After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 338 Bridge Repair
Su Tai also felt bad. She comforted Huang Xinghua while taking her back to the village.

After Liu Laosan left, it was time for Shen Yi, the town official of Dahe Town, to take office.

As a town official, he couldn't be completely illiterate, so Shen Yi brought Shen Yuezhang and Shen Congrong along, letting the two children assist him and teach him to read and write.

Within two days, everyone knew about it, and Liu Tiechui even went to see what was going on.

"Brother Shen, if you really need more people, just let me know, and I'll find you a few literate assistants to help you out!"

Now that they are both town officials, neither is more senior than the other, so they can talk more easily and freely.

Shen Yi smiled and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Brother Liu. I’m quite comfortable with these two kids, so I don’t plan to hire anyone for the time being.”

“Hey! You’re really daring! Although a town official isn’t a government official, he still has to handle a bunch of important matters, such as counting grain, cooperating with the government to collect taxes, handling disputes among the people, managing construction and agricultural affairs, etc. When the people have problems, they come to you first, and only then to the county government. You’re letting two kids take on such a heavy responsibility. Aren’t you afraid of making mistakes?” Liu Tiechui kindly analyzed for Shen Yi.

After listening carefully, Shen Yi said, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Liu. However, the old town official still has some old people. If there are no major problems, I don't need to arrange new people for the time being, so as not to cause any trouble."

Liu Tiechui understood. "You know what you're doing, so I won't say anything more. But when are you moving?"

"Move? Move what?" Shen Yi was puzzled. He had just built a big house in the village, and all his possessions were here. Why did he need to move?
Liu Tiechui was speechless. "Brother, you're the town official of Dahe Town. What's the point of living in Moshi Town? It's inconvenient if someone there's an emergency and needs to contact you!"

Shen Yi fell into deep thought.

After Liu Tiechui left, he told Su Tai what had happened.

Su Tai said, "I think Liu Tiechui is right. As a town official, you should indeed live in Dahe Town for a long time. There is no need to move. There is also the pot-bread business in the village, which we cannot give up. In addition, we have so many livestock at home, and we can't do without someone. The best way is for us to buy a house in Dahe Town, where you can live there permanently. My children and I can visit you when we have time, or you can come back when you have time."

Shen Yi was not very happy, but he knew that Su Tai's method was the most suitable, but he also had some concerns.

Almost every year, people fall into the Daxun River while crossing it, often resulting in fatalities. In his opinion, the river is very dangerous, and he doesn't feel comfortable letting his wife and children cross it on their own.

"Let me think about it some more."

For several days in a row, Shen Yi continued to travel back and forth between Dahe Town and Shenjiazhuang every day, leaving before dawn and returning under the stars and moon, looking rather unhappy.

Only after Su Tai pressed him for answers did he reveal his concerns.

Su Tai stared at him for a long while, her eyes wide, when suddenly a brilliant idea struck her. "I've got it! We can build a bridge! Yes! Build a bridge! Husband, if you could build a bridge when you're the town's magistrate, you'd be remembered for generations!"

Su Tai thought about it more and more and felt that this method was feasible. First, building a bridge would benefit the country and the people. Second, it was a huge project. A good bridge could last for at least a hundred years and benefit future generations.

Shen Yi was stunned by Su Tai's bold idea. "No, no! Wife, do you know how much money it costs to repair the bridge? Dahe Town is not Xiaoshizi River. We don't have craftsmen like this here."

Su Tai blinked calmly and licked her lips. "Husband, have you forgotten? I have a special skill. Just because no one here can do it doesn't mean it can't be done!"

Shen Yi was dumbfounded. "Wife, are you serious?" Su Tai nodded heavily. "Let's try to understand it first. Tell me about the situation in Daxun River."

Shen Yi knew Su Tai's personality; once she made up her mind to do something, she would definitely try, and there was no use in stopping her.

Helpless, he had no choice but to explain the situation of the Daxun River in detail.

"The main water flow of the Daxun River originates from the glacier. The flood season is stable, with abundant water in summer and less water flow in winter. However, the river surface freezes, making it impossible to do anything. The Daxun River is about two miles wide in some places and more than one mile wide in others. It is the narrowest point from our Shenjiazhuang, otherwise people wouldn't board the boat here."

I've never seen a bridge that long built. Even if it could be built, it wouldn't be safe. What if someone walks into the middle of the river and the bridge collapses? We couldn't afford the responsibility if something happened!

Shen Yi wanted to persuade Su Tai to give up this unrealistic idea.

Su Tai left thoughtfully, first going to the Gold Dimension to find the owner of the non-powered tool customization shop and briefly explaining the situation.

After listening carefully to her situation, the boss immediately helped her look up information. "Madam, according to what you said, in relatively underdeveloped areas with inconvenient transportation, it is necessary to build such a long bridge. I suggest building a pontoon bridge instead."

"A pontoon bridge?" Su Tai's eyes lit up; she knew there would be a way.

The shop owner nodded and said, "There are many materials for building pontoon bridges, such as wood, bamboo, foam, sheepskin, and cowhide. Using local materials is the best approach. These are the basic materials for building pontoon bridges. We can make other auxiliary materials in our shop, such as safety nets and steel frames."

The shop owner explained the production process in detail, and Su Tai wrote it all down. She stayed with the shop owner for half a day before going home.

"You mean building a pontoon bridge?" Shen Yi looked at Su Tai, who had a serious expression, in astonishment.

Su Tai pulled out the documents she had compiled. "According to what the boss said, I think we can use sheepskin and cowhide. If it can't be repaired in one year, we can repair it for two years. If it can't be repaired in two years, we can repair it for three or five years. One day we can repair this pontoon bridge that is more than a mile long. Don't you think so?"

Shen Yi's heart skipped a beat. Looking at Su Tai, his eyes were filled with turbulent emotions, and his throat felt blocked, making it impossible for him to speak.

It took him a long time to calm down before he stepped forward and hugged her tightly. "Xiaotai, thank you so much. Thank you for going to so much trouble for me. The pontoon bridge you mentioned is really possible and very safe. For your sake, I will try my best to make it a reality."

He had been too narrow-minded. Su Tai's words opened up his world, and he had some ideas about what to do next.

Shenjiazhuang belongs to Moshi Town, and the other side is Dahe Town. To build a bridge between the two sides, we need to discuss it with Liu Tiechui.

Shen Yi took the things to the Liu residence.

Liu Tiechui thought he had come to ask for advice, but Shen Yi didn't expect that the first thing he said was that he wanted to repair the bridge.

Liu Tiechui nearly choked on his own saliva. He jumped up from the stool, pointing at him excitedly, "Are you crazy? Building a bridge over the Daxun River? Are you rich or just bored? What are you thinking!"

Liu Tiechui's subconscious reaction was that Shen Yi was just messing around.

Shen Yi solemnly stated his plan, "I've thought about it. Building a pontoon bridge is feasible and safe. If you agree, I'll spread the word. We'll raise money first, on a voluntary basis. Anyone who donates will have their name inscribed on a stone tablet by the river, so that their name will be remembered for eternity. How about that?"