After spending the whole time busy and hungry by the fish ponds, the group finally headed back.

Before nightfall, Feng Jiu’er drafted a plan and called together the eight captains of Panlong Stronghold for a meeting.

In Gong Xinyue’s room, a large square table had been assembled in the middle.

Spread across it was a long cloth on which mountains, rivers, fields, and ponds had been drawn.

“During dinner, I already explained to you the basic principle of mulberry-fish pond farming. Now let’s talk about the specific operations.”

Feng Jiu’er held a bamboo pole and pointed it at the cloth.

“Right now, we have three fish ponds already under cultivation—Pond One, Two, and Three.”

“After discussing it today, this fourth area can also be used for aquaculture.”

“Xinyue.” Feng Jiu’er looked up at Gong Xinyue. “How many people do we have in Panlong Stronghold right now, exactly?”

“A little over eighteen thousand,” Gong Xinyue replied, pressing her lips together lightly.

Feng Jiu’er glanced around at everyone, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.

“On this fertile land, if we use our minds and put in the work, life will definitely get better.”

“Once things stabilize in Plains City, we’ll open the road connecting Plains City to Panlong Stronghold. When the road opens, wealth will flow.”

“Whatever Jiu’er says goes.”

“Jiu’er has truly been so good to us!”

Life grew more and more comfortable by the day. Although the captains weren’t especially close to Feng Jiu’er, and some had never even met her before, they now looked at her as though she were their savior.

“Jiu’er, we spent the whole afternoon surveying, and the four areas you mentioned can all be developed into new farming grounds,” one captain said with a smile.

“Some spots are a bit troublesome, but we can find a way. We can finish within a month.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er gave the captain who spoke a thumbs up.

“Everyone gather round, let me share my thoughts.”

Gong Xinyue, the second-in-command, and the eight captains all leaned in to look at the drawn cloth.

Feng Jiu’er looked up at everyone, then set the bamboo pole on the drawing, pointing out area after area.

“These green sections are planned for planting mulberry trees. If anyone has questions, raise them now.”

“Around the fish ponds, we’ll plant either mulberry, grass, or vegetables—medicinal herbs aren’t recommended.”

“This section here”—Feng Jiu’er pointed to a yellow area—”is for raising silkworms. Tomorrow I’ll teach you how to build the houses needed for silkworm farming.”

“Mulberry-fish ponds: mulberry planted on the banks, fish raised inside the pond, silkworm droppings feed the fish, and pond mud fertilizes the mulberry.”

Watching Feng Jiu’er teach her brothers so wholeheartedly, patiently answering every question they raised, Gong Xinyue felt warmth in her heart.

She, too, believed the stronghold’s future held countless possibilities.

After the meeting ended, Feng Jiu’er went to another building.

Xiao Yingtao was leading several brothers and sisters, teaching the stronghold’s people how to sort medicinal herbs and spreading knowledge they didn’t yet have.

As soon as Feng Jiu’er entered, everyone stood and greeted her.

Feng Jiu’er smiled slightly and nodded, waving her hand.

“Xiao Yingtao.” She walked straight up to her. “Did you find suitable medicinal herbs?”

“Mm.” Xiao Yingtao stood and handed Feng Jiu’er two kinds of herbs.

“I already told them: dry them, grind into powder, mix at a ratio of one to two, apply about eight liang per mu of pond, once a month.”

“Good!” Feng Jiu’er nodded and looked at everyone.

“Once the mulberry-fish ponds are officially up and running, pest problems are bound to come.”

“All we can do is prevent them in advance. If something unexpected happens, there’s no need to panic excessively.”

“I heard from Xing’er that quite a few of you know something about medicine.”

“If you can handle it yourselves, handle it. If not, send word to us, and we’ll definitely find someone to help right away.”

“Miss Jiu’er, we really don’t know how to express our gratitude for what you’ve done for us,” an elderly woman said, standing up.

“Thanks to your ideas and help these past days, we now get to eat meat every day, and life finally has something to look forward to.”

“That’s right, Miss Jiu’er, thank you so much!” another woman stood up as well.

“You’ve not only sent us food and silver, but also taught us these ways to make a living.”

“Miss Jiu’er is like a living bodhisattva to us.” a younger woman said with a smile.

Everyone else echoed in unison, “Miss Jiu’er is like a living bodhisattva to us.”

Feng Jiu’er waved her hand and said, “The ones you should thank are Xinyue, and the brothers who went out to fight.”

“Everything you have was brought back by them, not by me.”

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er’s gaze landed on Xiao Yingtao, the corner of her mouth lifting.

“Tomorrow is our Xiao Yingtao’s wedding. There’s still a lot that needs everyone’s help.”

“Let’s stop here for tonight. Go rest early.”

Everyone said their goodbyes to Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao before leaving.

Early the next morning, a group of unmarried girls gathered at Gong Xinyue and Gong Xing’er’s home.

Feng Jiu’er led everyone in decorating the place, inside and out.

In another separate house nearby, Long Shiyi bustled about like the master of the house himself.

It was Xing Zizhou’s wedding day, but Long Shiyi was as excited as if he himself were the groom tonight.

It wasn’t just these two households—today, red lanterns hung outside every house throughout Panlong Stronghold.

A festive atmosphere filled the air at once.

In the afternoon, three groups gradually arrived at Panlong Stronghold one after another.

There wasn’t enough housing, so many brothers camped nearby, though it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.

Di Wu Ya and Feng Jiang, leading their brothers, arrived just in time for the ceremonial bow.

The bride and groom, dressed in bright red wedding attire, knelt in the hall to pay respects to the elders.

To show respect to Panlong Stronghold, the first elder couple they bowed to was the stronghold’s oldest surviving married couple.

After the elderly couple drank their tea, Di Wu Ya and Feng Jiu’er were invited to sit up front.

The wedding matron called out auspicious words, and after Xing Zizhou and Xiao Yingtao knelt, they carried cups of tea over to Di Wu Ya and Feng Jiu’er.

Di Wu Ya took the teacup from Xing Zizhou’s hand, raised it, and drank it in one gulp.

With a clink, Di Wu Ya dropped a jade ring into the empty cup.

“May you grow old together in harmony! May you have children soon!”

“Thank you!” Xing Zizhou said with a smile as he took back the cup.

Feng Jiu’er drank the tea Xiao Yingtao offered, and placed a jade pendant into the cup as well.

“Everything I wanted to say, he already said,” she leaned forward and whispered, gently ruffling Xiao Yingtao’s hair.

“Remember this—if anyone from your maiden family bullies you, don’t you dare put up with it, understand?”

Xiao Yingtao’s eyes, already red-rimmed, immediately welled up with tears.

Facing Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, she couldn’t get a single word out.

“Silly girl, getting married is supposed to be a happy thing, why are you crying?” Feng Jiu’er comforted her gently.

“Today I get to do whatever I want—if I want to cry, I’ll cry; if I want to laugh, I’ll laugh!” Xiao Yingtao mumbled, pouting.

Seeing this girl acting fearless as ever, Feng Jiu’er stopped worrying.

A girl’s willfulness was always something a man had spoiled into her.

Happiness—that alone was enough.

—