Chapter 104 - 105: Building a House
Jin Qianqian took out the courtyard sketch she had "hastily drawn" just after their meal. "Master Ding, this is the kind of house we want to build. Do you think it can be done?"
Ding Er looked over the entire drawing, then glanced up at Jin Qianqian in surprise. "This drawing is quite marvelous. All the details are so clear. It can certainly be built, but aren’t these surrounding walls a bit wasteful?"
’After all, this house is being built in a village. Is it really a good idea to build the walls as high as the house itself?’
"This way, the walls will require a considerable amount of materials. It will cost a lot more in silver taels."
Ancient Wen Heng said, "I generally prefer peace and quiet. Building the walls a bit higher will not only provide more security but also block out some noise.
It’s just that, as you know, we’ve just arrived and are unfamiliar with the area. We’ll likely have to rely on you for many of the materials."
"..."
The two parties went back and forth, and by the time they had settled everything and agreed on a date, night had fallen.
Jin Qianqian had already ordered a table of food from the inn’s kitchen ahead of time.
Just as the dishes were being served, Ancient Wen Heng saw Li Cuicui returning from her shopping and hurried over to take the things she was carrying. "Mother, why did you go out all by yourself? Where’s Father?"
"Don’t even mention it. Your father insisted his arm was hurting again. I think he’s just come down with a case of laziness. What are you two doing down here? Did you get everything you needed?"
Jin Qianqian explained that they had just found someone to build their house. "We’re about to eat now. Mother, why don’t you join us?"
’Anyway, the men were planning to have a few drinks, so I had ordered a separate meal to take back to my room. Looks like I’ll have to stay down here and eat with my mother-in-law instead.’
Li Cuicui was stunned. ’When building a house, don’t you usually just ask some relatives and friends to lend a hand? At most, you find a foreman who knows construction to supervise the start and finish.’
"That must cost a lot of silver taels, right?" Li Cuicui asked, a little worried. Although she didn’t know the true extent of the couple’s savings, ’this seems far too extravagant.’
Thinking of the price the foreman had just quoted, Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but smile. For only thirty-five taels, they could build a large house of green bricks and tiles, about the same size as the courtyard they had just purchased.
What made her even happier was that the washroom and toilet could be built according to her own design. The cost was worlds apart compared to modern times.
"We have it under control. Once we get our family affairs settled, my husband wants to continue his studies. If our home is stable, he won’t have to be distracted."
Li Cuicui was stunned by this string of news. "Seventh still wants to take the exam to become a Scholar?"
Ancient Wen Heng nodded with a smile. According to the memories he had received, the old scholar had truly done his utmost over the years, teaching him everything he could.
But now, as long as he continued to review his studies and practice his calligraphy, he was confident he could succeed.
Jin Qianqian added, "If it weren’t for the drought these past few years, on top of the period of national mourning, my husband might already be a Scholar. Now that things are settling down, he wants to give it a try."
"..." Li Cuicui fell silent. ’The family had never been able to afford to support his studies. Now that the money was all from her daughter-in-law’s side, she, as the mother-in-law, had even less of a right to say anything.’
"Mother, this is all great news. Come on, they’re starting to serve the food over there, so ours should be ready soon too." Jin Qianqian coaxed Li Cuicui over to a corner where her own meal was being set out.
Ancient Wen Heng said, "I’ve already had a meal sent up for Father, so you can keep Qianqian company down here, Mother."
"Don’t be so wasteful. We still have those wild vegetable cakes. Some hot water would have been enough for him." Although she was inwardly pleased, Li Cuicui couldn’t help but grumble out of habit.
Jin Qianqian had expected to face a barrage of snide comments first thing in the morning, but when she was instead greeted with smiling faces, she felt surprisingly uncomfortable.
"What’s gotten into your sisters-in-law? They were smiling at me so kindly this early in the morning that it made my hair stand on end."
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Whatever they’re plotting, let them. If we don’t make a move, they’ll be the ones to get antsy."
Jin Qianqian agreed completely and waited calmly within the group.
Unexpectedly, the women surrounded Li Cuicui and started prying.
"Mother, did Seventh really take you to stay at an inn? Was it in one of those large, communal sleeping rooms?"
"Surely not. No matter what, he should have at least gotten Mother and Father their own room. How could he let our parents suffer like that?"
Li Cuicui retorted, "What’s this? Do you want to be filial to your parents too? In that case, your father and I could certainly stay for a few more days."
"Oh, Mother," Liu Liu said, "we’re just concerned. We’re afraid that since Seventh and his wife have a bit of silver, they’ll just spend it all recklessly. They have a long life ahead; they can’t just waste everything."
Li Xiaohua chimed in, "Exactly. They have to build a house and get settled soon, which will cost a fortune. Each household only received ten taels of family silver. How could that possibly be enough?"
"That’s right, Mother," Liu Liu said, pursing her lips. "You see how many children I have, and Little Hua will need an extra room for her daughter, too. What can we do with so little silver?
If Seventh has any to spare, I was wondering if we could borrow a little?"
Li Cuicui’s face turned cold. "I suggest you stop spending all day thinking about other people’s business. If you don’t have enough silver, then live more simply. Don’t forget, you are all brothers who have split from the main family. Don’t let your hands reach too far."
"Mother, we don’t like the sound of that," Li Xiaohua said, her expression also turning cold. "We’re all equal brothers. If Seventh is doing well, what’s wrong with him giving his brothers a helping hand?
We’re all flesh and blood. Are you saying Seventh will never need his brothers in the future?"
Li Cuicui scoffed, "Do I look like a fool to you? You want to use me to offend Seventh so you can benefit? Where in the world would you find such a sweet deal?
I’ve already made my position clear. I’m not getting involved in your affairs. If you want to ask, go ask him yourselves."
The two sisters-in-law exchanged a look. ’Seventh’s wife has such a sharp tongue, and with Seventh being so fiercely protective of her, what good would come of asking them directly?’
As they walked on and the landscape grew more and more desolate, everyone’s hearts sank.
"Chief Li, has this road never been traveled?" Seeing the constable at the front hacking a path open with a machete, Gu Sanbu finally couldn’t resist asking.
"..." Li Yong rubbed his nose. "You’re all somewhat aware of the situation. Normally, no one wants to come out this way. But rest assured, we still come out to check on things every year."
Everyone: "..." ’Does that make a difference?’
They stopped at several villages along the way. At each one, Li Yong had the temporary village chief lead the new settlers in, letting them sort out their own living arrangements. He would then collect the official records on his return journey.
Jin Qianqian commented, "Actually, this resettlement aid seems much more humane than what’s recorded in history. Not only do they provide family silver, but they also waive taxes.
We don’t even have to buy land; we can just be assigned a plot to build on. That solves most of the major problems."
"Don’t be too optimistic," said Ancient Wen Heng. "They say we can repair the existing houses, but after so many years, how many of them could possibly still be standing?"