Chapter 63: We Are All Civilized People

The village chief of Otani Village noticed how wary they were being, and grinned widely, finding it all quite amusing. The people of Lotus Village were as timid as mice; a few years ago, they too had managed to secure some good land, but because they were afraid of conflict, all of it was taken over by the people of Otani Village.

“Just because you cleared this land, does that mean we’re not allowed to come here? Besides, good land should be kept by those capable of defending it. Given the state of your village, can you really protect this land?”

“I’m only thinking of your wellbeing. Even if you do manage to open up a good spot like this, you won’t be able to farm here for long.”

The chief of Otani Village looked at them with a face full of sincerity, his words barely concealing the fact that he wanted them to hand over the land without causing trouble.

Old Chu, the chief of Lotus Village, trembled with rage at these words. A few years ago, the good land they had secured had all been snatched by Otani Village. And now, they were using the same trick again, trying to take the best land for themselves. If this went on, Lotus Village would soon have no land left to farm and would starve.

“Tang Zhong, don’t push us too far. We’ve already given up several good plots to your village in previous years. This year, this land was won fair and square by us and a few other villages. We all agreed that whoever drew the longest stick would get it. Are you really planning to take it by force?”

Lotus Village hadn’t gotten this land for nothing. Any time good wasteland was discovered, all the mountain villages wanted a chance to open it up. So, when good land was found, the village chiefs would hold a small meeting and let luck decide—whoever drew the longest bamboo slip would win the rights to the land.

“Old Chu, it’s not that I mean you any disrespect, but how many people do you have left in Lotus Village, compared to us in Otani Village?”

“You have so few people, and yet you want to keep this prime land for yourselves? Don’t you find that embarrassing? How about this, let’s swap. Otani Village has quite a bit of land. I recall there’s a plot not far from your village that belongs to us—I’ll trade you that for this one.”

Tang Zhong, the chief of Otani Village, spoke as though he were offering them a great deal, which made the villagers of Lotus Village gnash their teeth in anger, wishing they could smash him with their hoes.

It was true that there was a plot near Lotus Village that belonged to Otani Village, but that field was frequently visited by wild boars. Every harvest season, wild boars would rush in with their young, and no matter what had been planted, they would dig up everything, leaving the field in ruins.

As the two village chiefs clashed with words, Gu Xiaoyao paid them little mind and kept to her work, intent on digging as much land as possible. Her plant-based powers had recovered a bit, and once the land was ready, she could improve the seeds and sow them here.

“Hey, are you deaf? This land now belongs to Otani Village. Why are you still digging here?” A man, seeing Gu Xiaoyao still working hard with her hoe, strode over to shout at her, acting as though the land was already theirs.

Dahua, always quick-tempered, couldn’t hold back when she heard him. She shoved him in the chest.

“Nonsense! This is our Lotus Village’s land—why shouldn’t we dig our own fields? How can you from Otani Village be so shameless?”

The man staggered back a few steps from Dahua’s push. He rolled his tongue in his cheek and, seeing her angry expression, chuckled slyly.

“And who is this, some kind of tomboy? Such strength! Didn’t you hear what our chief said? We’re offering to trade land with you, so this place is ours now.”

Dahua spat in his face, her eyes blazing with fury.

“You think you can trade that worthless plot for good land here? You’re really dreaming. Shameless as a flower blooming in a cow pie!”