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

Chapter 692 Lumberjack Li Qiao

"Don't worry, Prime Minister Li, it won't be long!"

Chen Dao said confidently that Chenjia Village's development is now on the right track. As long as nothing unexpected happens and development continues in an orderly manner, Chenjia Village's high-yield grains and poultry will spread throughout the entire Kyushu, bringing inexpensive grains and meats to the people of Kyushu.

Li Mingyuan nodded slightly and said, "I plan to settle down in Chenjia Village. I wonder if you could provide me with a job to make a living?"

"Old Li, are you going to stay in Chenjia Village?"

Zheng Qiuyan's beautiful eyes widened.

"Ah."

Li Mingyuan nodded. Even before meeting Chen Dao, he had already considered staying in Chenjia Village, because Chenjia Village was the only place of "hope" he had seen in all his years of traveling across the land. He saw what he had always wanted to achieve in Chenjia Village.

After talking with Chen Dao, Li Mingyuan's idea became even stronger. He hoped to stay here, witness the development of Chenjia Village, and see his ideals realized.

Of course, most importantly... he wanted to protect Chenjia Village, this land of hope.

"If Prime Minister Li wants to stay, I would be more than happy to oblige."

Chen Dao grinned. Who was Li Mingyuan? He was a renowned former prime minister and one of the people Chen Dao admired most. Naturally, Chen Dao welcomed such a person with open arms if he was willing to stay in Chenjia Village.

“The school is short of teachers. How about Li Xiang take on a teaching position at the school?” Chen Dao asked tentatively.

Most of the jobs in Chenjia Village are physically demanding. Li Mingyuan is already seventy years old, so it's impossible for him to do manual labor. The most suitable job for Li Mingyuan is undoubtedly to be a teacher at the school.

"I'm fine."

Li Mingyuan nodded in agreement. Becoming a teacher had always been one of his wishes, so he naturally wouldn't refuse.

"What about me?"

After seeing Li Mingyuan agree, Li Qiao couldn't wait to ask.

Chen Dao glanced at Li Qiao. This person should be the first-rank martial artist that Zheng Qiuyan mentioned. To be honest, if Zheng Qiuyan hadn't told Li Qiao his identity in advance, Chen Dao would never have been able to tell that this person was one of the top first-rank martial artists in the Nine Provinces.

Dark complexion, not particularly muscular physique, and unconventional clothing...

This person looks more like a farmer than a martial artist.

"This must be Mr. Li Qiao, the man who strikes fear into the hearts of the powerful families of the capital?"

Chen Dao asked.

"hey-hey!"

Upon hearing Chen Dao describe him in this way, Li Qiao was overjoyed. "That's right, it's me, Li Qiao! If you don't mind, you can call me Uncle Li. What kind of work do you think I'm suited for?"

"Well……"

Chen Dao pondered for a moment, glanced at the machete at Li Qiao's waist, and said, "How about Uncle Li becomes a lumberjack at the construction site?"

"..."

Li Qiao opened his mouth. He, a dignified first-rank martial artist, was actually going to be a lumberjack?!

"can."

Before Li Qiao could speak, Li Mingyuan nodded in agreement for him. Li Qiao was not the kind of martial artist who considered himself noble, so he wouldn't look down on a job like lumberjack.

"alright."

Seeing that Li Mingyuan had agreed, Li Qiao nodded helplessly. There was nothing he could do; Uncle Li had already agreed, so what could he say?

"Little friend."

After discussing their work, Li Mingyuan looked at Chen Dao and said, "As far as I know, Li Gang, the commander of the Black-Clad Guards, has personally come to Qingzhou to arrest you and bring you back to the capital. Do you need any help, young friend?"

"Need not."

Chen Dao shook his head. To be honest, he didn't take Li Gang seriously at all, even though Li Gang was a second-rank martial artist.

"Young friend, you must not underestimate Li Gang!"

Seeing Chen Dao shake his head, Li Mingyuan became anxious. Chen Dao was his only hope for realizing his ideals, and he absolutely could not allow Chen Dao to be in any danger.

“That Li Gang is a second-rank martial artist with formidable strength. He is also accompanied by a large number of skilled black-clad guards, making him no easy opponent.”

"Don't worry, Prime Minister Li, I know what I'm doing!"

Chen Dao calmly patted the little round thing on his shoulder and said, "No matter how many people Li Gang brought, I'll make sure he doesn't leave alive."

Seeing Chen Dao's confidence, Li Mingyuan didn't say anything more, but he was determined to save Chen Dao's life no matter what.

"Since you've come from afar, why don't you have a simple meal at my home?"

"Then I shall accept it without being impolite."

Li Mingyuan did not refuse.

And so, a dinner party began.

Sitting in the front yard, enjoying the evening breeze and savoring the dishes, Li Mingyuan smiled and said, "The food at your home is quite flavorful, young friend."

The food at Chen Dao's house wasn't exactly lavish for Li Mingyuan, but it was delicious. The vegetarian dishes were crisp and refreshing, and the meat dishes were fragrant and appetizing.

"If you like it, eat more."

Chen Dao said with a smile, expressing his confidence in his family's dishes.

Li Ping usually cooks the meals at home. Since her family became wealthy, Li Ping has had more free time and began to study cooking skills. Now her skills are quite good, and the dishes she makes are often delicious and visually appealing. Many of the dishes in Chencun Restaurant were made by Li Ping under the guidance of her two older brothers.

Of course, Chen Dao's guidance was also indispensable, after all...

When it comes to the use of spices, no one in Chenjia Village can compare to Chen Dao, who traveled from China on Earth.

"delicious!"

Li Qiao's praise came from beside him. While eating the dishes on the table with lightning speed, he exaggeratedly said, "Young friend, the food in Chenjia Village is much better than that in Liangzhou. Compared to the food in Chenjia Village, the food in Liangzhou is practically pig slop!"

While Li Qiao's statement may have been somewhat exaggerated, it did reveal some truths.

Because the people in Chenjia Village are relatively well-off, they have the energy and spare money to study the flavors of their dishes.

Meanwhile, in Liangzhou, the people were starving and had no time or energy to study the flavors of the dishes.

This resulted in the food in Chenjia Village often tasting better, while in Liangzhou... it was often just about being edible, and people in Liangzhou didn't care much about the taste.

Of course, this is also why Li Mingyuan and Li Qiao are short of money, and they often eat at cheaper eateries rather than high-end restaurants.

"Uncle Li, eat more. You'll have the strength to cut down trees if you're full."

"Hey! You little rascal, you even make me go logging while you're eating."

"Ha ha!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and the courtyard was filled with cheerful chatter.

Enjoying the evening breeze and delicious food, everyone felt exceptionally comfortable.

The banquet didn't end until night had completely enveloped Chenjia Village.

"call."

Li Qiao gently stroked his swollen belly, a satisfied look on his face: "Comfortable."