A Good Country Wife

Zhao Erhu looked hesitant, seemingly entangled over the matter of the silver. Seeing him like this, the village chief’s convoluted thoughts dissipated considerably. After all, he had seen the Zhao family’s business with his own eyes. If there was money to be made, it would be from the restaurant, but that had only recently started up. Fearing Zhao Erhu’s silver was limited, how could he otherwise hesitate to grab such prime farmland? Furthermore, the Zhao family’s new house was yet to be built, necessitating a significant investment. Asking Zhao Erhu to do anything for the village now seemed somewhat unrealistic.

"This is a rare opportunity. Many people are eyeing the eighty mu of good land owned by Landlord Zhang. Erhu, if you want it, you’ll have to make a move quickly, or someone else will buy it. I can’t stop them; after all, this is a transaction entrusted to me by Landlord Zhang—first come, first served."

"Uncle, I understand. I really want these eighty mu of prime land, but I can’t come up with that much silver all at once. Here’s what we’ll do, give me a day to borrow some silver from business friends. Keep the land reserved for me, and I’ll bring the money tomorrow at this time to purchase it."

"Alright, it’s settled then. I’ll hold it for you until tomorrow. If you can’t bring the money by then, I’ll have no choice but to sell the land on behalf of Landlord Zhang to someone else."

"I understand; I’ll trouble you to keep it for me, then. Now, I must go to raise the silver." Although Zhao Erhu worried that things could change before a deal was finalized, his family had risen to wealth too quickly, attracting unwanted attention without a substantial foundation. Now that the Magistrate had been recalled to the Capital City, the only connection they had left was Zhao Xinglin, who served as an arrest officer at the government office. However, Xinglin’s own situation was unpredictable. The saying went, "With a new emperor comes a new court," and although the former Magistrate Chen had favored Zhao Xinglin, it was unclear what the temperament of the new Magistrate would be. The position Xinglin held was coveted by many, and whether he remained an arrest officer was at the whim of the Magistrate.

"Erhu, you’re back. What did the village chief say? Did you find a suitable piece of land?" Lin Yue was airing out the quilts when she saw Zhao Erhu returning and hurriedly asked.

Usually expressionless, Zhao Erhu’s face softened upon seeing Lin Yue, smiling as he wrapped his arms around his young wife. "We’re in luck this time. Landlord Zhang’s eighty mu of good farmland is up for sale, and I want to buy it."

"Landlord Zhang’s good land is for sale? That’s great, didn’t you say before that his land is well-located and fertile, perfect for growing grains and vegetables? Surely many people would want this land, so we better finalize the deal quickly. Didn’t you bring a silver note earlier, or are you back to get the silver?"

"No, it’s agreed that I’ll bring the silver tomorrow at this time to buy the land. I told the village chief I’d be gathering it."

Lin Yue became anxious upon hearing this. "Lots of people will want that land, why didn’t you seal the deal right away? Don’t we have silver at home? Just take it and buy the land now, otherwise, who knows what might change!"

"It should be fine. Landlord Zhang only just spoke to the village chief, and the news hasn’t gone out yet. I made a deal with the village chief; as long as I bring the silver by tomorrow at this time, there shouldn’t be any issues. The village chief is a man of his word, don’t worry," Zhao Erhu explained.