Chapter 173 Pan Youmin
Everyone in the village knew that there was something wrong with that yard.
He knew something about what Chen Lizheng was doing.
"Do you know what's wrong with that yard?"
Xia Xing'er and Xia Qingyu were stunned and looked at each other. They didn't expect that Uncle Chen would ask so directly.
Xia Xing'er smiled and said, "I know. There were a lot of little bugs last night."
Chen Dabai was a little surprised, "Then where do you still live?"
Xia Xing'er nodded: "Yes, we are going to build a house there. That's why we came to see Aunt Chen today!"
Chen Dabai: "I know. Why don't you move to another location and continue to build the house there?"
Xia Xing'er looked at Chen Dabai as if to say that they were fools.
The corners of his mouth twitched unconsciously, "Uncle Chen, we will deal with those bugs. Besides, we have already bought the land around that small courtyard."
When Chen Dabai heard that Xia Xing'er and the others even spent money to buy something that was given away for free but no one wanted it, he was shocked.
I cursed unconsciously in my heart: What a stupid person with so much money!
"Uncle Chen, we're planning to build a three-story house there. How much silver will it cost?"
As Xia Xing'er spoke, she handed the drawings she had taken from Jiujiu to Chen Dabai.
Chen Dabai opened the drawing handed to him by Xia Xing'er, and his eyes lit up.
This house would be really beautiful if it was really built. Chen Dabai's eyes lingered on the drawings, as if he had already seen the towering house standing in the Stone Village.
The house in the drawing has three entrances and three exits, and its layout is staggered. It retains the ancient charm while retaining the modern elegance.
The flying eaves, carved beams and painted buildings, every detail reveals the ingenuity of the craftsmanship.
If it is really built, it will definitely be the most dazzling building in Shitou Village, even more magnificent than Chen Lizheng's house. People can feel the heavy wealth and solemnity at a glance.
Chen Dabai closed the blueprint and said solemnly, "This house is of great importance. It requires top-notch craftsmen and materials, and it will cost a lot of money.
However, I know a few old craftsmen who live in seclusion. They have extraordinary skills. If we can invite them, this house will surely shine."
Xia Xing'er's eyes flashed with surprise when she heard this: "Really? That's great! Uncle Chen, if you can help us connect, we're willing to pay any amount!"
Chen Dabai pondered for a moment and said, "This matter still needs to be carefully considered. Those old craftsmen have strange tempers and may not be willing to come out.
However, I'm going to town to do some shopping, so I can go and check out their opinions. You guys wait in the village for a while, I'll be back soon."
Xia Xing'er and Xia Qingyu looked at each other, both unable to hide their excitement.
Xia Xing'er looked at Chen Dabai's hurriedly departing back and thought to herself that this reclusive old craftsman must have been exiled here as well.
Pictures emerged in her mind: those craftsmen might have been famous architects in the capital, but were exiled here because of court struggles or political differences; or perhaps they were skilled craftsmen who were exiled because they offended the powerful, and had nowhere to display their talents, so they could only live in seclusion in this remote village.
They may be hiding in a forest near Stone Village, accompanied by the singing of birds and the gentle breeze every day, silently carving the wood or stone in their hands, waiting for the day when they will be discovered by the world again and regain their former glory.
Xia Xing'er suddenly remembered that in her previous life there was a Minister of Works named Pan Youmin, who was too upright.
He was dissatisfied with Emperor Shunkang's construction of palaces everywhere, and spoke out against it. He was punished by Emperor Shunkang and his entire family was exiled, apparently to Liangzhou.
I heard that the man was a very talented craftsman, and he supervised the construction of many of Emperor Shunkang's palaces.
Could it be that the person Uncle Chen was talking about...
Xia Xing'er and the others didn't have to wait long before they saw an old man in his sixties with gray hair and a goatee running into Aunt Chen's house in a hurry, followed by Chen Dabai.
She immediately had an idea in her mind. It seemed that this person was the hermit craftsman that Chen Dabai mentioned.
As soon as the old man entered the room, his eyes fell on the drawing in Xia Xing'er's hand. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he strode to the table, snatched the drawing and looked at it carefully.
He lightly ran his fingers across the drawing, and every time he passed a detail, his brows furrowed slightly, as if he was recalling something.
Suddenly, he looked up with excitement in his eyes: "Which of you two little kids drew this blueprint?"
Xia Xing'er and Xia Qingyu looked at each other and complained in their hearts, wondering how they could become little kids.
Thinking of the old man's question, I shook my head honestly.
Xia Xing'er asked, "Is this a painting by a friend of mine?"
The old man asked anxiously: "Where is your friend? Can you take me to see her?"
Xia Xing'er: This person actually wants to see me for a long time, is that possible?
That's definitely not possible. Not to mention that Jiujiu is a system, they are not the same species as Jiujiu!
It took a long time for them to come out, and the old man must have thought they were monsters.
Xia Xing'er said with a hint of regret, "Old man, I'm so sorry. My friend has been traveling around the world since he left this blueprint. I don't know his whereabouts now."
A hint of disappointment flashed across the old man's eyes after hearing this, but he quickly cheered up and said, "Little kid, if your friend comes back from his travels, could you introduce him to some of them?"
Xia Xing'er smiled and said, "Okay, if I can meet that friend of mine again in this life, I will definitely introduce him to you, old man!"
The old man's gaze fell on the drawing again, and the gleam in his eyes could not be ignored.
This blueprint is so wonderful. He has been a craftsman for so many years. Not to mention that he has built many houses of all sizes, he has also built many palaces for Emperor Shunkang.
But nothing could shock him more than this blueprint. He had originally planned to retire from helping people build houses, but now after seeing this blueprint, he began to waver again.
The old man pondered for a moment, and finally seemed to have made a decision.
He raised his eyes to look at Xia Xing'er and asked seriously, "Little kid, is it you who want to build the house on the blueprint?"
Xia Xing'er smiled and nodded: "Yes, old man, please call me Xing'er, don't call me little baby all the time."
The old man smiled and said, "Okay, I like your temperament, so I will call you Xing'er from now on. You don't have to call me old man anymore. My last name is Pan. If you don't mind, you can call me Old Pan!"
When Xia Xing'er heard that the old man's surname was indeed Pan, she thought it was quite a coincidence, as it was the same surname as the former Minister of Works. She asked tentatively, "I wonder if Mr. Pan was the former Minister of Works?"
Pan Youmin looked at Xia Xing'er in surprise. This little girl actually knew his name and knew that he was the former Minister of Works?
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