Chapter 117: Tang Family Dam

“Wen Dali, tomorrow gather all children under twelve years old from the estate, boys and girls alike, in the front courtyard. Divide them simply into classes: a girls’ study group, an early childhood enlightenment class, a woodworking class, and a traditional Chinese medicine class. These four categories will be provisional. If you have any other ideas, feel free to organize the classes accordingly,” Wang Keyue instructed.

“Master, are you starting a school?” Wen Dali’s face lit up with surprise and joy.

“Yes. Our sect will need many talents for future development. If we start training now, there will be no shortage of capable people later,” Wang Keyue explained.

Wen Dali nodded. “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll begin organizing everything tomorrow!” Although he felt a twinge of regret—he had always dreamed of studying medicine—he knew his master had many responsibilities, and he couldn’t hold him back. In truth, helping the young mistress like this made him happy.

“Dali, your master will return in a couple of days. He’ll have more tasks for you then,” Wang Keyue said thoughtfully. She still had a low-level traditional Chinese medicine skill card in her space, which she planned to use on Wen Dali.

Wen Dali hadn’t expected his master to still care about him so deeply. Tears of gratitude welled up in his eyes. “Master, how is he doing now? Is his health good?”

“He’s strong and well. Don’t worry,” Wang Keyue replied with a smile. It seemed she would have to revive the presence of Old Wang in a few days to maintain order. After all, many still revered Old Wang here; his reputation as a miracle doctor was well earned.

After arranging everyone, Wang Keyue finally felt she could rest. Tomorrow held many tasks, so she resolved to sleep early and rise early.

The next day was as busy as ever. Wang Keyue and Cheng Yi rode in a carriage toward Kangle County.

Upon meeting County Magistrate Chen, Wang Keyue presented the letter and token from Xiao Hongyu.

“Master Wang, a pleasure to meet you!” Magistrate Chen was delighted. Although the young master appeared quite young, anyone with eyes could tell he was extraordinary—much like General Xiao himself.

“I am Wang Keyue. Greetings, Magistrate Chen,” Wang Keyue said openly, having no need to hide her true name among allies.

“Please, no need for formalities. General Xiao has already instructed me thoroughly. Please come in,” the magistrate said politely, though inwardly he wondered why such a fine young man bore such a delicate-sounding name.

Magistrate Chen gave a brief overview of the hundred-mile area around the estate. According to him, there were four relatively large villages and three smaller hamlets, totaling three to four thousand people. The fertile fields spanned over ten thousand acres. Additionally, there were five abandoned fish ponds, stretches of sandy land, and several nearly dying orchards.

These fish ponds and orchards lay beside the only river in the northwest, called the Shazhou River, aptly named for its heavy sediment. Wang Keyue remembered the earlier reward she had received concerning riverway renovation and began formulating plans in her mind.

After completing all land registration procedures, Wang Keyue clarified her sect’s affairs. With Xiao Hongyu’s backing, all matters were handled smoothly.

Wang Keyue officially became the new owner of this land. At that moment, her system’s notification sounded, indicating the main mission progress had reached 35% and a new temporary mission was received.

“Ding-dong! Temporary mission: The host must lead the people to withstand the year’s largest snowstorm. Survival rate must exceed 90%. Accept mission?”

“Xiaoyue, accept this mission—it’s crucial!” Little Bao’s voice urged.

Without hesitation, Wang Keyue accepted. Even without this task, she would never abandon the lives of the people.

Knowing the mission, Wang Keyue studied this year’s weather forecasts and recognized the greatest threat. The immediate priority was to prepare protective measures for each village.

On the way back, Wang Keyue planned a slight detour to visit a larger village called Tangjiaba. This village was reputedly the best and most populous in the area. According to the magistrate’s information, Tangjiaba had about one hundred households, totaling around six hundred people.

At the village entrance, seven or eight ragged children, about five or six years old, were playing in the mud. Upon seeing the unfamiliar carriage, they grew excited and rushed over. Cheng Yi, who was driving, nervously tightened the reins to slow down, wary of accidentally hitting them.

Wang Keyue lifted the curtain to see a group of grimy, mud-splattered kids holding out their small black hands. “Please, kind adult, give us something to eat!” “We bow to you, wishing you wealth and honor! Just a few coins will do!”

Their voices were innocent, but their begging was well rehearsed—clearly a family tradition.

Wang Keyue gave candy from her bag to each child. Overjoyed, the children knelt and bowed in gratitude.

She summoned the eldest child and asked, “Take me to your village chief. I have business with him.”

The boy was thrilled and immediately ran ahead to lead the way. “Follow me, kind sirs!”

They passed many adobe houses. All the buildings were made from yellow earth and reinforced with stone, but their roofs were merely palm leaves.

Such houses were somewhat sturdy, but who could guarantee their safety through this year’s heavy snow? With the unusually long cold season ahead, these homes offered no warmth—survival here was grim.

“This is the village chief’s home,” the boy said, stopping at a modest house. Wang Keyue gave him a sesame candy, and the children ran off giggling.

When Village Chief Tang opened the door, he was too surprised to speak. Although Tangjiaba was a large village, poor soil and drought had wiped out nearly all their crops.

Most villagers had taken their families to Kangle County or other towns, living mostly by begging.

Hearing Tang’s account, Wang Keyue’s resolve to develop and rebuild grew stronger.

Leaving Tangjiaba, she headed next to the smallest marked village, Xiao Lizishu, not far away. Yet this place was deserted.

Wang Keyue was puzzled and had Cheng Yi drive around. Every house was collapsed and abandoned.

“Forget it. Let’s head back,” she said, feeling no mood to linger.

Le Wen