Chapter 38: With Thunderous Means, One Reveals a Bodhisattva’s Heart!

“Uncle, if you hadn’t brought it up, I was just about to discuss this matter with everyone myself,” Li Yuanjing said, already prepared for the topic. He smiled as he clinked his cup with the old village chief and then addressed the people at the table.

“Everyone, you are all my elders and fellow villagers—many of you are my seniors. In the coming year, I certainly intend to lower the rent.”

“But as you know, since I have yet to pass the imperial examinations, these fields cannot be exempted from taxes.”

“Still, rest assured, within my abilities, I will make sure you all see tangible benefits.”

“Yuanjing, I said so, didn’t I? You’re someone who remembers his roots. Let’s see who dares to gossip now!” The old village chief, emboldened by Li Yuanjing’s words, slapped the table and stood up, sweeping his gaze over the crowd with a touch of authority.

“Yuanjing is truly a good man…”

“With your words, Yuanjing, your aunt can finally set her mind at ease…”

Everyone laughed awkwardly, compliments pouring toward Li Yuanjing like a tide, heedless and free.

In the small kitchen of the eastern house, Yuniang watched Li Yuanjing truly become the center of attention, admired and surrounded by all. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars in the sky.

Her brother—he truly was worthy of being called a scholar.

In just a few days, he had not only helped the family out of their predicament, but now, he had become the master of the entire Spring Village…

No wonder the aunts and elder ladies said she was lucky; it seemed she truly was blessed.

With this decisive statement made, the mood inside and outside the Li family courtyard became much more joyful.

After a few more cups of wine, a man named Liu Ben—middle-aged, from the second largest clan in Spring Village—scratched his head and grinned, asking, “Yuanjing, since it’s like this, how will the land be divided next year? The same as before, or…?”

As soon as Liu Ben spoke, the previously relaxed crowd tensed up, their eyes shooting toward Li Yuanjing like arrows.

Clearly, this question was even more sensitive than the matter of reducing rent.

After all, owing to geography, Spring Village only had so much fertile land—any change would affect everyone.

Li Yuanjing had anticipated this question, intending to delay it, but hadn’t expected the villagers to press him at this moment.

Still, he quickly regained his composure and replied with a smile, “Brother Liu, that’s a good question.”

“I had planned to discuss this with Uncle in the coming days, but since everyone is so eager, let me make my stance clear.”

“My elders and fellow villagers—Yuanjing is still young and not deeply familiar with farming. Given that, I don’t dare make any rash changes.”

“So let’s keep things as they are for now!”

“If anyone is dissatisfied, once I’ve learned the ropes in a year or two, we can revisit the issue then. How does that sound?”

Li Yuanjing’s words set off a flurry of discussion among the crowd.

Some were satisfied; others were clearly not.

Many villagers had hoped to use Li Yuanjing’s ascension as an opportunity to redistribute the village’s interests.

But his statement immediately extinguished such hopes.

Watching Li Yuanjing sit down without another word, quietly observing, the old village chief coughed loudly and stood up, barking, “What are you all chattering about?”

“If it were Master Xue here, would you dare haggle with him? Would he even care about your seats at this table?”

“You bunch of donkeys, you don’t know what’s good for you!”

The old chief’s authority in the village was formidable—everyone fell silent, no one daring to speak.

Still, he wasn’t satisfied, unleashing a torrent of scolding until not a soul dared breathe loudly.

As the atmosphere grew tense, a faint smile curled at the corner of Li Yuanjing’s lips.

The ancient sages had a saying: “People fear power but do not cherish virtue.”

Such is human nature—no amount of words can change it.

Even with a stable system, there remain countless uncertainties.

Fortunately, Li Yuanjing had made a brilliant move in his earlier arrangements—

He had cultivated a close relationship with the old village chief!

Now, he reaped rewards worth ten times more than the five silver taels he had spent.

Seeing that the moment was ripe, Li Yuanjing stood up to smooth things over, urging everyone to forget unpleasant topics and enjoy their food and drink.

The chief gave him face and sat down, and the mood lightened somewhat.

Just then, steaming bowls of white rice were brought in, and the aroma quickly drew everyone’s attention, restoring order.

…

The banquet lasted until nearly midnight before dispersing.

Many villagers lingered over Li Yuanjing’s white rice, savoring it.

For some, it was the first time in their lives they’d tasted such fragrant white rice.

As Li Yuanjing reflected, his heart grew ever more resolute.

Only with thunderous methods can one show a compassionate heart!

He wanted to give the villagers real benefits, forging them into a community of shared interests—that was indeed the right path.

But!

All of this must remain within Li Yuanjing’s control!

If people came to see him as soft, and more traitors like Hou Wu appeared, things would quickly turn dangerous.

He knew well—

Fortresses are most often breached from within.

And his wasn’t even a fortress yet!

So, Li Yuanjing must first maintain close ties with the old chief, Zhang Kun, and Zhao Zengjin, ensuring he could control Spring Village from the top.

Only then could he consider other matters.

…

That night, Li Yuanjing did not sleep.

Yesterday, he had finished the blueprints and prepared the wood; now he worked through the night, attempting to assemble the foot-operated loom.

Yuniang wished he would rest, but had no choice—she stayed up to help him.

Fortunately, though Li Yuanjing was no carpenter, he’d always been handy and, with Yuniang’s deft assistance, managed well.

By dawn, as the sky began to lighten, he had the primitive foot loom nearly complete.

He eagerly had Yuniang test it.

“Wow!”

“Brother, it works—it really works!”

“This spinning speed is at least three times, no, four times faster than mother’s old loom. And the quality of the hemp thread seems so much better!”

Yuniang, skilled at weaving since she was eight or nine, quickly adapted to the new machine, unable to keep from exclaiming in delight.

Li Yuanjing inspected the results and couldn’t help but pump his fist, pulling Yuniang into his arms.

His basic skills hadn’t failed him.

Though the loom still needed improvements—its wood was rough, and it had flaws—the dual spindle design put him centuries ahead of this world.

It was enough to complete his first step.

“Heh.”

“Girl, we ought to celebrate properly now.”

Li Yuanjing suddenly hugged Yuniang’s small head, aiming to kiss her tender lips.

Her cheeks flushed bright red, shy but not resisting…

Yet just as the atmosphere between them grew charged and intimate, a weary, hoarse voice sounded from outside:

“Master, are you awake?”