Chapter 170 - 170 Lively
170 Lively
Whenever someone wanted to build a house in the village, they would ask the villagers for help. Then they would spend some money on wood and give the rest to the builders.
If the villagers helped, they could earn enough money for two meals daily. However, it was the busy autumn season, and the villagers might not have much time to spare. If it were another time of the year, it would be fine.
After all, the villagers only waited for autumn to harvest their crops for a better New Year. Therefore, the Su family would feel apprehensive about asking for help during harvest season.
Su Binglan said, “Father, Mother, let’s think of it as hiring the villagers. We can pay whoever cooks well five coins per day, but we’ll be in charge of the meals and put more meat in the dishes.”
Su Wenzhe said, “If that’s the case, the villagers will be delighted to help us.”
One knew that being able to afford two meals and earn two coins daily was already a decent living, so the villagers would undoubtedly be happy.
Su Wenzhe was full of emotion at that moment. Previously, he and his two younger brothers had trouble finding work in the city. They could only earn a few coins from working at the dock.
Still, that was the contribution money, and many fought to work there. Therefore, there was no shortage of workers at the dock, and the Su brothers could not find a steady job.
Considering how many silver coins they could earn now, Su Wenzhe felt extremely satisfied. After experiencing hardships and poverty, he treasured the days when he earned even more money. He wasn’t afraid of hard work as long as his family could live a good life.
After some thought, Shen Qiuhua said, “Indeed, it’s more important to make tofu and sell it at the shop, so don’t worry about that. We should quickly build our house so you will feel at ease.”
Su Fengmao nodded in agreement and said, “Okay, let’s do it.”
Su Wenzhe thought of something and said, “Father, Mother, we must buy more land if we want to build a big house. How much should we buy?”
Su Binglan said thoughtfully, “Our old house is due north, and behind it is a rough estimate of ten acres of empty land, so let’s buy that much first.”
Liu Yinyin was surprised. “Do we need ten whole acres just to build a house?” She knew they were building a big house but never expected it to take up so much land.
Su Binglan explained, “We don’t need that much land for a house, but we need it for the backyard so we can use it to grow vegetables and other things.”
Shen Qiuhua said, “You’re very thoughtful, Binglan.”
Su Binglan seemed to have thought of something and asked, “Father, Mother, how much will one acre of land cost?”
After pondering, Su Fengmao said, “What kind of land do we need? An acre of land will cost one silver tael. Nonetheless, your First Granduncle Su is the real deal and will give us a fair price instead of raising it. He might even give us a discount.”
Shen Qiuhua said, “I noticed the land behind us is not very suitable for farming since it’s relatively barren. We can spend two silver taels to buy three acres of land.”
Su Fengmao said, “I will ask my uncle about it tomorrow.”
Su Binglan and the others called Su Fenmao’s uncle First Granduncle Su. He was Old Master Su’s brother and the chief of Su Teng Village.
Shen Qiuhua said, “I will prepare something for him before you go. You shouldn’t visit him empty-handed.”
“I know,” Su Fengmao replied smilingly.
The Su family sat on the brick bed, eating hot meals while discussing matters of buying land and building a house. It was a lively scene indeed. Su Xuexuan said, “Yay! We can live in a big house soon!”
Su Xuehai clapped his hands happily. “Yeah! A big, big house!”
The whole family felt a warmth in their hearts when they thought of living in a big house. They could not help but eat a little more.
…
The following day, Su Binglan and the others went to town to work. The family returned home together in the evening. As soon as they arrived, Su Fengmao said excitedly, “Come in, come in.”
Su Wenzhe noticed his father’s happiness, so he said, “You look excited. You must’ve gotten a good piece of land.”
Su Fengmao said, “Of course! You should know how good your father is at handling these things. Your first granduncle is selling us two acres of land for just one silver tael. He will go to town and do some paperwork tomorrow.”
Su Wenzhe did some calculations and said, “That saves us plenty of money!”
Su Fengmao agreed, “Exactly. After all, your first granduncle is the village chief, so it’s much more convenient for him to do these things.”
Su Fengmao’s grandfather and his family had moved there long ago. Still, it was only a wasteland then, and no one was around to cultivate it. Later on, people gradually went there to settle down to form Su Teng Village.
The Su family was in charge of various matters regarding the village, so the villagers respected them. After several years, Su Fengmao’s uncle took over the village and became the chief.
Su Binglan gave the blueprints to Su Fengmao and said, “Father, go to Uncle Zhengde tomorrow and tell him to build the house according to the blueprints. I’ll also give you some extra money to pay Uncle Zhengde if you need it.”
Su Binglan knew her Uncle Zhengde was in charge of construction projects throughout the village. She trusted him with building their house according to the blueprints.
Nonetheless, she could rest a.s.sured that her uncle could understand her blueprints since they were very detailed.
Su Fengmao carefully put the blueprints in his pocket and said, “Don’t worry, Binglan. I’ll visit Zhengde after dinner and talk about this.”
After dinner, Shen Qiuhua packed some things in a basket and told her husband to bring them to Su Zhengde’s house.
Now that they were living in better conditions, Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao always ensured they would not visit their relatives empty-handed because their relatives had helped them in the past.
Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao always remembered their relatives’ kindness and wanted to return the favor since they were well off now.
Su Fengmao returned in a hurry not long after he left. Su Binglan was talking to the others on the brick bed even though she was still busy peeling chestnuts.
Shen Qiuhua looked at her husband and asked, “What’s the hurry? Why are you back so soon?”
Su Fengmao looked at his daughter and said, “Binglan, come with me to Zhengde’s house. He got excited when he saw your blueprints and told me he wanted to discuss some things with you.
“He said he would come here, but I told him I would call you instead. Your uncle said he had never seen such a detailed design and was ecstatic when he discovered you were the one who drew it. I’ve never seen my eldest brother react like that before.”
Su Binglan readily agreed, “Okay, I’ll come with you.”
She did not know when she would return, so she looked at her husband and said, “You can go home and rest first. I’ll come straight home after talking with Uncle Zhengde.”
Luo Jin’an was helping to peel chestnuts on the brick bed when he heard Su Binglan’s words. He simply nodded and replied, “Okay.”