Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Digging a Well

Within two days, Chen went out to inquire and actually found a Feng Shui master with Fan's father.

This man was holding a compass and walked around the front and back of Fan's house, looking at the mountains and trees, smelling the wind and the water. He looked very mysterious.

The plan to dig a well was not made public at home. Only the eldest wife knew about it, and Fan Shoushan and Zhang also came to see the excitement.

Several people followed the Feng Shui master with a mustache and circled around him.

"Mr. Qu, is there a suitable location for a well in my home?"

The Feng Shui master, called Mr. Qu, pinched his beard and pointed to a place near the gate in the yard.

He said: "The terrain here is slightly higher, so sewage won't backflow in. It's also surrounded by gentle slopes, which helps to store wind and gather energy. It's far from the kitchen, so water and fire can't harm it. It's the location of the Azure Dragon, a wonderful place."

Father Fan thought about it and realized that the position of the Azure Dragon is the east. The east symbolizes vitality and is the best place to dig a well.

Everyone in the room was so happy to hear this.

In order to prevent the well from not producing water when selecting only one location, a less favorable location was chosen as a backup.

After a whole morning of hard work, the Feng Shui master left with one hundred and twenty coins.

Kang He didn't know the price of hiring a Feng Shui expert like this, but Father Fan and Mrs. Chen had always been frugal, and they still charged this much, so it was obvious that this was the price.

He said to Fan Jing, "Being a Feng Shui master is really profitable. Just come here and take a look with a compass. You can earn 120 yuan in just half a day."

"You're such a talker, you might as well make less money telling stories under the overpass than you do as a feng shui master."

Kang He laughed and reached out to pinch Fan Jing's waist: "I take it as a compliment from you."

However, how much money you spend on Feng Shui is secondary. If you can determine a good location, the money will not be wasted.

"Now that we have dug a well, we can use water easily."

Uncle Fan said, "In the summer months, the competition for water is fierce."

On the other side of the Fan family's old house, no well has been dug in all these years. Zhang Jingui has mentioned it more than eight hundred times, but there is no spare money to dig a well.

The second branch of the family is planning to dig a well, and Fan Shoushan and Zhang Jingui both feel a bit unspeakable in their hearts.

It's not that I can't stand seeing the second branch doing well. After all, we are all family members. Telling it to others will bring honor to the Fan family.

It’s just that Fan Shoushan used to be the one who took the lead in everything. Now that the second wife is doing well, he still feels a little uncomfortable.

Another thing is that their eldest wife has had a lot of bad luck this year.

Previously, Fan Xin threatened to quit studying, and asked Mr. Xu to intervene, so the family had no choice but to agree.

Overnight, the family lost their teacher, and their future in the imperial examinations was also cut off, along with their former reputation in the outside world.

A while ago, Fan Xin went to the fields with his family again. He hadn't done heavy work for many years, so he felt dizzy under the sun and fell down in the field due to heatstroke in just an hour.

After taking two doses of heat-relieving medicine, I was fine. However, when the villagers found out about it, they all laughed.

People like Zhang Jingui who love to go out and wander around are now too embarrassed to go out.

Whenever someone was setting up a banquet at home, she would go after the meal was set.

Fortunately, a few days ago, the Xiang embroidery family said that they had seen an antique shop in the city looking for an accountant, so Fan Xin went to take a look and found that the shop had already taken a fancy to him and retained him.

I can still earn seven or eight cents a month.

No matter good or bad, having a place to go is always better than farming at home.

Now that the location for digging the well had been decided, the family discussed hiring someone to dig the well at night.

For a well used at home, a depth of seven or eight meters is enough. If you hire three or five people to work together, it can be done in ten days or half a month.

If you want to hire strong men, you have to pay sixty coins per day for one person. If you hire three people to work for fifteen days, it will cost two taels and seven coins of silver. In addition, you have to provide lunch for the workers. To complete a well, it will cost at least three strings of coins.

Another way is to hire a team of workers who specialize in well digging. They can finish the job in about ten days and it will cost about four strings of cash.

Kang He heard this and said, "In my opinion, it's better to hire a specialized team of workers. Although it costs a guan more, it will take less time. This is one reason. Another reason is that specialized well-drilling teams are more experienced and have more strength than ordinary well-drilling teams."

This way, accidents are less likely to happen. After the well is dug deep, people have to go in. If they meet someone inexperienced and cause it to collapse, what would be the consequences?

Although Father Fan and Mrs. Chen were reluctant to spend more of that money, they felt that what Kang He said made sense. When doing these things, it was most important to live peacefully, otherwise a good thing would turn into a bad one, and all the extra money would be wasted.

So it was settled. Kang He paid two strings of cash, and Chen and Father Fan contributed the rest.

