Clan Leader Zhang nodded slightly.
Madam Xue, however, said, "But how can we become the Crown Prince's people?" She felt this matter was highly uncertain. Their family was just farmers in Huangsha Village. To associate with the Crown Prince? It was like trying to pluck the moon from the sky.
Clan Leader Zhang's eyes gleamed. "On one hand, we still need to find a way to win over Mrs. Jiawang’s relative, to inquire about the specific situation of the Rongguo Mansion in the county town. The Rongguo Mansion is the Crown Prince's backing. As long as we align ourselves with the Crown Prince’s influence, we align ourselves with the Crown Prince.
On the other hand, we must find a way to see if we can win over the supervisor of the mine. It is said that this mine is an industry under the Crown Prince's name."
"What? The mine is the Crown Prince's industry?" Zhang Jiawang was surprised. He had a good acquaintance working there, otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to drive Lu Ye’s parents out of the mine and cut off their livelihood.
Clan Leader Zhang glared at Zhang Jiawang. "Keep your voice down. Even if it's the Crown Prince's, he's using someone else's name to secretly mine. Don't blurt it out. You all, too, watch your mouths!" Clan Leader Zhang said, looking at his grandsons.
Everyone repeatedly agreed.
"Jiawang, what's the situation with Hongliu Village and Caomiao Village?" Clan Leader Zhang felt it was necessary to stir up the villagers' emotions while the fervor was still high. Otherwise, once the momentum died down, it would be difficult to rally public support.
Zhang Jiawang said proudly, "According to the two village heads, it's almost done. Nearly half of the people in each village have agreed to participate."
"En, very good, half the people are enough," Clan Leader Zhang nodded. "Add our village, hmph, we'll see if Lu Ye doesn't yield."
Zhang Lanlan, lying to the side and having cried enough, heard her father and grandfather planning to unite with the people of Hongliu Village and Caomiao Village to deal with Lu Ye and that lowly slave. She immediately interjected with a thick nasal voice, "Dad, Grandpa, Lu Ye’s family definitely has a secret. They actually bought a courtyard house on Xinghua Street in the county town."
Clan Leader Zhang said, "Don't make a fuss. They can even curry favor with Prince Yu, so what's buying a small courtyard in the county town? The problem now is, how did they manage to do it? They’ve been gone from our village for less than two months, and in such a short time, they’ve become so wealthy. If a celestial being didn't descend, no one could achieve this."
Madam Xue spat, "What celestial being? I think it's demons and ghosts."
Zhang Jiawang smiled sinisterly, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out soon."
"Didn't you send Li Qiang and Lu Fengshou to keep an eye on them? Have you found anything?" Clan Leader Zhang asked with a frown.
Zhang Jiawang was angry. "Those two scoundrels are playing me for a fool. They haven't uncovered any inside information for so long, and now they won't even report their findings."
Clan Leader Zhang sneered, "Those who are not of my Zhang family can never be trusted. Jiawang, cut off their water supply."
"No need for us to cut it, they've cut it themselves," Madam Xue pouted. "Now, those two don't come to our house to get water anymore."
Clan Leader Zhang's eyes shot out a cold light. "Then drive them and their families out of Huangsha Village!"
"My son will lead people to drive them out in the next couple of days," Zhang Jiawang said sinisterly. Whoever dared to oppose the Zhang family would be kicked out of Huangsha Village.
Hongshu Slope.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye were preparing to plant the Gu King when Du Min and Feng Pingyuan hurriedly came to find them.
They said that two families from Huangsha Village wanted to settle down on Hongshu Slope and asked if the main family allowed it, and if so, where would be a good location.
"Huangsha Village?" Bai Sheng instinctively disliked it. "Which two families?"
Du Min said, "It's Li Qiang and Lu Fengshou who used to work at our well."
"Those two?" Bai Sheng and Lu Ye exchanged glances, and Lu Ye nodded.
At least during this period, these two had been relatively well-behaved and had not truly betrayed Hongshu Slope. In the past, although they were both neighbors of Lu Ye's family, they had done some unpleasant things under the coercion of the Zhang family and because they were held by Granny Chen.
Bai Sheng said to Du Min, "This Hongshu Slope is not our family's land. We have no right to stop others from coming. Moreover, now that we have a well, more and more people will want to move here.
How about this, Sister Du, Brother Feng, why don't you plan it out as a village? It would be best to draw up a clear plan.
The residential areas, village roads, and planting areas should be as neat as possible, especially the houses. They should not be built too close together, preferably not too close to my house, and a place for building a school should also be reserved."
Feng Pingyuan's eyes lit up. He didn't expect his cousin’s vision to be so far-sighted, even considering future long-term development and planning. He said aloud, "Leave these matters to me, my lady, you can rest assured."
Bai Sheng was indeed relieved to entrust it to Feng Pingyuan. Feng Pingyuan seemed to be a professional in these matters, possessing great expertise.
Du Min suddenly had an inspiration and said happily, "My lady, why don't we also apply to the town yamen to establish a village? We can call it Hongshu Slope Village, and you and my lord can be responsible for managing the village and serving as its village heads."
Upon hearing Du Min’s words, Bai Sheng looked at Lu Ye with sparkling eyes. "Husband?"
Lu Ye dotingly stroked her head and smiled, "To establish a village in Tashajun, at least 50 households are needed."
"Then we are still far from it," Bai Sheng frowned. "However, Sister Du, Brother Feng, if we establish a village in the future, we must assess the character of the villagers. Those with bad character will not be accepted. We also need to formulate sound village rules, and everything must be handled according to regulations."
Du Min smiled and nodded, "I understand my lady's meaning." Du Min thought of the people in Huangsha Village, truly a village of heartless villains.
"There's no rush for this matter, leave it to the two of you to plan slowly," Lu Ye said.
Finally, Li Qiang and Lu Fengshou, with their families, set up straw huts about a hundred meters east of the septic tank. They were more than 300 meters away from Bai Sheng's house, which Bai Sheng could accept.
Li Qiang only had an elderly mother, while Lu Fengshou still had parents and a sister.
Neither family seemed to object to their moving out of Huangsha Village. After all, with a bucket of clean water every day, the entire family could survive. This was much happier than living in Huangsha Village and drinking muddy water.
In those days, whoever allowed them to live, they would recognize as their leader.
When Zhang Jiawang, along with people from the Li and Lu clans, arrived aggressively at Li Qiang and Lu Fengshou's homes, demanding they leave Huangsha Village, it was two days later.
A large group of people stood dumbfounded in front of the dilapidated shelters, which were now just empty shells.
Where were these two families?
Without them driving them out, they had already left.
Zhang Jiawang’s heart ached. He shouted at the Li and Lu clans, "Expel these two bastards from the clan! Expel them immediately!"