Some people were puzzled.

"Two hundred taels is enough to build a house, but it can only build a house of average quality. If we're going to build a house, we should build a house of good quality, within our means, using the best bricks and the best tiles, to build the most beautiful house in the village. Among so many people, our Qiao family is the last to build a house, so let's build the best one, spacious, beautiful, and of good quality."

After a moment of silence, everyone felt a sense of clarity.

Who wouldn't feel excited just thinking about such a large courtyard?

They now have a way to make money as镖师 (bodyguards/escorts), making three trips a month. Such a house costs four or five hundred taels of silver. Even if they are still three hundred taels short, after making six or seven more trips, they can start preparing to build it in two months at most.

“Okay, let’s build a beautiful, high-quality courtyard.” Boss Qiao was the first to agree: “Living in such a courtyard will make you feel different, and you’ll feel that your life has been worthwhile.”

“I agree. Although we have to wait, good things come to those who wait, and it won’t be too long. We’re here to live in forever. We live here, and our children and grandchildren will live here. A good house can be used for decades to come,” said Qiao Laosan.

Everyone agreed.

Grandma Qiao chose to bring it up at this time because now is the right time.

If the mushrooms are all gone, the best you can do is hard labor in the county town or try your luck hunting in the mountains. With so much money missing, when will you be able to raise it all?

But now I can make three escort missions a month, each mission yielding a few dozen taels of silver. The difference in earnings between missions can vary greatly. It doesn't matter if I make two fewer missions or more.

People's confidence in the future has been restored once again.

It was already very late at night, and there wasn't a sound in the village. The Qiao family men, who had been running around all day, and the Qiao family women, who had been waiting all day, had all gone to their rooms to sleep. But Old Mrs. Qiao's words kept everyone awake. The couple were quietly discussing the construction of their house in the future.

"Old woman, was this something you planned a long time ago?" Old Man Qiao nudged Old Woman Qiao with his elbow.

"Yes, Lian'er told me that our family is going to build the best house," said Grandma Qiao. "We didn't tell everyone at the time because we were afraid it would put pressure on them."

"Hmph, you should at least have told me first."

In the darkness, Old Mrs. Qiao rolled her eyes: "I dare not tell you, what if you say those discouraging things again and curse the children so that they can't even earn money for escorting goods?"

Old Man Qiao couldn't help but reflect inwardly. His thinking seemed a bit negative, which was a flaw that needed to be corrected. It might be one thing if it were another family, but the Qiao family's abilities and temperament shouldn't be wasted on such a negative way.

After getting up and having breakfast, Da Meng and Xiao Meng stayed at home while the men went to the county town to find work.

People felt that a household consisting entirely of women and an old man would inevitably attract unwanted attention, even though the women in the Qiao family were quite fierce.

When the villagers saw the men from the Qiao family, they knew they had returned safely and began to inquire about their earnings from escorting goods.

"It was earned with my life, so there's some to it, more or less," the Qiao family man replied perfunctorily, refusing to elaborate.

But seeing the smug look on the Qiao family men's faces, the villagers guessed that they must have made a lot of money from the trip.

They really couldn't earn that kind of money, and for a moment they felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

He's strong, a good fighter, and truly a treasure.

Before the news of the Qiao family men's return reached the Song family, the Song family arrived at noon, along with Song Ruier.

"What are you doing here?" Old Mrs. Qiao's face fell as soon as she saw the family.

“Oh dear, why are you acting like a thief, mother-in-law? Rui’er, tell your grandmother what we’re here for.”

Old Master Song grabbed Song Ruier by the back of the head and pushed him forward.