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

Chapter 339 Someone from the Cen family comes
Liu Tiechui sneered, "You've really thought this through! Fine, fine! If you want to do it, then go ahead! But let me make this clear from the start, I'm not getting involved."

Shen Yi nodded understandingly, "It's okay, I just wanted to discuss it with you. As long as you agree to let me build the bridge, I'll handle the rest myself. I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong."

"You! I really don't know what to say to you! Oh well, whatever, you can do whatever you want!" Liu Tiechui said helplessly.

After Shen Yi left, Ma Yujie came from the backyard. Upon learning of Shen Yi's plans, her reaction was similar to Liu Tiechui's: "I think he doesn't recognize his own status! Since he has become the adopted son of the Marquis of Yong'an, he should be careful. This matter could easily implicate the Marquis of Yong'an. I don't know what he's thinking."

Ma Yujie kept shaking her head. Originally, she wanted to spend more time with Su Tai, but now her interest had waned.

Shen Yi returned to the village and immediately told Shen Ying about the situation.

Shen Ying was very supportive and excited. "Great! Shen Yi, I knew you were capable! Our ancestors have lived here for generations, and no one has ever thought of building a bridge. The fact that you're thinking of this shows that you really want to do something for the people. I support you! You wait, tomorrow I'll go to the township head and have a good talk with him. Those who want to donate can donate, and we won't force those who don't. But after the bridge is completed, there will be a toll to cross it!"
After all, bridges can break down and need repair and maintenance, so we won't charge those who donated money to cross the river.

Shen Yi nodded repeatedly, "Uncle is so thoughtful. Please help me inform everyone. I still need to go to Dahe Town to coordinate."

Over the next few days, Shen Yi was busy in Dahe Town, leaving early and returning late. After the autumn harvest, the villagers began to discuss the bridge repair project.

Over the years, everyone has been living a good life thanks to Shen Yi and Su Tai's guidance, and they have a blind faith in them. As soon as they heard that they could donate money to repair the bridge and have a stone tablet engraved, they all generously donated.

Ten taels of silver equals one person. As long as their name is registered, they won't have to pay for bridge repairs or stone tablets in the future.

As a result, wealthy families included their members in the contribution, with one family contributing fifty or sixty taels and another contributing one hundred or eighty taels.

Nearly 10,000 taels were raised in Shenjiazhuang alone.

In the past two years, thanks to the fruiting of the apples, the situation in Liujiazhuang has improved considerably. Some far-sighted families have gritted their teeth and contributed a lot of money, while those with average means have also chipped in a few taels of silver. Even if they can't cross the bridge for free, it's still nice to have their names engraved on it.

Things are progressing poorly in Dahe Town. Firstly, Shen Yi isn't from Dahe Town, and secondly, people don't believe the bridge can be built.

Fortunately, Master Pu set an example by donating one thousand taels of silver in one go, and the manager of Jixiang Inn also donated five hundred taels of silver.

These two families are among the most prominent in Dahe Town. They both contributed money, and the common people didn't dare to openly say anything bad. Those with savings followed suit and donated some as well. Overall, it was still less than what Shenjiazhuang donated.

Surprisingly, all the tenant farmers on the estate contributed silver, with the smallest contribution being twenty taels, which greatly surprised Shen Yi.

Seeing Shen Yi's confusion, Fang Wei scratched his head sheepishly and said with a smile, "We don't understand any grand principles. If it weren't for the trust of our employer, who gave us the opportunity to cultivate the land and built houses for us, we wouldn't have the good life we ​​have today."

And then there's the lady of the house; she even helped us get married. Everything we have now is thanks to the master's help. If there's any need in the winter, we'll definitely have to lend a hand.

These people were all originally alone or without anyone to help them, but now almost all of them have wives, children, and have saved a considerable amount of money. They couldn't have imagined such a life before. Because of this contrast, they were all the more grateful to Shen Yi. Shen Yi was deeply moved by Fang Wei's words, patted him heavily on the shoulder, and said, "Alright! I appreciate your kindness!"

With the money secured, the next step was to arrange for people to go into the mountains to cut down trees. Once Ke Dasong arrived, they would discuss buying sheep. A one-mile-long pontoon bridge would require approximately 55,000 sheepskin bags, which would only last for three to five years and would need to be repaired and replaced every three to five years.

However, Sutai has a cheating tool that allows tool customization shops to technically treat these leather bags, extending their lifespan.

The couple had planned everything out and were eagerly awaiting Ke Dasong's arrival.

Before Ke Dasong arrived, the Cen family's side had already arrived in Zhaohua County.

As soon as Cen Li entered the Zhu family, he anxiously questioned Zhu Yixuan, "My elder brother married Mingzhu to you so that she could live a happy life. Isn't your Zhu family supposed to be the best family in Zhaohua County? How come you couldn't even protect a woman? You even sent her to the dungeon! What a disgrace!"

Zhu Yixuan silently endured Cen Li's reprimand without uttering a sound.

After finishing his tirade, Cen Li asked, "Who is the powerful figure behind the Shen family?"

He only heard the gist of what happened along the way, and had no idea what the specifics were.

Zhu Yixuan stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I have already inquired with the county magistrate, but he refused to reveal anything. However, some people say that it is a marquis, and that person has even recognized Shen Yi as his godson. The Zhu family cannot afford to offend such powerful and influential people."

Cen Li's face turned pale and then red, and he jumped up from his chair in shock. "You mean the esteemed person has recognized Shen Yi as their godson? Why is that?"

He still remembered the scene when he went to Moshi Town. Wasn't Shen Yi just an ordinary peasant? And what made his Yue family so fierce? What did they have that caught the eye of such an important person?
Zhu Yixuan shook his head, "I don't know. I personally went to apologize with gifts, hoping that Shen Yi would be lenient, but Shen Yi was adamant and refused to budge. Since I couldn't get through to the Shen family, I could only wait for my uncle to come."

“My elder brother is now a highly sought-after general in the capital! Is the person behind Shen Yi really that powerful?” Cen Li’s eyes flickered, and his heart sank a little. He thought it would be a simple matter, but he didn’t expect it to involve powerful figures. Things were becoming more complicated.

"Send someone to inquire again, make sure you find out the details about that marquis, so we can make a proper plan." Cen Li calmed down after a brief moment of panic.

Zhu Yixuan sent people to investigate as requested, and they actually found some clues.

“Uncle, that nobleman’s ancestral home should be in Moshi Town. He is acquainted with the town official. I sent someone with generous gifts to visit him and only then did I get some information. That nobleman should be the newly appointed Marquis by the Emperor.” Zhu Yixuan was unable to find out the specific details of the Marquis of Yong’an, but he could make inferences.

These are all things he deduced.

Cen Li was shocked. "Could it be him?"

"Does your uncle know?" Zhu Yixuan was even more concerned than Cen Li. He had gone to great lengths to curry favor with the Cen family, while Shen Yi had become the Marquis's godson without lifting a finger. He had been resentful about this for a long time.