If we ask the work team to provide food, the maximum they can get is only four strings of cash. It is not certain whether they will need such a large amount of money.

Five days later, the family hired a team of workers from the city, asking for three strings of cash and six hundred coins. There were five people who came together.

The people have all the necessary tools, including their own chisels and shovels, and nothing is provided by the employer.

For this kind of contracted work, people come early and work quickly. They don't slack off to earn more money. Instead, they look forward to finishing the work at one place as soon as possible to earn the money and then move on to the next one.

For this reason, it always has to be done much faster.

The Fan family dug a well, but they didn't show it off to outsiders. The villagers saw a few new faces coming every day, and they knew everything after asking around.

Everyone came to Fan's house to watch the fun.

"Once this well is dug, it will be much more convenient for your family. You won't have to go outside to get water. This will save you a lot of trouble during this season."

Mr. Shen came over that day to make salted duck and preserved eggs for Chen Sanfang, and his neighbor Mrs. Zeng also came with him.

When Zeng's wife heard that Chen Sanfang was collecting ducks, she collected a basket of ducks and sent it over to exchange for some money for lamp oil, just in time to come and see how the well was being dug.

She looked at several men in sleeveless linen jackets, three of them digging a well, two carrying mud, and one breaking stones, working hard.

The man's two bare arms were exposed, with tendon flesh bulging high from exertion. His face and body were tanned dark, and he was indeed very strong.

She went up to him and started a conversation: "Brother, it's very hot. Look at your sweat collars, you can wring out water."

"My wife and children need money, so I have to do some hard work to earn a few cents."

The workers were also very nice. "Brother Fan Shoulin and Sister Chen are so considerate. They make tea for us every day and boil water for us to wash our faces and hands."

Zeng's wife listened to what people said to her and said that people were caring about their families and making progress.

He raised his head and said to Chen Sanfang, "Now that the well is dug, sister Sanfang, you can enjoy the good life."

Chen Sanfang counted the ducks, twenty in total, and gave twenty coins to Zeng's wife.

The raw duck cost one cent each, and Chen Sanfang sold salted duck and preserved eggs outside, both at three cents each.

She laughed and said, "What kind of blessing is this? It's just that carrying water is too far. I gritted my teeth and dug a well. If you need water in the future, don't mind the trouble to come and get it."

After receiving the money, Zeng's wife smiled and said, "You are so generous."

Chen Sanfang said to her, "After lunch, go home and make some konjac and tofu. Come and help us make the salted duck."

"I'm afraid my hands and feet might damage the duck for you."

Then he added, "Well, let's help Mr. Shen."

Chen Sanfang was just being polite, but he didn't expect that Zeng's wife couldn't stand it and kept her after just two words.

Kang He prepared lunch for the workers in the kitchen. Everyone was happy to go into the kitchen in winter, but no one liked to go there in summer.

He stayed in the kitchen for a while and then went out to take a breath. He saw Zeng's wife enthusiastically serving tea and water to the men in the work team.

The man said he was helping to make salted duck, but his eyes were on the people in the work team, thinking about how to talk to them.

When Chen and Mr. Shen met, they both felt a little embarrassed to speak.

After lunch, the salt duck and preserved eggs were ready. Chen Sanfang paid Mr. Shen thirty coins and asked Mrs. Zeng to take a look.

When the two of them were going home together, Zeng's wife said to Mr. Shen, "This Sanfang sister gave you thirty coins each time?"

She had seen it all, and Mr. Shen couldn't say no, so he agreed.

Zeng's wife said, "She sells these salted ducks for three coins each. You come back to work with her for several hours every time and treat her so well, so why do you only give her this much?"

"Although these salted ducks are three cents each, she charges one cent just to buy the ducks, plus she has to buy salt to salt them, and then she has to pay me wages, so she doesn't make anything at all."

Mrs. Zeng snorted, "If she doesn't earn money, how will she get the money to dig a well? Look at what they eat for lunch: sesame oil, konjac, tofu, and even some bacon. What a good meal!"

"They're inviting guests home, so how can they eat watercress without any greasy smell? They usually eat very simply."

Zeng's wife said, "You have a kind heart, but you only think of others. Think about it. You made the salted duck, and it's your skill that counts. How could Chen Sanfang earn this much money without you?"

In my opinion, you might as well make them yourself and sell them. Three coins a piece, ten would equal the wages they give you. Why bother working for half an hour to get so little?"

After hearing this, Mr. Shen felt very disgusted.

He is not a fool and has a clear mind.

Although the skill of making salted duck is his, he cannot do it alone.

Not to mention that he didn't even have two ducks at home, so how could he save up enough to pickle them? If he hired someone to do it, he wouldn't be able to pay them.

