Chapter 22: The Wager

"Li Guo, you're so eager—do you actually understand what a farmers' association is?" Li Yi asked with a smile.

Li Guo scratched his head, stammering, "I really didn't quite get it. What exactly is a farmers' association?"

The villagers nearby burst out laughing.

In truth, they hadn't understood much either.

Stirred by their laughter, Li Guo straightened his back and declared, "But I do understand that with a farmers' association, the authorities and the Ai family won't dare to oppress us anymore."

At these words, the laughter ceased.

Their desires were modest: they simply wished to till their land and live in peace. As long as they were free from official oppression and the Ai family's exploitation, they would be content.

Li Yi nodded and said, "Li Guo is right, but he hasn't finished. Listen to me carefully. Once you understand, it won't be too late to join."

The farmers' association was chiefly about unity and organization; for it to truly function, every villager needed to know what it was and what purpose it served.

Li Yi had no intention of stirring up the crowd through manipulation or ignorance.

"First, with disasters striking again and again, we must quickly establish a granary to store grain, so that in lean years, no one starves to death.

Second, we'll organize militia training. Each village will send some able-bodied youths, and I'll lead them in learning martial skills. This way, we can repel bandits and deter petty criminals.

Third, we'll set up rural schools, so children from all the surrounding villages can learn to read and write."

Hearing Li Yi speak, the villagers began to murmur and discuss among themselves.

"Yi, this granary needs grain, but who has any surplus left?" the great-grandfather reminded him.

Li Yi nodded, smiling, "Since I suggested the farmers' association, I'll start by donating five taels of silver to buy grain. Those with means can donate money or grain as well. In future famines, we'll rely on collective fundraising—never again should anyone die of hunger."

Five taels of silver was no small sum, and the villagers gasped in amazement.

"Yi... Yi, I haven't made much from charcoal burning, and my family is out of food. Could I borrow some grain?"

A timid middle-aged villager asked from the crowd.

Li Yi smiled, "Of course. The association will send people to check, then your village chief or clan head will sign a three-way agreement, and you'll be able to borrow three months' worth of grain. There's no interest; just return it on time."

Last year had been plagued by disasters, leaving most villagers without much surplus.

They had lived each day in anxious despair, but now, with the association's establishment, this life-or-death problem was resolved.

In that moment, smiles spread across their faces as they looked gratefully at Li Yi.

"It's not scary anymore."

"This is great—I don't have to borrow from the Ai family's loan sharks."

"Yi, with what you're doing, many fewer people will starve this winter in Ganquan," Old Gao said excitedly.

Li Yi replied with a wry smile, "I just don't want to see my fellow villagers starve to death."

Upon hearing this, the villagers gazed at him with renewed warmth.

Great-grandfather then proposed, "Let's build the granary in the Li ancestral hall. What does everyone think?"

Since Li Yi was providing the funds, no one objected.

The village chief from Linjia Gully spoke up, "Li Yi, I understand the first two points—they're wonderful. But is it really necessary for children to go to school?"

"That's right. Young boys are already half laborers; who has time for reading and writing?"

"My boy's not cut out for studying. Why bother?"

Li Yi persuaded, "Letting our children study isn't about making them scholars. If they can read and write, they'll be less likely to be cheated, and if opportunities arise, they could find good work."

The villagers fell silent, heads bowed.

Li Yi smiled, "For schooling, I'll cover the costs of paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones. Yun will teach."

At this, embarrassed smiles appeared on their faces.

Nowadays, shops preferred to hire those who could read and write.

Of course they wanted their children educated, but poverty kept their horizons narrow.

The framework for the association was settled; the details would be addressed gradually.

Li Yi arranged for a meeting every three days, gathering clan heads, village chiefs, and capable people from the surrounding villages.

At that moment, the main dishes arrived at the table.

Li Yi stood, raised his cup of spirits, and said, "The association's benefits will become clear in time. But food waits for no one—let's drink!"

"Cheers!"

Gao Jie rose, lifting his cup.

The others followed suit.

The world is vast, but food is most important. The villagers' stomachs had long been empty; now, cups clinked, fists were thrown in drinking games, meat and soup were served, and noodles provided. Everyone ate their fill.

After this meal, the bonds among the villagers of the ten surrounding villages grew stronger.

They trusted Li Yi all the more.

Next, Li Yi had to truly establish the association, get everyone to join, and follow its guidance.

Only then could they unite to face the coming disasters and turmoil.

Li Yi gazed at the lively, laughing villagers, knowing these days would not last.

Just two years of minor drought had left them living on borrowed resources.

In his memory, Shaanxi would suffer consecutive major droughts—then, the land would be scorched, corpses everywhere, parents eating their children.

Worse still, such calamities would last for years, compounded by the extreme weather of the Little Ice Age. Many would die.

Li Yi only hoped that, before that day arrived, he could prepare as best he could and lead the villagers to find a path to survival.

"Brother Li, what are you thinking about? Come, drink!"

Gao Jie approached, cup in hand, to toast him.

Li Yi shook off his thoughts, raised his cup, and drank it down.

Then Gao Jie leaned in and said quietly, "Brother, with this association established, you have people and you have fighters. Looks to me like you've got big ambitions—care to share?"

Li Yi laughed, "What do you think, Gao?"

"In just a few days, you've united Ganquan's villagers into one. Now you have their hearts. If you call, they'll follow. In future, I'll likely have to heed your orders."

Li Yi smiled, "Actually, I have something I'd like your help with."

"Oh? What is it?"

"I want you and your men to join the militia training."

Li Yi had long hoped to win Gao Jie over, but Gao was a local tough with fierce followers, and Li Yi had been penniless before. There was no chance he'd listen.

Now, with the association and militia, the opportunity had come.

Gao Jie was silent for a moment, then shook his head, "My men are ruthless. Training them alongside timid, honest villagers—I doubt they'd agree."

Li Yi grinned, "In that case, why don't we make a bet?"

"A bet?"

Li Yi nodded, "Give me half a month. Then we'll have your men and the villagers face off, and see who's stronger."

Gao Jie glared, feeling his men were being underestimated, his expression dark.

"Half a month? That bunch of cowards can't possibly turn the tables. Fine, let's bet."

But he quickly added, "But you and I can't participate."

Li Yi, born with great strength and skilled in martial arts, would easily defeat Gao's men if he joined in.

"Agreed."

"If you win, my men and I will follow you from now on," Gao Jie said loudly.

Li Yi replied, "If your men win, ask whatever you wish."

The crowd witnessed their wager, making a great commotion, serving as witnesses.