Tian Qiao called out the ten households one by one and gave them a few more instructions before leaving directly. That left the ten households behind, some thirty people in all, gathered there and staring at one another in bewilderment. From that day onward, they would be neighbors for the rest of their lives.
Hu Shan, whose name had just been called, was the first to step forward. He cupped his hands toward the others and introduced himself. "I'm Hu Shan. I have a wife and a son at home. I don't have any great skills—I only know how to work the fields. From now on, sorry for the trouble, neighbors. I hope you'll look after us."
"My name is Lu Jian'an. I'm from Weishan Commandery. I have one wife and two children, and I know a little carpentry. If any of you need something in the future, feel free to come find me." Another man quickly followed by introducing his family's circumstances.
"Greetings, uncles. My name is Yuan Hua, and I'm fifteen years old. This is my wife, Qing Xia. We just got married. There are only the two of us, and we came here to teach." A young man in a sky-blue robe also stepped forward, holding his new wife's hand as he introduced himself.
"Knowing how to teach is wonderful. You can read and write, and in the future you might even enter the government offices and become an official. You're more capable than us." Another head of household, in his twenties or thirties, stepped forward. He offered that praise first, then introduced himself.
"My name is Wen Shou. It's just my wife and me, along with a son and a daughter. I can press oil, mill flour, and process lacquer. My wife can reel silk and