Even if we have ducks, we don't have to worry about these things, but selling them is a difficult task.

He was not as willing to speak as Chen Sanfang. He was brave, but he couldn't shout as he went from street to street, and no one bought his story. What was the use of having the best skills?

Before he made salted duck for the Fan family, he had sold it before. If it was easier to make, it wouldn't be like this today.

Sanfang taught him how to make salted duck, gave him thirty coins each time, and didn't ask him to go out and sell it. He was already very satisfied.

If no one calls him, then his skills will just be useless.

Nowadays, he feels very content.

Zeng's wife often went to his place, and she knew that there were no poultry at home, but now she opened her mouth and said these words.

She had the audacity to eat a meal at someone else's house at noon.

Mr. Shen glanced at Mrs. Zeng, his tone no longer as gentle as before: "What's wrong with you today? Why are you talking like this?"

Seeing Mr. Shen's expression change, Mrs. Zeng smiled again and said, "Look at you. I'm really thinking about you, but you're just being suspicious."

Mr. Shen didn't expose the man directly, but he knew what was going on in his heart. He said that he was thinking about him, but he didn't really put himself in his shoes. Instead, every word he said was to sow discord.

He was a little annoyed with this person. Ever since she fell ill, she kept saying that the water she drank in their house was not right. Now she was saying these things again. She really had no good intentions.

"I'm going home first. It's hot and I have a lot of work to do at home."

After saying this, he left his wife Zeng and left.

“Hey, you…”

After a few more days, the Fan family's well was almost finished.

It was also due to good luck that the location was chosen well, and the water in the well was clear and could be used.

If the water is muddy and violates the taboo, then the well will be in vain and cannot be used and will have to be filled up.

That day, Hu Dasan also came to see the well and chatted with Fan Dad for a long time.

Kang He, who was taking a nap in the house, heard the sound and stopped fanning himself with Fan Jing.

He stood up and took a look out the window, then turned back and gently patted Fan Jing who was lying on the mat.

He said, "My brother, get up and go meet Hu the butcher."

Fan Jing refused to move. He knew what Kang He meant, but he just couldn't do anything to please him.

Seeing that the man didn't open his eyes and pretended to be asleep, Kang He said to himself, "Although my father went to ask Hu Tuzi about his intentions last time, he didn't respond, but he didn't refuse either. So we still have a chance to speak up."

"He's coming over today, and Dad will deal with him. As long as you're the one learning the craft, if you express your intention, it will let people know that you're willing to learn, and it's not just your family's push for you to learn. If someone has the intention to take in an apprentice, thinking about this will make you feel more at ease."

"I won't teach you anything else. Just serve them a bowl of tea. Is that okay?"

Fan Jing opened his eyelids and glanced at Kang He.

Kang He coaxed, "I'll make you a cup of snow-soaked bean soup this afternoon. Okay?"

Fan Jing said nothing, but finally got up from the bed.

"Uncle Hu is here. Has he had lunch?"

Kang He went out and greeted people first.

Hu Dasan saw Kang He and said amiably, "I've eaten. I heard that your well has water. The weather is a bit cooler today, so I came over to see what's going on."

"It's cool today, and a few gusts of wind make me feel comfortable.

A while ago, we pickled a jar of salted duck at home. It's almost done these past two days. I took two pieces and threw them into the pot. Uncle Hu rarely comes over to visit, so he can sit here for a while and taste the saltiness of this salted duck for me.

"Oh, no work!"

Father Fan said at this moment, "Let him do it, it won't take much trouble. We can go upstairs and have a drink later."

After hearing this, Hu Dasan drank more and said nothing more.

The two of them looked at the well outside for a while and then went back into the house.

Fan Jing and the other two brought the wine, opened it, and poured a bowl for Hu Dasan. Following Kang He's words, "Uncle Hu, have some wine."

Seeing this, Hu Dasan was also surprised that Fan Jing actually knew to call people. He took the wine bowl and said okay.

After a while, Kang He brought a plate of cut salt duck, a plate of garlic-flavored cucumber, and a plate of sweet and sandy winter melon for people to eat.

He and Fan Jing did not leave immediately, but stayed in the house, talked for a while, and drank a few sips of wine.

When leaving, Hu Dasan felt that the Fan family treated him very attentively and he was honored, so he was in a very good mood.

We were all in good spirits on the way back, greeting everyone we met along the way.

A fellow villager told him that seeing their Dalang was like seeing him back home.

Upon hearing this, Hu Dasan hurried back and saw a mule tied outside the yard from a distance.

It turned out to be their Dalang who came to the city.

Qiao Fulang was so happy that even though it was still early, he was already busy in the kitchen with his skirt tied up.

