Chapter 9 Preparation

Captain Tian shook his tobacco pipe and pot, and with his hands behind his back, he said, "Alright, everyone disperse. Go do whatever you need to do."

With a swish, the crowd dispersed, and Tianye followed a group of men carrying shoulder poles and water buckets to the river to fetch water. Tianye gained a new understanding of Captain Tian's prestige in Shanggang Village. This was not someone to mess with.

Thinking about Captain Tian, Tianye couldn't help but wonder if he was the one who caused her father's death. This question made Tianye's hair stand on end. If her life wasn't secure, she felt that there was no hope for the future. After enduring hunger and hardship for several years, she didn't want to be harmed again.

Even though farming in the countryside was not dangerous, when they were repairing the embankment, danger was everywhere. She might have been lucky to escape once or twice, but could she continue to be lucky every time?

Tianye hoped she was overthinking things and that the people in Shanggang Village were still simple and honest. Despite trying to reassure herself, she became more cautious than before when working, feeling as if there was a sword hanging over her head.

Today, Tianye decided to follow behind Niuda Niang to fetch water. Niuda Niang could earn more than her, and she couldn't outdo her, as that would be disrespectful to Captain Tian.

Tianye followed Niuda Niang to fetch water, and after a long time, they only made two trips back and forth, which was much easier than before.

Tianye couldn't help but comment, "Auntie, there's not much water left in your bucket. If you keep swaying like that, how many seedlings can you water?"

Niuda Niang blushed and replied, "What are you talking about, child? I earn eight points, can I compete with the men who earn ten points? Running two trips is already a lot. Mind your own business and don't talk nonsense."

Tianye obediently said, "Oh, so that's how our points are calculated."

Niuda Niang turned back and looked at Tianye for a long time, affirming that she had misheard, then rubbed her lower back and continued to fetch water. This was really exhausting.

Normally, with a man at home, she wouldn't even bother to fetch water from the tank. How could she handle this? Thinking that she had to continue fetching water for several days, Niuda Niang felt resentful.

When the lunch bell rang, Niuda Niang, with sweat dripping down her face, threw down the shoulder pole and sat on the ground, wishing she could chew Captain Tian into dry rations.

Tianye casually picked up the water buckets. She didn't mind doing this kind of work, and she wanted people to see her simple and honest nature.

Carrying four water buckets on a shoulder pole, they walked to the canteen together, trying to avoid the men who had just finished work. Compared to fetching water, Niuda Niang walked much faster towards the canteen, and Tianye wondered if she was really tired.

When they lined up for food, Niuda Niang pushed ahead of several men and shamelessly shouted, "Move aside, move aside. How can a group of grown men stand in front of a woman and compete for food?"

No one dared to argue with her, and Niuda Niang proudly got a large bowl of sorghum rice.

Tianye also got a large bowl of sorghum rice and sat down next to Niuda Niang to eat. She didn't care if Niuda Niang was disgusted by her presence. She wanted to show her simple and honest nature.

Niuda Niang was annoyed that Tianye's presence had ruined the aroma of the sorghum rice. However, she didn't have time to deal with Tianye. She was too busy eating, and her speed put Tianye to shame.

When Niuda Niang went for a third helping, one of the men carrying water said, "Sister-in-law, you don't work as hard as us, but you eat just as much as us men."

Niuda Niang retorted, "Nonsense! I earn eight points, can I eat as much as you men who earn ten points? If the points are less, does that mean I shouldn't be full? I can't do this job anymore."

Niuda Niang didn't want to fetch water and was looking for an opportunity to cause trouble. And that's exactly what she found.

The man who had not been particularly concerned about it was unwilling to listen to such harsh words: "My father doesn't lack women, so don't try to act like my mother. You're just a woman, always acting like a mother, calling everyone 'son'."

A group of men spoke with crude language, and Niu Dangniang, blushing and with a thick neck, finished a bowl of rice and then turned to speak to the team leader.

She didn't hold back: "Team leader, I can't do this job. I'm only paid for eight-tenths of the work, and you still want me to do more? You even want to nitpick about me eating some rice. Otherwise, you can change my job in the afternoon."

The people nearby all laughed. After eating, they started to pick jobs. It was really something to say out loud, and it was rare to encounter someone with such thick skin.

The team leader glanced at Niu Dangniang's bowl of rice: "Niu's family, that's about enough. Eight-tenths is not a small amount."

The people nearby chuckled, "Sister-in-law, the team leader is fair. Just the amount of rice you ate is worth the work you did."

Team leader Tian Dagang remained silent. This person had a keen eye.

Niu Dangniang said, "Go away, go away."

Niu Dangniang didn't give up: "Team leader, if you don't change it, then you don't change it. But look, which woman carries water? It's exhausting. You should give me an extra point."

The purpose of Team Leader Tian Dagang was to deal with this talkative old woman. He didn't mind giving an extra half point or one point.

As a team leader, he also needed to win over the villagers. Otherwise, how could he establish authority?

Unable to withstand Niu Dangniang's persistence, he said, "Alright, don't say that I, Tian Gang, am unfeeling. Since everyone is here, if no one objects, I'll give you an extra point."