The Slender Waist-Chapter 557 - 398: Summer Insect Chirps About Ice

Guan Wei’s father was a military officer under Feng Jingteng, and she herself knew some equestrian and archery skills. On hearing that this man was Hou Zhun, she couldn’t help but give him a few extra glances.

Awan, however, quickly withdrew her gaze and dared not look any longer.

In her eyes, Hou Zhun was a fierce bandit from Xiufeng Mountain, a man of large and robust stature, and she subconsciously wanted to keep her distance.

Feng Yun saw the reactions of both women.

She said, "I have some words for General Hou, you two may leave for now."

Feng Yun usually treated people kindly, and if there was nothing urgent, it didn’t bother her to let them linger around, but once she became serious, none of the beauties dared to utter an extra word.

Guan Wei and Awan bowed and promised to leave.

Feng Yun noticed that Hou Zhun’s expression remained calm and he did not show any longing when he saw beautiful women, which added a few more points of favor towards him.

Everyone has a love for beauty, but those who cannot control their own desires are definitely not capable of great things.

She intended to matchmake Hou Zhun with someone.

These concubines were getting on in years, and keeping them around might delay their futures.

Moreover, if she wanted Hou Zhun to become her confidant, it would be best if the person beside his pillow was one of her own people.

A deeply binding relationship is enduring...

She thought a lot, but her face revealed nothing, and in conversation, she did not mention this at all, only saying, "Little Jieqiu is not far from Changmen, and the mountain is cold. In the future, Big Brother Hou should come and visit often."

Hou Zhun agreed without hesitation.

That day at noon, Feng Yun invited Hou Zhun to have a meal at the manor.

During that time, Guan Wei sought an excuse, claiming she had an embroidered pouch to give to the lady, and visited once more.

Feng Yun observed her words and expressions, and accepted with a smile.

After the meal, while sending Hou Zhun on his way, Feng Yun asked with a hint of meaning,

"Big Brother Hou, what do you think of Guan Ji?"

Hou Zhun was startled, and quickly lowered his head to bow, saying, "Hou does not dare to look too much, nor to speak carelessly."

Feng Yun was amused by his solemn behavior and said softly, "These concubines are Feng Jingteng’s wrongdoings, but the Great General has not accepted them; they are considered my sisters, and they are all free."

Hou Zhun finally caught the hint, his cheeks faintly blushing.

"The lady’s kindness... Hou understands."

Was this a rejection?

Feng Yun was slightly surprised, "Does Big Brother Hou already have someone in mind, or... do you despise them for their lowly origins?"

"No, no, no, absolutely not," sighed Hou Zhun, "Hou has fallen to be a bandit and is no longer as before. In such a state of destitution, how could I wrong anyone..."

Feng Yun could not tell if he was sincere or pretending, nor did she know if his refusal was because he was wary of her. Immediately she laughed, not saying anything more, and changed the subject while stepping out the door alongside him.

Just then, a clamor came from outside.

The voice of Yang Tiezhu, the village chief, was the loudest, bellowing and cursing something.

Feng Yun turned her face and asked the gatekeeper,

"What’s happening outside?"

The soldiers had not yet answered when Ge Yi hurried over, panting and saying, "My lady..."

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed Hou Zhun beside her, and paused briefly.

Feng Yun said, "Big Brother Hou is one of our own; you may speak freely if there is anything."

Hou Zhun had heard the term "one of our own" several times today. At first, it felt awkward, but the more he heard it, the warmer it felt.

The affairs of Changmen had become his own.

He asked, "Is it that someone is dissatisfied with the digging of wells and canals for Changmen?"

Ge Yi bowed to him, performing the courtesy and saying,

"General Hou is right. There are some people in the village who, while working, refused to exert themselves. Now that the canal is through, they say that the water on the mountain and the water underground belong to Huaxi Village collectively, and that bringing it down from the mountain should not be for the exclusive use of Changmen..."

Feng Yun let out a laugh, "Let me take a look."

She had not yet approached when she heard Lu Guiquan arguing with Yang Tiezhu, neck to neck, shouting loud.

"The canal is the canal of Huaxi Village, the well is the well of Huaxi Village. The villagers’ fields also lack water, why cant they use it? Why should it only supply Changmen... The Village Chief’s wife has not bullied anyone because of her power. Yang Tiezhu, a mere clerk, are you coming out to bite people like a dog or what?"

Yang Tiezhu’s eyes reddened with rage.

"Lu Guiquan, don’t be ungrateful, ah. When the lady mentioned digging the canal last time, who was the first to jump out against it? Was it not you?"

"What’s wrong with my opposition? Can’t I object? The Village Chief’s wife said that this is Huaxi Village for all villagers, I am also a villager, why can’t I express my own opinion?"

"Then if you don’t dig the canal, how do you justify using the water?"

"Can’t I use water if I don’t dig the canal? Was the old well in the village drilled by you, the Yangs? Why does your family get to use water from the old well?"

Yang Tiezhu was about to be driven mad by anger.

"How can these be the same? The old well is the village’s well..."

Lu Guiquan laughed dryly, "The canal is also the village’s canal. Just because I don’t dig latrines, does that mean I can’t defecate?"

After speaking, he raised his arms and called out, turning his head to incite the villagers.

"Everyone say, does what Lu Guiquan said make sense?"

Most people were silent, with only a few churlishly agreeing.

