Uncle Meng.
Grandpa Meng waved his hands repeatedly. "They are still young. All I can do is hope they have a slightly easier time. Besides, to be selfish, with your protection, our Meng family benefits the most."
"Uncle."
Over the years, Uncle Meng's actions had moved Qi Yuanshan time and again.
This time, it moved him deeply again, filling his heart with warmth.
Grandpa Meng didn't have time to pay attention to Qi Yuanshan's emotions. He was already prepared, and the two headed to the seaside together.
On the way, Grandpa Meng discussed with Qi Yuanshan, "Once the location is decided, you must send me a few skilled workers. These children are capable, but without leaders, I'm afraid they won't do a good job."
It wasn't that the old man lacked confidence, but considering the age of these children, none of them had ever taken charge of building a house.
"Yes, I'll find some craftsmen now. With them here, the construction will be secure."
Grandpa Meng nodded and smiled, his wrinkles deepening slightly. He held the registered craftsmen at the Thousand-Household Office in high regard.
They not only possessed exquisite skills but also had good character. The old man would be overjoyed if they could join.
"Yuanshan, why don't we have them come over now? That way, we can have a better plan for selecting the site. After all, they understand these things much better than we do."
"Yes, I'll listen to you, Uncle. I'll have them notified to come over now."
When Fu Xinci, with Ning'er, arrived at the seaside under the guise of playing, they found the pine forest near the sea bustling with activity.
Ning'er, rarely seeing such a scene, forgot about digging for clams. He tugged at his sister's sleeve, "Sister, can we watch the excitement for a while?"
"Of course," her sister's pampering was no less than that of their grandfather and parents.
Fu Xinci placed him at the edge of the woods and even took off the saddle for him to sit on. She herself sat by a large tree, gazing at the calm sea in a daze.
Qi He had seen his sister and brother-in-law arrive earlier, but he was busy and couldn't get away.
Now that he finally had a moment to rest, he walked over with a smile.
"Brother-in-law." Ning'er sat on the saddle, swinging his short legs, and greeted Qi He.
"Ah." Qi He walked over and first patted Ning'er's little topknot, making Ning'er giggle before he circled the big tree and saw his sister Fu looking at the sea, hugging her knees.
Fu Xinci turned her head and, seeing Qi He's gentle gaze upon her, returned a sweet smile.
The girl's sweet smile instantly dazzled Qi He. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Ning'er climb off the saddle, grab his large hand, and ask, "Brother-in-law, can I go take a look over there with you?"
"Of course, brother-in-law will take you now." Although Qi He felt a little disappointed, he couldn't bear to refuse Ning'er's request.
Watching their retreating figures, hand in hand, Fu Xinci continued to ponder how she could secretly collect her seafood into her space after the tide went out.
Her little friends had proactively suggested it last night; they wanted to eat seafood.
She would definitely fulfill this small request for her little friends, but it wasn't until she reached the beach with Ning'er that she realized many people were building houses here.
Alas, with Qi He taking Ning'er, perhaps she could find a hidden spot to show off her skills.
That seemed like a good idea.
Fu Xinci made up her mind and walked along the beach towards the cliff. She felt that it should be a blind spot that people wouldn't see from nearby.
As she carefully activated her supernatural ability, the area near the cliff turned out to be just as she had imagined. The people working in the woods couldn't see her.
The sea tide finally receded, revealing many sea snails on the exposed rocks. Fu Xinci waved her hand and collected them all into her space.
She didn't let a single blue crab scuttling on the beach escape either.
"Heh heh." Fu Xinci chuckled to herself and collected fish from a large tide pool.
As she headed towards the next tide pool, she heard someone call her, "Sister Fu."
Fu Xinci turned around and saw Qi He, carrying Ning'er, had also found her.
Fu Xinci: Qi He's speed is too fast!
Qi He: He was playing with Ning'er, but his peripheral vision never left Sister Fu.
Seeing that Sister Fu's feet were on the vines, her sturdy embroidered shoes not even getting wet, his anxious "mother-hen" heart finally settled.
Qi He couldn't stand seeing Sister Fu work hard, so he hurried to help. Fu Xinci quickly stopped him.
"Brother Qi, go find me two buckets."
"Okay." Qi He replied helplessly and obediently went to find buckets with Ning'er.
Fu Xinci took the opportunity to collect fish from two more tide pools. Of course, she didn't let the crabs crawling nearby escape.
When Qi He returned, holding Ning'er under one arm and two buckets in his other large hand, he saw seven or eight large fish, as well as sea snails and a string of crabs, lying where he had been standing.