126 Chapter 126 The Manor (3)
At the same time, Zhou Ying also learned that the main output of this manor was cattle and sheep.
Although more than 100 acres of fertile land could grow wheat, millet, soybeans, and other grains, nothing was left after feeding the people in the manor and the livestock. If the year’s harvest were terrible, they would need to buy some from outside to supplement the livestock feed.
When Chang Shun saw them out, the couple went to the fields to look around. The wheat was growing well, but there were many cracks in the ground, and the legs of their pants had turned white.
“Uncle Chang, isn’t this place a little too dry?” Zhou Ying couldn’t help but frown.
“It’s a little dry. In previous years, there were already two rounds of rain and snow at this time. However, there was only one huge rain this year, barely wetting the ground. So, the land is naturally dried.
“However, there is no need to worry too much as the wheat is hibernating now. Even if it doesn’t snow before the new year, it wouldn’t have much impact once we watered it in spring and spread enough fertilizer.
“That’s good; I’ll have to trouble you with that.” Zhou Ying nodded.
However, Gu Chengrui felt that this was inappropriate. It would be too late to remedy the situation then, and the harvest would definitely decrease.
However, the weather was so cold that it was unrealistic to water them. It seemed that he had to water them enough before winter came.
“By the way, do you two want to renovate the main courtyard?” Chang Shun asked when he saw the courtyard house not far away.
Gu Chengrui looked at Zhou Ying after hearing that. To be honest, he felt a little uncomfortable since Miss Qiao had lived in that courtyard for a long time. But ultimately, he left this decision to Zhou Ying.
“Let’s go and take a look, ” Zhou Ying said hesitantly. “We’ll decide then.”
After that, the three of them went to the courtyard house.
Gu Chengrui and Chang Shun went to the house to understand the manor and asked him to give them a list of who would stay and who would leave. They would have to sign a long-term labor contract tomorrow if they stayed.
Zhou Ying walked around the courtyard. Obviously, the courtyard was often occupied, and it was well taken care of.
Unexpectedly, she found a storage room in the east wing of the main courtyard.
Most things inside were cloth-related, and there was gorgeous silk with all kinds of cotton and sackcloth.
She found a box of silver ingots and some broken silver pieces in the corner. She didn’t count them and just put them into her inters.p.a.ce.
Then, she carefully looked around and soon found a small cellar near the small courtyard kitchen.
It was mainly filled with various tonics, red dates, lotus seeds, longans, and white fungus.
As for the central kitchen, she knew that it must have been ransacked after looking at the broken porcelain pieces on the floor and the open cabinet door. Soo, she didn’t bother to look there.
After she was done, she returned to the main hall. “I think this courtyard is well maintained. The main thing we need to do is to renovate the three rooms in the main courtyard.”
“Would you like to do it yourselves? Or do you want me to arrange for someone to do it?” Chang Shun stood up and asked.
“We’ll do it ourselves at the beginning of spring. During this time, you can just find someone to come over every three to five days to help clean it up.
“Also, I want the security to be tightened up. Don’t let anyone take anything away from the courtyard.” After Zhou Ying finished speaking, she handed him two pieces of silver.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do a good job.” Chang Shun received the silver and smiled as he nodded repeatedly.
“Alright, I’ll leave this place to you. Do your best. We’ll officially appoint you as the butler here if we see that you are capable.”
“Thank you for your kind words, master.”
“It’s getting late, and we should go back. If you need anything, you can come to Dongxing Restaurant or Doctor Gu’s house in Shanghe Village to find us.