"You've arrived just in time. I've boiled some water. Go and kill the two chickens in the pen so I can prepare them and stew them."

Hu Dasan was happy to see his son coming home, but he kept a stern face and said, "How many people can eat two chickens?"

"I'll get one and eat it later, and I'll clean up the other and ask Dalang to take it back to the city."

Hu Dasan snorted coldly: "You've really thought about it for him."

The man said some unpleasant words, but went to get a knife and went to the chicken coop.

Hu Dalang heard his father's voice, came out of the house and called someone.

Hu Dasan said, "You're not busy with your bead-drilling work, and you still remember to come back."

Hu Dalang felt uncomfortable when he heard that his father had nothing good to say, so he kept his mouth shut and didn't say anything.

Seeing that Hu Dalang ignored him, Hu Dasan also became angry. He said, "Just focus on your work. If I take in an apprentice, I will be more filial than you!

If you don't want the good craftsmanship that my family has left for you, I'd rather give it to an outsider than give it to someone as irritating as you."

Hu Dalang didn't get angry when he heard his father say this. Instead, he stepped forward and asked, "Dad, you accepted a disciple? Whose family is he from? When did it happen? Why didn't I hear from you, little dad?"

When Qiao Fulang saw the firecrackers in his own house, he turned around and started to light them again. He hurried to persuade them, but when he went out of the kitchen, he saw his son talking to his father in a serious tone, so he did not interrupt.

"Why should I tell you? You're busy all day, how can you listen to what's going on at home?"

"What are you talking about, Dad? If I knew that Dad had accepted a disciple, I would be happy too."

Seeing him say this, Hu Dasan said, "I'm going to pass on my family's craft to others, and you're actually happy about it."

"It might be a good thing to pass on what I cannot inherit to those who are willing to learn."

Hu Dalang said, "Dad, no matter which family you choose, you still have to look for someone with good character."

"You're actually lecturing me, how could I not understand?"

Although Hu Dasan was a little unhappy, he was still happy to see his son happy and to talk to him.

He said, "It hasn't been confiscated yet. The eldest brother of the Fan family, Fan Shoulin, wants to come and learn the craft from me. Today the whole family is very welcoming. Brother Fan is teaching us how to drink, his brother and son-in-law are preparing the dishes and cutting the melons, and even Fan Jing is here to keep us company."

As he said this, he glared at Fan Dalang with a mixture of complaint and dissatisfaction: "I don't know how much better than you are."

Hu Dalang ignored his father's scolding and asked suspiciously, "Isn't Fan Jing a hunter? I heard he's very good at hunting. Why does he want to learn another skill?"

"You never know what life will be like in the mountains. You can't know when a disaster will strike. A while ago, Sanlang from the Kang family was injured by a wild boar. The family was worried and wanted to find a new way to make a living."

After hearing this, Hu Dalang understood.

He said, "The Fan family is also an honest family in our village, not bad at all."

But he wondered if his father's personality could get along with Fan Jing's.

But no matter whether they get along or not, he thinks it's a good thing that his father has the idea of taking in an apprentice.

He selfishly thought that if he had an apprentice, he wouldn't focus all his attention on him.

Over the years, the father and son have had many arguments about their craft, and sometimes even fought each other.

He didn't want to be disobedient or unfilial, so he just avoided people as much as possible and spent less time with his father to avoid unhappiness.

Nowadays, it is difficult for good things to turn around. How could he find fault with Fan Jing? Instead, he just praised his good points: "Fan Jing is a craftsman. He dares to fight bears, so why would he be afraid to slaughter pigs and sheep? If he changes his career to be a butcher, he will definitely do well. It will be much easier for him to get started than an ordinary layman.

When I go out, I won't bring disgrace to my father's reputation. If you ask me, it's rare for my father to find such a suitable disciple."

"Besides, Uncle Fan often drinks and hangs out with Dad. If this works, Dad won't have to worry about not having anyone to drink with in the future."

Hu Dasan originally said that he wanted to take in an apprentice out of anger, but after listening to his son's clear and logical arguments, he really started to think about it.

"You are good at planning for your father."

For dinner, the family had a rare harmonious meal together.

After dinner, Hu Dalang wanted to go back to the city. He pulled Qiao Fulang over and asked him to persuade his father.

"I've tried to persuade him a long time ago, ever since Fan Shoulin came to meet him for a drink. I just didn't dare to say it too harshly. You know your father's temper. Little Daddy knows what you're thinking, and I'll persuade him whenever I get the chance."

Qiao Fulang said, "When you have nothing to do, come home with your wife and children and visit often. Your father loves you very much, but he speaks harshly."

Hu Dalang agreed and said he would come home when he was free. He took the chickens that his family had prepared for him and drove back to the city in a mule cart overnight.