After Gu Qingcheng returned home, she shed her male attire and donned her female clothing, instantly transforming back into the sweet and charming little darling in her parents' hearts.
If the villagers of Fenghuang Village were to see Gu Qingcheng at this moment, they would surely not recognize the delicate, lovely, and flirtatious young woman before them as their young Master Gu, who was as strategic as Gan Luo and possessed a sharp mind despite his youth.
Gu Qingcheng inevitably shared the experiences of her travels over the past six months with her parents.
Although she would write down everything that happened and place it in the storage cabinet to inform her parents of her recent situation, face-to-face communication was always more comfortable.
"Mother, the land the government allocated to me, although only 500 mu, is actually a continuous stretch of mountains. I explored it in my free time, and it can reach at least 5,000 mu.
This land is vast enough, and the altitude is high enough. Even after the floodwaters rise, it will still have great potential. We can continue to grow grains and fruits, and there are many things we can do with it."
Gu Qingcheng already had plans in mind.
"Oh, so much land, can you manage to cultivate it all?"
Hu Lanfang questioned this because she had grown up in the city and had no experience with farming.
Although her in-laws' family farmed, in her eyes, it was more like a rural getaway—going to the countryside to pick fruits and enjoy communal meals when happy. She had no real concept of farming.
"I've been recruiting people all along. After the disaster in Wangchun City, more disaster victims will flock to our village, so we should have enough manpower."
Gu Qingcheng said confidently.
"But they are locals, will they obey your commands? A dragon from afar cannot suppress a snake in its own territory!"
Gu Zhaobei brought dishes to the table, asking doubtfully.
"That's true, but the reality is they won't have the luxury to be arrogant. Compared to the hardship of submitting to us outsiders, which is worse: starving or submitting?"
Gu Qingcheng bluntly revealed the reality.
"That's true. Thinking back to when we first arrived, we had nothing. No food, no drink. If it weren't for the system taking care of us, it would have been truly difficult, and we might not have survived.
If someone had offered to feed and house us well in exchange for our hard work back then, we definitely would have accepted it."
Hu Lanfang expressed her understanding.
This was the first time the system had heard the Gu family praise it continuously!
Oh, it was so happy!
Next time, it would give the host a big reward.
Mi Guo finished cooking and listened to them chat by the side.
He rarely interrupted and basically remained silent, but he listened intently.
He felt that just listening to them talk was incredibly beneficial.
"Father, I've secured a role for you among the Fenghuang Village villagers."
"Oh? What role?" Gu Zhaobei's eyes lit up. "I haven't even been to Fenghuang Village, and they already know me? What do they think I am? Wise and mighty? Haha!"
"An astrologer!" Gu Qingcheng said with a chuckle.
"Tsk, isn't that something supernatural and deceptive?"
Gu Zhaobei's heart sank.
"Ah, but that's how you can impress people! I told them you foresaw the ice disaster and the flood, and they were all very impressed with you.
Also, your medical skills are excellent. Once you reveal your medical expertise in the village, your status will skyrocket."
Gu Qingcheng quickly encouraged her father.
"That's true. As a doctor, regardless of the era, one's status is always esteemed. By the way, do you have a clinic? I could work there, see patients, and take on apprentices. Otherwise, I'll be bored to death."
Gu Zhaobei did not want to retire yet. He had found the past six months of recuperation in Yashan to be rather dull.
It was a perfect example of the saying, "Stillness breeds restlessness."
"Of course, there is a clinic. There's a young man named Zhu Liang leading the charge. You can choose a few apprentices you like to teach medicine. The village is especially short of surgeons, which is your specialty.
The other day, a member of our hunting party was bitten by a wolf. Fortunately, I used the surgical suturing technique you taught me to stop the bleeding. Coupled with the powerful effect of antibiotics, we miraculously saved him, which earned me quite a bit of admiration from the villagers."
Gu Qingcheng recalled the scene at the time, still feeling thrilled and exhilarated.
"Child, you haven't actually performed the procedure, you've only watched. You've only heard the theory from your father, and you dared to suture?"
Hu Lanfang was startled.
"Don't worry, Mother. I have a sense of proportion. It was truly a life-or-death situation, and I had to steel myself. If I hadn't acted, the other person would have certainly died."
Gu Qingcheng explained.
"You don't understand, people these days have never used antibiotics. Even the most common antibiotic can have a miraculous effect. You only stopped the bleeding; the recovery was truly due to his own strong will to live."
Gu Zhaobei understood.
"Alright, stop talking and let's eat."
Hu Lanfang looked at the table full of delicious-looking dishes and urged them.
After eating, Gu Qingcheng asked:
"Father, Mother, when do you plan to leave?"
"Whenever you like. We can pack up and leave anytime."
Gu Zhaobei said indifferently.
The entire family was decisive. Although they had lived here for some time and developed some affection, they were ultimately transients. They had long been prepared to leave at any moment, so once they made up their minds, packing was very quick.
Furthermore, their "packing" mainly involved Hu Lanfang sorting out the items to take, which Gu Qingcheng would then directly place into the storage cabinet. The speed was remarkable.
Their more favored furniture was all directly stored in the cabinet. Even the pots, firewood, and remaining coal in the kitchen were all collected by Gu Qingcheng into the storage cabinet.
That evening, they tidied up the house, leaving only what was needed for sleeping and washing.
Hu Lanfang was quite happy at the thought of leaving, saying:
"This is great, finally, I don't have to deal with Prince Xia anymore. Prince Xia always valued your father and would often invite him to dine and drink.
What's even more infuriating is the Heir Apparent. He secretly tried to befriend your father and, after drinking, insisted he stay the night and even tried to send women to his room, which infuriated me.
Fortunately, your father is upright and firmly refused."
Gu Zhaobei, listening from the side, broke out in a cold sweat.
Ah, he was bringing this up to his daughter? Did he have any shame? This was truly a mortifying moment.
However, those maids were indeed very beautiful... Of course, he only glanced at them once and dared not look again.
He wasn't an unprincipled man!
Uh, he couldn't think about it any further. If he thought too much, he might slip up and be scolded to death by his wife.
Gu Zhaobei, with strong survival instincts, said:
"There are reasons for all this! In truth, the father-son affection is just a facade. Prince Xia's family is embroiled in palace infighting.
The Heir Apparent wants to inherit the title early and wishes his father would die sooner, while Prince Xia and his current consort have another son and hope to live for many more years.
The consort, on the other hand, is scheming to get rid of the legitimate eldest son so her own son can inherit the title.
All three factions want to win me over. Caught between them, I'm in a difficult position, unable to offend any side.
Fortunately, their struggles are still confined to the shadows and have not reached a boiling point or a complete breakdown, so I can still maneuver between them."