But Feng Yun knew that most people also hoped to use the water from the well and canal.

Even if they didn’t say anything, in their hearts, for their own benefit, they would agree with Lu Guiquan’s statements.

If Feng Yun refused, then this resentful mood would spread slowly among the villagers through Lu Guiquan’s mouth...

Lu Guiquan precisely seized this point, that’s why he dared to speak so brazenly and shamelessly ask for water.

"Well said." Feng Yun walked through the crowd, stood in front of Lu Guiquan, stared at him coldly, then slowly scanned the surrounding crowd.

"The irrigation channel was indeed constructed by Changmen, but the water source should belong to all the villagers..."

Lu Guiquan’s face showed a hint of triumph.

Yet Feng Yun merely smiled faintly.

"However, no matter the issue, there must be rules to follow. This water did not just fall from the sky, Changmen expended both human and material resources, they should not go uncompensated..."

She turned to look at Xing Dalang.

"Azhou, when you have time, make a tally. For those who wish to use Changmen’s irrigation channel for watering their fields, we will collect a certain labor fee. Drinking water can be provided in limited quantities free of charge."

The crowd exchanged glances.

Feng Yun smiled and asked, "What do you all think, is it fair or not?"

"Fair!"

"It’s fair."

"Fair and square!"

The villagers looked at each other and nodded repeatedly.

Immediately after, the crowd burst into cheer.

Hauling water from Changhe river these past days, for watering livestock and for cooking and washing, was not only distant but also dirty. The spring water flowing from the irrigation channel, on the other hand, who wouldn’t be happy?

The dissatisfaction that Lu Guiquan’s words had caused evaporated in an instant, replaced by gratitude toward Feng Yun.

Feng Yun said nothing,

but waited until the noise gradually died down before turning her gaze to Lu Guiquan.

"But there’s one thing, everyone listen well. Everyone can use it, except for the people of the Lu family."

Lu Guiquan’s face immediately turned sullen.

"Why not? I am also a villager of Huaxi Village. Why can everyone else use it, but not me?"

Feng Yun’s face darkened, and she appeared exceedingly solemn.

"Because the people of the Lu family do not abide by the village rules."

Lu Guiquan grew indignant, "Which village rule? Are you saying that it’s up to the Village Chief’s wife to falsely accuse me on a whim?"

Feng Yun replied coldly, "The number one village rule: be kind to neighbors, avoid spreading rumors and causing trouble, and shun meddling in others’ affairs. Your repeated attacks on Changmen in front of the villagers, damaging my reputation, doesn’t that count as breaking the village rules?"

This village rule is posted on a notice board under the big plane tree.

Every Huaxi Village villager is familiar with it.

But what they usually care most about are the targeted regulations and agreements, never imagining that the first rule could be invoked this way...

Lu Guiquan was left speechless by Feng Yun’s argument.

And the other villagers certainly were not going to offend Feng Yun at a time like this.

Not a single person rose to his defense.

Seeing this, his wife, overcome with anger, let out a wail and sat down on the ground, crying and making a scene.

"You heartless people, at least speak some words of justice. If it wasn’t for my husband stepping in, would you even be using the water from the irrigation channel? You’re repaying kindness with ingratitude, have you no shame..."

Feng Yun glanced at her and turned away without a word.

Hou Zhun was standing by the edge of the field, watching; he frowned upon seeing her approach.

"In the future, for such matters, if it’s inconvenient for the wife to step in, just let me know. I’ll resolve it for her."

Used to being a mountain bandit, he had adopted some of their ways.

"Some matters, if they can’t be settled with reason, then they must be settled with fists."

Feng Yun gave him a grateful look.

"During this dry year, life is unsustainable everywhere. Digging the irrigation channel, I indeed had no intention of keeping it private. Even if Lu Guiquan had not brought it up, I wouldn’t have refused the villagers water. But since he did and things have come to this pass, I might as well recoup some of the costs."

Hou Zhun expressed his thoughts with a hint of emotion.

"The wife is kindhearted and tolerant towards people, I admire you immensely for it. But human greed knows no bounds, they take an inch and want a mile. If the wife concedes every time, it will only encourage them to become increasingly unruly and unbridled..."

Feng Yun just smiled, without much explanation.

When it came to the villagers, she always accepted losses and was willing to do so, never nitpicking...

In fact, she was not the only one who had questioned this.

She was now both wealthy and powerful, and there was no need for her to be so accommodating to these people.

As the Princess of Yonghuai, why should she bend over backward to please others?

Feng Yun didn’t see it that way.

Quarreling with ordinary people would only narrow her vision. How could she dream of having a broad perspective and achieve great things if she was bogged down in petty village affairs?

She said, "The frog in the well cannot discuss the sea, nor can the summer insect discuss ice. My opponents are not the villagers."

Hou Zhun fell silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "I have learned a lot."

That day, when he returned, he immediately summoned several of his trusted subordinates. Without further ado, he stated two points.

"First, hurry up with the digging of the irrigation channel, no slacking off."

"Second, Feng Shi Er Niang is broad-minded and does not let men overshadow her, possessing great aspirations... The King must have profound intentions for placing us here. We must simply obey and not act recklessly."

Some were confused.

"So, should we follow Feng Shi Er Niang’s orders, or the Prince of Yonghuai’s?"

Hou Zhun pondered for a moment.

"The King told us to listen to Feng Shi Er Niang."

Everyone: ...