"Our family's radish seedlings aren't as good as Second Brother's," Thirteen Master Meng glanced at the bok choy in the adjacent plot and felt even more inferior.
Seeing the piles of amaranth and pigweed mixed with weeds by the cabbage patch, Fifth Master Meng's smile widened. Without minding Thirteen, he crouched down to pick the amaranth and pigweed.
Thirteen Master Meng's eyes also lit up at the sight of the tender amaranth and pigweed, but he had more important matters to ask Xin Ci.
Fu Xin Ci had long noticed the straw sandals in Thirteen Master Meng's hand and thoughtfully said, "Thirteen Master, are you asking about the grass used to weave these sandals?"
"Yes," Thirteen Master Meng replied with a smile, inwardly marveling at how much smarter this little girl was than others.
"Thirteen Master, you should look for this kind of grass in the meadows along the riverbank."
"Really?" Thirteen Master Meng received the little girl's hint, thanked her, and set off along the river.
Fu Xin Ci saw this and quickly reminded him, "Thirteen Master, look on our side of the river, don't go to the other side."
"Ah, thank you, Xin Ci."
They all knew that following the small river led to Wujia Village, and beyond that, they didn't know which village it was; none of them had ever been there.
Only the land on this side of the river belonged to Second Brother's family. With the little girl's words, Thirteen Master Meng dared to search.
Madam Zhou was still cutting grass and looked over when she heard voices. Seeing her husband approaching, she asked with some confusion, "Husband, have you returned from the garrison?"
"Wife, I didn't go to the garrison. Fifth Brother helped me inquire. Look, these are the straw sandals."
Madam Zhou was also surprised, "These straw sandals are indeed different from ours. Judging by their appearance, they would be warm to wear in winter."
"Yes, Fifth Brother said that Commander Qi also said that if these straw sandals could be wrapped in a layer of cowhide on the outside, they could even be used for wading through snow."
"Really? That would be great if it were true, otherwise, our feet will be frozen all winter."
"I'm going along the river to find this grass now."
"Husband, I'll go with you."
"Alright."
Fu Xin Ci watched the couple walk away, laughing and chatting. She then saw Fifth Master carrying a pile of wild vegetables, not afraid of dirt, and happily went home with them.
Among the Meng clan members, there were also these ordinary people.
That evening, when the family sat down for dinner, Fu Xin Ci learned that her grandfather and her nominal father, persuaded by Artisan Zhang, were preparing to dig another cellar.
Fu Xin Ci agreed with this. A cellar would not only store vegetables in winter but could also be used for hiding people during times of war.
Hearing his granddaughter's words, Grandpa Meng fell into deep thought.
A moment later, he had figured it out and discussed with his son about digging a more concealed cellar, which would serve as a retreat if anything bad were to happen.
"Grandfather, should we also build another door for the cellar?"
"That would be more complicated. When your Uncle Qi comes tomorrow, I'll discuss it with him."
"Grandfather, I think our family should also dig a well."
Upon hearing her daughter's suggestion to dig a well, Madam Fang felt it was unnecessary and wasteful. She said, "Ci'er, our home is not far from the river, and carrying water is not difficult."
"Mother, it's not about the distance to the river. You'll know if we need to dig a well after I finish speaking."
"The winters here are very cold, and the river water will freeze. Are we going to go and chisel holes in the ice every day?"
"Mother, there's one more most important point. This river, although it looks clear, flows from the direction of the garrison..."
Fu Xin Ci didn't finish her sentence, but Qi He understood. "Those soldiers bathe in the small river every day. They are covered in sweat, and all of them have smelly feet."
"Ugh~" Madam Fang felt a wave of nausea at the thought of drinking the soldiers' bathwater every day, and the food in her bowl no longer tasted good.
Fu Yu: "Digging a well at home is imperative."
Fu Xin Ci: I wholeheartedly agree.
Yu'er: I also agree.
Grandpa Meng: "Tomorrow, we'll inquire about where to find people who dig wells."
Thus, the matter of the Meng family digging a well was put on the agenda.
The next day, Grandpa Meng mentioned it to Artisan Zhang. Artisan Zhang immediately said that there were well-digging craftsmen at the Thousand-Household Office. He was going back tomorrow anyway and would bring someone to dig the well.
Grandpa Meng also reminded him, "Bring a few cartloads of blue bricks back."
"Don't worry, old sir, I won't forget."
Artisan Zhang was quick to act. The next day, he returned from the Thousand-Household Office and brought back five well-digging men.
It was said to be a family, surnamed Gao. Old Master Gao brought his two sons and three grandsons.
Gao's third grandson was not old, about the same age as Qi He, but sturdier.
Strangely, the two of them hit it off immediately, as if they had known each other for years. In a short while, they were playing together.
Old Master Gao was clearly capable. With his bare eyes and decades of experience, he judged where the most suitable place to dig a well was.
He sincerely said to Grandpa Meng, "This location is close to the water source. This old man suggests that a depth of three to four Zhang for your well will be sufficient."
Grandpa Meng had no expertise in digging wells and didn't understand it at all. However, after hearing Elder Brother Gao's words, he was very satisfied, believing the man's words were reasonable.
Adopting an attitude of trusting those he employed, he said to Old Master Gao, "My son and I are both laymen when it comes to digging wells. We'll do as you say, Elder Brother Gao."
Old Master Gao was also pleased with the attitude of Grandpa Meng and his son. Thus, within a few days, the Meng family's well was dug, and a clean well platform was built outside.
Grandpa Meng and his son were extremely satisfied. Fu Yu suddenly had an idea and pulled his father aside to discuss, "Father, you said this family of well-diggers are all skilled. Do you think they also know how to dig cellars?"
With his son's suggestion, Grandpa Meng felt it was very likely and immediately asked Old Master Gao.
Old Master Gao, still robust in his old age, agreed without hesitation.
...
Meanwhile, Thirteen Master Meng's skill in weaving straw sandals became known, and people wanting to order them came in a steady stream.
After all, winters here were cold. For the poor, such straw sandals were practical and inexpensive, affordable for most families.
Especially among the Meng clan members, almost every household had someone ordering straw sandals.
With so many orders, each household ordered several pairs, even more than a dozen.
With such a large number of orders, Thirteen Master Meng alone could not handle it, so he taught Madam Zhou how to weave mats.
The couple worked tirelessly at home, their hands never stopping. Shuang Bang helped Madam Zhou cut grass at home, and only in his spare time could he visit his second uncle's house.
However, he was never a bother. When it was mealtime, he would go home and did not even accept invitations to stay for meals.