This was already their final refuge after moving to several different places. Tao the Elder was unwilling to let go of this opportunity that might allow the children to escape their plight, but if the cost was losing even this last place of shelter...
A bitter taste rose in Tao the Elder's heart. Without consulting the others, he knew they would be willing to bear this consequence.
Just as he was about to tell Liu Da that he agreed, he heard the young but experienced youth say, "I quite fancy this stone mountain, but my Lu family would never cut off someone's path to survival. Here's what I propose: I have some connections in Li County. If you agree, Tao the Elder, I can arrange for your relocation to Li County. Of course, if you prefer somewhere else, just say so. I'll try to accommodate within reasonable limits."
While the Sixth Prince was guarding against Tao the Elder making excessive demands, such thoughts never even crossed Tao the Elder's mind. His brain had gone completely blank. Move to Li County? Relocate there to live? Were they to stay there temporarily until all the stones were excavated, then return?
Though he knew full well that after experiencing life in such a place, returning to Ling Village would be unbearable, Tao the Elder still couldn't refuse this proposal. They yearned too desperately for such a life, with an intensity that burned in their hearts.
He gripped Liu Da's hand tightly, speaking a few words in local dialect. Enduring the pain in his arm, Liu Da addressed the Sixth Prince: "Tao the Elder asks how long they can stay in Li County, and whether the children can remain there afterward. If you allow the children to stay, all of Ling Village is willing to work for free quarrying stones."
After a pause, Liu Da added something Tao the Elder hadn't voiced: "They've lived on this land for generations and have long experience with these stones. Having them do the work would surely achieve twice the results with half the effort, saving Shopkeeper Lu considerable silver. I wonder..."
Liu Da couldn't continue. Though uneducated, he understood there's no such thing as a free lunch. This group's conduct was already the most compassionate he'd ever witnessed - others would likely not have given Tao the Elder's people any choice at all. They were just impoverished commoners - what could they do if driven away?
Yet Shopkeeper Lu and his party hadn't done so. Still, he feared that saying too much might provoke their displeasure and cause them to withdraw their promised benefits.
Watching the cautiously hopeful Tao the Elder, the Sixth Prince felt a pang of heartache. He swallowed hard to ease the tightness in his throat and nodded: "This venture is very important to me. If Ling Village's people are willing to help, that would be ideal. As for letting the children stay afterward..."
A tenderness the Sixth Prince himself didn't recognize softened his smile. "I'll find a way to get you registered as permanent residents in Li County. You can settle there permanently, and children should naturally remain with their families. What do you think?"
Tao the Elder's throat visibly moved as he stared wide-eyed in disbelief, half-convinced he was dreaming. He slapped his own face sharply - it hurt, this was real. These people weren't figments of his imagination. This was real, truly real!
Hua Zhi looked away, her heart trembling slightly. Even in her most difficult times, she had never truly experienced such hardship, yet these people had endured generation after generation here. When opportunity finally came, their first reaction was disbelief. Ultimately, she thought, the Great Qing Dynasty had failed them.Tao Laoda stood up and knelt straight down before the Sixth Prince, choking out a few words in his local dialect.
Liu Daqiang smiled and translated for him, "Tao Laoda says they're willing. He kowtows to you on behalf of all 413 people in Ling Village."
The Sixth Prince stepped forward to help him up. "This is what I should do."
As a prince of the Daqing Dynasty, this was his duty. The Sixth Prince turned to look at Sister Hua—was this what she wanted him to see? He thought he already understood her intention.
Meeting Sister Hua's encouraging gaze, Little Six pressed his lips together and turned back to face Tao Laoda. "I'll send people to handle matters in Li County. We'll have results within three days at the latest. Prepare yourselves, and then you can relocate from this place."
"Thank you for your kindness, Shopkeeper."
Gu Yanxi suddenly spoke up, "We'd like to look around Lingzhou. Please lead the way, Tao Laoda."
Tao Laoda naturally had no objections. After exchanging a few words with Liu Da, he hurried out. Soon, the deep toll of a bell was heard, followed by Tao Laoda speaking about something.
Liu Da translated, "Tao Laoda says he'll inform the people of Ling Village about this good news and then come back to guide you all. Right now, he's telling the villagers about this matter and having everyone pack their belongings."
Hua Zhi felt quite favorable toward this man. "Do you know which area in Li County would be suitable for settling them?"
Liu Da was taken aback—this matter wasn't for him to decide.
Hua Zhi noticed his hesitation and smiled, "Just speak freely. We're not familiar with Li County. If the local authorities settle them in another poor, remote area, how would that be any different from staying here in Lingzhou?"
"Even the poorest parts of Li County are better than this Ling Village." Liu Da instinctively defended his hometown. Considering their unfamiliarity with the area, he realized they could indeed be easily deceived by the local officials. So he said, "The villages under our Xixiu Town are all quite good. If they're settled in an area with mountains and water, they should be able to make a living. Moreover, it's not far from Lingzhou, making it convenient for them to come here for work in the future."
Hua Zhi nodded slightly. "Little Six, remember this location. Go personally to inspect it when the time comes. We must see this through from beginning to end—don't think you can just hand it off to subordinates and consider it done."
"Yes, I'll personally oversee it."
Liu Da couldn't help but take a few more glances at this beautiful young woman, surprised that she held decision-making authority within their group.
Tao Laoda returned shortly, his dark face glowing with vitality, his eyes more lively than before. He showed even greater respect toward the group, though the problem remained that they still couldn't understand his speech. Liu Da had no choice but to continue accompanying them, though he was quite happy to do so—when it came down to it, he would accumulate some merit for this.
Along the way, Liu Da listened to Tao Laoda's explanations while providing translations and introductions to the group. "There are quite a few stone mountains like this around here, but the best one is the one they built their houses on. If you want good quality stone, Shopkeeper, you'll need to quarry from there. The underground of that stone mountain is also full of this kind of rock. That flat area ahead is marshland—you can't walk there. If you sink in, you won't get out. There are several such areas around. Tao Laoda says when the time comes, he'll have people put up warning signs so your people don't come to harm..."The group remained silent, listening as one person spoke and the other translated, gradually gaining a thorough understanding of the area while personally experiencing the harshness of the living conditions. Yet, the people of Lingzhou had managed to survive and thrive here for over a century.
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