Oh no! Seven kids at the start, all yellow and skinny.

Chapter 28 Lucky Star

“Okay.” Yunyi nodded. “Everyone will be here soon to start building the house. We’ll need to provide meals, so please wash all the vegetables.”

When Er Ya saw that pile of eggplants and radishes, although she was somewhat resistant, she didn't refuse and actually worked hard to get to work.

Fortunately, Da Bao and the others came in and helped with the work.

Xia Songshi glanced at Yunyi, wanting to say something, but only opened her mouth and ultimately said nothing.

"Fang Yunyi, don't bully them!" Wang Qiao'er rushed over angrily. "Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you buy some good food."

"Qiao'er!" Doctor Wang called out hurriedly.

"Grandpa, don't worry about it, I just can't stand her!" Wang Qiao'er shouted, her eyes red. "Why does she have the right to bully Da Bao and the others?"

"Yunyi, Qiao'er is still a child..."

"How did I bully them?" Yun Yi wasn't angry, nor did she pay attention to Xia Songshi's pleas. Instead, she crossed her arms and looked at the little girl in front of her.

“You…make them do the work.”

“Is there anything wrong with working?” Yunyi raised an eyebrow slightly. “There’s no such thing as getting something for nothing in this world. I provide them with food and drink, and they put in the labor. Shouldn’t that be expected?”

Wang Qiao'er opened her mouth, but couldn't find a rebuttal for the time being.

“Sister Qiao’er.” Da Bao tugged at Wang Qiao’er’s hand. “She…didn’t bully us, don’t be angry.”

"Hmph, I can't be bothered with you." Wang Qiao'er stomped her foot, turned around, and ran back into the house.

Da Bao glanced at Yun Yi, then went back to his work.

Yunyi ignored them and continued with her work. Soon, the village chief's wife, Gao Shunfang, arrived with several women. Since the Wang family lived closest to the construction site, they would take turns coming over for dinner.

"Yunyi, you should be more careful with your money." Gao Shunfang glanced at the ingredients, somewhat surprised. "You already gave so much meat yesterday, and today..."

"Auntie, just eat like this." Yunyi waved her hand. "I dug up a he shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum) on the mountain today. It's enough to build a house and eat. You have to eat well when you're working."

Upon hearing this, Gao Shunfang stopped talking and simply told everyone to cook well, as such delicious food might not be available even during the New Year.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Soon, the village chief arrived with a dozen or so young men. When they saw the food, they were all surprised and said that if they could eat like this every day, they wouldn't need to work.

Yunyi just listened. You can't test people's hearts. If she really didn't pay the wages, the man might not do anything, but the women in the family would definitely have objections. There was no need for that.

"Alright, enough with the sweet talk. Getting down to work is what really matters, that's how you deserve the big steamed buns, white rice, and meat you eat every day," the village chief shouted.

Everyone laughed and said they would definitely do their best.

In the days that followed, everyone worked hard in the fields during the day and came to build houses early in the morning and late at night. Because the food was good, everyone worked very hard.

Yunyi goes to Qinglong Mountain once a day.

Three days later, she once again carried a wild red Ganoderma lucidum down the mountain. Although she was somewhat worried about the financial resources of Xue's Medical Clinic, she still went there immediately.

"Young lady, how should I put it?" Xue Buwei looked at the red Ganoderma lucidum, his smile somewhat complicated.

"Speak directly if you have anything to say."

"You really are my lucky star," Xue Buwei laughed. "You give me whatever I need."

"That means we are destined to be together."

“Yes, it’s fate.” Xue Buwei nodded. “My pills need one last ingredient, which is this Ganoderma lucidum spore powder. The fresher it is, the better the effect. If it’s not fresh, the efficacy will be reduced.”

"It's because you're a good person; good people always get good rewards."

Xue Buwei was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words." He then took out a hundred-tael silver note and handed it over.

Yunyi took the silver note and turned to leave.

Xue Buwei: ...

She really is a capable girl. Then she shook her head, took the Ganoderma lucidum and hurriedly went to the backyard. She excitedly entered a room and said, "Thank God, all the medicines are here."

Inside the room, a masked man was sitting in a wheelchair. Hearing Xue Buwei's words, he looked up. Although his expression was not visible, one could sense the man's urgency.

"Fresh red Ganoderma lucidum, and it's even a hundred years old." Xue Buwei took a deep breath. "You're saved."

The masked man nodded. "Thank you for your trouble." His voice was hoarse and very unpleasant, clearly indicating that his voice had been ruined.

Xue Buwei's eyes reddened slightly: "Yes... you're blessed with good fortune."

After leaving the clinic, Yunyi went straight into the blacksmith shop. There were people in the blacksmith shop at the time, and judging from their clothes, they were yamen runners. In order to avoid trouble, she turned around and went out again.

I waited for about 15 minutes not far from the blacksmith shop before the two constables left.

Yunyi then re-entered the blacksmith's shop, only to find Zhao the blacksmith sighing and lamenting.

"Zhao the blacksmith, I've come to collect something."

"The young lady has arrived." Upon seeing Yunyi, Zhao the blacksmith quickly stood up. "Come with me."

In the backyard, Yunyi's eyes lit up as she looked at the grappling hook. Zhao the blacksmith's craftsmanship was truly exceptional, far better than she had imagined.

“I made a slight change. There’s a little mechanism here. Just press it, and the five single claws of this grappling hook will separate and then form a small five-claw…” Zhao the blacksmith demonstrated to Yunyi. “Just in case.”

Yunyi couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Even if I'm picky, I have to say, Master Zhao, your skills are amazing."

Zhao the blacksmith smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it." He paused for a moment, then added, "However, my shop will be closing down soon."

"why?"

“The yamen officials just came. The iron supply was already low every month, and now it’s going to be reduced even more. I’m a blacksmith shop, what am I supposed to forge without iron?” Zhao the blacksmith sighed. “I have to pay rent every day to keep the shop open, so I might as well close it down. I’ve saved up enough for my betrothal money, so I can go back and get married.”

"Then congratulations." Yunyi nodded, thought for a moment, took out a tael of silver and handed it over, "Consider it my gift."

"How about that..."

"I really like the grappling hook you made."

Zhao the blacksmith scratched his head: "Thank you. I live in Zhao Family Village in the eastern suburbs. My name is Zhao Dazhuang. If you need anything in the future, you can come to me."

"Okay." Yunyi nodded, turned and left the blacksmith shop, but her mood was somewhat heavy.

Iron mines are state-controlled. Even if the officials above are corrupt, they must still ensure the most basic needs of the common people. Zhao the blacksmith's monthly supply of iron should be the minimum standard. If it is reduced now, it can only mean that the iron mine is in short supply. At this time, iron mines are used to make agricultural tools and weapons. The large increase in the number of weapons can only mean that war is about to break out.