In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 88 Chen Lian is stunned

"Don't worry, Brother Dao, I will definitely help you choose the right people and I will never show favoritism."

Chen He solemnly assured them that although he, as the village chief, might not be very capable, he was very fair in his dealings, which was why he was always trusted by the villagers.

As for those young and strong men who wanted to arrange for the women in their families to work at Chen Dao's house, they all gave up on this idea. Ultimately, although these families with young and strong men were poor, they were far from being unable to make ends meet.

"That's good!"

Chen Dao nodded: "In that case, I'll be going now. Everyone go back and get ready. We'll start working tomorrow."

After saying this, Chen Dao led Chen Cheng and Chen Da out of the village chief's house.

After Chen Dao left, the villagers also bid farewell to the village chief and returned home to tell their families the good news.

Chen Sheng hurried back home. As soon as he arrived, his son Chen Gou and daughter-in-law Liu Jie greeted him and asked, "Dad, what did the village chief want to talk to you about?"

Clearly, Chen Gou and Liu Jie, who had been staying at home, were also very concerned about what was happening in the village. This wasn't gossip, but rather because major events in the village were often closely related to them.

"Go back inside first, and I'll explain everything to you slowly."

Chen Sheng gestured for the two to come inside. After they sat down, Chen Sheng said, "The imperial court wants to increase taxes, requiring each household to contribute 100 catties of grain or 2 taels of silver!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Gou and Liu Jie were both stunned, feeling as if the sky had fallen.

In those times, 100 catties of grain or 2 taels of silver were practically equivalent to taking their lives!

"This dog has entered the imperial court!"

Chen Gou angrily cursed, "In this year of famine, we can't even get enough to eat, and now we have to pay more taxes!"

"The boss."

Liu Jie's eyes widened, and her voice trembled as she said, "Is the imperial court trying to force us to our deaths? We simply can't afford 100 jin of grain!"

"Don't worry."

Just as Liu Jie was feeling lost and distraught, Chen Sheng smiled and said, "This matter has been resolved."

"solved?"

Liu Jie was taken aback and quickly asked, "How was it resolved? Could it be that the government sees our village is poor and doesn't plan to collect taxes anymore?"

"How could that be! The government wouldn't be so kind."

Chen Sheng shook his head and chuckled: "Dao Ge'er helped resolve this matter, and I rushed back to discuss it with you..."

Chen Sheng told the two of them everything Chen Dao had said at the village chief's house. After listening, Liu Jie said with a happy expression, "It's fine to rent our land to Brother Dao, as long as he can help us pay the taxes. Anyway, it's only for half a year, and there's no use leaving the land there."

"I knew that Brother Dao was a capable person."

Chen Gou, however, looked on with admiration.

He was two years older than Chen Dao, but in his heart, Chen Dao, who could provide such a good life for his family and even treat the whole village to steamed buns, was the person he admired the most.

"Brother Dao is indeed very capable."

Chen Sheng sighed, "The whole village, even the village chief, had no idea how to pay the taxes this time. Only Dao Ge'er said without batting an eye that he could help the whole village pay the taxes. That kid is really something!"

When Chen Dao's father, Chen Ping, was still alive, Chen Sheng had some connection with him and had seen Chen Dao as a child many times. At that time, Chen Dao was just a little kid who didn't know much.

Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, that young boy would become the head of the family, and be so capable that he could collect several hundred taels of tax money for the whole village without batting an eye.

"By the way, sir."

Liu Jie's eyes suddenly lit up, and she asked, "What about that chicken-raising job Chen Dao mentioned? Do you think I could take it?"

"No!"

Chen Sheng shook his head and said, "Brother Dao said that priority will be given to those who can't even afford to eat at home, so it's definitely not your turn."

Although Chen Sheng's family was poor, they weren't starving. There were many families worse off than theirs. Given the village chief Chen He's personality, the job of raising chickens would definitely not be available to them.

"Ok."

Liu Jie nodded with some disappointment, but then she cheered up again: "It's okay if we lose the job of raising chickens. We can help Brother Dao plow the fields and we'll definitely be able to eat our fill."

"Correct!"

Chen Gou nodded in agreement, saying, "Brother Dao is always generous. If we help him with the work, we'll definitely have enough to eat, and maybe even some steamed buns!"

Chen Gou has always missed the taste of steamed buns. Ever since he ate them, this soft and sweet food has become his greatest longing.

…………

…………

At Chen Lian's home.

Chen Lian, who was drawing water from the well, suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"coming."

Chen Lian put down the bucket and opened the front gate.

"Xiaolian, is your grandma home?"

Village chief Chen He stood outside the door with a smile.

Chen Lian asked with some surprise, "Village Chief, what brings you here?"

Chen Lian knew that the village chief had called a meeting of all the able-bodied men in the village, but since there were no men in her family and her grandmother was too old to move around easily, she was unable to attend.

"I have some good news to share with you. Won't you invite me in?" Chen He said with a smile.

"Village chief, come in quickly."

Chen Lian hurriedly welcomed Chen He into the house, and to avoid suspicion, she also called her grandmother, He Xuehua, to the living room.

"Grandma He, how have you been lately?"

Upon seeing He Xuehua, Chen He hurriedly greeted her. People in this era held the elderly in the highest esteem, and even though Chen He was the village chief, he still had to maintain a polite demeanor towards an elderly woman like He Xuehua.

"It's alright."

He Xuehua, though over fifty years old, was still quite healthy. She nodded slightly and then asked, "Xiao He, what brings you to our house?"

"I have some good news to tell you."

Village chief Chen He told Chen Dao about his need to find someone to help raise chickens.

After hearing this, He Xuehua and Chen Lian were both stunned, seemingly never expecting such a wonderful thing to fall into their laps.

The fact that they were provided with meals and received a monthly allowance of one or two taels of silver made the two women feel as if they were in a dream.

"Village chief, you're not kidding me, are you?"

Chen Lian asked in disbelief, "One tael of silver a month? Even the strongest young men in the village couldn't earn that much if they went to the city to work, right?"

For a woman to get such a job is like a windfall.

"Why would I joke with you?"

Chen He still had that same smiling face: "Dao Ge'er said that this job would prioritize those whose families can't even afford to eat. I was thinking that Xiao Lian's family is in a difficult situation, so I gave this job to you."

After saying that, Chen He reminded her, "But Xiao Lian, I must remind you that when you go to Dao Ge'er's house to work, you must be careful and meticulous. Don't make any mistakes, otherwise, if Dao Ge'er sends you back, there's nothing I can do."