Zi Bo and Yang Yi discussed matters for a while, then set off for Wu Family Village, the southernmost village of Pang Mountain and the one farthest from Zi Family Village.
By the time they arrived at Wu Family Village, the sun had begun to sink westward. Having avoided the blazing midday sun, the farmers had returned to the fields to work.
"Hey, folks, where's Wu Shun from your village?" The three villages had dealings with one another, and Zi Bo had been village head since before the Qin Dynasty—though back then he had been a village head under Chu, while now he served under the Qin Dynasty. Nearly everyone in the surrounding villages knew him.
"Ah, Lord Zi. He's in the middle of the village. You'll find him if you go take a look." The farmer straightened up and, upon recognizing Zi Bo, bent slightly at the waist in greeting.
"Alright, I'll go find him. Get back to your work." Zi Bo nodded, waved his hand, and headed toward the center of Wu Family Village with Yang Yi.
"Uncle Zi Bo, why does it feel like the crops here in the Wu family's fields are growing better than ours?" Yang Yi said as he walked along the edge of the fields, looking at the lush green crops.
Although Yang Yi was also a village head like Zi Bo, he was a generation younger than him and thus had to address Zi Bo as uncle.
"We'll talk after we see Wu Shun." Zi Bo frowned and pulled Yang Yi along at a quick pace toward the center of Wu Family Village.
Yet Zi Bo's gaze did linger over the fields for an instant, hesitation showing in his expression.
When they arrived at the residence of Wu Shun, Wu Family Village's